JP2010200173A - Information distribution system, information receiving apparatus, and information receiving method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a user output contents via any other communication means, inside a broadcast target area, without imposing any special operation on the user. <P>SOLUTION: An information distribution system 10 comprises: a radio station (broadcast station 20) for sending out radiowaves; an information distribution apparatus (broadcast station 20) capable of distributing, via any other communication means (IP communication network 100), information sent out from the radio station by radiowaves and/or information other than the information sent out from the radio station by radiowaves; and an information receiving apparatus (receiver 40) including a reception status detection section for detecting the reception status of radiowaves sent out from the radio station when the information sent out from the radio station by radiowaves and/or the information other than the information sent out from the radio station by radiowaves is received from the information distribution apparatus, and an output propriety-determining section for determining whether or not the information sent out from the radio station by radiowaves and/or the information other than the information sent out from the radio station by radiowaves can be output on the basis of a value detected by the reception status detection section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution system, an information receiving apparatus, and an information receiving method.

  In the case of distributing contents in terrestrial digital broadcasting, it is necessary to obtain a broadcasting license for performing a broadcasting business for each broadcasting target area. However, if the content is distributed via the IP communication network, the content is broadcast, so that the content is also distributed outside the broadcast target area for which the broadcast license is acquired. Therefore, when the content transmitted by the broadcast station is redistributed via the IP communication network, the content is distributed to a mobile terminal, TV, or STB (set top box) that exists only in the broadcast target area. It is necessary to control access by region.

  For example, as one method of performing access control depending on the area where the receiver is installed, a TTL (Time To Live) value included in the header of the IP data, that is, the number of hops of the router through which it is set in advance for each broadcast target area Have been proposed (see Patent Document 1). When content is distributed with such settings, even if it is redistribution by broadcast or IP multicast specifying only a specific IP address range, if the TTL value set in this IP data becomes zero, the content is Since the transferring router discards the IP data in the middle, the content can be transmitted only to the broadcast target area even through the IP communication network.

  As another aspect, when a user lives in an area where broadcast waves can be received and has a portable receiver, the access control method is used when the location where the user wants to receive content is outside the area. As one, a device using a receiver equipped with a storage medium storing information indicating reception permission in a specific registered area has been proposed (see Patent Document 2). If the content is redistributed by adopting such a configuration, it is possible for a legitimate user to receive the content via the IP communication network even when the user is outside the registered area.

JP 2007-336022 A (summary etc.) JP 2008-141429 A (summary etc.)

  However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, regardless of whether content is distributed for the first time or redistributed, it can be distributed only within the broadcast target area unless the TTL value is strictly set for each broadcast target area. Not like that. Also, depending on the routing protocol adopted by each passing router, the route to the arrival of content may be different even within the same broadcast target area, and the TTL value does not necessarily reach only within the broadcast target area. It is not guaranteed that the value is possible. Therefore, since there is a possibility that the content is not distributed even within the broadcast target area, or the content may be distributed even outside the broadcast target area, the access control method using the TTL value of the IP data is There is a problem from the viewpoint of reliability.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, a storage medium storing information indicating permission of reception must be attached to the receiver regardless of whether content is distributed for the first time or redistributed. Therefore, even if the user has a receiver in the broadcast target area, the content is not distributed unless the storage medium is always mounted on the receiver. Further, in order to adopt this method throughout Japan, it is necessary to manage information indicating reception permission for each user, which is unified by all broadcasting stations.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides an information distribution system that can output content via other communication means within a broadcast target area of a wireless station without imposing a special operation on the user. An object is to provide an information receiving apparatus and an information receiving method.

  An information receiving apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is capable of receiving a radio wave transmitted from a radio station, and distributes information transmitted by radio waves and / or information other than information transmitted by radio waves In an information receiving device capable of communicating via a communication means other than radio waves, information transmitted from radio stations and / or other information other than information transmitted from radio stations from radio waves is received from the information distribution device. The reception status detection unit for detecting the reception status of the radio wave transmitted from the radio station, information transmitted by the radio station based on the value detected by the reception status detection unit, and / or the radio station An output enable / disable determining unit that determines whether or not to output other information than the information to be transmitted.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information reception device according to one aspect of the present invention preferably detects the reception field strength and / or reception error rate value of the radio wave from the radio station. .

