JP2004088630A - Cm data reproducer and viewing and listening charging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the flexible decision of a charge amount by changing the quantity of CM data which are inserted according to the desire of a user. <P>SOLUTION: This CM data reproducer is equipped with a tuner 11 for receiving the contents of broadcasting, large-capacity recording media (large-capacity recording media 13 for programs for accumulating the received contents of broadcast), large-capacity recording media 12 for CM data for getting CM data to be inserted into broadcast contents from the tuner and accumulating them, and a switching means (a switch 14) for selectively switching the output of the broadcast and that of CM data. This CM data reproducer allows the user to optionally decide the quantity of inserted CM data before viewing and listening the broadcast contents, and decides the amount of charge to the broadcast contents, based on the decision. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a CM data reproducing apparatus for broadcast contents and a billing system for the broadcast contents, and more particularly to a CM data reproducing apparatus capable of flexibly reproducing CM data according to a user, and determining a billing amount for the broadcast contents according to the CM data. The present invention relates to a view charging system that can be performed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the current digital broadcasting program, a fee is charged for viewing the broadcast content, and a pay broadcast that can be viewed only by the user who has paid the fee and a charge for viewing by inserting a CM as in the conventional terrestrial broadcast. There are free broadcasts that do not occur.
In addition, video content that can be viewed on demand is distributed on a trial basis on the network, and it is expected that high-quality content will be distributed in the future by charging in the same manner as paid digital broadcasting. I have.
[0003]
As described above, CMs are inserted in some programs of the conventional terrestrial broadcasting and digital broadcasting, but the conventional method of inserting the CM data is to handle the CM data integrally with the broadcast content, Broadcasting is performed integrally with CM data. At this time, since the CM data and the broadcast content are integrated, it is difficult for the user to handle them separately.
[0004]
As a result, the charge amount for the paid broadcast content is determined by the content provider, and the user who wants to view the broadcast content can view the broadcast content only at the price determined by the content provider.
In addition, since a commercial is inserted in advance regardless of the viewer's intention, a user who wants to view free broadcast content that does not charge for viewing without inserting a CM even if a charge occurs. Even if it was desired, it could not be viewed without a CM inserted.
[0005]
Therefore, as a countermeasure against the above problem, as disclosed in JP-A-2000-165335, CM data and program data are broadcasted in a separable state, and the receiving device separates the CM data and program data. Thus, there has been proposed a CM data reproducing apparatus which selectively reproduces and inserts CM data at a predetermined position on a program reproduction screen.
[0006]
However, although the CM data reproducing apparatus is capable of separating program data and CM data, it is assumed that the CM data is broadcast in a form attached to the program data. It becomes. Further, when inserting the CM data into the program data, there is a problem that a synthesizing unit for inserting the CM data at a predetermined position on the program reproduction screen is required.
[0007]
Regarding the above problems, for example, in on-demand video content distribution using a network that is expected to spread in the future, a problem arises when it is desired to obtain program data and CM data by another means or route. In addition, when different compression formats are used for the program data and the CM data, there is a problem that the format must be converted again before the synthesis unit and then synthesized.
[0008]
As another countermeasure, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-203420, prior to broadcasting a pay-on-demand program on a video-on-demand basis, a CM is broadcast in accordance with the tolerance of each viewer. Receivers for discounting fees have been proposed. In a two-way broadcast, this receiver prepares a plurality of pay video programs on the broadcast station side, broadcasts them at any time according to the selection of a specific receiver side, and broadcasts the pay video programs selected by the receiver side. Prior to this, it is a device that broadcasts a predetermined CM according to the tolerance of each viewer.
[0009]
However, in the receiving device, it is necessary for the broadcasting station to respond to the transmission of CM data to individual users, and a problem may occur that the burden on the broadcasting station (securing channels, etc.) increases when the number of users increases. There is.
[0010]
Also, since the CM data is broadcast prior to the broadcasting of the pay program, it becomes difficult to insert a CM in the middle of the program. Furthermore, since the CM data cannot be inserted in the middle, the CM cannot be broadcast for a very long time in consideration of user's convenience, and the advertising effect cannot be expected.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when the broadcast content and the CM data are broadcast and distributed as one, it becomes difficult for the user to separate the broadcast content and the CM data, and the broadcast content exists for each user. It has been difficult to realize a user's selection request according to a viewing style such as "paid viewing without CM" or "free viewing with CM".
