JP2010136438A - Information processing system, pay broadcast program receiving device and method, pay broadcast program transmitting equipment and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make contract change easily. <P>SOLUTION: The contract change information, such a channel number wanted to make a new flat contract, is input, and when it is reserved in an EEPROM 24 of a security module 9, a decoder 8 transmits the contract change information to a transmission-side system. Whereby the transmission side system transmits separate information to the security module 9 making the new flat contract. In a first decoder 23, a contract key is extracted from the separate information on the basis of a contract key, and in a second decoder 22, a scramble key is extracted from the program information on the basis of the contract key and is supplied to a descrambler 21, and the predetermined program of the channel making the flat contract is descrambled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, a pay broadcast program receiving apparatus and method, and a pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus and method. For example, an information processing system suitable for use in a pay broadcast system, a pay broadcast program receiving apparatus and method, and The present invention relates to a pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus and method.

  In pay broadcasting, a broadcasting system called scramble broadcasting is often used. In this scrambled broadcast, the original signal is intentionally disrupted by a predetermined method on the broadcast station side, so that even if a person who is not contracted with the broadcast station receives the broadcast, normal images, sound, data, etc. It is to prevent it from being used. That is, the decoder of the person who has contracted with the broadcasting station is given a key signal for canceling this scramble, and the decoder scrambles the data scrambled to the original form by this key signal so that a normal image is obtained. , Voice, data and so on. The case where the contract is made on a channel basis is called flat, and the case where the user is charged according to the program viewed is called pay-per-view. Among pay-per-views, even if the viewer suddenly wants to watch a predetermined program, those that can be viewed by simply performing a predetermined operation and that do not require prior contact are particularly called impulse pay-per-views.

  However, for example, even when a viewer frequently purchases a program of a predetermined channel that does not have a flat contract through impulse pay-per-view, there is a problem that the application procedure for the flat contract cannot be immediately performed.

  For this reason, when the viewer thinks that he wants to make a flat contract, when the time elapses, the viewer forgets that, or the application procedure is troublesome, and the contract may not be made.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to easily and quickly change the contents of a contract.

  An information processing system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information processing system including a pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus that transmits a pay broadcast program and a pay broadcast program receiving apparatus that receives the pay broadcast program. The broadcast program receiving apparatus includes an instruction acquisition unit that acquires an instruction of a flat contract or a tier contract for a channel to which the pay broadcast program is transmitted from a user, and a flat for a channel to which the pay broadcast program is transmitted from the user. When a contract or tier contract instruction is acquired, first generation means for generating contract change information indicating that a flat contract or tier contract is to be performed for the channel, and the generated contract change information are stored. The storage means and the stored contract change information are transmitted to the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus at a predetermined timing. The pay broadcast program transmitted from the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus after contract change information indicating that the flat transmission or tier contract is performed with the first transmission means is transmitted to the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus. Receiving the individual information, which is information necessary for descrambling the pay broadcast program transmitted through the channel and scrambled by the transmission device, and storing the information in the storage means; The broadcast program transmitting device receives a second receiving means for receiving the contract change information transmitted from the pay broadcast program receiving device, and a second receiving means for generating the individual information when the contract changed information is received. A generating unit; and a second transmitting unit configured to transmit the generated individual information to the pay broadcast program receiving device.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, in the pay broadcast program receiving apparatus, when an instruction of a flat contract or a tier contract for a channel through which a pay broadcast program is transmitted from a user is acquired and the instruction is acquired, Contract change information indicating that a flat contract or a tier contract is to be made with respect to a channel is generated, the generated contract change information is stored, and the stored contract change information is stored in the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus at a predetermined timing. Sent to the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus after the contract change information indicating that the flat contract or tier contract is to be transmitted is transmitted to the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus. To descramble the pay program that is scrambled and transmitted on the channel Essential information in a separate information is received and stored. Further, in the pay broadcast program transmitting device, when the contract change information transmitted from the pay broadcast program receiving device is received and the contract change information is received, the individual information is generated and the generated Individual information is transmitted to the pay broadcast program receiving apparatus.

