JP2001268538A - View control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a view control system capable of reducing the load of a CATV station in the case of executing unique view control for another medium sent as a digital signal. SOLUTION: The CATV station 101 distributes a program based on an independent broadcast to viewer's equipment 104 and resends a digital broadcast wave sent from a BS broadcast station 106 or a CS broadcast station 107 to the equipment 104. The station 101 multiplexes view control information with the digital broadcast wave in order to execute independent view control. The viewer's equipment 104 to be the receiving side descrambles the sent signal and controls whether the viewer can view the program through a monitor 124 or not based on the reproduced view control information. Since it is unnecessary to temporarily descramble the digital broadcast wave and then scramble the wave, the load of the station 101 can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a viewing control system for a program, and more particularly to a viewing control system in which a cable television station controls viewing of a program supplied from another station.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A cable television (CATV) station, which has transmitted a television signal mainly as an analog signal using a coaxial cable, has become an MPEG (Moving Picture Exposure).
(erts Group) 2 has attracted attention as a distribution station using a digital transmission line due to the completion of information compression technology. In other words, digital broadcasting currently being broadcast or scheduled to be broadcast uses MPEG2 technology that ensures the quality of current television broadcasting.

[0003] MPEG2 is based on MPEG1 which is based on a combination of discrete cosine transform and motion compensated prediction. Then, five types of function sets called profiles are defined so as to correspond to the image quality covering the area of the high-definition television from the current television. In addition, the transport stream (T
S) A TS packet having a structure is used. In this TS packet, the presence / absence of scrambling (encryption) and the type of key are defined by 2-bit information called transport scramble control.

A system using the MPEG2 (hereinafter simply referred to as an MPEG system) is called a CAT.
In the case of application to V, it is necessary to consider a case where a viewer retransmits media of another broadcaster via a CATV station. When each viewer receives the media of these broadcasters via the CATV transmission path, they secured the transmission right of these broadcasters and contracted for the payment of paid transmission data. This is because it is necessary to allow only the viewer to view. Therefore, in the MPEG system, each viewer is controlled to view a program using program control information called program arrangement information incorporated in transmission data. Also, security is ensured by scrambling a program (content) that restricts viewers such as pay broadcasts to a program element signal as information constituting a program such as video and audio. .

Therefore, the measures that can be taken by the CATV station when retransmitting the media of another broadcaster as a digital signal can be broadly divided into the following two. One method is that the CATV station once descrambles all digital broadcasts of media of other broadcasters,
The CATV station newly scrambles a specific channel and adds program control information to control the viewing of individual viewers with respect to the media of these other broadcasters. Another method is that the CATV station only modulates the TS packet of the digital broadcast of the media of another broadcasting company to send the TS packet to the transmission path of the CATV station. JP-A-11-15071
No. 9 discloses this latter technique. According to the technology described in this publication, digital terrestrial broadcasting is CAT
In the case of retransmission at V, this digital terrestrial broadcast is demodulated and transmitted only by performing frequency conversion to a channel desired by the CATV station without performing 64QAM modulation.

[0006]

In the former method, not only the scramble performed by the broadcaster is decoded, but also information for viewing control set by the broadcaster for each viewer is transmitted to the CATV. Replaced with station-side viewing control information,
Further, it is necessary to scramble a specific program in the CATV station itself. Therefore, there is a problem in that the burden on the CATV station side is greatly increased, and the cost required for the equipment is high. In the latter method, the CATV station simply uses the transmission path of the station for distribution of the broadcaster's media and uses it for viewers who have not paid the usage fee to their station. There is a problem that the CATV station cannot perform its own subscriber management such as restricting the number of subscribers.

An object of the present invention is to provide a viewing control system capable of reducing the load on the transmitting station or the CATV station for retransmitting when performing independent viewing control on another medium transmitted as a digital signal. Is to do.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) only media which is connected to a wired or wireless network and transmitted in real time from the network and which the viewer has subscribed to. Signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the contracted viewer to view the digital signal, and receiving the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means on its own side. Multiplexing means for independently multiplexing the viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of content for each viewer, and a multiplexing signal for transmitting the multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means to a network connecting the own station to the facility of the viewer. A transmitting station having transmitting means, and (b) a multiplexed signal transmitted by the multiplexed signal transmitting means of A multiplexed signal receiving means for receiving via a workpiece, a descrambling means for descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means, and a multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means. Key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal; viewing control information extracting means for extracting viewing control information from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means; and viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means. A descrambling execution means for supplying descrambling means to execute descrambling, and decoding for reproducing the descrambled content only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. And a viewer device having decoding means for performing the decoding.

In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the transmitting station connected to the wired or wireless network contracts only the content which is transmitted from the network in real time and which the viewer has subscribed to. When receiving a scrambled digital signal with key information added to make it available to the viewer and retransmitting it to the viewer's equipment, the content of the digital signal itself is not modified but is unique to the local station. In this case, the viewing control information for controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer is multiplexed and transmitted to the network connecting the viewer equipment. Then, the scrambled digital signal is descrambled by the viewer equipment using the key information, and the reproduction of the descrambled content is performed only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. For this reason, the decoding is performed, and the viewing control for the reproduction of the content such as the video and the sound is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the transmitting station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled content and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the transmitting station. In addition, since the transmitting station does not change the content itself, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble at the transmitting station. Yes, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a mistake at a specific time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, (a) only media that is connected to a wired or wireless network and transmitted in real time from the network, and only the content to which the viewer has subscribed for viewing, Digital signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the user to view the digital signal; Multiplexing means for multiplexing viewing control information for controlling viewing of content, and multiplex signal transmitting means for transmitting a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means to a network connecting the own station to the facilities of the viewer. A transmitting station, and (b) a multiplexed signal transmitted by the multiplexed signal transmitting means of the transmitting station via a network. Multiplex signal receiving means, a descrambling means for descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and a key from the digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Key information extracting means for extracting information;
The viewing control information extracting means for extracting the viewing control information from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means is extracted by the key information extracting means when the viewing is permitted. The viewing control system is provided with a viewer device including a descrambling execution unit that supplies the key information to the descrambling unit and executes the descrambling.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the transmitting station connected to the wired or wireless network contracts only the content which is transmitted from the network in real time and which the viewer has subscribed to. When receiving a scrambled digital signal with key information added to make it available to the viewer and retransmitting it to the viewer's equipment, the content of the digital signal itself is not modified but is unique to the local station. In this case, the viewing control information for controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer is multiplexed and transmitted to the network connecting the viewer equipment. When the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing, the key information extracted by the key information extracting means is supplied to the descrambling means so that the descrambling is performed so that the video and The viewing control for the reproduction of the content such as is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the transmitting station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled content and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the transmitting station. In addition, since the transmitting station does not change the content itself, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble at the transmitting station. Yes, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a mistake at a specific time.

