JP2003061069A - Program receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain compatibility between the provision of two-way type broadcast program contents wining the hearts and minds of users and the rationality of economical balance, with respect to production and operation of programs. SOLUTION: A receiver 1 used by each user to enjoy an information service is configured to comprise a program reception section for receiving a program, an answer data reception section for receiving answer data being an answer associated with the program, an answer approval information storage section for storing answer approval information including information denoting whether or not answer data can be transmitted, and a data transmission section for transmitting the answer data received by the answer data reception section, when the answer approval information storage section sores answer approval information denoting available transmission of the answer data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a new information service that integrates broadcasting and communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional program broadcasting services are provided by one-way broadcast signal transmission from a broadcasting station side to a viewer side. The main revenue base that supports such a program broadcasting service is advertising income obtained from the sponsor by inserting commercials during program broadcasting.
Further, in recent years, a program broadcasting service in which a viewer who desires to watch a program directly bears the cost is becoming popular.

[0003]

A new type of information service, which is a fusion of broadcasting and communication, is about to be started, centering on BS / CS digital broadcasting. In this service, in addition to high-definition broadcasting and data broadcasting, storage-type data broadcasting service and interactive service are provided. In order to realize and spread it, unifying the standard of hardware, software and service is a big difference from the existing service, and the hardware specifications of the dedicated digital broadcasting receiver (set top box, STB) have already been established. Has been formulated. STB is a hard disk drive (HDD), BS / CS broadcast receiving tuner, stored data broadcast receiving tuner, IP (Inter
etProtocol) connection function and the like, which allows various services such as content distribution to be provided.

Although a completely new platform in which the TV and the Internet are linked is about to be built, it goes without saying that there is a competitive relationship with the existing program broadcasting service. Providing content with interesting features that existing services do not allow new information services to acquire more users (viewers), and lowering financial and procedural costs to users. Is important. At the same time, the production and broadcasting of programs must be established as a business. Therefore, the present invention should solve the problem that both the provision of interactive broadcast program content that can catch the heart of the user and the rationality of the economic balance regarding the production and operation of the program are compatible. It is an issue.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, a receiving device used when a user tries to enjoy an information service, a program receiving unit for receiving a program, and an answer that is an answer regarding the program A response data reception unit that receives data, a response permission information storage unit that stores response permission information that includes information indicating whether or not response data can be transmitted,
And a data transmission unit for transmitting the response data received by the response data reception unit when the response permission information indicating that the response data can be transmitted is stored in the response permission information storage unit. I shall.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the STB 1 as a receiving device receives a high quality broadcast or a data broadcast as a digital signal via the BS / CS. At the same time, ST
B1 is also connected to a communication line typified by the Internet, and can exchange data with the information processing device 2 such as a server.

[0007] STB1 is used by a user who wants to enjoy an information service. As shown in FIG. 2, the STB 1 includes a CPU 1a, a memory 1b, and an HDD 1.
c, BS / CS broadcast reception tuner 1d, demodulation device 1e,
The external input interface 1f, the video / audio output interface 1g, the IP connection interface 1h, etc. are the main constituent elements. The transmission signal received using the BS / CS broadcast reception tuner 1d is demodulated by the demodulation device 1e and is used as data or a video / audio signal. The demodulation processing performed by the demodulation device 1e is the same as the processing internally performed by the existing digital satellite broadcast tuner, that is, the processing of separating the multiplexed signal into individual transmission signals and the encoding of MPEG or the like. The process of decoding the transmitted signal is included. User is ST
The external input means for giving various commands to B1 is assumed to be a remote controller with a character input function,
The external input interface 1f is composed of a light receiving portion for infrared signals from the remote controller and its driver software. Video / audio output interface 1
g has a function of outputting a video signal and an audio signal to the outside. Generally, the STB1 is used by connecting to a home television receiver, and a video signal and an audio signal are transmitted from the video / audio output interface 1g of the STB1 to the video / audio input interface of the television receiver. Needless to say, this allows the user to watch the program. The IP connection interface 1h functions when transmitting and receiving data via the Internet, and is configured by using a modem, a terminal adapter, or the like. The program to be executed by the CPU 1a is the memory 1b or the HDD 1c.
It is stored in. The above-mentioned components cooperate with each other as described later, so that the program receiving unit 11, the reply data receiving unit 12, the reply allowance information storing unit 13, the data transmitting unit 14 shown in FIG.
It serves as the replyable information receiving unit 15, the replyable information storage unit 16, and the data access unit 17.