  A pay broadcast program receiving apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a pay broadcast program receiving apparatus that receives a pay broadcast program transmitted from a pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus, wherein the pay broadcast program from a user is transmitted. If an instruction acquisition means for acquiring an instruction of a flat contract or a tier contract for a certain channel and an instruction of a flat contract or a tier contract for a channel to which the pay broadcast program is transmitted from the user is acquired for the channel Generating means for generating contract change information indicating that a flat contract or tier contract is to be performed; storage means for storing the generated contract change information; and storing the contract change information at a predetermined timing. A transmission means for transmitting to the broadcast program transmitting apparatus and a contract change indicating that the flat contract or the tier contract is performed. After the information is transmitted to the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus, the pay broadcast program transmitted from the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus is scrambled by the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus and descrambled by the pay broadcast program transmitted on the channel. Receiving means for receiving individual information, which is necessary information for storing the information, and storing the received information in the storage means.

  The instruction acquisition means may be a button formed on a remote commander of the pay broadcast program receiving device.

  The pay broadcast program receiving apparatus may further include display means for displaying the contents of the contract change information.

  The storage means can be attached to a removable IC card.

  A pay broadcast program receiving method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a pay broadcast program receiving method of a pay broadcast program receiving apparatus for receiving a pay broadcast program transmitted from a pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus, wherein When a flat contract or tier contract instruction for a channel to which a pay broadcast program is transmitted is acquired and a flat contract or tier contract instruction for a channel to which the pay broadcast program is transmitted is acquired from the user, the channel Generating contract change information indicating that a flat contract or tier contract is to be performed, storing the generated contract change information, and storing the stored contract change information at a predetermined timing in the pay broadcast program transmitting device Contract change information indicating that the flat contract or tier contract is to be performed is transmitted to the pay broadcast program transmitting device. Is transmitted from the pay broadcast program transmission device, is scrambled by the pay broadcast program transmission device, and is information necessary for descrambling the pay broadcast program transmitted on the channel. Receive and store information.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, when an instruction for a flat contract or a tier contract for a channel through which a pay broadcast program is transmitted from a user is acquired and the instruction is acquired, Contract change information indicating that a tier contract is to be generated is generated, the generated contract change information is stored, and the stored contract change information is transmitted to a pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus at a predetermined timing, and the flat contract Alternatively, contract change information indicating that a tier contract is to be performed is transmitted to the pay broadcast program transmission apparatus, and then transmitted from the pay broadcast program transmission apparatus, scrambled by the pay broadcast program transmission apparatus, and transmitted on the channel. Individual information which is information necessary for descrambling the pay broadcast program to be received Where it is stored.

  A pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is a pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a pay broadcast program to a pay broadcast program receiving apparatus, wherein the pay broadcast is transmitted from the pay broadcast program receiving apparatus. Receiving means for receiving contract change information indicating that a flat contract or a tier contract is made for a channel through which a program is transmitted, and the scrambled pay broadcast transmitted on the channel when the contract change information is received A generating unit configured to generate individual information that is information necessary for the pay broadcast program receiving device to descramble the program; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the generated individual information to the pay broadcast program receiving device. .

  A pay broadcast program transmitting method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a pay broadcast program transmitting method of a pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a pay broadcast program to a pay broadcast program receiving apparatus, and transmitting from the pay broadcast program receiving apparatus. Receiving contract change information indicating that a flat contract or a tier contract is made with respect to the channel through which the pay broadcast program is transmitted, and when the contract change information is received, the contract change information is scrambled transmitted in the channel. In addition, individual information which is information necessary for the pay broadcast program receiving device to descramble the pay broadcast program is generated, and the generated individual information is transmitted to the pay broadcast program receiving device.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, contract change information indicating that a flat contract or a tier contract for a channel through which a pay broadcast program is transmitted is received from the pay broadcast program receiving apparatus is received, and the contract is received. When change information is received, individual information, which is information necessary for the pay broadcast program receiving device to descramble the scrambled pay broadcast program transmitted in the channel, is generated, and the generated information is generated. Individual information is transmitted to the pay broadcast program receiving apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the contract contents can be changed easily and quickly.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the pay broadcasting system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows a part of individual information. It is a figure which shows a part of program information. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of operation | movement of a receiving terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of a contract change screen. It is an external view of a remote commander that remotely operates the decoder 8. It is a figure which shows the menu screen which selects an item.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a pay broadcast system to which the present invention is applied. The encoder 1 of the transmission side system digitizes, for example, video signals and audio signals for 5 channels and compresses them. The multiplexer 2 time-division multiplexes a plurality of encoder outputs and a plurality of related information. Here, the related information includes “program information” including information related to the program and a scramble key for descrambling, contract information for each subscriber (viewer) (for example, contract form such as flat or pay-per-view), and common information ( Program information) includes “individual information” including a contract key for decrypting the encryption.

