JP2004048774A - Transmitting-receiving system, concealment control method, broadcast form transition method, program viewing control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transmitting-receiving system for broadcasting in which a contract of viewing a broadcasting program is effectively urged to a user of a receiving apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: An intra-station system 100 repeatedly transmits concealment control information (picture concealment message group by stages) and information wherein card numbers of contractors only are listed up from the start of the contract of viewing together with program data. A receiving apparatus 200 displays the program data and with respect to the foreground thereof, display of a picture concealment message is controlled from the low stage to the high stage in picture concealment control information in accordance with a cumulative measured value of reception play-back time of the program unless a card number loaded into the present apparatus is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

に 関 す る Related to broadcast transmission and reception systems.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a digital broadcast transmission / reception system that performs pay broadcasting, as described in Patent Document 1, a free viewing period of a program broadcast is provided for the purpose of prompting a viewing contract, and an image for calling for a viewing contract is provided during the period. A method of displaying the program image on a program image has been proposed.
JP-A-5-49028

By the way, it is important to obtain more viewing contracts in order to broadcast useful programs, and for that purpose, there is a search for further ways to effectively promote the viewing contracts.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to propose a method therefor, and an object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast transmitting / receiving system that enables a user of a receiving device to be effectively encouraged to subscribe to a broadcast program.

Therefore, a transmission / reception system according to the present invention is a transmission / reception system including a broadcasting device and a receiving device for content including video, wherein the broadcasting device includes: a content; control information for controlling concealment of a reproduction screen of the content; A receiving unit for receiving the content and the control information, a reproducing unit for reproducing the received content, and a reproduction for measuring an accumulated reproduction time by the reproducing unit. Time measuring means, and performs concealment control of the playback screen based on the control information such that the degree of concealment of the playback screen of the content increases as the cumulative playback time increases in accordance with the measured cumulative playback time. Control means. Here, the content includes a broadcast program in a so-called digital broadcast.

According to the above configuration, if the reproduction is continued for a long time after the reception device receives the broadcast program and starts the reproduction, the screen by the reproduction is gradually hidden. Therefore, the user of the receiving device can watch the video of the broadcast program to some extent at first, and is interested in the program, and then gradually stops watching the video. You may want to watch. Since a user who wants to view the program completely is likely to make a program viewing contract with the broadcaster, this transmission / reception system is useful as a mechanism for prompting a viewing contract.

Further, the control information, corresponding to each of a plurality of levels, so that the area of the image for screen concealment increases as the level increases, including size definition information for specifying the size of the image for screen concealment, The control means determines a level so that the level increases as the cumulative playback time becomes longer, and reproduces an image for screen concealment at a size specified by size definition information corresponding to the determined level by the playback means. The content to be displayed may be configured to be displayed on the front so as to cover it.

(4) As a result, the area of the concealed image displayed in front of the program video gradually increases, and the program video becomes difficult to see with time. Therefore, the user of the receiving device will initially be able to see a wide range of images on the screen and will be interested in the broadcast program, and after a certain period of time, will see only a narrow range of images on the screen. Therefore, there is a high possibility that a user who is interested but wants to escape from the invisible state will make an early contract to view the program. In addition, if the concealed image is made to have a large area with the passage of time, more messages recommending a viewing contract can be included as the content of the concealed image. Useful for promotion. In addition, since the degree of concealment is changed by a relatively simple method of controlling the size of the concealed image, implementation is easy.

Also, the control information is associated with each of a plurality of levels, so that the transparency of the image for screen concealment decreases as the level increases, including transparency definition information that specifies the transparency of the image for screen concealment, The control means determines a level so as to increase the level as the cumulative reproduction time becomes longer, and reproduces an image for concealing a screen with the transparency specified in the transparency definition information corresponding to the determined level by the reproduction means. The content to be displayed may be configured to be displayed on the front so as to cover it.

In addition, the control information corresponds to each of a plurality of levels, and display frequency definition information for specifying a display frequency of an image for screen concealment such that the display frequency of the image for screen concealment increases as the level increases. The control means determines the level so as to increase the level as the cumulative playback time becomes longer, and displays the image for screen hiding at the display frequency specified in the display frequency definition information corresponding to the determined level. Alternatively, the content reproduced by the reproducing means may be repeatedly displayed and erased on the front so as to cover the content.

In addition, the control information is associated with each of a plurality of levels, and a display interval for specifying a display time interval of an image for screen concealment such that a display time interval of an image for screen concealment becomes shorter as the level becomes higher. Definition information, the control means determines a level so as to increase the level as the cumulative reproduction time becomes longer, and sets a display time interval specified in the display interval definition information corresponding to the determined level to display the screen. The concealment image may be intermittently displayed on the front so as to cover the content reproduced by the reproduction means.

Further, the control information includes image quality definition information for specifying the image quality of the reproduction screen so as to correspond to each of a plurality of levels so that the image quality of the reproduction screen becomes worse as the level becomes higher. The level is determined so that the level increases as the playback time increases, and a playback screen formed by playing back the content is processed to the image quality specified in the image quality definition information corresponding to the determined level. May be.

These make it difficult for the user of the receiving apparatus to see the program video over time, so that a user who is interested in the program at an early stage that is easy to see and who wants to see the continuation of the program increases, and Would hate to be concealed and would be able to expect to make a viewing contract.

Also, the broadcasting means broadcasts each of the plurality of contents together with control information for each content, each of the plurality of contents includes information indicating a group type to which the plurality of contents belong, and the playback time measuring means includes: The total value of the time during which each of the contents belonging to the same group is reproduced by the reproducing means is measured for each group as the accumulated reproduction time, and the control means calculates the cumulative value measured for the group to which the content being reproduced belongs. You may comprise so that concealment control of a reproduction screen may be performed according to reproduction | regeneration time.

Here, if each of the plurality of contents is, for example, one episode in a serial drama, the group type is a type that can identify the serial drama.

As a result, for a program belonging to the same group, such as each episode of a serial drama broadcast once a week, the degree of concealment of the program video changes based on the total accumulated time played for all programs belonging to the group. Therefore, the degree of concealment of the program video increases as the round progresses from the first time of the serial drama or the like. Therefore, an effect of promoting a viewing contract for a serial drama or the like is obtained.

Further, the control information includes identification information for specifying a user of the receiving device to be suppressed from being concealed, and the receiving device further obtains ID information for specifying the user of the own device and receives the ID information. Determining means for comparing the identification information with the ID information to determine whether or not the two match; and a suppressing means for suppressing concealment control by the control means when the determining means determines that they match. May be provided.

Accordingly, if the broadcaster sends the identification information when the user of the receiving apparatus makes a viewing contract, the user can view the program video without concealment by making the viewing contract. .

In addition, the control information includes identification information for specifying a user of the receiving device to be suppressed from being concealed and suppression period information indicating a time of suppression of the concealment for the user, and the receiving device further includes: Determining means for acquiring ID information for identifying a user of the own device, collating the received identification information with the ID information, and determining whether or not the two match each other; If it is determined by the means that they match, in accordance with a result value obtained by subtracting the time indicated in the inhibition period information from the measured cumulative playback time, only when the result value is greater than 0, It may be configured to perform concealment control of the reproduction screen based on the control information so that the degree of concealment of the reproduction screen of the content increases as the result value increases.

Thereby, when the user of the receiving apparatus purchases the right to watch the program for a certain time period according to the viewing contract, the broadcast side sends the identification information and the purchase time relating to the user, so that the user Can watch the program video without concealment for the purchased time. Thereafter, the program video is also gradually obscured, so that the user can expect to purchase the right to watch the program for a certain time again.

Further, the transmission / reception system according to the present invention is a transmission / reception system including a broadcasting device and a receiving device for content including video, wherein the broadcasting device includes a broadcasting time measuring unit for measuring a cumulative broadcasting time of the content, Control information generation for repeatedly generating control information for controlling the concealment of the content reproduction screen so that the degree to which the content reproduction screen is concealed increases with an increase in the cumulative broadcast time according to the accumulated broadcast time. Means, and broadcasting means for broadcasting the control information each time the content is broadcast, wherein the receiving device receives the content and the control information, and receives the content. A playback unit for playing back, and a control unit for performing concealment control of a playback screen of the content based on the received control information.

As a result, it is possible to realize a control that increases the degree of concealment of a program video as viewed by the receiving device over time, even if each receiving device receiving the broadcast does not have a mechanism for counting a program playback time. Can be.

Further, the control information includes size definition information for specifying a size of an image for screen concealment, and the control information generating means specifies that the area of the image for screen concealment increases as the cumulative broadcast time increases. The control unit generates the control information including the obtained size definition information, and the control unit displays an image for screen concealment at the size specified in the size definition information in the received control information, and the content reproduced by the reproduction unit. You may comprise so that it may be displayed on the front so that it may be covered.

Further, the control information includes transparency definition information that specifies the transparency of an image for concealing a screen, and the control information generating unit specifies that the transparency of the image for concealing a screen decreases as the cumulative broadcast time increases. The control unit generates control information including the defined transparency definition information, and the control unit reproduces an image for concealing a screen with the transparency specified by the transparency definition information in the received control control information. May be displayed on the front so as to cover up.

Further, the control information includes display frequency definition information for specifying a display frequency of an image for screen concealment, and the control information generating unit increases the display frequency of the image for screen concealment as the cumulative broadcast time becomes longer. Control information including the display frequency definition information specified to be generated, the control unit displays the image for screen hiding at the display frequency specified in the display frequency definition information in the received control information, The content reproduced by the reproduction means may be repeatedly displayed and erased on the front so as to cover the content.

In addition, the control information includes display interval definition information that specifies a display time interval of an image for screen concealment, and the control information generating unit increases the display time interval of the image for screen concealment as the cumulative broadcast time becomes longer. The control unit generates control information including display interval definition information specified to be shorter, and the control unit separates a display time interval specified in the display interval definition information in the received control information, for screen concealment. The image may be displayed intermittently on the front so as to cover the content reproduced by the reproducing means.

Further, the control information includes image quality definition information for specifying an image quality of a playback screen formed by playing back the content, and the control information generation unit determines that the image quality of the playback screen deteriorates as the cumulative broadcast time becomes longer. The control unit generates control information including the image quality definition information specified so that the reproduction screen formed by reproducing the content is specified in the image quality definition information in the received control information. You may comprise so that it may process to image quality.

These make it difficult for the user of the receiving device to see the program video as the broadcast time elapses. It can be expected that a viewing contract will be made, disliked by hiding the program video.

Further, the control information includes identification information for specifying a user of the receiving device to be suppressed from being concealed, and the receiving device further obtains ID information for specifying the user of the own device and receives the ID information. Determining means for comparing the identification information with the ID information to determine whether or not the two match; and a suppressing means for suppressing concealment control by the control means when the determining means determines that they match. May be provided.

Accordingly, if the broadcaster sends the identification information when the user of the receiving apparatus makes a viewing contract, the user can view the program video without concealment by making the viewing contract. .

Further, the transmission / reception system according to the present invention is a transmission / reception system including a broadcast device and a reception device for content including video, wherein the content and control information for concealing a reproduction screen of the content are transmitted to the broadcast device. Transmitting means for transmitting the transmitted content to the receiving apparatus side, elapsed time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time, reproducing means for reproducing the transmitted content on the receiving apparatus side, and the elapsed time according to the measured elapsed time. Control means for controlling the concealment of the reproduction screen of the content based on the control information so that the degree of concealment of the reproduction screen of the content increases as the length of the content becomes longer.

(4) With this configuration, after the receiving apparatus receives a broadcast program and starts reproduction, a screen by the reproduction is gradually hidden as time passes. Therefore, the user of the receiving device can watch the video of the broadcast program to some extent at first, and is interested in the program, and then gradually stops watching the video. You may want to watch. Since a user who wants to view the program completely is likely to make a program viewing contract with the broadcaster, this transmission / reception system is useful as a mechanism for prompting a viewing contract.