[0012]
Also, since the charging amount of the broadcast content is determined by the content provider and whether or not a CM is inserted is also determined by the content provider, there is no problem if a CM is inserted but a user who wants to view for free or at a low price, It is difficult to satisfy both users simultaneously with a single broadcast / distribution for a user who wants to view broadcast contents in which a CM is not inserted because charging may be allowed.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has made it possible to flexibly reproduce CM data according to a user by changing the amount of CM data inserted as desired by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a CM data reproducing apparatus and a viewing / charging system capable of flexibly determining a charging amount for broadcast content based on the amount of CM data reproduced according to a user.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The CM data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention has the following features in order to achieve the above object.
That is, the CM data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention includes a tuner for receiving broadcast content distributed from a broadcast content provider such as a broadcast station or a broadcast content producer, and a tuner for storing the received broadcast content. A large-capacity recording medium, a CM acquisition medium for acquiring CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content, and switching means for selectively switching the output of the broadcast content and the CM data. Before viewing the broadcast content, the insertion amount of the CM data is arbitrarily determined, and at the time of outputting the broadcast content, the CM data of the capacity determined by the user is inserted from the CM data recording medium in which the CM data is stored in advance, CM data is appropriately output by the switching means.
According to this configuration, the amount of CM data to be inserted can be changed as desired by the user, and the CM data can be flexibly reproduced according to the user.
[0015]
Further, in the CM data reproducing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the CM acquisition medium is a CM data recording medium for acquiring and storing CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content from the tuner.
According to this configuration, the user can easily fetch the CM data from the CM data recording medium and arbitrarily set the number of insertions of the CM, the time, the presence / absence of the CM, and the like.
[0016]
Further, in the CM data reproducing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the CM acquisition medium is a tuner for CM data provided separately from the tuner and for receiving CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content.
According to this configuration, the user can easily take in the CM data from the CM data tuner and arbitrarily set the number of insertions of the CM, the time, the presence / absence of the CM, and the like.
[0017]
Further, in the CM data reproducing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the CM acquisition medium is network interface means for obtaining CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content from a server on a network.
According to this configuration, the user can easily fetch the CM data from the server on the network and arbitrarily set the number of insertions of the CM, the time, the presence / absence of the CM, and the like.
[0018]
The viewing charging system according to the present invention has the following features in order to achieve the above object.
That is, the viewing / charging system according to the present invention includes a tuner for receiving broadcast content distributed from a broadcast content provider such as a broadcast station or a broadcast content producer, and a large-size tuner for storing the received broadcast content. A storage medium having a capacity, a CM acquisition medium for acquiring CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content, and switching means for selectively switching the output of the broadcast content and the CM data. Before viewing, the insertion amount of the CM data is arbitrarily determined, and at the time of outputting the broadcast content, the CM data of the capacity determined by the user is inserted and output from the CM data recording medium in which the CM data is stored in advance. A section for the broadcast content based on an insertion amount of CM data determined for each user. It is characterized in that to determine the amount of money.
According to this configuration, it is possible to flexibly determine the billing amount for the broadcast content based on the amount of CM data reproduced according to the user.
[0019]
Further, in the viewing / listening system of the present invention, it is preferable that the CM acquisition medium is a CM data recording medium for acquiring and storing CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content from the tuner.
According to this configuration, the user can easily take in the CM data from the CM data recording medium and arbitrarily set the number of insertions of the CM, the time, the presence / absence of the CM, and the like according to the insertion amount of the CM. Thus, the viewing charge for the broadcast content can be determined for each user.
[0020]
Further, in the viewing / listening system of the present invention, it is preferable that the CM acquisition medium is a tuner for CM data which is provided separately from the tuner and receives CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content.
According to this configuration, the user can easily take in the CM data from the CM data tuner and arbitrarily set the number of insertions of the CM, the time, the presence / absence of the CM, and the like according to the insertion amount of the CM. The viewing charge for the broadcast content can be determined for each user.
[0021]
Also, in the viewing / listening system of the present invention, it is preferable that the CM acquisition medium is network interface means for obtaining CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content from a server on a network.
