JP2008289199A - Channel selection information communication device, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a channel selection information communication device capable of accurately gathering view information even in case of partiality of a view channel while suppressing waste in facility arrangement. <P>SOLUTION: The channel selection information communication device of the present invention has a time generating means of generating a first time from characteristic information that the device has, a transmitting means of transmitting channel identification information of a broadcast signal selected by a terminal to a network connected to a broadcasting server, and a transmitting means of transmitting the channel identification information to a view information receiving server. The transmitting means starts measuring a time once the transmission of the channel identification information by the transmitting means is detected, and transmits channel selection information after the lapse of the first one hour after the start of the measurement of the time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a channel selection information communication apparatus, method, and program, and can be applied to, for example, an IP multicast receiving terminal and a home gateway.

  Collecting viewing information (information on a selected channel, etc.) in a TV broadcast (hereinafter referred to as IP multicast broadcast) system using IP distribution using multicast distribution and a broadcast service in CATV is a program. This is important for correctly evaluating the viewers and correctly recognizing viewers' preferences.

  Conventionally, in multicast distribution, a method called IGAP (Internet Group member Authentication Protocol) has been proposed (see Non-Patent Document 1), which includes collecting information at the start of viewing as viewing information via a router.

  The IGAP scheme is a mechanism for extending a multicast router so that only users who have made an appropriate viewing contract receive multicast.

  In a broadcast system based on multicast, a separate multicast address is often used for each channel. Therefore, whenever a channel is switched on the receiving terminal side, a multicast reception stop command before switching and a multicast reception start command after switching are exchanged between the receiving terminal and the nearest router. . At this time, by sending user information to the router, authentication is performed on the router side, and only appropriate users are received. Part of the information transmitted to the router at the time of such channel switching is collected by the audience rating receiving server as viewing information.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 also describe transmission of viewing information.
http://tools.ietf.org/id/draft-hayashi-igap-03.txt International Publication No. 2006/75747 JP-A-8-205123

  However, the conventional viewing information collecting method using the IGAP method has the following problems.

  (1) If a large number of viewers switch multicast reception channels at the same time at the start time of a popular program (for example, the opening time of the Olympic opening ceremony), all routers are almost simultaneously Switching requests are generated, and switching requests are excessively concentrated even when viewed from each router. Each router makes an authentication request to the authentication server in response to the switching request. However, due to excessive concentration of switching requests, a sufficient response speed as a response from the authentication server may not be ensured. As a result, there is a great risk that a large amount of viewing information cannot be reached at the audience rating receiving server and is discarded.

  (2) In order to avoid such a problem, having a large margin for installation of equipment such as a router is wasteful and causes a cost problem.

  Therefore, there is a demand for a channel selection information communication apparatus, method, and program capable of more accurately executing viewing information collection even when viewing channels are biased while suppressing waste of equipment layout.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the channel selection information communication device, (1) time generation means for generating a first time from unique information of the channel selection information communication device, and (2) selected by the terminal Transmission means for transmitting channel identification information in the broadcast signal to a network connected to the broadcast server, and (3) transmission means for the channel identification information in the viewing information receiving server, and (4) the transmission means, (4-1) After the transmission of the channel identification information is detected by the transmission means, time measurement is started, and (4-2) after the first time has elapsed since the time measurement was started, The channel selection information is transmitted.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the channel selection information communication method in the channel selection information communication device, (1) a time generation step in which the time generation means generates a first time from unique information of the channel selection information communication device. And (2) a transmission step in which the transmission means transmits channel identification information in the broadcast signal selected by the terminal to a network connected to the broadcast server, and (3) a transmission means transmits the channel identification information to the network. (4) The transmission step (4-1) detects the transmission of the channel identification information in the transmission step, and then starts measuring time, (4) -2) The channel selection information is transmitted after the first time has elapsed since the start of time measurement.

  A channel selection information communication program according to a third aspect of the present invention selects a computer by (1) time generation means for generating a first time from unique information of the channel selection information communication apparatus, and (2) a terminal. Transmission means for transmitting channel identification information in the broadcast signal to a network connected to the broadcast server; (3) causing the viewing information receiving server to function as transmission means for the channel identification information; (4) The transmission means (4-1) detects the transmission of the channel identification information by the transmission means, and then starts time measurement, and (4-2) starts the time measurement and then starts the first measurement. The channel selection information is transmitted after a lapse of time.

  According to the channel selection information communication apparatus, method, and program of the present invention, it is possible to more accurately execute viewing information collection even if there is a bias in viewing channels, etc., while suppressing waste of equipment arrangement. .

(A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a channel selection information communication apparatus and method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The channel selection information communication apparatus according to the first embodiment is provided in an IP multicast broadcast receiving terminal and transmits channel selection information.

(A-1) Configuration of First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an IP multicast broadcast system including a channel selection information communication device according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, an IP multicast broadcast system 100 includes an IP multicast receiver terminal 101, a television receiver (TV receiver) 106, an IP multicast broadcast server 108, and a viewing information receiver server 109. The multicast broadcast server 108 and the viewing information receiving server 109 are connected to the IP multicast network 107.