Further, a receiving apparatus according to the present invention is a receiving apparatus that receives and reproduces a content including a video, and receives the content to be broadcasted and control information for controlling concealment of a reproduction screen of the content. Means, playback means for playing back the received content, playback time measuring means for measuring the cumulative playback time by the playback means, and, according to the measured cumulative playback time, as the cumulative playback time becomes longer, the content becomes longer. And control means for performing concealment control of the reproduction screen based on the control information so that the degree of concealment of the reproduction screen is increased.

Thus, after the receiving device receives the broadcast program and starts playback, as the playback time becomes longer, the screen resulting from the playback is gradually concealed, so that the user can completely hide the screen without concealment. It can make you want to look at the screen and promote a subscription to the program.

A screen concealment control method according to the present invention is a screen concealment control method for broadcasting a content including a video and concealing a reproduction screen when the receiving apparatus receives and reproduces the content. A transmission step of transmitting control information for concealing a screen from the broadcast apparatus side to the reception apparatus side, an elapsed time measurement step of measuring an elapsed time, and reproduction of reproducing the transmitted content on the reception apparatus side In accordance with the elapsed time measured in the step and the elapsed time measuring step, as the elapsed time becomes longer, the degree of concealing a playback screen of the content formed as a result of the playback in the playback step is increased, Controlling the concealment of the reproduction screen of the content based on the control information.

(4) With this configuration, after the receiving apparatus receives a broadcast program and starts reproduction, a screen by the reproduction is gradually hidden as time passes. Since a user who wants to view the program completely is likely to enter into a program viewing contract with the broadcaster, this screen concealment control method is useful as a method for constructing a system for prompting a viewing contract.

Also, the program according to the present invention is a program for causing a receiving device for content including video to perform a screen concealment control process of reproducing a received content and concealing a reproduction screen, wherein the screen concealment control process is Receiving a broadcasted content and control information for controlling concealment of a playback screen of the content, a playback step of playing back the received content, and measuring an accumulated playback time by the playback step. A reproduction time measuring step, and a degree of concealing a reproduction screen of a content formed as a result of reproduction by the reproduction step as the cumulative reproduction time becomes longer according to the cumulative reproduction time measured by the reproduction time measurement step. Control step for controlling the concealment of the playback screen based on the control information so that Including the door.

Also, the broadcast mode transition method according to the present invention is characterized in that a viewer having a receiving device capable of receiving a broadcaster's broadcast transmitted from a transmitting device can receive a broadcast contract with the broadcaster. From the first broadcast mode in which a contract is made and a broadcasting business is operated based on the receiving contract, a viewer makes a viewing contract which is a contract for viewing of a broadcast program with a broadcasting company, and based on the viewing contract, A method for shifting a broadcasting mode to a third broadcasting mode for controlling viewing of a receiving device, wherein the transmitting device performs display control of a message displayed on the receiving device based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract. The control information is transmitted, and the receiving device not yet viewed is viewed in accordance with the message display control information so that the message is displayed at a predetermined concealment degree with respect to the display of the broadcast program. The step of controlling the second broadcast mode is provided in an intermediate stage of shifting from the first broadcast mode to the third broadcast mode, and the third broadcast mode is configured to perform the message control according to the message display control information. Is a third broadcast mode in which viewing control is performed on a receiving device for which viewing has not been subscribed so that is displayed with a greater concealment degree than the predetermined concealment degree.

According to this configuration, after the receiving device receives a broadcast program and starts reproduction, if the reproduction is continued for a long time, as the broadcast mode shifts from the first broadcast mode to the third broadcast mode, the reproduction by the reproduction is performed. The screen is gradually obscured. Therefore, the user of the receiving device can watch the video of the broadcast program to some extent at first, and is interested in the program, and then gradually stops watching the video. You may want to watch. Since a user who wants to view the program completely is likely to make a program viewing contract with the broadcaster, this transmission / reception system is useful as a mechanism for prompting a viewing contract.

Further, according to such a broadcast mode transition method, in the stage of the second broadcast mode, for example, a function of "automatic display message" is used to conceal a broadcast program with a predetermined concealment degree and display a message urging a contract. By increasing the number of viewing subscribers, in the third broadcasting mode, for example, a message screen having a size that excludes viewing of a program using the function of “automatic display message” is presented. Thus, a simple scramble effect can be obtained. In other words, it is possible to smoothly and easily shift to the third broadcast form of the final purpose, which can obtain a simple scramble effect, while increasing the number of subscribers using the function of the "automatic display message".

Also, the broadcast mode transition method according to the present invention is characterized in that a viewer having a receiving device capable of receiving a broadcaster's broadcast transmitted from a transmitting device can receive a broadcast contract with the broadcaster. From the first broadcast mode in which a contract is made and a broadcasting business is operated based on the receiving contract, a viewer makes a viewing contract which is a contract for viewing of a broadcast program with a broadcasting company, and based on the viewing contract, A method for shifting a broadcast mode to a scrambled broadcast mode in which a broadcast business is operated using a scramble broadcast that controls viewing of a receiving device, wherein the transmitting device is a receiving device based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract. Transmitting message display control information for controlling display of a message to be displayed, and transmitting the message to a broadcast program according to the message display control information; A second broadcast mode for controlling the viewing of unlisted receiving devices so as to display the message with the concealment degree, and the concealment degree larger than the predetermined concealment degree according to the message display control information. And the step of the third broadcast mode for controlling the viewing of unreceived receivers is provided as an intermediate step for shifting from the first broadcast mode to the scrambled broadcast mode. Features.

Also, the broadcast mode transition method according to the present invention is characterized in that a viewer having a receiving device capable of receiving a broadcaster's broadcast transmitted from a transmitting device can receive a broadcast contract with the broadcaster. From the first broadcast mode in which a contract is made and a broadcasting business is operated based on the receiving contract, a viewer makes a viewing contract which is a contract for viewing of a broadcast program with a broadcasting company, and based on the viewing contract, A method for shifting a broadcast mode to a scrambled broadcast mode in which a broadcast business is operated using a scramble broadcast that controls viewing of a receiving device, wherein the transmitting device is a receiving device based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract. Transmitting message display control information for controlling display of a message to be displayed, and transmitting the message to a broadcast program according to the message display control information; The stage of the second broadcast mode for controlling the viewing of unreceived receiving devices so as to be displayed with the degree of concealment is provided at an intermediate stage for shifting from the first broadcast mode to the scrambled broadcast mode. It is characterized by the following.

In the third broadcasting mode, the message may be displayed with a degree of concealment that makes it difficult to view a broadcast program.

The first broadcast mode may be a broadcast mode in which viewing control of a receiving device is not performed regardless of the presence or absence of the reception contract.

Further, the other broadcast modes except the first broadcast mode are broadcast modes in which a broadcast business is operated based on the viewing contract, which is a contract between a viewer and a broadcaster for viewing a broadcast program. It may be characterized.

The viewer who has made the reception contract in the first broadcast mode may be characterized in that the reception contract is continued as the viewing contract in the second broadcast mode.

放送 Further, each of the broadcasting modes may be a broadcasting mode in a digital broadcasting system.

Further, in the other broadcast modes except the first broadcast mode, a viewer desires to view a specific broadcast program and receives a broadcast service by concluding the viewing contract, which is a price contract with a broadcaster. It may be characterized in that it is a broadcasting form in a pay broadcasting system.

{The display control of the message may use an automatic display message function of a conditional access system based on the ARIB @ STD-B25 standard.

With this configuration, as a pre-stage for performing a scramble broadcast of a certain program, a broadcast mode in which the concealment rate of the reproduction screen is increased stepwise from the first broadcast mode to the third broadcast mode is provided, so that the scramble broadcast can be performed. Before the transition, the viewing contract can be effectively promoted.

Further, according to such a broadcast mode transition method, in the stage of the second broadcast mode, for example, a function of "automatic display message" is used to conceal a broadcast program with a predetermined concealment degree and display a message urging a contract. By increasing the number of viewing subscribers, in the third broadcasting mode, for example, a message screen having a size that excludes viewing of a program using the function of “automatic display message” is presented. Thus, a simple scramble effect can be obtained. That is, it is possible to shift to the third broadcast mode in which a simple scramble effect can be obtained while increasing the number of subscribers by using the function of the “automatic display message”. Furthermore, since the transition from the third broadcast mode in which a simple scramble effect can be obtained to the final target scramble broadcast mode can be made, the transition of the broadcast mode can be performed smoothly and easily. It is also possible to smoothly and easily transition to the final target scrambled broadcast form while increasing the number of subscribers by using the function of "automatic display message" at the stage of the second broadcast form. is there.

Further, in the broadcast mode transition method according to the present invention, in the broadcast mode other than the first broadcast mode, the broadcast business is operated based on a viewing contract, which is a contract between a viewer and a broadcaster for viewing a broadcast program. A viewer who has made a receiving contract in the first broadcasting mode continues the receiving contract as a viewing contract in the second broadcasting mode. In other words, by continuing the receiving subscriber acquired by the receiving contract as the viewing subscriber, the broadcaster can maintain the third subscriber or the scramble broadcasting format while maintaining more subscribers. Can be moved to. Further, since the viewer management DB constructed by the receiving contract can be continued as the customer management DB, it is easy to construct the customer management system and the customer management DB required in the third broadcast mode or the scramble broadcast mode. Can be.

Further, the program viewing control method according to the present invention is a broadcast system using a pay broadcast, in which a viewer desires to view a specific broadcast program, and receives a broadcast service by making a price contract with a broadcaster. A method for controlling the viewing of a program, wherein the broadcasting system includes a transmitting device that transmits a broadcast of a broadcaster, and a plurality of receiving devices that receive the broadcast, and the transmitting device determines whether or not there is a contract. Has a function of transmitting message display control information for performing display control of a message to be displayed on the receiving device, and has a function of displaying a message for displaying the message according to the message display control information. At least, a viewer having the receiving device makes a viewing contract that is a contract for viewing a broadcast program with a broadcaster, and the transmitting device Controlling the viewing of an unsubscribed receiving device so as to display the message with a predetermined degree of concealment with respect to the display of a broadcast program in accordance with the message display control information based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract; According to the message display control information based on the presence / absence of the viewing contract, so as to display the message with a greater degree of concealment than the predetermined degree of concealment, and control the viewing of a receiving device not yet viewed. It is characterized by having been provided.

(4) In this way, for example, when introducing a scrambled broadcast using a viewing control such as a scramble such as a pay broadcast, a program viewing control method that can smoothly introduce the scrambled broadcast while increasing the number of viewing subscribers can be realized.

Therefore, according to the present invention, from the first broadcasting mode in which the broadcasting business is operated based on the receiving contract, the viewing is restricted according to the presence or absence of the viewing contract between the broadcasting company and the viewer, for example, used for pay broadcasting. When transitioning to a scrambled broadcast form, the number of subscribers can be increased, and the transition to a broadcast form that can smoothly transition to a scrambled broadcast form, such as a pay broadcast, which is the ultimate goal with simple equipment, can be made. It is possible to provide a method and a program viewing control method.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a transmission / reception system according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a transmitting / receiving system is a transmitting apparatus that converts a broadcast program or the like created by the in-station system 100, the dedicated line 10, or the in-station system 100 into a broadcast wave and sends the broadcast program to the repeater 40 from the transmitting antenna 30. 20, transmitting antenna 30, repeater 40, receiving devices 200 and 201 for receiving broadcast programs and the like included in broadcast radio waves, displays 50 and 51 for displaying received broadcast programs and the like, and users of the receiving devices viewing broadcast programs Telephones 60 and 61 and public lines 70 and 71 for applying for a contract are provided.