The operation of each section will be described below. The program receiving unit 11 in the present embodiment includes a BS / CS broadcast receiving tuner 1d, a demodulation device 1e, a video / audio output interface 1g, and software for controlling these, and functions to receive a program and make it available to the user for viewing. do. The program is a broadcast program, and also refers to a program that allows the user to participate in the program by transmitting some data related to the program from the STB 1, for example, a quiz program, a game of playing bingo, roulette, or the like. You can list the programs. In other words, if it is a quiz show, the answer to the quiz, if roulette
The user can participate in the program by transmitting such data. In such a program broadcast, a program for controlling a game, data, and the like may be multiplexed and transmitted as a data broadcast in addition to a television signal. Taking a bingo game program as an example, it is conceivable that a program for displaying a bingo card on a screen and data such as sequentially determined bingo numbers are multiplexed and transmitted as a data broadcast together with a television signal. The program receiving section 11 also receives these data broadcasts, and stores the program in the memory 1b or HD.
The data is stored in D1c and activated, or all or part of the data is provided to the response data receiving unit 12.

The response data receiving section 12 receives the input of response data from the user by utilizing the function of the external input interface 1g. The answer data is an answer regarding the content of the program, and is input by the user watching the program using the external input means and transmitted to the information processing device 2 via the Internet. As described above, the answer data corresponds to the answer to the quiz in the case of a quiz program, the eye to bet in the case of roulette, and the like. The answer data may include an identifier for identifying the user (an identifier for identifying the STB 1) and other information. Also,
The details of the function of the answer data reception unit 12 depend on the content of each program. Therefore, the data or program required by the response data receiving unit 12 when receiving the response data is
S for data broadcasting or via the Internet
It may be transmitted to TB1. In addition,
The response data receiving unit 12 may include software for controlling the video / audio output interface so as to give an instruction to the user according to the content of the program or the like. Further, the response data receiving unit 12 is synonymous with the external input receiving means, and may be used not only for inputting the response data but also for other purposes.

The answer permission information storage unit 13 stores answer permission information. The answer permission information is information about whether the user can send the answer data. As a mode of using the reply-permitted information, a mode in which the reply-permitted information itself becomes a ticket for participation in the program, a mode in which information about whether or not to participate in the program is described in the reply-permitted information, and the like However, if at least the answer permission information regarding the program is not stored in the answer permission information storage unit 13, the reply data cannot be transmitted. When the reply allowance information regarding the program is stored in the reply allowance information storage unit 13, the data sending unit 14 described below refers to the reply allowance information to determine whether the reply data can be sent. Alternatively, the data transmitting unit 14 determines all or part of the reply permission information and the reply data without determining whether the reply data can be transmitted based on the content of the reply permission information.
It may be transmitted to. At this time, the information processing device 2 may determine whether to accept the answer data based on the answer permission information received.

The data transmission unit 14 is usually composed of software and uses the function of the IP connection interface 1h to transmit the answer data to the information processing device 2 via the Internet. However, as described above, it is not always possible to unconditionally transmit the response data. When transmitting the response data, the data transmitting unit 14 first refers to the response permission information stored in the response permission information storage unit 13, and when there is no response permission information corresponding to the program or the content of the response permission information. Depending on the reason, the reply data is not transmitted.

The answer permission information receiving unit 15 uses the function of the IP connection interface 1h to receive the answer permission information transmitted from the information processing device 2 via the Internet.
As will be described later in detail, the answer permission information is usually transmitted as a reward for taking a predetermined action using the IP connection function of STB1. Here, the action specifically means that the user gives some instruction to the STB 1 using the external input means. As an example of the predetermined action,
Clicking on a banner ad on a particular homepage, answering a questionnaire, etc. However,
It may be delivered by a recording medium such as a CD, a memory card or the like, or may be delivered to the user by a method such as purchasing a magazine or the like to obtain it as an appendix.

The reply allowance information accumulating section 16 operates to store the reply allowance information received by the reply allowance information receiving section 15 in the reply allowance information storing section 13. Normally, answerable information storage unit 1
Reference numeral 3 is configured using the HDD 1c, and the answerable information storage unit 1
Reference numeral 6 is composed of software for controlling the memory 1b and the reply permission information storage unit 13.