According to this configuration, the user can easily fetch the CM data from the server of the network and arbitrarily set the number of insertions of the CM, the time, the presence / absence of the CM, and the like. The viewing charge for the broadcast content can be determined for each broadcast content.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a CM data reproducing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, a CM data reproducing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment receives a radio wave transmitted from a broadcasting station via an antenna and converts the signal into a signal for STB internal use. Large-capacity recording medium 13 for program data for recording / reproducing digital broadcast program data, and large-capacity CM data for recording / reproducing CM data obtained through the tuner 11 as a CM acquisition medium. A recording medium 12, a switching unit 14 for switching between the program data from the tuner 11, an output from the large-capacity recording medium for program data 13, and an output from the large-capacity recording medium 12 for CM data, and an output from the switching unit 14. A decoder 16 for decoding program data and CM data and outputting the decoded data to a display 17, On request of the data presence or absence and a controller 15 for controlling the switching unit 14 or the like.
[0024]
In the first embodiment, the viewing / charging system 100 is constructed by using the CM data reproducing apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration.
Hereinafter, a system for determining a billing amount for broadcast content and its processing procedure will be described.
[0025]
The user determines the broadcast content to be viewed, and also determines the presence / absence of a CM and the number and time of the CM in advance. At the same time, a list of viewing fees determined in advance by the broadcast content distribution side is presented. For example, 500 yen without CM, 400 yen for 1 CM (15 seconds), and 5 CMs (1 minute 15 seconds) are set free of charge.
[0026]
After the price list of the broadcast content is presented, the user may select an arbitrary price from the list and determine the number / time of CM insertions / time based on the selection.
[0027]
Broadcast content is distributed from the broadcast content distribution side (broadcasting station) without adding CM data. The tuner 11 receives the broadcast via the antenna and outputs program data. At this time, if the user selects no CM, the switching unit 14 switches the output to the tuner 11 side and outputs the program data to the decoder 16.
[0028]
On the other hand, if the user selects the presence of CM, the output of the tuner 11 is recorded on the large-capacity recording medium for program data 13, and at the same time, the switching unit 14 switches the output to the large-capacity recording medium for program data 13, (Broadcast content) to the decoder 16.
[0029]
When the switching unit 14 finds a mark in which CM can be inserted in the program data, the switching unit 14 switches the output to the CM data large-capacity recording medium 12 side, and outputs the CM data to the decoder 16.
In this manner, CM data can be inserted into broadcast content according to the number / time determined by the user in advance.
[0030]
With the above configuration, according to the CM data reproducing apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the user can easily determine the broadcast content to be viewed on the large-capacity recording medium 13 for program data, The presence / absence of a CM and the number and time of CMs can be determined and acquired in advance by the capacity recording medium 12.
[0031]
Further, according to the viewing charging system 100 of the first embodiment, the billing amount of the broadcast content can be easily determined by presenting a list of viewing fees determined in advance by the broadcast content distribution side according to the insertion amount of the CM data. Can be.
[0032]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a CM data reproducing device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 2, the CM data reproducing device 20 according to the second embodiment receives a radio wave transmitted from a broadcasting station via an antenna and converts the received radio wave into a tuner 21 for converting the signal into an STB internal signal. And a large-capacity recording medium 23 for program data for recording and reproducing digital broadcast program data, and a tuner 21 separately. And a CM data tuner 28 for converting the data into a signal for use in obtaining CM data, and for switching between the program data from the tuner 21, the output of the large-capacity recording medium for program data 23, and the output of the tuner 28 for CM data. A switching unit 24 for decoding program data and CM data output from the switching unit 24 and outputting the decoded data to the display 27; And da 26, and a control unit 25 for controlling the switching unit 24 or the like in response to a request such as CM data existence from the user.
[0034]
In the second embodiment, the viewing / charging system 200 is constructed by employing the CM data reproducing device 20 having the above-described configuration.
Hereinafter, a system for determining a billing amount for broadcast content and its processing procedure will be described.
[0035]
The user determines the program content to be viewed, and also determines the presence or absence of the CM, the number of times of the CM, and the time. At the same time, a list of viewing fees determined in advance by the broadcast content distribution side is presented. The display example is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0036]
The broadcast content distribution side (broadcasting station) broadcasts the broadcast content without adding CM data.