(4) In this configuration, the transmission / reception system displays the concealed image on the display of the receiving device of a non-subscriber who has not subscribed to the broadcast program so as to partially cover the reproduction screen of the broadcast program. Unless a viewing contract is made, the display area of the concealed image is gradually increased and displayed as the cumulative reproduction time of the broadcast program becomes longer. If the viewing contract is made while the concealed image is being displayed, or if the viewing contract has already been made at the start of the program reproduction, the display of the concealed image is stopped. Such a display method prompts a user who wants to view the concealed playback screen to have a viewing contract.

{Circle around (1)}, the receiving device 200 is uncontracted, and a concealed image is displayed on the display 50 connected thereto. On the other hand, the receiving device 201 has been subscribed for viewing, and no concealed image is displayed on the display 51.

FIGS. 2A to 2C show a display mode of a concealed image that is gradually increased.

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the display screen 50 displays the concealed images 52, 53, and 54 in the same order as the cumulative reproduction time of the broadcast program elapses, unless a viewing contract is made. And the area that covers the playback screen is gradually increasing.

For example, for a series program broadcasted once a week for 15 times, each time for one hour, the reproduction by the non-contracted receiving apparatus exceeds 5 hours in total, and FIG. ) To (c), the concealed image is displayed larger in a stepwise manner. Since the stage of the concealed image is determined by the accumulated reproduction time of the receiving device, the stage of the concealed image at the same time differs for each receiving device.

Although the same image is shown in the background of the concealed image in each of FIGS. (A) to (c), this is only a simplified representation of the playback screen and is not limited to this. Is of course. For example, it is usually considered that different moving images are displayed as reproduction screens in FIGS.

When the user of the receiving apparatus 200 contacts the in-office system 100 via the telephone 60 and the public line 70 to apply for a viewing contract while the concealed image is being displayed, the transmitting and receiving system causes the concealed image displayed on the display 50 to be displayed. Stop displaying images.

When the display of the hidden image is stopped, the display mode of the display 50 is as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the display screen of the broadcast program is displayed on the display 50 without being concealed, similarly to the display 51 for which the viewing contract has been made.

Next, the detailed configuration of the intra-station system 100 and the receiving device 200, which are the main components of the transmission / reception system, will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the intra-station system 100.

In FIG. 1, an in-station system 100 includes a program editing unit 110 that edits program data, program editing information, concealment control information, and the like, which will be described later, and outputs the edited data to a transmission unit 160. A management DB 120, a receiver management unit 130 for managing the storage contents of the receiver management DB 120, a contractor management unit 140 for managing the viewing contract status of each broadcast program for each broadcast receiver stored in the receiver management DB 120, CAS The apparatus includes a device 150 and a sending unit 160.

(4) The recipient management unit 130 creates management information in the recipient management DB 120, and performs recipient registration, viewing contract registration, and management of the registered information.

受 信 Recipient registration here means that the recipient management unit 130 records the card ID notified from the recipient in the recipient management DB 120. The card ID is an identification number recorded on an IC card mounted on the receiving device. The IC card is bundled with every receiving device when the receiving device is purchased or the like, and is delivered to the recipient. The recipient who receives the IC card sends the card ID to the recipient management unit 130 using a postcard, a telephone, or the like. When notified, the recipient management unit 130 performs recipient registration.

The viewing contract registration means that when the receiver management unit 130 receives an application for a viewing contract for a broadcast program from a receiver having an IC card whose receiver has been registered, the receiver ID is related to the card ID and the viewing contract. This is to record the correspondence with the broadcast program in the recipient management DB 120. Normally, this viewing contract establishes the sale of the program, and the receiver pays the viewing fee, but of course it may be free.

FIG. 5 is an example of management information created in the recipient management DB 120 by the recipient management unit 130.

In the figure, in the management information 121, the card IDs “12345678”, “135572468”, and “37542010” in the first column from the left indicate card IDs registered as recipients.

The second and subsequent columns show contract information created based on the viewing contract registration. For each of the programs with the program names "Drama", "News" and "Sports", the viewing of each card ID is performed. The presence or absence of a contract is indicated by ○ or ×. For example, for the program with the program name "Drama" in the second column, the IC cards with the card IDs "12345678", "135572468", "58663721", and "398103838" corresponding to the columns with a circle in the column are displayed. Indicates that the viewing contract is registered. Note that the IC card with the card ID “37542010” corresponding to the column marked with X in the second column indicates that the viewing contract has not been registered for the program with the program name “Drama”.

The program editing unit 110 edits each broadcast program, program scheduling information, concealment control information, and the like based on input of video / audio content and various control information from an operator or an external device, and outputs the edited program to the transmission unit 160.

Here, the broadcast programs include the programs having the program names “Drama”, “News”, and “Sports” shown in FIG. The program scheduling information includes information for selecting and receiving “Drama” or “News” from broadcast data such as PSI (Program Specific Information) or SI (Servise Information). Including.

The concealment control information is information required when the receiving apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 2 displays a concealed image on the display 50. The program editing unit 110 edits the concealment control information for each program based on the input from the operator or the like, and outputs the concealment control information to the transmission unit 160 in association with the program identification information included in the program scheduling information.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the concealment control information.

In the figure, the first column from the left of the concealment control information 151 indicates a level corresponding to the degree of concealment. There are three levels from 1 to 3, and the level 1 has the smallest degree of concealment among the three levels, and the level 3 has the largest degree of concealment.

FIG. 2A shows concealment control information corresponding to the concealed images in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. Level 1 corresponds to FIG. 2A, and level 2 corresponds to FIG. ), And level 3 corresponds to FIG.

In the figure, each row indicates concealment control information for one level, and includes a display period, a display size, a display position, and a display message of the concealed image.

The display period indicates a period during which the hidden image is displayed on the display. In other words, in the example shown in the figure, the level 1 concealed image is displayed on the display connected to the receiving device of the unviewed contract from the start of the reproduction of the program until the cumulative reproduction time of the program has elapsed for 5 hours. Subsequently, the level 2 concealment image is displayed until the cumulative reproduction time has elapsed for 5 hours, and subsequently, the level 3 concealment image is displayed until the cumulative reproduction time has elapsed for 5 hours.

Display size indicates the display size of the concealed image on the display.

The display position indicates the display position of the concealed image on the display.

The display message indicates a message to be displayed in the hidden image.

(4) The contractor management unit 140 notifies the CAS device 150 of the card ID registered in the viewing contract for each program based on the contract information for each program in the management information 121. For example, for the program with the program name “Drama”, the card IDs “12345678”, “135572468”, “58663721”, and “399741038” are notified from the management information 121 to the CAS device 150.

In addition, when a new viewing contract is registered by the receiver managing unit 130 during the reproduction of the program, the contractor management unit 140 also notifies the CAS device 150 of the card ID related to the registration of the viewing contract.

The CAS device 150 acquires the card ID registered for the viewing contract for each program from the contractor management unit 140, creates an individual message using the acquired card ID, and corresponds to the program while each program is being broadcast. The individual message is output to sending section 160.

FIG. 7 shows an example of an individual message.

に お い て In the figure, the individual message 152 corresponds to the “Drama” program recorded in the management information 121.

The CAS device 150 requests the contractor management unit 140 to acquire the card ID registered for the viewing contract for “Drama”, creates an individual message 152 containing the card ID, and broadcasts “Drama”. Is output to the sending unit 160 repeatedly.

The transmission unit 160 multiplexes the individual messages output from the CAS device 150, such as the broadcast program output from the program editing unit 110, the program scheduling information, and the concealment control information, and transmits the multiplexed messages to the transmission device 20 via the dedicated line 10. Then, the transmitted multiplexed signal is converted into a broadcast wave by the transmitting device 20, transmitted to the repeater 40, and transmitted from the repeater 40 to each of the receiving devices 200.

In, the operation of the intra-office system 100 configured as described above will be described below using the data exemplified in FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the intra-office system 100.

First, the program editing unit 110 edits the program data of “Drama” based on an external input, creates the concealment control information 151 corresponding to “Drama”, and outputs it to the transmission unit 160 (step S11).

Subsequently, the CAS device 150 acquires the card ID of the registered viewing contract for “Drama” extracted from the management information 121 by the contractor management unit 140, creates an individual message 152 using the acquired card ID, and sends it to the sending unit 160. Output (Step S12). Here, the processes of step S11 and step S12 need not be performed in the same order.

When the broadcast start time of “Drama” comes, the transmission unit 160 starts multiplexing the program data, the concealment control information, the individual message, and the like obtained from the program editing unit 110 and the CAS device 150, and transmitting the multiplexed data to the transmission device 20. (Steps S13 and S14).

During the broadcast of “Drama”, when receiving an application for a viewing contract for “Drama” from the user who owns the IC card, the receiver management unit 130 associates the card ID of the IC card with “Drama”. A viewing contract registration for adding the contract information to the management information 121 is performed. When there is this viewing contract registration, the contractor management unit 140 notifies the CAS device 150 of the card ID related to the viewing contract registration (step S15).

(4) The CAS device 150 that has received the notification adds the notified card ID to the individual message 152 (step S16).

The CAS device 150 and the transmission unit 160 repeat Steps S14 to S16 until the end of the broadcast of “Drama” (Step S17).

In this flowchart, the concealment control information and the repetition period of transmission of the individual message are the same, but need not be the same.

Next, the receiving device 200 will be described.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the receiving apparatus 200.

In the figure, the receiving device 200 includes a receiving unit 210, a concealment control information acquisition unit 220, an individual message acquisition unit 230, an concealment control unit 240, an accumulation unit 250, an IC card 260, a remote control IF 270, and a display unit 280.

The broadcast wave received by the receiving antenna is input to the receiving unit 210. This broadcast wave includes a broadcast program, program scheduling information, concealment control information, and individual messages.

(4) Receiving section 210 receives a command from a remote controller (not shown), extracts a specific broadcast program from broadcast radio waves, and outputs it to display section 280. Here, the instruction by the remote controller is input from the remote controller IF 270, such as a reproduction instruction for a program being broadcast or a program switching instruction. Note that the receiving unit 210 uses the program scheduling information to extract a specific program. How to use the program information is a conventional general-purpose method, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The concealment control information acquisition unit 220 extracts the concealment control information 151 corresponding to the program being reproduced from the broadcast radio wave input to the reception unit 210, and outputs the concealment control information 151 to the concealment control unit 240.

Here, the concealment control information is associated with the program by whether the program identification information of the corresponding program is added or the correspondence between the program and the concealment control information is indicated in the program scheduling information or the like. It is possible to grasp the relationship.

For example, when the receiving apparatus 200 is playing “Drama” already described in the description of the intra-station system 100, the concealment control information acquisition unit 220 acquires the concealment control information 151 corresponding to “Drama” illustrated in FIG. Output to the concealment control unit 240.

The concealment control information acquisition unit 220 stores the acquired concealment control information in the internal memory of the receiving device 200 or the IC card 260, and obtains the concealment control information from the internal memory or the IC card instead of acquiring the concealment control information from the receiving unit 210. Obtained from the IC card 260.

The individual message acquisition unit 230 extracts an individual message corresponding to the program being reproduced from the broadcast radio wave input to the reception unit 210, and determines whether the individual message corresponding to the card ID of the IC card 260 is included in the individual message. And if it is found that it is included, it notifies the concealment control unit 240 of that fact. That is, if the card ID of the IC card 260 is included in the individual message of a certain program, the IC card 260 indicates that the viewing contract has been completed for the program. , IC card 260 indicates that there is no contract for the program.

Regarding this individual message, the correspondence with the program can be grasped by the fact that the program identification information of the corresponding program is added or the correspondence between the program and the individual message is indicated in the program scheduling information. It is possible to do.

