JP2005229221A - Operation history transmission mobile terminal, program rating measurement apparatus, program rating measurement system, and program rating measurement method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation history transmission mobile terminal, a program rating measurement apparatus, a program rating measurement system, and a program rating measurement method capable of efficiently acquiring measurement information from many more viewers, ensuring the security of the measurement information, and measuring the program rating without the need for particular units such as program rating measurement units unlike prior arts as to programs of digital broadcast, analog broadcast, BS, CS and cable television or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The operation history transmission mobile terminal 1 for transmitting an operation history resulting from operating a program reception means for receiving a program, is provided with: an operation means 5; a time count means 7; an operation history generating means 17; an operation history storage means 19; and an operation history transmission means 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention includes an operation history transmission portable terminal that transmits an operation history of program receiving means for receiving the program in order to measure the audience rating of the program, an audience rating measuring device that measures the audience rating from the operation history, and the like. The present invention relates to an audience rating measuring system and an audience rating measuring method using them.

  Conventionally, the audience rating of a program (program such as digital broadcasting, analog broadcasting, BS, CS, cable television [broadcast program]) is a device (computer) installed in an audience rating data center that measures (calculates) the audience rating. In addition, the information described on the sheet collected from the viewer of the program is input and tabulated (summarized on a sheet basis).

Alternatively, the audience rating of the program is measured information (viewing history) transmitted from an audience rating measuring instrument installed in the viewer's home or the like when the viewer views the program during the actual broadcast time. Are calculated by a server installed in the audience rating data center (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-77436 A (paragraphs 0020, 0022, FIG. 1)

  However, with the increase in the number of programs such as digital broadcasting, analog broadcasting, BS, CS, cable TV, etc., there is a request from the company that sponsors the program (sponsor of any program being broadcast at any time) Would like to know immediately whether advertising of their products is effective or will bring the greatest benefit) and leakage of viewing history of programs that are private information of the viewer In order to achieve prevention, etc., the conditions required for measuring the audience rating of programs than before, that is, responsiveness, efficiency, accuracy and confidentiality are stricter. There is a problem that a measurement method is not established.

  Here, quick response means that audience rating can be obtained immediately, efficiency means that measurement information (viewing history) can be obtained efficiently from a large number of viewers, and accuracy means that the audience rating measured Are accurate and confidentiality means that the measurement information transmitted from the viewer is kept secret (safety). In other words, a new method for measuring audience rating that satisfies these conditions is required (social demands exist).

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and satisfies the conditions of responsiveness, efficiency, accuracy and confidentiality, that is, for programs such as digital broadcasting, analog broadcasting, BS, CS, cable television, etc. In this way, it is possible to acquire measurement information efficiently from a larger number of viewers without the need for special devices such as audience rating measuring instruments, and to improve the reliability of measurement information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an operation history portable terminal, an audience rating measuring device, an audience rating measuring system, and an audience rating measuring method capable of ensuring the safety of the audience and measuring the audience rating.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the operation history transmission portable terminal according to claim 1 is an operation history transmission portable terminal that transmits an operation history of operating a program receiving unit that receives a program, and includes an operation unit, a timing unit, The operation history generation means, the operation history storage means, and the operation history transmission means are provided.

  According to such a configuration, the operation history transmitting portable terminal operates the program receiving means by the operating means. The program receiving means may be a tuner, for example, a television (program receiving means + display means), a video tape recorder (program receiving means + VTR recording means), or a DVD recorder (program receiving means + DVD recording means). Or the tuner itself, for example, one built in the terminal (program receiving means + display means [display screen such as liquid crystal]). In addition, when the program receiving means is provided with a tuner (such as a television, a video tape recorder, a DVD recorder, etc.), the operating means has a plurality of infrared light emitting means and a plurality of channels on which the program is broadcast. When the program receiving means is built in the terminal, it is composed of a plurality of operation buttons for selecting a channel on which the program is broadcast.

  The operation history transmitting portable terminal measures the time when the program receiving means is operated by the operating means by the time measuring means. That is, an accurate time (hours, minutes, seconds) is measured by an internal clock built in the terminal. Then, the operation history transmitting portable terminal generates an operation history in which the operation history generating unit associates the operation result of the operation of the program receiving unit with the operation unit and the time measured by the timing unit. The operation result indicates a result of a selection operation for selecting a channel, an operation start operation for starting the operation of the program receiving unit (power on), an operation end operation for terminating the operation of the program receiving unit (power off), or the like. Is. In the operation history, these operation results are associated with the time. For example, the operation button for selecting channel 1 is pressed (channel 1 is selected) at 13:23:10. This indicates that the operation button for selecting channel 3 was pressed (channel 3 was selected) at 14: 5: 38.

  It should be noted that here, the word “viewing history” is not used, and the “operation history” is used only for the user of the operation history transmitting portable terminal to “operate” the program receiving means. This is because there is uncertainty that the user cannot really declare that the user is “watching” the program. Therefore, what constitutes a means for eliminating this uncertainty is a component added to claims 3 and 4 and later.

  Then, the operation history transmission portable terminal stores the operation history generated by the operation history generation unit by the operation history storage unit, and transmits the operation history stored by the operation history storage unit by the operation history transmission unit. The timing for transmitting the operation history may be a fixed time interval or when an operation history request signal transmitted from an audience rating data center device that collects (collects) the operation history is received. Note that the operation history transmission portable terminal may be a portable phone having a call function.

  The operation history transmitting portable terminal according to claim 2 is an operation history transmitting portable terminal that transmits an operation history of operating a program receiving means for receiving a program, wherein the operation means, a timing means, a data receiving means, A history generation unit, an operation history storage unit, and an operation history transmission unit are provided.

  According to such a configuration, the operation history transmitting portable terminal operates the program receiving means by the operating means, and measures the time when the program receiving means is operated by the operating means by the time measuring means. In addition, the operation history transmission portable terminal uses the data reception means to generate operation history that associates the operation result of the operation of the program reception means by the operation means with the time measured by the time measurement means ( Download data) is received, and an operation history generation program is activated by the operation history generation means to generate an operation history. That is, the operation history transmission portable terminal can generate an operation history by receiving data (download data), that is, by downloading an application (operation history generation program). Then, the operation history transmission portable terminal stores the operation history generated by the operation history generation unit by the operation history storage unit, and transmits the operation history stored by the operation history storage unit by the operation history transmission unit. When the operation history transmission portable terminal is a mobile phone having a call function, the operation history generation program is supplied as, for example, one i-appli (registered trademark).

  The operation history transmission portable terminal according to claim 3 is the operation history transmission portable terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a sound pickup unit, wherein the operation history generation unit receives the program by the operation unit. An operation history in which an operation result of the operation of the unit, a time measured by the time measuring unit, and a voice collected by the voice sound collecting unit are associated with each other is generated.

  According to such a configuration, the operation history transmitting portable terminal receives the audio of the program received by the program receiving unit for a certain period of time (for example, several times) when the audio receiving unit operates the program receiving unit by the operating unit. For a second). The operation history transmitting portable terminal associates the sound collected by the sound collecting means with the operation history generated by the operation history generating means. When the audience rating data center that collects the operation history by using the “voice” of the program compares the “voice” of this program with the voice of the program that was actually broadcast, (The possibility of resolving the uncertainty of whether or not the user is watching the program is increased). Further, the sound collecting means may pick up sound not only at the time of operating the program receiving means but also periodically or irregularly. However, in the case where a program receiving means (for example, a tuner) is built in the operation history transmitting portable terminal, it is not necessary to collect sound if the program receiving means can confirm that the program is received.

  The operation history transmission portable terminal according to claim 4 is the operation history transmission portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an image acquisition unit, wherein the operation history generation unit includes the operation unit. And generating an operation history associating an operation result obtained by operating the program receiving unit, a time measured by the time measuring unit, and an image acquired by the image acquiring unit.

  According to this configuration, the operation history transmitting portable terminal acquires the image of the program received by the program receiving unit when the program receiving unit is operated by the operating unit by the image acquiring unit. The operation history transmission portable terminal associates the image acquired by the image acquisition unit with the operation history generated by the operation history generation unit. When the audience rating data center that collects the operation history by using the “image” of the program compares the “image” of this program with the image of the actually broadcasted program, (The possibility of resolving the uncertainty of whether or not the user is watching the program is increased). Further, the image acquisition means may acquire images not only at the time of operating the program receiving means but also periodically or irregularly. However, in the case where a program receiving means (for example, a tuner) is built in the operation history transmitting portable terminal, it is not necessary to acquire an image if the program receiving means can confirm that the program is received.

