JP2002112208A - Overall data distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an overall data distribution system that can solve a problem that more detailed information than information for each program cannot be defined because only the EPG(electronic program guide) exists in the standard of the current satellite digital broadcasting as a means to define information relating to contents. SOLUTION: A broadcast provider creates contents in its intended unit and attaches contents-related information to each of contents. Meta data attached to each of contents includes generic information with respect to the contents, copyright protection information and control information with respect to storage and reproduction or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a data distribution system, and more particularly to a data distribution system for encrypting and transmitting digital data via a terrestrial line or a satellite line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In BS digital broadcasting, SI (service information) is defined as content-related information.
(Electronic program guide), not content-related information corresponding to various contents. There is no definition at present in the broadcasting standard of means for defining detailed information on various contents.

[0003]

Since only EPG (Electronic Program Guide) exists in the current satellite digital broadcasting standard as a means for defining information related to contents, more detailed information than information for each program is provided. Can not be defined. As a result, it is not possible to define a content more detailed than a program, and therefore, it is not possible to provide a content control service using control for each content and detailed information on the content.

In order to provide a data distribution service, contents are directly distributed to a home or the like, and the data is stored / copied / reproduced in a digital form in the home or the like. There is a problem related to copyrights and other rights, such as copying and reproduction, which exceed the intended use. Therefore, it is necessary to protect and manage the rights of copyright holders, broadcasters, and viewers of the content. Conventional digital broadcasting is mainly for real-time viewing, so it is content encryption on the transmission path by conditional access, which limits the terminals that can receive the broadcast, and content protection such as copy control for external devices. In order to switch the key related to the encryption on the transmission line in a fixed time, if the encrypted content of the transmission line is to be stored, all the keys, PS
It is necessary to accumulate tables such as I / SI, which causes duplication of tables and security problems for contents.

[0005]

A content is created in a unit intended by a broadcaster, and content-related information is attached to each content. The metadata attached to each content includes general information about the content, copyright protection information, control information on storage and reproduction, and the like. This allows fine control of each content. In addition, on the broadcast side, it is possible to define a method of presenting content to a viewer, usage conditions, content storage in an encrypted state, conditional access to a terminal, conditional access to an individual, and the like. A service capable of protecting contents such as copyrights by performing storage control, copy control, encryption / decryption control, and the like is provided. As a result, it is possible to provide a service capable of protecting the right of the content by controlling the method of presenting the content to the user, the use conditions, and the like, and the right of the user.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Outline of Service) This comprehensive data distribution service is an information distribution service that can be viewed at a desired location when a desired content is viewed, and is a conventional real-time type (viewing a broadcasted content). Unlike digital broadcasting, this service provides not only real-time broadcasting but also storage-based information distribution. As a result, a near-on-demand (NVOD) -like service is provided in which the viewer can select and view his / her favorite content from the stored content at any time. In addition, the content is directly stored in a removable medium or an external device connected to a receiving terminal that receives the service, or the content is copied and provided so that the user can view the content at a desired location. Furthermore, in the conventional digital broadcasting service, the content usage contract form is limited to a narrow range such as a contract on a terminal basis. However, this service provides a wide range of content usage contract forms capable of contracting on an individual user basis. . As an overview of the comprehensive data distribution service, a storage-type television broadcast will be described with reference to FIG. The storage-type television broadcast is similar to a conventional television broadcast in that a content 1 (program) transmitted from a broadcast side (broadcasting station) is transmitted from an antenna 2 (distribution by cable,
In some cases, distribution is performed in a package), and the content is viewed from the moment when it is received by the receiving terminal 3 and distributed by a monitor device such as a television 9. Like the deck, etc., the once delivered content is stored in the storage medium 4 (a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk) and then viewed for viewing.
Portable media such as D-RAM may be used as a storage medium, which is highly portable.) Real-time type + storage type viewing 7 for viewing the stored content together with the real-time viewing type content being distributed. This is an information distribution service that enables this service.