  The scrambler 3 selectively scrambles a predetermined one of the output signals from the multiplexer 2 with a scramble key supplied from a related information sending device 4 described later.

  The scramble control system 6 supplies the contract key to the related information transmitting device 4, encrypts the contract key with the individual key unique to the receiving terminal, and supplies it to the multiplexer 2 as a part of the individual information. Yes.

  The related information transmitting device 4 supplies the scramble key to the scrambler 3, encrypts the scramble key with the contract key supplied from the scramble control system 6, and supplies the scramble key to the multiplexer 2 as a part of the common information. Has been made.

  The program control system 5 generates a predetermined control signal and controls the encoder 1 according to the program. That is, it controls the digitization and compression method. Also, the program ID of the program encoded by the encoder 1 and the channel ID of the corresponding channel are generated and supplied to the related information transmitting device 4. The viewing information collection processing system 7 processes viewing information (for example, a channel ID corresponding to a viewed program and a viewing time) uplinked from a large number of receiving terminals and a contract request from the viewer, as contract information. The scramble control system 6 is supplied.

  On the other hand, the decoder 8 (transmission means) of the receiving terminal descrambles the scrambled signal to the original signal with a scramble key supplied from the security module 9 described later by a built-in descrambler. Also, individual information and program information added to the program are extracted and output.

  The security module (IC card) 9 is composed of, for example, an IC card and is detachable from the receiving terminal. The security module 9 stores the unique individual key, takes in the unscrambled individual information supplied via the decoder 8, decrypts the individual information with the individual key, takes out the contract key and the contract information, and stores them. . Further, common information accompanying the program supplied via the decoder 8 is fetched, the common information is decrypted with the contract key, a scramble key is taken out, and supplied to the decoder 8.

  Also, the contract confirmation button 12 (instruction means) is operated when instructing to display the channel number of the current flat contract, as will be described later. A CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) 13 (display means) displays a predetermined menu screen corresponding to a signal supplied from the decoder 8 of the receiving terminal.

  Next, the operation will be described. First, an operation when individual information is transmitted from the transmission side system to the reception terminal will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the individual information includes a contract key number corresponding to the contract key, a contract key, a channel ID corresponding to the contracted channel, a contract type, and the like. The individual information also includes information corresponding to the ID number of the destination security module 9.

  The contract key is transmitted together with, for example, an 8-bit contract key number so that a plurality of contract keys can be used properly. The contracted channel ID is represented by, for example, 16-bit Service_id. The contract type can identify flat, pay-per-view, and special contract, and is 4 bits, for example.

  This individual information is encrypted in the scramble control system 6 using an individual key unique to the destination security module 9 to which the individual information is to be transmitted. The scramble control system 6 stores an individual key unique to the security module 9 in correspondence with the ID number of the security module 9 for all the security modules 9, and the individual key is determined from the ID number of the destination security module 9. Can be searched. Accordingly, the individual key corresponding to the ID number of the destination security module 9 is searched, and the individual information is encrypted based on the individual key. The encrypted individual information is supplied to the multiplexer 2.

  In the multiplexer 2, the digitized and compressed video signal and audio signal corresponding to the predetermined program supplied from the encoder 1 and the individual information supplied from the scramble control system 6 are time-division multiplexed. , Supplied to the scrambler 3. Only the program portion of the digital signal supplied to the scrambler 3 is scrambled using the scramble key supplied from the related information sending device 4, and the individual information portion is sent to the transmission line 10 without being scrambled.