  Note that when the image acquisition means acquires an image not only at the time of operating the program receiving means but also at regular or irregular intervals, the operation history transmission portable terminal is set to some platform (for example, a charger). The image acquisition means of the terminal needs to face the display surface of the program reception means. In addition, when the operation history transmitting portable terminal is a mobile phone or the like, and an image acquisition unit is provided on the display screen side of the mobile phone, the user's face is periodically or unsatisfactory by the image acquisition unit. Images may be taken periodically and added to the operation history. That is, when a program is displayed on the display screen, it can be confirmed whether the user is actually viewing the program, and the accuracy of the audience rating can be further improved.

  The operation history transmission portable terminal according to claim 5 is the operation history transmission portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising program storage means for storing the program received by the program reception means. The operation result includes that the operation means stores the program in the program storage means.

  According to such a configuration, the operation history transmission portable terminal includes the operation result that the operation unit stores the program in the program storage unit, and collects the operation history reflecting the operation result. Thus, when the audience rating is measured, it can be considered that the program has been stored in the program storage means. The program storage means indicates a video tape, a hard disk, a large capacity memory, a DVD, or the like.

  The operation history transmission portable terminal according to claim 6 is the operation history transmission portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising personal information storage means and personal information addition means. And

  According to such a configuration, the operation history transmission portable terminal adds the personal information stored in the personal information storage means to the operation history by the personal information addition means. Personal information includes the user's name, gender, age, address, birthplace, occupation, annual income, hobbies, etc .. By adding this personal information to the operation history and sending it to the audience rating data center, the audience rating It can be used when analyzing the audience rating of programs at the data center. That is, the audience rating of programs classified based on personal information can be obtained.

  The operation history transmission portable terminal according to claim 7 is the operation history transmission portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a current position information acquisition unit and a current position information addition unit. It is characterized by.

  According to this configuration, the operation history transmission portable terminal adds the current position information indicating the current position of the terminal acquired by the current position information acquisition means to the operation history by the current position information addition means. When the operation history transmitting portable terminal is, for example, a mobile phone having a call function, the current position information acquisition means points to the GPS function, adds the current position information to the operation history, and views data By transmitting to the center, the audience rating data center can be used when analyzing the audience rating of the program. That is, the audience rating of the programs classified based on the current position information can be obtained.

  The operation history transmission portable terminal according to claim 8 is the operation history transmission portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising display means and program electronic guide acquisition means. And displaying the program electronic guide.

  According to this configuration, the operation history transmitting portable terminal displays the program received by the program receiving unit on the display unit, and describes the schedule of the program broadcast and the outline of the program acquired by the program electronic guide acquiring unit. The program electronic guide is displayed. When the operation history transmitting portable terminal is, for example, a cellular phone having a call function, a program electronic guide (EPG) is displayed on the display means (for example, a liquid crystal display screen) to select a program. Can be helpful.

  The audience rating measuring device according to claim 9, wherein an operation history in which a program receiving means for receiving a program is operated by a portable terminal is transmitted from the portable terminal, and the audience rating of the program is calculated based on the transmitted operation history. An audience rating measuring apparatus for measuring, comprising an operation history acquisition means, an audience rating measuring means, and an audience rating storage means.

  According to such a configuration, the audience rating measurement device acquires the operation history transmitted from the mobile terminal (operation history transmission mobile terminal) by the operation history acquisition means. This audience rating measuring apparatus is installed in an audience rating data center for measuring (calculating) audience ratings. When the mobile terminal is a mobile phone having a call function, the operation history is acquired (collected) via a server (mobile phone carrier server) of a business operator that manages the mobile phone. Become. Subsequently, the audience rating measuring device uses the audience rating measuring means to view the program based on the operation result of the mobile terminal associated with the operation history acquired by the operation history acquiring means and the time when the mobile terminal was operated. Measure the rate. In other words, the audience rating measuring means indicates which operation to select which program has been performed on the operation history transmitted from each mobile terminal (operation result), and when this selection operation has been performed (time). ) For each program, and the audience rating is measured (calculated). The audience rating of this program is obtained at a fixed time for each program (so-called instantaneous audience rating). For example, program A broadcasted on February 3, 2004 (broadcast time from 19:00 to 19:30) ) (1); 10.3%; 19:01; 10.5%, 19:02; 12%, 19:03; 11% , ... and so on. The audience rating measuring device stores the audience rating of the program measured by the audience rating measuring means by the audience rating storage means. It is possible to transmit the audience rating of this program to a broadcasting station that broadcasts the program via a network.

  This audience rating measuring device can calculate the viewing time of a program by the audience rating measuring means. That is, it is obtained by the difference between the time when the selection operation of one program is performed and the time when the selection operation of the other program is performed.

  The audience rating measuring device according to claim 10, wherein an operation history in which a program receiving means for receiving a program is operated by a portable terminal is transmitted from the portable terminal, and the audience rating of the program is calculated based on the transmitted operation history. An audience rating measuring apparatus for measuring is configured to include a data transmission unit, an operation history acquisition unit, an audience rating measurement unit, and an audience rating storage unit.

  According to this configuration, the audience rating measuring apparatus transmits (uploads) the operation history generation program for generating the operation history to the portable terminal that does not have the function of generating the operation history by the data transmission unit. To do. Then, the audience rating measuring device acquires the operation history transmitted from the mobile terminal (operation history transmitting mobile terminal) by the operation history acquisition means. Subsequently, the audience rating measuring device uses the audience rating measuring means to view the program based on the operation result of the mobile terminal associated with the operation history acquired by the operation history acquiring means and the time when the mobile terminal was operated. Measure the rate. The audience rating measuring device stores the audience rating of the program measured by the audience rating measuring means by the audience rating storage means. It is possible to transmit the audience rating of this program to a broadcasting station that broadcasts the program via a network.

  The audience rating measuring device according to claim 11 is the audience rating measuring device according to claim 9 or 10, comprising program audio time related data storage means and program audio time related data collating means, wherein the audience rating The measuring means calculates the audience rating of the program based on the operation result of the portable terminal associated with the operation history, the time when the portable terminal is operated, and the collation result by the program audio time related data collating means. It is characterized by measuring.

  According to such a configuration, the audience rating measuring apparatus is a program in which the program audio and the time at which this audio is transmitted are associated with each other by the program audio time related data collating unit. The audio time related data and the audio of the program associated with the operation history are collated, and the audience rating reflecting the collation result is measured (calculated) by the audience rating measuring means.

  The audience rating measuring device according to claim 12 is the audience rating measuring device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein program image time related data storage means and program image time related data collating means are provided. The audience rating measuring means is based on the operation result of the mobile terminal associated with the operation history, the time when the mobile terminal was operated, and the collation result by the program image time related data collating means, The audience rating of the program is measured.

  According to such a configuration, the audience rating measuring device is a program in which the program image time-related data collating unit stores the program image stored in the program image time-related data storage unit and the time when the image is transmitted. The image time related data and the image of the program associated with the operation history are collated, and the audience rating reflecting the collation result is measured (calculated) by the audience rating measuring means.

  The audience rating measuring device according to claim 13 is the audience rating measuring device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the program received by the program receiving means is stored in the operation result. When the program storage means includes an operation for storing the program, the audience rating measuring means measures the operation result of storing the program in the program storage means as the audience rating of the program. Features.

  According to such a configuration, the audience rating measuring device regards the program as viewed when the audience rating measuring means includes an operation for storing the program in the program storage means in the operation result of the portable terminal. To the audience rating.

  The audience rating measurement device according to claim 14 is the audience rating measurement device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein personal information of a user who uses the mobile terminal is added to the operation result. In such a case, the audience rating measuring means measures the audience rating of the program based on the personal information.

  According to such a configuration, the audience rating measuring device, for example, based on the personal information of the user of the mobile terminal by the audience rating measuring means, for example, the audience rating for each gender and age, the audience rating for each region (place of birth), Measure (calculate) the audience rating for each occupation.

  The audience rating measurement device according to claim 15 is the audience rating measurement device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein current position information indicating a current location of the mobile terminal is added to the operation result. In such a case, the audience rating measuring means measures the audience rating of the program based on the current position information.

  According to such a configuration, the audience rating measuring device grasps the current position of the mobile terminal based on the current position information, and the user of the mobile terminal is viewing the program on the TV at home, for example. Or other places (for example, various places such as work (school), station on the way to commuting (commuting to school), etc.) Measure (calculate).

