JP2002094917A - Digital contents print system and device and method for them - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital contents print system that can extract required information from a digital broadcast program, print it out, save the capacity of its memory and easily access the required information. SOLUTION: Extract information to extract a program can be set to an STB(Set-Top Box) 106 that receives digital broadcast programs broadcast by a broadcast station 101, a service provider 103, and a CS(Commercial Satellite) 105. The STB 106 extracts a corresponding digital broadcast program from received digital broadcast programs on the basis of the set extract information and prints out the extracted contents. Since the STB 106 can automatically extract desired information and print it out on paper, a user can very easily access the required information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital content printing system, apparatus, and method capable of printing broadcast (communication) contents in a digital broadcasting (communication) system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a television broadcast can be recorded on a video tape or the like. In general analog broadcast recording, an analog video signal is recorded. With digital broadcasting, moving images, characters, and still images can be recorded as digital information.

[0003] Conventionally, it is usual to watch a program that requires geographical information when watching a television or the like, and to view an atlas when a map is required. ,
The atlas was not always located near the television, and the latest and required level of detail had to be obtained from bookstores.

[0004]

However, in the recording of digital information, no matter how much compression technology is used, the memory tends to be insufficient for recording on many channels or for a long time. Further, even if a large amount of information is recorded, it takes a long time to search for the information, and it is difficult to immediately extract necessary information.

[0005] Purchasing a map for a viewed program requires not only a great deal of trouble, but also the necessary map is usually only a small part. There was an irrational aspect of not becoming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and makes it possible to extract necessary information from digital broadcasting and print it, thereby saving memory and facilitating the conversion of necessary information. The purpose is to realize access.

It is another object of the present invention to make a desired map available via digital broadcasting.

[0008]

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a digital content printing system for transmitting a digital broadcast, receiving a digital broadcast, and extracting a program. Setting means for setting extraction information for performing the extraction, extracting means for extracting a corresponding digital broadcast from the digital broadcast received by the receiving means based on the extraction information set by the setting means, and extracting by the extracting means. And printing means for printing the contents of the digital broadcast.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system for transmitting a digital broadcast including map information, a receiving unit for receiving the digital broadcast, and a receiving unit for receiving the digital broadcast. A first setting means for presenting a map based on the map information included in the digital broadcast received by the user and setting a desired area; a second setting means for setting a scale factor of the area specified by the specifying means; The area set by the first setting means is changed to the second area.
Printing means for printing at a scale set by the setting means.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a digital content printing method realized in the digital content printing system. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a digital content printing apparatus applied to the digital content printing system and a control method thereof.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> [Overview of First Embodiment] First, an overview of the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, a receiver provided with a printing device capable of printing broadcast contents on a system capable of transmitting and receiving digital broadcasts will be described. The time and the genre of the program are designated, and the broadcast contents (characters and image data) of the program matching the designated contents are printed in the reserved state.
At that time, not only the genre but also the program name may be indicated. In printing broadcast contents, a key word is registered in advance, and data of a program including the word is printed. Further, for a pay broadcast, an allowable charge amount is set in advance, and the pay broadcast is printed within the range. In other words, if the program is paid for printing,
The upper limit amount for each program and the total upper limit amount integrated are determined, and information on the pay program is printed within the range.

By realizing the above functions,
Memory can be saved, necessary information can be viewed on paper, and complicated search operations are not required.

[System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a network configuration of a digital broadcast content printing apparatus and system according to the first embodiment. Below,
A case will be described as an example where content is provided through broadcasting and payment for the content is made through a financial institution. If the content is free, there is no need to have a financial institution. Hereinafter, the broadcast station 101 shown in FIG.
The roles of the receiver 102, the provider 103, and the financial institution 104, and the flow of content and associated information and the flow of financial information exchanged between the four will be described.

[Contents and Flow of Information Associated Therewith] The provider 103 is a provider of contents. Content may simply be provided for the purpose of artistic activity, or tickets may be sold as content as a concert or sports organizer. Since the provider 103 alone cannot provide the content widely, the provider 103 pays the content to the broadcasting station 101 to utilize the power of broadcasting (109).

The broadcast station 101 broadcasts the content obtained from the provider 103 as broadcast data to the receiver 102 via a broadcast radio wave (107) or a cable. CS1
05 is an abbreviation for content server, which is a transmitter. This will be described in detail later. The broadcast on the broadcast radio wave (107) is a digital broadcast, and images, sounds, and characters are transmitted as digital information.

Broadcast radio wave (107) reaching the receiver 102
Is received by a receiving device (STB = set-top box) 106 via an antenna, and the information is stored, processed, output from a display or a speaker, or printed. However, this receiving device 1
06 is different from a normal television broadcast receiver, and is not limited to simply reproducing images and sounds, but also includes the broadcast station 101 and the financial institution 1.
04 can be exchanged through the line,
Ingenuity is given for that. This will be described later in detail.

The receiver 102 extracts necessary information (print content) from the content broadcast as a program or data broadcast and prints it. If you want to print paid content, the receiver's identification number (IDN
O) and the account number of the financial institution as the financial information of the broadcasting station 10
1 is notified (108). On the other hand, the broadcasting station 101 immediately notifies the provider 103 of the result of receiving the order of the pay content (110). The above is the flow of information on print contents.

[Flow of Financial Information] The viewer puts the price of the content in his or her account of the financial institution 104 in advance,
The debit approval information is notified (111). Provider 103 is content sales information (orders received)
Is received from the broadcasting station 101, a request is made to the financial institution to withdraw the money (114). The financial institution 104 transfers the price from the viewer's account to the provider's account, and notifies the provider of the result (113). At the same time, the viewer 102 is notified of the result of the withdrawal to the viewer (1).
12). The above is the flow of financial information.

[Transmitting Apparatus 105] The transmitting apparatus 105 in the above-described broadcasting station 101 will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the transmitting apparatus (CS) 105. In FIG. 2, a hard disk (HD) 203 stores a program (PRG), a font (FONT), and a content (CO
NT) and the like, and a work area (WOR)
K) is secured. The program (PRG) is a control program for operating the present apparatus, and the central processing unit CPU 202 executes the program so that the transmitting apparatus 10
5 are realized. Font (FON
T) is character pattern information, which is used when displaying characters on the display (DISP) 206 for managing user data or the like. The work area (WORK) temporarily stores information from the recipient or is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 201 performs various processes.