The data access unit 17 uses the function of the IP connection interface 1h and works to access external data via the Internet. The data access unit 17 can include browser software for browsing data such as homepages accessed as its constituent elements. In this case, the data access unit 17
Also uses the functions of the external input interface 1f and the video / audio output interface 1g.

Next, the information processing device 2 for exchanging data with the STB 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment includes (i) a server device 2A (ii) STB1 that transmits reply enable information to the STB1 when the user of the STB1 satisfies a predetermined condition. The data processing device 2B receives the response data from the device and contributes to the progress or the operation of the program.

The server device 2A, as shown in FIG.
It has a PU 2a, a memory 2b, an HDD 2c, an IP connection interface 2d and the like, and has a function of a server on the network. Normally, the program to be executed by the CPU 2a is stored in the memory 2b or the HDD 2c. By the cooperation of the above components, the data receiving unit 2A1, the data storing unit 2A2, the data storing unit 2A3, the determination processing unit 2A4, and the data transmitting unit 2 shown in FIG.
It plays the role of A5.

The data receiving unit 2A1 receives the data transmitted from the STB 1 or the like via the Internet by utilizing the function of the IP connection interface 2d.

The data storage unit 2A2 stores data. The data storage unit stores various data to be transmitted to the STB 1, that is, HTML document data and image data for configuring the following "portal site", answerable information and other data corresponding to a specific program. It is stored.

The data storage unit 2A3 is a data storage unit 2A.
2 functions when storing data. Usually, the data storage unit 2A2 is configured by using the HDD 2c, and the data storage unit 2A3 is configured by software for controlling the memory 2b and the data storage unit 2A2.

The judgment processing section 2A4 is provided with a data receiving section 2A1.
The data received in step S1 and the data stored in the data storage unit 2A2 are referred to, and data comparison, selection, data processing, and other various processes are executed as necessary. For example, a request for access to the data stored in the data storage unit 2A3 transmitted from the STB1 is received by the data receiving unit 2A1 and brought to the determination processing unit 2A4. At this time, the determination processing unit 2A4 interprets the content of the access request, and according to the content, the data storage unit 2A4.
2 is extracted from the data, and S is transmitted via the data transmission unit 2A5.
Works like sending to TB1. Judgment processing unit 2A4
Also works to determine whether or not to send the reply permission information to STB1. The determination of whether or not the user of STB1 satisfies the predetermined condition is made by referring to the information related to the user's action transmitted from STB1 to the server device 2A. The judgment processing unit 2A4
A procedure of processing to be executed by the determination processing unit 2A4,
It is usually composed of software or the like in which an instruction for reading data required for processing from the data receiving section 2A1 or the data storing section 2A2 into the memory 2b is described.

The data transmitter 2A5 uses the function of the IP connection interface 2d to transmit data to the STB 1 or the like via the Internet.

The server device 2A configured as described above
Is generally used as a Web server for realizing a "portal site" on a network. This portal site provides various information including information on broadcast programs that can be viewed by STB1. The user first browses the portal site using STB1. Then, by taking a predetermined action on the portal site, the right to participate in the program can be obtained as a reward. Specifically, by clicking a banner advertisement on the portal site to access information on the advertisement linked to the portal site, answering a questionnaire on the portal site, etc. The answer permission information is transmitted to STB1. In addition, since the sponsor can receive the consideration for the above-mentioned banner advertisement posting, questionnaire implementation, etc., it becomes possible to generate program production costs, portal site operation costs, prize money, and the like. It should be noted that information about the number of clicks of the banner advertisement and the number of answers to the questionnaire about a certain user is stored in the data storage unit 2A2 of the server device 2A, and the right to participate in the program can be obtained only by accumulating the number of clicks. May be Also, by describing the information such as the number of clicks described above in the answer permission information transmitted to the STB 1, the amount of prize money that can be obtained changes according to the information such as the number of clicks, or the number of clicks is large. You can participate in the game in a more advantageous state at the beginning of the game,
And the like may be obtained.

The data processing device 2B is used to receive and process the reply data transmitted from the STB 1 when the program is broadcast. The data processing device 2B is also provided with the hardware resources as shown in FIG. 5, like the server device 2A. And at least S
It serves as an answer data receiving unit 2B1 that receives answer data transmitted from the TB1 via the Internet. To make the data processing device 2B more useful, as shown in FIG. 7, the response data storage unit 2B2, the response data storage unit 2B3, and the response data determination unit 2 are provided.
It is preferable to be configured so that it also plays the role of B4.

