JP2009010650A - Device management system, center device, master receiving device, slave receiving devices, and device management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely manage slave receiving devices which have the possibility of acquiring the contents going across a master receiving device. <P>SOLUTION: The system is provided with a center device 100 which transmits the contents; slave receiving devices 300; and a master receiving device 200, which communicates with the center device through a CATV network 30, communicates with the slave devices with a LAN 40, and is provided with a contents storage means 203. The slave receiving devices 300 are provided with an ID transmission means 302 which performs transmission request of the contents to the master device. The master receiving device 200 is provided with a second network connection means 204 which receives the transmission request, and an ID comparison means 205, which decides whether the transmission request is right or not, and so on and transmits the content of the contents storage means 203 to the slave reception devices 300, when it decides that the authentication is right, and transmits to the center device 100 device information about the slave reception device 300 which does not authenticate, when the authentication has not been made; and the center device 100 manages the device information regarding the devices which treat the content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device management system, a center device, a parent reception device, a child reception device, and a device management method in content distribution such as video.

  2. Description of the Related Art A mechanism for retransmitting broadcast programs such as satellite broadcasts and terrestrial broadcasts to their own wired transmission paths has been realized in cable operators such as CATV (CAble TeleVision) operators. In addition, the CATV provider provides a new service that allows users to record programs that have been retransmitted on a wired transmission path at home by providing the receiver with a data storage function using HDD (Hard Disk Drive) etc. Is starting to do.

  On the other hand, a network environment by LAN (Local Area Network) has been prepared in the user's home, and in this home, for example, a plurality of personal computers are connected by a router, and an environment in which these personal computers can communicate with the Internet has been realized. Yes. Furthermore, not only personal computers but also CATV receivers have appeared that have a network connection function.

  Based on these backgrounds, CATV receivers are connected to each other via a home network, and programs stored in a receiver that is installed in a living room and can directly receive CATV are viewed on a receiver placed in a bedroom. A usage scene is assumed. Hereinafter, in a form in which a plurality of receiving devices are connected via a home network, the receiving device on the side that directly receives, accumulates and sends content such as a program from the CATV broadcasting station is the parent receiving device, and the content is sent to the home network. The receiving device on the receiving side via the network is called a child receiving device, and such a service itself is called a parent-child receiving device service.

  Conventionally, as a method for confirming whether or not a child receiving device that has made a connection request via a LAN is a registered child receiving device, a unique value (child ID) is assigned to the child receiving device, and the parent reception is performed. The child ID of the connectable child receiving device is registered in the device. When a connection request is received from the child receiving device, the child receiving device transmits the child ID to the parent receiving device, and the child receiving device sends the child ID. A method is generally used in which an ID is compared with a child ID registered in itself and a connection is established if they match, and a method in which an apparatus other than the parent receiving apparatus authenticates. As an example of the method as described above, the wireless LAN base unit determines whether or not the connection is possible by authenticating whether the unique information of the wireless LAN handset is correct. There is a wireless LAN system that returns a connection permission signal to the machine and sends a disconnect signal if it is not correct (see Patent Document 1).

In the CATV network, when authentication is performed using a central apparatus for connection between a distribution apparatus and a terminal accommodating apparatus, the distribution apparatus has a child ID and a connection request is received from the terminal accommodating apparatus as a method for simplifying the authentication. If there is a method, the child ID of the distribution device is compared with the ID transmitted from the terminal accommodating device, and if they match, a request is issued to the child receiving device (terminal accommodating device) without issuing a request to the central transmitting device. Is known (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-236342 A JP 10-1112723 A

  However, in the parent-child receiving device service in which a home network such as a LAN is further connected to the CATV network, a new problem that is not considered in the conventional network shown in each patent document occurs.

  That is, in a network such as CATV that is intended to actively provide content to the user side, a child receiving device that can be connected to the parent receiving device not only determines whether communication is appropriate, It is desirable to manage unsuitable devices as future connection targets. In view of the fact that charges are set according to the number of receiving devices that can acquire content in the CATV network, the number of receiving devices that can use the content should increase for the purpose of increasing the number of subscribers. This is because a receiving apparatus that has been removed from the communication target can also become a communication target again.

  In this way, in the parent-child receiving device service in which the home network is further coupled to the CATV network, the CATV center device is arbitrarily connected to the parent receiving device and acquires the contents of the center device, unlike conventional network management. Therefore, it has been desired to reliably manage a child receiving apparatus that has the possibility of communication in consideration of future communication possibilities.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a child receiving device that can acquire content through a second network such as a home network through the parent receiving device is reliably provided on the center device side. An object is to provide a device management system and the like that can be managed.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention comprises a center device for transmitting content,
A child receiver;
A parent reception device that communicates with the center device via a first network, communicates with the child reception device via a second network, and has a storage unit for storing the content transmitted from the center device; With
The child receiver is
A request transmission unit that at least makes a transmission request for the content to the parent reception device;
The parent receiving device is
A request receiver for receiving the transmission request;
An authentication determination unit that authenticates the transmission request and determines its suitability;
A content transmitting unit that transmits the content to the child receiving device when the authentication determining unit determines that the authentication is appropriate;
A device information transmission unit that transmits device information regarding the child reception device that has not been authenticated when the authentication determination unit determines that the authentication is rejected, to the center device;
The center device is
It is a device management system having a management unit that manages device information related to a device that handles the content.

In addition, the second aspect of the present invention has the storage unit that stores the content, and communicates with the parent receiving device that communicates with the child receiving device via the second network via the first network. A center device for transmitting
A management unit that manages device information related to the device that handles the content;
The device information is
When the parent receiving device determines that the authentication of the content transmission request made by the child receiving device to the parent receiving device is not allowed, the child receiving device that has not been authenticated by the parent receiving device The center device is transmitted to the center device as related to

In addition, the third aspect of the present invention includes a device information determination unit that determines whether the device information is managed by the management unit when the device information is received from the parent reception device,
When the determination result by the device information determination unit indicates a match, a notification according to the determination result is transmitted to the parent reception device,
The notification causes the authentication determining unit of the parent receiving device to redetermine the authentication for the child receiving device as appropriate, and causes the content transmitting unit to be able to transmit the content to the child receiving device. It is a certain center device of the present invention.

The fourth aspect of the present invention includes a device information determination unit that determines whether the device information is managed by the management unit when the device information is received from the parent reception device,
When indicating that the determination result by the device information determination unit does not match, send a notification according to the determination result to the parent receiving device,
The notification is the center device according to the second aspect of the present invention, which causes the parent receiving device to transmit registration information related to registration of the child receiving device to the center device to the child receiving device.

Further, the fifth aspect of the present invention, when receiving the device information from the parent receiving device, a device information determination unit for determining whether or not the device information is managed by the management unit;
If the device information determination unit indicates that the determination results do not match, a notification issuance is made to transmit to the child reception device notification corresponding to the determination result and registration information related to registration of the child reception device to the center device. It is a center apparatus of 2nd this invention provided with the part.

The sixth aspect of the present invention includes a device information determination unit that determines whether the device information is managed by the management unit when the device information is received from the parent reception device,
When the device information determination unit indicates that the determination result does not match, it is determined whether the received device information matches the unauthorized device information managed as the device information indicating the unauthorized device by the management unit. Judgment
If it matches the unauthorized device information, a notification according to the determination result is sent to the parent receiving device,
The notification is the center device according to the second aspect of the present invention, which causes the content transmission unit of the parent reception device to be in a state of prohibiting transmission of the content.

In addition, a seventh aspect of the present invention includes a device information determination unit that determines whether the device information is managed by the management unit when the device information is received from the parent reception device,
When the device information determination unit indicates that the determination result does not match, it is determined whether the received device information matches the unauthorized device information managed as the device information indicating the unauthorized device by the management unit. Judgment
If it matches the unauthorized device information, a notification according to the determination result is sent to the parent receiving device,
The notification is the center device according to the second aspect of the present invention, which is a control command for making all or part of the operation of the child receiving device abnormal.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a center device having a management unit for transmitting content and managing device information related to the content handling device communicates with the center device through the first network, and the child receiving device and the second network. A master receiving device having a storage unit for storing the content transmitted from the center device,
A request receiving unit that receives a transmission request for the content from the child receiving device;
An authentication determination unit that authenticates the transmission request and determines its suitability;
A content transmitting unit that transmits the content to the child receiving device when the authentication determining unit determines that the authentication is appropriate;
When the said authentication determination part determines that the said authentication is denied, it is a parent | child receiving apparatus provided with the apparatus information transmission part which transmits the apparatus information regarding the said child receiver which was not authenticated to the said center apparatus.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the center device determines whether or not the transmitted device information matches the device information managed by the management unit, and sends a notification according to the determination result indicating that the information matches. if you did this,
When the authentication determination unit receives the notification, the authentication determination unit re-determines the authentication for the child reception device as appropriate, and the content transmission unit sets the content in a state in which the content can be transmitted to the child reception device. It is the parent receiver of the present invention.