  The transmission of the individual information to the receiving terminal is performed as needed when the individual information needs to be updated. This individual information includes the contract information described above.

  Next, an operation when a normal program and program information added thereto (components of common information) are transmitted from the transmission side system to the reception terminal will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the program information includes a contract type, a contract key number indicating a contract key number, a scramble key, a Service_id corresponding to a channel ID, a program ID for identifying a program, and the like. Further, the contract type includes a flag for identifying whether or not the program is a special program.

  The predetermined program information having the above-described configuration generated in the related information sending device 4 is supplied to the multiplexer 2 after the scramble key therein is encrypted with the contract key supplied from the scramble control system 6. Is done. In the multiplexer 2, the digitized and compressed video signal and audio signal corresponding to the predetermined program supplied from the encoder 1 and the program information supplied from the related information transmitting device 4 are time-division multiplexed. Supplied to the scrambler 3.

  In the scrambler 3, a compressed video signal or audio signal constituting the program supplied thereto and a digital signal in which program information is time-division multiplexed are divided into program parts by the scramble key supplied from the related information sending device 4. Only the program information part is sent to the transmission line 10 without being scrambled.

  In this way, a predetermined program and program information associated therewith are transmitted from the transmitting system to the receiving terminal.

  Next, the operation on the receiving terminal side will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a principle operation in the case where viewing permission control is performed in the receiving terminal. For example, the decoder 8 includes a tuner 20 that selects and inputs a program of a predetermined channel and a descrambler 21 that descrambles the program selected by the tuner 20. The security module 9 includes an IC card that can be attached to and detached from the decoder 8, and includes a second decoder 22, a first decoder 23, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 24 (storage means), and the like. It is configured.

  The individual information is transmitted to the receiving terminal of the viewer who has formally contracted. When the decoder 8 of the receiving terminal receives a scrambled predetermined program transmitted via the transmission line 10 and a digital signal in which individual information that has not been scrambled is time-division multiplexed from the transmission side system, A digital signal corresponding to the programmed program is supplied to the descrambler 21.

  On the other hand, the individual information that has not been scrambled is first compared in the decoder 8 with the ID number added to the non-encrypted part and the ID number stored in advance in the security module 9. That is, the decoder 8 issues an ID number output request to the security module 9. Upon receipt of this request, the security module 9 supplies the ID number to the decoder 8. In the decoder 8, the ID number from the security module 9 is compared with the ID number added to the individual information from the transmission side system received via the transmission line 10. Therefore, it is determined that the information has been transmitted to the security module 9 connected thereto, and the individual information is supplied to the first decoder 23 of the security module 9.

  The individual information supplied to the first decoder 23 is decrypted with the individual key unique to the security module 9 stored in the security module 9, and the contract key and the contract information are extracted and stored. This contract key is used for decoding program information to be described later. The contract information is used when determining whether or not the received program is a contracted program.

  When the viewer is watching the program at the receiving terminal, the receiving terminal receives the scrambled predetermined program transmitted through the transmission path 10 and the program information associated therewith. A digital signal corresponding to the scrambled predetermined program is supplied to the descrambler 21, and program information associated therewith is supplied to the second decoder 22 of the security module 9.

  When the contract key corresponding to the channel of the predetermined program is already extracted from the individual information decrypted by the first decoder 23 and stored by the security module 9 as described above, the second decoder 22 The program information is decrypted by the contract key. After the program information is decrypted, the scramble key included in the program information is extracted.

  Next, the program information is checked against the contract information already stored. As a result, when the program to which the program information is added is recognized as a contracted program, the scramble key obtained by the second decoder 22 is supplied to the descrambler 21 of the decoder 8. In the descrambler 21, the scrambled digital signal of the predetermined program is descrambled by the scramble key supplied from the second decoder 22, returned to the original signal that can be normally viewed, and then output. .