The answer data storage unit 2B2 and the answer data reception unit 2B3 store the answer data received by the answer data reception unit 2B1 in the same manner as the data storage unit 2A2 and the data storage unit 2A3 in the server device 2A described above. To work.

The answer data determination unit 2B4 refers to the data received by the answer data receiving unit 2B1 or the data stored in the answer data storage unit 2B2. For example, if the answer is a quiz answer, whether the answer is correct or incorrect. Processing such as determination and lottery of winners is executed. Also,
When the answer permission information is transmitted from the STB1 together with the answer data, the validity of the answer data is determined by referring to the answer permission information, that is, the user who sent the answer data is authorized to participate in the program. It also makes a judgment as to whether or not it is held. The answer data determination unit is preferably implemented by software so that the content of processing can be changed for each program. The answer data determination unit 2B4 does not necessarily have to be installed in the data processing device 2B. In particular, if it is determined in STB1 whether or not the response data can be transmitted based on the response permission information, only the response data from the user who has the right to participate in the program is transmitted, and the received response All the data may be stored in the response data storage unit 2B2 and the lottery of the winners may be performed ex post, or the lottery of the winners may be artificially performed.

Regarding the functions of the information processing device 2 (the server device 2A and the data processing device 2B) described above, the single information processing device 2 may be made to play the above-mentioned roles (i) and (ii). The plurality of information processing devices 2 may share the roles of (i) and (ii). Furthermore, the role (i) or the role (ii) may be realized by the cooperation of a plurality of information processing devices 2.

The operation of the STB 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to specific examples. In this example, the content of the broadcast program is a bingo game. Bingo numbers will be drawn one by one, performers will liven up the program, etc.
The part of the production appealing to the audiovisual sense is provided to the user mainly in the form of a broadcast program. The decided bingo number is multiplexed and transmitted together with the television signal as a data broadcast. This program can also be enjoyed by simply receiving and viewing. Of course, the user can participate in the bingo game as described repeatedly.

In order for the user to participate in the bingo game in the program using the STB1, it is necessary to obtain the participation right in advance. The operation of the STB 1 and the server device 2A when the user tries to obtain the participation right in the bingo game will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the STB 1 accesses the server device 2A that is a Web server that stores the data that forms the portal site (step S1). The server device 2A that has received the access from the STB 1 (step S2)
Data constituting the portal site is transmitted to B1 (step S3). STB1 receives the data which comprises a portal site (step S4), displays the content of a portal site, and provides it for a user's browsing (step S4).
5). FIG. 9 shows a display example of the portal site. When a user browsing this portal site takes a predetermined action on the portal site, the information related to the action is transmitted from STB1 (step S6). For example, when the banner advertisement is clicked, a request for transmitting detailed advertisement information is transmitted from STB1, and when the questionnaire is answered, information including the content of the response is transmitted from STB1.
It goes without saying that the information includes at least an identifier for identifying STB1. Then, the server device 2A that has received the information transmitted from the STB 1 in step S6 determines whether the user satisfies a predetermined condition based on the information (step S6).
7), ST used by a user who satisfies a predetermined condition
Answerable information is transmitted to B1 (step S8).

In this example, the portal site P shown in FIG. 9 is used.
By clicking the banner advertisement BA on O, detailed information of the advertisement associated with the banner advertisement BA,
The answer information that is the right to participate in the bingo game program is ST
Sent to B1. Regarding this, FIG. 10 and FIG.
And FIG. 12 will be supplemented. Image data of the banner advertisement BA and data fed back from the STB 1 to the server device 2A when the user clicks the banner advertisement (hereinafter referred to as feedback data FD).
Is originally provided to the STB 1 from the server device 2A as a part of the configuration data PD of the portal site.
The portal site configuration data PD normally includes a markup document written in a markup language such as HTML and accompanying image data and other data. The feedback data F is included in the markup document.
D is also described. The feedback data FD is, for example, HTTP (HyperText Transfer).
It is described in accordance with (Protocol),
An example thereof is shown in FIG. This feedback data F
In D, a URI (Uniform Resource) indicating a specific resource existing in the server device 2A is shown.
Identifier) D1, control information D2 including an identifier for identifying STB1, and URID3 indicating detailed advertisement information are included. The specific resource existing in the server device 2A is a program. When the server device 2A receives the feedback data FD,
The program pointed to by URID1 is activated, the control information D2 is referred to, it is determined whether or not the reply permission information ED can be transmitted, and the reply permission information ED is transmitted to the STB1 based on the determination. Furthermore, the program is the STB
It also executes a process of transmitting the information RD indicating that the detailed information AD of the advertisement is requested to be transmitted from 1 to the server device 2C managed by the sponsor of the banner advertisement. This information RD
The server device 2C that has received the message sends the detailed information AD of the advertisement to the STB1. As a result, answerable information E
D is transmitted from the server device 2A, and detailed advertisement information AD is transmitted from the server device 2C. Detailed information on advertisement A
D is also provided for viewing by the user, and its display example is shown in FIG.
2 shows.