(Necessity of Protecting Rights Regarding Content Protection, Personal Information Protection, etc.) This comprehensive data distribution service distributes contents directly to homes and the like as described above, and stores / copys / reproduces digitally in homes and the like. Because of this service, there are problems related to data falsification, copyright and other rights such as copying and reproduction that exceed personal use. Therefore, it is necessary to protect and manage the rights of copyright holders, broadcasters, and viewers of the content. Conventional digital broadcasting is mainly for real-time viewing, so it is content encryption on the transmission path by conditional access, which limits the terminals that can receive the broadcast, and content protection such as copy control for external devices. In order to switch the key related to encryption on the transmission line in a certain period of time, if the encrypted content of the transmission line is to be stored, it is necessary to store all keys, tables of PSI / SI, etc. Then, security problems for the contents and the like occur. In order to solve these problems, this comprehensive data distribution service can define the method of presenting content to viewers, usage conditions, content storage in encrypted state, conditional access to terminals, conditional access to individuals, etc. on the broadcast side Based on these definitions, a service capable of protecting the rights of contents such as copyrights is provided by performing viewing control, storage control, copy control, encryption / decryption control, and the like of the viewer. In addition, the relationship between the unit of charging, right, and encryption in this comprehensive data distribution service is “charging ≧
In the present invention, data to be defined on the broadcast side in the above-described comprehensive data distribution service will be mainly described. (In the present invention, this data is referred to as metadata.) (Overview of system) As a system that provides this comprehensive data distribution service, in addition to infrastructure using radio waves such as satellite broadcasting and terrestrial broadcasting, services using communication lines such as cable television and the Internet are possible. The invention mainly describes a case where the infrastructure is digital satellite broadcasting using satellites as shown in Fig. 2. An outline of a system in which a comprehensive data distribution service is provided will be described with reference to Fig. 2. This system produces contents. The center 10 which is the broadcast side for distribution and the receiving terminal 3 which is the reception side for receiving the content As described above, the center 10 produces the content 1 and generates and distributes the PSI / SI 10 and the metadata 100 related to the content, as well as the encryption, the copyright, the viewing control, the accounting, etc. Management of keys used for encryption, contents 1,
Management of PSI / SI 10 and metadata 100, acceptance of user requests, etc. are also performed, and production and assembly of the generated contents, PSI / SI, metadata, etc. into data that can be distributed to the receiving terminal via the satellite 12 and distributed. Is performed. In addition, the method of generating metadata after completion of the content on the center side in this comprehensive data distribution service can be generated by inputting necessary items according to the guide of the metadata generation device, or directly by PC or other file When creating a content, information such as a memo may be generated at the time of content creation, and metadata may be automatically generated based on the generated information. The receiving terminal 3 on the receiving side receives information such as content 1, PSI / SI 10, and metadata 100 via the satellite 12 via the antenna 2,
Output to a monitor device such as 9 or output after storage in the storage medium 4 enables viewing by the user. In the future, the receiving terminal 3 may be built in a monitor device such as the TV 9 but will be described here as a separate device. A major feature of the receiving terminal 3 for the comprehensive data distribution service is that, in addition to having a storage medium 4 for storing information such as the content 1 and the metadata 100, the receiving terminal 3 has a function of decrypting encrypted and distributed data. RMP14 (Rights Management & Pro) for encrypting important data in the receiving terminal 3 and processing and controlling rights such as copyright protection, authentication, billing, etc.
tection: rights protection) function, personal authentication of a user who uses this receiving terminal, and personal authentication device 200 for authentication of a group such as a family to which the user belongs. The RMP 14 has a configuration in which security is secured as a security measure against pirates, decryption, and the like. However, a configuration in which the entire module can be replaced due to deterioration in security strength or the like is also conceivable. Also, the personal authentication device 200 here is
Refers to a module that is a medium that secures security.
A memory card using a memory medium, an IC card used for BS digital broadcasting, CS digital broadcasting, and the like may be used. The personal authentication device 200 can be broadly divided into two functions: authentication of a group (terminal) and decryption of transmission layer encryption, and personal authentication and the function of decrypting the encryption of the content itself. Since the function related to group authentication needs to be always fixed to the receiving terminal from the function, the function may be built in the receiving terminal. The device relating to the personal authentication takes a portable form, and when the stored content 1 is reproduced on the external device 16 or the like, or when the external device 16 makes a contract for the content, the external device 16 is removed together with the removable medium 5. Sometimes used by connecting to. The ground line 13 connecting the center 9 and the receiving terminal 3 performs charging processing for the content, acquisition of the user's viewing history, charging history, requests, etc., encryption of the content, metadata, content, and encryption of other metadata and the like. It is also used when transmitting information for canceling a key, transmitting a key, and the like.

(Definition of services and events) The above-mentioned contents in the present comprehensive data distribution service, and the accompanying events and the concept of services (channels)
The unit will be described. First, the relationship between the service and the event will be described with reference to FIG. In this comprehensive data distribution service, the service 17 refers to a series of broadcast programs,
This is an agreement with a channel in a conventional television broadcast, and an event refers to a broadcast program that exists in the service 17 (channel) with respect to a time axis. For example, 6:00
The time frame from 8:00 to 8:00 is event A18, 8:00 to 9:
The time frame of 00 is event B19, 9:00 to 13:00.
In the time frame of, event C20 is set. There may be no event at any given time within the service 17, but there will be no more than one event. Further, an event is composed of a plurality of contents or a single content in the present comprehensive data distribution service. Next, a service delivered in a certain time frame, that is, a content configuration in an event will be described with reference to FIG.

(Example of Content Configuration in One Event) FIG. 4 is an example showing a service delivered in a certain time frame, that is, a content configuration in an event. First
Service 17 (event distributed in 100 ch) is video-type content 1_23, data-type content 2_2
4. There is a case where a service is composed of the data type content 3_25 and a plurality of contents. The second service 21 (event distributed on 101ch) is composed of the data type content 4_26 and the third service (distributed on 200ch). Event) is a case where a service is constituted by the video type content 5_27 and a single content.

(Content Definition, Unit) Here, the definition of content in the present comprehensive data distribution service will be described. The content in the present comprehensive data distribution service is conceptual and can be specified in units intended by the broadcast side, that is, by the broadcaster, instead of units indicating a certain physical quantity. The range that can be specified in this comprehensive data distribution service is from an element unit (the minimum configuration unit of a video stream, an audio stream, an xml file, a bml file, an image file, etc.) to an event unit.
Also, the unit intended by the broadcaster is a unit that restricts viewing to the user, and is a charging unit, which is a data group provided to the viewer at the same fee, a unit for receiving data to the viewer, and storage. A control unit which is a data group such as a unit, a right unit which is a data group to which the same right such as copyright is applied, an encryption unit which is a data group which is encrypted with the same key, and the like correspond. In other words, when a unique pay setting is set for a single still image file, the content is composed of a single still image file, all data sent in a certain broadcast time frame are set to the same price, and the same rights are set. In the case of the same parental control unit such as a group, the event may be a content unit. Conversely, even if they belong to a data group for which the same fee has been set, if there are a plurality of right groups in the same group, the parental control unit is a finer unit of rights. Generally, when encryption is performed, the data group encrypted with the same key is subject to parental control, so that the content unit is equal to the encryption unit. However, when the encryption is not performed, the data group to which the finest restriction is applied among the other viewing restrictions is the unit of the content. The configuration of the content in the service (100ch) 17 of FIG. 4 will be described in detail based on the above definition of the content.

(Details of Content Configuration) Service (100c
h) Reference numeral 17 denotes a video-linked service, and content 1_
This is an example of a case where contents 2_24 and 3_25, which are data contents, are linked to 23 video / audio streams. The content 1_23 is a content composed of a video / audio stream, is a content that can be viewed for free, and its copyright exists as a copyright a, and is different from the copyright b of the content 2_24, which is also a free content. It is composed of The content 3_25 is a paid content that cannot be viewed without paying 100 yen, and its copyright is c. In this case, the content unit intended by the broadcaster is composed of two groups of a charge unit of 0 yen 28 and a charge unit of 100 yen 29 when a data group is constituted by a charge unit. , The unit for restricting viewing is divided into copyright a30, copyright b31, and copyright c32, which are data groups of copyright units, and a video stream and an audio stream of copyright a30 are divided into contents 1_23 and copyright The program details.bml included in b31 is defined as contents 2_24, and the detailed information.bml and detailed information.mng included in the copyright c32 are defined as contents 3.

