JP2005050264A - Information providing device and information providing method, information processor and information processing method, information providing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user with information regardless of the supply source. <P>SOLUTION: A user 1 carries a PK 12 for storing PMDs. A remote commander 13 is used for the user to input operation to an information viewing device 14, and is used for the user to input operation to an information providing device 11. The information providing device 11 acquires information provided to the user and metadata regarding the provided information from various service supply sources via the Internet 21, and further receives the supply of PMDs of the user 1 from PK 12, accumulates provided information to the taste of the user 1, and generates an information list that is the list of the provided information. The information providing device 11 provides the selected provided information to an information viewing device 14, based on operation input made by the user 1 by referring to the information list. The present method can be applied to the information providing system, and each device for composing the system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing method, an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, an information providing system, and a program, and in particular, selects information that matches a user's preference or information that a user needs. The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing method, an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, an information providing system, and a program that can be presented to a user.

  In recent years, it has become possible to receive various services by presenting personal information. The personal information includes various information such as name, address, preference information, service authentication information, point information, and information received from other people.

  Conventionally, services using personal information have been provided in content viewing devices using set top boxes and the like. Personal metadata (PMD: Personal Meta Data) such as profiles required for personalization (for example, information that includes personal preference information to match the user's preference with the content being viewed) Or registered on a server connected to a wide area network such as the Internet.

  In a system in which personal metadata (hereinafter referred to as PMD) is stored for each device for viewing content, personal profile information and the like cannot be shared and used by a plurality of devices. For this reason, information specific to individual users based on personal profile information and the like can be used only by specific information providing devices, and there is a problem that convenience is not sufficient.

  Also, in a system where PMD is registered on a server connected to a wide area network, the user needs to register his / her viewing history and profile on the server. Even if there is a mechanism on the server side where PMD information may flow or personal information is not diverted, it is not managed by itself, so information by a malicious third party Concerns about whether or not it will be stolen.

  On the other hand, without registering PMD in a server connected to a wide area network, control information related to selection of provided content data, etc. can be shared and used by multiple information providing devices on the network There is a technology for providing an information storage device, a small storage device, an information providing device, and a network system that can be used (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-290693 A

  According to this, based on information managed for each user such as user profile information stored in a small storage device, a plurality of information providing devices connected to the network can be controlled. Yes. For this reason, in a plurality of information providing apparatuses, data held by an information storage apparatus connected to the network can be used. Therefore, it is always possible to provide content with a high degree of fitness depending on the preferences of individual users, without depending on the installation location of the information providing apparatus.

  Users want to get the information they need, everywhere and every time. For example, information required by the user is stored in a set top box at home, etc., and the set top box at home is accessed from a remote location to obtain information stored in the set top box. When trying to use, troublesome work such as input of a user name and password at the start of use or an operation for selecting information to be obtained has been required. However, without such work, it was impossible to enjoy a secure personalization service.

  In addition, in a device such as a set-top box that has been used conventionally, only information provided by a predetermined service can be accumulated, and information provided by other services is, for example, The user had to perform special operations to accumulate.

  In recent years, information provided to users is, for example, information addressed to individuals such as video contents distributed via a network, broadcast using terrestrial waves, satellite waves, etc., audio data broadcast on radio, e-mail, etc. Alternatively, there are a great variety of moving images and still image data captured by individuals. However, in the technology that has been used in the past, the PMD is not registered in a server connected to a wide area network, and a wide variety of information across multiple services is centrally managed based on the PMD, requiring users. Information, information frequently used by the user, or information highly important to the user is selected, and no information is presented regardless of where the user is.

  Further, in an apparatus capable of providing a plurality of information to a user such as a personal computer, for example, video, e-mail, audio, and the like are reproduced using different application programs.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and manages a wide variety of information based on PMD so that it can be provided to a user with a simple operation.

  The information providing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first communication means for communicating with at least one first other information processing apparatus for transmitting provided information provided to a user, and at least one first possessed by a predetermined user. Second communication means for communicating with two other information processing devices, first storage means for storing personal information of the user received by the second communication means, and individuals stored by the first storage means Based on the information, a first selection unit that selects predetermined provision information from a plurality of provision information, a generation unit that generates a list of predetermined provision information selected by the first selection unit, and a generation unit The predetermined provision selected by the first selection unit based on the operation input by the user referring to the list generated and transmitted to any one of the second other information processing devices by the second communication unit From information, user Second providing means for selecting desired provision information, and the provision information desired by the user selected by the second selection means is transmitted to the second other information processing apparatus by the second communication means. It is characterized by being.

  The second selection means can convert the provision information desired by the user when a predetermined conversion process is required to provide the provision information desired by the user to the user.

  A second accumulation unit that accumulates the predetermined provision information selected by the first selection unit can be further provided.

  Personal information can be stored in the first storage means even when the user is not using the information providing apparatus, and the user uses the information providing apparatus as the first selection means. Even when there is not, it is possible to select predetermined provision information from a plurality of provision information based on the personal information accumulated by the first accumulation means. Even when the providing device is not used, the predetermined providing information selected by the first selecting means can be accumulated.

  The second communication means can be made to communicate with a second other information processing apparatus existing at a remote place via a network.

  Detection means for detecting address information necessary for transmitting provision information to the second other information processing apparatus can be further provided, and provision information for the user is received by the first communication means. In this case, the second communication unit can cause the provision information to be transmitted to the second other information processing apparatus based on the address information detected by the address detection unit.

  In the second communication means, a signal indicating an operation input by the user referred to by the second selection means for selecting provision information desired by the user is transmitted to at least one of the second other information processing apparatuses. One can be transmitted.

  The generation means includes a plurality of provision information selected by the first selection means, even if the plurality of provision information selected by the first other information processing apparatus are transmitted from different first information processing apparatuses. One list in which all the provision information is described can be generated.

  The provided information can include content data, and the content data can include at least one of video data, audio data, and text data.

  The provided information may include data used for communication between the user and other users, and the data used for communication includes voice data for a telephone call, image data or video data accompanying the voice data, It may include at least one of electronic mail data and text data exchanged via a predetermined web server.

  Detection means for detecting whether or not the transmission source of the provided information is a permitted transmission source can be further provided.

  The detection means can be configured by a pad that can recognize each doll indicating a predetermined person or group, and the detection means includes a user as a transmission source of provided information on the pad. By arranging a doll indicating a predetermined person or group to be permitted, it is possible to detect that the transmission source of the provided information is a permitted transmission source.

  The first storage means may store personal information of a plurality of users, and the first selection means may include a plurality of provided information based on the personal information of the plurality of users. It is possible to select predetermined provision information.

  The first selection means can acquire information related to the provided information, and can compare the personal information stored by the first storage means with the information related to the provided information. Among the provided information, the predetermined provided information that matches the user's preference can be selected.

  The first selection means can acquire information related to the provision information by accumulating the provision information for a predetermined time and analyzing it.

  An authentication means for performing user authentication processing can be further provided.

  When the authentication unit authenticates the user as a correct user, the second communication unit causes the personal information of the user stored in the first storage unit to be transmitted to the second other information processing apparatus. Can be.

  The list transmitted to any one of the other information processing apparatuses by the second communication unit may include preview image data of provided information included in the list.

  Based on information transmitted from the second other information processing apparatus and received by the second communication means, update means for updating the user's personal information stored in the first storage means is further provided. can do.

  The information providing method of the present invention communicates with at least one first other information processing apparatus that transmits provided information provided to a user, and acquires provided information or first information related to provided information. Acquired by processing of an acquisition step, a second acquisition step of communicating with at least one second other information processing apparatus possessed by a predetermined user, and acquiring personal information of the user, and a second acquisition step An accumulation step for accumulating personal information, a first selection step for selecting predetermined provision information from a plurality of provision information based on the personal information accumulated by the processing of the accumulation step, and processing of the first selection step A generation step for generating a list of predetermined provision information selected by the first step, a first output step for outputting the list generated by the processing of the generation step, and a first output step. A third acquisition step of acquiring an operation input by the user with reference to the list transmitted to any one of the second other information processing devices by the processing of and the operation acquired by the processing of the third acquisition step And a second output step of selecting and outputting the provision information desired by the user from the predetermined provision information selected by the processing of the first selection step based on the input.

  The first program of the present invention communicates with at least one first other information processing apparatus that transmits provision information provided to the user, and controls acquisition of the provision information or the first information related to the provision information. A first acquisition control step; a second acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of personal information of the user by communicating with at least one second other information processing apparatus held by a predetermined user; and a second acquisition Based on the first accumulation control step for controlling the accumulation of personal information whose acquisition is controlled by the process of the control step and the personal information for which the accumulation is controlled by the process of the first accumulation control step, A first selection step of selecting predetermined provision information, a generation step of generating a list of predetermined provision information selected by the processing of the first selection step, and processing of the generation step A first output control step for controlling the output of the generated list and an operation by the user with reference to the list transmitted to one of the second other information processing apparatuses by the processing of the first output control step Based on the third acquisition control step for controlling the acquisition of the input and the operation input whose acquisition is controlled by the processing of the third acquisition control step, from the predetermined provision information selected by the processing of the first selection step And a second output control step of selecting the provision information desired by the user and controlling the output, and causing the computer to execute a process.

  In the information providing apparatus, the information providing method, and the first program of the present invention, communication is provided with at least one first other information processing apparatus that transmits provided information provided to the user, and provided information or provided First information related to information is acquired, communicated with at least one second other information processing apparatus held by a predetermined user, personal information of the user is acquired, and the acquired personal information is accumulated and accumulated. Based on the personal information, predetermined provision information is selected from a plurality of provision information, a list of the selected predetermined provision information is generated, the generated list is output, and an operation input by a user who refers to the list Is obtained, and based on the operation input, the provision information desired by the user is selected and output from the selected predetermined provision information.

  The first information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores personal information of a user, an information providing apparatus that processes provided information provided to the user, and at least one of the information processing apparatus and the network directly. Communication means that communicates via one side, detection means that detects information about the usage environment of the information providing apparatus, and personal information accumulated by the accumulation means based on information about the usage environment of the information provision apparatus detected by the detection means Selecting means for selecting information suitable for the usage environment of the information providing apparatus, and the communication means transmits the personal information selected by the selecting means to the information providing apparatus.

  An update means for updating the personal information stored by the storage means can be further provided, and the communication means includes information indicating the provided information selected by the user and the provided information not selected from the information providing apparatus. In response to the attribute of the provided information selected by the user, the updating means increases the value indicating the evaluation of the user, and the attribute of the provided information not selected by the user. The personal information stored by the storage means can be updated by not increasing or decreasing the value indicating the user's evaluation.

  The communication means can communicate with the information providing apparatus or another information processing apparatus using forward electrostatic field communication.

  A display means for displaying a list of provided information transmitted from the information providing apparatus can be further provided.

  The first information processing method of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring a request for transmitting personal information to an information providing apparatus that processes provided information provided to a user, and information related to a use environment of the information providing apparatus, A selection step for selecting information suitable for the use environment of the information providing apparatus from the personal information stored in the storage unit based on the information on the use environment of the information providing apparatus acquired by the processing of the step; A transmission step of transmitting the personal information selected by the processing to the information providing apparatus.

  The second program of the present invention includes an acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of a request for transmitting personal information to an information providing apparatus that processes provided information provided to a user and information related to a use environment of the information providing apparatus, A selection step for selecting information suitable for the use environment of the information providing apparatus from the personal information stored in the storage means based on the information on the use environment of the information providing apparatus whose acquisition is controlled by the processing of the acquisition control step; And a transmission control step for controlling transmission of the personal information selected by the selection step to the information providing apparatus.

  In the first information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the second program of the present invention, a request for transmitting personal information to the information providing apparatus that processes the provided information provided to the user, and use of the information providing apparatus Based on the information related to the environment in which the information providing device is used, the information suitable for the environment in which the information providing device is used is selected from the personal information stored in the storage means. Is transmitted to the information providing apparatus.

  According to a second information processing apparatus of the present invention, an operation input unit that receives a user's operation input, a first other information processing apparatus, a second other information processing apparatus that stores personal information of the user, and a provision Communication means for communicating with a third other information processing apparatus for supplying information to the first other information processing apparatus, the communication means receives personal information from the second other information processing apparatus, In addition to outputting to the third other information processing apparatus, the user's operation input input by the operation input means is transmitted to the third other information processing apparatus.

  Storage means for storing device information of the first other information processing apparatus can be further provided, and the communication means includes device information stored in the second other information processing apparatus by the storage means. Can be sent.

  Display means for displaying a list of provision information transmitted from the third other information processing apparatus and received by the communication means can be further provided.

  According to a second information processing method of the present invention, a receiving step for receiving personal information from a second other information processing apparatus that stores personal information of a user, and personal information received by the processing of the receiving step Input to the first other information processing apparatus, the first output step that outputs to the third other information processing apparatus, the operation input step that receives the user's operation input, and the operation input step And a second output step of outputting a user operation input to the third other information processing apparatus.

  A third program of the present invention includes: a reception control step for controlling reception of personal information from a second other information processing apparatus that stores personal information of a user; and an individual whose reception is controlled by processing of the reception control step A first output control step for controlling the output of the information to the third other information processing device that supplies the provided information to the first other information processing device; an operation input step for receiving a user operation input; A computer is caused to execute a process including a second output control step of controlling an output of a user operation input input by the process of the operation input step to a third other information processing apparatus.

  In the second information processing apparatus, the second information processing method, and the third program of the present invention, personal information is received from the second other information processing apparatus that stores the user's personal information, and is received. The received personal information is output to the third other information processing apparatus that supplies the provided information to the first other information processing apparatus, receives the user's operation input, and the user's operation input is the third other information. It is output to the processing device.

  A third information processing apparatus according to the present invention is transmitted from a communication unit that communicates with another information processing apparatus, an output unit that outputs information other than provided information, at least one of video and audio, and another information processing apparatus. Display control means for controlling the display of the list of provided information received by the communication means, wherein the display control means is information including advertisements other than the provided information output by the output means The display of the list of provided information is controlled.

  The third information processing method of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring a list of provided information transmitted from another information processing apparatus, and a display for controlling display of the list of provided information acquired by the processing of the acquiring step The display control step includes controlling the display of the provided information list when the information other than the provided provided information is information including an advertisement.

  The fourth program of the present invention includes an acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of a list of provided information transmitted from another information processing apparatus, and a display of the list of provided information whose acquisition is controlled by processing of the acquisition control step. A display control step for controlling the display information, and in the processing of the display control step, when the information other than the provided provision information is information including an advertisement, the display of the provision information list is controlled. Have the computer execute the process.

  In the third information processing apparatus, the third information processing method, and the fourth program of the present invention, a list of provided information transmitted from another information processing apparatus is acquired and other than the provided provided information When the information is information including an advertisement, a list of provided information is displayed.

  An information providing system according to the present invention includes an information providing device that provides information to a predetermined user, a first information processing device that manages personal information of the user, and at least one of video and audio provided provided information to the user. A first communication means for communicating with at least one third information processing apparatus, wherein the information providing apparatus transmits the provision information provided to the user, and A second communication means for communicating with the information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus, a first storage means for storing personal information of the user received by the second communication means, and a first storage means First selection means for selecting predetermined provision information from a plurality of provision information based on the stored personal information, and generation means for generating a list of predetermined provision information selected by the first selection means; By the generation means Second selection means for selecting provision information desired by the user from predetermined provision information selected by the first selection means on the basis of an operation input by the user referring to the generated list; The provision information desired by the user selected by the selection means is transmitted to the second information processing apparatus by the second communication means, and the first information processing apparatus stores the second personal information of the user. Storage means; and third communication means for communicating with the information providing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus. The third communication means stores the personal information stored by the second storage means in the information providing apparatus. The fourth information is transmitted from the information providing device, and the second information processing device communicates with the information providing device and the first information processing device, and the provision information transmitted from the information providing device and received by the fourth communication device. Of lists or information Characterized in that it comprises a display control means for controlling the shown.

  A fourth information processing device that controls the information providing device and the second information processing device can be further provided. The fourth information processing device includes an operation input unit that receives a user operation input; An information providing apparatus, a first information processing apparatus, and a fifth communication unit that communicates with the second information processing apparatus can be provided. The fifth communication unit includes the first information Personal information can be received from the processing device and output to the information providing device, and the user's operation input input by the operation input means can be transmitted to the information providing device.

  A list of provided information or an information storage device that stores at least a part of the provided information can be further provided, and the information storage device includes a second information processing that is remote from the information providing device. In the apparatus, the list of provided information or the provided information is provided to any other information processing apparatus so that at least one part of the provided information or at least part of the provided information is output as video and audio. It is possible to cause at least a part of the data to be transmitted.

  The information storage device may be provided with information on a start portion of the provided information. The information providing device may include a start information portion of the provided information transmitted from the information storage device in the second information processing device. Before the output of at least one of the video and the audio is finished, the complete information can be transmitted to the second information processing apparatus.

  In the information providing system of the present invention, an information providing apparatus that provides information to a predetermined user, a first information processing apparatus that manages personal information of the user, and provided information provided to the user are at least video and audio. On the other hand, the first information processing device is configured to communicate with at least one third information processing device configured to transmit information provided to the user by the information providing device. And the personal information of the user is accumulated, and based on the accumulated personal information, predetermined provision information is selected from a plurality of provision information, and the selected predetermined provision information A list is generated, and based on the operation input by the user referring to the generated list, the provision information desired by the user is selected from the selected predetermined provision information, and the selected user desires The provided information is transmitted to the second information processing apparatus, the personal information of the user is accumulated in the first information processing apparatus, communicated with the information providing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus, and the accumulated personal information is The information providing device transmits the information providing device and the first information processing device, and the second information processing device communicates with the information providing device and the first information processing device to display a list of provided information or the provided information transmitted from the information providing device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide information. In particular, it is possible to select and provide information to be provided using personal information of the user.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, personal information can be stored, and in particular, the stored personal information can be transmitted to another device and used for providing information.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to control the first other information processing apparatus. In particular, information other than the control information for the first other information processing apparatus is used as the second other information processing apparatus. Can be transmitted to the first other information processing apparatus.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, information other than provided information and information provided to a user can be output by at least one of video and audio, particularly when information other than provided information is output. A list of provided information can be displayed when the information includes an advertisement.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide information, and in particular, by using the user's personal information, information that matches the user's preference or is important to the user regardless of where the user is located. Can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The correspondence relationship between the invention described in this specification and the embodiments of the invention is exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the invention described in this specification are described in this specification. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment that is described in the embodiment of the invention but is not described here as corresponding to the invention, the fact that the embodiment is not It does not mean that it does not correspond to the invention. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to an invention, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to an invention other than the invention. Absent.

  Further, this description does not mean all the inventions described in this specification. In other words, this description is for the invention described in the present specification, which is not claimed in this application, that is, for the invention that will be applied for in the future or that will appear and be added by amendment. It does not deny existence.

  The information providing apparatus according to claim 1 (for example, the information providing apparatus 11 in FIG. 1) transmits provided information provided to the user (for example, information to be provided to the user, such as content and electronic mail), at least First communication means (for example, the first other information processing apparatus (for example, the content server 31, the personal computers 32 and 33, the portable telephone 34, the telephone 35, or the broadcasting station 36 in FIG. 1)) 2 and the information output unit 52) and at least one second other information processing device (for example, PK12, remote commander 13 and information providing device 14 in FIG. 1) possessed by a predetermined user. ) To communicate with the second communication means (for example, the information output unit 57 and the information acquisition unit 58 in FIG. 2) and the first to store the personal information of the user received by the second communication means Storage means (for example, the PMD storage unit 54 in FIG. 2) and first selection means for selecting predetermined provision information from a plurality of provision information based on the personal information accumulated by the first accumulation means ( For example, the information filtering / caching unit 53) in FIG. 2, a generation unit (for example, the information list generation unit 56 in FIG. 2) that generates a list of predetermined provision information selected by the first selection unit, and a generation unit The predetermined selection selected by the first selection means based on the operation input by the user referring to the list generated by the second communication means and transmitted to any of the second other information processing apparatuses by the second communication means Second providing means (for example, the decoding unit 60 in FIG. 2) for selecting the desired provision information from the provision information, and the provision information desired by the user selected by the second selection means is the first 2 communication means More, characterized in that it is transmitted to the second other information processing device.

  In the information providing apparatus according to claim 2, when the second selection unit needs a predetermined conversion process (for example, decoding) in order to provide the user with the provision information desired by the user, It is characterized by converting desired provision information.

  The information providing apparatus according to claim 3 further includes a second accumulation unit (for example, the data and metadata storage unit 55 in FIG. 2) that accumulates the predetermined provision information selected by the first selection unit. It is characterized by.

  The information providing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second communication means communicates with a second other information processing apparatus existing at a remote place via a network (for example, the Internet 21 in FIG. 56). Features.

  The information providing apparatus according to claim 6 further includes detecting means (for example, an address detecting unit 521 in FIG. 66) for detecting address information necessary for transmitting the provided information to the second other information processing apparatus. When the provision information for the user is received by the first communication means, the second communication means sends the provision information to the second other information processing apparatus based on the address information detected by the address detection means. It is characterized by transmitting.

  The information providing apparatus according to claim 11 further includes detection means (for example, a data transmission source selection unit 531 in FIG. 66) for detecting whether or not the transmission source of the provision information is a permitted transmission source. To do.