  When a predetermined channel is contracted in a flat state, individual information including contract information corresponding to the contracted channel and Service_id corresponding to the channel, contract information including contract type, etc. is transmitted from the transmitting system to the receiving terminal. Is stored in the removable security module 9 constituting the. If there are a large number of channels to be contracted, the above-described procedure is repeatedly executed.

  In the case of flat viewing, Service_id in the program information accompanying the received program is stored in the security module 9, and the contract key indicated by the contract key number in the program information is stored in the security module 9, and When the contract type corresponding to Service_id is flat, the program information is decrypted by the second decoder 22, the obtained scramble key is supplied to the descrambler 21, and the descrambler 21 operates. As a result, video and audio in which a predetermined program is normally descrambled can be obtained, and the program can be viewed.

  When a program that does not have a flat contract is viewed by impulse pay-per-view, the viewing of the program is stored in the EEPROM 24 in the security module 9 as a viewing history. This viewing history is periodically read by the decoder 8 (for example, once a month), and is uploaded to the transmitting system via the telephone line 11 as viewing information.

  The viewing history is stored in the EEPROM 24 until it is uploaded to the transmission side system, and is deleted by an instruction by individual information from the transmission side system at the time of uploading. Further, when the storage capacity of the EEPROM 24 for recording the viewing history becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the upload operation is performed even if it is not time to periodically upload. Further, as will be described later, when contract change information is stored in the EEPROM 24, it is also possible to perform upload even if it is not a period of regular upload.

  In this way, the transmission-side system grasps which program has been purchased and viewed by the impulse pay-per-view by the predetermined reception terminal based on the viewing history in the viewing information transmitted from the reception terminal side. It is possible to perform a predetermined charging process for a viewer who is the owner of the security module 9 inserted in the receiving terminal.

  Next, the operation on the receiving terminal side when a contract is changed will be described by taking as an example a case where a flat contract is newly made for a channel other than the channel for which a flat contract is currently made. For example, when the viewer operates the contract change button 12 provided on the receiving terminal and then inputs a number corresponding to a channel for which a flat contract is desired with a number button or the like (not shown), the decoder 8 The module 9 is supplied with contract change information including a channel ID of a channel for which a flat contract is desired.

  At this time, the contract change information can be displayed on the CRT 13 connected to the receiving terminal. In this case, the decoder 8 supplies a display signal corresponding to the contract change screen to the CRT 13 when the contract change button 12 is operated and a number corresponding to a channel for which a new flat contract is desired is input. As a result, for example, a contract change screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. In this case, channel numbers 3 and 4 corresponding to channels for which new flat contracts are desired are displayed.

  The contract change information supplied to the security module 9 is stored in the EEPROM 24. The decoder 8 inquires whether or not the contract change information is stored in the EEPROM 24 of the security module 9 at a predetermined cycle. If the contract change information is stored in the EEPROM 24, the decoder 8 reads the contract change information and reads the telephone line 11 To the sending system. Alternatively, as in the case of viewing information, it may be uploaded to the transmission side system via the telephone line 11 periodically, for example, once a month. At that time, viewing information can also be uploaded at the same time.

  The viewing information collection processing system 7 of the transmission side system communicates with the security module 9 inserted on the reception terminal side based on the contract change information transmitted via the telephone line 11 from the decoder 8 on the reception terminal side. Change the contract. In this case, since a new flat contract for channels 3 and 4 is desired, the transmission side system enables the flat viewing of channels 3 and 4 to the security module 9 inserted on the receiving terminal side. As described above, the viewing contract condition with the security module 9 is changed.

  New contract information consisting of such viewing contract conditions with the security module 9 is supplied to the scramble control system 6. In the scramble control system 6, based on the contract information from the viewing information collection processing system 7, in this case, the contract key that enables viewing of the channels 3 and 4 is determined by an individual key unique to the destination security module 9. After being encrypted, it is supplied to the multiplexer 2 as individual information.

  In the multiplexer 2, the digitized and compressed video signal and audio signal corresponding to the predetermined program supplied from the encoder 1 and the individual information supplied from the scramble control system 6 are time-division multiplexed. , Supplied to the scrambler 3. Of these digital signals supplied to the scrambler 3, only the program portion is scrambled using the scramble key supplied from the related information sending device 4, and the individual information portion is sent to the transmission line 10 without being scrambled. .