(Definition of Metadata) Next, the definition of metadata will be described. The metadata in the present comprehensive data distribution service basically refers to data that describes the contents of the definition for the content defined in the unit intended on the broadcast side. The image is data such as a tag which specifically describes each content in FIG. 4, and this data is read by the receiving terminal to present the content, accumulate, charge, encrypt / decrypt, contract The metadata is made one-to-one with the content because of the nature of describing the definition and the like for each content. The major role of the metadata will be described with reference to FIG. The metadata 100 may be transmitted without encryption if the content 1 is encrypted to protect the copyright or the like (for example, when the content does not need to be protected by copyright, viewing control by pay broadcast, or the like). ) Is delivered to the receiving terminal 3. The receiving terminal 3 controls the reception of the content 1 and the storage medium 1 of the content 1 and the metadata 100 according to the content described in the metadata 100 distributed together with the content.
5, copy control for the external device 16, an application 33 that uses content in the receiving terminal
Authentication control, scrambled encrypted content /
Decryption by the descrambler 35, encryption / decryption control by the scrambler / descrambler 35 of data that needs to be used at the receiving terminal such as permission information for the content generated from the metadata, and authentication control for the user And so on. In other words, metadata is information that controls the use of content by the user, in addition to the content description of the content itself, and metadata is generated by defining the content on the broadcast side. It is possible to control the content use range, use conditions, and the like. Another role of metadata is to search for content stored in the receiving device,
EP that presents information on the content that is to be distributed now and in the future
It is also used for G (electronic program guide). Next, the contents included in the metadata will be described with reference to FIG.

(Items Included in Metadata) Metadata is composed of a combination of various types of information as shown in FIG. Next, an outline of information included in each section will be described. The common information 36 includes information such as time, language, region, and the like commonly used in all information sections. Table 1 shows an example of common information in the present comprehensive data distribution service.

[0014]

[Table 1]

The attribute information 37 is composed of information on attribute contents such as contents, events, services, networks, and metadata itself. Examples of the attribute information in the comprehensive data distribution service are described in Tables 2, 3, and 4.

[0016]

[Table 2]

[0017]

[Table 3]

[0018]

[Table 4]

The configuration information 38 includes information relating to the configuration of the content that is required when the content is received / stored and when viewing after storage. For example, there are transport stream identification, component identification, stream type, information on modules, information on elements (resources), and the like.

The position information 39 includes information on the position such as contents, metadata, each element, and necessary information. Basically, it is possible to obtain information on the receiving terminal side by designating the position of necessary information, data, etc. by information such as URI. The presentation information 40 includes information such as a presentation pattern, a combination, and timing necessary for presenting the content. Based on these pieces of information, the receiving terminal can determine a combination of an audio stream, a subtitle stream, and the like for a video stream when presenting a content such as a movie.

The storage information 41 includes information on storage such as storage permission, storage unit, storage method, storage destination, etc., and enables control of storage processing of contents and the like of the receiving terminal.

The copy information 42 includes information on copy such as copy permission, copy unit, and number of copies that can be made.
The copy processing at the receiving terminal can be controlled in the same manner as the stored information.

The modification information 43 includes information on a change to the content such as modification permission.

The encryption information 44 indicates the identification of the object to be encrypted, information for determining whether or not encryption has been applied, the encryption method used, information on the key used for encryption, and the position of the key. Information about the encryption, such as information, key ID, decryption device, information specifying the encryption device, etc.
The encryption processing of the receiving terminal can be controlled. Table 5 shows an example of the encryption information in the comprehensive data distribution service.

[0025]

[Table 5]

The billing information 45 includes a business entity (paid broadcasting company) ID, a fee, a fee name, a unit of charging, a charging method,
Information on charging such as charging timing is included, and the receiving terminal can control generation of permission information and charging processing.
Table 6 shows an example of the billing information in the comprehensive data distribution service.

[0027]

[Table 6]

The contract information 46 includes contract information such as a contract unit, a contract type, a contract method, and a contract period. When a viewing contract or the like is performed on the receiving terminal, the contract information is presented on a screen. Permission information and the like can be generated by the user's selection. Table 7 shows an example of contract information in the comprehensive data distribution service.

[0029]

[Table 7]

The authentication information 47 includes information on when the application using the content is authenticated as a legitimate application, and on the authentication of a connectable external device and a used I / F. Table 8 shows an example of the authentication information in the comprehensive data distribution service.

[0031]

[Table 8]

The rights information 48 includes information on the rights such as the copyright of the content, such as the type of the right, the right name, the right holder, and the management destination.

The use restriction information 49 includes information on specification of usable terminals, permission of access, restriction of viewing age, specification of usable area, restriction on use of contents such as use period, etc. In each process such as accumulation, copy, presentation, etc., it is possible to place restrictions on the information. Also, it becomes possible to automatically delete unnecessary data due to information such as the expiration date of the content and the metadata itself. Table 9 shows an example of the use restriction information in the present comprehensive data distribution service.

[0034]

[Table 9]

The reference information 50 includes the ID of the content having a reference relationship, the reference type, the position of the content, and the I of the metadata corresponding to the content from the content being presented, which is required at the time of content switching during content presentation.
D, Metadata ID, etc., includes information when quoting the same information from other metadata, information related to content reference such as link relation between contents, type of relation, etc., processing such as presentation at the receiving terminal Can be controlled.

The advertisement information 51 includes commercial content ID, product name, product genre, advertisement space start position, advertisement start time, target attributes (target age, gender, etc., broadcast time zone, broadcast time, broadcast time, etc.), Coupon information, advertiser
Information about advertisements such as IDs and business types is included, and it is possible to control processing related to advertisements such as advertisement presentation at the receiving terminal.