When the answer permission information is received (step S9) S
TB1 is the answer permission information storage unit 13 provided in STB1.
The answer permission information is stored in (step S10). Thus, the user of STB1 can obtain the answer permission information that is the right to participate in the program. As shown in FIG. 13, the answer permission information ED in this example is the address D on the network of the data processing apparatus 2B which is the destination of the answer data.
4. Authentication data for preventing the forgery and tampering of the information D5 of the number array of the bingo card and the answer permission information (ST
It is assumed to be composed of D6) which includes an identifier for identifying B1).

Next, the operation of the STB 1 when the user watches the program and participates in it will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. STB1 is the BS from the broadcasting station
The program broadcast transmitted via / CS is received and provided to the user for viewing (step S11). Also, the input of answer data regarding the program is accepted (step S12). Program broadcasting is composed of television broadcasting and data broadcasting. As described above, the program receiving unit 11 separates and demodulates the television signal and the data,
The television signal is output from the video / audio output interface, the program for controlling the game is stored in the memory 1b or the HDD 1c, and the data is sent to the response data receiving unit 12. FIG. 15 exemplifies how the program received by STB1 is provided for viewing. The visual and audio effects SE are derived from the television signal. On the other hand, a bingo game control program (a program CA for displaying CA on the screen of the bingo card, a program for determining whether a line is established on the bingo card, etc.) is transmitted to STB1 by data broadcasting at the start of the program. It is a thing. Of course, a program for controlling the game may be installed in the STB 1 in advance, or may be downloaded via the Internet. Alternatively, the answer permission information may include a game control program.

When the response data is input by the user (step S13), the response permission information stored in the response permission information storage unit 13 is referred to (step S14).
It is determined whether the user has the right to participate in the program (step S15). If there is no reply permission information corresponding to the program, or if it is determined that the user does not have the right to participate in the program, the reply data is not transmitted. When it is determined that the user has the right to participate in the program, the above answer data is transmitted (step S16).

The answer data in this example is a declaration that a string of numbers has been established on the bingo card. In addition, the fact that the user can send the response data, that is, the user has the right to participate in the bingo game,
This is synonymous with the fact that the answer permission information ED is stored in STB1. When the line is established on the bingo card, a DI to that effect is displayed on the screen by the bingo game control program as shown in FIG. When the user uses the external input means to input to the STB 1 that the line has been established, the data transmission unit 14 of the STB 1 refers to the reply permission information ED stored in the reply permission information storage unit 13. Then, by confirming the destination address D4 of the response data, the information indicating that the line which is the response data has been established, together with the array data D5 of the numbers of the bingo card and the authentication data D6 included in the response permission information. The data is transmitted to the data processing device 2B. Incidentally, the information indicating that the line has been established includes information such as the number of established lines and the number of the line at which the line was established.

The answer data and the answer permission information (a part of) are:
It is received by the data processing device 2B (step S1).
7). Various modes are conceivable as to how the data processing device 2B processes the received data. The data processing device 2B is used for processing such as determining the correct answer / incorrect answer by referring to the answer data, and drawing the winners.
It may be executed by, or it may be performed artificially. When the broadcast program is a live broadcast, a lottery of winners and the announcement thereof may be performed in the program broadcast.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, the STB 1 processes all or part of the answer permission information together with the answer data regardless of the content of the answer permission information (without executing step S15). Alternatively, the data processing device 2B may transmit the data (step S19) and the data processing device 2B may receive the data (steps S20 and S21). In this case, whether or not the user has the right to participate in the program is determined by the data processing device 2B, not by the STB 1 (steps S22 and S23), and the response data transmitted from the user who does not have the right to participate is It is discarded (step S24).