The contents are broadcasted via an antenna (ANT) 201 and order information is received from a home via a line (NET) 204. The above-described antenna 201, central processing unit 202, and hard disk 20
3. The display 206 and the line 204 are connected by a bus line 205.

[Receiving Apparatus 106] Next, the receiving apparatus 106 of the receiver 102 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the receiving apparatus 106. In FIG. 3, an antenna (ANT) 301
The broadcast wave received by the tuner (TUNR) 3
02, and a signal is sent to a central processing unit (CPU) 309.
(DISP) 303 and speaker (S
P) 304 for display and audio output. The signal in the receiving device 106 is transmitted via a bus line (BL) 308. The operation of the receiving device 106 is performed, for example, on the panel PNL (310) for channel selection, character input, and the like.

The receiving device 106 is provided with a random access memory (RAM) 311 so that various information can be written and retrieved. Details of this will be described later. Further, a read-only memory (ROM) 312 stores fixed information. Details of this will be described later.

Further, a card input terminal (CARD) 313 for setting a card of a financial institution and a line (NET) 307 for transmitting information to a broadcasting station are provided. The line 307 may be a telephone line or a light table. The received content is printed by the printer PRNT (306).

[Regarding RAM 311] FIG.
11 is a diagram for explaining a storage area secured in the storage area 11; FIG. WOR
K401 is a work area for temporarily storing calculation information and for storing received contents and the like. BANG4
A program name area 02 stores a program name. FIG. 5 shows an example of the details. In the example of FIG. 5, "news breaking news" (501) and "professional baseball results" (502) are displayed in the program name area.
Is stored. It should be noted that the "news breaking news" is an emergency interrupt in a normal program, and generally cannot be called a program name. In the present embodiment, this is also handled as a program name. Then, the data of the program registered in the program name area 402 is to be printed.

JANL 403 is a genre name area for storing the genre of the program. FIG. 6 shows an example of the details. In the example of FIG. 6, "professional baseball" (601), "stock"
(602) is stored. That is, focusing on data relating to professional baseball and stocks in all programs, this data is to be printed.

WORD 404 is a keyword for selecting a program. The information including the word stored here is printed. An example of this detail is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 7, "patent" (701), "patent" (702),
"Sanshasha" (703) is stored, and information related to these words is to be printed (in this example, there is a professional baseball team called a patent patent).

The STAT 405 is a start time, and a program from this time is to be printed. END 406 is an end time, and the program up to this time is to be printed, and thereafter, even if there is data that matches the above set contents, printing is not performed.

FEE 407 is the upper limit charge for one program. Some programs are charged for printing, but if they are higher than this amount, they will not be printed. Free content is printed regardless of this amount. TOTL408 is the upper limit of the accumulated amount. If the pay content is to be printed within the designated time described above, and if the accumulated amount exceeds this amount, the printing is not performed. SUM 409 is an accumulation area for accumulating the accumulated amount.

[Contents of ROM 312] FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating contents stored in an OM 312. IDNO
An area 801 stores the identification number of the receiving device 106. This is a number unique to the receiving device 106, and is registered in the broadcasting station 101 when a broadcasting reception contract is made with the broadcasting station 101. From the viewpoint of the broadcast station 101, it is necessary to identify all the receiving devices, and the identification number stored in the ID NO 801 is used for this.

A PRG 801 is a program area for storing a control program for executing the processing of the receiving device 106. A font area 802 stores a font pattern of characters, symbols, ruled lines, and the like for converting a character code data signal into a pattern when it is received.

[Regarding Operation of Receiving Apparatus] The processing of time setting and genre designation by the receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, and the processing of actually performing reserved printing are shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. This will be described below with reference to the screen display example of FIG. 10 and the print examples of FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG.

[Various Setting Processes] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the setting processes necessary for the reserved printing process according to the present embodiment. First, in step S1300, a reserved print setting screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. Character input and cursor movement on the reserved print setting screen are operated from the panel 310.

In FIG. 9, first, the start time (901)
And the end time (902) are set (step S130).
1, S1302). In the example of FIG. 9, the period is from 9:00 (start time) to 23:00 (end time). That is, when desired data is received in this time zone, it is printed.

Next, if the desired data is a pay program, the maximum amount is set. The pay contents in this case include contents which are displayed for free but which are charged when printed. In the reservation print setting screen, the upper limit charge of each program is set as the upper limit charge of one program (903), and the upper limit charge of the pay program is set as the total upper limit (904) (steps S1303, S130).
4).

Next, the program names (905, 906) are registered (step S1305), and the genre names (907, 90) are registered.
8) is registered (step S1306). Finally, a word (909) serving as a keyword is registered (step S1).
307).

With the above operation, the conditions are set in each area of the RAM 311 shown in FIG. That is, a start time 901, an end time 902, one program upper limit fee 903,
The integration upper limit 904 is STAT405 and END40, respectively.
6, stored in FEE 407 and TOTL 408. Also, the setting contents of the program name (905, 906), the setting contents of the genre (907, 908), and the setting contents of the word (90, 906)
9) are BANK (402) and JANL (40
3), stored in WORD (404).

In this example, all the conditions take "logical sum". That is, all the contents of the program names "Newsflash" and "Professional baseball" are printed, and all the data of the programs in the genre such as "Professional baseball" or "Stock" are also printed. Further, data including the words “patent”, “patent”, and “Shonsha” shown in FIG. 7 are also printed. The printing unit of the data including these words becomes a problem, but this is set as the smallest article unit in the data broadcasting transmitted by the character code in the digital broadcasting.
Thus, of all articles, all articles containing the word patent or patent or drafting firm will be printed.

After the above conditions have been set, the integration area SU
M is cleared to 0 (step S1308).

The setting order of each of the above-mentioned setting items is as follows.
It is not limited to the above example. In short, the contents set via the reserved print setting screen (user interface) may be registered in the RAM 311.