The user information 52 is basically information necessary for permission information generated when a contract is made for a content or the like at a receiving terminal, and is basically stored in a personal authentication device or the like. Refer to the information from In addition, such information is not placed at the time of distribution or is information that is distributed empty and is the user's ID, user's group attribute, user's password, gender, age, credit number, account number, address,
Information about the user, such as telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, preference types, and passwords, is included.

The usage status information 53 is information generated on the receiving terminal side similarly to the user information 52, and includes information such as the number of times of use.

The other information 57 is information such as a sales channel of the content which does not correspond to the previous division, and information for managing the content on the center side which is not arranged at the time of distribution, such as a content production environment, content quality, Also, information for storing a table from PSI / SI or the like distributed as needed is included. Next, a description example in which the above information is described as actual metadata will be described with reference to FIG.

(Example of description of metadata) The description method of metadata in the present comprehensive data distribution service is roughly divided into a conventional PSI / SI, and particularly a binary format which is extended based on tables such as SDT and EIT in SI. And a mixed format in which a binary format such as SDT or EIT is directly embedded in a text format such as XML, etc. In the present invention
A description will be given using a text format such as XML as an example. FIG.
Service (100ch) 17 in the service model of FIG.
This is an image in the case where metadata is defined for the content 1_23 and the content 3_25. The metadata 1_101 in FIG. 7 is an image of metadata for the content 1_23, and the metadata 3_102 is metadata for the content 3_25. When describing in the text format such as XML, the item to be defined on the broadcast side is tagged as shown in the figure, and the value is described in a format in which the value is embedded in the tagged area. For example, a case where the billing setting for each content is defined on the broadcast side will be described with reference to FIG. For example, content 1
_23 is free, content 2_24 is free, and content 3_25 is paid for 100 yen. When defining on the broadcast side, a tag indicating charging is prepared in the information description area 106 regarding the metadata of each content, and the fee and the charging unit are set. And so on. In the content description area 106 of the metadata 1_103, which is metadata for the content 1_23, since the broadcast side defines that the content is free for each content, the charging unit tag specifies the content, and the fee indicates 0 for free. Describe the information.
Similarly, the content description area 106 of the metadata 2_104 and the metadata 3_105 corresponding to the content 2_24 and the content 3_25 includes a charge per unit of content defined for each content, a charge of free (0 yen), and 100 yen. Is described. Further, when the billing definition on the broadcast side is not a content unit but an event unit, for example, a billing tag is prepared and described in a description area 107 for an event higher than the content description area. . In this case, content 1_23, content 2_24, content 3_
Since 25 is the same event, the same information is described in the event description area of the metadata 1_103, the metadata 2_104, and the metadata 3_105 for each. A similar description is made for the above-mentioned information such as encryption other than billing, information on the structure of the content, and information on the right such as copyright.

(Encryption of Metadata) Metadata in the present comprehensive data distribution is, as described above, information on an encryption key for content encryption, information on copyright of content, information on storage of content, information on copy control, etc. Since it contains information that must be protected and must be protected with high confidentiality, it is partially encrypted. FIG. 9 shows an image of encryption of metadata. Metadata 108 generated at the time of defining the content, that is, metadata 108 before distribution, includes the content 111 and the structure of the content. Information 112 to be protected such as rights, storage copy control, charging, contract, etc., and information 110 for identifying the metadata itself are described. When distributing this metadata 108, like the metadata 109, The information part is encrypted 113, and the encryption information for the metadata is described and distributed in the description area 110 for the metadata itself. If you have no information to protect,
In some cases, no encryption is performed.

(Distribution Image of Content / Metadata) Next, distribution of metadata defined as described above will be described. There are various distribution forms of the metadata, such as a case where the broadcast is distributed together with the content using a broadcast wave, and a case where the metadata is distributed using a terrestrial line or the like separately from the content. A case in which the content is distributed in a broadcast wave together with other content will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 10 shows 1T in this comprehensive data distribution service.
It is a distribution image of S114, and content 1_23,
A service (channel) 100ch17 composed of a content group of content 2_24 and content 3_25
And the respective streams of the service (channel) 101ch21 composed of the contents 4_26. ES3_117 and ES4_118 are a video stream and an audio stream constituting the content 1_23 distributed in 100ch17, ES5_119 is a data carousel including a group of files constituting the content 2_24 and the content 3_25, and ES6_120 is 101
This is a data carousel including a group of files constituting the content 4_26 of ch21. In the most basic method of distributing metadata of the comprehensive data distribution service, metadata for these contents, metadata 1 to
4_101, 121, 102, 122, PSI / SI 115 for receiving the stream (ES) for transmitting the content at the receiving terminal (when not distributing the SI part when the information equivalent to the SI part is described in the metadata, etc.) Is also transmitted as a stream 116 different from the stream (ES) for distributing the content. This eliminates the need to extract metadata from the stream that transmits each content, and can simplify the metadata acquisition process on the receiving terminal side.