  The information providing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the detection means is a doll indicating a predetermined person or group (for example, A child doll 541-1, B male doll 541-2, C husband doll 451-3 in FIG. 67). Can be recognized respectively (for example, communication pad 531 in FIG. 67), and a user places a doll indicating a predetermined person or group permitted as a transmission source of provided information on the pad. Thus, it is detected that the transmission source of the provided information is a permitted transmission source.

  The first storage unit of the information providing apparatus according to claim 13 stores personal information of a plurality of users (for example, father and child), and the first selection unit is based on the personal information of the plurality of users. In addition, the predetermined provision information is selected from a plurality of provision information (for example, even if the father likes it, the child does not select the content of the category that cannot be viewed, or the preference of both the father and the child is selected. The matching content is selected).

  In the information providing apparatus according to claim 14, the first selecting unit obtains information (for example, metadata) related to the provided information, and the personal information accumulated by the first accumulating unit and the information related to the provided information are obtained. In comparison, predetermined provision information that matches the user's preference is selected from among the plurality of provision information.

  The information providing apparatus according to claim 16 further includes an authentication unit (for example, an authentication processing unit 292 in FIG. 19) that performs a user authentication process.

  The information providing apparatus according to claim 19 is based on information transmitted from the second other information processing apparatus and received by the second communication means, and the personal information of the user stored in the first storage means Update means (for example, the PMD update unit 62 in FIG. 2).

  The information providing method according to claim 20, wherein at least one first other information processing apparatus (for example, information to be provided to the user, such as content and e-mail) provided to the user is provided. For example, the content server 31, the personal computers 32 and 33, the portable telephone 34, the telephone 35, or the broadcasting station 36) in FIG. 1 communicates with the provided information or the first information related to the provided information. Step (for example, the process of step S42 in FIG. 13) and communication with at least one second other information processing apparatus (for example, PK 12, remote commander 13, information providing apparatus 14 in FIG. 1) possessed by a predetermined user The second acquisition step (for example, the process of step S44 in FIG. 13) for acquiring the user's personal information and the process of the second acquisition step Based on the storage step for storing the acquired personal information (for example, the process of step S45 of FIG. 13 or step S56 of FIG. 14) and the personal information stored by the process of the storage step, a plurality of provided information A first selection step (for example, the process of step S45 in FIG. 13) for selecting the provision information, and a generation step for generating a list of predetermined provision information selected by the process of the first selection step (for example, FIG. 13 in step S46), a first output step for outputting the list generated by the process in the generation step (for example, step S47 in FIG. 13), and a process in the first output step. A third acquisition step (for example, FIG. 1) for acquiring an operation input by a user referring to a list transmitted to any one of other information processing apparatuses. Step S48) and the operation information acquired by the process of the third acquisition step, the provision information desired by the user is selected from the predetermined provision information selected by the process of the first selection step. And a second output step (for example, the processing in step S49 and step S50 in FIG. 13).

  In the program according to claim 21, the embodiment (however, an example) to which each step corresponds is the same as the information processing method according to claim 20.

  An information processing apparatus according to claim 22 (for example, PK301 in FIG. 36) processes storage means (for example, PMD storage unit 93 in FIG. 37) for storing user personal information and provided information provided to the user. Communication means (for example, the information acquisition unit 91 of FIG. 37, information) that communicates with the information providing apparatus (for example, the information providing apparatus 11 of FIG. 36) directly or via at least one of the information processing apparatus and the network. An output unit 99), detection means (for example, environment information acquisition unit 311 in FIG. 37) for detecting information related to the usage environment of the information providing apparatus (for example, the type of information viewing apparatus 302 to be used), and the detection means A selection unit (for example, selecting information suitable for the usage environment of the information providing apparatus from the personal information accumulated by the accumulation unit based on the detected information on the usage environment of the information providing apparatus. If, and a PMD acquisition portion 96) of FIG. 37, the communication means, and transmits the personal information selected by the selection means, the information providing apparatus.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 23 further includes update means (for example, PMD update unit 92 in FIG. 37) for updating the personal information stored by the storage means, and the communication means is provided by the user from the information providing apparatus. The information indicating the selected offer information and the offer information not selected is received, and the updating means increases the value indicating the user's evaluation for the attribute of the offer information selected by the user, and the user does not select The personal information stored in the storage means is updated by not increasing or decreasing the value indicating the user's evaluation for the attribute of the provided information.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 25 further includes display means (for example, a display unit 95 in FIG. 37) for displaying a list of provided information transmitted from the information providing apparatus.

  An information processing method according to a twenty-sixth aspect is directed to a request for transmitting personal information to an information providing apparatus (for example, the information providing apparatus 11 in FIG. 36) for processing provided information provided to a user, and a use environment of the information providing apparatus. Information (for example, the type of the information viewing apparatus 302 to be used, etc.) for acquiring information (for example, the process of step S281 in FIG. 40), and the usage environment of the information providing apparatus acquired by the processing of the acquisition step A selection step (for example, step S282 in FIG. 40) that selects information suitable for the use environment of the information providing apparatus among the personal information stored in the storage means (for example, the PMD storage unit 93 in FIG. 37) based on the information. And a transmission step for transmitting the personal information selected in the selection step to the information providing apparatus (for example, the processing in step S283 in FIG. 40). Characterized in that it comprises a.

  Also, in the program according to claim 27, the embodiment (however an example) to which each step corresponds is the same as the information processing method according to claim 26.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 28 (for example, the remote commander 13 of FIG. 24) includes an operation input unit (for example, the operation input unit 104 of FIG. 7) that receives a user operation input, and a first other information processing. Device (for example, information viewing device 14 in FIG. 1), a second other information processing device (for example, PK12 in FIG. 24) that stores personal information of the user, and provided information in the first other information processing device Communication means (for example, the information acquisition unit 101 and the information output unit 106 in FIG. 7) that communicate with a third other information processing apparatus (for example, the information providing apparatus 11 in FIG. 24) supplied to the communication means, The personal information is received from the second other information processing apparatus and output to the third other information processing apparatus, and the user's operation input input by the operation input means is used as the third other information processing apparatus. It transmits to an apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 29 further includes a storage unit (for example, the apparatus information storage unit 361 in FIG. 44) that stores the apparatus information of the first other information processing apparatus, and the communication unit includes the second information processing apparatus. The apparatus information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to another information processing apparatus.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 30 includes display means (for example, the display unit 103 in FIG. 7) that displays a list of provided information transmitted from the third other information processing apparatus and received by the communication means. It is further provided with the feature.

  The information processing method according to claim 31 is a reception step of receiving personal information from a second other information processing apparatus (for example, PK12 of FIG. 24) storing personal information of the user (for example, step S145 of FIG. 25). And the third other information processing apparatus that supplies the personal information received by the process of the receiving step to the first other information processing apparatus (for example, the information viewing apparatus 14 in FIG. 1). For example, the first output step (for example, the process of step S146 of FIG. 25) to be output to the information providing apparatus 11 of FIG. 24 and the operation input step of receiving the user's operation input (for example, of step S149 of FIG. 25) Process) and a second output step (for example, step S15 in FIG. 25) for outputting the user's operation input input by the operation input step process to the third other information processing apparatus Characterized in that it comprises a processing) and.

  Also in the program according to claim 32, the embodiment (however, an example) to which each step corresponds is the same as the information processing method according to claim 31.

  The information processing device according to claim 33 (for example, the information viewing device 14 in FIG. 1) includes communication means (for example, the information acquisition unit 151 and the information output unit 157 in FIG. 9) that communicate with other information processing devices. Output means (for example, CRT 130 and speaker 132 in FIG. 8) that outputs information other than provided information (for example, television broadcast) at least one of video and audio, and transmitted from another information processing apparatus and received by communication means Display control means (for example, the display control unit 154 in FIG. 9) for controlling the display of the list of provided information, and the display control means receives information other than the provided information output by the output means. The display of the list of provided information is controlled.

  The information processing method according to claim 34 is acquired by an acquisition step (for example, the process of step S72 in FIG. 15) for acquiring a list of provided information transmitted from another information processing apparatus, and an acquisition step process. And a display control step (for example, the process of step S73 in FIG. 15) for controlling the display of the list of provided information. In the process of the display control step, information other than the provided provided information (for example, television broadcast) ) Is information including an advertisement, the display of the list of provided information is controlled.

  Also, in the program according to claim 35, the embodiment (however, an example) to which each step corresponds is the same as the information processing method according to claim 54.

  An information providing system according to a thirty-sixth aspect includes an information providing apparatus (for example, the information providing apparatus 11 in FIG. 1) that provides information to a predetermined user, and a first information processing apparatus (for example, the user's personal information). 1, and a second information processing apparatus (for example, the information viewing apparatus 14 in FIG. 1) that outputs provided information provided to the user in at least one of video and audio. , At least one third information processing apparatus (for example, the content server 31 and the personal computer 32 in FIG. 1) that transmits the provision information provided to the user (for example, information to be provided to the user, such as content and e-mail). , 33, portable telephone 34, telephone 35, or broadcast station 36) and first communication means (for example, information acquisition unit 51 and information output unit 52 in FIG. 2) 2nd communication means (for example, information output part 57, information acquisition part 58 of Drawing 2) which communicates with the 1st information processor and the 2nd information processor, and user's received by the 2nd communication means Based on the first storage means for storing personal information (for example, the PMD storage unit 54 in FIG. 2) and the personal information stored by the first storage means, predetermined provision information is selected from a plurality of provision information. First selection means (for example, the information filtering / caching unit 53 in FIG. 2) and generation means for generating a list of predetermined provision information selected by the first selection means (for example, information list generation in FIG. 2) Unit 56) and a second selection for selecting provision information desired by the user from predetermined provision information selected by the first selection means on the basis of an operation input by the user referring to the list generated by the generation means. Selection means ( For example, the provision information desired by the user selected by the second selection unit is transmitted to the second information processing apparatus by the second communication unit, and the first information processing apparatus includes the decryption unit 60) of FIG. The information processing apparatus includes a second storage unit (for example, the PMD storage unit 93 in FIG. 6) that stores the personal information of the user, and a third communication unit (for example, a communication unit that communicates with the information providing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus) 6, the information acquisition unit 91 and the information output unit 99) in FIG. 6, and the third communication unit transmits the personal information accumulated by the second accumulation unit to the information providing apparatus, and performs the second information processing. The apparatus transmits the fourth communication means (for example, the information acquisition unit 151 and the information output unit 157 in FIG. 9) that communicates with the information providing apparatus and the first information processing apparatus, and the fourth communication. A list of offers or offers received by the means Display control means (for example, the display control unit 154 of FIG. 9) for controlling the display of, characterized in that it comprises a.

  The information providing system according to claim 37, further comprising a fourth information processing device (for example, the remote commander 13 in FIG. 1) for controlling the information providing device and the second information processing device, and the fourth information processing device. Is an operation input means (for example, the operation input unit 104 in FIG. 7) that receives the user's operation input, and a fifth communication that communicates with the information providing device, the first information processing device, and the second information processing device. Means (for example, the information acquisition unit 101 and the information output unit 106 in FIG. 7), and the fifth communication unit receives personal information from the first information processing apparatus and outputs the personal information to the information providing apparatus. The operation input of the user input by the operation input means is transmitted to the information providing apparatus.

  The information providing system according to claim 38 further includes an information storage device (for example, mobile content storage device 401 in FIG. 54) that stores a list of provided information or at least a part of the provided information. In the second information processing apparatus that is remote from the information providing apparatus, either the list of provided information or at least part of the provided information is output by at least one of video and audio. A list of provision information or at least a part of the provision information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a first embodiment of an information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  The user 1 carries a portable personal related information control device (PK: Personal Key, hereinafter referred to as PK) 12 that stores personal related information, that is, PMD. Here, the personal related information is not only information for identifying the user such as name and address, but also various information related to the user including preference information, authentication information, information received from other people, etc. Means a collection of information.

  The PK 12 is connected to other information devices (for example, the information providing device 11, the remote commander 13, and the information by wireless communication such as RF (Radio Frequency) communication, quasi-electrostatic field communication, optical communication, or wired communication using a predetermined cable. Communication device 14-1 to information viewing device 14-8). In addition, the PK 12 generates PMD (Personal Meta Data), which is personal related information of the user 1, and updates and generates the PMD based on information acquired from other information devices and user 1 operation input. Alternatively, the updated PMD can be stored or transmitted to another information device.

  The RF communication is, for example, communication such as a wireless LAN represented by IEEE802.11b. By this communication, communication can be performed wirelessly within a range of about several tens of meters around a predetermined access point (hub). The quasi-electrostatic field communication is a communication method in which a closed electrostatic information space having a physical property (evanescent property) that is established only in a closed region without remote propagation is formed in the vicinity of the human body. By the quasi-electrostatic field communication, the human body becomes a weak static antenna, and wireless communication is possible in a limited space of about several centimeters or a few meters around the human body. Thereby, for example, when the user carrying the PK 12 touches the information providing apparatus 11 or the information viewing apparatus 14-1, the PK 12 and the apparatus touched by the user can be communicated.

  Further, by providing a display unit composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display element on the PK 12, an information list that is a list of provided information provided from the information providing apparatus 11 and provided to the user is displayed. Can be presented to the user.

  The remote commander 13 can transmit a signal to another device by wireless communication such as RF communication and optical communication, for example, and corresponds to one of the information viewing devices 14-1 to 14-8. It is used for a user to input an operation on an object, and also used for a user to input an operation to the information providing apparatus 11. In addition, by providing the remote commander 13 with a display unit composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display element, an information list that is a list of provision information provided to the user transmitted from the information provision apparatus 11 is displayed. It can be displayed and presented to the user.

  The information providing apparatus 11 receives content and metadata corresponding to the content from the content server 31-1 and the content server 31-2 via the Internet 21, and receives content from the broadcasting station 36 via the transmission path 23. The metadata corresponding to the content is supplied, and further, the PMD which is the personal related information of the user 1 is supplied from the PK 12. The information providing apparatus 11 filters the metadata of these contents using the PMD that is the personal related information of the user 1 supplied from the PK 12, and based on the result, the preference of the user 1 among these contents Information that is a list of provided information provided to the user, selected as a result of filtering, is generated and corresponds to one of the information viewing apparatuses 14-1 to 14-8. Supply to the device. When the PK 12 or the remote commander 13 has a display function, the information list may be supplied to the PK 12 or the remote commander 13 for display.

  In addition, by attaching thumbnail image data or preview image data indicating the contents of the provided information to the information list, the user can easily select desired provided information by referring to the information list. be able to.

  The content is, for example, a program broadcast from a television or radio broadcasting station 36 via a transmission path 33 such as a terrestrial wave, a satellite wave, or a predetermined cable, or the content server 31 via the Internet 21. -1 or content data 31-2, video data, audio data, text data, and the like.

  Metadata is information indicating content attributes, for example, information on the content category, keywords, content provider (for example, broadcasting station), performers, and the like.

  The transmission path 23 for transmitting content data or metadata output from the broadcasting station 36 includes, for example, a cable such as a terrestrial wave, a satellite wave, and an optical fiber, a network such as the Internet, or various line networks. There are various forms.

  The content data and metadata may be supplied simultaneously or individually, and their supply paths may be different. For example, the metadata of the program content supplied from the broadcast station 36 may be supplied from the content server 31-1 via the Internet 21.

  Further, the information providing apparatus 11 is supplied from the personal computer 32 possessed by the user 2 or the personal computer 33 possessed by the user 3 via the Internet 21, for example, e-mail, image data, video data, or audio data. In addition, for example, e-mail, image data, video data, or the like supplied from the mobile phone 34 of the user 4 via the public network 22 and the Internet 21 can be received. Various kinds of information such as voice data can be received, and voice data supplied from the telephone 35 of the user 5 can be received via the public line network 22 and the Internet 21. In addition to the content data and metadata, the information providing apparatus 11 includes e-mail, image data, video data, or audio data supplied from the personal computer 32, personal computer 33, portable telephone 34, or telephone 35. Are stored in the information list which is a list of provided information provided to the user. Further described, the information is supplied to any one of the information viewing apparatuses 14-1 to 14-8.

  The information providing device 11 is supplied to any one of the information viewing devices 14-1 to 14-8, or to the PK 12 or the remote commander 13, and the user 1 referring to the displayed information list uses the remote commander 13. On the basis of the operation input performed in this way, any one of the various information such as contents selected by the user 1 or e-mail is supplied to any one of the information viewing apparatuses 14-1 to 14-8. .

  Hereinafter, based on the user's PMD, the information providing apparatus 11 performs filtering to select information to be provided to the user, presents the information list to the user, and based on the user's operation input referring to the information list, A series of processes for providing information selected by the user to the user is referred to as a PMD search process.

  Various information devices can be used for the information viewing apparatuses 14-1 to 14-8 that receive the information list generated by the information providing apparatus 11 and the contents accumulated by the information providing apparatus 11 or various information. For example, a television receiver is used as the information viewing device 14-1, an optical disc playback device is used as the information viewing device 14-2, a telephone is used as the information viewing device 14-3, and the information viewing device 14 is used. -4 using a mobile phone, using an information viewing apparatus 14-5 as a video deck, using an information viewing apparatus 14-6 as a personal computer, and as an information viewing apparatus 14-7 as a PDA (Personal Digital (Data) Assistants) can be used and a radio broadcast receiver can be used as the information viewing apparatus 14-8.

  The information viewing devices 14-1 to 14-8 are connected to the information providing device 11 by wire or wirelessly, and input information lists generated by the information providing device 11 and contents or various information accumulated by the information providing device 11. Is received and presented to the user (display processing or audio output processing is executed).

  Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the information viewing devices 14-1 to 14-n, they are simply referred to as the information viewing device 14, and only one information viewing device 14 is illustrated unless particularly required.

  In addition, the user 1 who has PK12 receives information provision using the information provision apparatus 11, for example, information provision, shopping by executing a predetermined program based on PMD memorize | stored in PK12. It is also possible to receive services such as payment, and it is possible to update the PMD based on the history information when other services are received. That is, the PMD stored in the PK 12 can be used in any service, and is updated based on the usage history of any service, and is updated only in the usage history by the processing to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to that.

  In addition, for example, a content server that provides web pages and music information, a credit card processing server that performs payment using a credit card, or a communication server that controls communication performed for the user 1 is connected to the Internet 21. Needless to say, the content server 31-1 or the content server 31-2 may include the functions of these servers.

  For example, when the content server 31-1 has a web server function, the user 2 accesses the content server 31-1, which is a web server, using the personal computer 32, for example, chat or instant The text data can be transmitted to the content server 31-1 by receiving a service such as a messenger. Then, the information providing apparatus 11 can acquire the text transmitted by the user 2 using a service such as chat or instant messenger from the content server 31-1 via the Internet 21 using the personal computer 32. Is possible.

  That is, the provided information that can be acquired by the information providing apparatus 11 includes content data composed of video data, audio data, text data, etc., metadata for the content data, and information used for communication between users. Specifically, the information used for communication between users includes, for example, voice data for telephone calls, image data or video data accompanying the voice data, e-mail data, and a predetermined web server. There are text data to be exchanged.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information providing apparatus 11 of FIG.

  The information acquisition unit 51 acquires data provided to the user. The information acquisition unit 51 includes, for example, an antenna, an infrared reception unit, a connection terminal of a predetermined cable, or a network interface, and is broadcast from the broadcasting station 36. Content data or metadata, content data or metadata supplied via the Internet 21, electronic mail or other various information supplied via the Internet 21 are acquired and supplied to the information filtering / caching unit 53.

  The information output unit 52 includes, for example, an antenna, an infrared transmission unit, a connection terminal of a predetermined cable, or a network interface, and transmits information to the broadcast station 36 via a transmission path 33 capable of bidirectional communication. In addition, various information such as e-mail, image data, video data, or audio data can be transmitted to the personal computer 32 owned by the user 2 or the personal computer 33 owned by the user 3 via the Internet 21. Various information such as e-mail, image data, video data, or audio data can be transmitted to the mobile phone 34 of the user 4 via the Internet 21 and the public line network 22. Voice data can be transmitted to the telephone 35 of the user 5.

  The information filtering / caching unit 53 reads the user's PMD from the PMD storage unit 54, filters the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 51 using the PMD, and uses the information to match the user's preference or the user. Information, important information for the user, etc., and corresponding information is supplied to and stored in the data and metadata storage unit 55, or the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 51 is filtered as necessary. Instead, it is supplied to and stored in the data and metadata storage unit 55. The information filtering / caching unit 53 can read out and use information necessary for filtering, such as metadata, among the information stored in the data and metadata storage unit 55.

  Specifically, the information filtering / caching unit 53 compares the content metadata and the user profile included in the PMD, selects content that matches the user's preference, and includes information for each information source included in the PMD. Based on the importance data of the e-mail, an important one of the supplied e-mails is selected.

  The information filtering / caching unit 53 replaces the metadata by accumulating the provided information for a predetermined time and extracting and analyzing the information corresponding to the metadata from the information included in the provided information. Information can be generated. For example, it is possible to filter the information by extracting the closed caption information included in the content data and the names of performers and directors included in the text data of the title roll and comparing them with the user's PMD. . Further, when the PMDs of a plurality of users who use the information providing apparatus 11 are stored in the PMD storage unit 54, the information filtering / caching unit 53 executes a filtering process using the PMDs of the plurality of users. For example, when PMDs for two persons, father and child, are stored in the PMD storage unit 54, the information filtering / caching unit 53 can select content that both the father and child prefer. Furthermore, when the information of the category that the child cannot view is stored in the PMD storage unit 54, it is possible to select the content that both the father and the child prefer in the content other than the content of the category for which viewing is prohibited. It is.