[Scheduled Printing Process] Next, the scheduled printing process will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is executed after the above-described reservation setting processing is completed and the user performs an operation for shifting to the reservation state.

First, upon entering the reservation state, it is determined whether or not it is the start time. If not, the process waits until the start time (step S1401). When the start time comes, a channel switching process is performed. While switching channels one after another, data matching a desired condition is searched for, and the channels are switched until the data matches (step S1402).

Next, the received data is taken into the work area 401 of the RAM 311 (step S1403). In addition,
The received data is digital data. Then, the received reception data is searched for data that matches the conditions set in the above setting processing (step S1404). As a result of this search, if there is no match, the printing process for the fetched data is unnecessary, and the process proceeds to the end time determination (step S1405). Here, if it is not the end time yet, the channel switching processing (step S14)
02), and when the end time has come, this processing is ended (step S1405).

If it is determined in step S1405 that the set condition is satisfied, it is determined whether the content is charged (step S1501). As a result, if it is determined that the content is free, the printer 305 prints the content (step S1502).

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of the result of printing the content according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG.
The title 1001 (“news breaking news” in this example), the channel number 1002 (55 ch in this example), the recording time 1003 (10:10 in this example), the content 1004 of the content, and the like are printed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which a plurality of broadcast data acquired in accordance with the genre of "professional baseball" are stored, and when one sheet of data is accumulated, printing is performed. As shown in FIG. 11, the data title (1
101, 1107, 1108), channel (110)
2, 1105), broadcast time (1103, 1104, 11)
06) is printed. In addition, FIG.
This is an example in which data of a search result based on the word “print” is printed. When printing in step S1502 ends as described above, the end time is checked (step S1).
Go to 405).

If it is determined in step S1501 that the content is paid, it is determined whether the fee is higher than the upper limit of one program (step S150).
3). In the case of paid content, it is assumed that the fee data is also included in the content and sent. As a result of this determination, the fee for the content is set to the upper limit of one program (FEE4
07), the content is not printed, and the process proceeds to the end time check in step S1405.

On the other hand, if the fee is lower than the upper limit, this fee is added to the accumulation area SUM (step S150).
4). Then, the value of the accumulation area SUM is compared with the accumulated upper limit amount (TOL408) (step S150).
5). As a result, if the value of the accumulation area SUM exceeds the accumulated upper limit, the process proceeds to the end time check in step S1405 without printing the content. At this time, the value of the accumulation area SUM is returned to the original state (the state before the addition processing in the immediately preceding step S1504).

If the value of the accumulation area SUM does not exceed the accumulated upper limit, a billing process is performed before printing (step S1506). However, there are various methods for charging processing, and any method may be used here. As an example, the following embodiment is used in the present embodiment. First, from the receiving device 106 to the broadcasting station 101,
The information of the card account number of the financial institution 104 set in the receiving device 106 and the identification number of the receiving device 106 are transmitted. The broadcast station 101 that has received this informs the content provider 103 of this information. Of course, the content provider 103 contacts the financial institution 104 and transfers the content price from the viewer's account to his own account. In addition, there are various billing methods, and there are various methods in consideration of security, but any method may be used.

After the accounting process is completed, the process proceeds to the printing process (step S1502). In the above process, data matching the upper limit is printed while switching channels one after another from the start time, and the above operation is continued until the end time.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the STB 106 that receives the digital broadcast broadcasted by the broadcasting station 101, the provider 103, and the CS 105,
Extraction information for extracting a program (BANG402, JA
NL403, WORD404) can be set (FIG. 9,
S1300, S1305 to S1307), STB 106 extracts a corresponding digital broadcast from the received digital broadcast based on the set extraction information (CPU 309, S1403).
To S1405), and the extracted contents can be printed (S1502, PRNT305, FIGS. 10 to 12). For this reason, desired information is automatically extracted and printed, so that access to necessary information becomes extremely easy.

Further, the time zone for executing the above information extraction can be set (STAT405, END4
06, FIG. 9, S1301, S1302, S1401),
Information can be extracted by reservation in a desired time zone, and information can be collected efficiently.

Since the extraction of the information is performed by sequentially switching the channels of the digital broadcast (S1402), information can be collected over a plurality of channels, and leakage of information can be prevented.

Further, since it is possible to charge for paid contents in digital broadcasting (S1501, S1506), wide use by providers, including distribution of paid materials, can be expected.

Further, it is possible to set an upper limit of charging (S1303, S1304 in FIG. 9), and when the charging amount of the pay content exceeds the set upper limit, printing of the content is prohibited (S1503 to S1505). Thus, it is possible to prevent a large amount of content from being acquired carelessly.

<Second Embodiment> In the above-described first embodiment, program data is searched based on keywords such as "patent", "patent", and "Sanshasha". However, for example, if the baseball team name “Patent” also exists in the major league in the United States, data on that team is also printed. In the second embodiment, in order to eliminate such information as unnecessary, for example, the words “USA” and “major league” can be registered as words to be excluded.

In the second embodiment, the functions described above are achieved by making the following changes to the configuration described in the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the RAM according to the second, third and fourth embodiments. FIG.
WORD (1601), START-END (160
2), the region of CH (1603) is shown,
In the second embodiment, NWORD 1601 is used (that is, START-END (1602), CH
(1603) is unnecessary, and NW is stored in the RAM 311 of FIG.
ORD1601 may be added).

NWORD 1601 is a negative word area, which means that data including a word registered here is excluded. In other words, by registering the words "USA" and "major league" in NWORD 1601 as shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to prevent printing of data related to "Giants" in the United States.

<Third Embodiment> In the above-described first embodiment, the channels are switched one after another. However, there are some channels that are unlikely to meet the conditions. For example, printing Japanese data does not require a channel dedicated to foreign programs. In the third embodiment,
In such a case, the channel number can be limited so as to prevent unnecessary processing of the broadcast of the channel.

In the third embodiment, the above-described function is achieved by adding the following changes to the configuration described in the first embodiment.

The RAM 311 shown in FIG.
Has been added. (That is, NWORD 1601, START-END 1602
Is unnecessary, and the area of CH1603 may be added to the RAM 311 in FIG. 4).