  The tenth aspect of the present invention is directed to the center apparatus when receiving a notification from the center apparatus according to a determination result indicating that the transmitted apparatus information does not match the apparatus information managed by the management unit. This is a parent reception device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, further comprising a registration information transmission unit that transmits registration information related to registration of the child reception device to the child reception device.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention comprises a notification receiving unit for receiving a registration completion notification based on the registration information from the child receiving device,
The authentication determining unit, upon receiving the registration completion notification, re-determines the child reception device together with the device information as appropriate for the authentication,
The content transmission unit is a parent reception device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in which the content can be transmitted to the child reception device.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention includes a notification receiving unit that receives a registration completion notification based on the registration information transmitted by the center apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention from the child receiving apparatus,
The authentication determining unit, upon receiving the registration completion notification, re-determines the child reception device together with the device information as appropriate for the authentication,
The content transmission unit is a parent reception device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in which the content can be transmitted to the child reception device.

The thirteenth aspect of the present invention includes a notification receiving unit that receives a notification from the center device,
The notification receiving unit has received a notification from the center device according to a determination result indicating that the transmitted device information matches the unauthorized device information managed as the device information indicating the unauthorized device in the management unit. If
The content transmission unit is the parent reception device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, which prohibits transmission of the content to the child reception device.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a notification receiving unit that receives a notification from the center device;
A notification issuing unit that issues a predetermined notification to the child receiving device in response to the notification received by the notification receiving unit;
The notification from the center apparatus determines whether the center apparatus determines whether the transmitted apparatus information matches the unauthorized apparatus information managed as the apparatus information indicating the unauthorized apparatus in the management unit. This is a notification in response to the judgment result of
The predetermined notification is the parent reception device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, which is a control command that makes all or part of the operation of the child reception device abnormal.

The fifteenth aspect of the present invention communicates via a first network with a center device having a management unit for transmitting content and managing device information relating to the device handling the content, and is transmitted from the center device. A child receiver that communicates with a parent receiver via a second network, having a storage unit for storing the content,
A request transmission unit that at least makes a transmission request for the content to the parent reception device;
When the parent receiving device receives the transmission request, the parent receiving device authenticates the transmission request and determines whether it is appropriate. When the authentication is determined to be appropriate, the parent receiving device transmits the content to the child receiving device, and rejects the authentication. When it is determined, it is a child receiving device that transmits device information related to the child receiving device that has not been authenticated to the center device.

The sixteenth aspect of the present invention comprises a notification receiving unit for receiving a notification from the parent receiving device,
The notification according to the determination result that the parent device is transmitted by the center device that the device information transmitted does not match the device information managed by the management unit, and the child device to the center device If you send registration information about registration,
The notification receiving unit is a child reception device according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, which receives the notification and the registration information.

The seventeenth aspect of the present invention comprises a notification receiving unit for receiving a notification from the center device,
The center device determines whether the device information transmitted from the parent receiving device matches the device information managed by the management unit, and the notification according to a determination result indicating that the device information does not match, and the center When transmitting registration information regarding registration of the child receiving device to a device,
The notification receiving unit is a child reception device according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, which receives the notification and the registration information.

The eighteenth aspect of the present invention includes a notification transmission unit that transmits a registration completion notification based on the registration information transmitted by the center apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention to the parent reception apparatus,
The registration completion notification causes the authentication determining unit of the parent receiving device to redetermine the authentication for the child receiving device as appropriate, and causes the content transmitting unit to transmit the content to the child receiving device. This is a child receiver of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention.

The nineteenth aspect of the present invention includes a notification transmission unit that transmits a registration completion notification based on the registration information to the parent reception device.
The registration completion notification causes the authentication determining unit of the parent receiving device to redetermine the authentication for the child receiving device as appropriate, and causes the content transmitting unit to transmit the content to the child receiving device. This is a child receiver of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention.

A twentieth aspect of the present invention is a notification receiving unit that receives a notification from the parent receiving device;
An operation control unit that controls at least the operation of the request transmission unit in response to the notification received by the notification reception unit;
The center device determines whether the transmitted device information matches the unauthorized device information managed as the device information indicating the unauthorized device in the management unit, and the notification according to the determination result that matches If you send
The operation control unit is a child reception device according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, which controls at least the operation of the request transmission unit to be abnormal.

A twenty-first aspect of the present invention provides a center device for transmitting content,
A child receiver;
A parent receiving device that communicates with the center device via a first network, communicates with the child receiving device via a second network, and is capable of distributing content transmitted from the center device to the child receiving device; With
The child receiver is
A request transmission unit that makes at least a distribution request for the content to the parent reception device;
The parent receiving device is
A request receiver for receiving the transmission request;
An authentication determination unit that authenticates the transmission request and determines its suitability for the child receiving device;
A content distribution unit that requests the center device to transmit the content and distributes it to the child reception device when the authentication determination unit determines that the authentication is appropriate;
A device information transmission unit that transmits device information regarding the child reception device that has not been authenticated when the authentication determination unit determines that the authentication is rejected, to the center device;
The center device is
It is a device management system having a management unit that manages device information related to a device that handles the content.

A twenty-second aspect of the present invention is a center device for transmitting the content, which communicates via the first network, with respect to the parent reception device which communicates with the child reception device via the second network,
A management unit that manages device information related to the device that handles the content;
The device information is
When the parent receiving device determines that the authentication of the content transmission request made by the child receiving device to the parent receiving device is not allowed, the child receiving device that has not been authenticated by the parent receiving device The center device is transmitted to the center device as related to

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, a center device having a management unit for transmitting content and managing device information relating to the device that handles the content communicates via the first network, and the child receiving device and the second network. A parent receiving device that communicates via
A request receiving unit that receives a transmission request for the content from the child receiving device;
An authentication determination unit that authenticates the transmission request and determines its suitability;
A content distribution unit that requests the center device to transmit the content and distributes it to the child reception device when the authentication determination unit determines that the authentication is appropriate;
When the said authentication determination part determines that the said authentication is denied, it is a parent | child receiving apparatus provided with the apparatus information transmission part which transmits the apparatus information regarding the said child receiver which was not authenticated to the said center apparatus.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a central receiving device that communicates via a first network with a center device having a management unit that transmits content and manages device information relating to the device that handles the content, and a second network. A child receiver that communicates via
A request transmission unit that at least makes a transmission request for the content to the parent reception device;
When the parent receiving device receives the transmission request, the parent receiving device authenticates the transmission request and determines whether it is appropriate. When the authentication is determined to be appropriate, the parent receiving device transmits the content to the child receiving device, and rejects the authentication. When it is determined, it is a child receiving device that transmits device information related to the child receiving device that has not been authenticated to the center device.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, a center device for transmitting content,
A child receiver;
A parent reception device that communicates with the center device via a first network, communicates with the child reception device via a second network, and has a storage unit for storing the content transmitted from the center device; A device management method using
According to the child receiving device,
A request transmission step of at least making a transmission request for the content to the parent receiving device;
By the parent receiver,
A request receiving step for receiving the transmission request;
An authentication determining step of authenticating the transmission request and determining its suitability;
A content transmission step of transmitting the content to the child receiving device when the authentication is determined to be appropriate by the authentication determination step;
A device information transmission step of transmitting device information regarding the child reception device that has not been authenticated to the center device when the authentication determination step determines that the authentication is rejected;
By the center device,
And a management process for managing device information related to the device that handles the content.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a center device for transmitting content,
A child receiver;
A parent receiving device that communicates with the center device via a first network, communicates with the child receiving device via a second network, and is capable of distributing content transmitted from the center device to the child receiving device; A device management method using
According to the child receiving device,
A request transmission step of at least making a delivery request for the content to the parent receiving device;
By the parent receiver,
A request receiving step for receiving the transmission request;
An authentication determination step for authenticating the transmission request and determining its suitability for the child receiving device;
A content distribution step of requesting the center device to transmit the content and distributing it to the child receiving device when the authentication is determined to be appropriate by the authentication determination step;
A device information transmission step of transmitting device information regarding the child reception device that has not been authenticated to the center device when the authentication determination step determines that the authentication is rejected;
By the center device,
And a management process for managing device information related to the device that handles the content.