For example, when the receiving apparatus 200 is playing back “Drama” already described in the description of the intra-station system 100, the individual message acquisition unit 230 extracts the individual message 152 corresponding to “Drama” shown in FIG. Output to the unit 240.

The concealment control unit 240 makes the degree of concealing the reproduction screen of the broadcast program, for which the card ID of the IC card 260 is not registered as a viewing contract, greater as the cumulative reproduction time of the broadcast program becomes longer, The concealment of the playback screen is controlled based on the concealment control information.

The accumulator 250 measures the cumulative playback time for each broadcast program in accordance with the instruction from the concealment controller 240, and conceals that fact each time the cumulative playback time passes the period defined in each level of the concealment control information. The control unit 240 is notified.

Here, the cumulative reproduction time is the accumulation of the period during which one program is continuously reproduced. For example, if a 1-hour broadcast program is played for 15 minutes at first, and once the channel is switched to another program, and the channel is returned and played for 5 minutes, the cumulative playback time is adjusted to 15 minutes and 5 minutes. 20 minutes. In addition, a series program that is broadcast 15 times a week, for 1 hour each time, is played for 50 minutes in the first broadcast, played for 1 hour in the second broadcast, and played in the third broadcast. When playing back for 30 minutes, the cumulative playback time is 2 hours and 20 minutes, which is the sum of 50 minutes, 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The concealment control unit 240 stores and manages the accumulated management information in the internal memory of the receiving device 200 or the IC card 260 in order to manage the accumulated reproduction time and the concealment control information for each broadcast program.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the cumulative management information.

As shown in the figure, the cumulative management information 251 includes, for each broadcast program, program identification information for identifying the broadcast program, cumulative playback time of the broadcast program, and a pointer indicating the storage location of the concealment control information.

Here, the program name is described in the column of the program identification information, but any program can be used as long as the concealment control unit 240 can grasp the correspondence between the program and the cumulative management information of each program, and the program name may be used. Alternatively, the program identification information may be used.

The cumulative time is the cumulative playback time reported from the cumulative unit 250 to the concealment control unit 240 when continuous playback of one broadcast program is completed due to channel switching, broadcast end, etc., and is recorded.

For example, after the program with the program name "Drama" is played for 15 minutes, once the channel is switched to another program, "15 min" is recorded in the column of the cumulative time of "Drama" of the cumulative management information, and then the channel is changed to "15". When "Drama" is reproduced for 5 minutes after returning, the column in which "15 min" is recorded is updated to "20 min".

The concealment control information pointer indicates the storage location of the concealment control information recorded in the internal memory of the receiving device 200 or the IC card 260. For example, the concealment control information pointer of the program name "Drama" points to the storage location of the concealment control information 151 shown in FIG.

The concealment control unit 240 manages the cumulative playback time of each broadcast program using the cumulative management information 251, and performs concealment control according to the cumulative playback time.

The display unit 280 reproduces the broadcast program or the like extracted by the reception unit 210, and displays a concealed image on the reproduction screen of the broadcast program under the control of the concealment control unit 240.

The operation of the receiving apparatus 200 configured as described above will be described below using the data illustrated in FIGS.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiving apparatus 200.

When the reproduction of “Drama” is selected by switching the channel by the operation of the remote controller or by turning on the power of the receiving device 200 and the display 50, the receiving unit 210 transmits the program data of “Drama” from the broadcast wave. The extracted data is output to the display unit 280. At this time, the concealment control information acquisition unit 220, the individual message acquisition unit 230, and the concealment control unit 240 acquire the program identification information of “Drama” from the program organization information in the broadcast radio wave.

Subsequently, the individual message acquisition unit 230 extracts the individual message 152 corresponding to “Drama” from the broadcast wave using the program identification information of “Drama” as a key, and includes the card ID of the IC card 260 therein. It is determined whether the IC card 260 has a viewing contract for “Drama” (step S23).

Here, if the individual message 152 includes the card ID of the IC card 260, it means that the viewing contract has been completed, and the individual message acquisition unit 230 notifies the concealment control unit 240 of the fact. The concealment control is stopped (Step S29).

On the other hand, if the card ID of the IC card 260 is not included in the individual message 152, it means that the IC card 260 has not been contracted for "Drama", and the process of displaying the concealed image after step S23 is performed.

The concealment control information acquisition unit 220 acquires the concealment control information 151 corresponding to “Drama” using the program identification information of “Drama” as a key, and outputs it to the concealment control unit 240 (step S23). Here, the concealment control information acquisition unit 220 extracts and acquires the concealment control information 151 from the broadcast wave when acquiring the concealment control information 151 for the first time, and when the concealment control information 151 is already stored in the internal memory of the receiving device 200 or the IC card 260. Get from there. Further, when the concealment control information acquisition unit 220 acquires the concealment control information 151 from the broadcast radio wave, the concealment control information acquisition unit 220 stores the concealment control information 151 in the internal memory or the IC card 260 and associates the pointer with the program identification information to the cumulative management information 251. Record.

The concealment control unit 240 refers to the cumulative management information 251 and reads out the cumulative time corresponding to “Drama” if it is stored, and determines the level corresponding to the cumulative time in the period of the concealment control information 151. The concealment image is determined from the information, using the display size, display position, and display message at the determined level, and output to the display unit 280 (step S24).

For example, if the cumulative time of “Drama” stored in the cumulative management information 251 is within the range of 0 minutes to 5 hours, it is determined to be level 1, and if it is within the range of 5 hours to 10 hours, it is determined to be level 2. And within a range of 10 hours to 15 hours, it is determined to be level 3. In the example of FIG. 10, since the total time of “Drama” is 20 minutes, the concealment control unit 240 determines that the level is 1, and sets the display size to “small”, the display position “lower left”, and the display message “viewing contract. This message automatically disappears. The message is generated using the TEL: xxx-xxxx ", and the concealment image 52 shown in FIG. 2A is generated and output to the display unit 280.

Almost simultaneously with step S24, the concealment control unit 240 sets the cumulative time “20 minutes” of “Drama” of the cumulative management information 251 as the initial value and the level 1 period “5 hours” as the upper limit value in the cumulative unit 250, and sets the timer. Start timing. Thus, the accumulating unit 250 counts up the time from 20 minutes.

When the reproduction of “Drama” is completed by switching the channel or turning off the power of the receiving device 200 or ending the broadcast of “Drama”, the accumulating unit 250 sets the “Drama” total time column of the total management information 251 Then, the time counted by the timer at the end of the reproduction is written (step S27), and the concealment control unit 240 stops displaying the concealed image (step S29).

Also, when a viewing contract is made, that is, when the individual message acquisition unit 230 finds that the card ID of the IC card 260 is included in the individual message 152 and the concealment control unit 240 is notified of that fact, The concealment control unit 240 stops displaying the concealed image (step S29).

On the other hand, as long as there is no end of reproduction of the program and no viewing contract, the accumulating unit 250 continues counting up until the initial value “20 minutes” set in step S25 exceeds the upper limit period “5 hours”. Is exceeded, the concealment control unit 24 is notified that the period has elapsed, and the process proceeds to step S31 (step S30).

The concealment control unit 240, which has been notified of the elapse of the period, refers to the concealment control information 151, and if there is one level higher than the level of the concealment image that has been displayed so far, displays the concealment image of that level. The process returns to step S24 (step S31).

In this way, the concealment control unit 240 changes the level in the order of levels 1, 2, and 3 every time the cumulative playback time of “Drama” exceeds 5 hours, generates a concealed image at that level, and displays the display unit 280. Output to

The concealment control unit 240 displays the concealed images of levels 1, 2, and 3 stepwise according to the lapse of the accumulated reproduction time, and then displays an image that completely conceals the reproduction screen of the program (step S32).
(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the transmission / reception system according to the second embodiment will be described.

While the transmitting and receiving system of the first embodiment measures the total playback time on the receiving side and changes the degree of concealment according to the measurement result, the transmitting and receiving system of the present embodiment has The time is accumulated, and the degree of concealment is changed according to the result.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the intra-office system 300.

In the figure, the program editing unit 310 edits broadcast programs and program scheduling information in the same manner as the program editing unit 110, and also creates concealment control information b361 illustrated in FIG.

The concealment control information b361 is used by the sending unit 160 to create the concealment control information a362 shown in FIG. 14 and by the CAS device 350 to create the individual messages 352, 353, and 354 shown in FIG.

The concealment control information b361 is different from the concealment control information of the first embodiment in that a message number column is added. The message number indicates the identifier of the concealment image at each level, and is used by the CAS device 350 to create an individual message.

The accumulator 360 accumulates the broadcast time of the program data transmitted by the transmitter 160.

The CAS device 350 determines the level of the concealment control information based on the accumulation result of the accumulation unit 360 and the information on the period of the concealment control information b361, and pairs the corresponding message number with the card ID of the uncontracted IC card. An individual message is created and output to the sending unit 160. Note that, for an IC card for which a viewing contract has been made, the card ID and information “0” indicating no hiding are paired and included in the individual message. FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C show examples of individual messages whose level changes with the broadcast time.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the receiving apparatus 400.

In the figure, the receiving apparatus 400 generates a concealed image in accordance with the point that the accumulating unit 250 is eliminated from the receiving apparatus 200 and the concealment control unit 440 does not perform the accumulation, but simply according to the level value of the information transmitted from the intra-station system 300. Is different.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the intra-office system 300.

The CAS device 360 or the like acquires the program identification information of the program to be broadcast, and if the accumulated time corresponding to the program identification information is stored in the internal memory, reads the accumulated time (step S33). Here, if the accumulated time corresponding to the program is not stored in the internal memory, the accumulated time is 0.

The CAS device 350 ends this processing if all the program recipients have a viewing contract. On the other hand, if at least one person has not subscribed, the process proceeds to step S35 (step S34).

The CAS device 350 determines the level of the concealment control information from the cumulative time read in step S33 and the concealment control information b361, and acquires the corresponding message number. Then, an individual message is created in which the message number is paired with the card ID of an uncontracted IC card. Here, the card ID of the IC card for which viewing has been contracted is paired with 0 and added to the individual message (step S35).

The sending unit 160 creates the concealment control information a362 and sends it together with the individual message, and the accumulation unit 360 starts accumulation for the transmission time (steps S36 and S37).

(4) After that, when the broadcast of the program ends, the accumulated time is stored in the internal memory in association with the program identification information of the program, and the process ends (steps S38 and S39).

If the viewing contract is made during the broadcast of the program, the individual message is updated so that the card ID of the IC card related to the viewing contract is associated with 0 (steps S40 and S41).

(4) During the period of the current level indicated by the concealment control information b361, the processing of steps S38 to S41 is repeated, and after the elapse of the period, the process proceeds to step S43 (step S42).

If the concealment control information b361 includes the next level of concealment control information, the process returns to step S36 to update the individual message so that the card ID of the IC card not yet viewed and the message number of the next level are associated with each other. Send out.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiving apparatus 400.

The concealment control unit 440 acquires the level corresponding to the card ID of the IC card 260 from the individual message acquired by the individual message acquisition unit 430, and if the level is 0, stops the concealment control (step S44, S45, S46).

On the other hand, when the level is not 0, the concealment control information corresponding to the level is acquired from the concealment control information a acquired by the concealment control information acquisition unit 420, and the concealment image is generated according to the concealment control information. (Steps S47 and S48).
(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, the transmission / reception system according to the third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the intra-office system 500.

に お い て In the figure, the recipient management DB 520 stores management information 521 shown in FIG. The management information 521 associates the card ID of the receiver's IC card with the contract time. The contract time is the time when the receiver has made a viewing contract for the program. For example, the receiver makes a contract to purchase a program at a viewing fee of hourly, such as 100 yen for 30 minutes.