  The IP multicast broadcast server 108 assembles an IP packet related to IP multicast broadcast from a video signal and an audio signal related to IP multicast broadcast and transmits them to the IP multicast network 107. The IP multicast broadcast server 108 performs distribution using a pair of multicast source addresses and multicast group addresses (see FIG. 2) that are predetermined for each channel.

  The IP multicast broadcast server 108 is the same as the existing one, and its detailed configuration is omitted. One IP multicast broadcast server 108 may transmit IP packets of all the channels that can be received by the IP multicast receiving terminal 101. A plurality of IP multicast broadcast servers 108, etc. The multicast receiving terminal 101 may transmit IP packets of all channels that can be received.

  The IP multicast network 107 includes a plurality of routers inside. When each router receives an IP multicast broadcast IP packet, the IP multicast network 107 copies the IP packet and forwards it to one or more downstream routers. To perform multicasting. Each router holds the IP packet group related to each received channel, and sends the IP packet of the channel selected by each IP multicast terminal 101 contained therein to the IP multicast terminal 101 at that time. To be transferred.

  The IP multicast receiving terminal 101 corresponds to a tuner or decoder for IP multicast broadcasting, which has a function of selecting a signal of a channel selected by the viewer and a function of decoding the selected signal (IP packet). It is a set top box (STB). That is, the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 receives IP multicast broadcast IP packets given from the nearest (accommodating source) router in the IP multicast network 107, restores the video signal and audio signal related to the broadcast, and It is output to the John receiver 106. The format of the video signal transferred from the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 to the television receiver 106 may be a composite video signal or an RGB signal.

  In FIG. 1, the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is shown as a dedicated device separate from the television receiver 106, but its implementation form is not limited to this. The IP multicast receiving terminal 101 may be constructed by installing software on a personal computer or the like. Further, the television receiver 106 may include the IP multicast receiving terminal 101.

  Further, the device to which the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 supplies the video signal and the audio signal is not limited to the television receiver 106, and may be a video recording device such as a video tape recorder or a DVD recorder.

  In the case of the first embodiment, as will be described later, the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 transmits an IP packet including viewing information to the IP multicast network 107.

  The viewing information receiving server 109 receives an IP packet of viewing information that has arrived via the IP multicast network 107 (hereinafter referred to as viewing information as appropriate), and receives predetermined statistical information (for example, a viewing rate for each channel or a program). Audience rating). In the case of the first embodiment, the viewing information is one or a plurality of channel information, and this channel information does not include user specific information. However, when the user specific information is included in the channel information, the viewing information receiving server 109 displays the user preference information (for example, the rate of watching a sports program or the total time of watching a news program in one week). ) Or the like.

  Here, the channel information is a channel name at which new viewing is started, a channel name at which viewing is stopped, and a viewing start time of the new channel (channel designation time or time at which channel information is temporarily held), In the channel information immediately after the power-on instruction, there is no channel name for which viewing has been stopped, and in the channel information immediately after the power-off instruction, there is no channel name for which new viewing has started and no new channel viewing start time. The viewing information receiving server 109 uses, as basic information, the number of viewing started and stopped for each channel at a past time for a predetermined period, and updates the basic information according to the channel information that has arrived. The audience rating is obtained by processing basic information.

  Note that the viewing information receiving server 109 may use the same server as any of the IP multicast broadcast servers 108. Conversely, the viewing information receiving server 109 may be installed as a third-party organization server that is different from the IP multicast broadcaster.

  As described above, the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 may be constructed by either a dedicated device or a general-purpose device, may be configured by being incorporated in another device, and further, some functions are configured by software. Functionally, it has a detailed configuration as shown in FIG.

  That is, the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 includes a remote control receiving unit 102, a channel information transmitting unit 103, a server information holding unit 104, and an IP multicast broadcast receiving unit 105.

  The remote control receiving unit 102 receives a remote control signal from a remote control transmitter (not shown), analyzes the received remote control signal, and provides analysis information to the IP multicast broadcast receiving unit 105. A remote control transmitter (not shown) includes a key for selecting a channel and a key for adjusting the volume.

  For example, channel selection is performed by inputting a channel number (hereinafter referred to as a channel name) using a numeric keypad and then operating a confirmation key. Further, for example, when a predetermined number of digits (three digits) related to a channel name is input by a numeric keypad and the three-digit input is a number related to a channel name, it is assumed that a channel is input. Further, for example, after a channel selection screen including channel options is displayed on the television receiver 106, the option at which the cursor is positioned is changed according to the operation of the cursor movement key, and the cursor is operated when the enter key is operated. Let's say that you specify the channel of the option where was located. Each time a key is operated, a remote control signal is transmitted, and the remote control receiving unit 102 analyzes the remote control signal and recognizes that the channel has been updated. This is given to the receiving unit 105.

  In FIG. 1, the operation device that can be operated by the viewer is only the remote control transmitter, but in addition to or instead of this, an operation unit is provided in the casing of the IP multicast receiving terminal 101. May be.

  The IP multicast broadcast receiving unit 105 basically receives an IP multicast broadcast IP packet given from the nearest (accommodating source) router, restores a video signal and an audio signal related to the broadcast, and This is output to the receiver 106.