  When a receiving terminal receives a scrambled predetermined program transmitted via the transmission line 10 and a time-division multiplexed digital signal that is not scrambled individual information, the scrambled digital signal is transmitted to the descrambler. The individual information supplied to 21 and not scrambled is read and compared in the decoder 8 by the ID number added to the non-encrypted part and the unique ID number stored in advance in the security module 9. If the two match, this individual information is supplied to the security module 9.

  The individual information supplied to the security module 9 is decrypted by the first decoder 23 using the individual key unique to the security module 9, and the contract key and the contract information are extracted and stored. This contract key is used for decoding program information as described above. The contract information is used when determining whether or not the received program is a contracted program.

  For example, when channel 3 is tuned by tuner 20, the scrambled predetermined program of channel 3 is supplied to descrambler 21. On the other hand, the program information associated with the program is checked against the previously stored contract information. As a result, if the program is contracted, the program information associated therewith is supplied to the second decoder 22. The The program information supplied to the second decoder 22 is decrypted with the previously stored contract key, and the scramble key included in the program information is extracted and stored. Next, this scramble key is supplied to the descrambler 21 of the decoder 8.

  In the descrambler 21, a scrambled digital signal corresponding to a predetermined program of the channel 3 selected by the tuner 20 is descrambled by a scramble key supplied from the security module 9 and can be normally viewed. After returning to the signal, it is output.

  In this way, since the scramble key for channel 3 with a new flat contract transmitted from the transmission side system is stored, the program on channel 3 can be always viewed thereafter. On the other hand, in the case of channel 4 newly contracted flat, it is possible to always watch the program of channel 4 as in the case of channel 3 described above.

  When the change of the reception contract is completed, thereafter, the charging system based on the new contract condition is performed on the owner of the security module 9 that has changed the contract by the transmission side system.

  Further, by operating the remote commander 30 (instruction means) as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to display a predetermined menu screen on the screen of the CRT 13 and newly make a flat contract for a predetermined channel. .

  In the remote commander 30 illustrated in FIG. 6, the transmission unit 31 transmits an infrared signal corresponding to the button operation of the remote commander 30. The contract change button 32 is operated when instructing the decoder 8 to change a contract such as newly making a flat contract. The power button 33 is operated when turning on or off the power switch of the receiving terminal. The number button 34 is operated when inputting a predetermined number. The enter button 35 is operated to confirm the input of a predetermined number.

  The channel up / down button 36 is operated when switching channels. The volume button 37 is operated when adjusting the volume. The menu button 38 is operated when a predetermined menu screen is displayed on the CRT 13. The select button 39 is operated when a cursor displayed on the screen of the CRT 13 is moved to select a predetermined item in the menu screen.

  For example, when the contract change button 32 of the remote commander 30 is pressed, a corresponding infrared signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 31 and received by a reception unit (not shown) of the decoder 8. Upon receiving the infrared signal transmitted from the remote commander 30, the decoder 8 supplies a display signal corresponding to the contract change screen to the CRT 13 based on the received infrared signal. As a result, a predetermined contract change screen is displayed on the CRT 13.

  Next, for example, the button “3” of the numeric button 34 is pressed corresponding to the channels 3 and 4, and then the enter button 35 is pressed. Further, the button “4” of the number button 34 is pressed, and then the enter button 35 is pressed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the channel number for which a flat contract is desired is displayed on the screen of the CRT 13.

  When the menu button 38 of the remote commander 30 is pressed, a corresponding infrared signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 31 and received by a reception unit (not shown) of the decoder 8. When the decoder 8 receives the infrared signal from the remote commander 30, the decoder 8 supplies a display signal corresponding to a predetermined menu screen to the CRT 13. When the display signal from the decoder 8 is input, the CRT 13 displays a menu screen corresponding to this display signal, for example, as shown in FIG. On the menu screen, for example, items such as “contract confirmation”, “contract change”, and “program purchase confirmation” are displayed.