The CAS device 550 creates the concealment control information 531 illustrated in FIG. This is the same configuration as the concealment control information 151 of the first embodiment.

(5) The CAS device 550 outputs the management information 521 to the sending unit 160 in the form of an individual message. The sending unit 160 outputs the individual message and the concealment control information to the transmitting device 20 together with the output of the program.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the receiving apparatus 600.

In the figure, the receiving apparatus 600 differs from the first embodiment in that the receiving apparatus 600 includes an accumulating section 650 and a subtracting section 660.

The cumulative section 650 measures the cumulative playback time for each broadcast program.

The subtraction unit 660 extracts the contract time corresponding to the card ID of the IC card 260 from the individual message acquired by the individual message acquisition unit 230. Then, the contract time is subtracted from the accumulated reproduction time measured by the accumulator 650, and the resulting difference period is passed to the concealment controller 240.

The concealment control unit 240 determines a level based on the concealment control information 531 based on the passed difference period, generates a concealed image using the determined level of concealment control information, and outputs the concealed image to the display unit 280.
(Embodiment 4)
Hereinafter, the transmission / reception system according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

Note that the basic configuration of the transmission / reception system of the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 and will be described with reference to FIG.

The transmission / reception system of the present embodiment gradually changes the broadcast form from the first broadcast form to the third broadcast form through the second broadcast form with the passage of time, thereby increasing the number of viewing / listening. The goal is to acquire people.

The first broadcast mode is a broadcast mode in which a viewer makes a reception contract with a broadcaster for receiving a broadcast, and the broadcast business is operated based on the reception contract. As such a broadcast mode, for example, there is a broadcast mode in which a viewer pays a reception fee to a broadcaster as a price for receiving a broadcast, but the user can view the received broadcast even without a contract. In addition, although it is a free broadcast in which it is not necessary to pay a fee such as the reception fee, a broadcast mode in which a viewer makes a reception contract or a receiver registration with the broadcaster may be used. In other words, in the first broadcast mode, in other words, although a contract or the like is necessary, the viewer does not perform viewing control based on the reception contract regardless of whether or not the contract is present. This is a broadcast form in which a program can be viewed without being restricted. In other words, the first broadcast mode is a broadcast mode in which a viewing screen without a hidden image is displayed as shown in FIG. 3 without restricting the viewing of the hidden image as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. .

The second broadcast mode is a transition stage in which a viewer makes a viewing contract with a broadcaster for viewing of a broadcast program, and the broadcaster operates a broadcast business based on the viewing contract. In a non-contracted receiving device, a broadcast mode is such that a message related to a contract is displayed with a predetermined degree of concealment from the display of a broadcast program. In the second broadcast mode, the viewer can view the broadcast program of the broadcaster in the same manner as in the first broadcast mode. ) Is partially restricted.

The third broadcasting mode is a transition stage in which a viewer makes a viewing contract with a broadcaster for viewing a broadcast program, and the broadcaster operates a broadcast business based on the viewing contract. On the other hand, a non-contracted receiving apparatus has a broadcast mode in which a message related to a contract is displayed with a greater concealment degree than the predetermined concealment degree. In the third broadcasting mode, the receiving device for which viewing has not been subscribed is almost completely or completely restricted based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract, and the viewer who has not received viewing can view the broadcast program of the broadcaster in FIG. ) ", You can watch only partially or not at all.

In the first broadcast mode, the in-station system 100 is a system for producing and editing programs owned by a broadcaster. The contents of the program produced and edited by the in-station system 100 are transmitted to the transmitting device 20 via the dedicated line 10. The transmitting device 20 transmits the content received from the in-station system 100 to the broadcasting satellite 40 as digital broadcast radio waves. The broadcast satellite 40 transmits the digital broadcast radio wave to each viewer, and thus the digital broadcast is performed. Each viewer receives a digital broadcast radio wave by a receiving device owned by each viewer, and displays a content of each program from the received digital broadcast radio wave on a display unit, thereby viewing the program.

First, the configuration of the in-station system 100 in the first broadcast mode will be described.

In the first broadcast mode, the receiving device 200 of a certain viewer and its display 50 and the receiving device 201 of another viewer and its display 51 are shown as representatives. In addition, when it is not necessary to classify each receiving device and the display unit, they are simply referred to as a receiving device and a display. The receiving device of each viewer is connected to the in-station system 100 of the broadcaster via the public lines 70 and 71, and various information can be transmitted from the receiving device to the in-station system 100. With the above configuration, a program produced and edited by the in-station system 100 of the broadcasting company is broadcast as digital broadcasting from the broadcasting satellite 40 via the transmitting device 20 and is digitally broadcast by the receiving device owned by the viewer. Is configured.

In the present embodiment, a transmission / reception system using a broadcasting satellite 40 will be described as an example, but digital broadcasting using a communication satellite or digital broadcasting using a terrestrial wave may be used. . Further, it may be an analog broadcast capable of transmitting information for which message display control is possible.

When content including video and audio signals of each program produced by a program production unit (not shown) is input, the in-station system 100 edits each program in order to broadcast those programs. The data is transmitted to the transmission device 20 by the transmission system. Further, the transmission system scrambles a program to be transmitted, and provides a CAS (Conditional Access System) device which is a conditional access system which provides a function of allowing only a receiving device having a viewing right to descramble and view the program. have. By providing the CAS device in the in-station system 100, the broadcaster can operate a scrambled broadcast such as a pay broadcast. In the first broadcasting mode, each viewer is operated in a broadcasting mode in which viewing restriction such as scrambling is not performed. Here, the CAS device uses an “automatic display message” provided as a CAS function, and is used only for the purpose of, for example, controlling the display of a guide message for a viewer.

The in-station system 100 has a viewer management system, which is a system that receives a notification, a contract request, or the like from a viewer who owns the receiving device, and manages information on the received content. The viewer notifies the viewer management system of the viewer registration and the reception contract via the public lines 70 and 71. The viewer management system stores a viewer management database (hereinafter, referred to as a viewer management DB) which builds viewer information on contents received from a viewer in a management database device (hereinafter, referred to as a management DB device) inside the in-station system 100. ). As described above, the viewer management system receives the request for the receiving contract from the viewer, and registers the information on the receiving contract in the viewer management DB, whereby the receiving contract between the viewer and the broadcaster is concluded. .

Here, although an example has been described in which such viewer registration and the like are performed via the public lines 70 and 71, the viewer registration and the like may be performed by another means such as mailing. Further, in this example, the viewer management system has been described as an example provided in the intra-office system 100. However, a CAS management company that collectively manages the CAS control of a plurality of broadcasters is provided by such a management system. , And each broadcaster may obtain viewer information and the like from the CAS management provider. Such a system for operating a transmission / reception system by providing a CAS management company that collectively manages the CAS control of a plurality of broadcasters uses an IC card installed in a receiving device called a B-CAS card. It is already operated by the BS transmission and reception system.

As described above, in the first broadcast mode, the viewer having the receiving device capable of receiving the broadcast of the broadcaster transmitted from the transmitting device 20 receives the broadcast contract with the broadcaster as a contract for receiving the broadcast. And a broadcasting business is operated based on a receiving contract. In this example, no scrambling to exclude viewing is performed on the receiving device, so that the broadcast program can be viewed on the display 50 even in the receiving device 200 that has not received a contract.

In the first broadcast mode, the transmission system has a CAS device. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to use the function of the “automatic display message”. By using such an “automatic display message” function, for example, it is possible to display a message calling for a contract to unreceived viewers, and to provide a contract to unreceived viewers. Promotion can be achieved. In the first broadcast mode, the function of the “automatic display message” does not need to be particularly used, but the function of the “automatic display message” can be used as described above.

Next, the configuration of the in-station system 100 in the second broadcast mode will be described.

The second broadcast mode is a broadcast mode in a transition stage for operating a broadcast business based on a viewing contract for making a contract for viewing a broadcast program. That is, as a final step before the transition to the scrambled broadcasting form using the viewing control for restricting the viewing such as scramble such as pay broadcasting, first, the contract contents are changed from the receiving contract to the viewing contract. Is switched to. Here, the viewing contract is a contract in which a viewer watches a broadcast program of a broadcaster and the viewer pays for the viewing.

In the second broadcast mode, for example, the broadcaster makes a contract to receive a viewing fee such as a monthly fee from the viewer as a price for the viewer viewing the program. For this reason, the viewer makes a new viewing contract with the broadcaster. In addition, a viewer who has already made a reception contract may continue the viewing contract according to the viewer's request.

さ せ る In order to shift to such a broadcasting mode, in the second broadcasting mode, the in-station system 100 further includes a customer management system in addition to the viewer management system. In the management DB device, a customer management database (hereinafter, referred to as a customer management DB) for storing customer information is constructed in addition to the viewer management DB already provided. The customer management DB is constructed as a database in which a fee such as a viewing fee is added as a stage prior to shifting to a broadcast form of a scrambled broadcast as a final purpose. When a viewer who has already made a reception contract continues to have a viewing contract, the viewer information already obtained in the viewer management DB can be used as customer information in the customer management DB.

(2) Further, in the transmission / reception system shown in FIG. 2, for example, a message calling for a contract to a viewer who has not subscribed to viewing is displayed on the screen of the display 50 by using a function of “automatic display message”.

That is, the customer management system searches for information on the viewing contract registered in the customer management DB, and acquires information on the presence or absence of a viewing contract for each viewer. The customer management system notifies the CAS device of the information on the presence or absence of the acquired viewing contract for each viewer. The CAS device uses information on the presence or absence of a viewing contract for each viewer as message display control information, and the transmission system multiplexes the message display control information with program data and transmits the program data. The transmitting device 20 transmits the message display control information together with the program data. In this way, the transmitting device 20 can transmit the message display control information for controlling the display of the message based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract.

{Circle around (4)} As a result, the message is not displayed on the display 51 connected to the receiving device 201 with the viewing contract, but is displayed only on the display 50 connected to the receiving device 200 with no viewing contract. In this way, the function of "automatic display message" is used to display, for example, a message calling for a contract to a viewer who has not yet viewed. In addition to calling for a contract, for example, a message or the like to shift to pay broadcasting may be displayed.

(4) The display form of the message is, for example, a display form that partially superimposes the display of the broadcast program. As a result, as a precedent to the transition to the scrambled broadcasting mode, which is the final target, viewing control by “loose concealment” is performed so that the viewing of a broadcast program is partially restricted with a certain small degree of concealment. In other words, in the scrambled broadcast, "tight concealment" is used to exclude viewing of unreceived receivers, but here, "loose concealment" is used to view programs that are attractive to unsubscribed viewers. Make it possible and call for a contract by displaying a message. Here, the concealment degree is a ratio of the display of the message to the display of the broadcast program, and in addition to the concealment by the superimposition, changing the display time interval of the message or making the display of the message transparent. The degree of concealment can also be changed by such means.

{Circle around (2)} In the second broadcast mode, the message display state on the display 50 when the message display control is performed on the receiving device 200 of the non-subscriber is, for example, as shown in FIG. On the display 50, an automatic display message for calling for a viewing contract is displayed on a part of the program screen.

As described above, in the second broadcast mode, the viewer having the receiving device capable of receiving the broadcast of the broadcast company transmitted from the transmitting device 20 performs the viewing and listening, which is a contract for viewing the broadcast program with the broadcast company. This is a broadcasting form which is a transition stage for making a contract and operating a broadcasting business based on this viewing contract. Here, the receiving device 200 for which the viewing has not been subscribed is controlled so as to display the message with a predetermined concealment degree with respect to the display of the broadcast program in accordance with the message display control information based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract.

Next, the configuration of the in-station system 100 in the third broadcast mode will be described.