  The IP multicast broadcast receiving unit 105 is also in charge of processing at the time of channel change. When the changed channel name is given from the remote control receiving unit 102, the IP multicast broadcast receiving unit 105 refers to the built-in channel / address correspondence table shown in FIG. ) Is obtained, and the IP multicast network 107 (or its router) is controlled to change the channel.

  As shown in FIG. 2, one record of the channel / address correspondence table includes a channel name field 201, a multicast source address field 202, and a multicast group address field 203. The channel name is a channel number for a general user to actually identify a channel from a program guide or the like. A multicast source address and a multicast group address are paired address information, and are information for identifying a multicast packet.

  The channel information transmission unit 103 transmits viewing information (IP packet) including one or a plurality of channel information including channel names and times before and after the change to the IP multicast network 107 side. The details of the function of the channel information transmission unit 103 will be clarified in the operation section described later.

  The server information holding unit 104 holds information as shown in FIG. That is, the server information holding unit 104 sets the address 301 of the destination viewing information receiving server 109 that transmits viewing information and the viewing information maximum transmission interval 302 that is the upper limit of the interval for transmitting viewing information to the viewing information receiving server 109. keeping. The information held in the server information holding unit 104 may be given from the IP multicast network 107 side at the time of power-on authentication, for example, or may be set at the initial installation of the terminal. good.

(A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment Next, the operation of the IP multicast broadcast system 100 having the above configuration, particularly the operation related to the collection of viewing information will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of operations for holding the changed channel information in the IP multicast receiving terminal 101. In the case of the first embodiment, when the channel is changed, the changed channel information is temporarily stored without transmitting the viewing information immediately.

  When the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is turned on, the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is initialized and enters an operating state (step 401). Thereafter, the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 obtains and holds information of the channel / address correspondence table shown in FIG. 2 (step 402). Note that the information of the channel / address correspondence table may be stored in advance in the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 (in this case, step 402 is omitted), and the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is connected to a predetermined server (for example, Or IP multicast broadcast server 108). Further, for example, in order for the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 to be initialized and to enter an operating state, user authentication on the IP multicast network 107 side is a condition.

  When the processing of steps 401 and 402 is completed, the process proceeds to a state of waiting for an instruction from the remote control transmitter (step 403). FIG. 4 shows a case in which the channel state is shifted to the reception state even immediately after the power is turned on, but the channel name selected when the power is turned off immediately before is saved as a backup, and when the power is turned on, the backup is performed. The reception process based on the saved channel name may be automatically executed. The process at this time is almost the same as the series of processes in steps 404 to 410 in FIG. However, in the process similar to step 410 in this case, the operation of stopping the channel selected so far is not executed.

  If there is an instruction from the remote control transmitter while waiting for an instruction from the remote control transmitter, the instruction is a new channel designation instruction (channel change instruction) (step 404) or a power off instruction (step 404). 405), it is determined whether the instruction is other than that.

  In the case of an instruction to turn off the power, processing at the time of turning off the power is executed (step 406). The processing at power-off includes processing for notifying the stop of distribution of the IP multicast network 107 and processing for notifying the viewing information server 109 of the channel whose distribution has been stopped.

  If the instruction from the remote control transmitter is neither a channel designation instruction nor a power-off instruction, a process corresponding to the instruction (for example, a volume change instruction) is executed (step 407), and then remote control transmission is performed. Return to the state of waiting for instructions from the machine.

  If the instruction from the remote control transmitter is a channel designation instruction, it is determined whether or not the current state is waiting for transmission of channel information (viewing information) (step 408). As will be described later, a channel information transmission waiting flag is set in a channel information transmission waiting state, and the state is determined by checking this flag.

  If the current state is not a channel information transmission waiting state, a transmission waiting time is determined and a process described later (see FIG. 5) for shifting to a transmission waiting state is performed (step 409), and then the current state is the transmission of channel information. If it is in the waiting state, the information of the designated channel is immediately added to the channel information held for waiting for transmission (step 410). When the process proceeds from step 409 to step 410, the first channel information is held by this addition process. In holding the channel information, the held time or the time when the channel is designated is also held. The channel name on the viewing start side and the channel name on the viewing stop side are also included.

  Then, the IP multicast broadcast receiving unit 105 performs a process of switching to the designated channel, switches to the video and audio of the multicast broadcast channel (step 411), and returns to a state waiting for an instruction from the remote control transmitter.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of processing step 409 for determining a transmission waiting time and shifting to a transmission waiting state.

  First, a number (transmission waiting time) from 0 second to the viewing information maximum transmission interval 302 held as shown in FIG. 3 is generated using a random number (step 501).

  For the generation of the random number, an existing technique may be used. For example, when a random number in the range of 0 to 1 is used, a constant for making the same value as the number of digits of the viewing information maximum transmission interval is multiplied, and the value after this multiplication is the viewing information maximum transmission interval. The remainder is used as the transmission wait time. For example, when the viewing information maximum transmission interval is 120 (seconds) and the generated random number is 0.152, the transmission waiting time is 32 (seconds) by the calculation of the following equation.