  A twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the management unit that manages device information related to the content handling device of the center device of the second or the twenty-second aspect of the present invention.

  The twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention is the master receiving apparatus of the eighth or twenty-third aspect of the present invention, wherein the request receiving unit that receives the transmission request for the content from the child receiving apparatus, authenticates the transmission request, and The authentication determining unit for determining the authentication, the content transmitting unit for transmitting the content to the child receiving device when the authentication determining unit determines that the authentication is appropriate, and the authentication determining unit determining that the authentication is rejected. In this case, it is a program for causing a computer to function as the device information transmitting unit that transmits device information related to the child receiving device that has not been authenticated to the center device.

  According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to function as the request transmission unit that at least makes a transmission request for the content to the parent reception device of the parent reception device of the fifteenth or twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention. is there.

  The thirtieth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium on which any one of the twenty-seventh to twenty-ninth aspects of the present invention is recorded, and is a recording medium that can be processed by a computer.

  According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to reliably manage, on the center device side, a child receiving device that may acquire content through the second network such as a home network through the parent receiving device. It becomes.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving apparatus control system in a CATV network according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In addition, although a CATV network will be described as an example of a first network and a home LAN as an example of a second network, the network form is not particularly limited thereto.

  In FIG. 1, a center device 100 such as a video distribution device or a communication device is arranged in a CATV station 10. Broadcasting of a TV program or the like is from a video distribution device, and IP communication or the like is transmitted from the communication device via a CATV network 30. To the user's home 20. In FIG. 1, broadcasting and communication are shown separately for convenience, but in actuality, each signal is transmitted after being modulated by 64QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) on the same wiring.

  The program distributed to the user's home 20 is received by the parent receiving device 200 and stored in an internal storage medium according to the user's operation. When the child receiving device 300 desires to view the program stored in the parent receiving device 200, the child receiving device 300 issues a connection request to the parent receiving device 200 through the home network, for example, the LAN 40, and if the connection is permitted, the program stored through the LAN 40 is received. Can be watched.

  The configuration and operation of each device in the parent-child receiving device service as described above will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the function of each component device of the reception device control system in the CATV network according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In the center apparatus 100, content transmission means 101 is means for sending content such as video from the outside to the first network connection means 102. The first network connection means 102 communicates with the parent reception device 200 via the CATV network 30. It is an interface to do. The first network communication means 103 is means for communicating data other than content with the parent receiving device 200. The parent-child ID holding means 104 is a means for holding a parent ID and a child ID for identifying a parent receiving apparatus 200 and a child receiving apparatus 300, respectively, which will be described later. This is a means for comparing the acquired parent ID or child ID with the parent ID or child ID held in the parent-child ID holding means 104, and the comparison determination result sending means 106 shows the comparison result by the parent-child ID comparison means 105 as the first network communication means. Means for outputting to 103.

  Next, in the parent receiving device 200, the first network connection unit 201 is an interface for communicating with the center device 100 via the CATV network 30. The content receiving means 202 is means for accumulating contents distributed from the center apparatus 100, and is realized by an HDD or the like. The second network connection unit 204 is an interface for communicating with the child receiving device 300 via the LAN 40. The ID comparison unit 205 is a unit that compares the child ID acquired from the child reception device 300 with a child ID held in a parent-child ID holding unit 206 described later. The connection permission transmission unit 207 is a unit that transmits a connection permission to the child reception device 300 based on the comparison result of the ID comparison unit 205. The mismatch ID transmission unit 208 is a unit that outputs a child ID related to the comparison result to the first network communication unit 209 to the center apparatus 100 based on the comparison result of the ID comparison unit 205. The first network communication means 209 is means for communicating data other than content with the center apparatus 100, and is realized by a built-in cable modem or the like. The center data analysis processing means 210 is a means for analyzing data received from the center apparatus 100.

  Next, in the child receiving device 300, the ID holding means 301 is a means for holding a child ID uniquely assigned based on the hardware configuration of the child receiving device 300 itself. The ID transmission unit 302 is a unit that transmits the child ID read from the ID holding unit 301 to the second network connection unit 303. The second network connection unit 303 is an interface for communicating with the parent receiving device 200 via the CATV network 30, and the second network data receiving unit 304 receives contents or other information from the parent receiving device 200. Means for receiving. The display means 305 is means for displaying content and other data as video signals.

  Note that the CATV network 30 between the center apparatus 100 and the parent receiving apparatus 200 and the home LAN 40 between the parent receiving apparatus 200 and the child receiving apparatus 300 are indicated by dotted lines in the drawing.

  In the above configuration, the center device 100 corresponds to the center device of the present invention, the parent receiving device 200 corresponds to the parent receiving device of the present invention, and the child receiving device 300 corresponds to the child receiving device of the present invention. In the center apparatus 100, the parent / child ID holding means 104 corresponds to the management section of the present invention, and the parent / child ID comparison means 105 and the comparison determination result transmission means 106 correspond to the apparatus information determination section of the present invention.

  Further, in the center apparatus 100, the parent / child ID holding means 104 corresponds to the management section of the present invention, and the parent / child ID comparison means 105 corresponds to the apparatus information determination section of the present invention.

  In the parent receiving device 200, the content storage unit 203 corresponds to a storage unit of the present invention, the second network connection unit 204 corresponds to a request reception unit of the present invention, and includes an ID comparison unit 205, a parent / child ID holding unit 206, and The connection permission transmission unit 207 corresponds to the authentication determination unit of the present invention, the content storage unit 203 and the second network connection unit 204 correspond to the content transmission unit of the present invention, and the mismatch ID transmission unit 208 transmits the device information of the present invention. It corresponds to the part. The second network connection unit 204 and the center data analysis processing unit 210 correspond to a registration information transmission unit of the present invention.

  In the child receiver 300, the ID transmission unit 302 corresponds to a request transmission unit of the present invention, and the second network connection unit 303 and the second network data reception unit 304 correspond to a notification reception unit of the present invention.

  The operation of the receiving apparatus control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described, and an embodiment of the apparatus management method according to the present invention will be described.

  First, processing until the parent receiving device 200 receives and accumulates the program transmitted from the center device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of processing until a program transmitted from the center apparatus 100 is received and stored.

  The center apparatus 100 transmits a TV broadcast program or the like after QAM modulation by the first network connection means 102 from the content transmission means 101 to the CATV network 30 (S301).

  In the parent receiving device 200, when a program is received by the first network connection unit 201 such as a tuner, the content receiving unit 202 performs decoding processing and stores the program in the content storage unit 203.

  Next, processing when the child receiving device 300 is permitted to connect to the parent receiving device 200 in order to view the program stored therein will be described. When receiving a connection request to the parent receiving device 200 from a control signal input unit such as a remote controller (not shown) in response to a request from the user, the child receiving device 300 receives a unique ID (child ID, child ID, (Hereinafter referred to as <aaa> as an example) is read by the ID transmission unit 302, converted into a communication protocol such as Ethernet (registered trademark) by the second network connection unit 303, and transmitted through the home LAN 40 to the parent receiving device 200. A connection request signal including the child ID <aaaa> is transmitted to (S302).

  In the parent receiving device 200, when the second network connection unit 204 receives the connection request from the child receiving device 300, the child ID is read from the second network connection unit 204 and transmitted to the ID comparison unit 205.

  The ID comparison unit 205 reads the child ID stored in the parent-child ID holding unit 206 and confirms whether a child ID corresponding to the received child ID <aaa> exists. If it exists, the connection permission transmission means 207 transmits a connection permission signal from the second network connection means 204 to the child receiving device 300, and the contents of the content storage means 203 can be controlled thereafter (S303).