The third broadcast mode is a broadcast mode at a stage of transition from the second broadcast mode for operating a broadcast business based on a viewing contract for making a contract for viewing a broadcast program. Here, as compared with the second broadcast mode, the viewing restriction of the receiving device 200 not yet viewed is displayed so that a message that almost or completely excludes viewing of the program is displayed. Further, in the third broadcast mode, the viewing contract is inherited from the second broadcast mode. For example, as a price for the viewer viewing the program, the broadcaster sets the viewing fee for each channel or each program from the viewer. You may make a viewing contract to receive it.

In order to shift to such a broadcast mode, in the third broadcast mode, the in-station system 100 further includes a billing management system in addition to the viewer management system and the customer management system in the second broadcast mode. ing. In the management DB device, a customer management DB including customer information and customer billing information is constructed in addition to the viewer management DB already provided. That is, the customer management DB is constructed as a database including billing information such as a viewing fee as a stage prior to shifting to the final form of scramble broadcasting.

Further, in the third broadcast mode, a message calling for a contract to a viewer who has not yet viewed is displayed on the screen of the display 50 in the same manner as in the second broadcast mode by using a function of “automatic display message”. I do. However, as compared with the second broadcast mode, the display of the message is controlled to be displayed with a higher concealment degree than the predetermined concealment degree in the second broadcast mode.

In other words, in the third broadcast mode, the broadcaster uses the CAS device to display the unviewed display 50 on the display 50 in order to increase the number of viewing subscribers and smoothly shift to the final target scramble broadcasting. Displays a message such that the screen of the broadcast program is almost or not completely viewable. As described above, before the transition to the scrambled broadcast mode as the final target, the message is transmitted with a higher concealment degree than the predetermined concealment degree in the second broadcast mode, which makes it difficult to view the broadcast program. Is displayed. In other words, in the third broadcast mode, a message for calling for a contract is displayed on almost all parts of the program screen to call for a contract, and viewing control by “tight concealment” is performed to exclude viewing of the program. As a result, a simple scramble function that eliminates program viewing is realized while promoting viewing contracts with non-viewing subscribers.

In the third broadcast mode, the message display state on the display 50 when the message display control is performed on the receiving device 200 of the non-subscriber is, for example, as shown in FIG. As described above, on the display 50, an almost automatic display message for excluding the viewing of the program is displayed together with the call for the viewing contract on almost the entire display screen.

As described above, in the third broadcast mode, the viewer having the receiving device capable of receiving the broadcast of the broadcast company transmitted from the transmission device 20 performs the viewing and listening, which is a contract with the broadcast company for viewing the broadcast program. This is a broadcasting form which is a transition stage for making a contract and operating a broadcasting business based on this viewing contract. Here, the receiving device 200 not yet viewed is controlled so as to superimpose and display the message so that the display of the broadcast program is almost completely or not completely viewable according to the message display control information based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract. You.

In the transmission / reception system configured as described above, the broadcast mode is changed from the first broadcast mode based on the reception contract to a scrambled broadcast mode using viewing control such as scrambling such as a pay broadcast. The procedure of the mode transition method will be described below.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of transition of the transition of the broadcast form in the broadcast form transition method according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 23, the first broadcast mode is a first step S101, the second broadcast mode is a second step S102, and the third broadcast mode is a third step S103. The procedure for shifting to scramble broadcasting is shown. In FIG. 23, the contract form, the viewing control form, the viewer management form, and the management DB stored in the management DB device in each step are shown separately.

In FIG. 23, in the first step S101, the viewer makes a reception contract with the broadcaster, but the transmission / reception system is set as a broadcast mode in which the viewer can view the broadcast program regardless of whether the viewer has a contract. Will be operated. Here, an example is described in which the viewer pays a reception fee as a price for receiving the broadcast.

That is, in the first step S101, the broadcaster calls on each viewer to sign a reception contract. Further, in response to the call for a reception contract from the broadcaster, the viewer who desires the reception contract applies for a reception contract to the viewer management system. By applying for the reception contract, the viewer management system registers information of the viewer who has received the reception contract in the viewer management DB as viewer information. As a result, a reception contract is concluded between the viewer and the broadcaster as a contract form. Furthermore, the broadcaster charges a monthly or yearly uniform reception fee for the broadcast reception of the viewer who has subscribed, and receives the reception fee from the viewer. Note that, for the receiving device 200 of a viewer who has not made a reception contract, a message for calling for a reception contract may be displayed on the display 50 by the function of “automatic display message”. It is also possible to encourage the user to receive a subscription contract.

In FIG. 23, in the second step S102, the viewer makes a viewing contract with the broadcaster, but the transmission / reception system is set as a broadcast mode in which the viewer can view the broadcast program regardless of whether the viewer has a contract. Will be operated. Here, an example is given in which the viewer pays a viewing fee as a price for viewing the broadcast program, and displays a message for urging a non-viewing subscriber to view the content.

In other words, in the second step S102, the broadcaster notifies each viewer of the change from the reception contract to the viewing contract, and calls on the viewer to conclude the viewing contract. In response to the call for a viewing contract from the broadcaster, the viewer who desires the viewing contract applies for the viewing contract to the customer management system. By applying for the viewing contract, the customer management system registers information of the viewer who has received the viewing contract in the customer management DB as customer information. Thus, a viewing contract is concluded between the viewer and the broadcaster as a contract form. Furthermore, the broadcaster charges a monthly or yearly flat fee for viewing a broadcast program of a viewer who has a viewing contract, and receives the viewing fee from the viewer.

視 聴 Also, for viewers who have already subscribed, it is possible to continue the viewing contract for the same amount as at the time of the subscription. That is, a viewer who has already subscribed to reception has little feeling of resistance to such a contract change. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the motive for the subscriber to withdraw, as compared with the case where the free broadcast is directly shifted to the pay broadcast. Therefore, the possibility that the broadcaster can continue to secure the contractor acquired in the first step S101 is increased, and the broadcaster can more smoothly transition to the scramble broadcast mode of the final purpose. In addition, since the viewer management DB constructed according to the reception contract can be continued as the customer management DB, a customer management system and a customer management DB required for the scrambled broadcasting mode can be easily constructed.

{Circle around (2)} In the second step S102, a message for calling for a viewing contract is displayed on the display 50 by the function of the "automatic display message" for the receiving device 200 of a viewer who has not made a viewing contract. At this time, the displayed message is displayed with a somewhat smaller display frame, for example, in order to perform a partial viewing restriction for partially concealing the viewing of the program as a viewing control mode, together with the effect of calling for a contract. By displaying such a message, a viewer who has not made a viewing contract knows the call for the viewing contract while watching the program, and the display of the message becomes obstructive, and as a result, the motivation for the viewing contract is increased. By displaying the viewing contract message in this way, viewers who have not made a viewing contract are encouraged to have a viewing contract. Note that a viewer who has not made a viewing contract deletes the message displayed on the display 50 of the viewer by making a viewing contract.

As described above, in the second broadcasting mode shown in the second step S102, the subscriber who has already acquired the receiving contract can be continuously secured as the viewing subscriber, and the non-viewing subscriber who has no intention of the viewing contract can be obtained. The motivation of the viewing contract is increased by the partial viewing restriction that partially conceals the viewing of the program using the function of the "automatic display message", thereby promoting the subscription of the viewing contract.

In FIG. 23, in a third step S103, based on the presence / absence of a viewing contract, the viewing-restricted receiving device 200 is restricted so as to display a message that almost or completely excludes viewing of the program. A transmission / reception system is operated as a broadcast mode. Again, the viewer pays the viewing fee for the viewing of the broadcast program, but the flat fee for paying for the viewing of the program on a monthly basis, etc., and the tier for paying the program in several groups such as time zones Examples are given of contracts, PPV contracts for paying for each program, and the like.

That is, also in the third step S103, the broadcaster calls on each viewer to enter into a viewing contract. In response to the call for a viewing contract from the broadcaster, the viewer who desires the viewing contract applies for the viewing contract to the customer management system. By applying for the viewing contract, the customer management system registers information of the viewer who has received the viewing contract in the customer management DB as customer information. Thereby, the viewing contract is continued as the contract form. Further, the broadcaster charges a viewing fee according to the contract contents to a viewer who has viewed the broadcasting program according to the flat contract, the tier contract, the PPV contract and the like, and receives the viewing fee from the viewer. In other words, as a stage prior to shifting to the final intended scrambled broadcast form, a contract form with enhanced selectivity is provided in order to precisely respond to the wishes of the viewer.

On the other hand, in the third step S103, a message for calling for the viewing contract is displayed on the display 50 by the function of the "automatic display message" for the receiving device 200 of the viewer who has not made the viewing contract. At this time, the message to be displayed is, in addition to the effect of calling for a contract, to restrict viewing by a "tight concealment" that prevents viewing of the broadcast program or eliminates viewing of the program. Then, the program display is displayed so as to be almost completely or completely hidden. By displaying such a message, for a viewer who does not have a viewing contract, it functions as a simple viewing restriction that prevents viewing of a broadcast program or eliminates viewing of a program as a viewing control mode, that is, a simple scramble. .

As described above, in the third broadcast mode in which the simple viewing restriction is performed in the third step S103, the contract mode is the same as the scramble broadcast mode, and the viewing control mode is “automatic display”. The form has a simple scramble function using the function of “message”. For this reason, it is possible to smoothly shift from the third step S103 to a broadcast form of a scrambled broadcast that uses viewing control such as scrambling as a final purpose, for example, a pay broadcast.

As described above, in the broadcast mode transition method according to the present embodiment, in the transmission / reception system, for example, a pay broadcast or the like is changed from the first broadcast mode in which the broadcast business is operated based on the reception contract shown in the first step S101. When transitioning to a scrambled broadcast mode in which a broadcast business is operated using a scrambled broadcast in which a receiving device is controlled for viewing based on a viewing contract, at this intermediate stage, the receiving device is shifted from a reception contract to a viewing contract, Based on the presence / absence of the contract, the receiving device 200 not yet viewed is controlled so that the message is displayed with a predetermined degree of concealment with respect to the display of the broadcast program, thereby partially concealing the viewing of the program. Based on the stage of the second broadcast mode shown in the second step S102 in which the target viewing restriction is performed and the viewing contract, the receiving device 200 not yet viewed is The message is controlled so as to be displayed with a greater degree of concealment than the predetermined degree of concealment, so that simple viewing restriction is performed so as to eliminate viewing of the program. And a stage.

That is, as shown in FIG. 23, in the stage of the second broadcast mode in which the partial viewing restriction is performed by the broadcast mode transition method in which the broadcast mode is gradually shifted toward the final target scramble broadcast mode. For example, in a third broadcast mode in which the number of viewing subscribers is increased by a message prompting a viewing contract and a simple viewing restriction is performed, a message screen for excluding the viewing of a program by a message is presented. Thus, a simple scramble effect can be obtained. As a result, by continuing the reception contractor acquired in the reception contract in the first step 101 as the viewing contractor in the second step 102, the final purpose is maintained while maintaining many contractors. It is possible to shift to a broadcast form of scramble broadcasting. In addition, the transition from the broadcast mode in which the simple scrambling effect can be obtained in the third step 103 to the broadcast mode of the final scrambled broadcast is achieved, so that the transition of the broadcast mode is performed smoothly and easily. In addition, since the viewing control in each step uses the function of “automatic display message”, the broadcaster can easily shift the broadcasting mode without capital investment or the like when starting scramble broadcasting. .