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information reception device according to one aspect of the present invention determines whether to perform processing of the reception status detection unit and the output availability determination unit based on information received from the information distribution device. It is preferable.

  In addition, the information receiving method according to one aspect of the present invention can receive radio waves transmitted from a radio station and distribute information other than information transmitted by radio waves and / or information transmitted by radio waves. In an information receiving method used for an information receiving apparatus capable of communicating with a distribution apparatus via communication means other than radio waves, information other than information transmitted by radio stations and / or information transmitted by radio stations by radio waves Information received from the information distribution device, the reception status detection step for detecting the reception status of the radio wave transmitted from the radio station, and the information transmitted by the radio station based on the value detected in the reception status detection step And / or an output availability determination step for determining whether or not to output information other than the information transmitted by the radio station by radio waves.

  In addition, an information distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wireless station that transmits radio waves and information other than information transmitted by radio stations and / or information transmitted by radio stations other than radio waves. When an information distribution device that can be distributed via other communication means and information other than information transmitted by radio stations and / or information transmitted by radio stations from radio waves are received from the information distribution device. A reception status detection unit for detecting the reception status of radio waves transmitted from a station, and information other than information transmitted by radio stations and / or information transmitted by radio stations based on values detected by the reception status detection unit An information reception device including at least an output availability determination unit that determines whether or not to output other information.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an information distribution system, an information receiving apparatus, and an information receiving method capable of outputting content via other communication means within a broadcast target area without imposing a special operation on the user. can do.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the information delivery system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the broadcasting station shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the receiver shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the receiver shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a reception error rate detection circuit for performing the detection process of step S5 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the receiver shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the broadcasting station and receiver which are contained in the information delivery system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  First, the information distribution system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an information distribution system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution system 10 includes a broadcast station 20 and a receiver 40. In the information distribution system 10, broadcast content can be received when the receiver 40 receives a broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 20 with an antenna. The receiver 40 can receive broadcast content and / or content other than broadcast content from the broadcast station 20 via the IP communication network 100. 1 illustrates one broadcasting station 20 and two receivers 40, the information distribution system 10 may include a plurality of broadcasting stations 20 and three or more receivers 40.

  Further, in this information distribution system 10, when the receiver 40 receives content transmitted from the broadcast station 20 via the IP communication network 100, the reception status of the broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 20 is detected. Whether to output the received content is determined in accordance with the detection status. The IP communication network 100 is a communication network for performing communication between the broadcast station 20 and the receiver 40. The IP communication network 100 may be configured by a network using any one of the Internet, a CATV, a dedicated line, a VPN (virtual LAN), a WAN, or the like using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, or a combination thereof. Good. Note that other communication protocols other than IP communication may be used as other communication means in the claims.

  The broadcast station 20 sends content for broadcast programs as stream data in accordance with the broadcast schedule. Also, the broadcasting station 20 can superimpose data broadcast and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information on the broadcast wave and transmit it. In addition, the broadcast station 20 uses the IP communication network 100 to provide related content such as still images, audio, and moving images related to the broadcast program, or unique content that is independently produced regardless of the broadcast program (for example, a homepage provided by the broadcast station 20). , Text information, still picture information, moving picture information) can be provided to the receiver 40.

  In other words, the broadcast station 20 is linked to the video and audio of the broadcast program, and provides data broadcast that provides independent information such as information related to the broadcast program, weather forecasts and news, and EPG information referred to as an electronic program guide. In addition to being a radio station that can transmit and transmit broadcast waves from an antenna, it is also an information distribution device that can transmit the above-described information to the receiver 40 via the IP communication network 100. The broadcast station 20 corresponds to a radio station, an information distribution apparatus, or a content distribution server that transmits the radio wave in the claims.