[0012] According to the third aspect of the present invention, (a) scramble to which only media which is transmitted in real time and which has key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program to which the viewer has subscribed. Signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal subjected to the processing, and viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of the program for each viewer on the side of the own station with respect to the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means. And a multiplex signal transmitting means for transmitting a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means to a transmission line connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer. A multiplex signal receiving means for receiving, via a transmission path, a multiplex signal transmitted by the multiplex signal transmitting means, and demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Descrambling means for descrambling a digital signal, key information extracting means for extracting key information from a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and viewing / listening from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Viewing control information extracting means for extracting control information, descrambling executing means for supplying the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means to the descrambling means and executing descrambling, and extracting by the viewing control information extracting means The viewing control system is provided with a viewer facility including decoding means for decoding for reproducing the descrambled program only when the viewed control information allows viewing.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the CAT
The V-station receives a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program that the viewer has subscribed to, which is a media transmitted in real time, When retransmitting to the viewer equipment, the CATV station does not process the contents of the digital signal itself, but multiplexes the viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of the program for each viewer on the CATV station side. Is transmitted to a transmission line connecting between. Then, while the scrambled digital signal is descrambled by the viewer equipment using the key information, the reproduction of the descrambled program is performed only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. For this reason, the decoding is performed, and the viewing control for the reproduction of the program such as the video and the sound is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the CATV station side does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled program and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the CATV station side. Also, since the content of the program itself is not changed by the CATV station side, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble the CATV station side. In addition, it is possible to prevent a mistake at a specific time.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, (a) scrambling in which key information for allowing only a viewer who has subscribed to view a program transmitted in real time to view the program is added to the subscribed viewer. Signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal subjected to the processing, and viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of the program for each viewer on the side of the own station with respect to the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means. And a multiplex signal transmitting means for transmitting a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means to a transmission line connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer. A multiplex signal receiving means for receiving, via a transmission path, a multiplex signal transmitted by the multiplex signal transmitting means, and demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Descrambling means for descrambling a digital signal, key information extracting means for extracting key information from a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and viewing / listening from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. A viewing control information extracting means for extracting control information, and a key information extracted by the key information extracting means when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means permits viewing, to a descrambling means. The viewing control system is provided with a viewer facility including a descrambling execution unit for executing scrambling.

That is, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the CAT
The V station transmits a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program that the viewer has subscribed to, which is a medium transmitted in real time from the transmission path. When receiving and retransmitting to the viewer equipment, the CATV station multiplexes viewing control information for independently controlling viewing of the program for each viewer without processing the content of the digital signal itself. The data is transmitted to a transmission line connecting the viewer equipment. When the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing, the key information extracted by the key information extracting means is supplied to the descrambling means so that the descrambling is performed so that the video and The viewing control for the reproduction of the program such as is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the CATV station side does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled program and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the CATV station side. Also, since the contents of the program itself are not changed by the transmitting station at all, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble on the CATV station side, so there is no need to specify the target to be scrambled. In addition, it is possible to prevent a mistake at a specific time.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, (a) only media that is connected to a wired or wireless network and is transmitted in real time from the network, and only the content to which the viewer has subscribed for viewing, Signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the user to view the digital signal; A transmitting station having signal transmitting means for transmitting to a network connecting the own station to the facilities of the viewer by allocating viewing control information for controlling viewing to different frequency bands,
(B) signal receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means of the transmitting station via a network, signal separating means for separating a digital signal and viewing control information from the signal received by the signal receiving means, Descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separation means, key information extraction means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separation means, and viewing control information separated by the signal separation means. Descrambling executing means for supplying descrambling to the scrambling means for executing descrambling, and decoding means for decoding for playback of the descrambled content only when the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means allows viewing. The viewing control system is provided with a viewer device having the following.

That is, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the transmitting station connected to the wired or wireless network contracts only the content which is transmitted from the network in real time and which the viewer has subscribed to. When receiving a scrambled digital signal with key information added to make it available to the viewer and retransmitting it to the viewer's equipment, the content of the digital signal itself is not processed but is unique to the local station. And the viewing control information for controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer is allocated to different frequency bands, and is transmitted to a network connecting to viewer equipment. Then, the scrambled digital signal is descrambled by the viewer equipment using the key information, and the reproduction of the descrambled content is performed only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. For this reason, the decoding is performed, and the viewing control for the reproduction of the content such as the video and the sound is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the transmitting station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled content and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the transmitting station. In addition, since the transmitting station does not change the content itself, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble at the transmitting station. Yes, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a mistake at a specific time.

According to the invention described in claim 6, (a) only media that is connected to a wired or wireless network and is transmitted in real time from the network, and only the content to which the viewer has subscribed for viewing, Signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the user to view the digital signal; A transmitting station having signal transmitting means for transmitting to a network connecting the own station to the facilities of the viewer by allocating viewing control information for controlling viewing to separate frequency bands,
(B) signal receiving means for receiving, via a network, a signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means of the transmitting station; signal separating means for separating a digital signal and viewing control information from the signal received by the signal receiving means; The descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, the key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means. In the viewing control system, the key information extracted by the key information extracting means is supplied to the descrambling means to execute descrambling.

That is, in the invention according to the sixth aspect, the transmitting station connected to the wired or wireless network contracts only the content which is transmitted from the network in real time and which the viewer has subscribed to. When a scrambled digital signal to which a key information for allowing a viewer to be viewed is added is received and retransmitted to the viewer equipment, the content of the digital signal itself is not processed and the received digital signal is automatically processed. The station independently allocates viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of content for each viewer to different frequency bands, and transmits the information to a network connecting the station to the viewer's equipment. When the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing, the key information extracted by the key information extracting means is supplied to the descrambling means so that the descrambling is performed so that the video and The viewing control for the reproduction of the content such as is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the transmitting station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled content and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the transmitting station. Also, since the transmitting station does not change the content itself,
There is no quality degradation due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble at the transmitting station side, so there is no need to specify the target to be scrambled, and to prevent the occurrence of mistakes in specifying Can be.

[0020] In the invention according to claim 7, (a) scrambling in which media transmitted in real time and key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program to which the viewer has subscribed is provided. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal subjected to the processing, and the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means and the viewing control information for controlling the viewing of the program for each viewer independently on the own station side. A CATV station having signal transmission means for allocating signals to different frequency bands and transmitting the signals to a transmission line extending from the own station to the facilities of the viewer; and (b) transmitting a signal transmitted by the signal transmission means of the CATV station to a transmission line. Receiving means for receiving a signal via the signal receiving means, signal separating means for separating a digital signal and viewing control information from a signal received by the signal receiving means, and a signal separating means. Descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the above, key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and viewing control information separated by the signal separating means to the descrambling means. A descrambling execution means for supplying and executing descrambling, and decoding means for decoding for reproduction of the descrambled program only when the viewing control information separated by the signal separation means allows viewing. The viewing equipment is provided in the viewing control system.

That is, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the CAT
The V-station receives a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program that the viewer has subscribed to, which is a media transmitted in real time, When retransmitting to the viewer equipment, the content of the digital signal itself is not processed and the received digital signal and the viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of the program for each viewer on the CATV station side are included. The signals are allocated to different frequency bands and transmitted to a transmission line connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer. Then, while the scrambled digital signal is descrambled by the viewer equipment using the key information, the reproduction of the descrambled program is performed only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. For this reason, the decoding is performed, and the viewing control for the reproduction of the program such as the video and the sound is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the CATV station side does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled program and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the CATV station side. In addition, the content of the program itself is CATV
Since the station side does not change anything, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble the CATV station side. The occurrence of a mistake can be prevented.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, (a) scrambling in which media transmitted in real time and key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program to which the viewer has subscribed is provided. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal subjected to the processing, and the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means and the viewing control information for controlling the viewing of the program for each viewer independently on the own station side. A CATV station having signal transmission means for allocating signals to different frequency bands and transmitting the signals to a transmission line extending from the own station to the facilities of the viewer; and (b) transmitting a signal transmitted by the signal transmission means of the CATV station to a transmission line. Receiving means for receiving a signal via the signal receiving means, signal separating means for separating a digital signal and viewing control information from a signal received by the signal receiving means, and a signal separating means. Descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the above, key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and viewing control information separated by the signal separating means to allow viewing. In this case, the viewing control system is provided with a viewer device having a descrambling executing means for supplying the key information extracted by the key information extracting means to the descrambling means and executing the descrambling.