  The audience rating measurement system according to claim 16 is based on an operation history transmission portable terminal that transmits an operation history of operating a program receiving means for receiving a program, and an operation history transmitted from the operation history transmission portable terminal. An audience rating measuring system comprising an audience rating measuring device for measuring the audience rating of a program, wherein the operation history transmitting portable terminal comprises an operating means, a time measuring means, an operation history generating means, an operation history storing means, An operation history transmission unit, and the audience rating measuring device includes an operation history acquisition unit, an audience rating measurement unit, and an audience rating storage unit.

  According to such a configuration, in the audience rating measurement system, the operation history transmitting portable terminal operates the program receiving unit by the operating unit, and measures the time when the program receiving unit is operated by the operating unit by the timing unit. Then, the operation history transmitting portable terminal generates an operation history in which the operation history generating unit associates the operation result of the operation of the program receiving unit with the operation unit and the time measured by the timing unit. Then, the operation history transmission portable terminal stores the operation history generated by the operation history generation unit by the operation history storage unit, and transmits the operation history stored by the operation history storage unit by the operation history transmission unit. Also, the audience rating measuring device acquires the operation history transmitted from the operation history transmitting portable terminal by the operation history acquisition means. Subsequently, the audience rating measuring device uses the audience rating measuring unit to calculate the operation result of the operation history transmitting portable terminal associated with the operation history acquired by the operation history acquiring unit and the time when the operation history transmitting portable terminal is operated. Based on this, the audience rating of the program is measured. The audience rating measuring device stores the audience rating of the program measured by the audience rating measuring means by the audience rating storage means.

  The audience rating measurement method according to claim 17 is based on an operation history transmitting portable terminal that transmits an operation history of operating a program receiving means for receiving a program, and an operation history transmitted from the operation history transmitting portable terminal. The audience rating measuring method for measuring the audience rating of the program by an audience rating measuring device for measuring the audience rating of the operation history transmitting portable terminal, comprising: an operation step, a timing step, an operation history generating step, , An operation history storage step and an operation history transmission step, and the audience rating measuring apparatus has a procedure including an operation history acquisition step, an audience rating measurement step, and an audience rating storage step.

  According to this procedure, the audience rating measuring method operates the program receiving means in the operation step in the operation history transmitting portable terminal, and measures the time when the program receiving means is operated in the time measuring step. Then, in the operation history generation step, an operation history is generated in which the operation result of the operation of the program receiving unit is associated with the time measured in the timing step, and stored in the operation history storage unit in the operation history storage step. In the operation history transmission step, the operation history stored in the operation history storage means is transmitted. In the audience rating measuring device, the operation history is acquired in the operation history acquisition step, and the operation history transmission operation terminal and the operation history transmission portable associated with the operation history acquired in the audience rating measurement step The audience rating of the program is measured based on the time when the terminal is operated. Then, in the audience rating storage step, the audience rating of the program is stored in the audience rating storage means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a portable terminal such as a mobile phone is used as an operation history transmission portable terminal, an operation history in which an operation result such as an operation for selecting a program is associated with a time is transmitted. Thus, no special device such as an audience rating measuring instrument is required, and operation history (measurement information) can be efficiently acquired from a larger number of viewers. In addition, when output from a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, it is normally encoded and transmitted. Further, if this operation history is encrypted, the safety of the operation history (measurement information) can be ensured. If the operation history is totaled, the audience rating of the program can be measured.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, even with a portable terminal such as a mobile phone that does not have a function for generating an operation history, the data reception means can receive and start the operation history generation program. Therefore, the operation history (measurement information) can be efficiently acquired from a larger number of viewers without requiring a special device such as an audience rating measuring instrument as in the prior art. Also, when output from a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, it is normally encoded and transmitted, so that the safety of the operation history (measurement information) can be ensured. The audience rating can be measured.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, when the program receiving means is operated, the sound of the received program is picked up by the sound collecting means and associated with the operation history. If it matches with the sound of the program broadcast on the site, it can be considered that the program was viewed when the mobile terminal was operated, and the reliability of the operation history (measurement information) can be improved. Can do.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the program receiving means is operated, the received program image is acquired by the image acquiring means and associated with the operation history. If a match is made with the image of the recorded program, it can be considered that the program was viewed when the portable terminal was operated, and the reliability of the operation history (measurement information) can be improved. .

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the operation result by the operation means includes an operation for storing the program in the program storage means, the operation history in which the operation result is associated with the operated time is totaled. If the audience rating is measured, it can be said that this audience rating corresponds to the diversification of how the program is viewed (whether it is viewed during broadcasting or scheduled to be viewed after broadcasting). Can be used to analyze

  According to the invention described in claim 6, when the audience rating is measured by adding the personal information of the user of the mobile terminal to the operation history, the audience ratings from various angles, for example, by sex / age , Audience ratings by region (place of birth), audience ratings by occupation, audience ratings by annual income, audience ratings by hobby, and the like.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, by adding the current position information indicating the current position of the mobile terminal to the operation history, it is determined what program is being viewed at what place when the audience rating is measured. be able to.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, by displaying the electronic program guide on the display means, it can be referred to when selecting a program especially when the portable terminal is a mobile phone or the like.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, it is possible to immediately measure an accurate audience rating for each program based on an operation result associated with the operation history transmitted from the portable terminal and the time.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, even if the portable terminal does not have a function of generating an operation history, the operation history can be transmitted by the portable terminal by transmitting the operation history generation program by the data transmission unit. The accurate audience rating for each program can be immediately measured based on the operation result and time associated with the operation history transmitted from the mobile terminal.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the sound of the program when the program receiving means is operated on the portable terminal is associated with the operation history, and the sound of the program is compared with the sound of the actually broadcasted program. Therefore, if these match, it can be considered that the program was viewed when the program receiving means was operated on the portable terminal, and the reliability of the audience rating of the program can be improved.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, an image of a program when the program receiving means is operated on the portable terminal is associated with the operation history, and the image of this program is collated with the image of the actually broadcasted program. Therefore, if these match, it can be considered that the program was viewed when the program receiving means was operated on the portable terminal, and the reliability of the audience rating of the program can be improved.

  According to the invention of claim 13, when the operation result of storing the program in the program storage means is included in the operation result, the operation result of storing the program in the program storage means is also regarded as viewing of the program, Since the audience rating is measured, it can be said that this audience rating corresponds to the diversification of how the program is viewed (whether it is viewed during broadcasting or scheduled to be viewed after broadcasting). Can be used to analyze

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, based on personal information, the audience rating of a program from various angles, that is, the audience rating by gender and age, the audience rating by region (place of origin), and viewing by occupation. Rate, audience rating by annual income, audience rating by hobby, etc. can be measured.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the audience rating of programs at various places, that is, how many programs are being viewed at what places, based on the current position information.

According to the sixteenth and seventeenth aspects of the present invention, the combination of the operation history transmitting portable terminal and the audience rating measuring device satisfies the conditions of responsiveness, efficiency, accuracy and confidentiality, that is, digital broadcasting, analog broadcasting , BS, CS, cable TV and other programs can measure the audience rating, without the need for special equipment such as audience rating measuring instrument as in the past, more efficient operation history from more viewers ( Measurement information) can be acquired, the reliability of the operation history (measurement information) can be improved, the safety of the operation history (measurement information) can be ensured, and the audience rating of the program is measured. be able to.
In the future, if the terrestrial digital broadcast can be received by the mobile terminal transmitting the operation history itself and the program by the terrestrial digital broadcast can be displayed, the mobile terminal can measure the audience rating of the program by the terrestrial digital broadcast. It can be used immediately.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
<Outline of audience rating measurement system>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an audience rating measurement system (mainly showing an operation history transmitting portable terminal). As shown in FIG. 1, the audience rating measurement system A includes a plurality of operation history transmission portable terminals 1 and an audience rating measuring device 3. Each operation history transmitting portable terminal 1 is provided with a program receiving device (program receiving means) 2.

  The audience rating measurement system A uses a portable terminal 1 that is a portable terminal such as a mobile phone, instead of a remote control that operates a program receiver 2 such as a television, a video tape recorder, or a DVD recorder, to receive a program. An audience history measuring apparatus 3 installed in an audience rating data center that is operated by an affiliated organization of a broadcasting station and operates an operation history that associates an operation result of operating the apparatus 2 with an operation time. By transmitting to, the device 3 measures (calculates) the audience rating for each program.

  In this audience rating measuring system A, a user who uses the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1 is requested in advance to cooperate in measuring the audience rating of a program, and a contract is made to provide some consideration. To do.

  In the audience rating measurement system A, the audience rating of each program measured by the audience rating measuring device 3 is used to publish a company (company) that sponsors the program, a magazine that publishes the audience rating of the program, etc. It is also assumed that it will be provided (sold) to each broadcasting station.