0.152 * 1000/120 = 152/120 = 1 remainder 32
In the above, the case where the transmission waiting time is determined using a random number has been shown, but the transmission waiting time is determined using information (MAC address, IP address, telephone number, etc.) unique to the terminal 101. Also good. For example, a transmission waiting time may be set to 1.2 times the number of the lower two digits of the IP address. If the lower two digits are “34”, 34 × 1.2 = 40.8 (seconds) is the transmission waiting time.

  When the transmission waiting time is determined as described above, after setting the channel information transmission waiting flag (step 502), sleep is started for the determined transmission waiting time (step 503). The process shown in FIG. 5 ends in the state where sleep is started.

  It is not necessary to stop the process of FIG. 5 until the sleep ends, the process of FIG. 5 is ended, and the process of FIG. 6 described later is started when the sleep ends. The end of sleep is detected by the time-up of a timer that times only the determined transmission waiting time. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when sleep ends.

  When the sleep ends, all the channel information held at the end time is collectively transmitted as viewing information to the viewing information receiving server 109 (step 601), and then the channel information transmission waiting flag is reset (step 602). As described above, the transmitted channel information includes not only the channel name but also the stored time or the time when the channel is designated.

  The viewing information may be transmitted according to TCP (/ IP) or may be transmitted according to UDP. In the case of UDP, there is no retransmission function, and when the viewing information packet is lost, it remains as it is. However, when the information calculated by the viewing information receiving server 109 is a ratio such as the audience rating, the ratio of the viewing packet lost is also Since it depends on the ratio of the designated channel, the audience rating can be calculated correctly even if UDP is adopted. In the case of UDP, the processing load on the viewing information receiving server 109 can be reduced by the amount of viewing information that reaches the viewing information receiving server 109.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of each part of the IP multicast broadcast system according to the first embodiment.

  Immediately after the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is turned on, the channel / address correspondence table is given from the IP multicast broadcast server 108 (or authentication server) to the IP multicast broadcast receiving unit 105 and held (step 700).

  Multicast distribution to the IP multicast network 107 by the IP multicast broadcast server 108 is always executed (step 701).

  When the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is not in a channel information transmission waiting state, if a new channel is designated by the remote control transmitter, the remote control receiving unit 102 notifies the channel information transmitting unit 103 of the new channel designation. At the same time (step 702), the IP multicast network 107 is notified of the start of multicast reception of a new channel (step 703). The notification to the IP multicast network 107 may be performed via the IP multicast broadcast receiving unit 105. This notification of the start of multicast reception on a new channel also means the stop of multicast reception on the existing channel.

  The channel information transmission unit 103 notified of the designation of a new channel stores the notified channel information, determines a transmission waiting time T, and enters a sleep state.

  The IP multicast network 107 (the nearest router) that has received the notification of the start of multicast reception of a new channel stops multicast distribution of the designated channel so far and starts multicast distribution of the new designated channel (step 704). . Thereby, the IP multicast broadcast receiving unit 105 restores the video signal and the audio signal from the multicast distribution data of the new designated channel, gives them to the television receiver 106 for display (step 705).

  When a new channel is specified while the transmission waiting time is being measured, the remote control receiving unit 102 notifies the channel information transmitting unit 103 of the new channel designation (step 706), and the IP multicast network 107 is newly updated. The start of multicast reception of the correct channel is notified (step 707).

  The channel information transmitting unit 103 notified of the designation of a new channel stores the notified channel information, but continues to count the transmission waiting time T because it is currently being measured (sleep state).

  The IP multicast network 107 (the nearest router) that has received the notification of the start of multicast reception of the new channel stops multicast distribution of the designated channel so far and starts multicast distribution of the new designated channel (step 708). . Thereby, the IP multicast broadcast receiving unit 105 restores the video signal and the audio signal from the multicast distribution data of the new designated channel, gives them to the television receiver 106, and displays them (step 709).

  When the time measurement of the determined transmission waiting time T ends (when the sleep state ends), the channel information transmission unit 103 collects the viewing start channel information notified in Steps 702 and 706 as viewing information as viewing information. The reception server 109 is notified (step 710).

  When an instruction to turn off the power of the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is given, the channel information transmission unit 103 is notified of the reception stop (step 711), and the IP multicast network 107 is notified of the multicast reception stop of the viewing channel. (Step 712).

  The channel information transmitting unit 103 notified of the reception stop of the viewing channel immediately notifies the viewing information receiving server 109 of the channel information related to the reception stop of the viewing channel as the viewing information (step 713). The IP multicast network 107 stops distribution to the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 that has notified the multicast reception stop.

(A-3) Effect of First Embodiment According to the first embodiment, since channel information is transmitted after waiting for a transmission waiting time determined based on a random number or the like, many viewers Even when viewing channel biases that change the channels all at once occur, transmission to the viewing information receiving server is temporally distributed, and viewing information can be collected more accurately.

  Such an effect can be exhibited by a function change of only the IP multicast receiving terminal 101. In other words, it is not necessary to provide many viewing information receiving servers and routers in the IP multicast network.

  For example, assume that there are 100,000 IP multicast receiving terminals operating. Suppose that the user changes the channel to the channel that delivers the Olympic Games for 5 seconds before and after 10:00 (total 10 seconds) in order to watch the Olympic opening ceremony from 10:00 at a time. .