  The PMD storage unit 54 stores the PMD, which is individual related information of one or more users, transmitted from the PK 12. Personal information includes not only information for identifying the user, such as name and address, but also various information related to the user, including preference information, authentication information, information received from other people, etc. Means a set.

  For example, there is a user profile as preference information indicating what kind of program a user likes or dislikes among a television broadcast program and a content distribution program.

  A configuration example of the user profile 71 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The user profile 71 includes a user name, an attribute, and a value. The attribute of the user profile 71 is an item of information for detecting the user's preference, and includes “category”, “performer”, “keyword”, and “broadcast station”. In the value corresponding to the attribute of the content, an item further classifying each attribute is provided. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, values such as “drama”, “sports”, “music”, “variety” are provided for the “category” attribute, and “A” for the “performer” attribute. Values such as “Man”, “C Child”, “D Child”, “Y Taro” are provided, and “Keyword” attributes such as “Movie”, “Tokugawa”, “Super Cheap”, “Tokyo”, etc. Value is provided, and "Broadcasting station A" "Broadcasting station B" "Broadcasting station C" "Broadcasting station H" error for the attribute of "Broadcasting station"! Link is not correct. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a score, which is a value indicating the user's preference, is added to each value. The value score has a high value value included in the content metadata corresponding to the provision information selected by the user, and the value value included in the content metadata corresponding to the provision information not selected by the user Is set to be low.

  For example, the value score included in the content metadata corresponding to the provision information selected by the user is incremented by 1, and the value score included in the content metadata corresponding to the provision information not selected by the user is When set not to be increased, a user having the user profile shown in FIG. 4 selects content whose category is sport three times, selects content whose category is drama five times, and category is talk. Select a content 8 times, select a content whose category is news twice, select a content whose category is variety 10 times, select a content whose category is music 8 times, and content whose category is animation I haven't chosen any, so I like talk and variety, news and It can be seen that do not like the twin-lens.

  The score calculation method may be any method other than those described above. For example, the score of the value included in the content metadata corresponding to the provided information that is not selected by the user is decreased. Or weighting for each value, or weighting for each attribute.

  The data and metadata storage unit 55 stores, in the user-provided information storage area, information that matches the user's preference filtered by the information filtering / caching unit 53, information that is useful to the user, and information that is important to the user. The content metadata used for filtering and the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 51 without filtering are stored in the accumulated data storage area.

  The content metadata stored in the data and metadata storage unit 55 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The content metadata 72 includes a content name, an attribute, and a value.

  The attributes of the content metadata 72 are basically composed of the same items as the user profile for filtering. In FIG. 5, the attribute of the content A includes “category”, “performer”, “keyword”, and “broadcast station”. The value corresponding to each attribute represents the characteristics of the content A. The value for the “category” attribute is “drama”, and the value for the “performer” attribute is “male A”. The value is "Broadcast Station", "Y Taro", and "Keyword" attributes are "Edo", "Tokugawa", "Evil Agent" and "Broadcasting Station". “C” is provided. Note that by setting the same number of attributes and values for all programs of each broadcasting station, user profiling can be performed fairly for all programs.

  The information list generating unit 56 generates an information list that is a list of provided information provided to the user based on the provided information stored in the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55, and the information output unit 57. The information list generation unit 56 lists the information provided to the user in the same information list regardless of the source of the information supplied from the information supply source. It becomes possible to use information desired by itself without being aware of the original or the type of service for supplying information. That is, the user matches one of the user's preference information or important information for the user with one of the e-mail transmitted from another user, the program broadcast on television, and the music data distributed on the Internet. Therefore, the user can select and receive desired information from the information list without using different devices or different applications for each service.

  The information output unit 57 outputs various information such as an information list and decrypted provided information to the information viewing device 14, the remote commander 13, the PK 12, and the like.

  The information acquisition unit 58 acquires a user operation input transmitted from the remote commander 13 and a user PMD transmitted from the PK 12.

  The information selection unit 59 determines the type of information supplied from the information acquisition unit 58 and outputs it to the corresponding block. For example, when a signal for instructing the start of processing is received, the signal is supplied to the information filtering / caching unit 53 to indicate desired content or information selected by the user by referring to the information list. When the received signal is supplied, the decoding unit 60 is supplied with a signal indicating the selected content or information, and when the operation log information is supplied, the operation log information is sent to the log collecting unit 61. Supply.

  Based on the information supplied from the information selection unit 59, the decoding unit 60 reads the information selected by the user from the data and metadata storage unit 55, decodes it as necessary, and supplies it to the information output unit 57. Then, the information viewing device 14 outputs the information. Note that the decoding unit 60 executes decoding processing corresponding to various encoding methods used in the provided information provided to the user, such as JPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264, ATRAC, and MP-3. It is preferable to be able to do this.

  The log collection unit 61 collects the operation logs supplied from the information selection unit 59, generates information for updating the PMD, and supplies the information to the PMD update unit 62.

  The PMD update unit 62 updates the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 54 based on the latest PMD supplied from the information acquisition unit 58 or the information selection unit 59 or information for updating the PMD. Update. When PMDs of a plurality of users are stored in the PMD storage unit 54, the PMD update unit 62, based on the latest PMD or the user ID included in the information for updating the PMD, the PMD of the corresponding user Update.

  In the above description, the information providing apparatus 11 has been described as being capable of accumulating provision information such as contents and e-mails. However, if the information cannot be accumulated, information that is currently available can be stored. Alternatively, it may be acquired from an external device in real time and used.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PK 12 in FIG.

  The information acquisition unit 91 acquires information transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 or the remote commander 13, and when the information is information used for updating the PMD, supplies the information to the PMD update unit 92. If it is an information list, it is supplied to the display control unit 94, and if the information is a PMD transmission request, it is supplied to the PMD acquisition unit 96.

  The PMD update unit 92 acquires information used for updating the PMD, such as an operation log, and updates the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 93.

  The PMD storage unit 93 stores the PMD of the user who owns the PK12. In addition, when the PMD storage unit 54 of the information providing device 11 is always allowed to save the PMD, and when PMDs of a plurality of users are stored, the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 93 includes A user ID that can specify the user who owns the PK 12 is included.

  The display control unit 94 controls the display of text or image data on the display unit 95. In particular, when the information list is supplied, the display control unit 94 displays and displays the information list on the display unit 95. When an operation input to the information list (for example, changing the cursor position or selecting an icon) is received, the display corresponding to the operation input is controlled.

  The display unit 95 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display element and displays text or image data based on the control of the display control unit 94.

  If at least one of the remote commander 13 or the information viewing apparatus 14 is provided with a display unit capable of displaying an information list, the PK 12 is provided with a display control unit 94 and a display unit 95. You may make it not.

  The PMD acquisition unit 96 extracts necessary PMDs stored in the PMD storage unit 93 based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 91 or the information supplied from the operation input selection unit 98. To the information output unit 99.

  The operation input unit 97 includes input devices such as buttons, a touch panel, a jog dial, and keys, for example, receives operation input from the user, and supplies a signal indicating the content of the operation input to the operation input selection unit 98.

  The information input selection unit 98 supplies a signal indicating the content of the operation input supplied from the operation input unit 97 to the corresponding block. For example, the information input selection unit 98 can change the cursor position with respect to the displayed information list, A signal indicating an operation input such as selection is supplied to the display control unit 94, and a signal indicating an operation input related to the update of the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 93 is supplied to the PMD update unit 92 to output the PMD. A signal indicating an operation input related to permission is supplied to the PMD acquisition unit 96 and supplied to the information output unit 99 when the information is to be output to another device such as the information providing device 11 or the information viewing device 14.

  The information output unit 99 is configured to be able to transmit an infrared signal, for example, and supplies information to be output to another device such as the information providing device 11 or the information viewing device 14 supplied from the information input selection unit 98. To the corresponding device.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the remote commander 13 of FIG.

  The information acquisition unit 101 acquires information transmitted from the information providing device 11, the PK 12, or the information viewing device 14, and the information is information to be transmitted to another device as it is (that is, the remote commander 13 If the information is an information list, the information is supplied to the display control unit 102.

  The display control unit 102 controls the display of text or image data on the display unit 103. When the information list is supplied, the display control unit 102 displays the information list on the display unit 103, and the displayed information list When an operation input to (for example, change of cursor position or selection of an icon) is received, display corresponding to the operation input is controlled.

  The display unit 103 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display element and displays text or image data based on the control of the display control unit 102.

  When at least one of the PK 12 or the information viewing apparatus 14 is provided with a display unit capable of displaying an information list, the remote commander 13 is provided with a display control unit 102 and a display unit 103. You may make it not.

  The operation input unit 104 includes input devices such as buttons, a touch panel, a jog dial, and keys, for example, receives operation input from the user, and supplies a signal indicating the content of the operation input to the operation input selection unit 105.

  The information input selection unit 105 supplies a signal indicating the content of the operation input supplied from the operation input unit 104 to the corresponding block. For example, the information input selection unit 105 can change the cursor position with respect to the displayed information list, A signal indicating an operation input such as selection of information is supplied to the display control unit 102, and information output is output when the information is to be output to another device, such as an operation input to the information providing device 11 or the information viewing device 14. To the unit 106.

  The information output unit 106 can transmit an infrared signal, for example, and outputs it to other devices such as an operation input to the information providing device 11 or the information viewing device 14 from the information acquisition unit 101 or the operation input selection unit 105. Receive supply of information to be output and output to the corresponding device.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information viewing apparatus 14-1 in FIG. Here, the information viewing apparatus 14-1 in FIG. 1 basically has a function of a general-purpose television receiver. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the information viewing-and-listening apparatus 14-1 also has the structure for demodulating an analog television broadcast signal.

  The television broadcast signal received by the antenna 121 is supplied to the tuner 123 and is detected and demodulated under the control of the CPU 122. The output of the tuner 123 is supplied to a QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) demodulating circuit 124 and is QPSK demodulated under the control of the CPU 122. The output of the QPSK demodulation circuit 124 is supplied to the error correction circuit 125, and an error is detected and corrected under the control of the CPU 122 and supplied to the demultiplexer 126.

  Under the control of the CPU 122, the demultiplexer 126 descrambles the output of the error correction circuit 125 as necessary, and further extracts a TS (Transport Stream) packet of a predetermined channel. The demultiplexer 126 supplies the TS packet of the image data (video data) to the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) video decoder 127 and also supplies the TS packet of the audio data (audio data) to the MPEG audio decoder 131. To do. Further, the demultiplexer 126 supplies the TS packet included in the output of the error correction circuit 125 to the CPU 122 as necessary. Further, the demultiplexer 126 receives image data or audio data (including those in the form of TS packets) supplied from the CPU 122 and supplies the received image data or audio data to the MPEG video decoder 127 or the MPEG audio decoder 131.

  The MPEG video decoder 127 decodes the TS packet of the image data supplied from the demultiplexer 126 by the MPEG method, and supplies it to the frame memory 128. The MPEG audio decoder 131 decodes the TS packet of the audio data supplied from the demultiplexer 126 by the MPEG method. Audio data obtained by decoding by the MPEG audio decoder 131 is supplied to the speaker 132. The speaker 132 outputs audio data supplied from the MPEG audio decoder 131 and the information viewing control unit 139 described later with reference to FIG.

  The frame memory 128 temporarily stores video data output from the MPEG video decoder 127 or video data supplied from an information viewing control unit 139 described later with reference to FIG. 9, and an NTSC (National Television System Committee) encoder 129. To supply. The NTSC encoder 129 converts the image data supplied from the frame memory 128 into NTSC image data, and supplies it to the CRT 130 for display.

  The CPU 122 executes various processes in accordance with programs stored in an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 133 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 134, thereby, for example, a tuner 123, a QPSK demodulation circuit 124, The error correction circuit 125, the demultiplexer 126, and the storage unit 136 are controlled. The CPU 122 includes, for example, buttons and keys, and is supplied from an IR receiver 138 that receives commands supplied from the front panel 137 and signals supplied from the remote commander 13 that can be operated by the user. A process corresponding to the command to be executed or a program stored in the storage unit 136 is executed.

  The EEPROM 133 stores data and programs that should be retained even after the power is turned off. The ROM 134 stores, for example, an IPL (Initial Program Loader) program. The data and programs stored in the EEPROM 133 can be upgraded by overwriting the data and programs. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 135 temporarily stores data and programs necessary for the operation of the CPU 122. Various programs are stored in the storage unit 136, and the CPU 122 executes predetermined processing based on the programs.

  The front panel 137 is provided on a part of the front surface of the TV 11. The front panel 137 has a button switch having the same function as the button switch provided on the remote commander 13, and when the button switch on the front panel 137 is operated, an operation corresponding to the operation is performed. A signal is supplied to the CPU 122. In this case, the CPU 122 performs processing corresponding to the operation signal from the front panel 137.

  The IR receiver 138 receives (receives) infrared rays transmitted from the remote controller in response to the operation of the remote commander 13. Further, the IR receiving unit 138 photoelectrically converts the received infrared light and supplies a signal obtained as a result to the CPU 122. In this case, the CPU 122 performs processing corresponding to the signal from the IR receiver 138, that is, processing corresponding to the operation of the remote commander 13.

  In the information viewing apparatus 14-1 configured as described above, when the PMD search process is not executed, the image and sound of the broadcast content 22 as a television broadcast program are output as follows (the image is displayed). And audio is output).

  That is, a transport stream as a television broadcast signal received by the antenna 121 is supplied to the demultiplexer 126. The demultiplexer 126 extracts TS packets of a predetermined program from the transport stream, supplies the TS packets of image data to the MPEG video decoder 127, and supplies the TS packets of audio data to the MPEG audio decoder 131. .

  In the MPEG video decoder 127, the TS packet from the demultiplexer 126 is MPEG-decoded. The resulting image data is input from the MPEG video decoder 127 to the NTSC encoder 129 via the frame memory 128, where it is converted into an NTSC signal and then supplied to the CRT 130 for display.

  On the other hand, in the MPEG audio decoder 131, the TS packet from the demultiplexer 126 is MPEG-decoded. The resulting audio data is supplied from the MPEG audio decoder 131 to the speaker 132 and output.

  The information viewing control unit 139 supplies information provided to the user to the frame memory 128 or the speaker 132 based on information transmitted from the PK 12, the remote commander 13, or the information providing apparatus 11. The provided information output from the information viewing control unit 139 is information that has already been decoded as necessary. Therefore, the information viewing apparatus 14-1 cannot decode the information provided by various services. Even provided information that has been coded can be displayed or output by the information viewing apparatus 14-1.

  That is, even if the provided information transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 to the information viewing apparatus 14-1 is content of a coding method different from MPEG, the CRT 130 and the speaker 132 of the information viewing apparatus 14-1 are used to inform the user. It is possible to provide.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information viewing control unit 139 of FIG.

  The information acquisition unit 151 includes, for example, an antenna, an infrared receiving unit, a connection terminal of a predetermined cable, or a network interface, and is transmitted from the information providing device 11, the PK12, the remote commander 13, or another device. Information is acquired and supplied to the information selection unit 152.

  The information selection unit 152 determines the type of information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151, and the GUI control unit 153 that supplies the supplied information to the corresponding block includes the information list supplied from the information selection unit 152. Based on the corresponding information, image data to be displayed on the display unit 154 is generated and supplied to the display control unit 154.

  The content output control unit 155 supplies information provided to the user including content data supplied from the information selection unit 152 to the display control unit 154 for image or video data according to the content of the information. The audio data is supplied to the audio output control unit 156, respectively. The display control unit 154 supplies the image or video data supplied from the GUI control unit 153 or the content output control unit 155 to the frame memory 128 for display.

  The audio output control unit 156 includes, for example, an antenna, an infrared transmission unit, a predetermined cable connection terminal, or a network interface, and supplies the audio data supplied from the content output control unit 155 to the speaker 132. , Make audio output.

  The information output unit 157 receives the information determined by the information acquisition unit 152 as information to be output to another device (for example, the information providing device 11, the PK 12, or the remote commander 13), and the corresponding transmission destination Output to.

  In the information viewing device 14-2 to the information viewing device 14-8 other than the information viewing device 14-1, an information viewing control unit (for example, the information viewing device 14-8) having the same configuration as the information viewing control unit 139 is used. Since an image cannot be displayed, an information viewing control unit having only a portion related to audio output) is provided to provide provision information provided to the user from the information provision apparatus 11, and the information is Since it can output for providing to a user, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, the process 1 of the remote commander 13 in the first embodiment executed in the system described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 1, the operation input selection unit 105 determines whether the start of the PMD search process is instructed based on a signal supplied from the operation input unit 104 and indicating a user operation input. If it is determined in step S1 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S8 described later.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the start of the PMD search process is instructed, in step S2, the operation input selection unit 105 supplies a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process to the information output unit 106 to output the information. Unit 106 outputs a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process to information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S <b> 3, the information acquisition unit 101 determines whether information indicating the filtering result, that is, the information list generated in the information list generation unit 56 of the information providing device 11 has been received from the information providing device 11.

  If it is determined in step S3 that the information indicating the filtering result has been received from the information providing apparatus 11, the information acquisition unit 101 supplies the information indicating the filtering result to the display control unit 102 in step S4. The unit 102 displays the filtering result as shown in FIG. 11 on the display unit 103, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 11, an information list is displayed on the display unit 103 of the remote commander 13. When all the item names of the information list cannot be displayed on the display unit 103 at a time, the item names of all the provided information items of the information list can be displayed on the display unit 103 by, for example, scroll processing or the like. Yes. The user can select desired provision information by moving the cursor 171 displayed on the information list using a button or a key.

  In step S3, when it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result is not received from the information providing apparatus 11, or after the process of step S4 is completed, in step S5, the operation input selection unit 105 is It is determined whether or not an operation input for selecting content has been received.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the user has not received an operation input for selecting content, in step S6, the operation input selection unit 105 determines whether or not the user has instructed the end of the PMD search process. To do. If it is determined in step S6 that the end of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process returns to step S5, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  When it is determined in step S6 that the end of the PMD search process has been commanded, in step S7, the operation input selection unit 105 supplies a signal for commanding the end of the PMD search process to the information output unit 106, and the information output Unit 106 outputs a signal instructing the end of the PMD search process to information providing apparatus 11.

  When it is determined in step S1 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, or after the process of step S7 is completed, in step S8, the operation input unit 104, the operation input selection unit 105, and the information output unit 106 executes a normal operation input process for, for example, a television receiver. The process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the user has received an operation input for selecting content, in step S9, the operation input selection unit 105 supplies a signal corresponding to the user's operation input to the information output unit 106, and information The output unit 106 transmits a signal corresponding to the user's operation input to the information providing apparatus 11, and the process returns to step S5, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  By such processing, an operation input indicating washing of the provided information by the user can be transmitted to the information providing apparatus 11 for transmission.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12, the process 1 of PK12 performed in parallel with the process demonstrated using FIG. 10 is demonstrated.

  In step S21, the information acquisition unit 91 transmits a PMD based on a signal supplied from the information providing apparatus 11 (a signal supplied from the information providing apparatus 11 in step S43, which will be described later using the flowchart of FIG. 13). To determine whether or not is requested. If it is determined in step S21 that PMD transmission is not requested, the process of step S21 is repeated until it is determined that PMD transmission is requested.

  If it is determined in step S21 that PMD transmission is requested, in step S22, the information acquisition unit 91 notifies the PMD acquisition unit 96 that transmission of PMD is requested, and the PMD acquisition unit 96 The PMD permitted to be transmitted by the user is read from the PMD storage unit 93, supplied to the information output unit 99, and output to the information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S <b> 23, the information acquisition unit 91 determines whether information indicating a filtering result has been received from the information providing apparatus 11.

  If it is determined in step S23 that information indicating the filtering result has been received, the information acquisition unit 91 supplies information indicating the filtering result to the display control unit 94 in step S24. For example, the display control unit 94 displays the filtering result on the display unit 95 in the same manner as described with reference to FIG.

  In step S23, when it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result has not been received, or after the process of step S24 is completed, the information acquisition unit 91 receives the operation log from the information providing apparatus 11 in step S25. Determine whether or not.

  If it is determined in step S25 that the operation log has been received, the information acquisition unit 91 supplies the operation log to the PMD update unit 92 in step S26. The PMD update unit 92 updates the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 93 based on the operation log.

  For example, the provision information selected by the user among the provision information listed in the information list presented to the user is similar to the provision information because it is interesting or important provision information for the user. The score of the corresponding value in the PMD user profile is added so that the provided information is provided in the future. On the other hand, among the provision information listed in the information list presented to the user, the provision information that is not selected by the user is provision information that is not interesting or important to the user. In the profile, the corresponding value score is deferred or reduced.