<Operation history transmission mobile terminal configuration>
Hereafter, the configuration of the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1 will be described.
The operation history transmission portable terminal 1 transmits an operation history in which an operation result of operating the program receiving device 2 is associated with an operation time to the audience rating measuring device 3 installed in the audience rating data center. Means 5, timing means 7, sound pickup means 9, image acquisition means 11, current position information acquisition means 13, personal information storage means 15, operation history generation means 17, operation history storage means 19 , An operation history transmission means 21, a data reception means 23, a program electronic guide acquisition means 25, and a display means 27 are provided.

Note that a tuner (program receiving means) that can receive a program corresponding to the program receiving device 2 may be incorporated in the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1. The output from this tuner is displayed on the display means 27.
The data receiving means 23, the program electronic guide obtaining means 25, and the display means 27 can be handled as options (additional functions).

  The operation means 5 is used when the user of the portable terminal 1 operates the program receiving device 2, and outputs the result operated by the user to the operation history generation means 17 as an operation result. A unit 5a and an infrared light emitting unit 5b are provided.

  The operation button unit 5a includes a plurality of operation buttons (not shown). The operation buttons include a channel button indicating a channel number on which a program is broadcast and a power on / off button for turning on / off the power. And a volume adjustment button for adjusting the volume, and when the program receiving device 2 is provided with (stores) a program storage means, there is a program storage start / end button (recording start / end button).

  When the operation button is pressed by the operation button unit 5a, the operation unit 5 outputs the pressed result to the operation history generation unit 17 as an operation result.

  When any operation button of the operation button unit 5a is pressed, the infrared light emitting unit 5b emits infrared rays having a waveform pattern corresponding to the operation button toward the program receiving device 2 (outputs an operation signal). ) The program receiving device 2 includes an infrared light receiving unit (not shown) that receives the infrared light (operation signal) output from the infrared light emitting unit 5b.

  The time measuring means 7 receives from the operating means 5 a notification signal indicating that the operation result has been output to the operation history generating means 17 by the operating means 5, and based on this notification signal, the time (time / minute) Second) is output to the operation history generating means 17.

  Note that the time measured by the time measuring means 7 (the time included in the operation history) is an extremely important factor when measuring the audience rating with the audience rating measuring device 3 of the audience rating data center. Accuracy is required. For this reason, the time measured by the time measuring means 7 needs to be accurately adjusted in advance to the standard time. Alternatively, it is preferable that the clock means 7 has a radio clock function that automatically adjusts to the standard time.

  The sound pickup means 9 is constituted by a small and built-in microphone or the like, and receives a notification signal indicating that the operation result is output to the operation history generation means 17 by the operation means 5 from the operation means 5. Based on this notification signal, the program audio is collected (collected) for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), and the collected audio is output to the operation history generating means 17.

  The time length of the sound picked up by the sound pickup means 9 is 5 seconds in this embodiment, but can be set to an arbitrary time. However, setting an excessively long time is not preferable because the processing time for collating the voice increases when the audience rating is measured by the audience rating measuring device 3 of the audience rating data center.

  In addition, even when a notification signal is not output from the operation means 5, the sound collection means 9 picks up the program sound for a certain period of time regularly or irregularly, and the collected sound is recorded as an operation history generation means. 17 can also be output. As a result, during the time when the user of the mobile terminal 1 is expected to watch the program, the sound of the program is collected, and the collected sound and the audience rating measurement of the audience data center. If the apparatus 3 can check the audio of the program that is actually broadcasted and stored, it can be proved that the user is watching the program without fail.

  The image acquisition means 11 is composed of a small and built-in camera or the like, receives a notification signal indicating that the operation result is output to the operation history generation means 17 by the operation means 5 from the operation means 5, Based on the notification signal, an image of the program is captured, and the captured image is output to the operation history generating means 17. In addition, the image of the program imaged by the image acquisition unit 11 is set to one image to several images in consideration of the processing time in the audience rating measuring device 3 of the audience rating data center. That is, if only a part of one image is imaged, it is predicted that it will be difficult to specify a program from this part of the image. The reason why several images are taken is that an error between the time measured by the time measuring means 7 and the time measured in the audience rating measuring device 3 is taken into consideration.

  In addition, even when the notification signal is not output from the operation unit 5, the image acquisition unit 11 captures an image of a program regularly or irregularly and outputs the captured image to the operation history generation unit 17. Is possible. Thereby, during the time when it is assumed that the user of the mobile terminal 1 is watching the program, an image of the program is captured, and further, the captured image and the audience rating measuring device 3 of the audience rating data center. If it is possible to verify with the image of the program actually broadcasted and stored, it can be proved that the program is being viewed.

  The image acquisition means 11 is required to acquire an image of a program from a certain distance toward the front of the display screen of the program receiving device 2 (directly facing) (of the portable terminal 1). It is necessary to make a request to the user in advance), but the mobile terminal 1 or the audience rating measuring device 3 performs the image processing for correcting the image of the program, and is actually broadcasted and stored in the audience rating measuring device 3 It becomes possible to collate with the image of the program.

  The current position information acquisition unit 13 includes a receiving circuit that receives current location information of GPS (Global Positioning System) (the mobile terminal 1 itself corresponds to a mobile station in GPS), and the operation unit. 5 receives a notification signal indicating that the operation result has been output to the operation history generating means 17 from 5 and indicates the current position (coordinates on the ground surface) of the portable terminal 1 based on the notification signal. The current position information is acquired, and the acquired current position information is output to the operation history generating means 17.

  The personal information storage means 15 is composed of a nonvolatile memory or the like, and stores personal information of the user of the portable terminal 1. This personal information is general information related to the individual and can be used when analyzing the audience rating. The user's name, gender, age, address, hometown, occupation, annual income, hobby, preference (preference) Food, favorite brands, favorite actors, actresses, etc.), family composition, height, weight, hairstyle, etc.

  The personal information is set to be automatically output to the operation history generation unit 17 and added to the operation history when the personal information is stored in the personal information storage unit 15 in the initial setting of the mobile terminal 1. Has been. However, it is possible to determine whether or not the personal information stored in the personal information storage means 15 is added to the operation history according to the intention of the user of the portable terminal 1. The operation of changing whether or not to add personal information to the operation history can be performed by using the operation means 5.

  The operation history generation unit 17 outputs the operation result output from the operation unit 5, the time output from the time measuring unit 7, the sound of the program output from the sound pickup unit 9, and the image acquisition unit 11. An operation history storage unit is generated by associating a program image with the current position information output from the current position information acquisition unit 13 and the personal information output from the personal information storage unit 15. 19 is provided with personal information adding means 17a and current position information adding means 17b.

  The operation history generated by the operation history generation means 17 is at least associated with the operation result and time, and in this embodiment, the sound of the program and the image of the program are further associated with the current position. Information and personal information are added. For example, the operation history indicates that an operation button for selecting a broadcast station (for example, channel 1) at a certain time is pressed, and another broadcast station (for example, channel 3) is selected at another time. This indicates that the operation button to be pressed has been pressed.

The personal information adding unit 17a adds the personal information stored in the personal information storage unit 15 to the operation history.
The current position information adding unit 17b adds the current position information of the mobile terminal 1 acquired by the current position information acquiring unit 13 to the operation history.

  The operation history storage unit 19 is configured by a non-volatile memory or the like, and stores the operation history generated by the operation history generation unit 17. In this embodiment, the operation history stored in the operation history storage unit 19 is output to the operation history transmission unit 21 at regular intervals (or when a certain amount of data is accumulated).

  As for the operation history transmission from the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1 to the audience rating measuring device 3 of the audience rating data center, an operation history request signal for requesting an operation history output from the audience rating measuring device 3 is transmitted. You may make it output, when the terminal 1 receives. In this case, the audience rating measuring device 3 does not output the operation history request signal to all the operation history transmission portable terminals 1 at the same time, but adds a time difference to the operation history request signal for each fixed number of operation history transmission portable terminals 1. Output (shift the transmission time), the audience rating measuring device 3 can disperse the processing when receiving the operation history (reducing the load instantaneously).

  The operation history transmission means 21 outputs the operation history stored in the operation history storage means 19 to the audience rating measuring device 3 via a communication line. The operation history transmitting means 21 outputs the operation history as encoded data. In addition, the operation history transmission means 21 can include an encryption means (using a common encryption key method, a public encryption key method, etc.) and transmit the operation history as encrypted encrypted data. is there.

  When the operation history transmitting mobile terminal 1 is a mobile phone or the like, the radio wave transmitted by the mobile phone (corresponding to the operation history transmitting mobile terminal 1) is a base station of a mobile phone operator that sells and manages the mobile phone. Are collected in a mobile phone carrier device (mobile phone carrier server) managed and maintained by the mobile phone carrier and transferred to the audience rating measuring device 3 from this server.