  The receiver 40 receives the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20 described above, and outputs video, audio and EPG information of the received broadcast program. In addition, when the reception status of the broadcast wave transmitted from the antenna of the broadcast station 2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the receiver 40 transmits the broadcast station 20 via the IP communication network 100. It is possible to output the same content as the content transmitted by the broadcast wave and / or content related to the content, or other different content. The receiver 40 corresponds to the information receiving device in the claims.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the broadcasting station 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the broadcast station 20 includes a content stream creation unit 21, an EPG information creation unit 22, a data broadcast creation unit 23, a MUX (MultipleXer) unit 24, a reception unit 25, a transmission availability determination unit 26, and a content generation unit. 27, the transmission unit 28, the broadcast content DB 21a, the broadcast schedule DB 22a, the data broadcast content DB 23a, the transmittable information DB 26a, and the content DB 27a are main components. In this embodiment, the broadcasting station 20 corresponds to the claimed wireless station, information distribution device, and content distribution server, but functions as a wireless station (content stream creation unit 21, EPG information creation unit 22, Data broadcast creation unit 23, MUX unit 24, broadcast content DB 21a, broadcast schedule DB 22a, function equivalent to data broadcast content DB 23a) and functions as an information distribution device or content distribution server (reception unit 25, transmission permission / inhibition determination unit) 26, the content generation unit 27, the transmission unit 28, the transmittable information DB 26a, and the function as the content DB 27a) may be realized by separate devices.

  Here, the information processing realized by the functions of the content stream creation unit 21, the EPG information creation unit 22, the data broadcast creation unit 23, the transmission availability determination unit 26, and the content generation unit 27 described above controls the entire broadcast station 20. This is realized by the control unit 29 executing in cooperation with hardware resources (not shown). Specifically, the control unit 29 includes a CPU, which is a hardware resource (not shown), and the CPU reads various programs stored in a ROM (not shown) into the RAM (not shown) and executes them in cooperation. It is realized by doing.

  The broadcast content DB 21a, the broadcast schedule DB 22a, the data broadcast content DB 23a, the transmittable information DB 26a, and the content DB 27a are stored in the storage unit 30. The storage unit 30 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or a flash. It consists of memory.

  The content stream creation unit 21 creates broadcast content with reference to the broadcast content DB 21a. In the present embodiment, the broadcast content is described as being encoded and multiplexed in conformity with the MPEG2-TS (Motion Photographic Coding Experts Group-2 Transport Stream) standard. In the MPEG2-TS standard, video and audio of transmitted content are generated as an encoded ES (Elementary Stream), and a PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) in which ES is packetized for each meaningful unit is generated. Is done. Further, a TS (Transport Stream) packet obtained by dividing the PES is transmitted from the broadcast station 20.

  In addition, by assigning a 13-bit packet identifier called PID to the header of each TS packet, it is possible to classify whether each TS packet is video data, audio data, control data, or the like of broadcast content. .

  Further, the control data here refers to data called SI / PSI (Service Information / Program Specific Information). SI of SI / PSI includes information necessary for creating EPG information, and PSI is control data including information for performing basic control. The TS packet may be subjected to an encryption process (hereinafter referred to as “scramble process”) for preventing viewing contrary to the intention of the broadcast station 20. Here, for example, Multi2 can be used as the scrambling method. This Multi2 is one of the methods for encrypting digital data, and is widely used in BS digital broadcasting and terrestrial digital broadcasting. The broadcast content DB 21a stores information on which the above-described broadcast content is based.

  The EPG information creation unit 22 creates EPG information with reference to the broadcast schedule DB 22a. In addition, although the broadcast schedule of the broadcasting station 20 is memorize | stored in broadcasting schedule DB22a, the broadcasting schedule information of the other broadcasting station 20 may be memorize | stored.

  The data broadcast creation unit 23 creates a data broadcast such as weather forecasts and information related to programs from the data broadcast content DB 23a. The data broadcasting will be described on the assumption that the data broadcasting is encoded and multiplexed in conformity with the MPEG2-TS standard in the same manner as the broadcasting content described above. The data broadcasting content DB 23a includes URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information provided by the broadcasting station 20 related to the program and P2P (Peer to Peer) in addition to data broadcasting such as weather forecast and information related to the program. ) Search query information that can be used in the method may be stored. The data broadcast creation unit 23 supplies these information together to the MUX unit 24.

  The MUX unit 24 includes content data created by the content stream creation unit 21 with reference to the broadcast content DB 21a, EPG information created by the EPG information creation unit 22 with reference to the broadcast schedule DB 22a, and data created by the broadcast creation unit 23. Broadcast data is generated by multiplexing data broadcast program data created with reference to the broadcast content DB 23a. Then, the broadcast data is transmitted as a broadcast wave from the antenna of the broadcast station 20.

  The receiving unit 25 is a communication interface that can receive a content request from the receiver 40 via the IP communication network 100.