(Metadata and Metadata List) Information required at the time of metadata distribution in the present comprehensive data distribution service will be described. In conventional digital broadcasting,
The content was recognized and received by the receiving terminal using PSI / SI, but if the unit of the content is defined as the unit intended on the broadcast side as in this comprehensive data distribution service, the meta Since it is necessary for the receiving terminal to further recognize the data, conventional PSI / SI alone is not sufficient. From this, information that complements PSI / SI etc. is required to receive metadata and content. (In the case where information equivalent to the content described in SI is included in metadata and SI itself is not used, especially This is information that complements PSI.) The information that enables the receiving terminal to identify the metadata and the content and enable reception is called a metadata list in the present comprehensive data distribution service. The structure of the metadata list will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows the contents 1_23 in the service (100ch) 17 described above,
It is a figure which imaged the metadata list 126 for contents 2_24 and contents 3_25. The metadata list 126 includes information 127 for identifying the corresponding content from the plurality of contents, and information 1 for identifying the corresponding metadata from the plurality of metadata.
28, metadata version 129, information 130 for identifying where the metadata is distributed in the transmission stream, date and time 131 when the metadata list is distributed, version 132 of the metadata list itself, and the like. When a content selection request is issued from the user or the receiving terminal, the corresponding metadata 128 is determined based on the identification (ID) 127 of the requested content or the like, and the metadata position 130 is used to determine the metadata from the stream being distributed. The extracted content can be obtained from the information such as the configuration and position of the content described in the metadata. For example, module 1 distributed in the carousel 119 of ES5: a case where the content 2_24 by the program introduction.bml123 is acquired will be described. First, the content 2 which is a request from the user is acquired.
_24, the same identification (ID) value portion is identified from the content identification (ID) 127 of the metadata list 126, the metadata 2_121 corresponding to the content 2_24 is recognized, and the position of the metadata 2 being distributed is 13
Module 1 by receiving the metadata 2_121 from the 0 information and analyzing the structure, position, etc. of the content.
Recognize the distribution position of program introduction.
Module 1, which is a necessary module 123, can be extracted from the carousel. The above is the basic role and structure of the metadata list. The method of obtaining the metadata list varies depending on the operating conditions of the system of the comprehensive data distribution service, but considering the most basic operation using PSI and metadata, the PID that transmits the metadata to the PMT in the PSI, By specifying the stream format, etc., the metadata list is transmitted by the default module in the stream, and when the receiving terminal always obtains the content, etc. It becomes possible. To perform conditional access to the metadata list and metadata,
This is enabled by defining conditional access in the PID setting area for transmitting metadata in T. Other roles of the metadata list will be described together with the positioning of the metadata, the metadata list, and the content in the receiving terminal.

(Positioning in Receiver) In the present comprehensive data distribution service, the method of distributing metadata is broadly divided into a case of distributing the contents at the time of distribution and beforehand, and a case of distributing only at the time of distribution or when necessary. The former is an effective distribution method in a form of distributing metadata using broadcast waves, and the latter is an effective distribution method in a distribution form using a terrestrial line or the like. In this example, the former distribution method will be mainly described. The metadata is generated and distributed one-to-one with the content. Due to its characteristics, which are also used by the EPG function 133 in the receiving terminal, not only for the content being distributed, but also for a certain period determined by operation conditions. Minutes (for example, one week) are also generated and distributed. Therefore, as the amount of content increases, the amount of metadata increases accordingly. In a mechanism that always receives and accumulates metadata when necessary, when a large amount of metadata is required by the EPG 133 or the like, processing for acquiring the metadata is performed. An enormous amount of time is required. In consideration of the above, the integrated data distribution service stores the metadata distributed in advance in the storage medium 4 in the receiving terminal in advance, and the content of the stored metadata is extended for baseball broadcasts or other special programs, and special programs. In the case where the metadata is updated by, for example, acquiring and updating only the corresponding metadata, it is possible to cope with a case where a large amount of metadata is required by an EPG or the like. In addition, the metadata for EPG and the metadata required for storing the content are basically the same metadata (although it may be rarely different depending on the update timing), but the functions required for EPG, For example, in the case where a content viewing contract is not performed from the EPG or a charging process for storage reservation is not performed, the metadata obtained by deleting some information of the metadata when the content is stored is stored in the EPG.
May be transmitted. However, metadata and EP at the time of content storage in this comprehensive data distribution service
The difference from the metadata for G is that the metadata at the time of content storage is metadata corresponding to the content currently being distributed, which is metadata 1_101 in FIG.
The metadata for distribution is the metadata for the content to be distributed during distribution, so the metadata at the time of content accumulation is a part of the metadata for EPG, and therefore, when some information is deleted from the metadata for EPG However, in the metadata for the content being distributed, some information is not basically deleted. In addition, in the present comprehensive data distribution service, the metadata of the content to be stored is stored in advance in order to effectively use the capacity of the storage medium 4 in the receiving terminal, and delete the metadata whose content distribution time has passed since the receiving terminal. It is stored in an area different from the stored EPG metadata. Furthermore, in this comprehensive distribution service, the metadata required at the time of content storage includes the metadata distributed according to conditions such as the timing of updating the metadata and the metadata storage processing time at the receiving terminal, and the metadata stored in the storage medium. Since the contents may be different from the metadata stored in advance, the corresponding metadata is always reacquired from the metadata being distributed. Furthermore, the metadata for the content being distributed and the metadata for the content to be distributed may be transmitted as the same metadata stream, but may be transmitted as different streams. Similarly, the distribution of the metadata list and the metadata can be transmitted in another stream. Next, updating of EPG metadata stored in the storage medium 4 will be described.