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the setting contents of the CH 1603. Here, 35 channels (1901), 45
Channels 55 to 1902 and channels 72 to 85 (1903) are registered. In the third embodiment, data is retrieved and printed only for these channel numbers. This is an effective way to perform a search without waste.

As described above, according to the third embodiment,
Since it is possible to designate at least one channel for extracting digital content (1603, FIG. 18), useless channel switching can be prevented, and information extraction omission can be effectively reduced.

<Fourth Embodiment> In the above-described first embodiment, one start time and one end time are registered as the reservation times. However, a plurality of reservation times can be set, so that more detailed settings can be made. There is also a method of limiting the broadcast time to reduce waste of processing. In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of reservation times can be set as described above.

In the fourth embodiment, the above-described functions are achieved by making the following changes to the configuration described in the first embodiment.

The RAM 311 in FIG. 16 stores the STA in FIG.
START-END instead of T405 and END406
A time area (1702) is provided. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of storing setting data in START-END 1602. That is, here, the start time (1
901), the end time (1902) is on the right. The three time zones shown here (13:00 to 14:00, 1
5:00 to 16:00, 20:00 to 23:00) means that data is searched and printed. This is also an effective way to perform a search without waste.

Incidentally, other than the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the following may be adopted. Payment was made by card payment, but of course other methods may be used. In the above example, the content is received and printed through broadcasting, but may be the Internet. In that case, instead of switching channels, a plurality of homepages are registered in advance, and the homepages are switched. The content to be printed may be not only characters but also images and symbols included in the data.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to set a plurality of time zones for extracting contents, so that an efficient reservation can be made.

As described above, according to the first to fourth embodiments, even if the operator is absent, the broadcast channel can be freely selected by giving an advance instruction based on necessary information. The necessary information can be printed out.

In addition, since the upper limit of the charge is set in advance for the charged information, and the charge is permitted within the range, it is safe even if a large number of broadcasts satisfying the search condition exist.
As described above, it is possible to save the memory and the fee. In addition, the necessary information can be viewed immediately, eliminating the need for complicated search operations.

<Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.

The fifth embodiment relates to a receiving apparatus provided with a printing device capable of printing broadcast contents and a billing system on a system capable of transmitting and receiving digital broadcasts. Printable.

First, the outline of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. When a TV viewer wants a map, he selects a map channel. For example, if it is a domestic map, he first displays a map of Japan as a whole, then narrows down the range and specifies the map that he wants to print finally. However, the displayed map is coarse, and for a detailed map, a print map is applied via a line, and a required fee is paid. At this time, the size of the map to be actually printed is specified. Since the map data is transmitted as an encrypted data broadcast to its own receiving device and is stored in the memory, it is a key for decrypting the encrypted data to be transmitted again.

Then, decrypt the code based on this key,
Adjust the scale according to the size to be printed, develop the map, and print it with a printer. The provider who provided the map will receive the purchase information through a broadcasting station and will be paid through a financial institution.

(System Configuration) The configuration of a system according to the fifth embodiment (a system including a transmitting / receiving device for digital broadcasting, a content printing device, and a billing system) is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). Explanation is made with reference to FIG. Note that the present example has a configuration in which map data is provided to a viewer through broadcasting, and payment for the map data is made through a financial institution. If map data is free, there is no need to have a financial institution. Further, map data may be provided using a communication line such as the Internet instead of broadcasting.

First, the roles of the four parties in this figure, the flow of the map data and the information accompanying the four parties, and the flow of the financial information will be described.

[Flow of Map Data and Associated Information] The provider 103 is a provider of map data. This provider can be a mapping company, a publisher, or a bookstore. Since this provider alone cannot provide map data widely, the broadcasting station 10
The map data is deposited in 1 (109). The broadcasting station 101 may broadcast the map as the program itself, or may broadcast it as an attached data broadcast such as a travel program.

In any case, the map data obtained from the provider 103 is transmitted as broadcast data to the receiver 102 via a broadcast radio wave (107) or a cable. The CS (105) in the broadcast station 101 is an abbreviation of a content server, and is a transmitter. Details of the transmitter according to the fifth embodiment will be described later.

The broadcast from the transmitter 105 is a digital broadcast, and images, sounds, and characters are transmitted as digital information. The radio wave reaching the receiver 102 is taken into a receiving device (STB = set-top box) 106 via an antenna, stored, processed, output from a display or a speaker, or printed. Here, unlike a normal television, the receiving device 106 can exchange information with the broadcasting station 101 and the financial institution 104 via a line, in addition to simply reproducing image and sound. In addition, a device has been devised for that purpose. This will be described later in detail.

On the receiver 102 side, if there is map data desired by the viewer, an operation for obtaining the map data is performed, and as a result, the map data can be printed. In the case of a fee, the broadcasting station is notified of the identification number (IDNO) of the receiving device 106 and the account number of the financial institution 104 as financial information (108). On the other hand, broadcasting station 10
In the first case, the order record of paid map data is immediately provided by the provider 1.
Call 03 (110). The above is the information flow of the print map data.

[Flow of Financial Information] The viewer deposits a fee in his or her account of the financial institution 104 in advance, and notifies information of debit approval (111). Provider 103
Receives the map data sales information from the broadcasting station 101, requests the financial institution 104 to withdraw the price (114).

The financial institution 104 transfers the price from the viewer's account to the provider 103's account, and transfers the result to the provider 10
3 is notified (113). At the same time, the viewer is notified of the result of the withdrawal (112). The above is the flow of financial information.

[Transmission Apparatus 105] The transmission apparatus 105 in the broadcasting station 101 will be described.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transmitting apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, a program (P
RG), font (FONT), map data (MA
P), a key (KEY) for decrypting a code, a table (TBL) for managing viewers, a work area (WOR)
K) is stored.

The program (PRG) includes the transmitting device 10
The control program for operating 5 is stored,
Executed by instructions of a central processing unit (CPU) 202,
Various processes are realized. Character pattern information is stored in the font (FONT), and is used when displaying characters on the display (DISP) 203 for managing user data or the like. The work area (WORK) is a temporary storage area for temporarily storing information from a viewer and for the CPU 2002 to perform various processes. The map data (M
AP) and the viewer management table (TBL) will be described later.