  When receiving the connection permission signal from the parent receiving device 200, the child receiving device 300 receives the program information by accessing the content storage unit 203 of the parent receiving device 200 via the home LAN 40 (S304), and the user receives the program information. The reproduction of the desired program selected based on the above is instructed (S305). When the reproduction is started, the program is distributed from the second network connection unit 204 to the child receiving device 300 through the home LAN 40 in the form of IP streaming, for example (S306). In the child receiving device 300, the second network data receiving unit 304 Receive, decode, and display on the display means 305.

  Note that the display unit 305 may be outside the slave receiver 300. In this case, the display unit 305 functions as a unit that performs signal conversion for display on the external display unit and signal output after the conversion. .

  Next, processing when the child receiving device 300 desires to watch a program stored in the parent receiving device 200 and the connection fails will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of processing when the child receiving device 300 desires to watch a program stored in the parent receiving device 200 and the connection fails.

  When the second network connection unit 204 receives the connection request from the child reception device 300 (S302), the parent reception device 200 reads the child ID and transmits it to the ID comparison unit 205. The ID comparison unit 205 reads the child ID stored in the parent-child ID holding unit 206 and confirms whether a child ID corresponding to the received child ID <aaa> exists. If there is not, the child ID <aaa> and the parent receiving device ID (parent ID, which will be referred to as <bbbb> as an example below) that did not match in the mismatch ID transmission unit 208 are sent from the first network communication unit 209 to the first network connection unit. Then, the data is transmitted to the center apparatus 100 via the CATV network 30 (S407).

  In the center apparatus 100, the first network communication means receives the child ID <aaa> and the parent ID <bbbb> through the first network connection means 102, and transmits them to the parent-child ID comparison means 105. The parent-child ID comparing means 105 compares the parent-child ID held in the parent-child ID holding means 104 with the received ID of each parent-child. If the parent ID <bbbb> and the child ID <aaa> are stored in the parent-child ID holding unit 104 in association with each other, the child receiving device 300 having the child ID <aaa> should be originally authenticated. As a result, the comparison determination result transmission unit 106 transmits the authentication permission match information to the parent reception device 200 via the first network connection unit 102 (S408).

  When the center data analysis processing unit 210 of the parent receiving device 200 confirms the authentication permission match information received via the first network communication unit 209, it transmits a connection permission to the child receiving device 300 through the second network connection unit 204 ( S403), the child ID <aaa> is additionally set in the parent-child ID holding means 206. Thereafter, when connection is permitted by the parent receiving device 200, that is, the same processing as in FIG.

  In the operation of FIG. 4, the child ID <aaa> is not stored in the parent receiving device 200, but as a case where it is stored in the center device 100, the center device 100 is arranged when the parent receiving device 200 is replaced. The child ID is set in the parent-child ID holding unit 104 by the viewing contract between the CATV provider and the user of the child receiver 300, but the parent receiver 200 does not have a child ID.

  In the present embodiment, by performing the operation shown in FIG. 4, even if the parent receiving device 200 does not hold the child ID, the center device 100 can perform authentication, and the child receiving device by the center device 100 300 management can be realized.

  Next, refer to FIG. 2 for processing in the case where the child receiving device 300 desires to view the program stored in the parent receiving device 200 and the connection fails and the center device 100 does not have the child ID <aaa>. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of processing when the child receiver 300 desires to watch a program stored in the parent receiver 200 and the connection fails and the center device 100 does not have the child ID <aaa>. .

  Steps up to S407 are the same as those in FIG. When the child ID <aaaa> does not exist in the parent-child ID holding unit 104 of the center apparatus 100, the comparison determination result transmission unit 106 attempts to connect the child receiver 300 that has transmitted the child ID <aaaa> for the first time. And the mismatch information is transmitted to the parent receiving device 200 (S508).

  When the center data analysis processing unit 210 of the parent receiving device 200 confirms the inconsistency information received via the first network communication unit 209, provisional permission for connection is given to the child receiving device 300 through the second network connection unit 204 (S509). Then, registration information indicating a connection registration procedure is transmitted to the user of the child receiving device 300 (S510).

  When the child receiving device 300 receives the registration information transmitted from the parent receiving device 200, the user of the child receiving device 300 performs a predetermined process in accordance with the registration information, thereby completing regular registration.

  The registration information includes still image information indicating a user registration operation procedure for registering the child receiving device 300 to the CATV administrator who manages the center device 100. Not limited. As an example of the contents, there are guidance of procedures by means such as postcards and e-mails, and display of the destination of the procedure partner.

  When the procedure according to the notification is performed and the ID of the child receiving device 300 is recorded in the parent / child ID holding unit 104 of the center device 100, the child receiving device 300 passes through the center device 100 in the same manner as in FIG. Authenticated and content stored in the parent receiving device 200 can be received.

  The child receiving device 300 desires to watch the program stored in the parent receiving device 200, the connection fails, and the center device 100 has the child ID <aaaa> but is associated with the parent ID <bbbb>. If not, it may be determined that the user has an authentication right, and the process of FIG. 4 may be performed, or the process of FIG. 5 may be performed by determining that a new setting is necessary.

  A processing flow of parent receiving apparatus 200 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the parent receiving device 200 receives a program distributed from the center device 100 (S601), the parent receiving device 200 records the received program according to a user instruction (S602). When a connection request is received from the child receiving device 300 (S603), the ID of the child receiving device that can be connected to the child receiving device 300 is read from the parent / child ID holding means 206, and the child ID sent from the child receiving device 300 is compared (S604). . If the IDs match (S605), connection permission is given to the child receiving device 300, and the stored program is distributed according to the request from the child receiving device 300 (S610). If the child IDs do not match (S605), the parent / child ID (parent ID and child ID) is transmitted to the center apparatus 100 as mismatch information (S606).

  If processing information is received from the center apparatus 100 for the mismatch information transmission (S607) and the child ID is registered in the center apparatus 100 for the processing information (S608), connection permission is given to the child receiving apparatus 300, and the stored program is transmitted to the child apparatus. Distribution is performed in accordance with a request from the receiving apparatus 300 (S610). If the process information is not registered in the center device 100 (S608), provisional permission for connection is given to the child receiving device 300 and the registration information is distributed (S609). If the registration processing is completed, the ID is registered in the child receiving device 300. A connection permission is given, and the stored program is distributed in accordance with a request from the child receiving device 300 (S610).

  As described above, according to the receiving apparatus control system in the CATV network in the first embodiment of the present invention, even when the child receiving apparatus is not authenticated as the connection target for the parent receiving apparatus, the center apparatus performs re-authentication by itself. By performing authentication or authenticating as a new connection target and registering that fact in the center device, the child receiving device connected to the home LAN can be reliably managed.

(Embodiment 2)
The center apparatus 100 configuring the receiving apparatus control system in the CATV network according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the center apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and further directly to the child receiving apparatus 300. The configuration is such that communication is possible.

  In addition, the child receiving device 300 constituting the receiving device control system in the CATV network in the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the child receiving device 300 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and further includes a center device. 100 is configured to be able to communicate directly with 100.

  Hereinafter, the receiving apparatus control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the function of each component device of the receiving device control system in the CATV network according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows the child receiving device 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in a case where connection is unsuccessful because the user wishes to view a program stored in the parent receiving device 200 and the child ID <aaa> does not exist in the center device 100.

  In FIG. 7, the configuration of the parent reception device 200 is simplified and only some functional blocks are described. However, the configuration is the same as that of the parent reception device 200 of the present invention in FIG.

  In addition to the components shown in FIG. 2, the center device 100 further includes registration information transmission means 107 that directly transmits information to the child reception device 300.

  In addition to the components shown in FIG. 2, the child receiving device 300 includes first network connection means 306 that is means for directly connecting to the CATV network 30. The first network connection unit 306 is realized by, for example, a cable modem.

  In the above configuration, the registration information transmitting unit 107 and the first network communication unit 103 correspond to a notification issuing unit of the present invention. The first network connection unit 306 and the second network data reception unit correspond to the notification reception unit of the present invention.

  The operation of the receiving apparatus control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described, and an embodiment of the apparatus management method of the present invention will be described. However, the description of processing and operation similar to those of the receiving apparatus control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be omitted, and here, to the child receiving apparatus 300 when the child ID <aaa> is not registered in the center apparatus 100. A process for transmitting the registration information will be described.