  Next, by operating the select button 39 of the remote commander 30, a predetermined item is selected from the items displayed on the menu screen. First, when the select button 39 is operated in the vertical direction with respect to the paper surface, an infrared signal corresponding to this operation is transmitted from the transmission unit 31 and received by the reception unit of the decoder 8. The decoder 8 displays a cursor on a predetermined item on the menu screen according to the infrared signal. In this way, the cursor displayed on the screen can be moved and positioned on a predetermined item. Here, the cursor is positioned on the item “contract change”.

  Next, when the enter button 35 is pressed, an infrared signal corresponding to this operation is transmitted from the transmission unit 31 and received by the reception unit of the decoder 8. Based on this infrared signal, the decoder 8 recognizes that the selection of the item “contract change” at which the cursor is currently located is confirmed, and supplies a display signal corresponding to a predetermined contract change screen to the CRT 13. The CRT 13 displays a contract change screen corresponding to this display signal.

  Next, a number corresponding to a channel for which a flat contract is desired is input using the numeric buttons 34, and a channel for which a flat contract is desired is input by repeating the operation of pressing and confirming the enter button 35. The input channel number is displayed on the screen of the CRT 13 as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

  In this way, a channel for which a flat contract is desired can be designated. The contract change information including the designated channel number is stored in the EEPROM 24. As described above, the contract change information stored in the EEPROM 24 is read by the decoder 8 and transmitted to the transmission side system via the telephone line 11.

  Since the subsequent processing is the same as when the contract change button 12 of the receiving terminal is operated, description thereof is omitted.

  In this way, by operating the contract change button 12 of the receiving terminal or the remote commander 30, the contract can be changed easily and quickly. Here, the change of the flat contract has been described as an example. However, even when other contract contents are changed, the contract can be changed by basically the same procedure as described above.

  In the above embodiment, the individual information is supplied to the receiving terminal by broadcast radio waves. However, the individual information is transmitted to the receiving terminal via a telephone line or by an IC card or other recording medium. It is also possible.

  In the above embodiment, the transmission line 10 is described as a broadcast wave. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an optical fiber cable or other transmission medium can be used.

  In the above embodiment, for example, 4 bits are assigned to the contract type, 8 bits are assigned to the contract key number, 64 bits are assigned to the contract key and the scramble key, and 16 bits are assigned to the Service_id and the program ID. The present invention is not limited, and any other arbitrary number of bits can be assigned.

  In the above embodiment, the menu screen is displayed on the CRT 13, but it can also be displayed on a liquid crystal display device or other display devices.

  In addition, the menu screen displayed on the CRT 13 in the above-described embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this, and a menu screen including icons and the like and other menu screens can be displayed.

  Furthermore, the remote commander used in the above embodiment is an example, and the shape, function, and the like are not limited thereto. In addition, although a predetermined signal is transmitted by infrared rays, it is also possible to transmit a signal by radio waves or ultrasonic waves.

  When the details of the receiving contract with the sending side are instructed, the instructed change is sent to the sending side at a predetermined timing. Changes can be made. Therefore, the contract contents can be changed easily and quickly.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Encoder, 2 Multiplexer, 3 Scrambler, 4 Related information transmission apparatus, 5 Program control system, 6 Scramble control system, 7 Viewing information collection processing system, 8 Decoder, 9 Security module (IC card), 10 Transmission path, 11 telephone line, 12 contract change button, 13 CRT, 20 tuner, 21 descrambler, 22 second decoder, 23 first decoder, 24 EEPROM, 30 remote commander, 31 transmitter, 32 contract confirmation button, 33 power button , 34 Number buttons, 35 Enter button, 36 Channel up / down button, 37 Volume button, 38 Menu button, 39 Select button

Claims (8)