That is, in the invention according to claim 8, the CAT
The V station transmits a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program that the viewer has subscribed to, which is a medium transmitted in real time from the transmission path. When receiving and retransmitting to the viewer equipment, the contents of the digital signal itself are not processed, and the received digital signal and the viewing control for independently controlling the viewing of the program for each viewer on the CATV station side. The information is allocated to different frequency bands and transmitted to a transmission line connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer.
When the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing, the key information extracted by the key information extracting means is supplied to the descrambling means so that the descrambling is performed so that the video and The viewing control for the reproduction of the program such as is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the CATV station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled program and then scramble again according to the viewer's contract.
Burden on the station side can be reduced. Also, since the contents of the program itself are not changed by the transmitting station at all, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble on the CATV station side, so there is no need to specify the target to be scrambled. In addition, it is possible to prevent a mistake at a specific time.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, (a) only media that is connected to a wired or wireless network and transmitted from the network and that the viewer has subscribed to viewing is viewed by the subscribed viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for causing the digital signal to be received, digital signal storing means for storing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means, and reading from the digital signal storing means. Multiplexing means for multiplexing viewing control information for independently controlling viewing of content for each viewer on the side of the own station with respect to the digital signal, and multiplexing signals multiplexed by the multiplexing means. A transmitting station having multiplexed signal transmitting means for transmitting to a network connecting the equipment (B) A multiplexed signal receiving means for receiving, via a network, a multiplexed signal transmitted by the multiplexed signal transmitting means of the transmitting station, and a digital signal for descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means. Descrambling means, key information extracting means for extracting key information from a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and viewing control information for extracting viewing control information from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Extracting means, descrambling executing means for supplying the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means to the descrambling means and executing descrambling, and viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allowing viewing. And decryption means for performing decryption for reproduction of the descrambled content only when To and a example was the viewer equipment to the viewing control system.

In other words, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the transmitting station connected to the wired or wireless network is a medium transmitted from the network, and only the content to which the viewer has subscribed is viewed by the subscribed viewer. When receiving a scrambled digital signal with key information added to it and storing it once and retransmitting it to the viewer equipment, the contents of the digital signal itself are not processed and the local station side Multiplexes the viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer and sends the multiplexed viewing control information to a network connecting the viewer equipment. Then, the scrambled digital signal is descrambled by the viewer equipment using the key information, and the reproduction of the descrambled content is performed only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. For this reason, the decoding is performed, and the viewing control for the reproduction of the content such as the video and the sound is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the transmitting station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled content and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the transmitting station. In addition, since the transmitting station does not change the content itself, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble at the transmitting station. Yes, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a mistake at a specific time.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, (a) only the content which is connected to a wired or wireless network and which is transmitted from the network and which the viewer has subscribed to is viewed by the subscribed viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal to which key information is added, a digital signal storing means for storing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means, and reading from the digital signal storing means. Multiplexing means for multiplexing the viewing control information for controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer independently on the own station side with respect to the digital signal which has been transmitted, and transmitting the multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means from the own station to the viewer. Transmitting means for transmitting a multiplexed signal to a network connecting the facilities (B) a multiplex signal receiving means for receiving, via a network, a multiplex signal transmitted by the multiplex signal transmitting means of the transmitting station, and a descrambling of a digital signal demodulated from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Descrambling means, key information extracting means for extracting key information from a digital signal obtained by demodulating a multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and viewing control for extracting viewing control information from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Information extracting means, and descrambling execution for supplying the key information extracted by the key information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. And a viewer facility provided with the means.

That is, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the transmitting station connected to the wired or wireless network is a medium transmitted from the network and only the content to which the viewer has subscribed is viewed. When receiving a scrambled digital signal with key information added for viewing and storing it once and retransmitting it to the viewer equipment, the contents of the digital signal itself are not processed and the Multiplexes the viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer and sends the multiplexed viewing control information to a network connecting the viewer equipment. When the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing, the key information extracted by the key information extracting means is supplied to the descrambling means so that the descrambling is performed so that the video and The viewing control for the reproduction of the content such as is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the transmitting station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled content and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the transmitting station. In addition, since the transmitting station does not change the content itself, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble at the transmitting station. Yes, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a mistake at a specific time.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) a scrambled digital signal to which only media and a key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program to which the viewer has subscribed. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal, digital signal storing means for storing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means, Multiplexing means for multiplexing viewing control information for controlling the viewing of each program, and multiplexing signal transmitting means for transmitting a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means to a transmission line connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer. CATV station with (2) this CAT
Multiplexed signal receiving means for receiving, via a transmission line, the multiplexed signal transmitted by the multiplexed signal transmitting means of the V station, and descrambling means for descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means. Key information extracting means for extracting key information from a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means; and viewing control information extracting means for extracting viewing control information from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. The descrambling execution means for supplying the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling, and the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means permitting viewing. And a decryption means for decrypting the descrambled program for reproduction only. To be provided in the system.

That is, in the invention according to claim 11, CA
The TV station receives the scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program that the user has subscribed to, and temporarily stores the program. When retransmitting to the equipment, the digital signal itself is not processed
The V station independently multiplexes the viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of the program for each viewer, and transmits the multiplexed viewing control information to a transmission path connecting the viewer equipment. Then, while the scrambled digital signal is descrambled by the viewer equipment using the key information, the reproduction of the descrambled program is performed only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. For this reason, the decoding is performed, and the viewing control for the reproduction of the program such as the video and the sound is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, C
The ATV station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled program and then re-scramble the program according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the CATV station. Also, since the content of the program itself is not changed by the CATV station side, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble the CATV station side. In addition, it is possible to prevent a mistake at a specific time.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) a scrambled digital signal to which only media which is a program to which a viewer has subscribed to view is added key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view the program. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal, digital signal storing means for storing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means, Multiplexing means for multiplexing viewing control information for controlling the viewing of each program, and multiplexing signal transmitting means for transmitting a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means to a transmission line connecting the own station to the facility of the viewer. CATV station with (2) this CAT
Multiplexed signal receiving means for receiving, via a transmission line, the multiplexed signal transmitted by the multiplexed signal transmitting means of the V station, and descrambling means for descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means. Key information extracting means for extracting key information from a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means; and viewing control information extracting means for extracting viewing control information from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. And descrambling executing means for supplying the key information extracted by the key information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means permits viewing. The viewing equipment is provided in the viewing control system.

That is, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the CA
The TV station receives a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program that the viewer has subscribed to, which is a medium sent from the transmission path. When retransmitting to the viewer equipment after storing once, the content of the digital signal itself is not processed, and the CATV station multiplexes viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of the program for each viewer. Then, the data is transmitted to a transmission path connecting to the viewer equipment. When the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing, the key information extracted by the key information extracting means is supplied to the descrambling means so that the descrambling is performed so that the video and The viewing control for the reproduction of the program such as is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the CATV station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled program and then scramble again according to the viewer's contract.
The burden on the TV station can be reduced. Also, since the contents of the program itself are not changed by the transmitting station at all, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble on the CATV station side, so there is no need to specify the target to be scrambled. In addition, it is possible to prevent a mistake at a specific time.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, (a) only media which is connected to a wired or wireless network and transmitted from the network and which the viewer has subscribed to viewing is viewed by the subscribed viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal to which key information is added, a digital signal storing means for storing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means, and reading from the digital signal storing means. Signals for allocating digital signals and viewing control information for controlling the viewing of content for each viewer on their own side to separate frequency bands, and transmitting the signals to a network connecting the own station to the facilities of the viewer. A transmitting station having means for transmitting the signal; and (b) transmitting a signal from the signal transmitting means of the transmitting station. Signal receiving means for receiving a signal via a network, signal separating means for separating a digital signal and viewing control information from the signal received by the signal receiving means, and for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means Descrambling means, key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and descrambling for supplying the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling. A viewer control system comprising: an execution unit; and a decoding unit that decodes for playback of the content after descrambling only when the viewing control information separated by the signal separation unit allows viewing. To equip it.