  If it is determined in step S25 that the operation log has not been received, or after the process in step S26 is completed, in step S27, the information acquisition unit 91 has received a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process. Determine whether. If it is determined in step S27 that a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process has not been received, the process returns to step S25, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S27 that a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process has been received, in step S28, the PMD acquisition unit 96 determines whether or not saving the PMD in the information providing apparatus 11 is permitted. To do. If it is determined in step S28 that saving the PMD in the information providing apparatus 11 is not permitted, the process returns to step S21 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S28 that the PMD is allowed to be stored in the information providing apparatus 11, the PMD acquisition unit 96 reads the latest PMD from the PMD update unit 92 and outputs the information in step S29. The information is supplied to the unit 99 and output to the information providing apparatus 11, and the process returns to step S21, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  Through such processing, the user's PMD is transmitted to the information providing apparatus 11, used for filtering processing, and the stored PMD is updated based on the user's operation. Further, when the permission is granted to the user, the latest PMD of the user is transmitted to the information providing apparatus 11 and stored. The PMD stored in the information providing apparatus 11 can be used to collect provided information in advance or can be used as backup data for PMD by a process described later.

  Next, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14, the information executed in parallel with the process 1 of the remote commander 13 described with reference to FIG. 10 and the process 1 of PK12 described with reference to FIG. Processing 1 of the providing device 11 will be described.

  In step S <b> 41, the information selection unit 59 determines whether a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process is received from the remote commander 13 based on the signal supplied from the information acquisition unit 58. If it is determined in step S41 that a signal for instructing the start of the PMD search process has not been received, the process proceeds to step S57 to be described later.

  If it is determined in step S41 that a signal for instructing the start of the PMD search process has been received, in step S42, the information selection unit 59 sends a signal for instructing the information filtering / caching unit 53 to start the PMD search process. Supply. The information filtering / caching unit 53 is configured so that the information acquisition unit 51 transmits an antenna (not shown) via a broadcast signal transmission path 33, the content server 31-1 or the content server 31-2 via the Internet 21, or a wired connection. Metadata acquired via a cable or other information acquisition path, or metadata stored in advance in the data and metadata storage unit 55 are acquired.

  In step S43, the information output unit 57 outputs a signal requesting transmission of PMD to the PK 12.

  In step S44, the information acquisition unit 58 determines whether a PMD is received from the PK12. If it is determined in step S44 that no PMD has been received, the process returns to step S43, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S44 that a PMD has been received, the information acquisition unit 58 supplies the received PMD to the PMD update unit 62 in step S45. The PMD update unit 62 updates the PMD in the PMD storage unit 54, and the information filtering / caching unit 53 acquires the updated PMD from the PMD update unit 62 and executes a filtering process. The provided content or various information is stored in the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55.

  For example, the filtering process is to select provided information that matches the user 1 preference by comparing the content metadata and the user profile included in the PMD, or the email of each information transmission source included in the PMD. This is a process of selecting important ones of the supplied e-mails based on the importance level data. For example, when the father and the child use the same information viewing system, it is used in advance for the child. By setting a prohibited genre and storing it in the information filtering / caching unit 53, even if it matches the father's preference, information regarding the prohibited genre is not provided to the child. Or obtain each PMD from PK12 held by the father and the person, and filter based on the preference information that matches the interests of the two Ukoto makes it possible to provide information matching with the preference common to two.

  In step S <b> 46, the information list generation unit 56 generates an information list that is data indicating a filtering result stored in the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55.

  In step S <b> 47, the information list generation unit 56 supplies an information list that is data indicating the generated filtering result to the information output unit 57. The information output unit 57 transmits the information list, which is data indicating the filtering result, to at least one of the PK 12, the remote commander 13, or the information viewing device 14 that can display the information list.

  In step S <b> 48, the information selection unit 59 determines whether data indicating the content or information selected by the user has been received from the remote commander 13 based on the signal supplied from the information acquisition unit 58.

  If it is determined in step S48 that the data indicating the content or information selected by the user has been received, in step S49, the information selection unit 59 converts the data indicating the content or information selected by the user into the decoding unit 60. And supplied to the information output unit 57. The decoding unit 60 reads the selected content or information from the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55, and if the decoding or decoding is necessary for display or audio output, the decoding unit 60 needs the read content or information. Accordingly, the data is decoded and supplied to the information output unit 57.

  In step S <b> 50, the information output unit 57 transmits the supplied content or information to the information viewing apparatus 14.

  In step S51, the information output unit 57 transmits the signal indicating the user's selection, that is, the operation log supplied in step S49, to the remote commander 13, and the process returns to step S48, and the subsequent processes are performed. Repeated.

  If it is determined in step S48 that data indicating the content or information selected by the user has not been received, in step S52, the information selection unit 59 performs remote control based on the signal supplied from the information acquisition unit 58. It is determined whether a command commanding the end of the PMD search process is received from the commander 13.

  If it is determined in step S52 that the signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process has not been received, the process returns to step S48, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined in step S52 that a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process has been received, in step S53, the information selection unit 59 supplies a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process to the information output unit 57. The information output unit 57 outputs a signal instructing the end of the PMD search process to the information viewing apparatus 14.

  In step S54, the information output unit 57 outputs a signal requesting transmission of PMD to the PK 12.

  In step S55, the information acquisition unit 58 determines whether a PMD has been received from the PK12. When the latest PMD is permitted to be stored in the information providing apparatus 11 in the PK 12, the information acquisition unit 58 receives the PMD from the PK 12, but when the PK 12 is not permitted, the information acquisition unit 58 receives the PMD. Does not receive PMD.

  If it is determined in step S55 that the PMD has been received, the information acquisition unit 58 supplies the received PMD to the PMD update unit 62 in step S56. The PMD update unit 62 updates the PMD in the PMD storage unit 54.

  If it is determined in step S41 that a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process has not been received, if it is determined in step S55 that no PMD has been received, or after the end of the process in step S56, In step S <b> 57, the information acquisition unit 51 collects metadata and various types of information and supplies them to the information filtering / caching unit 53. The information filtering / caching unit 53 accumulates the supplied metadata and various types of information in the accumulated data storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55, the process returns to step S41, and the subsequent processes are repeated. It is.

  Through such processing, based on the PMD acquired from the PK 12, the provided information provided by various services is filtered, and only the provided information that matches the user's preference or is important to the user is presented to the user. Since the provided information is decoded as necessary based on the user's operation input and then transmitted to the information viewing apparatus 14, the user can view the information without being aware of the provider of the provided information. It is possible to receive desired information from various information without being aware of the decoding format that can be executed by the device 14.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 15, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14, the process 1 of the remote commander 13 described using FIG. 10, and the process 1 of PK 12 described using FIG. 12. The process 1 of the information viewing apparatus 14 executed in parallel with the process 1 of the information providing apparatus 11 described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 will be described.

  In step S <b> 71, the information selection unit 152 determines whether the start of the PMD search process is instructed based on the signal transmitted from the remote commander 13 supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. If it is determined in step S71 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S78 described later.

  If it is determined in step S71 that the start of the PMD search process has been commanded, in step S72, the information selection unit 152 obtains the filtering result from the information providing device 11 based on the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. It is determined whether or not the indicated information has been received.

  If it is determined in step S72 that the information indicating the filtering result has been received, in step S73, the information selecting unit 152 supplies the GUI control unit 153 with data of the information list that is information indicating the supplied filtering result. . The GUI control unit 153 converts the supplied information into, for example, display image data having a predetermined background or display image data that is displayed superimposed on the video of the program that the user is currently viewing, This is supplied to the display control unit 154. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, and displays it on the CRT 130. Note that a predetermined BGM may be output from the speaker 132 when the information list is displayed.

  When the information viewing apparatus 14 is currently viewing a television broadcast program and it is not desirable to display the information list even though the program is being viewed, the display control unit 154 performs the broadcast. The contents may include, for example, contents including advertisements such as commercials, and may be timings that are not program contents, and an information list that is information indicating the supplied filtering result may be output and displayed.

  FIG. 16 is an example of an information list displayed on the CRT 130. On the display screen 191, an e-mail information display area 201 for notifying the user of e-mail provision contents, for example, of the provided information superimposed on a display image such as a broadcast program currently being viewed, and program contents A content information display area 203 for notifying the user of the provided contents is displayed. The user can select desired provision information by moving the cursor 203 using a button or key of the remote commander 13.

  FIG. 17 is another example of the information list displayed on the CRT 130. On the display screen 211, in the information providing apparatus 11, the provided information is superimposed on a predetermined background image, for example, the currently broadcast content, the locally stored content stored in the internal recording medium, etc. Content information display area 221 for notifying contents such as stored contents, information display area 222 for displaying other information to be provided to the user such as program reservation information, and the contents provided for the e-mail to the user An e-mail information display area 223 for notifying is displayed. The user can select desired provision information by moving the cursor 224 using a button or key of the remote commander 13.

  In step S72, when it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result has not been received, or after the process of step S73 is completed, in step S74, the information selection unit 152 displays the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the content data or various information transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 by the process of step S50 in FIG. 13 has been received.

  If it is determined in step S74 that the content data or various types of information has been received, in step S75, the information selection unit 152 outputs the received content data or various types of information to the content output control unit 155, and the content output control unit. 155 outputs image data to the display control unit 154 and audio data to the audio output control unit 156. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, displays it on the CRT 130, and the audio output control unit 156 causes the speaker 132 to output the audio data. That is, provision information is provided to the user.

  In step S76, the information selection unit 152 selects the content being output or transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 selected by the user based on the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151 and transmitted from the information providing device 11 in step S50 of FIG. It is determined whether or not content or various information different from various information has been received.

  If it is determined in step S76 that content or various information different from the content or various information being output has been received, the process returns to step S75, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S74 that content data or various information has not been received, or if it is determined in step S76 that content or various information different from the content or various information being output has not been received, In step S77, the information selection unit 152 determines whether or not the end of the PMD search process is instructed based on the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151.

  If it is determined in step S77 that the PMD search process is not instructed to end, the process returns to step S74, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S71 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, or if it is determined in step S77 that the end of the PMD search process is instructed, information in the information viewing apparatus 14 is determined in step S77. In blocks other than the viewing control unit 139, normal processing other than the PMD search processing, such as reception and playback of a television broadcast, is executed, for example. The processing returns to step S71, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  By such processing, it is possible to provide information without making the user aware of the provider of the provided information using the information viewing device 14 and without performing complicated operation input.

  Alternatively, the PMD stored in the PK 12 may be made available only when the PK 12 authenticates the user 1 and is confirmed as the valid user 20.

  For example, if it is not possible to confirm that the user is a valid user by a one-time password (which may be a fixed password) or biometric authentication described later within a certain period of time, control of reading or changing PMD is prohibited in PK12 Alternatively, the PMD may be automatically deleted. When the PMD is deleted, when it is confirmed that the user is a valid user by one-time password or biometric authentication, the PMD stored in the information providing apparatus 11 is used to recover the PMD of the PK 12.

  In addition, user authentication processing using a user ID, a password, or the like may be performed between the information providing apparatus 11 and the PK 12 as necessary.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the PK 251 that can perform user authentication processing.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 6, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  That is, the PK 251 in FIG. 18 includes a sensor 261 that acquires user-specific information, an authentication processing unit 262 that performs authentication processing based on the information acquired by the sensor 261, and a PMD storage unit that is based on the authentication result. The PK 12 basically has the same configuration as the PK 12 described with reference to FIG. 6 except that a PMD management unit 263 that manages the PMD stored in 93 is newly provided.

  FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information providing apparatus 281 capable of performing user authentication processing.

  2 corresponding to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, the information providing apparatus 281 in FIG. 19 includes an authentication data storage unit 291 that stores authentication data used for authentication processing, and an authentication processing unit 292 that executes authentication processing based on information acquired by the information acquisition unit 58. Is basically the same as that of the information providing apparatus 11 described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user 1 authentication method using the PK 251. FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating an example in which the user is authenticated by detecting the chip 295 that the user 1 always carries with the PK 251. The chip 295 is a sufficiently small transmitter that constantly transmits radio waves of a specific frequency, for example, and is always carried by the user 1. In this case, the sensor 261 of the PK 251 detects a radio wave having a frequency transmitted by the chip 295 registered in advance and supplies it to the authentication processing unit 262. The authentication processing unit 262 authenticates the user 1 by analyzing the supplied radio wave.

  In this case, the user authentication process 1 in which the PK 251 authenticates the user 1 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is continuously executed, for example, while the power of the PK 251 is ON.

  In step S101, the authentication processing unit 262 of the PK 251 compares the signal detected by the sensor 261 with the signal of the registered chip 295. In step S102, the authentication processing unit 262 determines whether the signals match as a result of the comparison in step S101. If it is determined in step S102 that the signals do not match, the processing returns to step S101, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S102 that the signals match, the process proceeds to step S103, and the authentication processing unit 262 stores the user authentication information. At this time, information indicating that the user 1 has been authenticated is stored as user authentication information in a storage unit (not shown) included in the authentication processing unit 262, together with the current time (date and time).

  In step S104, the authentication processing unit 262 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) has elapsed, and waits until it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined in step S104 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S105, and the authentication processing unit 262 deletes the user authentication information. Thereafter, the processing returns to step S101, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

  Alternatively, authentication using a user's biometric features (fingerprint, voiceprint, iris, gait, etc.), that is, biometric authentication may be performed. FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating an example in which the user 1 is authenticated by detecting a footprint as a biometric feature of the user 1. In this case, the sensor 261 of the PK 251 detects a change in the quasi-electrostatic field. The PK 251 authenticates the user 1 by detecting the user's 1 registered gait. The step pattern is a change pattern of the quasi-electrostatic field generated in the human body when the person walks, and this pattern can be used to recognize the person (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-58857 “Walk detection”). Method, gait detector)).

  In this case, a user authentication process 2 in which the PK 251 authenticates the user 1 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is continuously executed, for example, while the power of the PK 251 is ON.

  In step S111, the authentication processing unit 262 of the PK 251 compares the quasi-electrostatic field change pattern (step pattern) detected by the sensor 261 with the registered user 1 step pattern. In step S102, the authentication processing unit 262 determines whether or not the footprints match as a result of the comparison in step S111. If it is determined that they do not match, the authentication processing unit 262 returns to step S111.

  If it is determined in step S112 that the footprints match, the process proceeds to step S113, and the authentication processing unit 262 displays information indicating that the user 1 has been authenticated as user authentication information together with the current time (date and time). Not stored in the internal storage unit 1.

  In step S114, the authentication processing unit 262 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) has elapsed, and waits until it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined in step S114 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S115, and the authentication processing unit 262 deletes the user authentication information. Thereafter, the process returns to step S111, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

  In this way, the user 1 is authenticated by the PK 251 every predetermined time. In the above, the example in which the user 1 is authenticated by the chip 295 or the footprint is described, but the user authentication method is not limited to this. For example, the PK 251 may be communicated with a nearby personal computer, and the user may be authenticated based on a password input from the personal computer.

  Further, in the PK 251, when the user cannot be confirmed (authenticated) that the user is a valid user, the PMD can be automatically deleted. PMD management processing using the information providing apparatus 281 in this case will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed every time PMD is required in PK251. Prior to the execution, the authentication processing unit 262 of the PK 251 stores the user authentication information stored in step S103 of FIG. 21 or step S113 of FIG. 22 in the internal storage unit (the user is authenticated). ) Is confirmed.

  In step S <b> 121, the authentication processing unit 262 communicates with the information providing apparatus 281, acquires the PMD from the information providing apparatus 281, and supplies the PMD to the PMD management unit 263. The PMD management unit 363 stores the supplied PMD in the PMD storage unit 93. In step S122, the authentication processing unit 262 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 3 hours) has elapsed since acquiring the PMD in step S121, and waits until it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed. To do.

  If it is determined in step S122 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S123, and the authentication processing unit 262 determines whether or not the user has been authenticated. At this time, it is determined whether or not the user authentication information stored in step S103 of FIG. 21 or step S113 of FIG. 22 exists in the internal storage unit. If it is determined that the user authentication information does not exist, it is determined that the user has not been authenticated. If it is determined in step S123 that the user has been authenticated, the process returns to step S122, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

  If it is determined in step S123 that the user has not been authenticated, the authentication processing unit 262 proceeds to step S124, and deletes the PMD acquired in step S121 from the internal storage unit.

  In this way, when the PK 251 cannot confirm (authenticate) that the user is a legitimate user, the PMD is automatically deleted and backed up in the information providing apparatus 11 only by the PK 251 possessed by the legitimate user. PMD can be transmitted.

  By using the PMD managed in this way, the confidentiality of the user's personal information is enhanced.

  In the first embodiment described above, it has been described that the user 1 performs various operation inputs using the remote commander 13. However, the user 1 can use the information viewing apparatus without using the remote commander 13. 14 may be input using the operation input unit (specifically, the front panel 137 of the information viewing apparatus 14-1 in FIG. 8). By doing in this way, even when the remote commander 13 is not provided in the information viewing system, the same processing can be performed.

  For example, even when a portable audio playback device or the like is used as the information viewing device 14, the user can use an operation input unit such as a jog dial provided in the portable audio playback device. Without using the remote commander 13, it is possible to perform operation input and select desired information from the provided information stored in the information providing apparatus 11.

  Next, FIG. 24 is a system diagram showing a second embodiment of the information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 1, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  That is, the information viewing system shown in FIG. 24 basically has the same configuration as the information viewing system in FIG. 1 except that the PK 12 and the information providing apparatus 11 exchange information via the remote commander 13.

  With reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 25 and 26, the process 2 of the remote commander 13 in the second embodiment of the information viewing system shown in FIG. 24 will be described.

  In step S <b> 141, the operation input selection unit 105 determines whether the start of the PMD search process is instructed based on the signal indicating the user operation input supplied from the operation input unit 104.

  If it is determined in step S141 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, in step S142, the operation input unit 104, the operation input selection unit 105, and the information output unit 106 perform normal, for example, television An operation input process for the receiver or the like is executed, the process returns to step S141, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S141 that the start of the PMD search process is instructed, in step S143, the operation input selection unit 105 supplies a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process to the information output unit 106 to output the information. Unit 106 outputs a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process to information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S <b> 144, the information acquisition unit 101 receives a signal for requesting PMD transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 and supplies the signal to the information output unit 106. The information output unit 106 outputs a signal requesting PMD to the PK 12.

  In step S145, the information acquisition unit 101 determines whether the PMD of the user 1 has been received from the PK 12. If it is determined in step S145 that no PMD has been received, the process in step S145 is repeated until it is determined that PMD has been received.

  If it is determined in step S145 that a PMD has been received, the information acquisition unit 101 supplies the received PMD to the information output unit 106 in step S146. The information output unit 106 outputs the PMD to the PK 12.

  In steps S147 to S151, the same processes as steps S3 to S7 of the process 1 of the remote commander 13 described with reference to FIG. 10 are executed.

  That is, it is determined whether or not the information indicating the filtering result, that is, the information list generated in the information list generating unit 56 of the information providing apparatus 11 is received from the information providing apparatus 11 and the information indicating the filtering result is received. If it is determined, information indicating the filtering result is supplied to the display control unit 102 and displayed on the display unit 103.

  Then, when it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result is not received from the information providing apparatus 11 or when the information indicating the filtering result is displayed on the display unit 103, the user inputs an operation to select the content. If it is determined that an operation input for selecting content has not been received, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed the end of the PMD search process. If it is determined that the end of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process returns to step S149, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined that the end of the PMD search process is instructed, the PMD search process is terminated. A signal for instructing termination is output to the information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S <b> 152, the information acquisition unit 101 receives an input of a signal requesting PMD transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 and supplies the signal to the information output unit 106. The information output unit 106 outputs a signal requesting PMD to the PK 12.

  In step S153, the information acquisition unit 101 determines whether the PMD of the user 1 has been received from the PK 12. If it is determined in step S153 that no PMD has been received, the process in step S153 is repeated until it is determined that PMD has been received.

  If it is determined in step S153 that the PMD has been received, the information acquisition unit 101 supplies the received PMD to the information output unit 106 in step S154. The information output unit 106 outputs the PMD to the PK 12. After the process of step S154 is completed, the process proceeds to step S142.

  If it is determined in step S149 that the user has received an operation input for selecting content, in step S155, the operation input selection unit 105 supplies a signal corresponding to the user operation input to the information output unit 106, The output unit 106 transmits a signal corresponding to the user operation input to the information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S156, the information acquisition unit 101 receives preference information for predetermined metadata (for example, performers, keywords, broadcasting stations, etc.) calculated based on the content selected by the user from the information providing apparatus 11, for example. The operation log for updating the user's PMD, which is composed of numerical values shown, is received and supplied to the information output unit 106, and the information output unit 106 transmits the operation log to the PK 12. After the process of step S156 is completed, the process returns to step S149, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 27, the process 2 of PK12 performed in parallel with the process 2 of the remote commander 13 demonstrated using FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 is demonstrated.

  In step S171, the information acquisition unit 91 receives a signal supplied from the remote commander 13 (supplied from the information providing apparatus 11 in step S193, which will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 28), and the remode commander in the process of step S144 in FIG. 13 determines whether or not PMD transmission is requested. If it is determined in step S21 that PMD transmission is not requested, the process of step S171 is repeated until it is determined that PMD transmission is requested.

  If it is determined in step S171 that PMD transmission is requested, in step S172, the information acquisition unit 91 notifies the PMD acquisition unit 96 that transmission of PMD is requested, and the PMD acquisition unit 96 The PMD permitted to be transmitted by the user is read from the PMD storage unit 93, supplied to the information output unit 99, and output to the remote commander 13.