Note that, in the present embodiment, an example in which a transition is made from first step S101, which is a first broadcasting mode in which a broadcasting business is operated based on a reception contract, to a broadcasting mode of scrambling broadcasting, which is the final purpose, will be described. Although the description has been given above, for example, the third broadcast form shown in the third step S103 may be used as the broadcast form as the final purpose. In the third step S103, a simple scrambling function using the function of “automatic display message” can be realized. In particular, when a highly secure scrambling function using an encryption function or the like is not required, the third step The broadcast mode using the “automatic display message” in S103 may be the broadcast mode of the scramble broadcast as the final purpose.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second step, which is the second broadcast mode, is performed in the intermediate stage of shifting from the first step S101, which is the first broadcast mode, to the broadcast mode of the scramble broadcast, which is the final target. Although an example has been described in which S102 and the third step S103 of the third broadcast mode are provided, only the second step S102 of the second broadcast mode may be provided at an intermediate stage. That is, by controlling the viewing in a stepwise manner in the second step S102 and the third step S103, it is more effective to acquire the viewing contractor, but in the intermediate stage, the partial viewing of the program is partially concealed. By providing only the second step S102 for restricting the viewing, it is possible to increase the willingness of the viewer to subscribe to the viewing contract and to promote the subscription of the viewing contract.

Further, in the present embodiment, a broadcast mode for shifting from the first step S101, which is a first broadcast mode in which a broadcast business is operated based on a reception contract, to a scrambled broadcast mode, which is the final purpose, Although described as an example of the transition method, the present broadcast mode transition method should be used to smoothly introduce a scramble broadcast using scramble in which the receiving device is controlled based on a viewing contract, such as a pay broadcast. And a program viewing control method that can perform the program. That is, when the broadcaster introduces scramble broadcasting using scramble in which the receiving device is controlled to be viewed based on the viewing contract, the viewer having the receiving device is a contract with the broadcaster to view the broadcast program. The receiving device 200 that has made a viewing contract and has not received a viewing contract is controlled to display the message with a predetermined degree of concealment from the display of the broadcast program in accordance with the message display control information based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract. In step S102, the receiving device 200 not yet viewed is controlled to view the message according to the message display control information based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract so as to display the message with a greater concealment degree than a predetermined concealment degree. At least the third step S103 is provided. Thus, for example, when introducing a scrambled broadcast using a viewing control such as a scramble such as a pay broadcast, a program viewing control method capable of smoothly introducing the scrambled broadcast while increasing the number of viewing subscribers can be realized.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may be as follows.
(1) Instead of increasing the concealed image with time, the degree of concealment of the reproduced screen may be increased by decreasing the transparency of the concealed image with time.

In other words, at first, a concealed image with high transparency enough to allow the playback screen to be seen through sufficiently is displayed over the playback screen, and the concealed image is gradually made opaque over time. Make the playback screen difficult to see through.

A more specific configuration is as follows, for example, if the first embodiment is used.

The intra-station system 100 creates and transmits concealment control information obtained by adding a transparency column to the concealment control information 151 shown in FIG. Here, in each column of the transparency column, a parameter indicating a lower transparency as the level becomes higher is described. Note that columns of the display size and the display position may be provided, but are not essential.

Then, the receiving device 200 that has received the concealment control information generates a concealed image having a transparency corresponding to the transparency parameter of each level as the cumulative reproduction time of the program elapses while no contract is made, and superimposes the concealed image on the reproduction screen. To display.

If the second embodiment is diverted, the following is performed.

The intra-office system 300 creates and transmits concealment control information in which a column of transparency in which a parameter indicating a lower transparency is described as the level value is higher is added to the concealment control information b and a in FIGS. Note that columns of the display size and the display position may be provided, but are not essential. Then, receiving apparatus 400 acquires the concealment control information of the level corresponding to the message number in accordance with the message number notified by the individual message shown in FIG. 15, and displays the concealment image with the transparency indicated by it.
(2) Instead of increasing the concealed image with time, the degree of concealment of the reproduced screen may be increased by increasing the display frequency of the concealed image with time.

For example, in the initial stage of the reproduction start, a concealed image of several seconds per time is displayed once an hour, and thereafter, after a lapse of three hours, the concealed image of several seconds per time is displayed every six hours. The concealment image of several seconds at a time is displayed 12 times an hour after the reproduction time has elapsed for 3 hours.

A more specific configuration is as follows, for example, if the first embodiment is used.

The intra-office system 100 creates and transmits concealment control information obtained by adding a display frequency column to the concealment control information 151 shown in FIG. Here, in each column of the display frequency column, a parameter indicating a higher display frequency as the level becomes higher is described. It should be noted that the columns of the display size and the display position may be present, but are not essential. The receiving apparatus 200 that has received the concealment control information displays each level as the cumulative playback time of the program elapses while the contract is not made. The concealed image is superimposed and displayed on the reproduction screen at a display frequency corresponding to the frequency parameter.

If the second embodiment is diverted, the following is performed.

The intra-office system 300 creates and transmits concealment control information in which columns of the display frequency are added to the concealment control information b and a in FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively. Here, in each column of the display frequency column, a parameter indicating a higher display frequency as the level becomes higher is described. Note that columns of the display size and the display position may be provided, but are not essential. Then, receiving apparatus 400 acquires the concealment control information of the level corresponding to the message number notified according to the message number notified by the individual message shown in FIG. 15, and displays the concealment image at the display frequency indicated by the information.
(3) Instead of increasing the concealed image with time, the degree of concealment of the reproduced screen may be increased by decreasing the display time interval of the concealed image with time.

For example, initially, the concealed image is displayed once every hour, the concealed image is displayed once every 10 minutes after a certain amount of playback time has elapsed, and the concealed image is displayed once every 5 minutes after the certain time has elapsed Is configured.

A more specific configuration is as follows, for example, if the first embodiment is used.

(6) The intra-station system 100 creates and transmits concealment control information obtained by adding a display time interval column to the concealment control information 151 shown in FIG. Here, in each column of the display time interval column, a parameter indicating a shorter display time interval as the level becomes higher is described. The display time interval refers to a period from when the first concealed image is displayed to when the next concealed image is displayed. Note that columns of the display size and the display position may be provided, but are not essential.

Then, the receiving apparatus 200 that has received the concealment control information displays the concealment image on the reproduction screen at display time intervals corresponding to the parameters of the display time interval of each level as the cumulative reproduction time of the program elapses while the contract is not made. To display.

If the second embodiment is diverted, the following is performed.

The intra-office system 300 creates concealment control information by adding columns of the display time intervals to the concealment control information b and a in FIGS. Here, in each column of the display time interval column, a parameter indicating a shorter display time interval as the level becomes higher is described. Note that columns of the display size and the display position may be provided, but are not essential. Then, receiving apparatus 400 obtains the concealment control information at the level corresponding to the message number according to the message number notified by the individual message shown in FIG. 15, and displays the concealment image at the display time interval indicated thereby.
(4) Instead of increasing the concealed image with time, the degree of concealment of the reproduced screen may be increased by deteriorating the image quality of the reproduced screen with time.

As a method of deteriorating the image quality, for example, the resolution of the playback screen is reduced with the passage of time, the amount of noise added to the pixel signal of the playback screen is increased with the passage of time, and the pixel of the playback screen with the passage of time For example, the bpp (bits per pixel: color depth) of the signal may be reduced. Alternatively, a grid pattern mosaic may be applied to the playback screen, and the mosaic may be roughened with the passage of time so that the playback screen becomes difficult to see.

The meaning of the concealment of the present invention includes, as in these methods, processing of the image signal itself of the reproduction screen to make the original reproduction screen difficult to see, instead of superimposing the concealment image on the reproduction screen. .
(5) Each embodiment of the present invention is provided with a free viewing period in which broadcasting is performed free of charge and a pay viewing period in which only a viewer who has paid a viewing fee is given a key to unscramble to perform scramble broadcasting. May be performed during the free viewing period before the transition to the paid viewing period. With such an implementation, a viewing contract can be efficiently promoted during the free viewing period.

機構 It is useful for promoting viewing contracts as a mechanism used in a broadcasting system for pay broadcasting.

1 is a configuration diagram of a transmission / reception system according to the present embodiment. (A)-(c) show the display mode of the concealment image which becomes large gradually. 4 shows a reproduction screen after hiding control is stopped. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an intra-office system 100. It is an example of management information created in the recipient management DB 120 by the recipient management unit 130. 4 shows an example of concealment control information. 5 shows an example of an individual message. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the intra-office system 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a receiving device 200. 13 shows an example of cumulative management information. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the receiving device 200. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an intra-office system 300. 4 shows an example of concealment control information b created by the program editing section 310. 4 shows an example of the concealment control information a created by the sending section 160. (A)-(c) shows an example of an individual message whose level changes with the broadcast time. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving device 400. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the intra-office system 300. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the receiving device 400. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the station system 500. 4 shows an example of management information. 4 shows an example of concealment control information. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a receiving device 600. It is a figure which shows the transition example of transition of a broadcast form.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Dedicated line 20 Transmission device 24 Concealment control part 30 Transmission antenna 40 Repeater 50, 51 Display 60, 61 Telephone 70, 71 Public line 100 Local system 110 Program editing part 120 Recipient management DB
130 Receiver management unit 140 Contractor management unit 150 CAS device 160 Sending unit 200, 201 Receiving device 210 Receiving unit 220 Concealment control information acquisition unit 230 Individual message acquisition unit 240 Concealment control unit 250 Cumulative unit 260 IC card 270 Remote control IF
280 display

Claims (31)