The tuner 21 receives the broadcast via the antenna and outputs program data. At this time, if the user selects no CM, the switching unit 24 switches the output to the tuner 21 side and outputs the program data to the decoder 26.
[0037]
On the other hand, when the user selects the presence of CM, the output of the tuner 21 is recorded on the large-capacity recording medium for program data 23, and at the same time, the switching unit 24 switches the output to the large-capacity recording medium for program data 23, (Broadcast content) to the decoder 26.
[0038]
When the switching unit 24 finds a mark into which CM can be inserted in the program data, the switching unit 24 switches the output to the CM data tuner 28 side and outputs the CM data to the decoder 26.
In this manner, CM data can be inserted into broadcast content according to the number / time determined by the user in advance.
[0039]
The content distribution side starts up a channel dedicated to CM distribution, and the CM data tuner 28 tunes to the channel dedicated to CM data distribution for the purpose of obtaining CM data.
[0040]
With the configuration described above, according to the CM data reproducing apparatus 20 of the second embodiment, the broadcast content to be viewed on the large-capacity recording medium for program data 13 can be easily determined, and the CM data tuner 28 can more easily determine the broadcast content. CM data can be obtained.
[0041]
According to the viewing / charging system 200 of the second embodiment, the CM data tuner 28 acquires a list of viewing fees predetermined by the broadcast content distribution side from the CM data distribution channel in accordance with the insertion amount of the CM data. The billing amount for the broadcast content can be easily determined.
[0042]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a CM data reproducing device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 3, the CM data reproducing device 30 according to the third embodiment receives a radio wave transmitted from a broadcast station via an antenna, and converts the received radio wave into a tuner 31 for converting the signal into an STB internal signal. A large-capacity recording medium for program data 33 for recording and reproducing digital broadcast program data, a network interface unit 39 for connecting to an external network to obtain CM data from a server on the network, and a tuner 31. And a switching unit 34 for switching between the output of the large-capacity recording medium 33 for program data recording the program data and the output of the network interface unit 39, and decoding the program data and CM data output from the switching unit 34. A decoder 36 for outputting to the display 37 And a control unit 35 for controlling the switching unit 34 or the like in response to a request such as CM data whether al.
[0044]
In the third embodiment, the viewing / charging system 300 is constructed by employing the CM data reproducing device 30 having the above-described configuration.
Hereinafter, a system for determining a billing amount for broadcast content and its processing procedure will be described.
[0045]
The user determines the program content to be viewed, and also determines the presence or absence of the CM, the number of times of the CM, and the time. At the same time, a list of viewing fees determined in advance by the broadcast content distribution side is presented. The display example is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0046]
At this time, by making the genre of the CM also selectable, each user can select a favorite CM, and the CM can be distributed more effectively.
[0047]
The broadcast content distribution side (broadcasting station) broadcasts the broadcast content without adding CM data. The tuner 31 receives the broadcast via the antenna and outputs program data. At this time, if the user selects no CM, the switching unit 34 switches the output to the tuner 31 side, and outputs the program data to the decoder 36.
[0048]
On the other hand, when the user selects the presence of CM, the output of the tuner 31 is recorded on the large-capacity recording medium 33 for program data, and at the same time, the switching unit 34 switches the output to the large-capacity recording medium 33 for program data, (Broadcast content) to the decoder 36.
[0049]
When the switching unit 34 finds a mark in which CM insertion is possible in the program data, it switches the output to the network interface unit 39 side and outputs the CM data to the decoder 36.
In this manner, CM data can be inserted into broadcast content according to the number / time determined by the user in advance.
[0050]
The network interface unit 39 can access a CM data distribution server existing on the network 40 installed in advance by the content distribution side based on a signal from the control unit 35 to obtain CM data according to a request from a user. it can.
[0051]
In addition, a list of billing amounts for broadcast contents may be changed for each user by accessing the external network 40 before viewing. For example, by accessing a predetermined web page in advance, it is possible to take measures such as discounting the billing amount.
[0052]
According to the configuration described above, according to the CM data reproducing apparatus 30 of the third embodiment, the broadcast content to be viewed on the large-capacity recording medium for program data 13 can be easily determined. CM data can be easily obtained from above.