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a broadcast program content which does not exist in the past, which combines a dynamic effect appealing to the audiovisual sense which is the appeal of TV and an interactivity which is the charm of the Internet, The STB1 which is the receiving apparatus according to the present invention can be used for receiving and viewing. In addition, the content still retains the feature of broadcasting that the effect on mass is spread, and it is possible to secure an opportunity to have more users watch the program. The user of STB1 can participate not only in receiving and viewing game programs such as quizzes, bingo, and roulette, but also in participating in the game programs by transmitting quiz answers and other answer data via the Internet. . When a game program is won or won, a prize or prize can be won. On the other hand, in order for the user to participate in the game, the specified conditions such as clicking the banner advertisement on the portal site to access the information of the advertisement and answering the questionnaire on the portal site must be met. Need to be. By satisfying such conditions,
The user can get the right to participate in the game. A user who does not have the participation right cannot participate in the game, or cannot win a prize even if the game is won or won. In other words, the answer data to the game is valid only when the answer permission information indicating that the participation right is obtained is stored inside the receiving device. And the operator of the portal site can receive compensation from sponsors who want to post banner advertisements or conduct questionnaires, and can cover costs such as broadcasting program and portal site production and operation costs and prize money. it can. As described above, it becomes possible to provide the user with a new information service, which is a combination of broadcasting and communication, which is not included in the existing services.

Further, since the STB 1 is provided with the reply allowance information receiving unit 15 and the reply allowance information storage unit 16, the reply allowance information can be received via the communication line such as the Internet, and the reply allowance information is received. Users are not forced to perform complicated work such as reading from a disk. S
The TB1 also includes a data access unit 17, and can impose a predetermined action on the network for the user in exchange for the transmission of the reply permission information. That is, the method of exchanging various information on the network can be utilized as a means for the program producer to earn income, and the variety of means for earning income is expanded.

In addition, if the information service providing system is configured as described above, there is no need to insert commercials during program broadcasting and the user's entertainment is not cut off. It is effective in advertising because it can be accessed, or it is possible to collect relatively difficult to obtain information such as questionnaire answers with the consent of the user. It will play. Also, from the user's point of view, the threshold for program participation is low compared to existing methods such as application for postcard programs and paid membership registration applications, so more users are acquired. It also leads to

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. First, the program transmission route is not limited to satellite broadcasting. The transmission path of the reply data transmitted from STB1 as the receiving device is not limited to the Internet. Whatever the form of the physical layer of these transmission paths is, the effect of the present invention is not lost by that.

Next, FIGS. 8 and 14 (or FIG. 17)
In the flowchart of the above, it is stated that the answer permission information is acquired in advance and the program is viewed afterwards, but at the beginning of the program broadcast, the user can access the portal site and obtain the answer permission information. May be encouraged. Further, a mode in which the address of the portal site on the network is transmitted to STB1 as a data broadcast at the beginning of the program broadcast can be considered.

Of course, the genre of broadcast programs is not limited to quizzes and games. As long as the user can be involved in the program by transmitting the reply data related to the program using the IP connection function of STB1, the present invention can be used for discussion programs, music information programs, etc. It is possible that it will be done.

Further, instead of presenting a prize or a prize to the user of STB1 who has viewed the program and transmitted the response data, the gain information may be transmitted via the Internet. At this time, it becomes possible for the information processing device 2 to execute a series of processes from receiving the answer data to determining whether the answer data is correct or incorrect, lottery of the winner, and transmission of the gain information as the prize. The embodiment of the invention will be described below.

The above-mentioned gain information is information having utility value for a user, and is digital data that can be transmitted and received via a communication line such as the Internet. For example, if you want to view content such as movie movie data or music sound data for movies, which is normally only viewable by paying members, or if you need more points than a certain value to download the content, download Also, although it is possible to receive or download the point information indicating that the number of points enabling viewing has been obtained, or the content can be received or downloaded, it is impossible to view the content as it is because it is encrypted. In such a case, the data required to decrypt the data or the encryption key, which is a program, corresponds to the gain information.