  In step S173 to step S178, the same processing as step S23 to step S28 of the processing 1 of PK12 described with reference to FIG. 12 is executed.

  That is, it is determined whether or not the information indicating the filtering result is received from the information providing apparatus 11. When it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result is received, the information indicating the filtering result is displayed on the display unit 95. The

  When it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result has not been received, or after the information indicating the filtering result is displayed on the display unit 95, it is determined whether or not the operation log has been received from the information providing apparatus 11. The When it is determined that the operation log has been received, the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 93 is updated. When it is determined that the operation log has not been received, or after the PMD update process, it is determined whether a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process is received, and a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process is received. If it is determined that the process has not been performed, the process returns to step S175, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined that a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process has been received, it is determined in step S28 whether or not it is permitted to store the PMD in the information providing apparatus 11, and the PMD is stored in the information providing apparatus 11. If it is determined that it is not permitted to do so, the process returns to step S171, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  When it is determined in step S178 that saving the PMD in the information providing apparatus 11 is permitted, in step S179, the PMD acquisition unit 96 reads the latest PMD from the PMD update unit 92, and outputs the information output unit. 99. In order to supply the latest PMD to the information providing apparatus 11, the information public power unit 99 outputs it to the remote commander 13, and the process returns to step S171, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  Next, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 28 and 29, in parallel with the process 2 of the remote commander 13 described using FIGS. 25 and 26 and the process 2 of the PK 12 described using the flowchart of FIG. Processing 2 of the information providing apparatus 14 to be executed will be described.

  In step S191 and step S192, processing similar to the processing in step S41 and step S42 in FIG. 13 is executed. That is, it is determined whether or not a signal commanding the start of the PMD search process is received from the remote commander 13, and when it is determined that the signal commanding the start of the PMD search process is not received, the process will be described later. In step S207, if it is determined that a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process has been received, metadata is acquired.

  In step S193, the information output unit 57 outputs a signal requesting transmission of PMD to the remote commander 13.

  In step S194, the information acquisition unit 58 determines whether a PMD is received from the remote commander 13. If it is determined in step S194 that no PMD has been received, the process returns to step S193, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  In steps S195 to S203, processing similar to that in steps S45 to S53 in FIGS. 13 and 14 is executed. That is, based on the received PMD, the PMD of the PMD storage unit 54 is updated, and the filtering process is executed using the updated PMD. As a result, content or various information provided to the user is stored in data and metadata. Stored in the user-provided information storage area of the unit 55.

  Then, data indicating the filtering result stored in the user-provided information storage area is generated, and at least one of the remote commander 13 or the information viewing device 14 that can display the information list that is the filtering result is displayed. Sent to the device.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the data indicating the content or information selected by the user is received from the remote commander 13, and if it is determined that the data indicating the content or information selected by the user is received, the data indicating the content or information selected by the user is The information is decoded as necessary and transmitted to the information viewing apparatus 14, and a signal indicating the user's selection, that is, an operation log is transmitted to the remote commander 13.

  Further, when it is determined that the data indicating the content or information selected by the user has not been received, it is determined whether or not a signal instructing the end of the PMD search process has been received from the remote commander 13 and received. If it is determined, a signal instructing the end of the PMD search process is output to the information viewing apparatus 14.

  In step S <b> 204, the information output unit 57 outputs a signal requesting transmission of PMD to the remote commander 13.

  In step S <b> 205, the information acquisition unit 58 determines whether a PMD has been received from the remote commander 13. When the PK 12 is permitted to store the latest PMD in the information providing apparatus 11, the information acquisition unit 58 receives the PMD from the remote commander 13, but when it is not permitted, the information acquisition unit 58 The PMD is not received from the remote commander 13.

  If it is determined in step S205 that a PMD has been received, the information acquisition unit 58 supplies the received PMD to the PMD update unit 62 in step S206. The PMD update unit 62 updates the PMD in the PMD storage unit 54.

  If it is determined in step S191 that a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process has not been received, if it is determined in step S205 that no PMD has been received, or after the end of the process in step S206, In step S <b> 207, the information acquisition unit 51 collects metadata and various types of information and supplies them to the information filtering / caching unit 53. The information filtering / caching unit 53 accumulates the supplied metadata and various types of information in the accumulated data storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55, the process returns to step S191, and the subsequent processes are repeated. It is.

  In the information viewing apparatus 14, the same process as the process 1 of the information viewing apparatus 14 described with reference to FIG. 15 is executed in the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Thus, in the second embodiment, communication between the PK 12 and the information providing apparatus 11 is executed via the remote commander 13.

  Next, FIG. 30 is a system diagram showing a third embodiment of the information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 1, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  That is, the information viewing system shown in FIG. 30 is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except that a PK remote commander 298 having functions of PK 12 and remote commander 13 is provided instead of PK 12 and remote commander 13. It has the same configuration as the information viewing system.

  FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the remote commander 298 with PK in FIG. Note that portions corresponding to those in FIG. 6 or 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, the remote commander 298 with PK shown in FIG. 31 includes a PMD update unit 92 and a PMD storage unit provided in the PK 12 described with reference to FIG. 6 in the configuration of the remote commander 13 described with reference to FIG. 93 and a PMD acquisition unit 96 are newly provided.

  Next, processing of the remote commander with PK 298 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 32 and 33.

  In step S <b> 221, the operation input selection unit 105 determines whether or not the start of the PMD search process is instructed based on a signal supplied from the operation input unit 104 and indicating a user operation input.

  If it is determined in step S221 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, in step S222, the operation input unit 104, the operation input selection unit 105, and the information output unit 106 perform normal, for example, television An operation input process for the receiver or the like is executed, the process returns to step S221, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S221 that the start of the PMD search process is instructed, in step S223, the operation input selection unit 105 supplies a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process to the information output unit 106 to output the information. Unit 106 outputs a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process to information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S <b> 224, the information acquisition unit 101 determines whether a signal requesting transmission of PMD transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 has been received. If it is determined in step S224 that a signal requesting transmission of PMD has not been received, the process of step S224 is repeated until it is determined that the signal has been received.

  If it is determined in step S224 that a signal requesting PMD transmission has been received, the information acquisition unit 101 supplies a signal requesting PMD transmission to the PMD acquisition unit 96 in step S225. The PMD acquisition unit 96 reads the PMD from the PMD storage unit 93 and supplies it to the information output unit 106. The information output unit 106 outputs the PMD to the information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S <b> 226, the information acquisition unit 101 determines whether information indicating the filtering result, that is, the information list generated in the information list generation unit 56 of the information providing device 11 has been received from the information providing device 11.

  If it is determined in step S226 that the information indicating the filtering result has been received from the information providing apparatus 11, the information acquisition unit 101 supplies the information indicating the filtering result to the display control unit 102 in step S227 for display control. The unit 102 displays the filtering result on the display unit 103 as described with reference to FIG. 11, for example.

  In step S226, when it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result has not been received from the information providing apparatus 11, or after the process of step S227 is completed, in step S228, the operation input selecting unit 105 is It is determined whether or not an operation input for selecting content has been received.

  If it is determined in step S228 that the user has not received an operation input for selecting content, in step S229, the operation input selection unit 105 determines whether or not the user has instructed the end of the PMD search process. To do. If it is determined in step S229 that the PMD search process is not instructed to end, the process returns to step S228, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S229 that the end of the PMD search process is instructed, in step S230, the operation input selection unit 105 supplies a signal instructing the end of the PMD search process to the information output unit 106, and the information output Unit 106 outputs a signal instructing the end of the PMD search process to information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S <b> 231, the information acquisition unit 101 determines whether a signal transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 and requesting transmission of PMD has been received. If it is determined in step S231 that a signal requesting transmission of PMD has not been received, the process of step S231 is repeated until it is determined that the signal has been received.

  If it is determined in step S231 that a signal requesting PMD transmission is not received, the information acquisition unit 101 supplies a signal requesting PMD transmission to the PMD acquisition unit 96 in step S232. The PMD acquisition unit 96 reads the PMD from the PMD storage unit 93 and supplies it to the information output unit 106. The information output unit 106 outputs the PMD to the information providing apparatus 11. After the process of step S232 ends, the process proceeds to step S222.

  When it is determined in step S228 that the user has received an operation input for selecting content, in step S233, the operation input selection unit 105 supplies a signal corresponding to the user operation input to the information output unit 106, The output unit 106 transmits a signal corresponding to the user operation input to the information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S <b> 234, the information acquisition unit 101 receives an operation log from the information providing apparatus 11 and supplies the operation log to the PMD update unit 92. The PMD update unit 92 updates the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 93 based on the supplied operation log, the process returns to step S228, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  By such processing, it is possible to realize a function of receiving a user's operation input and a function of accumulating PMD and transmitting or updating it as necessary with a single device.

  Next, processing 3 of the information providing apparatus 11 executed in parallel with the processing of the remote commander with PK 298 described with reference to FIGS. 32 and 33 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 34 and 35. .

  In step S <b> 251, the information selection unit 59 determines whether a signal for instructing the start of the PMD search process is received from the remote commander 298 with PK based on the signal supplied from the information acquisition unit 58. If it is determined in step S251 that a signal for instructing the start of the PMD search process has not been received, the process proceeds to step S267 described later.

  If it is determined in step S251 that the signal for instructing the start of the PMD search process has been received, in step S252, the information selection unit 59 sends a signal for instructing the information filtering / caching unit 53 to start the PMD search process. Supply. The information filtering / caching unit 53 is configured so that the information acquisition unit 51 transmits an antenna (not shown) via a broadcast signal transmission path 33, the content server 31-1 or the content server 31-2 via the Internet 21, or a wired connection. Metadata acquired via a cable or other information acquisition path, or metadata stored in advance in the data and metadata storage unit 55 are acquired.

  In step S253, the information output unit 57 outputs a signal requesting transmission of PMD to the remote commander 298 with PK.

  In step S254, the information acquisition unit 58 determines whether a PMD is received from the remote commander 298 with PK. If it is determined in step S254 that no PMD has been received, the process returns to step S253, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S254 that the PMD has been received, the information acquisition unit 58 supplies the received PMD to the PMD update unit 62 in step S255. The PMD update unit 62 updates the PMD in the PMD storage unit 54, and the information filtering / caching unit 53 acquires the updated PMD from the PMD update unit 62 and executes a filtering process. The provided content or various information is stored in the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55.

  In step S <b> 256, the information list generation unit 56 generates an information list that is data indicating the filtering result stored in the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55.

  In step S257, the information list generation unit 56 supplies an information list that is data indicating the generated filtering result to the information output unit 57. The information output unit 57 transmits the information list that is the data indicating the filtering result to any of the remote commander with PK 298 or the information viewing device 14 that can display the information list that is the filtering result. To do.

  In step S258, the information selection unit 59 determines whether data indicating the content or information selected by the user has been received from the remote commander 298 with PK based on the signal supplied from the information acquisition unit 58. .

  When it is determined in step S258 that data indicating the content or information selected by the user has been received, in step S259, the information selection unit 59 converts the data indicating the content or information selected by the user into the decoding unit 60. And supplied to the information output unit 57. The decoding unit 60 reads the selected content or information from the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55, and if the decoding or decoding is necessary for display or audio output, the decoding unit 60 needs the read content or information. Accordingly, the data is decoded and supplied to the information output unit 57.

  In step S260, the information output unit 57 transmits the supplied content or information to the information viewing apparatus 14.

  In step S261, the information output unit 57 transmits the signal indicating the user's selection, that is, the operation log supplied in step S49, to the remote commander 298 with PK, and the process returns to step S258, and thereafter The process is repeated.

  When it is determined in step S258 that data indicating the content or information selected by the user has not been received, in step S262, the information selection unit 59 performs PK based on the signal supplied from the information acquisition unit 58. It is determined whether or not a signal commanding the end of the PMD search process is received from the attached remote commander 298.

  If it is determined in step S262 that a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process has not been received, the process returns to step S258, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined in step S262 that a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process has been received, in step S263, the information selection unit 59 supplies a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process to the information output unit 57. The information output unit 57 outputs a signal instructing the end of the PMD search process to the information viewing apparatus 14.

  In step S264, the information output unit 57 outputs a signal requesting transmission of PMD to the remote commander 298 with PK.

  In step S265, the information acquisition unit 58 determines whether a PMD has been received from the remote commander 298 with PK. When the remote commander with PK 298 is permitted to store the latest PMD in the information providing apparatus 11, the information acquisition unit 58 receives the PMD from the remote commander with PK 298, but is not permitted. The information acquisition unit 58 does not receive the PMD from the remote commander 298 with PK.

  If it is determined in step S265 that the PMD has been received, the information acquisition unit 58 supplies the received PMD to the PMD update unit 62 in step S266. The PMD update unit 62 updates the PMD in the PMD storage unit 54.

  If it is determined in step S251 that a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process has not been received, if it is determined in step S265 that no PMD has been received, or after the process of step S266 is completed, In step S <b> 267, the information acquisition unit 51 collects metadata and various types of information and supplies them to the information filtering / caching unit 53. The information filtering / caching unit 53 accumulates the supplied metadata and various types of information in the accumulated data storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55, the processing returns to step S251, and the subsequent processing is repeated. It is.

  With such processing, the remote commander with PK 298 and information that can realize the function of receiving user operation input and the function of accumulating PMD and transmitting or updating it as needed, with one apparatus. The information can be provided to the user.

  In the information viewing apparatus 14, the same process as the process 1 of the information viewing apparatus 14 described with reference to FIG. 15 is executed also in the third embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 36 is a system diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 1, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  That is, the information viewing system of FIG. 36 is basically the same as the case described with reference to FIG. 1 except that the PK 301 is provided in place of the PK 12 and the information viewing apparatus 302 is provided in place of the information viewing apparatus 14. In general, they have the same configuration.

  The PK 301 specifies the environment in which the environment providing device 11 is used, such as the type of the information viewing device 302 to which the information providing device 11 supplies information. The information viewing apparatus 302 internally stores a device ID unique to each device. In FIG. 36, the information viewing apparatus 302-1 and the information viewing apparatus 302-2 are illustrated, but the information viewing apparatuses 302 that are not illustrated have different device IDs. Needless to say.

  FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PK 301 in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 6, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. That is, the PK 301 selects the PMD to be transmitted to the information providing apparatus 11 by controlling the PMD acquisition unit 96 based on the environment information indicating the environment in which the information providing apparatus 11 is used supplied from the information providing apparatus 11. Basically, it has the same configuration as that of the PK 12 described with reference to FIG. 6 except that an environment information acquisition unit 311 is newly provided.

  Hereinafter, the device ID of the information viewing apparatus 302 will be described as an example of the environment information indicating the environment in which the information providing apparatus 11 is used. The environment information indicating the environment in which the information providing apparatus 11 is used is, for example, Information other than the device ID such as the type of service that provides information that can be provided by the information providing apparatus 11 and the installation location of the information providing apparatus 11 may be used.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 38, the environment information acquisition unit 311 stores a table indicating the type of PMD to be transmitted for each device ID, and is supplied from the information acquisition unit 91 based on this table. Based on the device ID of the information viewing apparatus 302, the PMD acquisition unit 96 is controlled so as to select and acquire the PMD to be transmitted.

  Specifically, by referring to the table described with reference to FIG. 38, for example, the information viewing apparatus 302-1 in FIG. 36 has the function of a television receiver. 36 can be provided to the user, the PMD used for filtering the provided information is selected, and the information viewing apparatus 302-2 in FIG. 36 can only output audio. Therefore, a PMD used for filtering provided information provided by voice is selected.

  FIG. 39 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information viewing control unit 321 provided in the information viewing apparatus 302 of FIG. 36 in place of the information viewing control unit 139 described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 9, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. That is, the information viewing control unit 321 is basically the information viewing control unit 139 described with reference to FIG. 9 except that a device information storage unit 331 that stores its own device ID is newly provided. It has the same configuration as.

  Next, the processing of each device in the fourth embodiment will be described. The processing of the remote commander 13 is the same as the processing 1 of the remote commander 13 described with reference to FIG. .

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 40, the process 3 of PK301 in 4th Embodiment is demonstrated.

  In step S281, the information acquisition unit 91 transmits a PMD based on a signal supplied from the information providing apparatus 11 (a signal supplied from the information providing apparatus 11 in step S304, which will be described later using the flowchart in FIG. 41). To determine whether or not environmental information has been received. In step S281, when it is determined that it has not been received, the process of step S281 is repeated until it is determined that it has been received.

  If it is determined in step S281 that a signal for requesting transmission of PMD and the environment information are received, in step S282, the information acquisition unit 91 supplies the received environment information to the environment information acquisition unit 311. The information acquisition unit 311 refers to the table described with reference to FIG. 38, and based on the acquired environment information, that is, the device ID of the information viewing apparatus 302 to which the information providing apparatus 11 transmits the provided information, the PMD acquisition unit 96 To control. The PMD acquisition unit 96 selects a PMD corresponding to the environment information from the PMD storage unit 93 and supplies the PMD to the information output unit 99.

  In step S283, the information output unit 99 outputs the supplied PMD to the information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S284 to step S288, the same processing as step S23 to step S27 of the processing 1 of PK12 described with reference to FIG. 12 is executed.

  That is, it is determined whether or not the information indicating the filtering result is received from the information providing apparatus 11, and when it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result is received, the filtering result is displayed, and after the display or the filtering result When it is determined that the information indicating that the operation log has not been received, it is determined whether or not the operation log has been received from the information providing apparatus 11.

  When it is determined that the operation log has been received, the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 93 is updated based on the operation log. After the update process is completed, or when it is determined that the operation log has not been received, it is determined whether a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process is received, and a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process is received. If it is determined that there is no signal, the process returns to step S286, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined that a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process has been received, the process returns to step S281, and thereafter The process is repeated.

  As a result of such processing, a PMD suitable for the acquired environmental information is selected and transmitted to the information providing apparatus 11. Therefore, unnecessary PMDs can be prevented from being transmitted from the PK 301, and the confidentiality of the PMD can be prevented. Can be enhanced.

  In the fourth embodiment, since the secrecy of the PMD is to be improved as compared with the first to third embodiments described above, the information providing apparatus 11 is used in the process described with reference to FIG. However, the latest PMD may be transmitted to the information providing apparatus 11 in the same manner as the process described with reference to FIG. 12 with the permission of the user. .

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 41, the process 4 of the information provision apparatus 11 performed in parallel with the process 3 of PK301 demonstrated using FIG. 40 is demonstrated.

  In step S <b> 301, the information selection unit 59 determines whether a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process is received from the remote commander 13 based on the signal supplied from the information acquisition unit 58. If it is determined in step S301 that a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process has not been received, the process proceeds to step S315 to be described later.

  If it is determined in step S301 that a signal for instructing the start of the PMD search process has been received, in step S302, the information selection unit 59 sends a signal for instructing the information filtering / caching unit 53 to start the PMD search process. Supply. The information filtering / caching unit 53 is configured so that the information acquisition unit 51 transmits an antenna (not shown) via a broadcast signal transmission path 33, the content server 31-1 or the content server 31-2 via the Internet 21, or a wired connection. Metadata acquired via a cable or other information acquisition path, or metadata stored in advance in the data and metadata storage unit 55 are acquired.

  In step S <b> 303, the information acquisition unit 58 receives the environment information, that is, the device ID from the information viewing apparatus 302 and supplies it to the information selection unit 49. The information selection unit 59 supplies the environment information to the information output unit 57.

  In step S304, the information output unit 57 outputs a signal requesting transmission of PMD to the PK 301 together with environment information.

  In steps S305 to S314, processing similar to that in steps S44 to S53 in FIGS. 12 and 13 is executed. That is, it is determined whether or not a PMD has been received. If it is determined that a PMD has been received, the PMD in the PMD storage unit 54 is updated, a filtering process is performed using the updated PMD, and information indicating the filtering result A list is generated and sent.

  Then, it is determined whether or not data indicating the content or information selected by the user has been received from the remote commander 13, and if it is determined that data has been received, data indicating the content or information selected by the user is required. Accordingly, the information is decoded and transmitted to the information viewing apparatus 302.

  Then, a signal indicating the user's selection, that is, an operation log is transmitted to the remote commander 13, and the process returns to step S309, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the data indicating the content or information selected by the user has not been received, it is determined whether or not a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process is received from the remote commander 13, and the PMD search is performed. If it is determined that the signal for instructing the end of the process has not been received, the process returns to step S309, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined that a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process has been received, a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process is output to the information viewing apparatus 302.

  If it is determined in step S301 that the signal for instructing the start of the PMD search process has not been received, or after the process of step S314 ends, the information acquisition unit 51 determines whether the metadata and various Information is collected and supplied to the information filtering / caching unit 53. The information filtering / caching unit 53 accumulates the supplied metadata and various types of information in the accumulated data storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55, the process returns to step S301, and the subsequent processes are repeated. It is.

  By such processing, the information providing apparatus 11 receives only the PMD corresponding to the information viewing apparatus 301 that can output the provided information, so that the confidentiality of the user's personal information can be improved.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 42, the information viewing apparatus that is executed in parallel with the process 3 of PK301 described with reference to FIG. 40 and the process 4 of information provision apparatus 11 described with reference to FIG. Processing 2 in 302 will be described. In FIG. 42, processing of the information viewing apparatus 302-1 capable of outputting video and audio will be described.