  The transmission permission / inhibition determination unit 26 determines whether or not the receiver 40 that has transmitted the content request is a valid user with reference to the transmission permission information DB 26a. If the receiver 40 that has transmitted the content request is not a valid user, the transmission permission / inhibition determination unit 26 notifies the receiver 40 that the content cannot be transmitted. If the receiver 40 that has transmitted the content request is a valid user, the transmission permission / inhibition determination unit 26 supplies a signal for permitting the content request to the content generation unit 27. In addition, the transmission information DB 26a stores user information of the receiver 40 such as an IP address associated with a user who can use the information distribution system 1, a user ID of the user, and a password associated with the user ID. Information stored in the unit 52 (see FIG. 3) is stored at least.

  When the content generation unit 27 receives a signal permitting a content request from the transmission permission determination unit 26, the content generation unit 27 refers to the content DB 27a and generates content to be transmitted to the receiver 40. Here, the content to be transmitted to the receiver 40 may be a content requested by the receiver 40, or a content linked to the broadcast program may be generated. The selected content may be generated when the receiver 40 requests specific content, and program-linked content may be automatically generated and transmitted otherwise. Note that, depending on whether or not the broadcast station 20 can be received by the receiver 40, whether or not a specific content can be transmitted is determined. However, depending on whether or not reception is possible, access to a specific site operated by the broadcast station 20 is restricted. Also good.

  Various contents are stored in the content DB 27a. The content stored in the content DB 27a stores program-linked content, content that can be accessed even after the end of broadcasting, content that is not limited to an area, and the like. Specific examples of content include still images, moving images, and audio. These pieces of information are described in markup languages such as XML (extensible Markup Language) and BML (Broadcast Markup Language), and the compatibility with the IP communication network 100 by using such markup languages. Can be made good.

  The transmission unit 28 is a communication interface that receives a content request from the receiver 40 via the IP communication network 100 and transmits the content to the receiver 40.

  Next, the receiver 40 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a block configuration of the receiver 40 shown in FIG. The receiver 40 is, for example, a terminal that receives a TV broadcast or a radio broadcast, and may be a fixed receiving terminal or a portable mobile terminal. The receiver 40 also outputs information received from the broadcast station 20 to the display device 60 and the audio reproduction device 70. Note that the receiver 40 according to the present embodiment is a separate device from the display device 60 and the audio playback device 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the receiver 40, the display device 60, and the audio reproduction device 70 may be provided in the same housing, for example, a television set. Further, the receiver 40 and the display device 60 may be provided in the same casing, and only the audio reproduction device 70 may be provided in another casing. That is, there are no particular limitations on the devices in which the three receivers 40, the display device 60, and the audio reproduction device 70 are provided. The receiver 40 may have a recording function and a recording function.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the receiver 40 includes an operation input unit 41, a control unit 42, a tuner 43, a DEMUX (DEMMultipleXer) unit 44, a decoding unit 45, a video / audio output unit 46, a recording unit 47, a network connection unit 48, The network information decoding unit 49, the reception status detection unit 50, the output availability determination unit 51, and the user information storage unit 52 are main components. Here, the control unit 42 includes, for example, a CPU, which is a hardware resource (not shown), and reads various programs stored in the recording unit 47, the ROM, and the like into the RAM, and cooperates with various arithmetic processes. As a result, the information processing performed by the function of each unit of the receiver 40 can be realized.

  The operation input unit 41 is composed of, for example, a remote control or a touch panel, but may be configured to allow voice input or the like. In addition, the operation input unit 41 receives an operation input from the user and transmits a user instruction to the control unit 42. The user can perform an operation input to the receiver 40 by operating the operation input unit 41. The operation input to the receiver 40 may be input to an operation input unit 41 provided in the receiver 40 via a radio signal (operation signal) such as infrared rays. The operation signal input to the operation input unit 41 is input to the control unit 42 via a bus (not shown).

  The control unit 42 is configured by a CPU (not shown) and the like, and is a central processing unit that analyzes an operation signal input to the operation input unit 41 and controls operations of each unit constituting the receiver 40 or a part thereof. . For example, when the user inputs a channel selection instruction using the operation input unit 41, a signal indicating the content of the channel selection instruction is input to the control unit 42 via the operation input unit 41 and a bus (not shown). As a result, the control unit 42 transmits a channel selection instruction for the channel selected by the user to the tuner 43 via a bus (not shown).