The STB1 provided for use by the user is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the program receiving unit 11, the reply data receiving unit 12, the reply allowance information storage unit 13, and the data transmitting unit 1 described above.
4. In addition to the roles as the replyable information receiving unit 15, the replyable information storage unit 16, and the data access unit 17, they also serve as a gain information receiving unit. The gain information receiving unit works to receive the gain information by utilizing the function of the IP connection interface 1h. When the gain information is the content itself, the gain information receiving unit may be synonymous with the data access unit 17.

The information processing device 2D that receives and processes the reply data from the STB 1 during program broadcasting is similar to the data processing device 2B described above. The information processing apparatus 2D also includes hardware resources as shown in FIG. 5, and has at least a server function on the network. Usually, various data provided to the STB 1 are stored in the HDD 2c, and programs to be executed by the CPU 2a are stored in the memory 2b or the HDD 2c. The above-mentioned components cooperate as will be described later to function as the response data receiving unit 2D1, the gain information storing unit 2D2, the gain information acquiring unit 2D3, and the gain information transmitting unit 2D4 shown in FIG.

The operation of each section will be described below. The reply data receiving unit 2D1 receives the reply data transmitted from the STB 1 via the Internet by using the function of the IP connection interface 2d. Of course, S
When all or part of the answer permission information is transmitted from the TB1 together with the answer data, this is also received.

The gain information storage section 2D2 stores gain information. The gain information storage unit is usually constructed by using the HDD 2c.

The gain information acquisition section 2D3 refers to the response data received by the response data receiving section 2D1 to determine whether the response is correct or incorrect and to perform a lottery for the winners, etc., and at the same time, the gain information storage section 2D2. Selectively obtain appropriate gain information as prizes from. Note that the gain information to be transmitted to STB1 may be different depending on the content of the response data or the content of the response permission information. For example, the answer data describes answers to multiple questions, and the more correct answers are, the more valuable gain information is sent to STB1, or the number of clicks on the banner advertisement or the answer to the questionnaire about a certain user. The information such as the number of times is described in the answerable information, and the gain information acquisition unit 2D3 can be configured such that the content of the gain information transmitted to the STB 1 changes according to the information such as the number of clicks. . The gain information acquisition unit 2D3 is preferably implemented by software so that the content of processing can be changed for each program.

The gain information transmitting unit 2D4 uses the function of the IP connection interface 2d to transmit the gain information acquired by the gain information acquiring unit to the STB1.

When the system is constructed as described above, S
When the user of TB1 sends the response data,
By the information processing device 2D, a response data receiving step of receiving the response data, a gain information acquiring step of selectively acquiring appropriate gain information for transmitting to the STB1 from the gain information storage unit 2D2, and the gain information. STB
The step of transmitting the gain information of 1 is sequentially executed. In other words, a series of processes up to the determination of the correctness of the answer contents, the lottery of the winner or the determination of the winner, and the presentation of the prize (gain information) to the winner or the winner are performed without any troublesome information. It is immediately executed by the processing device 2D. Further, depending on the content of the response data or the content of the response permission information transmitted from STB1,
By configuring the information processing device 2D so that the gain information received by the STB 1 is different, the game nature of the program is improved,
It is possible to expect an effect such as increasing the number of times a user clicks on a banner advertisement or answers a questionnaire. The information processing device 2D may also have the function as the server device 2A described above.

The specific construction of each of the other parts is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course, CPU, memory,
A general-purpose information processing device including an auxiliary storage device represented by an HDD may be equipped with a broadcast program receiving tuner and a program to realize a receiving device having the above-mentioned function, and a dedicated device. It is not essential to manufacture

[0052]

The present invention is carried out in the form as described above, and has the following effects. That is,
A user who uses the receiving apparatus according to the present invention receives and views game programs such as quizzes, bingo, and roulette, and transmits answers to quizzes and other answer data via a communication line such as the Internet. You can participate in the program. On the other hand, the program producer / operator can impose some condition on the user in exchange for the right to participate in the program.

By utilizing this, it is possible to obtain money income and generate program production / operation costs by, for example, obtaining an advertisement fee from a sponsor. In this way, it is possible to achieve both the provision of interactive broadcast program content and the reasonableness of the economic balance related to program production and operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of hardware resources of a receiving device.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a receiver.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of information in the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of hardware resources of the information processing device.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a server device.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a data processing device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing relating to transmission / reception of answer permission information

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a portal site.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of information exchanged when acquiring the answer permission information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a form of feedback data transmitted from the STB.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example when a banner advertisement is clicked.