  In such a case, conventionally, the viewing information receiving server needs to perform 100,000 processes in 10 seconds. Even if processing is not completed within 10 seconds, a mechanism for temporarily storing 100,000 processing requests is required. On average, 10,000 processes are required per second.

  On the other hand, in the case of the first embodiment, 100,000 processes are divided almost equally over 120 seconds and reach the server. Therefore, on average, it is sufficient to perform 100,000 / 120 = 834 processing per second, and the efficiency is increased 12 times.

  Incidentally, the processing on the IP multicast receiving terminal side is complicated, but it is not 12 times more complicated, and it is only necessary to store channel information once in the terminal.

(B) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the channel selection information communication apparatus and method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The channel selection information communication apparatus according to the second embodiment is provided in a home gateway apparatus in a house that also accommodates an IP multicast receiving terminal, and transmits channel selection information.

(B-1) Configuration of Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an IP multicast broadcast system including a channel selection information communication device according to the second embodiment. The same and corresponding parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 2, an IP multicast broadcasting system 800 includes an IP multicast receiving terminal 101, a television receiver (TV receiver) 106, an IP multicast broadcasting server 108, a viewing information receiving server 109, and a home gateway 801, and a home gateway 801. The IP multicast broadcast server 108 and the viewing information receiving server 109 are connected to the IP multicast network 107.

  The television receiver 106, the IP multicast broadcast server 108, and the viewing information receiving server 109 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is obtained by removing functions related to collection of viewing information from the IP multicast receiving terminal of the first embodiment.

  Today, there are a wide variety of home IP communication devices that communicate using the IP protocol.

For example, in addition to the IP multicast receiving terminal 101, there are an IP phone and a personal computer for enjoying the Internet. The home gateway 801 accommodates such a plurality of IP communication devices and is in charge of connection with the IP network. That is, the home gateway 801 also connects the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 to the IP multicast network 107. The home gateway 801 and the IP multicast network 107 (the router) are connected by, for example, B-FLET'S (trademark).

The home gateway 801 has an IP multicast information transmission unit 802, a server information holding unit 803, and an IP multicast monitoring unit 804 when viewed from the viewing information collection function side.
These units 802 to 804 function effectively when the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is functioning.

  The IP multicast monitoring unit 804 acquires and holds the multicast address list information of the channel to be monitored (IP multicast) as shown in FIG. 9 from the viewing information receiving server 109 or the IP multicast broadcast server 108, and uses it. The packets of the channel to be monitored (IP multicast) are filtered. The multicast address to be monitored is, for example, the multicast source address of the IP multicast currently distributed by the multicast broadcast server 108, as shown in the list of FIG.

  The IP multicast information transmission unit 802 transmits information (multicast address) related to the channel designated by the viewer recognized by the monitoring of the IP multicast monitoring unit 804 to the viewing information receiving server 109 as viewing information. The function of this IP multicast information transmission unit 802 is the same as the function of the channel information transmission unit 103 in the first embodiment.

  The server information holding unit 803 holds information as shown in FIG. That is, the server information holding unit 803 holds the address 1001 of the viewing information receiving server, the multicast address information acquisition interval 1002, and the viewing information maximum transmission interval 1003, which are destinations for transmitting the viewing information. The multicast address information acquisition interval 1002 is an interval for acquiring multicast address information from the viewing information receiving server 109 or the IP multicast broadcast server 108. The viewing information maximum transmission interval 1003 indicates the maximum interval from when the multicast information transmitting unit 802 receives the updated multicast information to transmit it to the viewing information receiving server 109.

(B-2) Operation of the Second Embodiment Next, the operation of the IP multicast broadcast system 800 having the above configuration, particularly the operation related to the collection of viewing information will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a series of operations in the home gateway 801 for temporarily holding and transmitting the multicast address information updated and transmitted by the IP multicast receiving terminal 101.

  In the case of the second embodiment, the home gateway 801 does not immediately transmit viewing information even if the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 updates the multicast address (in other words, changes the channel). The information of the changed multicast address is accumulated.

  When the home gateway 801 is powered on, the home gateway 801 is initialized and enters an operating state (step 1101). Here, it is assumed that the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is also powered on and the home gateway 801 enters a state in which communication of the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 is enabled.

  The home gateway 801 then obtains multicast address information as shown in FIG. 9 (step 1102). Also in the first embodiment described above, the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 may acquire the channel information of the IP multicast broadcast that is the transmission target of the viewing information at a predetermined period.

  After that, while confirming that the power is not turned off (step 1103), it waits for reception of a packet from the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 to the IP multicast network 107 (step 1104).

  If the power is turned off, the power off process is executed (step 1109).

The process at the time of power-off includes a process of notifying the viewing information server 109 of the IP multicast address received so far, including the fact that the distribution has been stopped.

  When a packet from the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 to the IP multicast network 107 is received, it is determined whether or not the multicast address defining the IP multicast delivery in the packet is the monitoring target address defined in the list of FIG. (Step 1105).