The map data is stored in the antenna (ANT) 2001
, And order information from a viewer enters via a line (NET) 2006. A bus line (BL) 205 connects the above-described antenna 2001, central processing unit 2002, hard disk 2004, display 2003, and line 2006.

[Map Data (MAP)] FIG. 21
Shows the memory structure of map data. Map data is M
APa (2101), MAPb (2102), MAPc
(2103). Each content shows the same range, only the resolution is different. That is, M
APa is a very coarse map that is used to give a rough review on the screen. Detailed information is included as MAPb and MAPc progress. Naturally, a detailed map has a larger amount of data.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show examples of maps corresponding to MAP2 and MAP3. FIG. 23 has a coarser resolution,
Although the building can be represented only by a black rectangle, FIG. 24 shows the building name in more detail.

[Regarding Viewer Management Table (TBL)] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a viewer management table.

This table takes an order from a viewer,
This is a table for managing viewers for convenience of transmitting keys for a fee. First, there is a viewer number 2201, followed by a name 22402, an identification number 22403 of the receiver 106 of the viewer, and a viewer account number 2204.

Subsequently, the map information applied by the viewer is registered. Although the map is applied within the range of a rectangle, in this example, the longitude and latitude of the upper left and lower right of the rectangle are recorded. In this example, it is instructed to be 135 degrees east longitude 42 degrees north latitude (2205) and 138 degrees east longitude 39 degrees north latitude (2206). Next, a rank indicating the degree of detail of the map is recorded. Here, it is “2” (2207), but in this example, it is assumed that “1” is the coarsest map and “3” is the most detailed map. Next, the area indicating the extent of the map is recorded in square centimeters. Here "400"
(2208), which means 400 cm ² . This is a case where a map is requested to be printed in a size of, for example, 20 cm × 20 cm. The fee changes according to the area of this map. Hereinafter, 220 in FIG.
9 to 2212 are the same as 2205-2208.

[Receiving Apparatus 106] Next, the receiving apparatus 106 of the receiver 102 will be described.

FIG. 25 shows a receiving apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 06. In FIG.
Radio waves received by an antenna (ANT) 2501 are selected by a tuner (TUNR) 702, and signals are processed by a central processing unit (CPU) 2506 to be displayed on a display (DISP) 2.
503 and a speaker (SP) 2504 for display and sound output.

The signal in the receiving device 106 is the bus line BL
2511. Operation of the apparatus, for example, channel selection, character input, etc. is performed by a panel (PNL) 2507
Perform in.

Further, the present apparatus has a random access memory (RAM) 2508 so that various information can be written and taken out. Details of the information stored in the RAM 2508 will be described later. Read-only memory (ROM)
2509 stores fixed information. ROM2
Details of the information stored in 509 will also be described later.

Further, there is a card input terminal (CARD) 2510 for setting a card of a financial institution. Also,
There is a line 2512 for transmitting information to a broadcasting station. Line 2
512 may be a telephone line or a light table. Also,
A printer (PRNT) 2505 is used for printing various data such as received map data.

[Regarding RAM 2508] FIG.
It is a figure showing the example of data composition of M2508. In FIG. 26, WORK (2601) is a work area for temporarily storing calculation information and storing received map data and the like. Further, there are a KEY (2607) for storing keys and a MAP (2603) for storing map data.

[Regarding ROM 2509] FIG.
It is a figure showing the example of data composition of M2509. In FIG. 27, IDNO (2701) is a storage area of the identification number of the receiving device 106. This is a number unique to the receiving device 106, and is registered in the broadcasting station 101 when a broadcasting reception contract is made with the broadcasting station 101. From the perspective of broadcast station 101,
All receiving devices need to be identified and this identification number is used for that.

The PROG (1702) is the receiving device 106
Is a program area for storing a program for executing the processing of FIG. FONT (2703) is a font area for storing a font pattern of characters, symbols, ruled lines, etc., for converting a character code data signal into a pattern when it is received. The symbols that make up the map, such as schools, police boxes, and orchards, are all included here.

[Processing Process] The process from the broadcasting of map data to the printing of the map is shown in the flowchart (FIG. 33) showing the processing on the broadcast station side, the flowchart (FIG. 34) showing the processing on the receiving side, and screen display And map printing examples (Fig. 2
This will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[Process on Map Data Providing Side] FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining the process on the broadcast station side according to the fifth embodiment. A control program for realizing this processing is stored in the program area (PRG) of the transmitting device 105, and the central processing unit CPU2 of the transmitting device 105
002 is realized by executing this.

First, a map program is broadcasted (step S3301). FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a state in which the entire map of Japan is displayed by the processing in step S3301. However, data that is not displayed on the screen is also transmitted as data, and the RAM 250 of the receiver 106 of the viewer is transmitted.
8, all the detailed information of the Japan map at this point is transferred.

The viewer designates a desired area, inputs various information on the application screen, and transmits the information to the broadcasting station. The details of this processing will be described later.

The broadcast station 101 has an application from a viewer (steps S3302, S3303). And
If there is an application from the viewer, first, the map is selected for each resolution and the print area is calculated (step S33).
04). Next, a billing process is performed (step S330).
5). There are various accounting methods, and the content is complicated and the information flow is long, so an example will be described here.

The broadcasting station 101 only serves as a bridge between the viewer and the map data provider 103, and notifies the map data provider 103 of the account number of the financial institution 104 sent from the viewer 102. Map data provider 10
3 will contact the financial institution 104 to transfer the map price from the recipient's 102 account to his / her own account. At this time, the receiver 102 informs the financial institution 104 in advance that the payment from the map data provider 103 is authenticated. This is the easiest way,
In addition, as a billing method, there are various methods in consideration of security, and any method is applicable.

When the accounting process is completed as described above, a key is transmitted (step S3306). The map data has already been sent to the viewer as a data broadcast, but since it has been encrypted, a key is needed to retrieve it in an accurate form, so the key is transmitted. The encryption method and the key release method may be any of the currently widespread methods.