  In step S331, the information selection unit 152 determines whether the start of the PMD search process is instructed based on the signal transmitted from the remote commander 13 supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. If it is determined in step S331 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S339.

  If it is determined in step S331 that the start of the PMD search process has been instructed, in step S332, the information output unit 157 reads the device ID as environment information from the device information storage unit 331, and sends it to the information providing device 11. Send.

  In subsequent steps S334 to S339, processing similar to that in steps S72 to S78 described with reference to FIG. 15 is executed.

  That is, it is determined whether or not information indicating a filtering result is received from the information providing apparatus 11, and when it is determined that the information is received, an information list is displayed. When the filtering result is not received, or after the processing of the information list is finished, it is determined whether or not the content data or various information is received. If the filtering result is determined to be received, the received content data or various information is received. Video data is displayed on the CRT 130, and audio data is output from the speaker 132. When it is determined whether or not content or various information different from the content or various information being output has been received, and it is determined that different content or various information has been received, the newly received content data or various information Video data is displayed on the CRT 130, and audio data is output from the speaker 132.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that content data or various information has not been received, or if it is determined that content or various information different from the content or various information being output has not been received, the PMD search process is terminated. If it is determined whether or not it is instructed and it is determined that the end of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process returns to step S335, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  When it is determined that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, or when it is determined that the end of the PMD search process is instructed, in a block other than the information viewing control unit 139 of the information viewing apparatus 302, for example, Normal processing other than PMD search processing, such as reception and playback of television broadcasts, is executed, and the processing returns to step S301, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  By such processing, the information viewing apparatus 302 transmits its own device ID to the information providing apparatus 11, so that it is possible to detect the type of the information viewing apparatus 302 as the usage environment of the information providing apparatus 11. Become.

  Next, FIG. 43 is a system diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 1, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  That is, the information viewing system in FIG. 43 uses the same PK 301 as that used in the fourth embodiment in FIG. 36 in place of PK 12, and corresponds to each of the information viewing apparatuses 14. Except for the provision of 351-1 and the remote commander 351-2, the configuration is basically the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1.

  In the remote commander 351-1 and the remote commander 351-2, the device ID of the information viewing apparatus 14 that generates the command is stored as environment information that is the usage environment of the information viewing apparatus 11.

  FIG. 44 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the remote commander 351 of FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 7, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. That is, it has the same configuration as that of the remote commander 13 described with reference to FIG. 7 except that a device information storage unit 361 that stores the device ID of the information viewing device 14 that generates the command itself is newly provided. It is.

  Next, processing 3 of the remote commander 351 in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 351, the operation input selection unit 105 determines whether or not the start of the PMD search process is instructed based on the signal indicating the user operation input supplied from the operation input unit 104. If it is determined in step S351 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S359.

  If it is determined in step S351 that the start of the PMD search process has been instructed, in step S352, the operation input selection unit 105 transmits information control information itself as environment information from the device information storage unit 361. The device ID of the device 14 is read and supplied to the information output unit 106, and the information output unit 106 transmits the supplied environment information to the PK 301.

  In steps S353 to S360, the same processing as in steps S2 to S9 in FIG. 10 is executed.

  That is, a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process is output to the information providing apparatus 11, and it is determined whether or not information indicating the filtering result, that is, the information list is received from the information providing apparatus 11. If it is determined that it has been received, an information list is displayed. Then, after the display is completed or when it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result is not received, it is determined whether or not the user has received an operation input for selecting content.

  When it is determined that an operation input for selecting content has not been received, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed the end of the PMD search process, and when it is determined that the end of the PMD search process has not been instructed, The processing returns to step S356, and the subsequent processing is repeated. When it is determined that the end of the PMD search process is instructed, a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process is output to the information providing apparatus 11.

  When it is determined that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, or after a signal instructing the end of the PMD search process is output to the information providing apparatus 11, for example, for a normal television receiver or the like Operation input processing is executed. When it is determined that an operation input for selecting content has been received, a signal corresponding to the user's operation input is transmitted to the information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S361, the same processing as in step S156 in FIG. 25 is executed, and the operation log transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 is transmitted to the PK 301. The processing returns to step S356, and the subsequent processing Is repeated.

  By such processing, the remote commander 351 transmits the device ID of the information viewing apparatus 14 that itself transmits a command to the information providing apparatus 11, so that the information viewing apparatus 14 uses the information viewing apparatus 14 as the usage environment. The type can be detected.

  Next, the process 4 of PK301 executed in parallel with the process 3 of the remote commander 351 of FIG. 45 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 371, the information acquisition unit 91 receives a device ID that is environment information from the remote commander 351, and supplies the device ID to the environment information acquisition unit 311.

  In step S <b> 372, the information acquisition unit 91 determines whether the PMD transmission is requested from the information providing apparatus 11. If it is determined in step S372 that PMD transmission is not requested, the process returns to step S371, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S372 that PMD transmission is requested, in steps S373 to S379, processing similar to that in steps S282 to S288 of FIG. 40 is executed.

  That is, with reference to the table described with reference to FIG. 38, the corresponding PMD is selected based on the acquired environment information, that is, the received device ID, and is output to the information providing apparatus 11. And it is judged whether the information which shows a filtering result was received from the information provision apparatus 11, and when it is judged that the information which shows a filtering result was received, a filtering result is displayed, after a display, or a filtering result When it is determined that the information indicating that the operation log has not been received, it is determined whether or not the operation log has been received from the information providing apparatus 11.

  When it is determined that the operation log has been received, the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 93 is updated based on the operation log. After the update process is completed, or when it is determined that the operation log has not been received, it is determined whether a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process is received, and a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process is received. If it is determined that there is no signal, the process returns to step S286, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined that a signal indicating the end of the PMD search process has been received, the process returns to step S281, and thereafter The process is repeated.

  Through such processing, the PK 301 can detect the type of the information viewing apparatus 302 as the usage environment of the information providing apparatus 11.

  In the fifth embodiment as well, as in the embodiment of FIG. 4, compared to the first to third embodiments described above, the secrecy of PMD is to be improved, so FIG. In the process described with reference to FIG. 12, the process of transmitting the latest PMD to the information providing apparatus 11 is not executed. However, with the permission of the user, the information providing apparatus 11 is similar to the process described with reference to FIG. You may make it transmit the newest PMD.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 47, the process 5 of the information provision apparatus 11 performed in parallel with the process 3 of the remote commander 351 of FIG. 45 and the process 4 of PK301 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 381, the information selection unit 59 determines whether a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process is received from the remote commander 351 based on the signal supplied from the information acquisition unit 58. If it is determined in step S381 that a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process has not been received, the process proceeds to step S394.

  If it is determined in step S381 that a signal for instructing the start of the PMD search process has been received, in step S382, the information selection unit 59 sends a signal for instructing the information filtering / caching unit 53 to start the PMD search process. Supply. The information filtering / caching unit 53 is configured so that the information acquisition unit 51 transmits an antenna (not shown) via a broadcast signal transmission path 33, the content server 31-1 or the content server 31-2 via the Internet 21, or a wired connection. Metadata acquired via a cable or other information acquisition path, or metadata stored in advance in the data and metadata storage unit 55 are acquired.

  In step S383, the information output unit 57 outputs a signal requesting transmission of PMD to the PK301.

  In steps S384 to S394, processing similar to that in steps S305 to S315 in FIG. 41 is executed. That is, it is determined whether or not a PMD has been received. If it is determined that a PMD has been received, the PMD in the PMD storage unit 54 is updated, a filtering process is performed using the updated PMD, and information indicating the filtering result A list is generated and sent.

  Then, it is determined whether or not data indicating the content or information selected by the user has been received from the remote commander 351. If it is determined that data has been received, data indicating the content or information selected by the user is required. Accordingly, the information is decoded and transmitted to the information viewing apparatus 14.

  Then, a signal indicating the user's selection, that is, an operation log is transmitted to the remote commander 351, the process returns to step S388, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that data indicating the content or information selected by the user has not been received, it is determined whether or not a signal commanding the end of the PMD search process has been received from the remote commander 351, and the PMD search is performed. If it is determined that the signal for instructing the end of the process has not been received, the process returns to step S388, and the subsequent processes are repeated. When it is determined that a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process has been received, a signal for instructing the end of the PMD search process is output to the information viewing apparatus 302, and metadata and various types of information are collected. Returning to step S381, the subsequent processing is repeated.

  In the information viewing apparatus 14, the same process as the process 1 of the information viewing apparatus 14 described with reference to FIG. 15 is also executed in the fifth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, FIG. 48 is a system diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  Note that portions corresponding to those in FIG. 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, in the information viewing system of FIG. 48, the PK 12 held by the user 1, the remote commander 13 and the information viewing apparatus 14 for allowing the user to view the provided information are transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 via the Internet 21. The information viewing device 14 and the information providing device 11 are present in a remote place, and exchange information via the Internet 21. The PK 12 or the remote commander 13 communicates with the information providing device 11 via the information viewing device 14 and the Internet 21. Except for sending and receiving information, it has the same configuration as the information viewing system described with reference to FIG.

  That is, in the sixth embodiment, basically the same processing as that of the second embodiment is executed, except that the transmission / reception route of information is different.

  In this way, even when the PK 12 held by the user 1 and the remote commander 13 and the information viewing device 14 for allowing the user to view the provided information are located remotely from the information providing device 11, The user can enjoy the information that matches the preference or the necessary information at any place without being conscious of the supplier of the information.

  Next, FIG. 49 is a system diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  Note that portions corresponding to those in FIG. 48 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, the information viewing system of FIG. 49 basically has an information viewing device 371 that can store an information list and provided information in advance, instead of the information viewing device 14. It has the same configuration as the information viewing system described with reference to FIG.

  50 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information viewing control unit 381 used in place of the information viewing control unit 139 in FIG. 8 in the information viewing apparatus 371 in FIG.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 9, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  That is, the information viewing control unit 381 basically has the same configuration as the information viewing control unit 139 described with reference to FIG. 9 except that an information storage unit 391 is newly provided. The information storage unit 391 stores a part or all of the information list and provided information supplied in advance from the information providing apparatus 11 via the Internet 21, and the user 1 commands the execution of the PMD search process. At this time, if necessary information is accumulated, an information list or provided information provided to the user 1 can be output as an image or sound without accessing the information providing apparatus 11 via the Internet 21. Is possible.

  Therefore, even when the PK 12 held by the user 1 and the remote commander 13 and the information viewing device 14 for allowing the user to view the provided information are located remotely from the information providing device 11, the user's operation Since the response to the input is faster, the operability is improved.

  Next, the processing of each device in the seventh embodiment will be described. Since the PK 12 and the remote commander 13 execute basically the same processing as in the second embodiment, the description will be given. Is omitted.

  With reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 51 and 52, the process 6 of the information providing apparatus 11 in the seventh embodiment will be described.

  In steps S411 to S427, processing similar to that in steps S41 to S57 in FIGS. 13 and 14 is executed.

  That is, it is determined whether or not a signal commanding the start of the PMD search process is received from the remote commander 13, and if it is determined that a signal commanding the start of the PMD search process is not received, the process Proceeding to S427, if it is determined that a signal instructing the start of the PMD search process has been received, metadata is acquired. Then, a signal requesting transmission of the PMD is output to the PK 12, and it is determined whether or not the PMD is received from the PK 12, and when the PMD is received, the PMD of the PMD storage unit 54 is based on the received PMD. Is updated, and the filtering process is executed using the updated PMD. As a result, the content or various information provided to the user is stored in the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55.

  Then, an information list that is data indicating the filtering result stored in the user-provided information storage area is generated, and the information list that is the filtering result of the remote commander 13 or the information viewing device 371 can be displayed. Transmitted to at least one device.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the data indicating the content or information selected by the user is received from the remote commander 13, and if it is determined that the data indicating the content or information selected by the user is received, the data indicating the content or information selected by the user is The information is decoded as necessary and transmitted to the information viewing apparatus 371, and a signal indicating the user's selection, that is, an operation log is transmitted to the remote commander 13.

  Further, when it is determined that the data indicating the content or information selected by the user has not been received, it is determined whether or not a signal instructing the end of the PMD search process has been received from the remote commander 13 and received. If it is determined, a signal instructing the end of the PMD search process is output to the information viewing apparatus 14.

  Then, a signal for requesting PMD transmission is output to the PK 12, and it is determined whether or not the PMD has been received from the PK 12, and if it is determined that the PMD has been received, the received PMD causes the PMD storage unit 54 to PMD is updated.

  When it is determined that a signal for instructing the start of PMD search processing has not been received, when it has been determined that PMD has not been received, or after updating the PMD, metadata and various information are collected and data is collected. And stored in the accumulated data storage area of the metadata storage unit 55.

  In step S428, the information filtering / caching unit 53 performs filtering of information based on the PMD of the user 1 stored in the PMD storage unit 54 even when the user 1 has not instructed execution of the PMD search process. It is determined whether it is set as follows. If it is determined in step S428 that the user 1 has not instructed execution of the PMD search process, the process returns to step S411, and the process returns to step S411. The process is repeated.

  In step S429, the information filtering / caching unit 53 executes filtering processing based on the metadata and various information stored in the storage data storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55, and as a result, the user is notified. The provided content or various information is stored in the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55.

  In step S430, the information list generation unit 56 generates an information list that is data indicating the filtering result stored in the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55.

  In step S431, the information output unit 57 stores the information list indicating the filtering result and the accumulated data storage area of the metadata storage unit 55 so as to be accumulated in any other device such as the information viewing device 371, for example. It is determined whether or not the provision information included in the information list stored in the information list needs to be output. If it is determined in step S431 that it is not necessary to output the information list and the provided information, the process returns to step S411, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S431 that the output of the information list and the provided information is necessary, in step S432, the information output unit 57 determines whether the information list generated by the information list generation unit 56 in step S430 Accordingly, the provision information decrypted by the decryption unit 60 is acquired, and the information list indicating the filtering result and the corresponding provision information are output via the Internet 21, and the processing returns to step S411, and the subsequent processing is repeated. .

  By such processing, the information providing apparatus 11 executes the filtering process even when the user does not instruct the PMD search process, and the information viewing apparatus 371 displays the provided information described in the information list or the information list. Can be sent to.

  Next, processing 3 of the information viewing apparatus 371 executed in parallel with the processing 6 of the information providing apparatus 11 described with reference to FIGS. 51 and 52 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S471, the information selection unit 152 determines whether or not the start of the PMD search process is instructed based on the signal transmitted from the remote commander 13 supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. If it is determined in step S471 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S480 described later.

  If it is determined in step S471 that the start of the PMD search process is commanded, in step S472, the information selection unit 152 stores information indicating the filtering result based on the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. It is determined whether it is stored in the unit 391 or received from the information providing apparatus 11.

  In step S472, when it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result is not stored in the information storage unit 391 and is not received from the information providing apparatus 11, the information output unit 157 displays the PMD in step S473. A signal instructing the start of the search process is transmitted to the information providing apparatus 11, and the process returns to step S472, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  In step S472, when it is determined that the information indicating the filtering result is accumulated in the information accumulation unit 391 or received from the information providing apparatus 11, the information selection unit 152 has been accumulated in step S474. Alternatively, information list data that is information indicating the received filtering result is supplied to the GUI control unit 153. The GUI control unit 153 converts the supplied information into, for example, display image data having a predetermined background or display image data that is displayed superimposed on the video of the program that the user is currently viewing, This is supplied to the display control unit 154. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, and displays it on the CRT 130. Note that a predetermined BGM may be output from the speaker 132 when the information list is displayed.

  In the information viewing apparatus 371, when a television broadcast program is currently being viewed, if it is not preferable to display the information list even though the program is being viewed, the display control unit 154 displays the broadcast. The content in the content may include, for example, a commercial content such as a commercial and may not be a program content, and an information list that is information indicating the supplied filtering result may be output and displayed. .

  In step S475, the information selection unit 152 determines whether or not the remote commander 13 has received an input of a signal for selecting content data or various types of information based on the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. If it is determined in step S475 that a signal for selecting content data or various information has not been received, step S475 is performed until it is determined that a signal for selecting content data or various information has been received. The process is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S475 that an input of content data or a signal for selecting various information has been received, the information selection unit 152 is selected based on the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151 in step S476. It is determined whether the received content data or various types of information is received from the information providing apparatus 11 or stored in the information storage unit 391. If it is determined in step S476 that the selected content data or various types of information has not been received and is not stored in the information storage unit 391, the transmission of the selected content data or various types of information is provided. The process of step S476 is repeated until it is determined that the request has been made to the apparatus 11 and the selected content data or various information has been received from the information providing apparatus 11.

  If it is determined in step S476 that the selected content data or various types of information has been received or stored in the information storage unit 391, the information selection unit 152 receives or stores the information in step S477. Content data or various types of information is output to the content output control unit 155, and the content output control unit 155 outputs image data to the display control unit 154 and audio data to the audio output control unit 156. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, displays it on the CRT 130, and the audio output control unit 156 causes the speaker 132 to output the audio data. That is, provision information is provided to the user.

  In step S478, the information selection unit 152 receives an input of a signal for selecting content or various information different from the content being output or various information selected by the user based on the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined in step S478 that an input of content data or a signal for selecting various types of information has been received, the process returns to step S476, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S478 that the input of content data or a signal for selecting various types of information has not been received, in step S479, the information selection unit 152 performs PMD based on the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. It is determined whether the end of the search process has been commanded.

  If it is determined in step S479 that the PMD search process is not instructed to end, the process returns to step S475, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S471 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, or if it is determined in step S479 that the end of the PMD search process is instructed, the information of the information viewing apparatus 371 is determined in step S480. In blocks other than the viewing control unit 381, normal processing other than PMD search processing, such as reception and playback of television broadcasts, is performed, for example, and the processing returns to step S471, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  When the information list and the provided information are accumulated in the information viewing apparatus 371 by such processing, the information providing apparatus 11 is only displayed when the accumulated provided information is displayed or outputted and is not accumulated. Request for transmission of provided information is required.

  By the process executed in the seventh embodiment, even when the user 1 is not consciously operating, information preferable for the user is selected by the filtering process and supplied to the information viewing apparatus 371. 1, the remote commander 13 for allowing the user to view the provided information and the information viewing apparatus 14 are remote from the information providing apparatus 11, and the response to the user's operation input As the speed becomes faster, the operability is improved.

  Next, FIG. 54 is a system diagram showing an eighth embodiment of the information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  Note that portions corresponding to those in FIG. 49 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, the information viewing system in FIG. 54 is provided with the information viewing apparatus 14 instead of the information viewing apparatus 371, and newly includes a small recording medium such as a Memory Stick (trademark) or a recording medium such as a memory stick. Except that the mobile content storage device 401, which is a small information processing device (for example, a mobile phone), is basically the same as the information viewing system described with reference to FIG. It is what you have.

  Similar to the information storage unit 391 of the information viewing apparatus 371 in the seventh embodiment, the mobile content storage apparatus 401 is an information list or provision provided in advance from the information providing apparatus 11 via the Internet 21. Some or all of the information is stored. Therefore, by connecting the mobile content storage device 401 to the information viewing device 14, when the user 1 commands execution of the PMD search process, if the necessary information is stored, the information providing device via the Internet 21 The information list provided to the user 1 and the information provided to the user 1 can be supplied to the information viewing apparatus 14 without being accessed, and output as an image or sound.

  Therefore, even when the PK 12 held by the user 1 and the remote commander 13 and the information viewing device 14 for allowing the user to view the provided information are located at a remote location from the information providing device 11, the mobile content is stored. By using the device 401, the response to the user's operation input becomes faster, so that the operability is improved.

  In addition, the mobile content storage device 401 receives an information list supplied in advance from the information providing device 11 via the Internet 21 and a part of a start portion of the provided information described in the information list (for example, predetermined data). Only the amount or the predetermined reproduction time) may be accumulated. Based on the operation input of the user 1, the information viewing device 14 can first provide the information without reading the waiting time by reading the provided information from the mobile content storage device 401, The information provision apparatus 11 is requested to transmit the remaining provision information, and the information supplied from the information provision apparatus 11 is provided to the user following the provision information stored in the mobile content storage apparatus 401.

  Thus, even when the storage capacity of the mobile content storage device 401 is small or when it is desired to store a lot of provision information, the PK 12 held by the user 1 and the remote commander for allowing the user to view the provision information 13 and the information viewing apparatus 14 are remote from the information providing apparatus 11, the response to the user's operation input is quicker, so that the operability is improved.

  Next, processing of each device in the eighth embodiment will be described. In the information providing device 11, the PK 12, and the remote commander 13, processing basically similar to that in the seventh embodiment is performed. Since it is executed, its description is omitted.

  Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 55, in the eighth embodiment, mobile content storage apparatus 401 stores a previously supplied information list and a part of the start portion of provided information described in the information list. The process 4 of the information viewing apparatus 14 in the case where the information is received will be described.

  In step S <b> 501, the information selection unit 152 controls the information acquisition unit 151, and whether or not the start of the PMD search process is instructed based on the signal transmitted from the remote commander 13 supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. Determine whether. If it is determined in step S501 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S508 described later.