  If it is a packet of the monitoring target address, it is determined whether or not the packet is a packet instructing reception start or reception stop of the IP multicast broadcast (step 1107).

If it is a packet instructing reception start or reception stop of IP multicast broadcast, the processing of IP multicast information transmitting section 802 is executed (step 1108). The processing of the IP multicast information transmitting unit 802 is the same as the processing shown in steps 408, 409 (FIG. 5), 410 and FIG. 6 in the first embodiment, and “channel information” in the first embodiment. May be read as “multicast address information (multicast information)”.

  FIG. 11 is omitted because it is described in terms of viewing information collection, but a packet from the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 to the IP multicast network 107 is transmitted to the IP multicast network 107 via the home gateway 801. Of course.

  Note that FIG. 11 shows that multicast information is transmitted to the viewing information receiving server 109 after the transmission waiting time has elapsed even when reception is stopped, but reception is stopped as in the first embodiment. In this case, the multicast information may be transmitted to the viewing information receiving server 109 without waiting for the transmission waiting time to elapse. Conversely, with respect to the first embodiment, a modification in which channel information is transmitted to the viewing information receiving server 109 after the transmission waiting time has elapsed even when reception is stopped can be given.

  Here, when the processing corresponding to step 410 in the first embodiment is completed, the routine proceeds to step 1106. If the received packet is not a packet at the monitoring target address, or if it is a packet at the monitoring target address but is not a packet for instructing reception start or reception stop of IP multicast delivery, the process proceeds to step 1106.

  In step 1106, it is determined whether or not the multicast address information acquisition interval has elapsed since the previous acquisition of multicast address information. If it has elapsed, the process returns to step 1102, and if it has not elapsed, Returns to step 1103.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of each part of the IP multicast broadcast system according to the second embodiment.

  Immediately after the home gateway 801 is powered on, the home gateway 801 acquires multicast address list information as shown in FIG. 9 from the viewing information receiving server 109 (step 1200).

  Multicast distribution to the IP multicast network 107 by the IP multicast broadcast server 108 is always executed (step 1201).

  When the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 designates a new IP multicast broadcast channel and transmits a packet requesting reception start of the new channel, the IP multicast monitoring unit 804 of the home gateway 801 recognizes that ( Step 1202), the packet is transmitted to the IP multicast network 107 (Step 1203).

  The IP multicast network 107 (the nearest router) that has received the multicast reception start packet of the new channel stops multicast distribution of the designated channel so far and starts multicast distribution of the new designated channel (step 1204). . Thereby, the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 restores the video signal and the audio signal from the multicast distribution data of the new designated channel, gives them to the television receiver 106 for display (step 1205).

  The IP multicast monitoring unit 804 that has recognized the reception start packet of the new channel notifies the IP multicast information transmission unit 802 to that effect (step 1206). Assume that the transmission waiting time is not being measured. In this case, the IP multicast information transmission unit 802 stores the notified multicast information, determines the transmission waiting time T1, and enters the sleep state.

  Furthermore, when the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 designates a new IP multicast broadcast channel and transmits a packet for requesting the start of reception of the new channel, the IP multicast monitoring unit 804 of the home gateway 801 recognizes that fact. At the same time (step 1207), the packet is transmitted to the IP multicast network 107 (step 1208).

  The IP multicast network 107 (the nearest router) that has received the multicast reception start packet of the new channel stops multicast distribution of the designated channel so far and starts multicast distribution of the new designated channel (step 1209). . As a result, the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 restores the video signal and the audio signal from the multicast distribution data of the new designated channel, gives them to the television receiver 106 for display (step 1210).

  The IP multicast monitoring unit 804 that has recognized the reception start packet of the new channel again notifies the IP multicast information transmission unit 802 of the fact (step 1211).

The IP multicast information transmission unit 802 stores the notified multicast information, but continues to measure the transmission waiting time T1 because it is currently being measured (sleep state).

  When the time measurement of the determined transmission waiting time T1 ends (when the sleep state ends), the IP multicast information transmission unit 802 collectively displays the reception-started multicast information notified in steps 1206 and 1211 as viewing information. The information reception server 109 is notified (step 1212).

  When the IP multicast receiving terminal 101 transmits a packet requesting to stop receiving a new channel based on a power-off instruction or the like, the IP multicast monitoring unit 804 of the home gateway 801 recognizes this (Step 1213). The packet is transmitted to the IP multicast network 107 (step 1214).

  Upon receiving the multicast reception stop packet, the IP multicast network 107 (the nearest router) stops multicast distribution of the designated channel so far.

  Recognizing the reception stop packet, the IP multicast monitoring unit 804 notifies the IP multicast information transmitting unit 802 to that effect (step 1215). If the transmission waiting time is not being measured, the IP multicast information transmitting unit 802 stores the multicast information notified of the stop, determines the transmission waiting time T2, and enters the sleep state.

  When the time measurement of the determined transmission waiting time T2 ends (when the sleep state ends), the IP multicast information transmitting unit 802 uses the multicast information of reception stop notified in step 1215 as viewing information to the viewing information receiving server 109. Notification is made (step 1216).