The transmission of this key may be performed by broadcasting or by using a line. In the case of using broadcasting, the identification number of the receiving device 106 is sent together so as to reach only a specific viewer. The receiving device 106 is prepared in advance so as to be displayed only when the identification numbers match.

Next, a viewer management table (TBL) is created (step S3307). This table has already been shown in FIG. 22, but this table allows the viewers to be individually managed. Finally, it is determined whether the reception has been completed. The case of ending is when the program time or the reception time is over (step S330).
8).

[Regarding Process on Receiving Apparatus 106] FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing the processing on the receiving device 106 side.

First, a broadcast signal is received via an antenna (ANT) 2501. The received image is displayed on the display (D
ISP) 2503, the map data included in the broadcast signal is stored in the MAP 26 in the RAM 2508.
03 (step S3401). First, the entire map of Japan shown in FIG. 28 is displayed. This serves as a table of contents (step S340).
2). From this figure, the viewer can set the desired area as a rectangle (28
03). The instruction is performed, for example, by pointing the upper left (2801) and lower right (2802) of the rectangle with the cursor and operating the upper left key (2804) and the lower right key (2805). The user operates the cancel key (2806) to cancel the designated rectangle, and operates the enter key (2807) to fix it. When the map is determined and the user wants to obtain the map, he operates the application key (2808). Note that the return key (2809) means exit from this program.

When the user designates a rectangle 2803 and operates the enter key 2807 as shown in FIG. 28, a map of the range of the rectangle 2803 designated in FIG. 28 is displayed in a window similar to that shown in FIG. (Step S3
403). Therefore, a map of a smaller range can be displayed by repeating the extraction of the range by such a rectangle. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a map obtained as a result of repeatedly narrowing down such a range. The upper left corner of the rectangle designated on the map of the immediately preceding screen corresponds to 2901, and the lower right corner corresponds to 2902. Here, the user specifies the size of the desired area to be printed. Enter a number in centimeters in the box (1104) for inputting the width of the rectangle. Then, the width of this map is printed according to its length, and the vertical length of the map is printed according to its aspect ratio (step S3404).

Here, when the application key is operated, an application screen shown in FIG. 30 is displayed. The receiver enters the application items here (step S3405).

The display items and entry items will be described below. For the name (3001), write your name in the blank. In the map area (3002), the rectangular range specified in step S3403 is indicated by latitude and longitude. Further, in the rank (3003) indicating the degree of detail of the map, a rank of accuracy automatically selected from the range of latitude and longitude and the print width is displayed. In this selection processing, for example, a table in which the value of [actual area obtained from the range of longitude and latitude] / [area on printing] is associated with the rank of the detail level is prepared, and the rank of precision is set. It may be determined.
Further, the width and area (3004) at the time of printing the map are displayed. This area is also calculated automatically from the relationship between the width and latitude and longitude, and does not need to be entered by the viewer. Next, the receiver identification number (IDNO) (3005) is also set to R.
The ID No. 2701 of OM2509 is automatically displayed. The viewer inputs the account number (3006) of the financial institution. Alternatively, the number registered in the card (CARD) 2510 set in the receiving device 106 may be automatically read, transferred, and displayed. Finally charge (300
7) is displayed, which is calculated from the above-described area of the map (printed area of the map). The above is the application process.

The above data is stored in the work area 2601 of the RAM 2508. When the transmission button 3008 is operated after confirming this screen, the contents of the screen are transmitted to the broadcasting station via the line. When returning, the return button 30
Operate 09.

When the data is transmitted by operating the transmission button 3008, the broadcasting station 101 performs billing processing and the like, and a key for decompressing the data is transmitted together with the identification number of the receiving apparatus 106. 106 receives this (step S3406), and determines whether or not the key is addressed to itself based on the identification number sent together (step S3407). If the result of this determination is that the key is addressed to itself, it is stored in the KEY 2602 of the RAM 2508. Thereafter, the map data previously stored in the MAP 2603 is decompressed, developed into a map shape, and R
It is stored in the WORK 2601 of the AM 2508 (step S3408).

When the storage operation in step S3408 is completed, a message that the map can be printed is displayed on the print preparation completion screen shown in FIG. Here, print button 3
When the user operates the printer 101, the printer (PRNT) 2505 prints a map of the specified range as shown in FIG. 32 (step S3409). The above is the flow in the receiving device.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the broadcast station 101, the provider 103, and the content server 105
Receiving a digital broadcast including the map information (FIG. 21) transmitted by the STB 106, a desired area is set from the map presented based on the map information (S3).
403, 3002), the scale of the set area is set (S3404, 3004), and the set area can be printed at the set scale (S3409, FIG. 32).

Further, a fee is charged based on the content of printing by the printing means, for example, based on the area of the map (S3).
405, 3007), so that a map can be provided by charging according to necessary information.

Further, map data corresponding to a plurality of levels of accuracy is included in the map information (FIG. 21), and it is possible to specify and print a desired area on a map having a desired level of accuracy (S3403, Since the rank is 3003), it is possible to easily obtain a map with desired accuracy according to the application.

Further, in the setting of the above-mentioned scale, since the set map is designated by the size at the time of printing, the scale can be set appropriately.

<Sixth Embodiment> In the above-described fifth embodiment, one map is printed on one sheet of paper.
Multiple maps are required for actual trips. Therefore, it is desirable to efficiently layout and print a plurality of maps on one sheet of paper. In the sixth embodiment, a map with layout information can be printed in preparation for such a case. Hereinafter, points different from the fifth embodiment will be described.

First, an area (LAY) 3501 for storing layout information is secured in the receiving device 106 as shown in FIG. Next, the transmitting device 105 transmits map layout information together with the map data. The receiving device stores the layout information in the LAY 3501.

The layout information is, for example, (37 in FIG. 37)
01) to (3704), various layouts are included. As an example, FIG. 36 shows an example of a result when printing is performed using the layout indicated by 3704.
In FIG. 36, four maps (3601 to 604) are printed together at four places where one sheet of paper is divided vertically and horizontally.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining the printing processing procedure on the receiving device side. Reception processing (step S38)
01), display processing (step S3802), range specification processing (step S3803), and size specification processing (step S3804) are the same as in the fifth embodiment (steps S3401 to S3404 in FIG. 34).