A transmission / reception system including a broadcasting device and a receiving device for content including video,
The broadcasting device,
Broadcasting means for broadcasting the content and control information for control for concealing a reproduction screen of the content,
The receiving device,
Receiving means for receiving the content and the control information;
Playback means for playing back the received content;
Playback time measurement means for measuring the cumulative playback time by the playback means,
Control means for performing concealment control of the reproduction screen based on the control information so that the degree of concealment of the reproduction screen of the content increases as the cumulative reproduction time increases in accordance with the measured cumulative reproduction time. A transmission / reception system characterized by the above-mentioned. The control information, corresponding to each of a plurality of levels, so that the area of the image for screen concealment increases as the level increases, including size definition information for specifying the size of the image for screen concealment,
The control means determines a level so that the level increases as the cumulative playback time becomes longer, and reproduces an image for screen concealment at a size specified by size definition information corresponding to the determined level by the playback means. The transmission / reception system according to claim 1, wherein the content to be displayed is displayed on the front so as to cover the content. The control information, corresponding to each of a plurality of levels, so that the transparency of the image for screen concealment decreases as the level increases, including transparency definition information that specifies the transparency of the image for screen concealment,
The control means determines a level so as to increase the level as the cumulative reproduction time becomes longer, and reproduces an image for concealing a screen with the transparency specified in the transparency definition information corresponding to the determined level by the reproduction means. The transmission / reception system according to claim 1, wherein the content to be displayed is displayed on the front so as to cover the content. The control information includes display frequency definition information specifying a display frequency of an image for screen concealment so as to correspond to each of a plurality of levels so that a display frequency of an image for screen concealment increases as the level increases. ,
The control means determines a level so as to increase the level as the cumulative playback time increases, and reproduces the image for screen hiding at the display frequency specified in the display frequency definition information corresponding to the determined level. 2. The transmission / reception system according to claim 1, wherein display and deletion are repeatedly performed on the front so as to cover the content reproduced by the means. The control information corresponds to each of a plurality of levels, and display interval definition information for specifying a display time interval of an image for screen concealment such that a display time interval of an image for screen concealment becomes shorter as the level becomes higher. Including
The control means determines a level so as to increase the level as the cumulative reproduction time becomes longer, and separates a display time interval specified in the display interval definition information corresponding to the determined level, and displays an image for screen hiding. The transmission / reception system according to claim 1, wherein the content reproduced by the reproduction means is intermittently displayed on the front so as to cover the content. The control information is associated with each of a plurality of levels, so that the image quality of the playback screen becomes worse as the level becomes higher, including image quality definition information that specifies the image quality of the playback screen,
The control means determines a level so that the level increases as the cumulative playback time increases, and a playback screen formed by playing back the content is specified in the image quality definition information corresponding to the determined level. The transmission / reception system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission / reception system processes the image to image quality. The broadcasting means broadcasts each of the plurality of contents together with control information for each content,
Each of the plurality of contents includes information indicating a group type to which the content belongs.
The reproduction time measurement unit measures, for each group, the total value of the times when the reproduction units reproduce the contents belonging to the same group as the accumulated reproduction time,
7. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs concealment control of a playback screen according to a cumulative playback time measured for a group to which the content being played back belongs. 8. The transmitting and receiving system as described. The control information includes identification information for specifying the user of the receiving device to be suppressed from being hidden,
The receiving device further includes:
Determining means for acquiring ID information for identifying the user of the own device, collating the received identification information with the ID information, and determining whether or not both match;
The transmission / reception system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a suppression unit that suppresses concealment control performed by the control unit when the determination unit determines that they match. The control information includes identification information for specifying a user of the receiving device to be suppressed from being concealed, and suppression period information indicating a time of suppression of concealment for the user,
The receiving device further includes a determination unit that obtains ID information that specifies a user of the own device, compares the received identification information with the ID information, and determines whether the two match.
The control means, when it is determined by the determination means that they match, according to a result value obtained by subtracting the time indicated in the inhibition period information from the measured cumulative reproduction time, the result value is set to 0 The concealment control of the reproduction screen based on the control information is performed so that the degree of concealment of the reproduction screen of the content increases as the result value increases only when the value is large. The transmission / reception system according to any one of the above items. A transmission / reception system including a broadcasting device and a receiving device for content including video,
The broadcasting device,
A broadcast time measuring means for measuring the cumulative broadcast time of the content,
Control for repeatedly generating control information for controlling the concealment of the content reproduction screen so that the degree of concealment of the content reproduction screen increases with an increase in the cumulative broadcast time according to the measured cumulative broadcast time. Information generation means;
Broadcasting means for broadcasting content and broadcasting control information each time the content is generated,
The receiving device,
Receiving means for receiving the content and the control information;
Playback means for playing back the received content;
A transmission / reception system comprising: control means for performing concealment control of a content reproduction screen based on received control information. The control information includes size definition information that specifies the size of an image for screen hiding,
The control information generating means generates control information including size definition information designated to increase the area of the image for screen hiding as the cumulative broadcast time increases,
The control means displays an image for concealing a screen at a size specified by size definition information in the received control information on the front so as to cover the content reproduced by the reproduction means. Item 11. The transmission / reception system according to Item 10. The control information includes transparency definition information that specifies the transparency of an image for screen hiding,
The control information generating means generates control information including transparency definition information that specifies that the transparency of the image for screen concealment becomes lower as the cumulative broadcast time becomes longer,
The control means displays an image for screen concealment with the transparency specified in the transparency definition information in the received control control information in the front so as to cover the content reproduced by the reproduction means. The transmission / reception system according to claim 10. The control information includes display frequency definition information that specifies the display frequency of an image for screen hiding,
The control information generating means generates control information including display frequency definition information specified to increase the display frequency of the image for screen concealment as the cumulative broadcast time increases,
The control means may display an image for concealing a screen at the display frequency specified in the display frequency definition information in the received control information on the front so as to obscure the content reproduced by the reproduction means. The transmission / reception system according to claim 10, wherein deletion is repeated. The control information includes display interval definition information specifying a display time interval of an image for screen hiding,
The control information generating means generates control information including display interval definition information specified so that the display time interval of the image for screen hiding becomes shorter as the cumulative broadcast time becomes longer,
The control unit intermittently displays an image for screen concealment at a display time interval specified in the display interval definition information in the received control information so as to cover the content reproduced by the reproduction unit. The transmission / reception system according to claim 10, wherein the transmission / reception system displays the information. The control information includes image quality definition information that specifies the image quality of a playback screen formed by playing back the content,
The control information generating means generates control information including image quality definition information designated so that the image quality of the playback screen becomes worse as the cumulative broadcast time becomes longer,
The transmission / reception system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit processes a reproduction screen formed by reproducing the content to an image quality specified by image quality definition information in the received control information. The control information includes identification information for specifying the user of the receiving device to be suppressed from being hidden,
The receiving device further includes:
Determining means for acquiring ID information for identifying the user of the own device, collating the received identification information with the ID information, and determining whether or not both match;
The transmission / reception system according to any one of claims 10 to 15, further comprising: a suppression unit that suppresses concealment control by the control unit when the determination unit determines that they match. A transmission / reception system including a broadcasting device and a receiving device for content including video,
Transmitting means for transmitting the content and control information for concealing a reproduction screen of the content from the broadcast device side to the receiving device side;
An elapsed time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time,
On the receiving device side, playback means for playing back the transmitted content;
Control means for controlling the concealment of the content reproduction screen based on the control information so that the degree of concealment of the content reproduction screen increases as the elapsed time increases in accordance with the measured elapsed time. Transmission / reception system characterized by the above-mentioned. A receiving device for receiving and reproducing content including video,
Receiving means for receiving the content to be broadcasted and control information for controlling to hide a playback screen of the content;
Playback means for playing back the received content;
Playback time measurement means for measuring the cumulative playback time by the playback means,
Control means for performing concealment control of the reproduction screen based on the control information so that the degree of concealment of the reproduction screen of the content increases as the cumulative reproduction time increases in accordance with the measured cumulative reproduction time. A receiving device characterized by the above-mentioned. Broadcasting a content including video, a screen concealment control method for concealing a playback screen when the receiving device receives and reproduces the content,
Transmitting a content and control information for concealing a reproduction screen of the content from the broadcasting device side to the receiving device side;
An elapsed time measurement step for measuring the elapsed time,
On the receiving device side, a reproducing step of reproducing the transmitted content;
According to the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring step, as the elapsed time becomes longer, the degree of concealing the playback screen of the content formed as a result of the playback in the playback step becomes larger, Controlling the concealment of the playback screen of the content based on the control method. A program for causing a receiving device for content including video to perform a screen concealment control process of playing back the received content and concealing a playback screen,
The screen hiding control process includes:
A receiving step of receiving the content to be broadcasted and control information for controlling to hide a playback screen of the content,
A reproducing step of reproducing the received content;
A reproduction time measurement step of measuring an accumulated reproduction time by the reproduction step,
According to the cumulative playback time measured in the playback time measurement step, as the cumulative playback time becomes longer, the degree of concealing the playback screen of the content formed as a result of the playback in the playback step becomes greater. A control step of controlling concealment of a reproduction screen based on control information. A viewer having a receiving device capable of receiving a broadcaster's broadcast transmitted from the transmitting device makes a receiving contract, which is a contract for receiving a broadcast with the broadcaster, and based on the receiving contract, Is operated from the first broadcasting format,
A viewer makes a viewing contract, which is a contract for viewing a broadcast program with a broadcaster, and enters a third broadcast mode in which viewing control is performed on a receiving device based on the viewing contract.
A method of transitioning a broadcast form,
The transmitting device transmits message display control information for controlling display of a message to be displayed on the receiving device based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract,
According to the message display control information, the step of the second broadcast mode for controlling the viewing of a receiving device not yet viewed so as to display the message with a predetermined degree of concealment with respect to the display of the broadcast program is performed by the first broadcast mode. Provided at an intermediate stage to transition from the broadcast mode to the third broadcast mode,
The third broadcast form is:
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the message display control information, the third broadcast mode controls viewing of a receiving device not yet viewed so as to display the message with a greater degree of concealment than the predetermined degree of concealment. Broadcast form transition method. A viewer having a receiving device capable of receiving a broadcaster's broadcast transmitted from the transmitting device makes a receiving contract, which is a contract for receiving a broadcast with the broadcaster, and based on the receiving contract, Is operated from the first broadcasting format,
A viewer makes a viewing contract, which is a contract for viewing of a broadcast program with a broadcaster, and a scrambled broadcast form in which a broadcast business is operated using a scrambled broadcast that controls viewing of a receiving device based on the viewing contract. ,
A method of transitioning a broadcast form,
The transmitting device transmits message display control information for controlling display of a message to be displayed on the receiving device based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract,
According to the message display control information, so as to display the message with a predetermined degree of concealment with respect to the display of a broadcast program, a second broadcast mode of controlling the viewing of a receiving device not yet viewed,
According to the message display control information, so as to display the message with a greater degree of concealment than the predetermined degree of concealment, the step of the third broadcast mode to control the viewing of unreceived receiving device,
A broadcast mode transition method provided at an intermediate stage for transitioning from the first broadcast mode to the scrambled broadcast mode. A viewer having a receiving device capable of receiving a broadcaster's broadcast transmitted from the transmitting device makes a receiving contract, which is a contract for receiving a broadcast with the broadcaster, and based on the receiving contract, Is operated from the first broadcasting format,
A viewer makes a viewing contract, which is a contract for viewing of a broadcast program with a broadcaster, and a scrambled broadcast form in which a broadcast business is operated using a scrambled broadcast that controls viewing of a receiving device based on the viewing contract. ,
A method of transitioning a broadcast form,
The transmitting device transmits message display control information for controlling display of a message to be displayed on the receiving device based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract,
According to the message display control information, so as to display the message with a predetermined degree of concealment with respect to the display of the broadcast program, the second broadcast form of controlling the viewing and listening unreceived receiving device,
A broadcast mode transition method provided at an intermediate stage for transitioning from the first broadcast mode to the scrambled broadcast mode. 23. The broadcast mode transition method according to claim 21, wherein in the third broadcast mode, the message is displayed with a degree of concealment that makes it difficult to view a broadcast program. 25. The broadcast mode transition according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the first broadcast mode is a broadcast mode in which viewing control of a receiving device is not performed regardless of the presence or absence of the reception contract. Method. The broadcast form other than the first broadcast form is a broadcast form in which a broadcast business is operated based on the viewing contract, which is a contract for viewing a broadcast program between a viewer and a broadcaster. 26. The broadcast mode transition method according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that: 27. The broadcast form transition method according to claim 26, wherein a viewer who has made the receiving contract in the first broadcasting form continues the receiving contract as the viewing contract in the second broadcasting form. . 28. The broadcast mode transition method according to claim 21, wherein each of the broadcast modes is a broadcast mode in a digital broadcast system. Except for the first broadcast mode, the broadcast modes other than the first broadcast mode are pay broadcasts in which a viewer desires to view a specific broadcast program and receives a broadcast service by concluding the viewing contract, which is a price contract with a broadcaster. 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the broadcast mode is a broadcast mode. 30. The broadcast mode transition method according to claim 29, wherein the display control of the message uses a function of an automatic display message of a conditional access system based on ARIB @ STD-B25 standard. A method for controlling the viewing of a program in a broadcast system using a pay broadcast in which a viewer desires to view a specific broadcast program and receives a broadcast service by making a price contract with a broadcaster,
The broadcasting system includes a transmitting device that transmits a broadcast of a broadcaster, and a plurality of receiving devices that receive the broadcast,
The transmitting device has a function of transmitting message display control information for performing display control of a message to be displayed on the receiving device based on the presence or absence of a contract,
The receiving device has a message display function of displaying the message according to the message display control information,
at least,
A viewer having the receiving device makes a viewing contract with a broadcasting company to view a broadcast program, and the transmitting device displays a broadcast program according to the message display control information based on the presence or absence of the viewing contract. To display the message at a predetermined degree of concealment, to control the viewing of unreceived receiving device,
According to the message display control information based on the presence / absence of the viewing contract, the transmitting device controls viewing / listening of a receiving device not yet viewed so as to display the message with a greater concealment degree than the predetermined concealment degree. Stages and
A program viewing control method, comprising:

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