That is, in the invention according to the thirteenth aspect, the transmitting station connected to the wired or wireless network transmits only the content that is transmitted from the network and the viewer has subscribed to. When receiving a scrambled digital signal with key information added for viewing it, storing it once, and then retransmitting it to the viewer equipment, the digital signal stored without processing the digital signal itself And the own station independently assigns viewing control information for controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer to different frequency bands, and sends them to a network connecting to the viewer equipment. Then, the scrambled digital signal is descrambled by the viewer equipment using the key information, and the reproduction of the descrambled content is performed only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. For this reason, the decoding is performed, and the viewing control for the reproduction of the content such as the video and the sound is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the transmitting station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled content and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the transmitting station. In addition, since the transmitting station does not change the content itself, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble at the transmitting station. Yes, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a mistake at a specific time.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, (a) only media that is connected to a wired or wireless network and transmitted from the network and that the viewer has subscribed to viewing is viewed by the subscribed viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal to which key information is added, a digital signal storing means for storing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means, and reading from the digital signal storing means. Signals for allocating digital signals and viewing control information for controlling the viewing of content for each viewer on their own side to separate frequency bands, and transmitting the signals to a network connecting the own station to the facilities of the viewer. A transmitting station provided with a transmitting means, and (b) transmitting a signal transmitting means of the transmitting station. Signal receiving means for receiving a signal via a network, signal separating means for separating a digital signal and viewing control information from the signal received by the signal receiving means, and for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means Descrambling means, key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and viewing control information separated by the signal separating means extracted by the key information extracting means when viewing is permitted. The viewing control system is provided with a viewer device including a descrambling execution unit that supplies the key information to the descrambling unit and executes the descrambling.

That is, according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the transmitting station connected to the wired or wireless network transmits only the content transmitted from the network and to which the viewer has subscribed. When receiving a scrambled digital signal with key information added for viewing it, storing it once, and then retransmitting it to the viewer equipment, the digital signal stored without processing the digital signal itself In addition, the own station side assigns viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of content for each viewer to different frequency bands, and transmits the information to a network connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer. When the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing, the key information extracted by the key information extracting means is supplied to the descrambling means so that the descrambling is performed so that the video and The viewing control for the reproduction of the content such as is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the transmitting station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled content and then re-scramble according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the transmitting station. In addition, since the transmitting station does not change the content itself, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble at the transmitting station. Yes, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a mistake at a specific time.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, (a) a scrambled digital signal to which key information for allowing only a viewer who has subscribed to view a program which is a media and to which the viewer subscribes is added. Digital signal receiving means for receiving digital signals, digital signal storing means for storing digital signals received by the digital signal receiving means, digital signals read out from the digital signal storing means, and the own station independently for each viewer. A CATV station having signal transmission means for allocating viewing control information for controlling program viewing to different frequency bands and transmitting the signal to a transmission line connecting the station itself to the viewer's equipment; and (b) the CATV station. A signal receiving means for receiving, via a transmission line, a signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means of the station; Signal separating means for separating the digital signal and the viewing control information, descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and key information for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means Extracting means, descrambling executing means for supplying the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means to the descrambling means and executing descrambling, and only when the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means allows viewing. The viewing control system is provided with a viewer facility including decoding means for decoding for playback of the descrambled program.

That is, in the invention according to claim 15, CA
The TV station receives the scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the program which is a media and the program the viewer has subscribed to, and temporarily stores the received scrambled digital signal. When retransmitting to the equipment, the contents of the digital signal itself are not processed, and the stored digital signal and the viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of the program for each viewer by the CATV station are separated. It is allocated to a frequency band and is transmitted to a transmission line connecting the own station to the viewer's equipment. Then, while the scrambled digital signal is descrambled by the viewer equipment using the key information, the reproduction of the descrambled program is performed only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. For this reason, the decoding is performed, and the viewing control for the reproduction of the program such as the video and the sound is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore,
The CATV station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled program and then re-scramble it according to the viewer's contract, thereby reducing the burden on the CATV station. Also, since the content of the program itself is not changed by the CATV station side, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble the CATV station side. In addition, it is possible to prevent a mistake at a specific time.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) a scrambled digital signal to which key information for allowing only a program, which is a media, to which the viewer has subscribed to view to be viewed by the subscribed viewer is added. Digital signal receiving means for receiving digital signals, digital signal storing means for storing digital signals received by the digital signal receiving means, digital signals read out from the digital signal storing means, and the own station independently for each viewer. A CATV station having signal transmission means for allocating viewing control information for controlling program viewing to different frequency bands and transmitting the signal to a transmission line connecting the station itself to the viewer's equipment; and (b) the CATV station. Signal receiving means for receiving the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means of the station via a transmission line; Signal separating means for separating the digital signal and the viewing control information, descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and key information for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means Extracting means, and descrambling executing means for supplying the key information extracted by the key information extracting means to the descrambling means and executing descrambling when the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means allows viewing. And a viewer control system.

That is, according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the CA
A TV station receives a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing a subscribed viewer to view only a program to which the viewer has subscribed, which is a medium sent from a transmission path. When the content is once stored and then retransmitted to the viewer equipment, the content of the digital signal itself is not processed and the stored digital signal and the CATV station independently control the viewing of the program for each viewer. The viewing control information is allocated to different frequency bands and transmitted to a transmission path connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer. When the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing, the key information extracted by the key information extracting means is supplied to the descrambling means so that the descrambling is performed so that the video and The viewing control for the reproduction of the program such as is performed on the viewer equipment side. Therefore, the CATV station does not need to uniformly descramble the scrambled program and then scramble again according to the viewer's contract.
The burden on the TV station can be reduced. Also, since the contents of the program itself are not changed by the transmitting station at all, there is no deterioration in quality due to the presence of an intermediary, and there is no need to re-scramble on the CATV station side, so there is no need to specify the target to be scrambled. In addition, it is possible to prevent a mistake at a specific time.

[0040]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0041]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a CATV according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows an outline of a viewing control system. This system includes a CATV station 101, viewer equipment 104 ₁ ... 104 _N connected to a transmission line 103 such as an optical fiber via a tap-off 102, and a BS broadcasting station 106 as a program supplier using satellites. It comprises a CS broadcasting station 107 and the like. Here, BS broadcasting station 106 is broadcasting satellite 1
11 is a station that transmits data to the BS receiving antenna 112 of the CATV station 101 using the CS broadcasting station 107.
Transmits data using the communication satellite 113 to the CATV station 101.
Is a station that transmits to the CS receiving antenna 114.

The CATV station 101 also has a terrestrial reception antenna 115,
(Television) information such as a broadcast 117 or an audio broadcast 118 or an independently produced program or game,
9, the signal is mixed and modulated, and transmitted to the transmission line 103 via the transceiver 120. Audience equipment 10
4 ₁ ...... 104 _N is the home terminal 123 connected to a protective device (not shown) of the transmission line 122 branched from the tap-off 102, and a monitor 124 of the television or the like connected to the home terminal 123.
In this embodiment, the BS broadcast station 106 and the CS broadcast station 10
7 deals with the case where the CATV station 101 receives the digital broadcast wave transmitted by 7 and retransmits it as a digital signal.