  In this case, since the operation history, which is the private information of the user of the mobile terminal 1, is once stored in the server and the operation history may be leaked from this server, the rating data center operator and the mobile phone operator It is necessary to conclude a contract to maintain the confidentiality of the operation history.

  The data receiving unit 23 receives the data of the operation history generation program transmitted from the audience rating measuring device 3 via a communication line (network) and outputs the data to the operation history generation unit 17. That is, the data reception unit 23 receives the operation history generation program received when the operation history generation unit 17 does not have a function of generating an operation history (in this case, a simple control unit that controls the mobile terminal 1). Is output and is activated (expanded) by the operation history generation unit 17 (control unit), thereby giving the operation history generation unit 17 (control unit) a function of generating an operation history. That is, the operation history generation program has a function of enabling generation of an operation history in which an operation result is associated with time, and a function for associating at least one of a program sound and a program image with the operation history. The function corresponds to the personal information adding means 17a and the current position information adding means 17b.

  The program electronic guide acquisition unit 25 acquires (receives) a program electronic guide (EPG) transmitted from a broadcasting station or the like and outputs it to the display unit 27. The program electronic guide is a data group describing a program broadcast schedule, a program outline introduction, a program performer, and the like.

  The display means 27 is composed of a liquid crystal or the like, and displays the program electronic guide acquired by the program electronic guide acquisition means 25. In addition, when the portable terminal 1 includes a program receiving means (tuner), the display means 27 can display a program received by the program receiving means.

  According to the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1, the operation means 5 operates the program receiving apparatus 2 (program receiving means), and the time measuring means 7 measures the time when the program receiving apparatus 2 is operated by the operating means 5. The Then, the operation history generating unit 17 generates an operation history in which the operation result of the operation of the program receiving device 2 operated by the operating unit 5 and the time measured by the time measuring unit 7 are associated with each other and stored by the operation history storage unit 19. Then, the operation history is transmitted by the operation history transmission means 21. For this reason, when a portable terminal such as a mobile phone is used as the operation history transmission portable terminal 1, a special device such as an audience rating measuring instrument is not required as in the prior art, and operations can be efficiently performed by a larger number of viewers. History can be acquired. Also, when output from a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, it is normally encoded and transmitted, so that the safety of the operation history (measurement information) can be ensured. The audience rating can be measured.

  Moreover, according to this operation history transmission portable terminal 1, even if the portable terminal 1 originally does not have a function for generating an operation history, the operation history for generating an operation history by the data receiving means 23 is used. The generated program data is received and activated. For this reason, when a portable terminal such as a mobile phone is used as the operation history transmission portable terminal 1, a special device such as an audience rating measuring instrument is not required as in the prior art, and operations can be efficiently performed by a larger number of viewers. History can be acquired. Also, when output from a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, it is normally encoded and transmitted, so that the safety of the operation history (measurement information) can be ensured. The audience rating can be measured.

  Further, according to the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1, when the program receiving device 2 is operated by the operating means 5 by the sound collecting means 9, the sound of the program received by the program receiving apparatus 2 is kept for a certain period of time. The sound collected by the sound collection unit 9 is associated with the operation history collected by the operation history generation unit 17 (for example, for several seconds). When the audience rating data center that collects the operation history by using the “voice” of the program compares the “voice” of this program with the voice of the program that was actually broadcast, (There is a high possibility that the uncertainty of whether or not the user is watching the program is eliminated).

  Further, the sound collecting means 9 may pick up sound not only at the time of operating the program receiving apparatus 2 but also at regular or irregular intervals. By collecting the sound, it is possible to confirm whether or not the program is actually being displayed and output by the program receiving device 2. That is, when the user directly operates the program receiving device 2 without using the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1, for example, when the power is turned off, the program receiving device 2 is not actually activated. Nevertheless, since the program is displayed (viewing the program) on the operation history, the accuracy of the audience rating is lowered. In order to prevent this, it is possible to maintain the accuracy of the audience rating by utilizing the sound pickup means 9.

  Further, according to the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1, when the program receiving device 2 is operated by the operating means 5 by the image acquiring means 11, the image of the program received by the program receiving device 2 is acquired. The image acquired by the image acquisition unit 11 is associated with the operation history generated by the operation history generation unit 17. When the audience rating data center that collects the operation history by using the “image” of the program compares the “image” of this program with the image of the actually broadcasted program, (There is a high possibility that the uncertainty of whether or not the user is watching the program is eliminated).

  Further, when the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1 is a mobile phone or the like and the image acquisition means 11 is provided on the display screen side of the mobile phone, the image acquisition means 11 periodically sets the user's face. It is also possible to pick up images periodically or irregularly and add them to the operation history. That is, when a program is displayed on the display screen, it can be confirmed whether the user is actually viewing the program, and the accuracy of the audience rating can be further improved.

  Further, according to the operation history transmission portable terminal 1, the operation result includes that the operation means 5 stores the program in the program storage means (not shown), and the operation result is reflected. When the operation history is collected and the audience rating is measured, it is possible to consider that the program is stored in the program storage means (not shown). In other words, the audience rating generated based on this operation history corresponds to the diversification of how to view a program (whether it is viewed during broadcasting or scheduled to be viewed after broadcasting). It can be used to analyze how.

  Further, according to the operation history transmission portable terminal 1, the personal information stored in the personal information storage unit 15 is added to the operation history by the personal information adding unit 17a. Personal information includes the user's name, gender, age, address, birthplace, occupation, annual income, hobbies, etc .. By adding this personal information to the operation history and sending it to the audience rating data center, the audience rating It can be used when analyzing the audience rating of programs at the data center. For example, when measuring audience ratings, audience ratings from various angles, such as audience ratings by gender and age, audience ratings by region (place of origin), audience ratings by occupation, audience ratings by annual income, The audience rating according to hobbies can be obtained.

  Further, according to the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1, the current position information adding means 17b adds the current position information indicating the current position of the portable terminal 1 acquired by the current position information acquiring means 13 to the operation history. . By adding the current position information to the operation history and transmitting it to the audience rating data center, the audience rating data center can be used when analyzing the audience rating of the program. For example, when measuring the audience rating, it is possible to determine what program is being viewed at what location.

  Moreover, according to this operation history transmission portable terminal 1, since the program electronic guide acquired by the program electronic guide acquisition means 25 is displayed on the display means 27, it can be referred when selecting a program.

<Configuration of audience rating measurement device>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the audience rating measuring system A (mainly showing the audience rating measuring device 3).
As shown in FIG. 2, the audience rating measuring device 3 aggregates the operation histories transmitted from the plurality of operation history transmitting portable terminals 1 and measures the audience rating for each program. And program audio time related data storage means 31, program image time related data storage means 33, audience rating measuring means 35, audience rating storage means 37, and data transmission means 39. The data transmission means 39 can be handled as an option (additional function).

  The operation history acquisition unit 29 acquires (collects) operation histories transmitted from a plurality (many) of operation history transmission portable terminals 1. In the operation history acquisition means 29, when the acquired operation history is encoded data, it is decoded and output. Further, the operation history acquisition unit 29 includes a decryption unit (using a decryption key such as a common encryption key method or a public encryption key method) corresponding to the case where the acquired operation history is encrypted encrypted data. It is also possible to decrypt the encrypted operation history (encrypted data).

  When the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1 is a mobile phone or the like, the operation history acquisition means 29 receives the operation history transferred from the mobile phone provider server that manages and maintains the mobile phone or the like.

  The program audio time related data storage means 31 is composed of a large-capacity hard disk or the like, and programs broadcast from broadcasting stations and programs transmitted from cable TV companies (digital broadcasting, analog broadcasting, BS, CS, cable TV). Program [broadcast program]) and program audio time related data in which the time when this audio was broadcast (transmitted) is stored.

  The program audio time-related data is associated with broadcast station name (channel number), broadcast year / date, program name, and identification information for identifying the program, and for each broadcast program, the audio included in the program, the audio Is completely related to (corresponding to) the time when was broadcast. For example, when a broadcast station name and a broadcast year / date are designated, it is possible to immediately identify (extract) the sound of a program broadcast on the broadcast station at that year / date. For example, for a program broadcast from 17:00 to 17:30 on January 19, 2004 on Channel 1, 42 seconds from 17:12:45 to 17:13:27 Can be extracted.

  The program image time-related data storage means 33 is composed of a large-capacity hard disk or the like, and programs broadcast from broadcasting stations and programs transmitted from cable television companies (digital broadcasting, analog broadcasting, BS, CS, cable television) Program [broadcast program]) and the program image time-related data in which the image is broadcast (transmitted) and associated with this image are stored.