In step S3805, it is determined whether or not to output the second and subsequent maps. If the second and subsequent sheets are necessary, the process returns to the display processing (step S3802). In this way, after performing the same processing for all necessary maps,
An application process is performed (step S3806).

When the key is received (step S380)
7) Then, select a layout. Layout is RAM
This is stored in a layer 3501 2508, and is listed on the screen as shown in FIG. Note that the information indicating the layout has been received in advance in the receiving process. Here, the layout is selected with the selection key (3705), and the layout of the number of use is determined. After that, in order to determine to which position in the layout the obtained map is to be allocated, an allocation screen as shown in FIG. 39 is displayed, and the allocation position for each map is entered in blanks (3901 to 3904). A, B
Symbols such as correspond to the symbols shown in FIG. When the layout of each map is designated in this way, the enter key (390
By operating 5), the operation of the viewer ends (step S3808).

The subsequent expansion processing (step S3809)
The print processing (step S3810) is the same as that of the fifth embodiment (steps S3408 and S3409 in FIG. 34), and a description thereof will not be repeated. With the above processing, printing as shown in FIG. 36 can be performed.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, layout information is included in a digital broadcast (S3801, FIG. 37, LAY3501), and a plurality of map areas to be printed and their respective scale ratios are set (S3802). To S3805), based on the set contents, a plurality of map areas to be printed can be arranged and printed based on the layout information (S3808 to S3810).

Furthermore, the layout information includes a plurality of layouts, one of the plurality of layouts is selected (S3808), and a map area to be printed is assigned to each area in the selected layout (S3808). Since the printing of the map area to be printed is executed based on the selected layout and the assignment contents, a plurality of maps can be printed in a desired layout, which is convenient.

In the fifth and sixth embodiments, the rank of the map resolution is set to three, but the number of ranks is not limited to three. In addition, the index displayed first is a map of Japan, but of course a world map may be used. Further, the map fee is linked to the printing area, but may be classified according to the rank of the map or set separately. Further, all the map data is sent to the viewer's receiving device. However, when the memory is full, only the index may be sent first, and thereafter only the requested area may be sent. Although the payment of the price is made by inputting the account number, a method of automatically transferring the number of the cash card or the credit card set in the receiving device may be used. As described above, according to the fifth and sixth embodiments, a map can be obtained on a television, a desired range can be printed at an arbitrary scale, and a plurality of maps can be laid out on one sheet of paper. It can also be printed. In addition, billing is performed for each range of the map, which is reasonable.

[0135]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. Or a CPU or MPU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium,
Needless to say, this is achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
In addition, by the computer executing the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code,
The operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. , The CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

[0138]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Necessary information can be extracted from the digital broadcast and printed, so that the memory can be saved and the required information can be easily accessed. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a desired map via digital broadcasting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of a digital broadcast content printing apparatus and system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission device (CS) 105.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a receiving device 106.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a storage area secured in a RAM 311.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a BANG area of a RAM.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a JANL area of a RAM.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a WORD area of a RAM.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a ROM 312.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a reserved print setting screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content print result according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of broadcast data acquired according to the genre “professional baseball” is printed on one sheet of paper.

FIG. 12 is an example of printing data resulting from a search based on the word “patent”.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a setting process required for the reserved printing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a reserved print process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a reserved print process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a RAM according to the second to fourth embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of an NWORD area of a RAM according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a CH area of a RAM according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 19 illustrates a RAM START- according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of an END area.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of map data (MAP).

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a viewer management table (TBL).

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of map data.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of map data more detailed than FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a receiving device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a RAM on the receiving device side according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a ROM on a receiving device side according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a state in which the entire map of Japan is displayed by the processing in step S3301.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a display example of a map after the range is narrowed down by the processing of step S3403.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen at the time of application.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a decryption key for map data is received.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a print example of a map.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing processing on the broadcast station side according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing processing on the receiving device side according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a RAM according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a print example of a map according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a display example of a layout selection screen according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a receiving device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of a layout assignment setting screen according to the sixth embodiment.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/91 H04N 7/173 640A 7/167 5/91 H 7/173 640 7/167 Z F term ( Reference) 5B021 AA30 BB00 LG00 PP08 5B049 BB00 CC36 DD05 EE01 FF02 FF03 FF04 FF09 GG04 GG07 5C052 AA11 AA16 AB04 EE02 EE03 FA03 FA08 FE01 5C053 FA04 FA20 GB40 JA16 KA01 KA24 LA03 AC07 A14AC08

Claims (35)