  In the center apparatus 100, when the child ID mismatch information is received from the parent receiving apparatus 200 (S407) and the child ID <aaa> is not registered in the parent / child ID holding means 104, the center apparatus 100 transmits the registration information transmitting means. The provisional permission (S809) and registration information for connection to the center apparatus 100 are distributed from the 107 to the child receiving apparatus 300 through the CATV network 30 (S810). The child receiving device 300 receives the registration information from the CATV network 30 via the first network connection unit 306. The subsequent steps are the same as in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As a result, if the child receiving device 300 is built in a cable modem and can be directly connected to the CATV network 30, the registration process can be received from the center device 100. Such a configuration is suitable when the child receiving device 300 is the same type of device as the parent receiving device 200.

(Embodiment 3)
The parent receiving device 200 and the child receiving device 300 that constitute the receiving device control system in the CATV network in the third embodiment of the present invention are the same as the parent receiving device 200 and the child receiving device 300 in the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the configuration, it is further characterized in that registration for authentication (hereinafter abbreviated as “authentication registration”) is automatically performed between the two.

  Hereinafter, the receiving apparatus control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the function of each component device of the receiving apparatus control system in the CATV network according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 shows the child receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in a case where connection is unsuccessful because the user wishes to view a program stored in the parent receiving device 200 and the child ID <aaa> does not exist in the center device 100.

  In FIG. 9, the configuration of the center apparatus 100 is simplified and only some functional blocks are described, but the configuration is the same as that of the center apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 2.

  In addition to the components in FIG. 2, the parent receiving device 200 further includes connection registration information transmitting means 211 that transmits connection registration information to be described later to the child receiving device 300.

  The child receiving device 300 further includes a registration information setting unit 307 for performing authentication registration with the parent receiving device 200 in addition to the components shown in FIG.

  In the above configuration, the second network connection unit 204 corresponds to the notification receiving unit of the present invention. The connection registration information transmission unit 211 corresponds to the registration information transmission unit of the present invention.

  The registered information setting unit 307 and the second network connection unit 303 correspond to a notification transmission unit of the present invention.

  The operation of the receiving apparatus control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described, and an embodiment of the apparatus management method according to the present invention will be described. However, the description of processing and operation similar to those of the receiving apparatus control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be omitted, and here, to the child receiving apparatus 300 when the child ID <aaa> is not registered in the center apparatus 100. A process for transmitting the connection registration information will be described.

  In the center apparatus 100, the child ID mismatch information is received from the parent receiving apparatus 200 (S407), and if the child ID <aaa> is not registered in the parent-child ID holding means 104, the connection permission transmitting means 207 The child receiving device 300 that has transmitted the child ID <aaaa> is recognized as a new child receiving device that tries to connect for the first time, and mismatch information is transmitted to the parent receiving device 200 (S508).

  When the center data analysis processing unit 210 of the parent receiving device 200 confirms the mismatch information received via the first network communication unit 209, it instructs the connection registration information transmission unit 211 to transmit the connection registration information. The connection registration information transmission unit 211 gives provisional permission to the child receiving device 300 through the second network connection unit 204 (S509), and transmits the connection registration information (S510). Here, the connection registration information is obtained by converting the content of the registration information of the first embodiment into data that can be electronically processed between the parent receiving device 200 and the child receiving device 300, and the registration information of the present invention. It is an example.

  In the child receiving device 300, when the connection registration information is received by the second network connection unit 303, the user sets the registration information by the registration information setting unit 307 accordingly. The notification of the completion of setting is transmitted to the parent receiving device 200. Here, the notification of setting completion corresponds to the registration completion notification of the present invention.

  When the setting completion is notified to the parent receiving apparatus 200 (S1001), the parent receiving apparatus 200 additionally sets the child ID <aaa> in the parent / child ID holding unit 206, and grants connection permission to the child receiving apparatus 300. Transmit (S1003). If the information set in the child receiving device 300 is information necessary for holding the child ID <aaaa> in the parent-child ID holding means 206, the parent ID of the parent receiving device may be set. It is the date and time or the set number of times, and is not particularly limited.

  The subsequent steps are the same as in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the present embodiment, even if the child receiving device 300 is not registered in the parent receiving device 200, it is possible to automatically perform authentication registration with the setting from the parent receiving device 200 and connect.

(Embodiment 4)
The center apparatus 100 constituting the receiving apparatus control system in the CATV network according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the center apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and further to the child receiving apparatus 300. A feature is that the connection registration information described in Embodiment 3 can be directly transmitted.

  Further, the child receiving device 300 constituting the receiving device control system in the CATV network according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the child receiving device 300 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and further includes a center device. 100 is configured such that authentication registration can be performed by direct communication with 100.

  Hereinafter, the receiving apparatus control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the function of each component device of the receiving apparatus control system in the CATV network according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 shows the child receiving apparatus 300 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in a case where connection is unsuccessful because the user wishes to view a program stored in the parent receiving device 200 and the child ID <aaa> does not exist in the center device 100.

  In FIG. 11, the configuration of the parent reception device 200 is simplified and only some functional blocks are described, but the configuration is similar to that of the parent reception device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2.

  The center device 100 further includes connection registration information transmitting means 108 for directly transmitting connection registration information to the child receiving device 300 in addition to the components shown in FIG.

  In addition to the components shown in FIG. 2, the child receiving device 300 sets registration information for performing authentication registration with respect to the first network connection unit 306 that is a unit that directly connects to the CATV network 30 and the center device 100. Means 307 are further provided. As in the second embodiment, the first network connection unit 306 is realized by, for example, a cable modem.

  In the above configuration, the connection registration information transmitting unit 108 and the first network communication unit 103 correspond to a notification issuing unit of the present invention.

  The first network connection unit 306 corresponds to a notification reception unit of the present invention, and the registration information setting unit 307 and the second network connection unit 303 correspond to a notification transmission unit of the present invention.

  The operation of the receiving apparatus control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described, and an embodiment of the apparatus management method according to the present invention will be described. However, the description of processing and operation similar to those of the receiving apparatus control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be omitted, and here, to the child receiving apparatus 300 when the child ID <aaa> is not registered in the center apparatus 100. A process for transmitting the connection registration information will be described.

  In the center apparatus 100, the child ID mismatch information is received from the parent receiving apparatus 200 (S407), and if the child ID <aaa> is not registered in the parent-child ID holding means 104, the connection permission transmitting means 207 The child receiving device 300 that has transmitted the child ID <aaaa> is recognized as a new child receiving device that tries to connect for the first time, and the connection registration information transmitting means 108 is instructed to transmit the connection registration information. The connection registration information transmission unit 108 gives provisional permission to the child receiving device 300 through the first network connection unit 102 (S808), and transmits the connection registration information (S1210). Here, the content of the connection registration information is the same as that of the third embodiment, and is different only in that the setting is performed between the center device 100 and the child reception device 300.

  In the child receiving device 300, when the connection registration information is received by the first network connection unit 306, the user sets the registration information by the registration information setting unit 307 accordingly. The notification of setting completion is transmitted to the center apparatus 100.

  After the setting is completed, when the parent receiving apparatus 200 is notified of the completion of setting by an instruction from the center apparatus 100 (S1211), the parent receiving apparatus 200 additionally sets the child ID <aaa> in the parent-child ID holding unit 206, and receives the child. A connection permission is transmitted to the apparatus 300 (S1003).

  Subsequent operations are the same as those in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the present embodiment, even when the child receiving device 300 is not registered in the parent receiving device 200, it is possible to automatically register and connect with the setting from the center device 100.

(Embodiment 5)
In addition to the same configuration as the center device 100 in the first embodiment of the present invention, the center device constituting the receiving device control system in the CATV network in the fifth embodiment of the present invention is further illegally obtained and the parent reception The present invention is characterized in that content reception by a child receiving device connected to the device can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, a receiving apparatus control system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing functions of each component device of the receiving device control system in the CATV network according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 13, the configuration of the child receiving device 300 is simplified and only some functional blocks are described, but the configuration is the same as that of the child receiving device 300 shown in FIG. Further, the configuration of the parent receiving apparatus 200 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  In addition to the components shown in FIG. 2, the center apparatus 100 further includes an illegal child ID holding unit 109 for holding a child ID having a history of illegal operations.

  The unauthorized child ID holding means 109 is included in the management unit of the present invention, and the unauthorized child ID corresponds to the unauthorized device information of the present invention.