  The tuner 43 receives the broadcast wave of the broadcast station 20 with an antenna, demodulates the received RF (Radio Frequency) signal, performs error correction, etc., and outputs a TS signal composed of TS packets to the DEMUX unit 44. In FIG. 3, only one tuner 43 is shown for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting. However, when receiving analog broadcasting, radio broadcasting (analog, digital), and BS broadcasting (analog, digital), those tuners are also shown. A tuner 43 may be provided, and two or more tuners 43 may be provided.

  The DEMUX unit 44 converts a TS signal composed of TS packets (that is, broadcast data obtained by multiplexing a plurality of streams such as video and audio in the MUX unit 24 of the transmission-side broadcast station 20) into stream data such as video and audio. The data is separated into section format data such as SI / PSI. Each data separated by the DEMUX unit 44 is supplied to the decoding unit 45 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 42.

  The decoding unit 45 decodes broadcast content, EPG information, data broadcast, and the like according to instructions from the control unit 42. The decoding unit 45 supplies these decoded data to the recording unit 47. The data supplied from the decoding unit 45 to the recording unit 47 may be supplied as it is as a data signal without being decoded as a video signal or an audio signal.

  The decoding unit 45 decodes the above-described broadcast content, EPG information, data broadcast, and the like to generate audio data, video data, and program data, respectively. The decoded audio data is supplied to the audio reproduction device 70 described above. The audio reproduction device 70 performs D / A conversion processing on the supplied audio data and outputs it as an audio signal. The decoding unit 45 supplies the decoded video data and program data to the video / audio output unit 46.

  The video / audio output unit 46 stores the supplied program data in a RAM (not shown). The video / audio output unit 46 generates EPG information by drawing program data. Then, the video / audio output unit 46 generates a synthesized screen obtained by synthesizing the screen based on the EPG information on the screen based on the video data from the decoding unit 45, and sends the synthesized screen to the display device 60. The display device 60 displays this composite screen.

  The recording unit 47 stores data decoded by the decoding unit 45 or the network information decoding unit 49 in accordance with a recording instruction from the control unit 42.

  The network connection unit 48 is a communication interface that communicates with the broadcast station 20 via the IP communication network 100. The network connection unit 48 receives data from the transmission unit 28 of the broadcasting station 20 and sends the data to the network information decoding unit 49.

  The network information decoding unit 49 decodes the data received from the network connection unit 48 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 42 and supplies the decoded data to the video / audio output unit 46. Similarly, the data supplied to the video / audio output unit 46 is output to the display device 60 and / or the audio reproduction device 70.

  The reception status detection unit 50 has a function of detecting the reception status of a broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 20 in accordance with a reception status detection instruction from the control unit 42. The details of the reception status detection unit 50 will be described together with the operation of the receiver 40 described later. The value detected by the reception status detection unit 50 is supplied to the output availability determination unit 51.

  The output permission determination unit 51 determines whether to output the content received via the network connection unit 48 based on the value supplied from the reception status detection unit 50 based on the output permission determination instruction from the control unit 42. To do. Note that details of the output availability determination unit 51 will be described together with the operation of the receiver 40 described later. When the received content is output by the output permission determination unit 51, a signal permitting output is supplied to the video / audio output unit 46, and when the received content is not output, the network connection unit indicates that the output cannot be performed. The receiver 40 that has made a content request is notified via the terminal 48.

  The user information storage unit 52 stores registration information about a user who uses the information distribution system 1 using the receiver 40. The registered information about the user here is an IP address associated with a user who can use the information distribution system 1, a user ID of the user, a password associated with the user ID, and the like.

  The receiver 40 may include a descrambler unit (not shown) for releasing the scramble when the broadcast data superimposed on the broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 20 is scrambled. Good. In this case, the descrambler unit cancels the TS signal composed of the TS packet superimposed on the RF signal received by the tuner and scrambled and transmitted to the normal signal according to the instruction of the control unit 42. Process. In addition, the descrambler unit supplies a TS signal including the TS packet from which the scramble process has been canceled to the DEMUX unit 44.

  Subsequently, the operation of the receiver 40 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiver 40 shown in FIG. In the following processing, it is assumed that there are a plurality of broadcasting stations 20 and broadcast waves are transmitted from each broadcasting station 20.

  START: When receiving the operation input signal from the operation input unit 41, the control unit 42 starts processing.