(Update of Metadata) In this comprehensive data distribution service, when the power of the receiving terminal is turned on for the first time after purchase, the EPG metadata acquisition area 13 in the receiving terminal is used.
If there is no data in the metadata 5, the metadata 100 is accumulated from the metadata stream being distributed together with the metadata list 126 described above. After that, the receiving terminal compares the version number 132 and the distribution date and time 131 of the metadata list 134 accumulated according to the operation conditions such as a fixed time with the version number and the distribution date and time of the metadata list 126 being distributed. Identifies the updated metadata by the metadata version number 129 and the like in the metadata list, and stores the position information 13 of the corresponding metadata.
By 0, only the corresponding metadata is extracted from the stream being distributed and stored in the receiving terminal. As described above, the metadata list has metadata position management for extracting metadata from the stream being distributed, association between content and metadata, and metadata version management functions. However, regarding the association between the content and the metadata, when a certain rule is set between the ID for identifying the content and the ID for identifying the metadata, it may not be necessary. (For example, when the ID of the content is 00001, the ID of the metadata is 00001M and the rule in which “M” is always added at the end is stipulated in operation.) (Concept of all-station metadata) Next Next, a description will be given of a method of distributing metadata when the present comprehensive data distribution service is performed by a plurality of broadcasters using a plurality of TSs. As shown in FIG. 13, there are three forms of distribution of metadata when operation is performed with a plurality of TSs: case 1_136, case 2_137, and case 3_138. In case 1, the metadata of the content in each TS is distributed only within each TS, so the receiving terminal with 1 TS that can be received at the same time receives the TS while receiving the TS. Updating is possible, but updating metadata of other TSs becomes difficult. For example, if the metadata of TS2 is updated while watching a real-time drama on TS1, the metadata of TS2 cannot be acquired while watching the drama. And need to receive TS2. However, Case 1
In the delivery mode, the metadata required in each TS need only be delivered in each TS, so the transmission area in the TS occupied by the metadata is small. In case 2, not only the metadata for the content in each TS is transmitted in each TS, but also the metadata of the other TSs are transmitted in one TS in the same manner. Although the transmission area in the area greatly increases (for the content of another TS), it is possible to cope with the update of the metadata of the other TS even while the content is being viewed by the receiving terminal having the number of simultaneously receivable TSs of 1TS. Case 3 is a case where the metadata is transmitted as a dedicated TS. Since the metadata is distributed only by the dedicated TS, the transmission area occupied by the distribution of the metadata in each TS can be zero. In a receiving terminal having 1 TS that can be simultaneously received, even if the metadata of the own TS is updated, a movement of the TS for acquiring the metadata occurs. However, the major difference from case 1 is that, in case 1, a receiving terminal capable of simultaneously receiving the number of TSs in the total data distribution service is required in order to support updating of the metadata of all TSs. In case 3, if the number of simultaneously receivable TSs is 2TS, the receiving terminal can cope with all metadata updates. Based on these conditions, the present comprehensive data distribution service operates in two stages of metadata distribution depending on the performance of the receiving terminal. When the number of simultaneous receiving TSs of the receiving terminal is 1, the operation according to Case 2 is performed, and when the number of simultaneous receiving TSs of the receiving terminal becomes 2 or more and the environment is complete, the metadata is distributed by the dedicated slot as in Case 3 I do.

(Method of Using Metadata) Next, a method of using metadata in the present comprehensive data distribution service will be described with reference to EPG, search, content presentation, authentication, content reservation, content reception / storage as an example.

(EPG) As an EPG presentation method in the present comprehensive data distribution service, presentation by an EPG as an application prepared in advance in the receiving terminal and presentation by EPG content as a service are conceivable. A method of using metadata by EPG will be described with reference to FIG. The method of using the metadata of the EPG as an application or service is basically the same in order to quote the contents of the program to be displayed. However, the method of quoting information from the metadata is different. EPG as an application
Since it is prepared in the receiving terminal in advance, it is not possible to directly indicate the metadata to be displayed, so the current date and time is obtained from the time in the receiving terminal, and the date and time information, the designation information such as the network to be displayed by the user, etc. The metadata is identified, necessary information is embedded in the prepared frame, and the EPG is displayed. In the case of the EPG image of FIG.
Digital broadcast "," 2000/06/27 "," 8:00 to 9: 0 "
0 ”,“ 100ch ”, etc.
It is extracted and displayed from the area 135 of the metadata for use.

On the other hand, in the case of the EPG as a service, since the content is sent each time, it is possible to directly determine which metadata information is to be embedded in which frame. Therefore, it is necessary to directly designate and display a necessary portion of the metadata. Is possible.

(Search) A method of using metadata in a search in this comprehensive data distribution service will be described with reference to FIG. The search is basically performed when searching for a content that the user wants to view from a group of contents stored in the storage medium 4 of the receiving terminal.
39. Reference numerals 141 and 142 in FIG. 15 denote screen images at the time of search. Reference numeral 141 denotes a list display image of the content extracted by the keyword search, and 142 denotes an image in which information of a certain content in the list-displayed content is displayed in detail, both of which are based on metadata stored together with the content. Information about the content is displayed. In this example, metadata 1_101, metadata 2_121, and metadata 3_1
02, an image to be searched from the metadata 4_122. When acquiring information from the metadata, the metadata itself is encrypted as described above in the present comprehensive data distribution service. Therefore, when the detailed information 142 is presented, the encrypted information such as the fee of the pay broadcast is encrypted. It is necessary to display internal information, and it may be necessary to perform a process of decoding metadata once. Therefore, in the present comprehensive data distribution service, in order to improve the search processing speed between the search application 139 and the metadata in the receiving terminal, information that does not need to be encrypted such as keywords and genres necessary for the search in the metadata in advance is required. When an extracted search table 140 or the like is prepared and a search for narrowing down content or metadata such as the screen image 141 is performed, indirect access is performed through the search table table 140 or the like to improve the processing speed. In the case where information such as a detailed contract or copyright is presented 142, if the metadata is directly accessed and encrypted, the encrypted portion of the metadata is decrypted and the content information is presented. However, in this comprehensive data distribution service, all data related to copyrights and other rights are performed by the aforementioned RMP function.
Access to metadata is performed by the RMP function,
Only necessary information is presented to the search application.

(During Presentation of Content) A method of using metadata during presentation of content of the present comprehensive data distribution service will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram clearly illustrating a case where the content is switched during presentation of one content. For example, the content 1_23 is displayed while the content 2_24 and the content 3_
25 can be referred to by a link or the like.
3. A link can be made to the content 3_25, and only a link to the content 2_24 can be made from the content 3_25. If it is considered that the content 1_23 is currently being presented, the comprehensive data The receiving terminal for the distribution service presents the content 1_23 to the user based on the information of the metadata 1_101. Thereafter, the user presses a jump 2 button or the like in the content 1 to present the content 2, the receiving terminal acquires link information for the content 2_24, and changes the ID or the like of the currently presented content 1_23 to another content ID or the like. When the receiving terminal recognizes the information, the receiving terminal acquires the ID of the corresponding content, the metadata ID, the metadata position, and the like from the information of the reference destination in the metadata. ..content2..metadat
a2.xml "to obtain the metadata 2_121 and present the content 2_24 according to the content described in the metadata. Is performed, the link destination, the destination metadata and the storage position thereof are acquired from the reference content information described in the metadata, and the metadata for the corresponding content is actually read from the information, and the metadata is read. Refers to presenting the corresponding content.

(At the time of authentication) A method of using metadata at the time of authentication between a content and a user who has contracted the content in the integrated data distribution service will be described with reference to FIG. First, an outline of the processing of the receiving terminal at the time of the viewing contract will be described. When a viewing contract is made with respect to the content 1 in the storage medium 4 in the receiving terminal, the user enters the metadata 10 corresponding to the content 1 on the viewing contract screen.
The contract for the content 1 is made by selecting information on the contract in 0, in this example, the form of the contract (rental, purchase), the contract period (1, 3 days, indefinite), and the like. The content selected by the user is written as permission information 201 to the personal identification device 200 via the RMP in the receiving terminal where security is maintained. In this comprehensive data distribution service,
When viewing the content for which the viewing contract has been made, authentication for viewing the content is performed based on the personal information 201 and the license information 202 of the personal identification device, and the content is presented. Also, when generating the viewing history, charging history information, and the like, it is also generated based on the metadata 100, the personal information 201 in the personal identification device 200, the license information 202, and the like. Therefore, the metadata in the present comprehensive data distribution service is also used as a base for generating information such as license information and billing information in the receiving terminal.

(At the time of reservation) Metadata processing at the time of reservation of contents and the like in the comprehensive data distribution service will be described with reference to FIG. The reservation processing of contents and the like is performed by registering user preferences (preferences) and user requests 151 such as reservation requests by EPG / search, by preference management,
Applications 15 such as EPG and search application
It is started by handing over to 2. Application 15
2 starts, authentication for accessing the permitted area in the storage medium 4 is performed with the RMP 14, and when the access permission is returned from the RMP 14, the search table 140, the EPG table 150, and the like in the access permitted area are used. Extract metadata ID, content ID, etc. for content that meets the user's request. Next, the application confirms the reservation to the RMP 14 based on the extracted metadata ID, content ID, and the like. The RMP 14 uses the metadata ID and content ID passed from the application to determine the actual
EPG metadata, if the content is being distributed, acquire the storage metadata from the broadcast wave, and if there is an encrypted part, RM
The content is decrypted in P14, and it is determined whether the content is viewable by the user, for example, whether the content is a channel to which the user has subscribed or a content permitted to be stored. If the content is permitted to be viewed by the user, the RMP 14 returns a reservation permission to the application 152. The application permitted to reserve simultaneously receives the delivery time 157 of the content specified for the RMP and registers the reservation in the schedule management function 155 in the receiving terminal 3. Thereafter, the schedule management function checks the time, and when the distribution time has come, sends a content reception request to the reception processing function 156. In this example, only the content unit is described. However, the unit of reservation in the comprehensive data distribution service can be an element unit to a service unit.

(Reception and Storage) Next, the reception and storage processing of the content and the metadata in the present comprehensive data distribution service will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the schedule management function 155 in the receiving terminal 3 which has been registered and reserved by the reservation processing makes a reception request to the reception processing function 156 when the distribution time comes. Reception processing function 1 that received a reception request
56 first receives the metadata 100 for the content 1 from the broadcast wave. If there is no metadata for the content, or if the metadata contains information specifying a conventional broadcast (BS digital broadcast, CS digital broadcast, etc.), the content 1 is sent to the CAS function 158 of the conventional method,
The device performs decryption and the like, and then reproduces the content on the TV 9. On the other hand, if the metadata exists, is acquired, and the information indicating the comprehensive data distribution service is described in the metadata, the metadata 100 is passed to the RMP 14. In RMP14, if there is an encrypted part, metadata 100
Is decrypted, and it is confirmed whether the user is permitted to store the content 1.
The metadata 100 and the content 1 are received and stored in the storage location indicated by 0 while being encrypted. In some cases, metadata is decrypted in the RMP and then encrypted again. Similarly, at the time of reproduction, after the metadata for the content is determined by the RMP 14, if the content requires the license information, the content is also determined together with the license information, and if permitted, the content is reproduced.

(Method of Reducing Data Capacity of Metadata) A method of reducing the data capacity at the time of metadata distribution for effectively utilizing the transmission area in the present comprehensive data distribution service will be described with reference to FIG. In this comprehensive data distribution service, since a program 148 in a certain time frame in a specific channel is composed of a plurality of contents, a default content (content to be presented first) in a content group in the time frame is defined, and default contents, If the same information is described in the metadata for the other content, the data capacity is reduced by referring to the content described in the metadata for the default content. In this example, the content 1_
23 is set as a default, and metadata 1_101 for the content 1_23 which is the default content
In the information in the metadata 2_121 for the information 2_24 and the content 2_24 which is a non-default normal content, the programs 14
6, the information for the service 145, and the information for the network 144 are common, so the metadata 1_101 describes the contents of the program, etc., but the metadata 2_121 describes only the reference information to the described location, thereby reducing the data capacity. Make reductions. However, even if the same information is written, if the description of the reference information increases in capacity, the reference information may not be arranged. In the metadata that is stored together with the content, that is, the metadata for the content being distributed, the default content is not always stored, and therefore the description using the reference information is not performed.

With the above-mentioned metadata, the present comprehensive data distribution service enables the broadcast side to control the method of presenting content to the user, the use conditions, and the like, thereby enabling the protection of content rights and the protection of individual user rights. Service can be provided.

[0056]

[Effect of the Invention] By attaching metadata to each content, fine control over the content becomes possible.
It becomes possible to control a method of presenting content to a user, usage conditions, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to provide a service that can protect the right of the content, the right of the user, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a service outline.

FIG. 2 is a system schematic diagram of a comprehensive data distribution service.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating definitions of services and events.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the definition of content.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functions of metadata.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating information divisions described in metadata.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a description example of metadata.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of billing setting on the broadcast side.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating encryption of metadata.

FIG. 10 is an image diagram of a transmission stream of metadata.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating functions of a metadata list.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing positioning within a receiving terminal.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing all-station metadata.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing metadata in an EPG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing metadata at the time of search.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating switching during content presentation.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing processing at the time of authentication.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating processing at the time of reservation.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing processing at the time of reception accumulation.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a data amount reduction method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 content, 2 reception antenna, 3 reception terminal, 4
... storage medium, 5: removable media, 6 ... real-time viewing, 7 ... real-time + storage viewing, 8 ... storage viewing, 9 ... TV, 10 ... PSI / SI, 11 ... antenna,
12 ... satellite, 13 ... ground line, 14 ... RMP function, 15 ...
Storage medium, 16 ... External device, 17 ... Service (100c
h), 18 ... event A, 19 ... event B, 20 ... event C, 21 ... 101 ch, 22 ... 200 ch, 23 ... content 1, 24 ... content 2, 25 ... content 3, 26 ...
Content 4, 27 ... Content 5, 28 ... Billing unit 0
Yen, 29 ... Billing unit 100 yen, 30 ... Copyright a, 31 ...
Copyright b, 32 ... Copyright c, 33 ... Application, 3
4 ... User, 35 ... Scrambler / descrambler,
36 common information, 37 attribute information, 38 configuration information, 3
9 location information, 40 presentation information, 41 accumulated information, 42
... copy information, 43 ... modification information, 44 ... encryption information, 45
... billing information, 46 ... contract information, 47 ... authentication information, 48 ...
Right information, 49 ... use restriction information, 50 ... reference information, 51
... Advertising information, 52 ... User information, 53 ... Usage status information,
54 ... other information, 100 ... metadata, 101 ... metadata 1, 102 ... metadata 3, 103 ... metadata 1, 104 ... metadata 2, 105 ... metadata 3, 1
06: Content description area, 107: Event description area, 108: Metadata (at the time of generation), 109: Metadata (at the time of transmission and storage), 110: Metadata attribute description area, 111: Information to be searched, 112 ... Information requiring encryption, 113 ... Encryption, 114 ... Comprehensive data distribution service (1TS), 115 ... PSI / SI, 116 ... Metadata stream, 117 ... ES3, 118 ... ES4, 119 ... ES
5, 120 ES6, 121 Metadata 2, 122 Metadata 4, 123 module1, 124 module2, 125
... module3, 126 ... Metadata list, 127 ... Content ID, 128 ... Metadata ID, 129 ... Metadata version, 130 ... Metadata position, 131 ... Distribution date and time, 132 ... Metadata list version, 133 ... EP
G, 134: Stored metadata list, 135: EPG metadata acquisition area, 136: Case 1, 137 ... Case 2, 138 ... Case 3, 139 ... Search application, 140 ... Search table, 141 ... Refine search Screen, 142: detail screen, 144: network attribute, 1
45 ... service attribute, 146 ... event attribute, 147 ...
Content attribute, 150: EPG table, 151: User request, 152: Application, 153 ...
Storage metadata, 154 ... EPG metadata, 155
... Schedule management function, 156 ... Reception processing function, 15
7: reserved content, 158: CAS function, 200: personal authentication device, 201: personal information, 202: permission information.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04L 9/32 H04N 5/91 L H04N 5/765 7/167 Z 7/167 (72) Inventor Iori Yamazaki 4-6, Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term in the Broadcasting and Communication Systems Division, Hitachi, Ltd. 5C053 FA13 FA14 FA20 GB05 HA29 JA01 JA21 JA30 KA01 KA24 LA06 LA07 LA15 5C063 AB03 AC01 AC05 AC10 CA16 DA07 DA13 DB10 5C064 CA01 CA14 CB01 CC02 5J104 AA01 AA15 EA04 EA06 EA17 EA22 KA01 NA01 NA02 NA05 NA06 NA35 NA37 NA38 PA05 PA06 PA11

Claims (8)

[Claims] Claims 1. A PSI / SI for receiving metadata of a content at a receiving terminal of a stream (ES) for transmitting the content (the SI is distributed when information equivalent to the SI is described in the metadata, etc.). A metadata distribution system that transmits the content as a separate stream from the stream for distributing the content (ES). 2. A receiving terminal according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving control of the content, control of storing the content and the metadata in a storage medium, based on the content described in the metadata distributed together with the content.
Copy control for external devices, authentication control for applications that use content in the receiving terminal, decryption of encrypted content with a scrambler / descrambler,
By performing encryption / decryption control with scrambler / descrambler for data that needs to be protected used by the receiving terminal such as permission information for the content generated from the metadata, and authentication control for the user, the metadata In addition to the content description of the content itself, information that controls the use of the user's content is described. Since metadata is generated by defining the content on the broadcast side, the content usage range of the user on the broadcast side,
Metadata that makes it possible to control usage conditions. 3. In addition to having a storage medium for storing information such as content and metadata, it also decrypts encrypted and distributed data and encrypts important data in a receiving terminal. , RMP (Rights Management & Prote) related to processing and control of rights such as copyright protection, authentication, billing, etc.
ction (rights protection) function, a system using a receiving terminal having a personal authentication device for performing personal authentication of a user who uses the receiving terminal and authentication of a group such as a family to which the user belongs. 4. A terrestrial line connecting the center side and the receiving terminal is used for processing of contents, acquisition of a user's viewing history, charging history, requests, etc., as well as contents, metadata, encryption of contents, and other metadata. Metadata that is also used when transmitting information for decrypting, transmitting a key, and the like. 5. A system for distributing metadata, which encrypts an information portion to be protected, such as metadata, and describes and distributes information for encrypting the metadata in a description area for the metadata itself. 6. A metadata distribution system that uses a metadata list in a comprehensive data distribution service to provide information that enables a receiving terminal to identify metadata and content and enable reception. 7. In this comprehensive data distribution service, all data related to copyrights and other rights are performed by the above-described RMP function. Therefore, access to metadata is performed by the RMP function, and only necessary information is transmitted to the search application. A system for presenting. 8. The method of using metadata during content presentation in the present comprehensive data distribution service means that when a link or a move between contents is performed, a link destination, a destination, and a destination are referred to by reference content information described in the metadata. A metadata system that acquires the metadata and its storage position, etc., reads the metadata for the corresponding content based on the information, and presents the corresponding content accordingly.