FIG. 2 shows the circuit configuration of the CATV station more specifically. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the case where the data received from the BS broadcast station 106 is one stream is shown as an example. The digital broadcast wave obtained from the BS receiving antenna 112 is
2 to be selectively demodulated and decoded into an MPEG2 transport stream. The decoded transport stream 133 is supplied to one input terminal of a multiplexer 134 constituting the mixing / modulation unit 119. The transmission-side control unit 135 connected to the other input terminal of the multiplexer 134 generates viewing control information based on the subscriber's contract information, and converts the generated viewing control information into an MPEG2 transport stream packet (TSP) format. Convert to Multiplexer 134
Multiplexes the converted viewing control information 136 and the transport stream 133 as a broadcast wave, and sends out a multiplexed signal 138 to the modulator 139. Modulator 139
Performs transmission channel coding for CATV and modulation corresponding to each transmission channel specified in a frequency band of, for example, 6 MHz on the multiplexed signal 138, and multiplexes the signal from the transmitter 141 constituting the transceiver 120. Signal 150
To the transmission line 103.

After the digital broadcast wave transmitted by the CS broadcast station 107 is decoded into a transport stream, one channel thereof can be allocated to a 6 MHz frequency band. For example, among frequencies from 90 MHz to 750 MHz on the CATV transmission line 103, such frequency allocation is performed in units of 6 MHz. Unlike the CS broadcast station 107, in the case of a digital broadcast wave transmitted by the BS broadcast station 106,
Only half of the channel's transport stream is 6
Cannot be assigned to the megahertz frequency band.
Therefore, in the case of a digital broadcast wave transmitted from the BS broadcast station 106, one channel of the digital broadcast wave is
The available channels (6 MHz frequency band) for the channels are selected, the frequency is modulated for each channel, and the transmission path 1 is selected.
03.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the home terminal. The home terminal 123 shown in FIG. 1 receives the multiplexed signal 150 from the CATV transmission line 151 that has passed through the above-mentioned protector, and inputs the multiplexed signal 150 to the demodulator 152. The demodulator 152 performs channel selection demodulation and transmission path decoding. The signal 153 having passed through the demodulator 152 is sent to a descrambler 154. The descrambler 154 descrambles the signal 153 using the key information 156 sequentially and periodically sent from the receiving-side control unit 155 while changing the key in accordance with the encryption switching. At this time, descrambling of a key serving as a base is performed based on a packet received by an IC card (not shown). The signal 157 processed by the descrambler 154 is input to the separator 158. The separator 158 converts the input signal 157 into the program element signal 159 and the program control information 1 under the control of the reception side control unit 155.
61. Here, the program element signal 159 refers to information constituting a program such as video and audio. Program control information 1
Reference numeral 61 includes key information in addition to the viewing control information output from the transmission-side control unit 135 in FIG. The program element signal 159 is sent to the decoder 162 and is decoded into a baseband signal 163 such as video and audio. The baseband signal 163 is input from the home terminal 123 to the monitor 124 such as the television shown in FIG. 1, and the video and audio are reproduced.

The case of receiving the digital broadcast wave from the BS broadcast station 106 has been described above. However, the circuit operation when receiving the digital broadcast wave from the CS broadcast station 107 is substantially the same. Omitted.

In such a CATV viewing control system,
For example, a viewer A who owns the viewer equipment 104 ₁ shown in FIG.
Assume that the user has made a contract to view the program No. 6. In this case, the BS broadcasting station 106 transmits a digital broadcast wave by incorporating key information that can be descrambled by the viewer A. This digital broadcast wave is received by the BS receiving antenna 112 of the CATV station 101 via the broadcast satellite 111.

The digital broadcast wave received by the CATV station 101 includes a program element signal in a format conforming to the MPEG2 system and program control information for selecting a program and descrambling. The receiver 132 selectively demodulates and decodes into a transport stream based on MPEG2. This is supplied to one input terminal of the multiplexer 134. Therefore, the CATV station 101 does not perform processing such as descrambling the received digital broadcast wave once and performing scrambling processing unique to the CATV station.

The CATV station 101 generates viewing control information for controlling the viewing of each viewer independently of the station. For example, it is assumed that the viewer A directly subscribes to a specific CS broadcasting station 107, and the viewer himself can directly receive the broadcast by an antenna installed on the rooftop of his / her home. In this case, even if the viewer A subscribes to the CATV station 101,
If there is no contract to view the program of the CS broadcast station 107 through the CATV station 101, the CATV station
The station 101 does not need to descramble the program of the CS broadcast station 107. Alternatively, even if the viewer A has subscribed to the program of the specific CS broadcast station 107 through the CATV station 101, the CATV station 10
In the case where the usage fee is delinquent and its use is restricted, the CATV station 101 side sends the CS broadcast station 107
It is of course conceivable to limit the viewing of this program. C
When the ATV station 101 independently generates and manages the viewing control information, in such a case, the BS broadcast station 106 or the CS broadcast station 1
The viewing of each viewer can be controlled in a state in which the situation on the CATV station 101 side is added in addition to the relationship between the CA 07 and the viewer A.

The multiplexer 134 multiplexes the viewing control information 136 and the transport stream 133 as a broadcast wave without processing the received digital broadcast wave itself, and sends it to the modulator 139. The modulator 139 outputs the multiplexed signal 13
8 is subjected to CATV transmission path coding and modulation corresponding to the transmission channel, and is transmitted to the transmission path 103 from the transmitter 141 constituting the transceiver 120. The modulation at this time is, for example, 64QAM modulation (quadrature a
mplitude modulation (quadrature amplitude modulation), 256 QAM modulation, or OFDM (orth
An ogonal frequency division multiplex (orthogonal frequency division multiplex) system may be used.

At the home of the viewer A who owns the viewer equipment 104 ₁ , the multiplexed signal 1 is
50 is received. The multiplexed signal 150 is supplied to the demodulator 152
, Where channel selection demodulation and transmission path decoding are performed, and decoded into a transport stream signal. This signal 15
3 is supplied to the descrambler 154. The descrambler 154 receives a PID as an ID for identifying a program to be descrambled and key information 156 for descrambling from the receiving side control unit 155. Then, only the packet of the designated PID in the input transport stream is descrambled. For example, when the viewer A views a program of a specific BS broadcasting station 106 contracted via the CATV station 101, a packet of the program is descrambled.

This descrambled signal 157
Is input to the separator 158. The separator 158 separates the signal 157 into a program element signal 159 as information constituting a program such as video and audio and program control information 161 according to an instruction from the receiving side control unit 155. The separated program element signal 159 is a signal representing the content of the program of the specific BS broadcast station 106. This program element signal 159 is supplied to the decoder 1
62, a baseband signal 16 such as video, audio, etc.
3 is decoded.

The receiving-side control unit 155 extracts the PID of the packet of the program subscribed to by the viewer A and the descrambling key of the program from the program control information included in the digital broadcast of another medium. In this example, the PID of the packet of the program subscribed to by the specific BS broadcasting station 106 and the key for descrambling the program are obtained. The extracted key is sent to the descrambler 154,
The descrambling process of the corresponding program in the signal 153 that has passed through the demodulator 152 can be continued.

The receiving side control unit 155 also reads out the subscriber contract information included in the viewing control information output from the transmitting side control unit 135 in FIG. If the contract information indicates that the viewer A can view the program, the program element signal 159 is reproduced. On the other hand, if the contract information does not allow the viewer A to view the program, the synchronization process in the reproduction of the program element signal 159 is not performed. Therefore, in the latter case, the viewer cannot view the program even if descrambling is performed.