[Claims] 1. A transmitting means for transmitting a digital broadcast, a receiving means for receiving a digital broadcast, a setting means for setting extraction information for extracting a program, and based on the extraction information set by the setting means A digital content printing system comprising: an extracting unit that extracts a corresponding digital broadcast from the digital broadcast received by the receiving unit; and a printing unit that prints the contents of the digital broadcast extracted by the extracting unit. 2. The setting unit further sets a time zone in which the extracting unit is executed, and the extracting unit sets the time zone in the time zone set by the setting unit. 2. The digital content printing system according to claim 1, wherein the digital content is extracted based on the extracted information. 3. The digital content printing system according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of said time zones can be set. 4. The digital content printing system according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for sequentially switching channels of the digital broadcast received by said receiving means during extraction of digital broadcasting by said extracting means. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising channel designation means for designating at least one channel, wherein said extraction means is executed for digital broadcasting of a channel designated by said channel designation means. Digital content printing system. 6. The digital content printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit that charges for paid content in the digital broadcast. 7. An upper limit setting unit for setting an upper limit of charging, and prohibiting printing of the content by the printing unit when a charging amount of the pay content exceeds an upper limit set by the upper limit setting unit. The digital content printing system according to claim 6, further comprising: 8. A transmitting unit for transmitting a digital broadcast including map information; a receiving unit for receiving the digital broadcast; and a map for presenting a map based on the map information included in the digital broadcast received by the receiving unit. First setting means for setting the area of the first setting means; second setting means for setting the scale of the area specified by the specifying means; and setting the area set by the first setting means by the second setting means. And a printing unit for printing at a reduced scale. 9. The digital content printing system according to claim 8, further comprising a charging unit for charging based on the content of printing by said printing unit. 10. The digital content printing system according to claim 8, wherein the charging unit charges based on an area of the map printed by the printing unit. 11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the map information includes map data corresponding to a plurality of levels of accuracy, and wherein the first setting means specifies a desired area on a map having a desired level of accuracy. 3. A digital content printing system according to claim 1. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second setting unit sets a scale by designating a size of the area set by the first setting unit when the printing unit prints the area. The digital content printing system according to claim 8. 13. The digital broadcast, wherein the map information included in the digital broadcast is encrypted, and wherein the printing unit transmits the setting contents of the first and second setting units and a print instruction to a transmitting side of the digital broadcast. Means, on the transmitting side, means for transmitting the decoding information of the map information to the device issuing the print instruction, decoding the map information based on the decoding information, and printing the map with the set contents 9. The digital content printing system according to claim 8, further comprising: 14. The digital broadcast includes layout information, wherein the first and second setting means set a plurality of map areas to be printed and respective scale factors, and wherein the printing means sets the first and second map areas. 9. The digital content printing system according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of map areas to be printed are arranged and printed based on the content set by the second setting unit based on the layout information. 15. The layout information includes a plurality of layouts, the printing unit includes a selecting unit that selects one of the plurality of layouts, and the printing unit is to print on each area in the selected layout. 15. An allocation means for allocating a map area, and means for executing printing of the map area to be printed based on the layout selected by the selection means and the content of allocation by the allocation means.
3. A digital content printing system according to claim 1. 16. A transmitting step of transmitting a digital broadcast, a receiving step of receiving a digital broadcast, a setting step of setting extraction information for extracting a program, and a setting step of extracting information based on the extraction information set in the setting step. A digital content printing method, comprising: an extracting step of extracting a corresponding digital broadcast from the digital broadcast received in the receiving step; and a printing step of printing the contents of the digital broadcast extracted in the extracting step. 17. The setting step further sets a time zone in which the extracting step is performed, and the extracting step is performed in a time zone set in the setting step. 17. The digital content printing method according to claim 16, wherein extraction of a digital broadcast based on the extraction information is executed. 18. The digital content printing method according to claim 17, wherein a plurality of the time zones can be set. 19. The digital content printing method according to claim 16, further comprising a switching step of sequentially switching channels of the digital broadcast received in the receiving step during extraction of the digital broadcast in the extracting step. 20. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a channel designating step of designating at least one channel, wherein the extracting step is performed on a digital broadcast of the channel designated by the channel designating step. Digital content printing method. 21. The digital content printing method according to claim 16, further comprising a charging step of charging for paid content in the digital broadcast. 22. An upper limit setting step of setting an upper limit of charging, and prohibiting printing of the content by the printing step when the charging amount of the pay content exceeds the upper limit set in the upper limit setting step. 22. The digital content printing method according to claim 21, further comprising the steps of: 23. A transmitting step of transmitting a digital broadcast including map information; a receiving step of receiving the digital broadcast; and presenting a map based on the map information included in the digital broadcast received in the receiving step. A first setting step of setting an area of the image; a second setting step of setting a scale of the area specified by the specifying step; and an area set by the first setting step being set by the second setting step. A printing step for printing at a reduced scale. 24. The digital content printing method according to claim 23, further comprising a charging step of charging based on a print content in the printing step. 25. The digital content printing method according to claim 23, wherein in the charging step, charging is performed based on an area of a map printed in the printing step. 26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the map information includes map data corresponding to a plurality of levels of accuracy, and wherein the first setting step specifies a desired area on a map having a desired level of accuracy. The digital content printing method described in 1. 27. A method according to claim 27, wherein in the second setting step, a scale is set by designating a size when the area set in the first setting step is printed in the printing step. A method for printing digital content according to claim 23. 28. The map information included in the digital broadcast is encrypted, and in the printing step, the setting contents in the first and second setting steps and a print instruction are transmitted to a transmitting side of the digital broadcast. Transmitting the map information decryption information to the print instruction issuing device on the transmitting side; decrypting the map information based on the decryption information; and printing a map with the setting contents. 24. The digital content printing method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of: 29. The digital broadcast includes layout information, wherein the first and second setting steps set a plurality of map areas to be printed and respective scale ratios, and the printing step includes the first and second map areas. 24. The digital content printing method according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of map areas to be printed are arranged and printed based on the content set in the second setting step based on the layout information. 30. The layout information includes a plurality of layouts, the printing step includes a selecting step of selecting one of the plurality of layouts, and the printing to be performed on each area in the selected layout. 30. An allocation step of allocating a map area, and a step of executing printing of the map area to be printed based on the layout selected in the selection step and the contents of the allocation in the allocation step.
The digital content printing method described in 1. 31. Receiving means for receiving a digital broadcast; setting means for setting extraction information for extracting a program; and digital broadcast received by the receiving means based on the extraction information set by the setting means. A digital content printing apparatus comprising: an extracting unit that extracts a corresponding digital broadcast from a digital broadcast; and a printing unit that prints the content of the digital broadcast extracted by the extracting unit. 32. Receiving means for receiving a digital broadcast including map information, first setting means for presenting a map based on the map information included in the digital broadcast received by the receiving means and setting a desired area. A second setting unit configured to set a scale of an area specified by the specifying unit; and a printing unit configured to print the area set by the first setting unit at a scale set by the second setting unit. A digital content printing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 33. A receiving step of receiving a digital broadcast; a setting step of setting extraction information for extracting a program; and a digital broadcast received in the receiving step based on the extraction information set in the setting step. And a printing step of printing the contents of the digital broadcast extracted in the extracting step. 34. A receiving step of receiving a digital broadcast including map information, a first setting step of presenting a map based on the map information included in the digital broadcast received in the receiving step and setting a desired area. A second setting step of setting a scale of the area specified by the specifying step; and a printing step of printing the area set by the first setting step at the scale set by the second setting step. A method for controlling a digital content printing apparatus, comprising: 35. A storage medium for storing a control program for causing a computer to realize the method according to claim 16. Description: