JP2002281529A - Digital broadcasting system, and broadcasting operation managing device and broadcasting contents managing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently collect highly reliable viewing data from a large number of viewers so as to effectively reflect the production of broadcasting contents with these data. SOLUTION: In each of broadcasting receivers RS1-RSn of viewers, the receiving history of broadcasting contents for a fixed period is recorded on a prepaid card PR as viewing data. In a broadcasting operation managing device BC of a broadcasting enterpriser, on the other hand, the viewing data are respectively read out of the prepaid cards PR collected from the respective viewers and on the basis of these viewing data, an average rate for each of broadcasting contents and a rate by time zones of the relevant broadcasting contents are calculated. Then, statistical data containing these rates are transmitted through a public communication network NW to terminal equipment CT1-CTm of correspondent broadcasting contents supply companies and in each of such terminal equipment CT1-CTm, calculation and demand processing of contents fees based on the statistical data is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting system for digitizing and broadcasting broadcast contents, a broadcast operation management device for managing broadcast contents broadcast by the system, and a broadcast contents management method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the establishment of digital broadcasting technology, digital broadcasting has started in a satellite broadcasting system using communication satellites and broadcasting satellites, and a transition to digital broadcasting is being planned in a terrestrial broadcasting system. . Digital broadcasting has excellent features not available in analog broadcasting, such as adoption of digital compression technology to enable multi-channels, improvement in image quality, realization of two-way data broadcasting, and the like.

[0003]

However, the viewers can select their favorite contents from a wide variety of broadcast contents due to the increase in the number of channels, but the broadcast stations or program producers can improve the quality of the broadcast contents. Is required. Providing high-quality broadcast content to viewers requires software, such as the planning and editing capabilities of broadcast content creators, and hardware, such as ghost countermeasures and countermeasures in areas where radio waves are difficult to reach. Each of these measures is necessary.

In the software aspect, for example, a surveyor interviews a certain number of viewers selected at random by a research organization to calculate a rating, and the rating is transmitted to a broadcast content creator. It is conceived that a feedback will be given to the production of the next broadcast content. However, in such a conventionally considered method, the audience rating survey is manually performed, and the number of viewers is limited to a relatively small number. Therefore, it is difficult to calculate accurate audience rating data.

On the other hand, in terms of hardware, practical use of a ghost canceller, implementation of a gap filler measure, and the like are being studied. However, in particular, as a countermeasure for gap filler, a relay device GF for gap filler must be installed in each area where broadcast radio waves do not reach, for example, as shown in FIG. For this reason, enormous capital investment is required, which is a major obstacle in starting the operation of the system.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. A first object of the present invention is to make it possible to efficiently collect highly reliable viewing data from a large number of viewers, and to produce broadcast contents effectively. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital broadcasting system, a broadcasting operation management device thereof, and a broadcasting content management method which can be reflected in a broadcast.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a digital broadcast system which can provide high quality broadcast contents to viewers without requiring a huge capital investment.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcast station for broadcasting broadcast contents produced by a content creator, and a broadcast station broadcast from the broadcast station. A broadcast operation management device is provided in addition to a plurality of broadcast receiving devices for receiving and reproducing. And
Each of the plurality of broadcast receiving apparatuses includes a reception history recording unit that records viewing data relating to a reception history of broadcast content on a storage medium, while the broadcast operation management apparatus stores the reception history recording means on the storage medium of each of the broadcast reception apparatuses. Statistical processing means for obtaining statistical data on the audience rating for each broadcast content based on the obtained viewing data, and statistics for transmitting the statistical data for each broadcast content obtained by the statistical processing means to the terminal device of the corresponding content creator Data notification means.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to collect accurate viewing data from a large number of viewers and obtain statistical data relating to audience ratings, thereby enabling a broadcast content creator to obtain highly accurate statistical data. Then, the next broadcast content can be produced.

[0010] Further, according to the present invention, when the broadcast receiving apparatus has a pay broadcast receiving control function using a prepaid card, the viewing data relating to the broadcast history of the broadcast content is recorded on the prepaid card. In the statistical processing means of the broadcast operation management device, the viewing data is read from the prepaid card collected from each viewer, and statistical data relating to the audience rating for each broadcast content is obtained based on the viewing data. .

[0011] With this configuration, it is possible to use the existing prepaid card as a recording medium to collect the viewing data of the viewer and obtain statistics, and as a result, it is necessary to provide an extra memory in the broadcast receiving apparatus. Disappears. Also, the broadcaster can collect the viewing data by using the pre-paid card recycling process that has already been established. Therefore, there is no need to construct a new infrastructure for collecting viewing data, and there is an advantage that the implementation can be performed at low cost.

Further, according to the present invention, when it is possible to connect a broadcast operation management device and a plurality of broadcast receiving devices via a communication network, each broadcast receiving device stores viewing data relating to a reception history of broadcast contents in the device. The stored viewing data is transmitted to the broadcast operation management device via the communication network. On the other hand, the statistical processing means of the broadcast operation management device receives the viewing data transmitted from each broadcast receiving device via the communication network, and based on the received viewing data, a statistical data relating to the audience rating for each broadcast content. It is also characterized by obtaining data.

[0013] With this configuration, the viewing data of each viewer is temporarily stored in the memory of each broadcast receiving device, and then transferred to the broadcast operation management device via the communication network, and is counted. Therefore, the viewing data of a large number of viewers can be efficiently collected in a short time, and the statistics can be obtained. As a result, accurate and new statistical data can be always fed back to the broadcast content creator.

As a communication network, a public telephone communication network or the Internet can be used, and an up channel of a broadcast signal can also be used. When a public telephone communication network or the Internet is used, the broadcast operation management device can directly collect the viewing data of each viewer even when the broadcast operation management device is installed independently of the broadcasting station.
On the other hand, using the upstream channel of a broadcast signal has the advantage that viewer data can be collected at low cost without relying on other communication networks such as a public telephone communication network.

Further, according to the present invention, in a broadcast operation management apparatus, a reward amount for a content creator who produces the broadcast content is calculated based on statistical data of each broadcast content obtained by the statistical processing means, and the amount is calculated. For paying the content creator to the content creator. In this manner, the broadcast content creator can receive a reward amount according to the evaluation of the broadcast content produced by the broadcast content creator, and thereby, it is possible to expect a further increase in willingness to produce.

[0016] It is also possible to calculate the content fee in the terminal device of the broadcast content creator based on the statistical data sent from the broadcast operation management device and to perform the billing process.

On the other hand, in order to achieve the second object, a second aspect of the present invention provides an encoding processing means for temporally compressing a data stream of a broadcast content to a broadcast station and outputting compressed data, Transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting one piece of compressed data output from the processing means at a plurality of different time positions on the same broadcast channel, wherein each broadcast receiving apparatus repeats at a plurality of time positions from the broadcast station. Receiving means for receiving and storing the transmitted compressed data, and reproducing the original data stream of the broadcast content by time-expanding at least one of the plurality of compressed data stored in the receiving means And processing means.

Specifically, the encoding processing means divides the data stream of the broadcast content into a plurality of unit-length data having a first time length, and divides the plurality of unit-length data into the plurality of unit-length data, respectively. Time-compressed to a second time length set to an integral fraction of the first time length, and the time-compressed one unit length data is transmitted by the transmission means set to the first time length. This is realized by repeatedly multiplexing a plurality of times at different time positions in a time slot.

Therefore, according to the second aspect, the same broadcast content is repeatedly broadcast on the same broadcast channel a plurality of times at different time positions. Therefore, for example, when a broadcast receiver of a viewer is mounted on a mobile object, such as when passing through an area where radio waves cannot be received or when a broadcast signal cannot be temporarily received due to fading. Thus, it is possible to reproduce the broadcast content without any omission. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate equipment for reducing the gap filler or reduce the number of installation locations, thereby reducing the equipment cost of the system.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention is directed to a digital broadcasting system in which a broadcast receiver of each viewer has a pay broadcast receiving control function using a prepaid card. Then, each broadcast receiver records the reception history of the broadcast content for a certain period of time as the viewing data on the prepaid card. On the other hand, the broadcast operation management device provided by the broadcaster reads out the viewing data from the prepaid cards collected from the respective viewers, and obtains statistical data on the audience rating for each broadcast content based on the viewing data. Then, the statistical data is notified to the terminal device of the broadcast content supply company, and the terminal device calculates and charges the content fee based on the statistical data.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital broadcasting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system uses a communication satellite or a broadcasting satellite ST to perform digital broadcasting mainly for mobile objects.

A digital broadcast signal transmitted from the master station BSa to the satellite ST is relayed by a transponder mounted on the satellite ST and broadcast to a service area. On the other hand, the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn of the respective viewers
Is used by being mounted on a vehicle or carried by the viewer himself (user). Note that the broadcast receiver RS1
RSn can be fixedly installed in the house.

The broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn receive and reproduce digital broadcast signals coming from the satellite ST in the service area. This broadcast reception / reproduction operation can be performed for a time or the number of contents corresponding to the count number written in the prepaid card PR. The user purchases the prepaid card PR from a device / card sales contract shop. The prepaid card PR is made of, for example, a flash memory, and is collected by, for example, a device / card sales contract shop after the count number becomes zero. Then, when the count number is written again by the broadcaster, the count can be reused.

Each of the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn has a function of recording the reception history of the broadcast content selected and viewed by the viewer as viewing data. After this viewing data is compressed, it is recorded on the prepaid card PR.

This system includes a broadcast operation management device BC. The broadcast operation management device BC is installed, for example, for each broadcaster. Then, as functions for managing the broadcast content broadcasted by the broadcaster, a viewing data collection control function 1, a statistical processing function 2,
And a statistical data notification control function 3.

The viewing data collection control function 1 reads out viewing data from the prepaid card PR collected from each viewer, and stores the viewing data in the viewer database in association with the viewer.

The statistical processing function 2 calculates, based on the viewing data stored in the viewer database, an average audience rating for each broadcast content, and further, an hourly audience rating during the broadcast time of the broadcast content.

The statistical data notification control function 3 generates statistical data including the audience rating data for each broadcast content calculated by the statistical processing function 2, and transmits the statistical data to the corresponding broadcast content via the public communication network NW. The information is transmitted to the terminal devices CT1 to CTm of the supply company. The statistical data is used by the broadcast content provider to analyze the repercussions of the broadcasted broadcast content and to reflect it in the next broadcast content production, and to calculate the content fee according to the audience rating and bill the broadcaster. Used for

Note that the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn may be portable telephone terminals or PHS (Personal Handyphone System).
A wireless communication unit for terminals is built in, and the wireless communication unit enables communication with the broadcast operation management device BC via a public telephone network NW including a mobile communication network. When the prepaid card PR is not used, as in the case where the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn are receiving free broadcasts, this communication function allows viewing data to be transmitted to the public in response to a transmission request from the broadcast operation management device BC. It is used to transmit to the broadcast operation management device BC via the communication network NW.

Next, a broadcast content management method in the system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing the outline, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure and processing contents of the system.

First, a broadcaster (business operator) purchases a broadcast receiver and a prepaid card PR as terminal devices from a terminal device maker and a prepaid card PR maker, respectively. Of these, the prepaid card PR
The count number corresponding to the receivable time of the pay broadcast or the number of receivable contents is written. Then, these broadcast receivers and the prepaid card P in which the count number is written
R is outsourced to an equipment / card sales contract shop.

On the other hand, a viewer (user) who wants to view the broadcast content purchases a broadcast receiver and a prepaid card PR from a device / card sales contract shop. At that time, the equipment / card sales contract shop will provide the user's name and address,
Attribute information such as contact telephone numbers or email addresses,
Register in the broadcaster's customer database. At the same time, the broadcast receivers RS1 to RS1 purchased by the user with the registration number assigned to the user from the broadcaster.
Write to n.

On the other hand, broadcast content supply companies CT1 to C
Tm each produces broadcast content and entrusts the broadcast to broadcasters. The broadcaster allocates the broadcast content entrusted by the broadcast content supply companies CT1 to CTm to the broadcast time zone and then broadcasts the broadcast master station BSa.
Broadcast to the service area.

When viewing broadcast contents, the user first inserts the prepaid card PR into the broadcast receivers RS1 to RS1.
It is installed in a card slot provided in RSn. Then, the count number described on the prepaid card PR is read into the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn, and the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn perform reception and reproduction of the broadcast content for the time or content number regulated by the count number. It becomes possible.

During the broadcast reception, the broadcast receivers RS1 to RS1
n compresses and encodes the reception history of the broadcast content received and reproduced, and uses this as the viewing data as the prepaid card P.
Write to R. The reception history is composed of, for example, an identification number of the broadcast content being received and reproduced and time data (time stamp) at that time, and these are arranged at regular intervals,
For example, it is created every one minute and written on the prepaid card PR.

The reception history is written into the prepaid card PR by, for example, temporarily storing it for one hour or one day in the memory of each of the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn, and each time one hour or one day elapses. The data of the reception history stored in the memory is compressed and stored in the prepaid card PR.
May be written. This can reduce the processing load on the CPUs of the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn. If the timing of writing the reception history to the prepaid card PR is selected during a period in which no broadcast is received, the processing load on the CPUs of the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn is further reduced.

The prepaid card PR that has used up the count is purchased at a device / card sales contract store.
Returned to broadcaster. The broadcaster reads the viewing data from each used prepaid card PR returned from the equipment / card sales contract store by using the broadcast operation management device, and temporarily stores them in the database. When the viewing data for a certain period of time, for example, one day, one week or one month, is collected, the average audience rating for each broadcast content and the time during the broadcast time of the broadcast content are calculated based on the viewing data. Calculate the ratings by band.

The calculated average audience rating for each broadcast content and the audience rating for each time zone are inserted into the statistical data together with the broadcast content identification number, and the statistical data is applied via the public communication network NW. The data is transmitted to the terminal devices CT1 to CTm of the broadcast content provider.

In the broadcast content supply company, the terminal device C
Based on T1 to CTm, based on the average audience rating for each broadcast content included in the statistical data and the audience rating for each time zone, an analysis of the repercussions of the corresponding broadcast content that has been broadcast is performed, and the next broadcast is analyzed. Reflect it in content production. At the same time, processing for calculating a content fee according to the average audience rating and billing the broadcaster is performed.

On the other hand, the broadcast receiver RS1 receiving free broadcast contents without using the prepaid card PR
When the viewing data is collected from .about.RSi, the following is performed.

That is, the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSi create a reception history of the broadcast content in accordance with the reception / reproduction operation, and store the history in a memory such as a hard disk or a RAM in the apparatus. On the other hand, the broadcast operation management device BC sends a public communication network N to each of the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSi receiving free broadcasts, for example, every day, every week, or every month.
A transmission request for viewing data is sent via W. Upon receiving this transmission request, the broadcast operation management device BC reads out the reception history for one day, one week or one month from the memory, and uses the reception history as viewing data to the broadcast operation management device BC via the public communication network NW. To send.

When the viewing operation data is received from all the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSi to be collected and stored in the database, the broadcast operation management device BC calculates the average audience rating for each broadcast content based on the viewing data. And the time-period ratings of the broadcast content are calculated, and the calculated ratings are transmitted as statistical data to the terminal devices CT1 to CTm of the corresponding broadcast content supplier.

As described above, in the first embodiment, in each of the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn of the viewer,
The reception history for a certain period of the broadcast content is recorded on the prepaid card PR as viewing data. On the other hand, the broadcast operation management device BC of the broadcaster reads out the viewing data from the prepaid card PR collected from each viewer, and based on these viewing data, the average audience rating of each broadcast content and the broadcast content of the broadcast content. Calculate audience rating by time zone. Then, the statistical data including the audience ratings is transmitted to the terminal devices CT1 to CTm of the corresponding broadcast content provider via the public communication network NW, and the terminal devices CT1 to CTm use the content charges based on the statistical data. Is calculated and the billing process is performed.

Therefore, the broadcaster can collect accurate viewing data from a large number of viewers and calculate the rating, whereby the broadcast content provider can determine the next time based on the highly accurate rating data. Of broadcast contents can be produced. Further, since the prepaid card PR is used as a recording medium of the viewing data, the broadcaster can collect the viewing data by utilizing the recycling process of the prepaid card PR which has already been established. Therefore, there is no need to construct a new infrastructure for collecting viewing data, and there is an advantage that the implementation can be performed at low cost.

Further, in the first embodiment, in order to collect viewing data from the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSi which receive free broadcast contents without using the prepaid card PR, the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSi broadcast each other. The content reception history is stored in a memory in the device. In response to a viewing data transmission request from the broadcast operation management device BC, each of the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSi transmits a public communication network NW.
The reception history is transmitted to the broadcast operation management device BC via the communication history management device BC.

Therefore, it is possible to uniformly collect viewing data from a wide range of viewers, including viewers receiving free broadcast contents that do not use the prepaid card PR.

(Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment of the present invention, when broadcast contents are broadcast from a broadcast master station,
The data stream of the broadcast content is time-compressed for each fixed length, and each of the time-compressed compressed data is repeatedly transmitted at a plurality of different time positions on the same broadcast channel. On the other hand, each broadcast receiving apparatus receives and accumulates compressed data repeatedly transmitted at a plurality of time positions from the broadcast station, and based on the received plurality of the same plurality of compressed data, time is obtained. The original data stream of the broadcast content is reproduced by performing a decompression process.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a digital broadcasting system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a satellite ST as in the first embodiment.
, Which mainly performs digital broadcasting for mobile objects, and includes a broadcast master station BSb and a plurality of broadcast receivers RSb1 to RSbn each owned by a viewer.

First, the broadcast master station BSb inputs a plurality of streams of broadcast content data streams output from a broadcast content transmission processing unit (not shown) to the encoding circuit (CODER) 11. Each of these encoding circuits 11 compresses and encodes the data stream of the input broadcast content for each fixed length, and writes the time-compressed data to the transmission buffer circuit 12.

A time-division multiplexing circuit (TDM) 13 repeatedly reads the same time-compressed data from the transmission buffer circuit 12 at a plurality of different timings in accordance with a multiplexing format of a broadcast signal (on-air signal). The signal is distributed and inserted at a plurality of time positions in one time slot of the signal. The modulation circuit (MOD) 14 converts the broadcast signal output from the time division multiplexing circuit 13 into a modulated wave signal by a predetermined digital modulation method, and supplies the modulated wave signal to a transmission / reception circuit (T / R) 15. I do.

The transmission / reception circuit 15 frequency-converts the modulated wave signal into a carrier frequency of the broadcast signal, amplifies the signal to a predetermined transmission power level, and transmits the amplified broadcast signal from the broadcast station antenna 16 to the satellite ST. .

On the other hand, each of the broadcast receivers RSb1 to RSbn is configured as follows. That is, a broadcast signal arriving from the satellite ST is received by the receiving antenna 21, amplified and frequency-converted by a receiving circuit (not shown), and then input to the demodulation circuit (DEM) 22. The demodulation circuit 22 digitally demodulates the received broadcast signal and outputs a baseband multiplexed broadcast data stream. Selection circuit (SEL)
23 selects the compressed data of the broadcast content designated by the viewer from the multiplexed broadcast data stream, and writes it to the reception buffer circuit 24.

A decoding circuit (DEC) 25 reads out the time-compressed data from the reception buffer circuit 24 and decodes and expands it. At this time, when a plurality of the same time compressed data received at different times are stored in the reception buffer circuit 24, one of the time compressed data is selected and decoded and expanded. Then, the original data stream of the broadcast content reproduced by the decoding / decompression processing is supplied to the monitor 26 and displayed.

The above-described broadcast reception / reproduction operation is controlled by the CPU 27 according to a user's instruction input from a key input unit (not shown) or a remote controller via the man-machine interface 28.

Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a timing chart used for the description, and illustrates a case where two broadcast contents are time-division multiplexed into a one-channel broadcast signal and broadcast.

In the broadcast master station BSb, two systems of broadcast content data streams CH1 and CH2 output from a broadcast content transmission processing unit (not shown) are respectively input to an encoding circuit 11, where they are subjected to time compression for every fixed length. Is applied. For example, the data is temporally compressed to 256 kbps so as to have a time length of 1/4 of the original data. Then, the time-compressed data of each of the broadcast content data streams CH1 and CH2 is written to the transmission buffer circuit 12 and then repeatedly read out a plurality of times by the time division multiplexing circuit 13 to form a one-channel broadcast signal. Division multiplexing is performed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in the transmission period of the time slot Si of the broadcast signal, the compressed data (1-1-) one slot before the broadcast content data stream CH1 is transmitted.
6) and the compressed data (2-2-1) one slot before the broadcast content data stream CH2 are repeatedly read from the transmission buffer circuit 12, respectively, and the BCH
As shown in (Si), they are multiplexed alternately four times. In the transmission period of the broadcast signal time slot Sj, compressed data (1-2-2) one slot before the broadcast content data stream CH1 and compressed data (2-2-2) one slot before the broadcast content data stream CH2 are transmitted. -3) are repeatedly read from the transmission buffer circuit 12 and multiplexed four times alternately as indicated by BCH (Sj) in the figure.

Similarly, in other time slot transmission periods of the broadcast signal, the broadcast content data stream C
The compressed data one slot before the H1 and the compressed data one slot before the broadcast content data stream CH2 are alternately multiplexed four times.

The broadcast signal in which the compressed data of each broadcast content data stream CH1 and CH2 is multiplexed is digitally modulated by the modulation circuit 14, further frequency-converted to the carrier frequency by the transmission / reception circuit 15, and then amplified. , From the broadcasting station antenna 16 to the satellite ST.

On the other hand, in each of the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSn, a broadcast signal arriving from the satellite ST is received by the receiving antenna 21.
After that, the digital signal is demodulated by the demodulation circuit 22 into a baseband multiplexed broadcast data stream. Assuming that the user has selected the broadcast content CH1, the selection circuit 23 selectively extracts time-compressed data corresponding to the broadcast content CH1 for each time slot of the multiplexed broadcast data stream in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 27. Then, the data is written to the reception buffer circuit 24. For example, during the reception period of the time slot Si, the compressed data (1-1-6)
These are stored in the extracted reception buffer circuit 24.

The compressed data stored in the receiving buffer circuit 24 is sequentially read out by the decoding circuit 25 and subjected to decoding / decompression processing, whereby the broadcast content CH
One original data stream is reproduced. Then, the original data stream is displayed on the monitor 26.

By the way, during the above-mentioned broadcast receiving period, the vehicle equipped with the broadcast receiver passes through the broadcast insensitive area, and as a result, the signal reception is temporarily interrupted during the receiving period of the time slot where the broadcast signal is present. I do. Then, during the reception interruption period, a part of the compressed data to be received is lost. However, if the compressed data can be normally received even once during the time slot reception period, the original data stream of the broadcast content CH1 can be reproduced based on the received compressed data.

For example, it is assumed that the reception of the broadcast signal BCH 'is temporarily interrupted during the reception period of the time slot Si as shown by TB in FIG. However, in this case BCH
As shown in (Si) ', if the compressed data (1-1-6), which is to be received four times during the reception period of the time slot Si, is normally received even once, this received compression The original data stream is reproduced based on the data (1-1-6). Assuming that the reception of the broadcast signal is temporarily interrupted during the reception period of the time slot Sj, the time slot Sj is also indicated in this case as indicated by BCH (Sj) '.
Compressed data that should have been received four times during the receiving period (1-2-
If 2) is normally received even once, the original data stream is reproduced based on the received compressed data (1-2-2). Thereafter, similarly, during the reception period of another time slot, the compressed data that should be received during this period is one.
If the data is normally received even once, the original data stream is reproduced based on the received compressed data.

As an example, if the reception period of the above-mentioned time slot is set to 12 minutes or 16 minutes, if the reception can be normally performed only for 3 or 4 minutes during the reception period, the remaining 9 or 12 minutes can be received. Even without this, the original data stream can be correctly reproduced without any loss.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the broadcast master station BSb time-compresses the data stream of the broadcast content by a predetermined length, and compresses the time-compressed compressed data into the same broadcast channel. Repeated transmissions at different time positions above. Each of the broadcast receivers RSb1 to RSbn receives and accumulates the compressed data repeatedly transmitted from the broadcast master station BSb at a plurality of time positions, and performs time expansion processing based on the received compressed data. To reproduce the original data stream of the broadcast content.

Therefore, even when a signal passes through an area where radio waves cannot be received, such as a broadcast receiver mounted on an automobile, or a broadcast signal cannot be temporarily received due to the effect of fading, the signal is repeatedly transmitted a plurality of times. If the same compressed data can be normally received even once, the broadcast content can be reproduced without loss. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the need for any relay equipment for countermeasures for gap fillers, which was indispensable for building the system, or to significantly reduce the number of installations, thereby reducing the system equipment cost can do.

(Other Embodiments) In the first embodiment, a digital broadcasting system for mobile units using a satellite ST has been described as an example. However, a digital broadcasting system using terrestrial waves or a cable television (CAT)
V) The system is equally applicable. Also, the first
In the embodiment, the collection of the viewing data from the broadcast receivers RS1 to RSi that do not use the prepaid card is performed via the public communication network NW. Viewing data may be collected using a channel.

In the first embodiment, the case has been described in which the broadcast content supply company calculates the content fee based on the statistical data notified from the broadcast operation management device BC and bills the broadcaster. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the broadcast operation management device BC may calculate a reward amount for each broadcast content according to the audience rating, and pay the reward amount to the corresponding broadcast content supply company.

Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the broadcast operation management device BC is installed for each broadcaster has been described. However, a broadcast operation management device BC operated by a third party may be installed, and the broadcast operation management device BC may manage broadcast content broadcast by a plurality of broadcasters. By doing so, the fairness of the audience rating survey can be further enhanced.

In addition, the system configuration, the circuit configuration of the broadcast master station and the broadcast receiver, the method of collecting the viewing data, the contents of the statistical processing of the viewing data, the number of repetitions of the compressed data, and the like do not depart from the gist of the present invention. Various modifications can be made within the scope.

[0071]

As described above in detail, in the first invention, the viewing data relating to the reception history of the broadcast content is recorded in the storage medium in each broadcast receiving apparatus, and the storage medium of each broadcast receiving apparatus is recorded in the broadcast operation management apparatus. The statistical data relating to the audience rating for each broadcast content is obtained based on the viewing data stored in the terminal device, and the statistical data is notified to the terminal device of the corresponding content creator.

Therefore, according to the first aspect, it is possible to efficiently collect highly reliable viewing data from a large number of viewers, thereby effectively reflecting the data in the production of broadcast contents. A digital broadcast system, a broadcast operation management device thereof, and a broadcast content management method can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the broadcast station time-compresses the data stream of the broadcast content and repeatedly transmits the compressed data at a plurality of different time positions on the same broadcast channel. The apparatus receives and accumulates compressed data repeatedly transmitted at a plurality of time positions from a broadcasting station, accumulates at least one of the accumulated plurality of compressed data, and expands at least one of the plurality of compressed data by time. The original data stream is reproduced.

Therefore, according to the second invention, it is possible to provide a digital broadcasting system capable of providing high-quality broadcast contents to viewers without requiring enormous capital investment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital broadcasting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram for explaining a broadcast content management method of the digital broadcast system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure and contents for explaining a broadcast content management method of the digital broadcasting system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcasting system according to a second embodiment of the present invention and its broadcast master station and broadcast receiver.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining a broadcast signal transmitting / receiving operation of the digital broadcasting system shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a general countermeasure for a gap filler.

[Explanation of symbols]

 BSa, BSb: Broadcast master station BC: Broadcast operation management device ST: Satellites RSa1 to RSan, RSb1 to RSbn: Broadcast receiver NW: Public communication network CT1 to CTm: Terminal device of broadcast content supplier PR: Prepaid card 11 ... Code Circuit (CODER) 12 transmission buffer circuit 13 time division multiplexing circuit (TDM) 14 modulation circuit (MOD) 15 transmission / reception circuit (T / R) 16 broadcast station antenna 21 reception antenna 22 demodulation circuit ( DEM) 23 selection circuit (SEL) 24 reception buffer circuit 25 decoding circuit (DEC) 26 monitor 27 CPU 28 machine-machine interface GF relay device for gap filler

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/38 H04N 5/38 7/16 7/16 A 7/173 620 7/173 620A

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A broadcast station for broadcasting broadcast content produced by a content creator, a plurality of broadcast receiving devices for receiving and reproducing broadcast content broadcast from the broadcast station,
A broadcast operation management device, wherein each of the plurality of broadcast reception devices includes a reception history recording unit that records viewing data regarding a reception history of broadcast content on a storage medium, and the broadcast operation management device includes: Statistical processing means for obtaining statistical data on the audience rating for each broadcast content based on the viewing data stored in the storage medium of the receiving device; and a content creator corresponding to the statistical data for each broadcast content obtained by the statistical processing means. And a statistical data notifying means for transmitting the statistical data to the terminal device. 2. The broadcast receiving apparatus has a card slot in which a prepaid card is removably inserted, reads management data for receiving a pay broadcast from the prepaid card inserted in the card slot, and reads the management data. In the case where the broadcast receiving apparatus has a function of controlling the receiving and reproducing operation of the broadcast content based on The statistical processing means of the broadcast operation management apparatus reads out viewing data from prepaid cards collected from the respective viewers, and obtains statistical data on audience ratings for each broadcast content based on the viewing data. The digital broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein 3. When the broadcast operation management device is connected to the plurality of broadcast reception devices via a communication network, the reception history recording means of each of the broadcast reception devices includes: A function of storing data in a memory provided in the device, and transmitting the viewing data stored in the memory to the broadcast operation management device via the communication network, the statistical processing means of the broadcast operation management device, The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving the viewing data transmitted from each of the broadcast receiving devices via the communication network; and obtaining statistical data relating to an audience rating for each broadcast content based on the received viewing data. 2. The digital broadcasting system according to 1. 4. The broadcast operation management apparatus calculates a reward amount to a content creator who has produced the broadcast content based on statistical data for each broadcast content obtained by the statistical processing means, 2. The digital broadcasting system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for performing processing for paying the content creator to the content creator. 5. The creator terminal device calculates a content fee according to the audience rating based on the statistical data sent from the broadcast operation management device, and further includes means for performing a process of billing the content fee. The digital broadcasting system according to claim 1, further comprising: 6. A broadcast content management method for a digital broadcasting system for broadcasting a broadcast content produced by a content creator from a broadcast station to a plurality of viewers, wherein the broadcast receiving apparatus used by each viewer includes: Storing viewing data relating to a reception history of broadcast content by a user in a storage medium, and obtaining, in a broadcast operation management device, statistical data relating to audience rating for each broadcast content based on the viewing data stored in the storage medium. And a step of notifying the statistical data of each broadcast content from the broadcast operation management device to a terminal device of a content creator who has created the broadcast content. 7. A process for calculating a reward amount for a content creator who has produced the broadcast content based on statistical data for each broadcast content in the broadcast operation management device, and paying the amount to the content creator. 2. The broadcast content management method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: 8. A process of calculating a content fee according to a rating based on statistical data notified from the broadcast operation management device in a terminal device of the content creator, and performing a process of billing the content fee. The broadcast content management method according to claim 1, further comprising: 9. A broadcast station for broadcasting broadcast content produced by a content creator, and a plurality of broadcast receiving devices for receiving and reproducing broadcast content broadcast from the broadcast station, wherein each of the broadcast receiving devices is A broadcast operation management device used in a digital broadcasting system having a function of recording viewing data regarding a reception history of broadcast content in a storage medium, based on the viewing data stored in a storage medium of each of the broadcast receiving devices. Statistical processing means for obtaining statistical data relating to the audience rating for each broadcast content; and statistical data notifying means for transmitting the statistical data for each broadcast content obtained by the statistical processing means to a terminal device of a corresponding content creator. A broadcast operation management device, characterized in that: 10. The statistical processing, wherein each of the broadcast receiving apparatuses has a function of recording viewing data regarding a broadcast content reception history on a pay-broadcast reception control prepaid card inserted into a card slot. 10. The broadcast according to claim 9, wherein the means reads out the viewing data from the prepaid card collected from each of the broadcast receiving devices, and obtains statistical data on the audience rating for each broadcast content based on the viewing data. Operation management device. 11. When each of the broadcast receiving apparatuses has a function of storing viewing data relating to a reception history of broadcast content in a memory provided in the apparatus, the broadcast receiving apparatus stores the viewing data stored in the memory of each of the broadcast receiving apparatuses. Receiving means for receiving data via a communication network, wherein the statistical processing means obtains statistical data relating to a rating for each broadcast content based on each of the viewing data received by the receiving means. 10. The broadcast operation management device according to claim 9, wherein: 12. Based on statistical data for each broadcast content obtained by the statistical processing means, a reward amount for a content creator who has produced the broadcast content is calculated, and this amount is paid to the content creator. 10. The broadcast operation management device according to claim 9, further comprising: means for performing the above-mentioned processing. 13. A broadcast station for broadcasting broadcast content produced by a content creator, and a plurality of broadcast receiving devices for receiving and reproducing broadcast content broadcast from the broadcast station, wherein the broadcast station comprises: Encoding processing means for time-compressing a broadcast content data stream and outputting compressed data; and one piece of compressed data output from the encoding processing means repeatedly transmitted at a plurality of different time positions on the same broadcast channel Receiving means for receiving and accumulating compressed data repeatedly transmitted at a plurality of time positions from the broadcasting station, and accumulating in the receiving means. Reproduction processing means for reproducing the original data stream of the broadcast content by time-expanding at least one of the plurality of compressed data. A digital broadcasting system characterized by the following. 14. The encoding processing unit divides a data stream of a broadcast content into a plurality of unit length data having a first time length, and divides the plurality of unit length data into the first time data. Transmitting the time-compressed one unit length data in the transmission time slot set to the first time length. 14. The digital broadcasting system according to claim 13, wherein multiplexing is repeated a plurality of times at different time positions.