  The program image time-related data is associated with broadcast station name (channel number), broadcast year / date, program name, and identification information for identifying the program, and for each broadcast program, an image included in the program, an image Is completely related to (corresponding to) the time when was broadcast. For example, when a broadcast station name and a broadcast year / date are specified, an image of a program broadcast on the broadcast station at that year / date can be immediately identified (extracted). For example, for a program that was broadcast on channel 3 from 8:00:00 to 10:45:00 on February 1, 2004, 9 seconds from 9: 8: 7 to 9: 8: 16 It is possible to extract the images.

  The audience rating measuring means 35 measures the audience rating for each program based on the operation history acquired by the operation history acquiring means 29, and the program audio time related data stored in the program audio time related data storage means 31. And the program image time related data storage means 33 to measure the audience rating with high accuracy using at least one of the program image time related data stored in the program image time related data storage means 33, Image time related data collating means 35b.

  The program audio time related data matching unit 35a, when the program audio is associated with the operation history, based on the operation result and the time associated with the operation history, The program is collated with the program audio time-related data stored in the data storage means 31 (similarity is calculated). As a method of collation (calculation of similarity), there is a two-dimensional DP matching method on the time axis and frequency axis, and the program audio time related data collating means 35a can obtain a similarity greater than a certain value. For example, it is considered that the audio of the program matches (matches).

  For example, when the operation result is “16:30:33 on December 9, 2003; channel 1 is selected” as the operation result, the program audio time-related data collating unit 35a at this time (16:30) The audio of the program broadcasted for several seconds before and after 33 minutes) is searched from the program audio time related data stored in the program audio time related data storage means 31, and the audio of the program associated with the operation history is retrieved. To match. As a result of the collation, the audience rating measuring means 35 considers that the user of the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 has surely watched the program and records it in the audience rating. If it does not match, if the user of the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 is surely watching the program, it is not counted in the audience rating, or some factor (of course, if it matches) Multiply by the one that has a lower audience rating) and record it in the audience rating.

  The program image time-related data collating unit 35b, when a program image is associated with the operation history, based on the operation result and time associated with the operation history, This is intended to collate with the program image time related data stored in the data storage means 33 (to calculate the similarity). As a method of collation (similarity calculation), there is a two-dimensional DP matching method on the time axis and the frequency axis, and the program image time related data collating means 35b can obtain a similarity greater than a certain value. For example, it is considered that the images of the program match (match).

  For example, when the operation result is “8: 11: 7 on February 3, 2004; channel 3 is selected” as the operation result, the program image time-related data collating unit 35b performs this time (8:11). Search for program images (images of several tens to several hundred frames) broadcasted in minutes before and after minutes 7 seconds from the program image time related data stored in the program image time related data storage means 33; Check with the program image associated with the operation history. As a result of the collation, the audience rating measuring means 35 considers that the user of the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 has surely watched the program and records it in the audience rating. If it does not match, if the user of the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 is surely watching the program, it is not counted in the audience rating, or some factor (of course, if it matches) Multiply by the one that has a lower audience rating) and record it in the audience rating.

  In addition, when the operation history includes an operation for storing a program in a program storage unit (not shown) by the operation history transmission portable terminal 1, the audience rating measuring unit 35 views the program during broadcasting. The rate and the audience rating of the program at the time of reproduction that the program was reproduced and viewed after being stored are calculated.

  Further, the audience rating measuring means 35 measures (calculates) various audience ratings based on the personal information when personal information is added to the operation history. For example, audience rating by gender, audience rating by age (age) such as 10's, 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, etc., by region (place of origin) such as Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu Audience ratings, primary industry workers, secondary industry workers, tertiary industry worker ratings, salespeople, factory workers, etc. can do.

  Furthermore, when the current position information is added to the operation history, the audience rating measuring means 35 measures (calculates) various audience ratings based on the current position information. For example, when the current position information indicates the home of the user of the operation history transmission portable terminal 1, the percentage of the viewing rate of a certain program is calculated at home, and “ "Home audience rating" or if the current location information indicates a station or around the station, calculate how much of the audience rating of a certain program is watching at or near the station, Or “station audience rating”. When the current location information indicates the outside of the house such as the station or the vicinity of the station, a program receiving means is built in the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1, and the program is viewed on the display means 27 of the portable terminal 1. It shows that.

  The audience rating measuring means 35 can calculate the viewing time of the program. That is, the viewing time of the program can be obtained by the difference between the time when the selection operation of one program is performed and the time when the selection operation of the other program is performed.

  The audience rating storage means 37 is constituted by a large-capacity hard disk or the like, and stores the audience rating for each program measured (calculated) by the audience rating measuring means 35. The audience rating for each program stored in the audience rating storage means 37 is published via a communication line (network) as a company (company) that sponsors the program, or a magazine that posts the audience rating. It can be transmitted to publishers and broadcasting stations that broadcast programs. In this case, the audience rating for each program stored in the audience rating storage means 37 is sold (becomes a target for trading).

  The data transmission means 39 sends the data of the operation history generation program to a mobile terminal that does not have a function of generating an operation history (if the data is received and activated, the operation history transmission mobile terminal 1). It is transmitted via a communication line (network).

  According to this audience rating measuring device 3, operation histories transmitted from a plurality of operation history transmitting portable terminals 1 are acquired by the operation history acquiring unit 29, and acquired by the operation history acquiring unit 29 by the audience rating measuring unit 35. The audience rating of the program is measured based on the operation result of the mobile terminal 1 associated with the operation history and the time when the mobile terminal 1 is operated. Then, the audience rating storage means 37 stores the audience rating of the program measured by the audience rating measuring means 35. For this reason, the accurate audience rating for each program can be immediately measured based on the operation result and time associated with the operation history transmitted from the operation history portable terminal 1.

  Further, according to the audience rating measuring device 3, the data transmission means 39 transmits (uploads) data of an operation history generation program for generating an operation history to a portable terminal that does not have a function of generating an operation history. ) For this reason, even if it is a portable terminal which does not have the function which produces | generates an operation history (If an operation history production | generation program is started, it will become operation history transmission portable terminal 1), The operation history production | generation program transmitted by the data transmission means 39 Is activated, the operation history can be transmitted by the portable terminal (operation history transmission portable terminal 1), and is associated with the operation history transmitted from the portable terminal (operation history transmission portable terminal 1). The accurate audience rating for each program can be immediately measured based on the operation result and the time.

  Further, according to the audience rating measuring device 3, the program audio time related data collating unit 35a associates the program audio stored in the program audio time related data storage unit 31 with the time when the audio was transmitted. The program audio time related data and the audio of the program associated with the operation history are collated, and the audience rating measuring means 35 can measure (calculate) the audience rating reflecting the collation result. That is, since the audio of the program associated with the operation history is collated with the audio of the actually broadcasted program, if they match, when the program receiving device 2 is operated on the portable terminal 1 Therefore, it can be regarded that the program has been viewed with certainty, and the reliability of the audience rating of the program can be improved.

  Further, according to the audience rating measuring device 3, the program image time-related data collating unit 35b associates the program image stored in the program image time-related data storage unit 33 with the time when the image is transmitted. The program image time-related data and the program image associated with the operation history are collated, and the audience rating measuring means 35 can measure (calculate) the audience rating reflecting the collation result. That is, the program image associated with the operation history is collated with the image of the actually broadcasted program, and if they match, when the program receiving device 2 is operated on the portable terminal 1 Therefore, it can be regarded that the program has been viewed with certainty, and the reliability of the audience rating of the program can be improved.

  Further, according to the audience rating measuring device 3, when the audience rating measuring means 35 includes an operation for storing a program in a program storage means (not shown) in the operation result of the portable terminal 1, An operation result for storing a program in a storage means (not shown) is also regarded as viewing of the program, and the audience rating is measured. For this reason, this audience rating can be said to correspond to the diversification of how to view a program (whether it is viewed during broadcasting or scheduled to be viewed after broadcasting), and is useful for analyzing how the program is viewed. be able to.

  Further, according to the audience rating measuring device 3, the audience rating measuring means 35 makes it possible to determine the audience rating of the program from various angles, for example, by sex and age, based on the personal information of the user of the mobile terminal 1. It is possible to measure (calculate) the audience rating, the audience rating for each region (place of birth), and the audience rating for each occupation.

  Also, according to the audience rating measuring device 3, based on the current position information, the current position of the mobile terminal 1 is grasped, and where the user of the mobile terminal 1 is viewing the program, for example, at home You can see whether you are watching on TV or other places (for example, various places such as work (school), station on the way to commuting (commuting to school), etc.). Each audience rating can be measured (calculated).