  If it is determined in step S501 that the start of the PMD search process has been commanded, in step S502, the information selection unit 152 reads an information list that is information indicating the supplied filtering result from the mobile content storage device 401, and This is supplied to the GUI control unit 153. The GUI control unit 153 converts the supplied information into, for example, display image data having a predetermined background or display image data that is displayed superimposed on the video of the program that the user is currently viewing, This is supplied to the display control unit 154. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, and displays it on the CRT 130. Note that a predetermined BGM may be output from the speaker 132 when the information list is displayed.

  In addition, when the information viewing device 14 is currently viewing a television broadcast program, and it is not preferable that the information list is displayed even though the program is being viewed, the display control unit 154 displays the broadcast. The content in the content may include, for example, a commercial content such as a commercial and may not be a program content, and an information list that is information indicating the supplied filtering result may be output and displayed. .

  In step S <b> 503, the information selection unit 152 determines whether a signal for selecting content data or various types of information is received from the remote commander 13 based on the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151.

  If it is determined in step S503 that a signal for selecting content data or various types of information has been received, in step S504, the information selection unit 152 controls the information acquisition unit 151 to select the selected content data or various types of information. Corresponding information is read from the mobile content storage device 401 and output to the content output control unit 155. The content output control unit 155 outputs image data to the display control unit 154 and audio data to the audio output control unit 156. . The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, displays it on the CRT 130, and the audio output control unit 156 causes the speaker 132 to output the audio data. That is, provision information is provided to the user.

  In step S <b> 505, the information output unit 157 generates a signal requesting information corresponding to the selected content data or various information, and transmits the signal to the information providing apparatus 11 via the Internet 21.

  In step S <b> 505, the information acquisition unit 151 receives the content data or various types of information transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 and supplies the received content data to the information selection unit 152. The information selection unit 152 controls the information acquisition unit 151 to read the selected content data or information corresponding to various types of information from the mobile content storage device 401 and output the information to the content output control unit 155 for content output control. The unit 155 outputs the image data to the display control unit 154 and the audio data to the audio output control unit 156. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, displays it on the CRT 130, and the audio output control unit 156 causes the speaker 132 to output the audio data. That is, the provision information is provided to the user, the process returns to step S503, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S503 that a signal for selecting content data or various types of information has not been received, the information selection unit 152 performs PMD search processing based on the information supplied from the information acquisition unit 151 in step S507. It is determined whether or not termination is commanded.

  If it is determined in step S507 that the end of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process returns to step S503, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S501 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, or if it is determined in step S507 that the end of the PMD search process is instructed, the information in the information viewing apparatus 14 is determined in step S508. In blocks other than the viewing control unit 139, normal processing other than PMD search processing, such as reception and playback of television broadcasts, is performed, for example. The processing returns to step S501, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  Thus, even when the storage capacity of the mobile content storage device 401 is small or when it is desired to store a lot of provision information, the PK 12 held by the user 1 and the remote commander for allowing the user to view the provision information 13 and the information viewing apparatus 14 are remote from the information providing apparatus 11, the response to the user's operation input is quicker, so that the operability is improved.

  Note that the mobile content storage device 401 may exchange information with the remote commander 13 instead of the information viewing device 14 as shown in FIG. 56, or the PK 12 and the remote device as shown in FIG. It may be provided remotely from the commander 13 and exchange information with the information viewing apparatus 14 via the Internet 21.

  Further, the function of the mobile content storage device 401 may be included in the PK held by the user. FIG. 58 is a system diagram showing the ninth embodiment of the information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  Note that portions corresponding to those in FIG. 54 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  That is, the information viewing system of FIG. 58 basically has the same configuration as that of FIG. 54 except that a PK 411 with a storage function having the function of the mobile content storage device 401 is provided instead of the mobile content storage device 401 and PK 12. This has the same configuration as the information viewing system described above.

  59 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PK411 with storage function of FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 6, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  That is, the PK 411 with a storage function is one of the information list or the provided information supplied in advance from the information providing apparatus 11 via the Internet 21 like the mobile content storage apparatus 401 in the eighth embodiment. The PK 12 has the same configuration as that of the PK 12 described with reference to FIG. 6 except that a content storage unit 421 that stores all or part of the content is provided.

  Next, the processing of each device in the ninth embodiment will be described. In the information providing device 11 and the remote commander 13, basically the same processing as in the eighth embodiment is executed. The PK 411 with storage function also executes the same processing as the PK 12 in the eighth embodiment except that information is read from the content storage unit 421 via the information output unit 99. Omitted.

  Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 60, in the ninth embodiment, the content storage unit 421 of the PK411 with storage function includes a previously supplied information list and one of the start parts of the provided information described in the information list. The process 5 of the information viewing apparatus 14 in the case of storing parts will be described.

  In step S521, the information selection unit 152 determines whether the start of the PMD search process is instructed based on the signal transmitted from the remote commander 13 supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. If it is determined in step S521 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S528.

  If it is determined in step S521 that the start of the PMD search process has been commanded, in step S522, the information selection unit 152 controls the information control unit 151 to display an information list that is information indicating the supplied filtering result. The content is read from the content storage unit 421 of the PK 411 with storage function and supplied to the GUI control unit 153. The GUI control unit 153 converts the supplied information into, for example, display image data having a predetermined background or display image data that is displayed superimposed on the video of the program that the user is currently viewing, This is supplied to the display control unit 154. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, and displays it on the CRT 130. Note that a predetermined BGM may be output from the speaker 132 when the information list is displayed.

  In step S523, processing similar to that in step S503 in FIG. 55 is executed. That is, it is determined whether or not a signal for selecting content data or various information is received from the remote commander 13.

  If it is determined in step S523 that a signal for selecting content data or various types of information has been received, in step S524, the information selection unit 152 controls the information control unit 151 so that the selected content data or various types of information are displayed. Corresponding information is read from the content storage unit 421 of the PK411 with storage function and output to the content output control unit 155. The content output control unit 155 outputs image data to the display control unit 154 and audio to the audio output control unit 156. Output data. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, displays it on the CRT 130, and the audio output control unit 156 causes the speaker 132 to output the audio data. That is, provision information is provided to the user.

  In steps S525 to S528, processing similar to that in steps S505 to S508 in FIG. 55 is executed. That is, a signal requesting information corresponding to the selected content data or various types of information is generated, transmitted to the information providing apparatus 11 via the Internet 21, and the content data or various types of information transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 is transmitted. Is provided, the provision information is provided to the user, the process returns to step S523, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S523 that a signal for selecting content data or various types of information has not been received, it is determined whether or not the end of the PMD search process has been commanded in the same manner as in step S507 in FIG. If it is determined that the end of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process returns to step S523, and the subsequent processes are repeated. When it is determined that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, or when it is determined that the end of the PMD search process is instructed, in a block other than the information viewing control unit 139 of the information viewing apparatus 14, for example, Normal processing other than PMD search processing, such as reception and playback of television broadcasts, is executed, and the processing returns to step S521, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  Accordingly, even when the mobile content storage device 401 has a small storage capacity or when a large amount of provision information is desired to be stored, the PK 41 with storage function and the information viewing device 14 possessed by the user 1 are Even if it is located at a remote location from 11, the response to the user's operation input becomes faster, so that the operability is improved.

  Further, the function of the PK411 with storage function may be further included in the function of the remote commander. FIG. 61 is a system diagram showing the tenth embodiment of the information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  Note that portions corresponding to those in FIG. 54 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  That is, the information viewing system in FIG. 61 has a function of the mobile content storage device 401 instead of the mobile content storage device 401, the remote commander 13, and the PK12, and the remote commander 431 with the PK and storage function having the function of PK12. Except that the information viewing system described with reference to FIG. 54 is basically used.

  FIG. 62 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the remote commander 431 with PK and storage function of FIG. Note that portions corresponding to those in FIG. 31 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, the remote commander 431 with PK and storage function, like the mobile content storage device 401 in the eighth embodiment, the information list supplied in advance from the information providing device 11 via the Internet 21, or The PK remote commander 298 described with reference to FIG. 31 has basically the same configuration except that a content storage unit 421 in which part or all of the provided information is stored is provided.

  Next, the processing of each device in the tenth embodiment will be described. In the information providing device 11, basically the same processing as in the ninth embodiment is executed, and the PK and the storage function are provided. The remote commander 431 also performs the same process as the process of adding the process executed by the remote commander 13 to the process of the PK411 with storage function in the ninth embodiment, except that information is read from the content storage unit 421. Since it is executed, its description is omitted.

  Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 63, in the ninth embodiment, the content storage unit 421 of the PK 411 with a storage function includes a pre-supplied information list and a start part of provided information described in the information list. The process 5 of the information viewing apparatus 14 in the case of storing parts will be described.

  In step S541, the information selection unit 152 determines whether the start of the PMD search process is instructed based on the signal transmitted from the remote commander 13 supplied from the information acquisition unit 151. If it is determined in step S541 that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S548.

  If it is determined in step S541 that the start of the PMD search process is instructed, in step S542, the information selection unit 152 controls the information acquisition unit 151 to display an information list that is information indicating the supplied filtering result. , PK, and read from the content storage unit 421 of the remote commander 431 with storage function, and supply it to the GUI control unit 153. The GUI control unit 153 converts the supplied information into, for example, display image data having a predetermined background or display image data that is displayed superimposed on the video of the program that the user is currently viewing, This is supplied to the display control unit 154. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, and displays it on the CRT 130. Note that a predetermined BGM may be output from the speaker 132 when the information list is displayed.

  In step S543, the information selection unit 152 determines whether a signal for selecting content data or various types of information has been received from the remote commander with PK and storage function.

  If it is determined in step S543 that a signal for selecting content data or various types of information has been received, in step S544, the information selection unit 152 controls the information acquisition unit 151 to select the selected content data or various types of information. Corresponding information is read from the content storage unit 421 of the remote commander 431 with PK and storage function, and output to the content output control unit 155. The content output control unit 155 controls the image data to the display control unit 154 and the audio output control. Audio data is output to the unit 156. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, displays it on the CRT 130, and the audio output control unit 156 causes the speaker 132 to output the audio data. That is, provision information is provided to the user.

  In steps S545 to S548, processing similar to that in steps S505 to S508 in FIG. 55 is executed. That is, a signal requesting information corresponding to the selected content data or various types of information is generated, transmitted to the information providing apparatus 11 via the Internet 21, and the content data or various types of information transmitted from the information providing apparatus 11 is transmitted. Is provided, the provision information is provided to the user, the process returns to step S543, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S543 that a signal for selecting content data or various types of information has not been received, it is determined whether or not the end of the PMD search process has been instructed, and the end of the PMD search process has been instructed. If it is determined that there is no, the process returns to step S543, and the subsequent processes are repeated. When it is determined that the start of the PMD search process is not instructed, or when it is determined that the end of the PMD search process is instructed, in a block other than the information viewing control unit 139 of the information viewing apparatus 14, for example, Normal processing other than PMD search processing, such as reception and playback of television broadcasts, is executed, and the processing returns to step S541, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  As a result, even when the storage capacity of the mobile content storage device 401 is small or when it is desired to store a large amount of provided information, the PK and remote commander 431 with storage function and the information viewing device 14 held by the user 1 Even if the information providing apparatus 11 is remote from the information providing apparatus 11, the response to the user's operation input becomes faster, and the operability is improved.

  The information viewing apparatus 14 may have the function of holding the PMD, so that the information viewing apparatus 14 also has the function of the PK 12, and the information viewing apparatus 14 stores the provided information in addition to the function of holding the PMD. By having such a function, the function of the PK411 with storage function described with reference to FIG. 58 may be provided.

  In such a case, the user 1 has, for example, a portable audio recording / reproducing device, a device having the functions of the information viewing device 14 and the PK 12, or a function of the information viewing device 14, the PK 12, and the mobile content storage device 401. It can be used as a device. At this time, it goes without saying that the storage unit having the same function as the mobile content storage device 401 that can be incorporated in the information viewing device 14 may be detachable, such as a Memory Stick (trademark). Absent.

  Further, the user 1 may perform an operation input by using an operation input unit provided in the information viewing apparatus 14 without using the remote commander 13.

  In the first to tenth embodiments of the information viewing system described above, the information providing apparatus 11 or the information providing apparatus 281 generates an information list and presents the information to the user. Although it has been described that the desired provision information is selected with reference to the list, the provision information listed in the information list is sequentially (for example, in order of high degree of match with the preference information or in random order) It may be automatically played back. In this case, the information list may be displayed on any device or may not be displayed on any device. In addition to this, for example, an automatic playback button is provided on a device on which the user performs operation input in the system such as PK 12, remote commander 13, information viewing device 14, or the like, or displayed together with a display list presented to the user. By providing an automatic playback button that can be selected by the user 1, automatic playback is performed only when the user desires, or automatic playback is performed as a PMD corresponding to a device ID of a predetermined information viewing apparatus. You may make it provide the setting which is performed.

  In this way, for example, when the information viewing device 14 is an optical disc playback device, audio that matches the user's preference is automatically played back and output sequentially, or the information viewing device 14 displays an image. In the case of an apparatus called an electronic photo stand that can be displayed, images that the user likes can be automatically displayed in sequence.

  FIG. 64 is a system diagram showing an eleventh embodiment of the information viewing system to which the present invention is applied.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the case in FIG. 1, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  That is, in the information viewing system in FIG. 64, an information viewing apparatus 501 capable of detecting the PK 12 of the user 1 is provided in place of the information viewing apparatus 14, and the information viewing apparatus 501 replaces the information providing apparatus 11. Based on information transmitted from either of them, an information providing device 502 capable of recognizing the information viewing device 501 installed at the location where the user 1 is present is provided. The information viewing system basically has the same configuration as that of the information viewing system described with reference to FIG.

  65 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information viewing control unit 511 that is used in place of the information viewing control unit 139 in FIG. 8 in the information viewing apparatus 501 in FIG. Note that portions corresponding to those in FIG. 39 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, it has basically the same configuration as that of the information viewing control unit 321 of FIG. 39 except that a PK detection unit 521 that executes a process of detecting the PK 12 that the user 1 has is newly provided.

  The information selection unit 152 notifies the PK detection unit 521 when the PK 12 has transmitted the PMD. The PK detection unit 521 detects that the PK 12 is close to itself, reads the device ID from the device information storage unit 331, supplies the device ID to the information output unit 157, and provides the information providing device 502 via the Internet 21. Send to.

  66 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information providing apparatus 502 of FIG. 2 corresponding to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, an information filtering / caching unit 523 is provided in place of the information filtering / caching unit 55, and an address detection for detecting an address for providing information to the user 1 based on a device ID transmitted from the information viewing device 501. 2 except that a unit 531 and a data transmission source selection unit 532 for recognizing a transmission source permitted as a transmission source of provision information to be provided to a user at a remote location are provided. It has basically the same configuration as the device 11.

  The address detection unit 531 has a table in which device IDs and corresponding information destination addresses are described, and detects an address for providing information to the user 1 from the received device ID. This is supplied to the information output unit 57.

  For example, when the user 3 uses the personal computer 33 to send an e-mail to the user 1 who can use the plurality of information viewing apparatuses 501, when the conventional e-mail transmission method is used, where the user 1 is currently located If it is not known, the user 1 could not know the transmission address at which the e-mail can be confirmed immediately. On the other hand, by adopting the configuration in the eleventh embodiment, the user 3 uses the personal computer 33 to send an e-mail to the information providing apparatus 502, so that the user 1 is in any location. The user 1 can obtain important provision information transmitted to himself / herself at any place. In addition, the user 1 can view the video captured by the user 503 using the video camera 504 at any location.

  As shown in FIG. 67, the data transmission source selection unit 532 includes a communication pad 531 provided on the upper surface of the information providing apparatus 502. The communication pad 531 has a reader / writer (not shown). The IC child included in the A child doll 541-1, the B male doll 541-2, or the C husband doll 541-3 not placed in FIG. Information can be read by contact.

  The A child doll 541-1, the B male doll 541-2, and the C husband doll 541-3 have built-in IC chips having antennas, and the IC chip has a person corresponding to each doll, or A user ID that can identify the group or organization to which the person belongs is stored.

  The data transmission source selection unit 532 can read the user ID from the doll placed on the communication pad 531 and provide the user 1 with the provision information supplied from the corresponding person or the group or organization to which the person belongs. Information is recognized and notified to the information filtering / caching unit 523. The information filtering / caching unit 523 provides the provision information supplied from the person corresponding to the doll placed on the communication pad 531 or the group or organization to which the person belongs among the provision information acquired by the information acquisition unit 51. Only the information is filtered and stored in the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55.

  In this way, the information providing apparatus 502 can transmit only the provision information important to the user to the information viewing apparatus 501 installed in the vicinity of the user 1.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 68, the process 5 of PK12 in the 11th Embodiment of the information viewing system to which this invention is applied is demonstrated.

  In step S601, the information acquisition unit 91 determines whether PMD transmission is requested from any of the information viewing devices 501. If it is determined in step S601 that PMD transmission is not requested, the processing in step S601 is repeated until it is determined that PMD transmission is requested.

  If it is determined in step S601 that PMD transmission is requested, in step S602, the information acquisition unit 91 notifies the PMD acquisition unit 96 that transmission of PMD is requested, and the PMD acquisition unit 96 The PMD permitted to be transmitted by the user is read from the PMD storage unit 93, supplied to the information output unit 99, and output from the information viewing device 501 to the device that requested the PMD transmission.

  In step S <b> 603, the information acquisition unit 91 determines whether an operation log is received from the information providing apparatus 11.

  If it is determined in step S603 that an operation log has been received, the information acquisition unit 91 supplies the operation log to the PMD update unit 92 in step S604. The PMD update unit 92 updates the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 93 based on the operation log.

  In step S603, when it is determined that the operation log has not been received, or after the processing in step S604 ends, in step S605, the PMD acquisition unit 96 is permitted to save the PMD in the information providing apparatus 11. Judge whether or not. If it is determined in step S605 that saving the PMD in the information providing apparatus 11 is not permitted, the process returns to step S601 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S605 that saving the PMD in the information providing apparatus 11 is permitted, in step S606, the PMD acquisition unit 96 reads the latest PMD from the PMD update unit 92 and outputs the information. The information is supplied to the unit 99 and output to the information providing apparatus 11, and the process returns to step S601, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  By such processing, the PK 12 transmits the PMD to the nearest information viewing apparatus 501, and thus the information viewing apparatus 501 can detect that a user holding the PK 12 shoots in the vicinity of itself.

  Next, processing 7 of the information viewing apparatus 501 executed in parallel with the processing 5 of PK in FIG. 68 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  In step S621, the information output unit 157 generates and transmits a signal requesting PMD transmission to the PK 12.

  In step S622, the information selection unit 152 determines whether or not a PMD has been received from the PK 12, based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 151. If PK12 does not exist in the vicinity, it is determined in step S622 that no PMD has been received from PK12, so the process returns to step S621, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S622 that the PMD has been received from the PK 12, the information selection unit 152 notifies the PK detection unit 521 that the PMD has been received in step S623. The PK detection unit 521 reads the device ID from the device information storage unit 331 and supplies the device ID to the information output unit 151. The information output unit 151 supplies the supplied device ID to the information providing device 502 via the Internet 21. Send to.

  In step S624, the information selection unit 152 determines whether the provision information provided to the user 1 has been received from the information provision apparatus 502 via the Internet 21.

  If it is determined in step S624 that the provision information has been received, in step S625, the information selection unit 152 outputs the received provision information to the content output control unit 155, and the content output control unit 155 includes the display control unit. The image data is output to 154, and the sound data is output to the sound output control unit 156. The display control unit 154 outputs the display image data to the frame memory 128, encodes it with the NTSC encoder 129, displays it on the CRT 130, and the audio output control unit 156 causes the speaker 132 to output the audio data. That is, provision information is provided to the user.

  If it is determined in step S624 that the provision information has not been received, or after the processing in step S625 is completed, the information selection unit 152 has received an operation log from the information provision apparatus 502 in step S626. Determine whether.

  If it is determined in step S626 that an operation log has been received, in step S627, the information selection unit 152 supplies the received operation log to the information output unit 157, and causes the PK 12 to output the operation log. If it is determined in step S626 that the operation log has not been received, or after the process of step S627 is completed, the process returns to step S621, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  By such processing, the information viewing apparatus 501 can detect that the user 1 who owns the PK 12 is present in the vicinity of the information providing apparatus 502 by receiving the PMD from the PK 12. Thus, by transmitting the device ID, the provision information provided to the user 1 can be received and provided to the user 1.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 70, the process 7 of the information provision apparatus 502 performed in parallel with the process 5 of PK of FIG. 68 and the process 7 of the information viewing apparatus 501 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 641, the information acquisition unit 51, for example, sends an e-mail sent by the user 2 to the user 1 using the personal computer 32, fax data sent by the user 5 to the user 1 using the telephone 35, or a user It is determined whether or not the information provided to the user 1 holding the PK 12, such as video data captured by the video camera 504 and transmitted to the user 1, is received by the user 503. If it is determined in step S641 that the provision information for the user 1 holding the PK12 has not been received, the process of step S641 is repeated until it is determined that the provision information for the user 1 holding the PK12 has been received. It is.

  If it is determined in step S641 that the provision information to the user 1 who owns the PK12 has been received, the data transmission source selection unit 532 acquires the user ID from the communication pad 531 in step S642, and performs information filtering / caching. Part 523.