Deformability of the invention

In the embodiment described above, the CATV station 101 performs modulation for transmitting the digital broadcast wave itself transmitted from the BS broadcast station 106 to the CATV transmission line 103 without performing any processing. I decided to do it. When playing back the program on the home terminal 123 side of the viewer equipment 104 ₁ , the viewing of the program can be restricted based on whether or not the CATV station 101 independently performs the playback synchronization processing based on the viewing control information 136. I did it. Instead of performing such control, the viewer equipment 1
04 ₁ receiving terminal control unit 15 on the home terminal 123 side
5, key information may be controlled. This case will be described below.

Also in this modification, the program control information 161
Is input to the receiving side control unit 155. Receiving side control unit 15
5 reads out the subscriber contract information included in the viewing control information output from the transmission side control unit 135 in FIG. And
If the contract information allows viewing to the viewer A, the PID of the packet of the program contracted by the viewer A and the data of the Extract the scramble key. In this example, the PID of the packet of the program subscribed to by the specific BS broadcasting station 106 and the key for descrambling the program are obtained. The extracted key is sent to the descrambler 154, and the signal 1
The descrambling process of the corresponding program in 53 can be continued. Therefore, the viewer A can view the program of the specific BS broadcast station 106 via the CATV station 101.

On the other hand, if the subscriber's contract information included in the viewing control information indicates that the CATV station 101 does not permit viewing of the program subscribed to by the BS broadcasting station 106, the receiving side control unit 155 does not extract the descrambling key of the program. Alternatively, the extracted key is not given to the descrambler 154. Therefore, even if the key for viewer A is present in the multiplexed signal 150 itself transmitted from the specific BS broadcast station 106 to the viewer equipment 104 ₁ of viewer A, the descrambler 154 does not descramble the program. The processing cannot be performed, and the viewer A
4 cannot watch the program. Of course, when the viewer A has not made a contract for a program with another medium, it is natural that the program cannot be viewed because the program descrambling key is not sent.

Other Modifications

In the embodiment described above, the CATV station 101
A so-called in-band system is used in which the viewing control information uniquely added by the program is transmitted on the same channel as the program element signal. The viewing control information may be transmitted using a channel different from the program element signal or a frequency band different from the frequency band for transmitting the program element signal through the same cable.

FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 2 of the previous embodiment, and is a CATV station of a so-called out-band CATV viewing control system in which the viewing control information is transmitted on a channel different from the program element signal. Of FIG. In FIG. 4, the same portions as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Also, in this modified example, the relationship between the BS broadcast station 106 and the viewer A will be described to simplify the description.

In this modified example, the viewing control information output from the transmitting side control unit 135 is stored in the transport
View control information 13 converted to stream packet format
6 is input to a modulator 239 different from the modulator 139 in the mixing / modulation section 219. The modulator 239 subjects the viewing control information 136 to modulation corresponding to a transmission channel different from the CATV transmission line coding. Both modulators 13
9 and 239 are mixed by the mixer 221 and the
41, and transmitted to the transmission path 103 as different channels.

FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 2 of the previous embodiment, and shows the configuration of the home terminal side of this modification. In the home terminal 223, a distributor 251 is connected to a CATV transmission line 151 that passes through a protector (not shown), so that a channel for a program element signal and a channel for viewing control information are distributed. The channel signal of the program element signal is input to demodulator 252. The signal 153 that has passed through the demodulator 252 is
The descrambling process is performed while changing the key in accordance with the key switching based on the key information 256 which is sent to the receiver 54 and sequentially sent from the receiving side control unit 255. Extraction of the key information for this is performed by another demodulator 253 that demodulates the channel of the viewing control information distributed and output by the distributor 251. The signal 257 processed by the descrambler 254 is input to the separator 258. Separator 258 separates program element signal 259. The program element signal 259 is sent to the decoder 262, and is decoded into a baseband signal 263 such as video and audio. The baseband signal 263 is input from the home terminal 223 to the monitor 124 of the television or the like shown in FIG. 1 so that video and audio are reproduced.

In the embodiment and the modified examples described above, the viewing control information is transmitted to the transmission line without any particular processing. However, the viewing control information may be encrypted. This makes it possible to ensure security on the CATV station 101 side.

In the above embodiments, digital broadcasting using MPEG2 has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to digital broadcasting transmitted by other methods. Further, in the embodiment, the BS broadcasting station 106
And the media transmitted from the CS broadcasting station 107 using satellites have been described. However, the present invention can be applied to any digital media or any media once stored in real time transmitted by other means such as the Internet and telephone. Of course can be applied. Furthermore, the present invention does not limit the stations that retransmit digital signals to CATV stations. The point is that the digital signal sent in real time via the network indicates some content, and scrambled with key information for allowing only the content to which the viewer has subscribed to view to the subscribed viewer. The present invention can be similarly applied to a signal subjected to. For example, when a server distributes content that changes in real time via the Internet, and when the transmitting station receives the content and retransmits it to viewer equipment through its own network, The present invention can be applied to the case where the viewing control unique to the transmitting station is performed.

Further, in the embodiment, the digital signal transmitted in real time via the network has been described.
It goes without saying that digital signals stored in a storage medium such as an optical disk and read out from the storage medium may be transmitted to the viewer equipment.

[0068]

As described above, according to the first, second, fifth, and sixth aspects of the present invention, a medium connected to a wired or wireless network and transmitted from the network in real time. A transmitting station that receives a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing only the content to which the viewer has subscribed to view to the subscribed viewer to transmit to the viewer equipment, Since the received digital signal is sent to the network connecting the own station and the viewer's equipment without descrambling at the own station, there is no need to re-scramble after descrambling at the transmitting station. The transmitting station does not have to be bothered again by the side to identify individual scrambled contents. . Further, since there is no need to re-scramble, no mistake is caused. Moreover, there is an advantage that the transmitting station side can perform a unique network management of the transmitting station side for each viewer.

According to the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth aspects of the present invention, only the programs which are transmitted in real time and which the viewer has subscribed to have been subscribed to. A CATV station that receives a scrambled digital signal to which a key information for allowing a viewer to view and transmits the digital signal to a viewer equipment is transmitted from a viewer station without descrambling the received digital signal to the viewer station. Since the data is transmitted to the transmission line linking the equipment of the above, it is not necessary to re-scramble after descrambling on the CATV station side, and it is not necessary to specify the equipment for that purpose or the CATV which is originally performed by the media transmission side for the scrambling program.
The station is not bothered again. Further, since there is no need to re-scramble, no mistake is caused. In addition, the CATV station has the advantage that the CATV station can perform its own transmission path management for each viewer.

Further, according to the present invention, the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means is independently adjusted by the own station for each viewer. Is multiplexed and sent to the viewer side, so that the bandwidth of the network or the transmission path can be effectively used.

Further, claims 5 to 8 and claims 13 to
According to the invention of claim 16, the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means and the viewing control information for controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer on its own side are allocated to different frequency bands. Since the local station transmits the signal to the viewer, it is easy to reproduce these signals on the receiving side, and a highly reliable viewing control system can be realized.

According to the ninth, tenth, thirteenth, and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, the media is connected to a wired or wireless network and is sent from the network, and the viewer can view and listen to the media. The transmitting station, which receives a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the subscribed content and temporarily stores the received digital signal, transmits the received digital signal to the viewer equipment. Is transmitted to the network connecting the own station to the viewer's equipment without descrambling at the own station.Therefore, it is not necessary to re-scramble after descrambling at the transmitting station. The transmitting station does not have to be bothered again for the trouble of specifying the content to be scrambled. Further, since there is no need to re-scramble, no mistake is caused. Moreover, there is an advantage that the transmitting station side can perform a unique network management of the transmitting station side for each viewer.