<Operation of operation history sending mobile terminal>
Next, the operation of the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 (see FIG. 1 as appropriate).
First, the user of the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1 selects a program using the operation means 5 (step S1). At this time, the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 collects the sound of the program and the image of the program by collecting the sound of the program by the sound collecting means 9 or acquiring the image of the program by the image acquiring means 11. Is obtained (step S2).

  In addition, the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 uses the operation means 5 to select the time measured by the time measurement means 7 based on the notification signal output from the operation means 5 when the user selects the program using the operation means 5. It outputs to the operation history generation means 17 (step S3).

  Furthermore, the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 stores the personal information storage unit 15 based on a notification signal output from the operation unit 5 when the user of the portable terminal 1 uses the operation unit 5 to select a program. The stored personal information is output to the operation history generating means 17 (step S4).

  Furthermore, the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 uses the operation means 5 to select a current position information acquisition means 13 based on a notification signal output from the operation means 5 when the user selects the program using the operation means 5. Is output to the operation history generation means 17 (step S5).

  Then, the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1 associates the operation result, the time, and at least one of the sound of the program and the image of the program by the operation history generating unit 17 and adds the personal information by the personal information adding unit 17a. Then, the current position information is added by the current position information adding means 17b to generate an operation history (step S6).

  Then, the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 stores the operation history generated by the operation history generation means 17 by the operation history storage means 19 (step S7), and after a certain time has elapsed or after a certain amount of data has been stored, the operation history Is output to the operation history transmission means 21. Then, the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 encodes (encrypts) the operation history by the operation history transmission means 21 and transmits it (step S8).

<Operation of audience rating measurement device>
Next, the operation of the viewing history measuring apparatus 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 (see FIG. 2 as appropriate).
First, the viewing history measuring apparatus 3 acquires operation histories transmitted from the plurality of operation history transmitting portable terminals 1 by the operation history acquisition unit 29 (step S11). Since the acquired operation history is encoded, the operation history acquisition means 29 decodes it. Alternatively, when the operation history is encrypted data, the operation history acquisition unit 29 decrypts the operation history using the decryption key.

  Then, the viewing history measuring apparatus 3 uses at least one of the program audio time-related data collating unit 35a and the program image time-related data collating unit 35b of the audience rating measuring unit 35, and the program audio and program associated with the operation history And at least one of program audio time related data stored in the program audio time related data storage means 31 and program image time related data stored in the program image time related data storage means 33 Are collated (step S12).

  Then, the viewing history measuring device 3 generates an audience rating for each program based on the collation result by the audience rating measuring means 35 (step S13), and stores the generated audience rating in the audience rating storage means 37 (step S13). S14).

<Detailed operations when measuring audience rating>
Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, a detailed operation in measuring the audience rating among the operations of the audience rating measuring device 3 will be described (see FIG. 2 as appropriate).
First, the audience rating measuring device 3 determines whether or not the program history is associated with the operation history by the audience rating measuring means 35 (step S21), and determines that the program history is associated with the operation history. If so (step S21, Yes), the program audio time related data stored in the program audio time related data storage means 31 is checked by the program audio time related data checking means 35a (step S22). ). Then, the audience rating measuring device 3 measures the audience rating according to the matching result collated by the audience rating measuring means 35 (step S23).

  If it is not determined in step S21 that the program audio is associated with the operation history (No in step S21), it is determined whether or not the program image is associated with the operation history (step S24). If it is determined that the program image is associated with the operation history (step S24, Yes), the program image and the program image time-related data stored in the program image time-related data storage means 33 are displayed as a program image. Collation is performed by the time-related data collating means 35b (step S25). Then, the audience rating measuring device 3 measures the audience rating according to the collation result collated by the audience rating measuring means 35 (step S26).

  Further, if it is not determined in step S24 that the program image is associated with the operation history (No in step S24), it is assumed that neither the program audio nor the program image is associated with the operation history. The audience rating is measured (step S27).

  Then, the audience rating measuring device 3 determines whether or not the current position information is added to the operation history by the audience rating measuring means 35 (step S28), and determines that the current position information is added to the operation history. If so (step S28, Yes), the classified audience rating is measured based on the current position information (categorized audience rating) (step S29). Then, the classified audience ratings are output to the audience rating storage unit 37.

  If it is not determined in step S28 that the current position information is added to the operation history (No in step S28), the audience rating measuring device 3 uses the audience rating measuring means 35 to add the personal information to the operation history. It is determined whether or not information is added (step S30), and when it is determined that personal information is added to the operation history (step S30, Yes), the classified audience rating is measured based on the personal information. (Classify the audience rating) (step S31). This classified audience rating is output to the audience rating storage means 37.

  If it is not determined in step S30 that personal information has been added to the operation history (No in step S30), the audience rating measured in step S23, step S26, or step S27 is not classified. Is output to the audience rating storage means 37.

<Examples of program audio and program image verification>
Next, referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the program audio and the program image in the program audio time related data collating means 35a and the program image time related data collating means 35b of the audience rating measuring device 3 are described. An example of collation will be described. FIG. 6A shows an image in which an operation history and program audio are associated with each other, and FIG. 6B shows an image in which an operation history and program images are associated with each other. Is.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (a), in the audience rating measuring device 3, the program audio time related data based on the time associated with the operation history by the program audio time related data collating means 35a of the audience rating measuring means 35. The program audio time related data of 10 seconds before and after the time (which can be arbitrarily set) is read from the storage means 31 and collated with the audio (5 seconds) of the program associated with the operation history. If the waveforms are completely (substantially) matched, it is counted as an audience rating.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (b), in the audience rating measuring device 3, the program image time related data based on the time associated with the operation history by the program image time related data collating means 35b of the audience rating measuring means 35. The program image time-related data of 10 frames before and after the time (which can be arbitrarily set) is read from the storage means 33 and collated with the program image (3 frames) associated with the operation history. If the image of one frame is completely (almost) coincident, it is counted as an audience rating.

<Example of construction of audience rating measurement system>
Next, a construction example of the audience rating measurement system will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a construction example of the audience rating measurement system A.
As shown in FIG. 7, (1) cooperation with measuring the audience rating of a program to the owner (user) of a mobile phone with infrared remote control function (an example of the operation history transmission portable terminal 1). Request. Note that the number of mobile phones with infrared remote control functions has reached several million, and operation histories can be obtained from tens of thousands to millions of users. As a result of requesting cooperation from the owner (user), a plurality of operation history transmission portable terminals 1 are used in the home of the owner (user).

  (2) Operation history transmission The result of operating the owner (user) program receiving device 2 (here, the television) of the portable terminal 1 is stored in the operation history storage means 19. Then, (3) Operation history transmission The portable terminal 1 transmits the operation history stored in the operation history storage means 19 to the audience rating measurement device 3 of the audience rating data center at regular intervals in response to a request from the audience rating data center. By shifting the transmission time for transmitting the operation history, the load on the audience rating measuring device 3 can be reduced.

  After that, (4) the audience rating measuring device 3 of the audience rating data center transmits (transmits) the aggregated audience rating data (a summary of the audience ratings for each program) to the broadcasting station. Provision to other broadcast stations is also possible.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1 and the audience rating measuring device 3 have been described. However, for example, audience rating measurement in which the processing of each configuration of the terminal 1 and the device 3 is regarded as one process. It can also be regarded as a method.

  In the case where the operation history transmitting portable terminal 1 is a mobile phone, for example, by requesting a user of a mobile phone that is particularly prevalent, a program of a program due to a difference in operation of the mobile phone (due to superiority or inferiority in operability). There is no need to consider the influence on the audience rating, a large number of operation histories can be acquired, and a more accurate audience rating can be measured.

  It is also assumed that the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 is lent. For example, the operation history transmission portable terminal 1 is lent to a viewer who has been randomly extracted (or randomly extracted) with a broadcast station, a mobile terminal operator, etc. as a supervisor, for a certain number of periods for a certain period, The audience rating can be measured by the audience rating measuring device 3 by requesting and collecting the operation history as appropriate.

  In this case, the maximum number of operation history transmission portable terminals 1 to be lent substantially has an upper limit. In other words, unlike the case of using popular mobile phones, etc., it is necessary to increase the profits obtained by selling the measured audience rating against the cost required to measure the audience rating. In view of the manufacturing cost of the transmitting portable terminal 1, the maximum number (maximum number of terminals) is determined automatically.