  In step S643, the information filtering / caching unit 523 determines based on the user ID supplied from the data transmission source selection unit 532 whether the received provision information is provision information for which the transmission source is permitted. To do.

  When it is determined in step S643 that the received provision information is not provision information for which the transmission source is permitted, the information filtering / caching unit 523 generates an error message in step S644 and sends the error message to the information output unit 52. Supply. The information output unit 52 transmits an error message to the data transmission source, the processing returns to step S641, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  When it is determined in step S643 that the received provision information is provision information for which the transmission source is permitted, in step S645, the information acquisition unit 58 and the address detection unit 531 are based on the acquired information. It is determined whether the PMD of the user 1 who owns the PK 12 and the device ID of the information viewing apparatus 501 are received from any of the information viewing apparatuses 501. If it is determined in step S645 that the PMD of the user 1 who owns PK12 and the device ID of the information viewing apparatus 501 are not received, the process of step S645 is repeated until it is determined that the information is received.

  If it is determined in step S645 that the PMD of the user 1 who owns the PK12 and the device ID of the information viewing apparatus 501 are received, the information acquisition unit 58 sends the received PMD to the PMD update unit 62 in step S646. The information filtering / caching unit 523 acquires the updated PMD from the PMD update unit 62 and executes the filtering process, and as a result, the PMD stored in the PMD storage unit 54 is updated. The content or various information provided to the user is stored in the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55. The address detection unit 531 refers to the table in which the information destination address corresponding to the device ID is described, detects the transmission destination address of the provided information based on the received device ID, and supplies it to the information output unit 57 .

  In step S647, the decoding unit 60 reads the selected content or information from the user-provided information storage area of the data and metadata storage unit 55, and when decoding is necessary for display or audio output, Information is decoded as necessary and supplied to the information output unit 57.

  In step S648, the information output unit 57 transmits the supplied content or information to the information viewing device 501 specified by the device ID.

  In step S649, the information output unit 57 transmits a signal indicating the user's selection, that is, if there is an operation log, the operation log is transmitted to the information viewing device 501, and the process returns to step S641, and the subsequent processing is performed. Repeated.

  Through such processing, the information providing apparatus 502 detects the address of the information viewing apparatus 501 that exists in the vicinity of the user 1 who owns the PK 12, and sends the information provided to the user 1 to the vicinity of the user 1 who owns the PK 12. Since the information can be transmitted to the existing information viewing apparatus 501, the sender of the information for the user 1 can transmit the information for the user 1 via the information providing apparatus 502 without worrying about where the user 1 is. The user 1 can acquire necessary information at any location.

  Further, whether or not to permit the user 1 as an information transmission source without performing complicated operation input depending on whether or not a doll indicating a user or a service permitted as an information transmission source is placed on the communication pad 531. Can be set.

  The series of processes described above can also be executed by software. The software is a computer in which the program constituting the software is incorporated in dedicated hardware, or various functions can be executed by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose personal computer For example, it is installed from a recording medium.

  As shown in FIG. 71, this recording medium is distributed to provide a program to a user separately from a computer, and includes a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk) on which a program is recorded, an optical disk (CD-ROM ( Compact disk-read only memory (including DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), magneto-optical disk (including MD (Mini-Disk) (trademark)), or removable disk (package media) composed of semiconductor memory, etc. Is done.

  FIG. 71 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the personal computer 601.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 611 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 612 or a program loaded from a storage unit 618 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 613. The RAM 613 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 611 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 611, the ROM 612, and the RAM 613 are connected to each other via the bus 614. An input / output interface 615 is also connected to the bus 614.

  The input / output interface 615 includes an input unit 616 including a switch or a button, and an output unit configured with a dot matrix display, a speaker, a vibration motor, and the like, and outputs information to be presented to the user by image, voice, braille, vibration, or the like. 617 is connected. Further, the input / output interface 615 is connected to a storage unit 618 configured by a hard disk or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), and a communication unit 619 configured by a wireless transmission / reception device. Note that a plurality of communication units 619 may be provided according to a communication method such as RF communication (electromagnetic wave communication), quasi-electrostatic field communication, or optical communication.

  Of course, the communication unit 619 can perform wired electrical communication represented by Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like, or optical communication such as infrared rays.

  A drive 620 is connected to the input / output interface 615 as necessary, and the drive 620 is a recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. The removable medium 621 is mounted, and the computer program read from them is installed in the storage unit 618 as necessary.

  Further, in the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but may be performed in parallel or It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  In the present specification, the term “system” represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a user profile. It is a figure for demonstrating a user profile. It is a figure for demonstrating content metadata. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PK of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote commander of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information viewing-and-listening apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information viewing control part of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 1 of a remote commander. It is a figure for demonstrating the information list displayed on a remote commander. 6 is a flowchart for explaining PK processing 1; It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 1 of an information provision apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 1 of an information provision apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 1 of an information viewing-and-listening apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the information list displayed on an information viewing-and-listening apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the information list displayed on an information viewing-and-listening apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PK which can perform an authentication process. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision apparatus which can perform an authentication process. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of personal authentication. 6 is a flowchart for explaining user authentication processing 1; It is a flowchart for demonstrating the user authentication process 2. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating PMD management processing. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 2 of a remote commander. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 2 of a remote commander. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 2 of PK. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 2 of an information provision apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 2 of an information provision apparatus. It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote commander with PK of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of the remote commander with PK. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of the remote commander with PK. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 3 of an information provision apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 3 of an information provision apparatus. It is a figure which shows 4th Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PK of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the table which the environment information acquisition part of FIG. 37 has. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information viewing control part of the information viewing apparatus of FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining PK processing 3; It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 4 of an information provision apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 2 of an information viewing-and-listening apparatus. It is a figure which shows 5th Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote commander of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 3 of a remote commander. 14 is a flowchart for explaining PK processing 4; It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 5 of an information provision apparatus. It is a figure which shows 6th Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a figure which shows 7th Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information viewing control part in the information viewing apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 6 of an information provision apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 6 of an information provision apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 3 of an information viewing-and-listening apparatus. It is a figure which shows 8th Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 4 of an information viewing-and-listening apparatus. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of 8th Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of 8th Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a figure which shows 9th Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. FIG. 59 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PK with storage function of FIG. 58. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 5 of an information viewing-and-listening apparatus. It is a figure which shows 10th Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. FIG. 62 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PK and a remote commander with storage function in FIG. 61. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 6 of an information viewing-and-listening apparatus. It is a figure which shows 11th Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. FIG. 65 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information viewing control unit of the information viewing apparatus in FIG. 64. FIG. 65 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information providing apparatus in FIG. 64. FIG. 67 is a diagram for explaining the data transmission source selection unit in FIG. 66. 10 is a flowchart for explaining PK processing 5; It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 7 of an information viewing-and-listening apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process 7 of an information provision apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 User, 11 Information provision apparatus, 12 Personal related information control apparatus (PK), 13 Remote commander, 14 Information viewing apparatus, 51 Information acquisition part, 52 Information output part, 53 Information filtering / caching part, 54 PMD storage part, 55 Data and metadata storage unit, 56 information list generation unit, 67 information output unit, 58 information acquisition unit, 59 information selection unit, 60 decoding unit, 61 log collection unit, 62 PMD update unit, 71 user profile, 72 content metadata , 91 information acquisition unit, 92 PMD update unit, 93 PMD storage unit, 94 display control unit, 95 display unit, 96 PMD acquisition unit, 97 operation input unit, 98 operation input selection unit, 99 information output unit, 101 information acquisition unit , 102 Display control unit, 103 Display unit, 104 Operation input Unit, 105 operation input selection unit, 106 information output unit, 130 CRT, 132 speaker, 139 information viewing control unit, 151 information acquisition unit, 1523 information selection unit, 153 GUI control unit, 154 display control unit, 155 content output control unit , 156 voice output control unit, 157 information output unit, 251 PK, 261 sensor, 262 authentication processing unit, 263 PMD management unit, 281 information providing device, 291 authentication data storage unit, 292 authentication bibliographic unit, 298 remote commander with PK, 301 PK, 302 information viewing device, 311 environment information acquisition unit, 321 information viewing control unit, 331 device information storage unit, 351 remote commander, 361 device information storage unit, 371 information viewing device, 381 information viewing control unit, 391 information storage Department, 40 1 mobile content storage device, 411 PK with storage function, 421 content storage unit, 431 PK and remote commander with storage function, 501 information viewing device, 502 information providing device, 511 PK detection unit, 531 address detection unit, 532 data transmission source Selection unit 532 communication pad, 541 doll, 601 personal computer

Claims (39)

In an information providing apparatus that provides information to a predetermined user,
First communication means for communicating with at least one first other information processing apparatus for transmitting provided information provided to the user;
Second communication means for communicating with at least one second other information processing apparatus held by the predetermined user;
First storage means for storing personal information of the user received by the second communication means;
First selection means for selecting predetermined provision information from a plurality of the provision information based on the personal information accumulated by the first accumulation means;
Generating means for generating a list of predetermined provision information selected by the first selecting means;
Based on an operation input by the user referring to the list generated by the generation unit and transmitted to any one of the second other information processing devices by the second communication unit, the first Second selection means for selecting the provision information desired by the user from the predetermined provision information selected by the selection means, and
The provision information desired by the user selected by the second selection means is transmitted to the second other information processing apparatus by the second communication means. The information provision apparatus. The second selection means converts the provision information desired by the user when a predetermined conversion process is necessary to provide the provision information desired by the user to the user. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second storage unit that stores the predetermined provision information selected by the first selection unit. The first storage means stores the personal information even when the user does not use the information providing device,
The first selection means is configured to obtain predetermined predetermined information from a plurality of provision information based on the personal information accumulated by the first accumulation means even when the user does not use the information provision apparatus. Select an advertisement,
The second storage unit stores the predetermined provision information selected by the first selection unit even when the user does not use the information provision device. The information providing apparatus according to the description. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit communicates with the second other information processing apparatus existing at a remote place via a network. A detecting means for detecting address information necessary for transmitting the provision information to the second other information processing apparatus;
When the information provided to the user is received by the first communication means, the second communication means uses the second other information processing based on the address information detected by the address detection means. The information provision apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the provision information is transmitted to an apparatus. The second communication means transmits a signal indicating an operation input by the user referred to by the second selection means to select provision information desired by the user among the second other information processing apparatuses. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information providing apparatus transmits to at least one of the information. The generation unit selects the plurality of provision information selected by the first selection unit by the first selection unit even if the provided information is transmitted from different first information processing apparatuses. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one list in which all of the plurality of provided information are described is generated. The provided information includes content data;
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content data includes at least one of video data, audio data, and text data. The provided information includes data used for communication between the user and other users,
The data used for the communication is at least one of voice data for a telephone call, image data or video data accompanying the voice data, e-mail data, and text data transmitted / received via a predetermined web server. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: one piece of data. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting whether or not a transmission source of the provision information is a permitted transmission source. The detection means is composed of pads each capable of recognizing a doll indicating a predetermined person or group, and the user allows a predetermined person or group permitted as a transmission source of the provided information to the pad. The information providing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the information providing apparatus detects that the transmission source of the provision information is a permitted transmission source by arranging a doll to be displayed. The first storage means stores a plurality of personal information of the users,
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first selection unit selects predetermined provision information from the plurality of provision information based on personal information of the plurality of users. The first selection unit acquires information on the provision information, compares the personal information stored by the first storage unit with information on the provision information, and among the plurality of provision information, The information provision apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined provision information that matches a user's preference is selected. The information providing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first selection unit acquires the information related to the provision information by accumulating the provision information for a predetermined time and analyzing the information. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising authentication means for performing authentication processing of the user. When the authentication unit authenticates the user as the correct user, the second communication unit uses the user's personal information stored in the first storage unit as the second other information processing. The information providing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the information providing apparatus transmits the information to the apparatus. The preview image data of the provision information included in the list is included in the list transmitted to any one of the other information processing apparatuses by the second communication unit. The information providing device according to 1. Updating means for updating the personal information of the user stored in the first storage means based on information transmitted from the second other information processing apparatus and received by the second communication means; The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: In the information providing method of the information providing apparatus for providing information to a predetermined user,
A first acquisition step of communicating with at least one first other information processing apparatus for transmitting the provision information provided to the user and obtaining the provision information or the first information related to the provision information;
A second acquisition step of communicating with at least one second other information processing apparatus held by the predetermined user and acquiring personal information of the user;
An accumulation step of accumulating the personal information acquired by the processing of the second acquisition step;
A first selection step of selecting predetermined provision information from a plurality of the provision information based on the personal information accumulated by the processing of the accumulation step;
A generation step of generating a list of predetermined provision information selected by the processing of the first selection step;
A first output step of outputting the list generated by the processing of the generation step;
A third acquisition step of acquiring an operation input by the user referring to the list transmitted to any one of the second other information processing apparatuses by the processing of the first output step;
Based on the operation input acquired by the processing of the third acquisition step, the provision information desired by the user is selected and output from the predetermined provision information selected by the processing of the first selection step. A method for providing information, comprising: a second output step. A program for causing a computer to execute processing for providing information to a predetermined user,
A first acquisition control step of communicating with at least one first other information processing apparatus that transmits provision information provided to the user and controlling acquisition of the provision information or first information related to the provision information When,
A second acquisition control step of communicating with at least one second other information processing apparatus held by the predetermined user and controlling acquisition of the personal information of the user;
A first accumulation control step for controlling accumulation of the personal information whose acquisition is controlled by the processing of the second acquisition control step;
A first selection step of selecting predetermined provision information from a plurality of the provision information based on the personal information whose accumulation is controlled by the processing of the first accumulation control step;
A generation step of generating a list of predetermined provision information selected by the processing of the first selection step;
A first output control step for controlling the output of the list generated by the processing of the generation step;
A third acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of an operation input by the user with reference to the list transmitted to any one of the second other information processing devices by the processing of the first output control step; ,
Based on the operation input whose acquisition is controlled by the process of the third acquisition control step, the provision information desired by the user is selected from the predetermined provision information selected by the process of the first selection step And a second output control step for controlling the output. A program for causing a computer to execute processing characterized by comprising: In an information processing apparatus that manages user personal information,
Storage means for storing personal information of the user;
An information providing device that processes the provided information provided to the user, and a communication unit that communicates directly or with another information processing device via at least one of the networks;
Detecting means for detecting information relating to a use environment of the information providing device;
Selection means for selecting, from the personal information stored by the storage means, information suitable for the use environment of the information providing apparatus, based on information about the use environment of the information providing apparatus detected by the detection means; With
The information processing apparatus, wherein the communication means transmits the personal information selected by the selection means to the information providing apparatus. Update means for updating the personal information stored by the storage means;
The communication means receives information indicating the provision information selected by the user and the provision information not selected from the information provision device,
The updating means increases the value indicating the user's evaluation for the attribute of the provision information selected by the user, and evaluates the user for the attribute of the provision information not selected by the user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the personal information stored by the storage unit is updated by not increasing or decreasing a value indicating the value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the communication unit communicates with the information providing apparatus or the other information processing apparatus using forward electrostatic field communication. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising display means for displaying a list of the provision information transmitted from the information provision apparatus. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus having storage means for storing personal information of a user and managing the personal information,
An acquisition step of acquiring a request for transmitting the personal information to the information providing apparatus that processes the provided information provided to the user, and information on a use environment of the information providing apparatus;
Selection for selecting information suitable for the usage environment of the information providing apparatus from the personal information accumulated in the accumulating unit based on the information regarding the usage environment of the information providing apparatus acquired by the processing of the acquisition step Steps,
A transmission step of transmitting the personal information selected by the processing of the selection step to the information providing apparatus. A program for causing a computer that controls an apparatus having storage means for storing personal information of a user to execute processing for managing the personal information,
An acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of the personal information transmission request to the information providing apparatus that processes the provided information provided to the user, and information relating to a use environment of the information providing apparatus;
Based on information related to the usage environment of the information providing apparatus whose acquisition is controlled by the processing of the acquisition control step, information suitable for the usage environment of the information providing apparatus is stored among the personal information stored in the storage unit. A selection step to select;
A transmission control step for controlling transmission of the personal information selected in the selection step to the information providing apparatus. A program for causing a computer to execute the processing. In an information processing apparatus that controls a first other information processing apparatus that outputs at least one of video and audio for providing information provided to a user,
An operation input means for receiving an operation input of the user;
The first other information processing apparatus, the second other information processing apparatus that stores personal information of the user, and the third other information that supplies the provision information to the first other information processing apparatus A communication means for communicating with the information processing device,
The communication means receives the personal information from the second other information processing apparatus, outputs the personal information to the third other information processing apparatus, and inputs the user's operation input by the operation input means. Is transmitted to the third other information processing apparatus. And further comprising storage means for storing device information of the first other information processing device,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the communication unit transmits the apparatus information stored in the storage unit to the second other information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising display means for displaying a list of the provided information transmitted from the third other information processing apparatus and received by the communication means. In the information processing method of the information processing apparatus for controlling the first other information processing apparatus that outputs the provided information provided to the user at least one of video and audio,
A receiving step of receiving the personal information from a second other information processing apparatus that stores the personal information of the user;
A first output step of outputting the personal information received by the processing of the receiving step to a third other information processing apparatus that supplies the provided information to the first other information processing apparatus;
An operation input step for receiving an operation input of the user;
And a second output step of outputting the user's operation input input by the operation input step to the third other information processing apparatus. A program for causing a computer to execute a process of controlling a first other information processing apparatus that outputs at least one of video and audio provided information provided to a user,
A reception control step of controlling reception of the personal information from a second other information processing apparatus that stores the personal information of the user;
A first control unit configured to control output of the personal information whose reception is controlled by the process of the reception control step to a third other information processing apparatus that supplies the provision information to the first other information processing apparatus; An output control step;
An operation input step for receiving an operation input of the user;
A second output control step for controlling the output of the user's operation input input by the operation input step to the third other information processing apparatus. A program to be executed. In an information processing apparatus that outputs provision information provided to a user and information other than the provision information, at least one of video and audio,
Communication means for communicating with other information processing devices;
Output means for outputting at least one of video and audio information other than the provided information;
Display control means for controlling the display of the list of provided information transmitted from the other information processing apparatus and received by the communication means;
The information processing apparatus, wherein the display control unit controls display of the list of provided information when information other than the provided information output by the output unit is information including an advertisement. In an information processing method for an information processing apparatus that outputs provided information to a user and information other than the provided information, at least one of video and audio,
An acquisition step of acquiring a list of the provided information transmitted from another information processing apparatus;
A display control step for controlling display of the list of provided information acquired by the processing of the acquisition step, and
In the processing of the display control step, when the information other than the output provided information is information including an advertisement, the display of the list of provided information is controlled. A program for causing a computer to control processing for outputting provided information provided to a user and information other than the provided information, at least one of video and audio,
An acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of the list of provided information transmitted from another information processing apparatus;
A display control step for controlling the display of the list of provided information, the acquisition of which is controlled by the processing of the acquisition control step, and
In the processing of the display control step, when the information other than the output of the provided information is information including an advertisement, the display of the list of provided information is controlled. Program. An information providing device for providing information to a predetermined user;
A first information processing device for managing personal information of the user;
In an information providing system comprising: a second information processing device that outputs provided information provided to a user at least one of video and audio;
The information providing apparatus includes:
First communication means for communicating with at least one third information processing device for transmitting the provision information provided to the user;
Second communication means for communicating with the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus;
A first storage means for storing personal information of the user received by the second communication means;
Based on the personal information stored by the first storage means, from a plurality of the provided information,
First selecting means for selecting predetermined provision information;
Generating means for generating a list of predetermined provision information selected by the first selection means;
A second selection of the provision information desired by the user from the predetermined provision information selected by the first selection means based on an operation input by the user with reference to the list generated by the generation means. Selection means and
The provision information desired by the user selected by the second selection means is transmitted to the second information processing apparatus by the second communication means,
The first information processing apparatus includes:
Second storage means for storing personal information of the user;
A third communication means for communicating with the information providing device and the second information processing device;
The third communication means transmits the personal information stored by the second storage means to the information providing device,
The second information processing apparatus
A fourth communication means for communicating with the information providing apparatus and the first information processing apparatus;
An information provision system comprising: a list of provision information transmitted from the information provision apparatus and received by the fourth communication means, or display control means for controlling display of the provision information. A fourth information processing device for controlling the information providing device and the second information processing device;
The fourth information processing apparatus
An operation input means for receiving an operation input of the user;
A fifth communication means for communicating with the information providing device, the first information processing device, and the second information processing device;
The fifth communication means receives the personal information from the first information processing apparatus, outputs the personal information to the information providing apparatus, and inputs the operation input of the user input by the operation input means. It transmits to an information provision apparatus. The information provision system of Claim 36 characterized by the above-mentioned. An information storage device for storing at least a part of the provided information list or the provided information;
In the second information processing apparatus that is remote from the information providing apparatus, the information storage apparatus outputs at least one of video and audio as a list of the provided information or at least part of the provided information As described above, the information providing system according to claim 36, wherein the list of provided information or at least a part of the provided information is transmitted to any other information processing apparatus. The information storage device includes information on a start portion of the provided information,
In the second information processing device, the information providing device is in a complete state before the output of at least one of the video and audio of the start portion of the provided information transmitted from the information storage device is completed. The information provision system according to claim 38, wherein provision information is transmitted to the second information processing apparatus.

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