  The operation of the receiving apparatus control system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described. However, a description of processing and operations similar to those of the receiving apparatus control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be omitted. Here, the child receiving apparatus 300 has a child ID <cccc>, and the parent reception is performed with this child ID. Processing for requesting authentication to the device 200 and notifying the parent receiving device 200 when the child ID <cccc> is registered in the illegal child ID holding means 109 in the center device 100 will be described.

  The parent / child ID comparing means 105 of the center apparatus 100 receives the child ID mismatch information from the parent receiving apparatus 200. When the child ID <cccc> of the child receiving device 300 is not registered in the parent-child ID holding unit 104, the illegal child ID is read from the illegal child ID holding unit 109. If the child ID <cccc> is not registered in the illegal child ID holding means 109, the same processing as the operation example shown in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment of the present invention is performed. In this case, the child receiving device 300 having the child ID <cccc> is a regular and new child receiving device.

  When the child ID <cccc> is registered in the unauthorized child ID holding unit 109, the child receiving device 300 having the child ID <cccc> is an unauthorized device.

  Here, the fraudulent device is, for example, a child receiving device that has been stolen, and the child ID is stored in the fraudulent child ID holding unit 109 when the fact that the theft has been delivered to the administrator of the center device 100. It is registered.

  When the device is recognized as an unauthorized device, the parent-child ID comparison unit 105 instructs the comparison determination result transmission unit 106 to transmit that it is an illegal child ID, and the comparison determination result transmission unit 106 includes a first network connection unit. 102, a notification that the child ID <cccc> related to the mismatch information is an illegal child ID is transmitted to the center data analysis processing unit 210 of the parent receiving device 200.

  When the parent receiving device 200 receives a notification to that effect, the center data analysis processing unit 210 makes a request to the second network connection unit 204 for an authentication request including a child ID <cccc> that is an illegal child ID. Instruct the connection to be refused in the future

  According to the present embodiment, with the above-described configuration, when a connection request is made from an unauthorized device having an unauthorized child ID, the center device 100 manages the unauthorized child ID, and the parent receiving device 200 operates as the center. Since the unauthorized child ID is compared with the device 100, the unauthorized device can refuse connection to any parent receiving device 200.

  Note that the method of not permitting connection may be a state in which the connection is simply not performed, a non-permission message may be transmitted to the child reception device 300, and is not particularly limited. Further, the contents of the disapproval process may be instructed from the center apparatus 100, or the parent receiving apparatus 200 notified from the center apparatus 100 may be set to notify that it is an illegal child ID.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first embodiment has been described as an example, but the same effect can be obtained by combining the second to fourth embodiments.

(Embodiment 6)
The child receiving device constituting the receiving device control system in the CATV network according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the child receiving device 300 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and further includes an external signal. A feature is that each processing means is controlled.

  Hereinafter, the receiving apparatus control system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the function of each component device of the receiving device control system in the CATV network according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 14, the configuration of the parent receiving device 200 is simplified and only some functional blocks are described, but the configuration is the same as that of the child receiving device 300 shown in FIG. The configuration of the center apparatus 100 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  In addition to the components shown in FIG. 14, the slave receiver 300 further includes a control unit 308 that controls the operation of each unit of the ID holding unit 301 to the display unit 305.

  In the above configuration, the second network connection unit 204 and the center data analysis processing unit 210 correspond to a notification issuing unit of the present invention. The control means 308 corresponds to the operation control unit of the present invention.

  The operation of the receiving apparatus control system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described. However, a description of processing and operations similar to those of the receiving apparatus control system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is omitted, and here, the center apparatus 100 registers the child ID <cccc> in the illegal child ID holding means 109. A control process in the child receiving device 300 will be described.

  The parent / child ID comparing means 105 of the center apparatus 100 receives the child ID mismatch information from the parent receiving apparatus 200. When the child ID <cccc> of the child receiving device 300 is not registered in the parent-child ID holding unit 104, the illegal child ID is read from the illegal child ID holding unit 109. If the child ID <cccc> is not registered in the illegal child ID holding means 109, the same processing as the operation example shown in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment of the present invention is performed.

  If the child ID <cccc> is registered in the illegal child ID holding means 109, the child receiving device 300 having the child ID <cccc> is an unauthorized device. A notification that the child ID <cccc> related to the mismatch information is an illegal child ID is transmitted to the center data analysis processing unit 210 of the apparatus 200.

  When the parent receiving device 200 receives the notification to that effect, the data analysis processing unit 210 sends the child ID <cccc> related to the connection request made earlier to the child receiving device 300 through the second network connection unit 204. Notify that it is an ID.

  In the child receiving device 300, when the second network data receiving unit 304 receives the notification indicating that the ID is an illegal child ID, the child receiving device 300 notifies the control unit 308 of this. The control unit 308 controls, for example, the second network connection unit 303 and the ID transmission unit 302 so that no connection request can be issued thereafter, the display content is displayed on the display unit 305, or an unauthorized device. Or the ID holding unit 301 is cleared of all the held IDs, and the child receiving device 300 can no longer perform a normal operation.

  According to the present embodiment, with the above-described configuration, when a connection request is made from an unauthorized device having an unauthorized child ID, the center device 100 manages the unauthorized child ID, and the parent receiving device 200 operates as the center. Since the unauthorized child ID is compared with the device 100, the unauthorized device can be prevented from operating normally with respect to any parent receiving device 200.

  The method for not permitting connection is not particularly limited. Further, the contents of the disapproval process may be instructed from the center apparatus 100, or the child receiving apparatus 300 notified from the center apparatus 100 that the ID is an illegal child ID may be set.

  In addition, as described above, the control operation by the control unit 308 may be such that any of the units constituting the child receiver 300 is not normally operated, but at least the operation of the ID transmission unit 302 is impossible. By controlling the above, it becomes impossible to make a request for content to the parent receiving device 200, and unauthorized viewing of the content stored in the parent receiving device 200 can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the fifth embodiment has been described as an example, but the same effect can be obtained by combining the first to fourth embodiments.

  When the child receiving device 300 is connected to the CATV network that is the first network in Embodiment 2 or Embodiments 4 to 6 of the present invention, the parent receiving device described in the embodiment When a terrestrial broadcast retransmitted program can be viewed in addition to the broadcast programs stored in 200, the parent receiving device 200 can also view or receive a program directly transmitted from the center apparatus 100 such as a retransmitted program. It is also possible to perform control such that viewing is only possible after receiving authentication. In this case, in the child receiving device 300, a timer is provided in the second network data receiving means 304 so that after the power is turned on, even if the authentication result does not return from the parent receiving device 200, it can be viewed for a certain time by the timer measurement. If it is set, it will be possible to view without a sense of incongruity after the power is turned on if it is correctly authenticated. At this time, services that cannot be received without authentication from the parent receiving device 200 are not limited to retransmitted programs.

  In the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention, authentication is performed in order to receive the broadcast program stored in the parent receiving device 200 by the child receiving device 300. However, as shown in FIG. In this case, instead of the content storage unit 203 or simultaneously, the content format unit 212 is provided, and the QAM-modulated signal of the CATV network that is the first network is an IP packet that conforms to the Ethernet of the home LAN that is the second network. Thus, the child receiving device 300 can view the program on the CATV network 30 as the first network almost in real time. In this case, the format conforming to the first network and the format conforming to the second network are not particularly limited.

  Further, in Embodiments 1 to 6 of the present invention, the description has been given of one master receiving device 200 and one slave receiving device 300, but the same effect can be obtained even when a plurality of slave receiving devices 300 are connected.

  Further, in the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention, the center apparatus 100 is described as being one unit and the master receiving apparatus 200 is described as being one unit, but the same effect can be obtained even when a plurality of units are connected.

  In the first to sixth embodiments, the center device 100 associates the parent ID of the parent receiving device 200 and the child ID of the child receiving device 300 and holds them in the parent / child ID holding means 104. The management of the device information of the present invention is not limited to this, and the device information of the parent receiving device and the device information of the child receiving device may be managed independently.

  The program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the functions of all or a part of each of the center device, the parent receiving device, and the child receiving device of the present invention described above. It may be a program that works and operates.

  Further, the present invention is a medium carrying a program for causing a computer to execute all or part of the functions of all or a part of each of the center device, the parent receiving device, and the child receiving device of the present invention. There may be a medium that can be read by a computer and that the read program executes the function in cooperation with the computer.

  The “part of means” of the present invention means some of the plurality of means, or means a part of functions of one means.

  The present invention also includes a computer-readable recording medium that records the program of the present invention.

  Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be an aspect in which the program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and operates in cooperation with the computer.

  Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be an aspect in which the program is transmitted through a transmission medium, read by a computer, and operated in cooperation with the computer.

  Further, the recording medium includes a ROM and the like.

  The computer of the present invention described above is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU, but may include firmware, an OS, and peripheral devices.

  As described above, the configuration of the present invention may be realized by software or hardware.

  According to the receiving device control system as described above, when the child receiving device issues a connection request to the parent receiving device, the parent receiving device authenticates, and if the authentication fails, the center device authenticates again, and the center device authenticates. The response to the child receiving device is changed according to the result. As a result, according to the state of the child receiving device, it is possible to provide a function that can respond more flexibly, such as automatic authentication setting, registration procedure presentation, or reception stop if it is an unauthorized receiving device.

  The device management system or the like according to the present invention can reliably manage a child receiving device that may acquire content through a second network such as a home network over the parent receiving device on the center device side. Therefore, the present invention is useful for providing a flexible service of CATV through a network combining a CATV network and a LAN.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving device control system in a CATV network according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the function of each component apparatus of the receiver control system in the CATV network in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the flow of a process until it receives and accumulate | stores the program transmitted from the center apparatus 100. The figure which shows the flow of a process when the child receiver 300 desires viewing of the program accumulate | stored in the parent receiver 200, and connection fails. The figure which shows the flow of a process in case child connection apparatus 300 desires viewing of the program accumulate | stored in the parent reception apparatus 200, connection fails and child ID <aaa> does not exist also in the center apparatus 100. The figure which shows the flow of a process of the parent receiver 200 in this Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the function of each component apparatus of the receiver control system in the CATV network in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Flow of processing when child receiving device 300 in Embodiment 2 of the present invention desires to watch a program stored in parent receiving device 200 and the connection fails and child ID <aaa> does not exist in center device 100 Figure showing The block diagram which shows the function of each component apparatus of the receiver control system in the CATV network in Embodiment 3 of this invention. Flow of processing when child receiving device 300 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention desires to watch a program stored in parent receiving device 200 and the connection fails and child ID <aaa> does not exist in center device 100 Figure showing The block diagram which shows the function of each component apparatus of the receiver control system in the CATV network in Embodiment 3 of this invention. Processing flow when child receiving device 300 in Embodiment 4 of the present invention desires to view a program stored in parent receiving device 200 and the connection fails and child ID <aaa> does not exist in center device 100 Figure showing Block diagram showing the function of each component device of the receiving device control system in the CATV network in the fifth embodiment of the present invention The block diagram which shows the function of each component apparatus of the receiver control system in the CATV network in Embodiment 6 of this invention The block diagram which shows the function of each component apparatus when the parent receiver 200 hold | maintains the interface conversion means 212 in the receiver control system in the CATV network in Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 6 of this invention

Explanation of symbols

10 CATV station 10
20 User's house
30 CATV network
40 LAN
100 center equipment
101 content transmission means
102 1st network connection means (center apparatus)
103 1st network communication means (center apparatus)
104 Parent-child ID holding means (center device)
105 Parent-child ID comparison means
106 Comparison determination result transmission means
107 Registration information transmission means
108 Connection registration information transmission means (center device)
109 Invalid child ID holding means
200 Parent receiver
201 First network connection means (parent receiving device)
202 content receiving means
203 Content storage means
204 Second network connection means (parent receiving device)
205 ID comparison means
206 Parent-child ID holding means (parent receiving device)
207 Connection permission transmission means
208 Disagreement ID transmission means
209 First network communication means (parent receiving device)
210 Center data analysis processing means
211 Connection registration information transmitting means (parent receiving device)
300 child receiver
301 ID holding unit
302 ID transmission means
303 Second network connection means (child receiving device)
304 Second network receiving means
305 Display means
306 First network connection means (child receiving device)
307 Registration information setting means (child receiving device)
308 Control means

Claims (30)