It is a block diagram of an audience rating measurement system (mainly showing an operation history transmission portable terminal) concerning an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an audience rating measurement system (mainly showing an audience rating measurement device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the flowchart explaining operation | movement of the operation history transmission portable terminal shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the audience rating measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for measuring audience rating in the audience rating measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 2. (A) It is explanatory drawing explaining collation of the audio | voice of a program. (B) It is explanatory drawing explaining collation of the image of a program. It is explanatory drawing explaining the construction example of the audience rating measurement system.

Explanation of symbols

1 Operation history transmission portable terminal 2 Program receiving device (program receiving means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Audience rating measuring device 5 Operation means 5a Operation button part 5b Infrared light emission part 7 Time measuring means 9 Audio | voice sound collection means 11 Image acquisition means 13 Current position information acquisition means 15 Personal information storage means 17 Operation history generation means 17a Personal information addition means 17b Current position information addition means 19 Operation history storage means 21 Operation history transmission means 23 Data reception means 25 Program electronic guide acquisition means 27 Display means 29 Operation history acquisition means 31 Program audio time related data storage means 33 Program image time related data storage means 35 Audience rating measuring means 35a Program audio time related data collating means 35b Program image time related data collating means 37 Audience rating storage means 39 Data transmitting means A A audience rating measuring system

Claims (17)

An operation history transmitting portable terminal that transmits an operation history of operating a program receiving means for receiving a program,
Operating means for operating the program receiving means;
Clocking means for clocking the time when the program receiving means is operated by the operating means;
An operation history generating means for generating an operation history in which an operation result obtained by operating the program receiving means by the operation means and a time measured by the time measuring means are associated;
Operation history storage means for storing the operation history generated by the operation history generation means;
Operation history transmission means for transmitting the operation history stored in the operation history storage means;
An operation history transmission portable terminal comprising: An operation history transmitting portable terminal that transmits an operation history of operating a program receiving means for receiving a program,
Operating means for operating the program receiving means;
Clocking means for clocking the time when the program receiving means is operated by the operating means;
A data receiving means for receiving data of an operation history generating program for generating an operation history in which an operation result obtained by operating the program receiving means by the operating means and a time measured by the time measuring means are associated;
An operation history generation unit that starts the operation history generation program received by the data reception unit and generates the operation history;
An operation history storage means for storing an operation history generated by the operation history generation means;
Operation history transmission means for transmitting the operation history stored in the operation history storage means;
An operation history transmission portable terminal comprising: When the program receiving means is operated by the operating means, the sound receiving means for picking up the sound of the program received by the program receiving means for a predetermined time,
The operation history generation unit generates an operation history in which an operation result of the operation of the program reception unit by the operation unit, a time measured by the time measurement unit, and a sound collected by the sound collection unit are associated with each other. The operation history transmission portable terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An image acquisition means for acquiring an image of the program received by the program reception means when the program reception means is operated by the operation means;
The operation history generation unit generates an operation history in which an operation result of the operation of the program reception unit by the operation unit, a time measured by the timing unit, and an image acquired by the image acquisition unit are associated with each other. The operation history transmission portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:   The operation result includes an operation of storing the program in the program storage means by the operation means when a program storage means for storing the program received by the program reception means is provided. The operation history transmission portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Personal information storage means for storing personal information of a user who uses the operation history transmission portable terminal;
6. The operation history transmission portable device according to claim 1, further comprising personal information addition means for adding the personal information stored in the personal information storage means to the operation history. Terminal. Current position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information indicating the current position of the operation history transmission portable terminal;
The operation history transmission according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising current position information adding means for adding the current position information acquired by the current position information acquiring means to the operation history. Mobile device. Display means for displaying the program received by the program receiving means;
A program electronic guide acquisition means for acquiring a program electronic guide describing the schedule of the program and the outline of the program;
The operation history transmission portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the program electronic guide is displayed on the display means. An audience rating measuring device for measuring an audience rating of a program based on the transmitted operation history, in which an operation history in which a program receiving means for receiving a program is operated by the portable terminal is transmitted from the portable terminal,
Operation history acquisition means for acquiring the operation history;
Audience rating measuring means for measuring the audience rating of the program based on the operation result of the mobile terminal associated with the operation history acquired by the operation history acquisition means and the time when the mobile terminal was operated;
Audience rating storage means for storing the audience rating of the program measured by the audience rating measuring means;
An audience rating measuring device comprising: An audience rating measuring device for measuring an audience rating of a program based on the transmitted operation history, in which an operation history in which a program receiving means for receiving a program is operated by the portable terminal is transmitted from the portable terminal,
Data transmission means for transmitting operation history generation program data for generating the operation history to the portable terminal;
Operation history acquisition means for acquiring the operation history;
Audience rating measuring means for measuring the audience rating of the program based on the operation result of the mobile terminal associated with the operation history acquired by the operation history acquisition means and the time when the mobile terminal was operated;
Audience rating storage means for storing the audience rating of the program measured by the audience rating measuring means;
An audience rating measuring device comprising: Program audio time-related data storage means for storing program audio time-related data associating the audio of the program with the time when the audio was transmitted;
When the audio of the program collected when the mobile terminal is operated is associated with the operation history, the time when the mobile terminal was operated, the audio of the program, and the program audio time related data Program audio time related data collating means for collating the program audio time related data stored in the accumulating means,
The audience rating measuring means is based on the operation result of the mobile terminal associated in the operation history, the time when the mobile terminal was operated, and the collation result by the program audio time related data collating means. The audience rating measuring device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein an audience rating is measured. Program image time-related data storage means for storing program image time-related data associating the image of the program with the time when the image was transmitted;
When the operation history is associated with the image of the program acquired when the mobile terminal is operated, the time when the mobile terminal was operated, the image of the program, and the program image time related data storage Program image time related data collating means for collating the program image time related data stored in the means,
The audience rating measuring means is based on the operation result of the portable terminal associated with the operation history, the time when the portable terminal is operated, and the collation result by the program image time related data collating means. The audience rating measuring device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein an audience rating is measured. When the operation result of storing the program in the program storage unit that stores the program received by the program receiving unit is included in the operation result,
The said audience rating measurement means uses the operation result which memorize | stores the said program in the said program storage means, when measuring the audience rating of the said program, It is any one of Claim 9 to 12 characterized by the above-mentioned. The audience rating measuring device described. When personal information of a user who uses the mobile terminal is added to the operation result,
The audience rating measuring device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the audience rating measuring means measures an audience rating of the program classified based on the personal information. When current position information indicating the current position of the mobile terminal is added to the operation result,
The audience rating measuring device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the audience rating measuring unit measures an audience rating of the program classified based on the current position information. An operation history transmitting portable terminal that transmits an operation history of operating a program receiving means for receiving a program, and an audience rating measuring device that measures the audience rating of the program based on the operation history transmitted from the operation history transmitting portable terminal An audience rating measurement system comprising:
The operation history transmission portable terminal is:
Operating means for operating the program receiving means;
Clocking means for clocking the time when the program receiving means is operated by the operating means;
An operation history generating means for generating an operation history in which an operation result obtained by operating the program receiving means by the operation means and a time measured by the time measuring means are associated;
Operation history storage means for storing the operation history generated by the operation history generation means;
An operation history transmission means for transmitting the operation history stored in the operation history storage means,
The audience rating measuring device comprises:
Operation history acquisition means for acquiring the operation history;
Viewing that measures the audience rating of the program based on the operation result of the operation history transmission portable terminal associated with the operation history acquired by the operation history acquisition means and the time when the operation history transmission portable terminal is operated. Rate measuring means;
Audience rating storage means for storing the audience rating of the program measured by the audience rating measuring means;
An audience rating measurement system comprising: An operation history transmitting portable terminal that transmits an operation history of operating a program receiving means for receiving a program, and an audience rating measuring device that measures the audience rating of the program based on the operation history transmitted from the operation history transmitting portable terminal The audience rating measurement method for measuring the audience rating of the program,
The operation history transmission portable terminal is:
An operation step of operating the program receiving means;
A time measuring step for measuring the time when the program receiving means is operated in this operation step;
An operation history generating step for generating an operation history associating the operation result of the operation of the program receiving means in the operation step with the time measured in the timing step;
An operation history storage step for storing the operation history generated in the operation history generation step in the operation history storage means;
An operation history transmission step of transmitting the operation history stored in the operation history storage means in the operation history storage step,
The audience rating measuring device comprises:
An operation history acquisition step of acquiring the operation history;
Viewing that measures the audience rating of the program based on the operation result of the operation history transmission portable terminal associated with the operation history acquired in the operation history acquisition step and the time when the operation history transmission portable terminal is operated. Rate measurement step;
An audience rating storage step of storing the audience rating of the program measured in the audience rating measuring step in an audience rating storage means;
The audience rating measurement method characterized by including.

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