  Step S1: The control unit 42 determines whether or not there is an access request to the broadcast station 20 as a content distribution server. If there is an access request, the process proceeds to step S2. If there is no access request, the determination process in step S1 is repeated until there is an access request. It may be monitored until an access request is made.

  Step S2: The control unit 42 receives content from the broadcast station 20 having an access request via the IP communication network 100. When the reception of the content from the broadcast station 20 is completed via the IP communication network 100, the control unit 42 proceeds to the process of step S3.

  Step S3: The control unit 42 determines whether or not a broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20 that has requested access in step S1 is being received. If the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20 is being received, the control unit 42 proceeds to the process of step S5, and if not received, the process proceeds to the process of step S4.

  Step S4: The control unit 42 tunes to the broadcasting station 20 having the access request, receives the broadcast wave, and shifts the processing to step S5.

  Step S5: The control unit 42 detects the reception status of the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20, and shifts the processing to step S6. Specifically, the control unit 42 detects the electric field reception intensity and / or reception error rate of the broadcast wave.

  Here, as a method for detecting the electric field reception intensity of the broadcast wave by the control unit 42 as the reception status detection unit of the claims, an electric field reception intensity signal generation circuit (not shown) capable of generating an electric field reception intensity signal is used as a receiver. 40 so that a value obtained from the generation circuit is output to the control unit 42. For example, a known RSSI (Receive Signal Strength Indication) circuit is provided as the generation circuit so that an electric field reception intensity signal can be obtained from the RSSI circuit. Any circuit may be used as long as the electric field reception intensity can be detected.

Further, as a method for detecting the broadcast wave reception error rate by the control unit 42 as the reception status detection unit of the claims, the receiver 40 is provided with a reception error rate detection circuit, and a detection signal obtained from the detection circuit Is output to the control unit 42. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the reception error rate detection circuit 80 for performing the detection process of step S5 shown in FIG. For example, the detection circuit includes a reception error detection unit 81 that can detect a reception error, a main counter 82 that increments by one each time the reception error detection unit 81 inspects bits of reception data, and an error detection unit 81. An error bit counter 83 that increments each time an error bit of received data is detected, a reception error rate calculation unit 84 that always calculates an error rate from the count values of the main counter 82 and the error bit counter 83, and A detection signal is output when the error rate calculated by comparing the error rate calculated by the error rate calculation unit 84 with the memory 86 that holds a preset reference value and the reference value of the memory 86 exceeds the reference value. And a determination unit 85 to be provided. For example, 4 × 2 × 10 ⁻² , 2 × 10 ⁻³ , 2 × 10 ⁻⁴ , and 2 × 10 ⁻⁵ are stored as reference values preset in the memory 86, and the calculated error rate is calculated. The reception error rate can be detected by allowing the determination unit 85 to output each detection signal to the control unit 42 when the value exceeds any of these reference values. The reception error rate detection circuit 80 described above is merely an example, and any circuit may be used as long as the reception error rate can be detected.

  By using the electric field reception intensity signal obtained from the electric field reception intensity signal generation circuit and / or the detection signal obtained from the reception error rate detection circuit 80, the reception state of the broadcast wave can be detected.

  Step S6: The control unit 42 determines whether or not the content can be output based on whether or not the reception status of the broadcast station 20 detected in step S5 has reached a predetermined level. The control unit 42 determines that the received content can be output if the reception status has reached a predetermined level, and proceeds to the process of step S8. If the reception status has not reached the predetermined level, the control unit 42 receives the content. If it is determined that the content cannot be output, the process proceeds to step S7.

  Step S7: The control unit 42 outputs information indicating that the content cannot be distributed to the display device 60 or the audio reproduction device 70 because the reception status is bad or cannot be received, and the processing is terminated (END). .

  Step S8: The control unit 42 outputs the received content as video and audio output data to the display device 60 and the audio reproduction device 70, and ends the processing (END). It does not matter whether the received content is in a streaming format or a download format. If the received content is in the streaming format, the newly received content is reproduced at the time of output permission determination at step S6, or after the access request at step S1 is generated, the content is buffered. You may make it reproduce | regenerate the received content after the access request of step S1 generate | occur | produces after determining with output being possible in S6.

  As described above, it is possible to determine whether or not the content received from the broadcast station 20 is within the broadcast target area of the broadcast station 20 on the receiver 40 side by determining whether the content can be output from the reception status of the broadcast wave. . Therefore, on the broadcast station 20 side, it is not necessary to consider whether or not the receiver 40 is within the broadcast target range for each content distribution request from the receiver 40.