Further, claim 11, claim 12, claim 1
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a scrambled digital medium to which only key information for allowing a subscribed viewer to view only a program to which the viewer has subscribed is received. The CATV station, which once stores the data and transmits it to the viewer's equipment, sends the received digital signal to the transmission path connecting the own station to the viewer's equipment without descrambling at the own station. There is no need to re-scramble after scrambling, so that the CATV station does not have to be bothered again for the facilities for that purpose and the trouble of specifying individual programs to be scrambled originally performed by the media sending side. Further, since there is no need to re-scramble, no mistake is caused. In addition, the CATV station has the advantage that the CATV station can perform its own transmission path management for each viewer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of a CATV viewing control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a CATV station according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a home terminal according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a CATV station according to a modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a home terminal according to a modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CATV Station 103 Transmission Line 104 Audience Equipment 106 BS Broadcast Station 107 CS Broadcast Station 111 Broadcast Satellite 112 BS Receiving Antenna 113 Communication Satellite 114 CS Receiving Antenna 119, 219 Mixing / Modulation Unit 120 Transceiver 123 Home Terminal 124 Monitor 132 Receiver 134 Multiplexer 135 Transmission side control unit 136 Viewing control information 139, 239 Modulator 152, 252, 253 Demodulator 154, 254 Descrambler 155, 255 Reception side control unit 158, 258 Separator 162, 262 Decoder 251 Distributor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04L 9/08 H04N 7/16 Z 5J104 12/28 7/167 Z 5K028 H04N 5/38 H04L 9/00 601B 5K033 5/765 11/00 310B 5K047 5/92 H04N 5/91 L 7/08 5/92 H 7/081 7/08 Z 7/24 7/13 Z 7/16 F term (reference) 5C025 AA09 AA10 BA25 DA01 DA04 DA05 5C053 FA30 GA11 GB01 GB05 GB37 LA14 5C059 KK43 MA00 RB02 RC35 SS02 UA01 UA04 5C063 AA01 AB03 AB07 AC01 AC05 CA23 CA29 CA36 DA03 DA07 DA13 5C064 CA02 CA14 CB01 CB05 CC02 CC04 5J104 A04A05 A04 PA16 A04 A05 A04 A04A05A04A17A04A05A17 FF11 KK01 KK03 MM04 SS07 SS17 SS21 5K033 AA08 BA07 CA11 CB13 DA17 5K047 AA12 CC02 CC08 EE00 GG33 GG36 MM12