In an information processing system comprising a pay broadcast program transmitting device for transmitting a pay broadcast program and a pay broadcast program receiving device for receiving the pay broadcast program,
The pay broadcast program receiving device includes:
Instruction acquisition means for acquiring an instruction of a flat contract or a tier contract for a channel through which the pay broadcast program is transmitted from a user;
When a flat contract or tier contract instruction is acquired from a user for a channel to which the pay broadcast program is transmitted, contract change information indicating that a flat contract or tier contract is to be performed for the channel is generated. Means for generating
Storage means for storing the generated contract change information;
First transmitting means for transmitting the stored contract change information to the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus at a predetermined timing;
After the contract change information indicating that the flat contract or the tier contract is performed is transmitted to the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus, the pay change program transmitting apparatus transmits the contract change information, and is scrambled by the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus, First receiving means for receiving individual information, which is information necessary for descrambling the pay broadcast program transmitted on a channel, and storing the received information in the storage means;
The pay broadcast program transmitting device includes:
Second receiving means for receiving the contract change information transmitted from the pay broadcast program receiving device;
A second generating unit configured to generate the individual information when the contract change information is received;
An information processing system comprising: a second transmission unit configured to transmit the generated individual information to the pay broadcast program receiving device. In a pay broadcast program receiving apparatus that receives a pay broadcast program transmitted from a pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus,
Instruction acquisition means for acquiring an instruction of a flat contract or a tier contract for a channel through which the pay broadcast program is transmitted from a user;
Generation means for generating contract change information indicating that a flat contract or a tier contract is to be performed on the channel when an instruction of a flat contract or a tier contract is acquired from the user for the channel through which the pay broadcast program is transmitted When,
Storage means for storing the generated contract change information;
Transmitting means for transmitting the stored contract change information to the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus at a predetermined timing;
After the contract change information indicating that the flat contract or the tier contract is performed is transmitted to the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus, the pay change program transmitting apparatus transmits the contract change information, and is scrambled by the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus, A pay broadcast program receiving apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving individual information, which is information necessary for descrambling the pay broadcast program transmitted on a channel, and storing the received information in the storage means. The pay broadcast program receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the instruction acquisition means is a button formed on a remote commander of the pay broadcast program receiving apparatus. The pay broadcast program receiving apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising display means for displaying contents of the contract change information. The pay broadcast program receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage means is attached to a removable IC card. In the pay broadcast program receiving method of the pay broadcast program receiving device for receiving the pay broadcast program transmitted from the pay broadcast program transmitting device,
Obtain a flat contract or tier contract instruction for the channel through which the pay broadcast program is transmitted from the user,
When an instruction for a flat contract or a tier contract for a channel to which the pay broadcast program is transmitted from a user is acquired, contract change information indicating that a flat contract or a tier contract is to be generated for the channel is generated,
Storing the generated contract change information;
The stored contract change information is transmitted to the pay broadcast program transmitting device at a predetermined timing,
After the contract change information indicating that the flat contract or the tier contract is performed is transmitted to the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus, the pay change program transmitting apparatus transmits the contract change information, and is scrambled by the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus, A pay broadcast program receiving method, comprising: receiving and storing individual information, which is information necessary for descrambling the pay broadcast program transmitted on a channel. In a pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a pay broadcast program to a pay broadcast program receiving apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving contract change information indicating that a flat contract or a tier contract is performed with respect to a channel through which the pay broadcast program is transmitted, transmitted from the pay broadcast program receiving apparatus;
Generating means for generating individual information that is information necessary for the pay broadcast program receiving device to descramble the scrambled pay broadcast program transmitted in the channel when the contract change information is received; ,
Transmitting means for transmitting the generated individual information to the pay broadcast program receiving device. A pay broadcast program transmitting device comprising: In the pay broadcast program transmitting method of the pay broadcast program transmitting apparatus for transmitting the pay broadcast program to the pay broadcast program receiving apparatus,
Receiving contract change information indicating that a flat contract or a tier contract is performed with respect to a channel through which the pay broadcast program is transmitted, transmitted from the pay broadcast program receiving device;
When the contract change information is received, the scrambled pay broadcast program transmitted in the channel is generated as individual information that is information necessary for the pay broadcast program receiving device to descramble,
The pay broadcast program transmitting method, wherein the generated individual information is transmitted to the pay broadcast program receiving device.

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