(B-3) Effect of Second Embodiment According to the second embodiment, since the multicast information is transmitted after waiting for the transmission waiting time determined based on a random number or the like, many viewers Even when viewing channel biases that change the channels all at once occur, transmission to the viewing information receiving server is temporally distributed, and viewing information can be collected more accurately.

  Such an effect can be exhibited by a function change of only the home gateway 801. In other words, it is not necessary to provide many viewing information receiving servers and routers in the IP multicast network.

(C) Other Embodiments In the description of each of the above-described embodiments, various modified embodiments have been referred to. However, modified embodiments as exemplified below can be given.

  In each of the above embodiments, the transmission waiting time is determined by using random numbers or information unique to the terminal 101 (MAC address, IP address, telephone number, etc.), but for a plurality of terminals or a plurality of home gateways. It may be determined by another method that can be regarded as a uniform distribution. For example, the transmission waiting time may be determined using the time when the power is turned on in a built-in timer. If the “minute” at the time when the power is turned on is an odd number, the “second” at that time is applied as the transmission waiting time. If the “minute” at the time when the power is turned on is an even number, the time A value obtained by adding 60 (seconds) to “seconds” may be applied as the transmission waiting time. In the case of this modification, the same transmission waiting time is applied during the power-on period.

  In addition, when a random number is not applied, the transmission waiting time determined by the method described above is set as the initial transmission waiting time, and thereafter, for each transmission waiting time determination timing, a time obtained by adding a predetermined time to the previous time A transmission waiting time may be used (when the added value exceeds the maximum transmission waiting time, a value obtained by subtracting the maximum transmission waiting time from the added value is used as the transmission waiting time).

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the channel information and the multicast information generated during the transmission waiting time are collectively transmitted. However, the transmission timing may be determined from the number of collectively transmitted. For example, the concept of transmission waiting time may be eliminated, and transmission may be executed every time the number of channel information and multicast information reaches a predetermined number (for example, 3), or a predetermined number (for example, 3). Basically, it will be transmitted every time it becomes, but exceptionally, it will not reach the predetermined number, but if the elapsed time of waiting for transmission is long, the channel information and multicast information will be May be transmitted. In the case of such a modification, the transmission may be performed regardless of the predetermined number immediately after the power is turned on or immediately after the power is turned off. In this case, the concept of transmission waiting time as in each embodiment is introduced. May be transmitted.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the transmission of all channel information and multicast information is shown, but the elapsed time from the time when the channel (a) is switched to the next time when the channel (b) is switched is short. In some cases (for example, less than 10 seconds), channel information and multicast information related to channel (a) may be excluded from transmission targets. By introducing the concept of transmission waiting time, it is easy to perform monitoring of the time between channel switching operations as described above. Note that the minimum time of the transmission waiting time is not 0, but may be longer than the determination time for ignoring transmission.

  Whether the transmission protocol of viewing information is TCP or UDP, when transmitting viewing information (channel information or multicast information), the viewing information transmitted for the first time is stored, You may make it transmit with viewing-and-listening information. When UDP is employed, such a modification is a countermeasure for packet loss.

  In the second embodiment, the case where one IP multicast receiving terminal is accommodated in one home gateway is shown, but a plurality of IP multicast receiving terminals are accommodated in one home gateway. May be. In this case, the IP multicast information transmitting unit 802, the server information holding unit 803, and the IP multicast monitoring unit 804 for each IP multicast receiving terminal may be set and processed in one home gateway. The IP multicast information transmitting unit 802, the server information holding unit 803, and the IP multicast monitoring unit 804 may function without distinguishing all the accommodated IP multicast receiving terminals.

  In each of the embodiments described above, only the viewing information is transmitted to the viewing information server. However, when transmitting the viewing information, other information such as QoS (Quality of Service) is also notified to the server side. May be. The notification information may include information input by a viewer operating a remote control transmitter or the like such as a questionnaire result or experience quality (QoE: Quality of Experience) regarding reproduction quality.

  Although not mentioned in the description of each of the above embodiments, the IP multicast broadcast server 108 may be a server that retransmits the terrestrial digital broadcast by the IP multicast broadcast. In the case of an IP multicast broadcasting system that retransmits digital terrestrial broadcasting, regional characteristics and anonymity are requirements. Therefore, a viewing information server may be provided for each region (prefecture unit). Further, in order to achieve anonymity, dummy data (for example, random number data) may be inserted into the transmission source address of the viewing information packet. Adopting UDP also works anonymously. When the viewing information server is used in common, personal information is not inserted into the data portion, but regional information may be included.

  Regardless of whether terrestrial digital broadcasting is retransmitted by IP multicast broadcasting or not, in consideration of anonymity, if the information related to the transmission source user is not inserted in the viewing information transmitted to the viewing information server, the audience rating is incorrect. An apparatus that transmits unauthorized viewing information for the purpose of operation is also conceivable. As a countermeasure against such an unauthorized device, the IP address or port number of the viewing information server is changed regularly or irregularly, and for the ones that have been viewed successfully by power-on user authentication (terminals, etc.) A method for providing information such as the IP address and port number of the user and a method for changing the information (for example, for two days) so that only a legitimate terminal can always recognize the correct destination information of the viewing information. As an example. Further, in the case of a system that transmits so that the transmission source can be identified from the viewing information, the validity of the reception start and the reception stop that are sequentially given may be confirmed, and the spoofing may be confirmed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the present invention is applied to an IP multicast receiving terminal or a home gateway has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to a terminal of another system.