A center device for transmitting content;
A child receiver;
A parent reception device that communicates with the center device via a first network, communicates with the child reception device via a second network, and has a storage unit for storing the content transmitted from the center device; With
The child receiver is
A request transmission unit that at least makes a transmission request for the content to the parent reception device;
The parent receiving device is
A request receiver for receiving the transmission request;
An authentication determination unit that authenticates the transmission request and determines its suitability;
A content transmitting unit that transmits the content to the child receiving device when the authentication determining unit determines that the authentication is appropriate;
A device information transmission unit that transmits device information regarding the child reception device that has not been authenticated when the authentication determination unit determines that the authentication is rejected, to the center device;
The center device is
A device management system comprising a management unit that manages device information relating to a device that handles the content. A center device for transmitting the content, having a storage unit for storing content, and communicating via a first network to a parent receiving device communicating with a child receiving device via a second network,
A management unit that manages device information related to the device that handles the content;
The device information is
When the parent receiving device determines that the authentication of the content transmission request made by the child receiving device to the parent receiving device is not allowed, the child receiving device that has not been authenticated by the parent receiving device Center device transmitted to the center device as related to When receiving the device information from the parent receiving device, comprising a device information determination unit for determining whether or not the device information is managed by the management unit,
When the determination result by the device information determination unit indicates a match, a notification according to the determination result is transmitted to the parent reception device,
The notification causes the authentication determining unit of the parent receiving device to redetermine the authentication for the child receiving device as appropriate, and causes the content transmitting unit to be able to transmit the content to the child receiving device. The center device according to claim 2, wherein When receiving the device information from the parent receiving device, comprising a device information determination unit for determining whether or not the device information is managed by the management unit,
When indicating that the determination result by the device information determination unit does not match, send a notification according to the determination result to the parent receiving device,
The center device according to claim 2, wherein the notification causes the parent receiving device to transmit registration information related to registration of the child receiving device to the center device to the child receiving device. When receiving the device information from the parent receiving device, a device information determination unit that determines whether or not it matches the device information managed by the management unit;
If the device information determination unit indicates that the determination results do not match, a notification issuance is made to transmit to the child reception device notification corresponding to the determination result and registration information related to registration of the child reception device to the center device. The center device according to claim 2, further comprising a unit. When receiving the device information from the parent receiving device, comprising a device information determination unit for determining whether or not the device information is managed by the management unit,
When the device information determination unit indicates that the determination result does not match, it is determined whether the received device information matches the unauthorized device information managed as the device information indicating the unauthorized device by the management unit. Judgment
If it matches the unauthorized device information, a notification according to the determination result is sent to the parent receiving device,
The center device according to claim 2, wherein the notification causes the content transmission unit of the parent reception device to be in a state of prohibiting transmission of the content. When receiving the device information from the parent receiving device, comprising a device information determination unit for determining whether or not the device information is managed by the management unit,
When the device information determination unit indicates that the determination result does not match, it is determined whether the received device information matches the unauthorized device information managed as the device information indicating the unauthorized device by the management unit. Judgment
If it matches the unauthorized device information, a notification according to the determination result is sent to the parent receiving device,
The center device according to claim 2, wherein the notification is a control command that makes all or part of the operation of the child reception device abnormal. The center device that transmits content and communicates with a center device having a management unit that manages device information regarding the device that handles the content via a first network, and communicates with a child reception device via a second network A parent receiving device having a storage unit for storing the content transmitted from
A request receiving unit that receives a transmission request for the content from the child receiving device;
An authentication determination unit that authenticates the transmission request and determines its suitability;
A content transmitting unit that transmits the content to the child receiving device when the authentication determining unit determines that the authentication is appropriate;
A parent receiving device comprising: a device information transmitting unit that transmits device information relating to the child receiving device that has not been authenticated when the authentication determining unit determines that the authentication is rejected to the center device. When the center device determines whether the transmitted device information matches the device information managed by the management unit, and sends a notification according to the determination result that matches,
The said authentication determination part receives the said notification, re-determines the said authentication with respect to the said child receiving apparatus appropriately, and the said content transmission part makes the state which can transmit the said content to the said child receiving apparatus. The parent receiving device described in 1.   Registration regarding registration of the child receiving device to the center device when receiving a notification from the center device according to a determination result that the transmitted device information does not match the device information managed by the management unit The parent reception device according to claim 9, further comprising a registration information transmission unit that transmits information to the child reception device. A notification receiving unit for receiving a registration completion notification based on the registration information from the child receiving device;
The authentication determining unit, upon receiving the registration completion notification, re-determines the child reception device together with the device information as appropriate for the authentication,
The parent reception device according to claim 10, wherein the content transmission unit is in a state in which the content can be transmitted to the child reception device. A notification receiving unit that receives a registration completion notification based on the registration information transmitted from the center device according to claim 5 from the child receiving device,
The authentication determining unit, upon receiving the registration completion notification, re-determines the child reception device together with the device information as appropriate for the authentication,
The parent reception device according to claim 10, wherein the content transmission unit is in a state in which the content can be transmitted to the child reception device. A notification receiving unit for receiving a notification from the center device;
The notification receiving unit has received a notification from the center device according to a determination result indicating that the transmitted device information matches the unauthorized device information managed as the device information indicating the unauthorized device in the management unit. If
The parent content reception device according to claim 8, wherein the content transmission unit prohibits transmission of the content to the child reception device. A notification receiving unit for receiving a notification from the center device;
A notification issuing unit that issues a predetermined notification to the child receiving device in response to the notification received by the notification receiving unit;
The notification from the center apparatus determines whether the center apparatus determines whether the transmitted apparatus information matches the unauthorized apparatus information managed as the apparatus information indicating the unauthorized apparatus in the management unit. This is a notification in response to the judgment result of
The parent reception device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined notification is a control command that causes all or part of the operation of the child reception device to become abnormal. It has a storage unit that transmits content and communicates with a center device having a management unit that manages device information related to the device that handles the content via a first network, and stores the content transmitted from the center device. A child receiving device communicating with the parent receiving device via the second network,
A request transmission unit that at least makes a transmission request for the content to the parent reception device;
When the parent receiving device receives the transmission request, the parent receiving device authenticates the transmission request and determines whether it is appropriate. When the authentication is determined to be appropriate, the parent receiving device transmits the content to the child receiving device, and rejects the authentication. A child receiving device that transmits device information regarding the child receiving device that has not been authenticated to the center device when it is determined. A notification receiving unit for receiving a notification from the parent receiving device;
The notification according to the determination result that the parent device is transmitted by the center device that the device information transmitted does not match the device information managed by the management unit, and the child device to the center device If you send registration information about registration,
The child reception device according to claim 15, wherein the notification reception unit receives the notification and the registration information. A notification receiving unit for receiving a notification from the center device;
The center device determines whether the device information transmitted from the parent receiving device matches the device information managed by the management unit, and the notification according to a determination result indicating that the device information does not match, and the center When transmitting registration information regarding registration of the child receiving device to a device,
The child reception device according to claim 15, wherein the notification reception unit receives the notification and the registration information. A notification transmission unit that transmits a registration completion notification based on the registration information transmitted by the center device according to claim 5 to the parent reception device,
The registration completion notification causes the authentication determining unit of the parent receiving device to redetermine the authentication for the child receiving device as appropriate, and causes the content transmitting unit to transmit the content to the child receiving device. The child receiver according to claim 17, which is a device. A notification transmission unit that transmits a registration completion notification based on the registration information to the parent reception device,
The registration completion notification causes the authentication determining unit of the parent receiving device to redetermine the authentication for the child receiving device as appropriate, and causes the content transmitting unit to transmit the content to the child receiving device. The child receiver according to claim 15, which is a device. A notification receiving unit for receiving a notification from the parent receiving device;
An operation control unit that controls at least the operation of the request transmission unit in response to the notification received by the notification reception unit;
The center device determines whether the transmitted device information matches the unauthorized device information managed as the device information indicating the unauthorized device in the management unit, and the notification according to the determination result that matches If you send
The child reception device according to claim 15, wherein the operation control unit performs control to at least make the operation of the request transmission unit abnormal. A center device for transmitting content;
A child receiver;
A parent receiving device that communicates with the center device via a first network, communicates with the child receiving device via a second network, and is capable of distributing content transmitted from the center device to the child receiving device; With
The child receiver is
A request transmission unit that makes at least a distribution request for the content to the parent reception device;
The parent receiving device is
A request receiver for receiving the transmission request;
An authentication determination unit that authenticates the transmission request and determines its suitability for the child receiving device;
A content distribution unit that requests the center device to transmit the content and distributes it to the child reception device when the authentication determination unit determines that the authentication is appropriate;
A device information transmission unit that transmits device information regarding the child reception device that has not been authenticated when the authentication determination unit determines that the authentication is rejected, to the center device;
The center device is
A device management system comprising a management unit that manages device information relating to a device that handles the content. A center device for transmitting the content, which communicates via a first network, to a parent reception device which communicates with a child reception device via a second network,
A management unit that manages device information related to the device that handles the content;
The device information is
When the parent receiving device determines that the authentication of the content transmission request made by the child receiving device to the parent receiving device is not allowed, the child receiving device that has not been authenticated by the parent receiving device Center device transmitted to the center device as related to A parent receiving device that transmits content and communicates with a center device having a management unit that manages device information relating to the device that handles the content via a first network, and communicates with a child receiving device via a second network Because
A request receiving unit that receives a transmission request for the content from the child receiving device;
An authentication determination unit that authenticates the transmission request and determines its suitability;
A content distribution unit that requests the center device to transmit the content and distributes it to the child reception device when the authentication determination unit determines that the authentication is appropriate;
A parent receiving device comprising: a device information transmitting unit that transmits device information relating to the child receiving device that has not been authenticated when the authentication determining unit determines that the authentication is rejected to the center device. A center receiving device that communicates via a first network and a child receiving device that communicates via a second network with a center device having a management unit for transmitting content and managing device information relating to the device handling the content. And
A request transmission unit that at least makes a transmission request for the content to the parent reception device;
When the parent receiving device receives the transmission request, the parent receiving device authenticates the transmission request and determines whether it is appropriate. When the authentication is determined to be appropriate, the parent receiving device transmits the content to the child receiving device, and rejects the authentication. A child receiving device that transmits device information regarding the child receiving device that has not been authenticated to the center device when it is determined. A center device for transmitting content;
A child receiver;
A parent reception device that communicates with the center device via a first network, communicates with the child reception device via a second network, and has a storage unit for storing the content transmitted from the center device; A device management method using
According to the child receiving device,
A request transmission step of at least making a transmission request for the content to the parent receiving device;
By the parent receiver,
A request receiving step for receiving the transmission request;
An authentication determining step of authenticating the transmission request and determining its suitability;
A content transmission step of transmitting the content to the child receiving device when the authentication is determined to be appropriate by the authentication determination step;
A device information transmission step of transmitting device information regarding the child reception device that has not been authenticated to the center device when the authentication determination step determines that the authentication is rejected;
By the center device,
A management step of managing device information related to the device that handles the content. A center device for transmitting content;
A child receiver;
A parent receiving device that communicates with the center device via a first network, communicates with the child receiving device via a second network, and is capable of distributing content transmitted from the center device to the child receiving device; A device management method using
According to the child receiving device,
A request transmission step of at least making a delivery request for the content to the parent receiving device;
By the parent receiver,
A request receiving step for receiving the transmission request;
An authentication determination step for authenticating the transmission request and determining its suitability for the child receiving device;
A content distribution step of requesting the center device to transmit the content and distributing it to the child receiving device when the authentication is determined to be appropriate by the authentication determination step;
A device information transmission step of transmitting device information regarding the child reception device that has not been authenticated to the center device when the authentication determination step determines that the authentication is rejected;
By the center device,
A management step of managing device information related to the device that handles the content.   The program for functioning a computer as said management part which manages the apparatus information regarding the apparatus which handles the said content of the center apparatus of Claim 2 or 22.   The parent receiving device according to claim 8 or 23, wherein the request receiving unit that receives a transmission request for the content from the child receiving device, the authentication determining unit that authenticates the transmission request and determines its suitability, The content transmitting unit that transmits the content to the child receiving device when the authentication determining unit determines that the authentication is appropriate, and the child that has not been authenticated when the authentication determining unit determines that the authentication is denied A program for causing a computer to function as the device information transmitting unit that transmits device information related to a receiving device to the center device.   The program for functioning a computer as said request | requirement transmission part which performs the transmission request | requirement of the said content with respect to the said parent receiver of the parent receiver of Claim 15 or 24 at least.   30. A recording medium on which the program according to any one of claims 27 to 29 is recorded, wherein the recording medium can be processed by a computer.

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