[0053]
Further, according to the viewing / charging system 300 of the third embodiment, by accessing the external network 40, a list of viewing fees determined in advance by the broadcast content distribution side in accordance with the insertion amount of the CM data is acquired, so that it can be easily obtained. The billing amount of the broadcast content can be determined.
[0054]
In each of the embodiments described above, the program data is described as digital broadcast content, but the program data is not limited to this, and may be streaming video content that can be viewed on a network.
[0055]
Further, as a large-capacity recording medium for program data or CM data used in the present invention, a random access recording medium using an optical disk such as a hard disk or a recordable / reproducible DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) may be used. Can be.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the CM data reproducing apparatus and the viewing / charging system according to the present invention, by changing the amount of CM data inserted as desired by the user, the CM data can be flexibly reproduced according to the user. And an advantageous effect that a billing amount for broadcast content can be flexibly determined based on the amount of CM data reproduced according to the user.
[0057]
That is, according to the present invention, it is acceptable to insert a CM only once to perform broadcasting / distribution, but a user who wants to view for free or at a low price can be charged. It is possible to simultaneously satisfy both users who want to view the broadcast content that is not inserted and to flexibly change the billing amount of the broadcast content by each user.
[0058]
In detail, according to the present invention, each user can arbitrarily determine and select the billing amount of the broadcast content without making a large-scale system change on the broadcast content delivery side.
[0059]
According to the present invention, the program data and the CM data are obtained by different means and at different timings, and the insertion of the CM data into the program is performed by each receiving apparatus. This eliminates the necessity, and provides an excellent effect of minimizing the burden on the broadcasting station due to an increase in the number of users.
[0060]
Further, in the above-described conventional receiving apparatus, CM data is broadcast prior to broadcasting of a program, but this limits the time and type of CM data that can be broadcast in one broadcast. From a user's point of view, it is inconvenient if the CM data broadcast prior to the program to be viewed is long. On the other hand, according to the present invention, by inserting CM data several times in the middle of program data, it is possible to broadcast CM data for a long time as a result, and the user's convenience is impaired. It has an excellent effect of eliminating the need.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a CM data reproducing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a CM data reproducing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a CM data reproducing device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 20, 30 Data reproduction devices 11, 21, 31 Tuner 12 Large-capacity recording media for CM data 13, 23, 33 Large-capacity recording media for program data 14, 24, 34 Switching units 15, 25, 35 Control unit 16, 26, 36 Decoder 17, 27, 37 Display 28 Data tuner 39 Network interface unit 40 Network 100, 200, 300 Viewing and charging system

Claims (8)

A tuner for receiving broadcast content distributed from a broadcast content provider, a recording medium for storing the received broadcast content, a CM acquisition medium for acquiring CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content, and the broadcast content And switching means for selectively switching the output of the CM data.
Before the user views the broadcast content, the insertion amount of the CM data is arbitrarily determined, and when the broadcast content is output, the CM data of the capacity determined by the user from the CM data recording medium in which the CM data is stored in advance. A CM data reproducing apparatus characterized in that a CM data is inserted and output. The CM data reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CM acquisition medium is a CM data recording medium for acquiring and storing CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content from the tuner. The CM data reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CM acquisition medium is provided separately from the tuner, and is a tuner for CM data for receiving CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content. . 2. The CM data reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CM acquisition medium is network interface means for obtaining CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content from a server on a network. A tuner for receiving broadcast content distributed from a broadcast content provider, a recording medium for storing the received broadcast content, a CM acquisition medium for acquiring CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content, and the broadcast content And switching means for selectively switching the output of the CM data.
Before the user views the broadcast content, the insertion amount of the CM data is arbitrarily determined, and when the broadcast content is output, the CM data of the capacity determined by the user from the CM data recording medium in which the CM data is stored in advance. And a billing amount for the broadcast content is determined based on the insertion amount of the CM data determined for each user. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the CM acquisition medium is a CM data recording medium for acquiring and storing CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content from the tuner. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the CM acquisition medium is provided separately from the tuner, and is a CM data tuner for receiving CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content. 6. The viewing and accounting system according to claim 5, wherein the CM acquisition medium is network interface means for obtaining CM data to be inserted into the broadcast content from a server on a network.

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