For example, if the CATV receiving terminal and the viewing information receiving server can communicate by connecting the CATV receiving terminal not only to the CATV broadcasting network but also to the IP network, the present invention can be applied to the CATV receiving terminal. . Also, for example, the present invention can be applied to a receiving terminal for voice IP multicast broadcasting.

  In addition, although not mentioned in the description of each of the above embodiments, the components that exhibit the characteristic functions of the IP multicast receiving terminal and the home gateway are realized by the CPU and a program (including data) executed by the CPU. May be.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an IP multicast broadcast system including the channel selection information communication apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the channel / address correspondence table which the IP multicast broadcast receiver in 1st Embodiment incorporates. It is explanatory drawing which shows the information which the server information holding part in 1st Embodiment hold | maintains. 6 is a flowchart showing a series of operations for holding changed channel information in the IP multicast receiving terminal of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step 409 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when the transmission waiting time in 1st Embodiment passes. It is each part sequence diagram of the IP multicast broadcasting system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an IP multicast broadcast system including the channel selection information communication apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the list of the multicast address which the IP multicast monitoring part in 2nd Embodiment stores internally. It is explanatory drawing which shows the information which the server information holding part in 2nd Embodiment hold | maintains. 10 is a flowchart showing a series of operations for transmitting information after temporarily holding information on a multicast address updated and transmitted by an IP multicast receiving terminal in the home gateway of the second embodiment. It is each part sequence diagram of the IP multicast broadcast system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 800 ... IP multicast broadcast system, 101 ... IP multicast receiving terminal, 102 ... Remote control receiving part, 103 ... Channel information transmission part, 104 ... Server information holding part, 105 ... IP multicast broadcast receiving part, 106 ... Television receiver (TV receiver), 107 ... IP multicast network, 108 ... IP multicast broadcast server, 109 ... viewing information receiving server, 801 ... home gateway, 802 ... IP multicast information transmitting unit, 803 ... server information holding unit, 804 ... IP multicast Monitoring department.

Claims (8)

In the channel selection information communication device,
Time generating means for generating the first time from the unique information of the channel selection information communication device;
Transmission means for transmitting channel identification information in the broadcast signal selected by the terminal to a network connected to the broadcast server;
The channel identification information is provided in a viewing information receiving server, and transmission means,
The transmission means is
After the transmission of the channel identification information is detected by the transmission means, time measurement is started,
The channel selection information communication device, wherein the channel selection information is transmitted after the first time has elapsed since the start of time measurement.   The channel selection information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the channel selection information communication apparatus is provided in the terminal. The channel selection information communication device is provided in a home gateway that accommodates the terminal together with other devices,
The channel selection information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means detects the channel identification information output from the terminal.   2. The channel selection information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time generation means includes a random number generator, and determines the first time using a random number. The transmission means is
Transmitting the first channel identification information in the first broadcast signal selected by the terminal to the network;
Transmitting the second channel identification information in the second broadcast signal selected by the terminal to the network;
The transmission means is
After the transmission of the first channel identification information is detected by the transmission means, time measurement is started,
The transmission of the second channel identification information is detected by the transmission means within the lapse of the first time from the start of time measurement,
The channel selection information communication device, wherein the first channel selection information and the second channel identification information are transmitted together after the first time has elapsed since the start of time measurement. The channel selection information communication device is provided in a home gateway that accommodates the first terminal, which is the terminal, and the second terminal together with other devices,
The transmission means is
Transmitting the first channel identification information in the first broadcast signal selected by the first terminal to the network;
Transmitting the second channel identification information in the second broadcast signal selected by the second terminal to the network;
The transmission means is
After the transmission of the first channel identification information is detected by the transmission means, time measurement is started,
The transmission means detects the transmission of the second channel identification information within the first time from the start of time measurement,
The channel selection information communication device, wherein the first channel selection information and the second channel identification information are transmitted together after the first time has elapsed since the start of time measurement. In the channel selection information communication method in the channel selection information communication device,
A time generating step in which the time generating means generates the first time from the unique information of the channel selection information communication device;
A transmission step for transmitting channel identification information in the broadcast signal selected by the terminal to a network connected to the broadcast server;
A transmitting means comprising the step of transmitting the channel identification information to a viewing information receiving server;
The sending step is
After detecting the transmission of the channel identification information in the transmission step, start measuring time,
The channel selection information communication method, wherein the channel selection information is transmitted after the first time has elapsed since the start of time measurement. Computer
A time generating means for generating a first time from unique information of the channel selection information communication device;
Transmission means for transmitting channel identification information in the broadcast signal selected by the terminal to a network connected to the broadcast server;
The channel identification information is made to function as a transmission means in the viewing information receiving server,
The transmission means is
After the transmission of the channel identification information is detected by the transmission means, time measurement is started,
The channel selection information communication program, wherein the channel selection information is transmitted after the first time has elapsed since the start of time measurement.

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