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A media connected to a wired or wireless network and transmitted in real time from the network and added with key information for allowing only the content to which the viewer has subscribed to view to the subscribed viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the scrambled digital signal, and viewing / listening for controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer on its own side with respect to the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means. A transmitting station comprising multiplexing means for multiplexing control information; multiplexing signal transmitting means for transmitting a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means to a network connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer; Multiplexed signal receiving means for receiving the multiplexed signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means via the network;
Descrambling means for descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating a multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and key information extraction for extracting key information from the digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Means, viewing control information extracting means for extracting the viewing control information from the multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means, and supplying the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means to the descrambling means. A descrambling execution unit for executing a scramble, and a decoding unit for decoding for reproduction of the descrambled content only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting unit allows viewing. A viewing control system comprising viewer equipment. 2. A medium connected to a wired or wireless network and transmitted from the network in real time, and added with key information for allowing only the content to which the viewer has subscribed to view to the subscribed viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the scrambled digital signal, and viewing / listening for controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer on its own side with respect to the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means. A transmitting station comprising multiplexing means for multiplexing control information; multiplexing signal transmitting means for transmitting a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means to a network connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer; Multiplexed signal receiving means for receiving the multiplexed signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means via the network,
Descrambling means for descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating a multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and key information extraction for extracting key information from the digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Means, viewing control information extracting means for extracting the viewing control information from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and the key when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. A viewing control system comprising: a descrambling executing means for supplying the key information extracted by the information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling. 3. Receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing a subscribed viewer to view only a program that the viewer has subscribed to, which is a media transmitted in real time. Digital signal receiving means; multiplexing means for multiplexing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means with viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of a program for each viewer on its own side; Means for transmitting a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the means to a transmission line extending from the own station to the equipment of the viewer; and a multiplexed signal transmitted by the multiplexed signal transmitting means of the CATV station. Multiplex signal receiving means for receiving via a transmission path, and descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Key information extracting means for extracting key information from a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means, and the viewing control information from the multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means. Viewing control information extracting means for extracting
The descrambling executing means for supplying the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling, and the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means permitting viewing. A viewing control system comprising: a viewer device including decoding means for decoding the descrambled program for reproduction only in a case. 4. Receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing a subscribed viewer to view only a program that the viewer has subscribed to, which is a media transmitted in real time. Digital signal receiving means; multiplexing means for multiplexing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means with viewing control information for independently controlling viewing of a program for each viewer on the own station side; Means for transmitting a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the means to a transmission line connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer; and a multiplexed signal transmitted by the multiplexed signal transmitting means of the CATV station. Multiplex signal receiving means for receiving via a transmission path, and descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Key information extracting means for extracting key information from a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means, and the viewing control information from the multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means. Viewing control information extracting means for extracting
Descrambling executing means for supplying the key information extracted by the key information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means permits viewing. A viewing control system, comprising: 5. A medium connected to a wired or wireless network and transmitted from the network in real time, and added with key information for allowing only the content to which the viewer has subscribed to view to the subscribed viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the scrambled digital signal, and viewing control information for controlling the viewing of the content for each viewer on its own side with the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means. And a signal transmitting means for transmitting to a network connecting the own station to the viewer's equipment, and a signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means of the transmitting station via the network. Signal receiving means for receiving, and viewing the digital signal from the signal received by the signal receiving means. Signal separating means for separating control information, descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means. A descrambling execution unit that supplies the viewing control information separated by the signal separation unit to the descrambling unit to execute descrambling, and only when the viewing control information separated by the signal separation unit allows viewing. A viewing control system, comprising: a viewer facility having decoding means for performing decoding for reproducing descrambled content. 6. A media connected to a wired or wireless network and transmitted from the network in real time, and added with key information for allowing only the content to which the viewer has subscribed to view to the subscribed viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the scrambled digital signal, and viewing control information for controlling the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means and the content of each viewer independently on its own side. And a signal transmitting means for transmitting the signal transmitted from the signal transmitting means of the transmitting station to the network connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer. Signal receiving means for receiving, and viewing the digital signal from the signal received by the signal receiving means. Signal separating means for separating control information, descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means. And descrambling executing means for supplying the key information extracted by the key information extracting means to the descrambling means and executing descrambling when the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means allows viewing. A viewing control system comprising: 7. A scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing a subscribed viewer to view only a program that the viewer has subscribed to is a media transmitted in real time. Digital signal receiving means, and digital signals received by the digital signal receiving means and viewing control information for controlling the viewing of a program for each viewer independently by the own station are assigned to different frequency bands, and A CATV station having signal transmitting means for transmitting the signal to a transmission line connecting to the viewer's equipment; signal receiving means for receiving the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means of the CATV station via the transmission line; Signal separating means for separating the digital signal and viewing control information from the signal received by the receiving means, and a digital signal separated by the signal separating means Descrambling means for descrambling, key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and viewing control information separated by the signal separating means to the descrambling means. A viewing / listening apparatus comprising: a descrambling execution unit for executing descrambling; and a decoding unit for decoding for reproduction of the descrambled program only when the viewing control information separated by the signal separation unit allows viewing. A viewing control system comprising: user equipment. 8. A scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing a subscribed viewer to view only a program that the viewer has subscribed to is a media transmitted in real time. Digital signal receiving means, and digital signals received by the digital signal receiving means and viewing control information for controlling the viewing of a program for each viewer independently by the own station are assigned to different frequency bands, and A CATV station having signal transmitting means for transmitting the signal to a transmission line connecting to the viewer's equipment; signal receiving means for receiving the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means of the CATV station via the transmission line; Signal separating means for separating the digital signal and viewing control information from a signal received by the receiving means, and a digital signal separated by the signal separating means Descrambling means for descrambling, key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means allows viewing. A viewing control system comprising: a descrambling executing means for supplying the key information extracted by the key information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling. 9. A scramble to which a media connected to a wired or wireless network and sent from the network and added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the content subscribed to by the viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal subjected to the processing, digital signal storing means for storing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means, Multiplexing means for multiplexing viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of content for each viewer on the side, and multiplexing signals multiplexed by the multiplexing means are transmitted to a network connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer. A transmitting station having multiplexed signal transmitting means, and a multiplexed signal transmitting unit of the transmitting station. A multiplex signal receiving means for a multiplexed signal received via the network delivery All,
Descrambling means for descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating a multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and key information extraction for extracting key information from the digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Means, viewing control information extracting means for extracting the viewing control information from the multiplexed signal received by the multiplexed signal receiving means, and supplying the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means to the descrambling means. A descrambling execution unit for executing a scramble, and a decoding unit for decoding for reproduction of the descrambled content only when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting unit allows viewing. A viewing control system comprising viewer equipment. 10. A scramble to which a media connected to a wired or wireless network and sent from the network and added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the content subscribed to by the viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal subjected to the processing, digital signal storing means for storing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means, Multiplexing means for multiplexing viewing control information for independently controlling the viewing of content for each viewer on the side, and multiplexing signals multiplexed by the multiplexing means are transmitted to a network connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer. A transmitting station provided with multiplex signal transmitting means, and a multiplex signal transmitting of the transmitting station; A multiplex signal reception means for receiving a multiplexed signal transmitted the stage via the network,
Descrambling means for descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating a multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and key information extraction for extracting key information from the digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Means, viewing control information extracting means for extracting the viewing control information from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and the key when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means allows viewing. A viewing control system comprising: a descrambling executing means for supplying the key information extracted by the information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling. 11. A digital signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing a subscribed viewer to view only a program for which the viewer has subscribed to viewing the program, A digital signal storage means for storing digital signals received by the digital signal reception means, and a digital signal read from the digital signal storage means for controlling the viewing of a program for each viewer on its own side by itself. CATV comprising: a multiplexing means for multiplexing the viewing control information of the above; and a multiplexed signal transmitting means for transmitting a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means to a transmission line connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer.
A multiplex signal receiving means for receiving, via the transmission line, a multiplex signal transmitted by the multiplex signal transmitting means of the CATV station; and descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Descrambling means, key information extracting means for extracting key information from a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and the viewing control information from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Viewing control information extracting means for extracting,
The descrambling executing means for supplying the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling, and the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means permitting viewing. A viewing control system comprising: a viewer device including decoding means for decoding the descrambled program for reproduction only in a case. 12. A digital signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing a subscribed viewer to view only a program which the media has subscribed to and which has been subscribed to. Digital signal storage means for storing digital signals received by the digital signal receiving means, and a digital signal read out from the digital signal storage means, on its own side, for independently controlling the viewing of programs for each viewer. CATV having multiplexing means for multiplexing the viewing control information of the above and multiplex signal transmitting means for transmitting the multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing means to a transmission line connecting the own station to the equipment of the viewer.
A multiplex signal receiving means for receiving, via the transmission line, a multiplex signal transmitted by the multiplex signal transmitting means of the CATV station; and descrambling a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Descrambling means, key information extracting means for extracting key information from a digital signal obtained by demodulating the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means, and the viewing control information from the multiplex signal received by the multiplex signal receiving means. Viewing control information extracting means for extracting,
Descrambling executing means for supplying the key information extracted by the key information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling when the viewing control information extracted by the viewing control information extracting means permits viewing. A viewing control system, comprising: 13. A scramble to which a media connected to a wired or wireless network and sent from the network and added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the content subscribed to by the viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal subjected to the processing, digital signal storing means for storing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means, and the digital signal read from the digital signal storing means and the local station. A transmission station having signal transmission means for independently allocating viewing control information for controlling viewing of content for each viewer to a separate frequency band and transmitting it to a network connecting the own station to the facilities of the viewer, The signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means of the transmitting station is received via the network. Signal receiving means, a signal separating means for separating the digital signal and the viewing control information from the signal received by the signal receiving means, a descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, Key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, descrambling executing means for supplying viewing control information separated by the signal separating means to the descrambling means and executing descrambling; And decoding means for decoding for playback of descrambled content only when the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means allows viewing. Viewing control system. 14. A scramble to which a media connected to a wired or wireless network and sent from the network and added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only the content subscribed to by the viewer. Digital signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal subjected to the processing, digital signal storing means for storing the digital signal received by the digital signal receiving means, and the digital signal read from the digital signal storing means and the local station. A transmission station having signal transmission means for independently allocating viewing control information for controlling the viewing of content for each viewer to a separate frequency band and transmitting it to a network connecting the own station to the facilities of the viewer, The signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means of the transmitting station is received via the network. Signal receiving means, a signal separating means for separating the digital signal and the viewing control information from the signal received by the signal receiving means, a descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, Key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means, and key information extracted by the key information extracting means when the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means allows viewing. A viewing facility provided with a descrambling executing means for supplying the descrambling means to execute the descrambling. 15. A digital signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing the subscribed viewer to view only a program which the media has subscribed to, and a program subscribed to by the viewer. Digital signal storage means for storing a digital signal received by the digital signal reception means; and a digital signal read from the digital signal storage means and a view for independently controlling viewing of a program for each viewer on the own station side. A CATV station having signal transmission means for allocating control information to different frequency bands and transmitting the transmission information to a transmission line from the own station to the facilities of the viewer; and transmitting the signal transmitted by the signal transmission means of the CATV station to the transmission station. Signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal and viewing control information from the signal received by the signal receiving means. Signal separating means for separating; descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means; key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means; Descrambling executing means for supplying the viewing control information separated by the separating means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling, and after descrambling only when the viewing control information separated by the signal separating means allows viewing. And a decoding device for decoding for reproducing the program. 16. A digital signal receiving means for receiving a scrambled digital signal added with key information for allowing a subscribed viewer to view only a program which the media has subscribed to, and a program which the viewer has subscribed to, and Digital signal storage means for storing a digital signal received by the digital signal reception means; and a digital signal read from the digital signal storage means and a view for independently controlling viewing of a program for each viewer on the own station side. A CATV station having signal transmission means for allocating control information to different frequency bands and transmitting the transmission information to a transmission line from the own station to the facilities of the viewer; and transmitting the signal transmitted by the signal transmission means of the CATV station to the transmission station. Signal receiving means for receiving the digital signal and viewing control information from the signal received by the signal receiving means. Signal separating means for separating; descrambling means for descrambling the digital signal separated by the signal separating means; key information extracting means for extracting key information from the digital signal separated by the signal separating means; A viewer provided with descrambling executing means for supplying the key information extracted by the key information extracting means to the descrambling means to execute descrambling when the viewing control information separated by the separating means allows viewing; A viewing control system, comprising: equipment.