FIG. 13 is a diagram exemplifying a form of answer permission information.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of processing executed when a program is received.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example when viewing a broadcast program.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example when viewing a broadcast program.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of processing executed when a program is received.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of a receiving device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Receiving device 11 ... Program receiver 12 ... Answer data reception section 13 ... Answerable information storage 14 ... Data transmission unit 15 ... Answerable information receiver 16 ... Answerable information storage 17 ... Data access unit 18 ... Gain information receiver 2 ... Information processing device 2A ... server device 2B ... Data processing device 2D ... Information processing device 2D1 ... Response data receiving unit 2D2 ... Gain information storage unit 2D3 ... Gain information acquisition unit 2D4 ... Gain information transmitter

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/44 H04N 5/44 Z 7/16 7/16 A 7/167 7/167 F term (reference) 5C025 AA25 AA30 BA30 CA02 CB10 DA01 DA04 DA10 5C064 BA01 BB10 BD01 BD08 CA14

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A program receiving unit that receives a program, an answer data receiving unit that receives answer data that is an answer regarding the program, and an answer permission information that contains information indicating whether or not the answer data can be transmitted. When the response permission information storage unit and the response permission information indicating that the response data can be transmitted in the response permission information storage unit are stored, the data transmission unit that transmits the response data accepted by the response data acceptance unit A receiving device comprising: 2. An answer permission information receiving unit for receiving answer permission information indicating that answer data can be transmitted, and answer permission information for accumulating the answer permission information received by the answer permission information receiving unit in the answer permission information storage unit. The receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit. 3. The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data transmitting unit transmits all or a part of the answer permission information and the answer data. 4. The data access unit for accessing external data is further provided, and the reply permission information is information transmitted from the outside based on access to specific data by the data access unit. Claim 1
4. The receiving device according to claim 3. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a gain information receiving unit that receives content, or point information indicating a point for viewing the content, or gain information that is an encryption key for viewing the content. 4. The receiving device according to any one of 4. 6. An information processing apparatus that receives and processes reply data from the receiving apparatus according to claim 5, and shows a reply data receiving unit that receives the reply data and a content or a point for viewing the content. Point information,
Alternatively, a gain information storage unit that stores gain information that is an encryption key for viewing content, a gain information acquisition unit that acquires gain information from the gain information storage unit, and a gain acquired by the gain information reception unit. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a gain information transmitting unit that transmits information to the receiving apparatus. 7. The gain information to be transmitted is different based on the content of the response data and the content of the response permission information, or the content of the response data or the content of the response permission information. Information processing equipment. 8. A receiving device, which stores program receiving means for receiving a program, answer data receiving means for receiving answer data that is an answer regarding the program, and answer permission information including information indicating whether or not the answer data can be transmitted. When the response permission information storage means that stores the response permission information and the response permission information indicating that the response data can be transmitted by the response permission information storage means are stored, the response data accepted by the response data acceptance means is transmitted. A program to function as a data transmission means. 9. The answer acceptability information receiving means for receiving answer acceptability information indicating that the receiver can send answer data, and the answer acceptability information received by the answer acceptability information receiving means are stored in the answer acceptability information. 9. The program according to claim 8, which is caused to function also as an answerable information storage means to be stored in the means. 10. The program according to claim 8, wherein the data transmitting means transmits all or a part of the answer permission information and the answer data. 11. The receiving device is further caused to function as data access means for accessing external data, and the reply permission information is transmitted from the outside based on the access to the specific data by the data access unit. 11. The program according to claim 8, wherein the program is information. 12. The receiving device is further caused to function as gain information receiving means for receiving content, point information indicating a point for viewing the content, or gain information which is an encryption key for viewing the content. The program according to any one of claims 8 to 11. 13. A method for an information processing device to accept and process reply data transmitted from the receiving device according to claim 5, wherein the reply data receiving unit receives a reply data, a reply data receiving step, and gain information. An acquisition unit acquires gain information from a gain information storage unit that stores content, or point information indicating a point for viewing the content, or gain information that is an encryption key for viewing the content. A data processing method comprising: a step, and a gain information transmitting step in which the gain information transmitting section transmits the gain information acquired by the gain information receiving section to the receiving device. 14. The gain information transmitted in the gain information transmitting step is different based on the content of the response data and the content of the response permission information, or the content of the response data or the content of the response permission information. The data processing method according to claim 13.