  Subsequently, another operation of the receiver 40 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiver 40 shown in FIG. The process shown in FIG. 6 is different from the process shown in FIG. 4 in step S11. Based on the data included in the content received from the broadcast station 20 via the IP communication network 100, the reception status detection process and the output availability determination process are performed. It is determined whether or not to perform. Note that the same processing (START in FIG. 6, steps S1 to S8, END) as the processing shown in FIG.

  Step S11: When the content is received via the IP communication network 100 in step S2, the control unit 42 receives the reception status from the data included in the content or the data transmitted together with the content, and whether or not the output is possible. It is determined whether or not to perform a determination process. Here, the process determination data for determining whether to perform the reception status detection process or the output permission determination process may be added by the broadcast station 20 at the time of content creation in the content creation unit 27 of the broadcast station 20, for example. Alternatively, it may be included in advance as data in the content included in the content DB 27a. And the determination of step S11 can be performed by performing the flag determination by the receiver 40 side about the presence or absence of the process determination data transmitted in this way. If the control unit 42 determines from the data included in the content received via the IP communication network 100 in step S2 that it is necessary to perform reception status detection processing or output availability determination processing (YES in step S11). Then, the process proceeds to step S5, and if it is determined that it is not necessary to perform the reception status detection process or the output availability determination process (NO in step S11), the process proceeds to step S8.

  In this way, by determining whether to perform the reception status detection process and the output permission determination process based on the data received from the broadcast station 20, all contents received from the broadcast station 20 via the IP communication network 100 are determined. Thus, it is possible to receive and output the content without performing the reception status detection process and the output availability determination process one by one.

  As described above, with such an information distribution system 10, content is output from the receiver 40 via the IP communication network 100 within the broadcast target area without imposing a special operation on the user. be able to. In other words, the content can be distributed only to the receiver 40 that can receive the broadcast wave.

  Next, an information distribution system 10A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unlike the information distribution system 10 according to the first embodiment, the information distribution system 10A according to the second embodiment of the present invention receives the information when the receiver 40A receives information from the broadcast station 20A by broadcast waves. The content linked to the information can be received via the IP communication network 100. The information distribution system 1A according to the second embodiment is the same as the information distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1 except for the operations of the broadcasting station 20A and the receiving device 40A. A description of the function of the configuration is omitted. The broadcast station 20A corresponds to a radio station, an information distribution device, or a content distribution server that transmits the claimed radio wave, and the receiver 40A corresponds to the information reception device of the claims.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing operations of the broadcasting station 20A and the receiver 40A included in the information distribution system 10A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the following processing, it is assumed that there are a plurality of broadcast stations 20A and broadcast waves are transmitted from each broadcast station 20A.

  START: When receiving the operation input signal from the operation input unit 41, the control unit 42 starts processing.

  Step S20: When the control unit 42 receives a broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20 by a user operation or the like (the user views the broadcast), the control unit 42 proceeds to the process of step S21.

  Step S21: The control unit 42 detects whether there is content linked to the program from the broadcast wave. Specifically, the control unit 42 analyzes and detects EPG information and data broadcast information included in the broadcast wave. As a result, if there is content linked to the program (YES in step S21), the control unit 42 proceeds to the process of step 22, and if not (NO in step S21), the control unit 42 repeats the determination process of step S21.

  Step S22: The control unit 42 notifies that there is content linked to the program, and proceeds to the process of step S23. The notification method is, for example, a menu screen that is displayed by a predetermined icon on the display screen of the display device 60, or a screen that displays EPG information, and that is called by a user performing a specific operation. May be displayed.

  Step S23: The control unit 42 detects whether or not there is a request for program-linked content from the user. When the user reserves the display of linked content for a specific program or when there is a program-linked content and the setting is such that the linked content is played back again, the user requests the program-linked content. Is determined (YES in step S23). In addition, in this step S23, when there are a plurality of program-linked contents, the method for acquiring the contents may also be set. Specifically, the setting is such that all contents are downloaded or only specific contents are downloaded. When there is no request for program-linked content from the user (NO in step S23), the control unit 42 repeats the process of step S23 until there is a request for program-linked content.

  Step S24: When there is a request for program-linked content in step S23, the control unit 42 receives the content. When there are a plurality of linked contents, the contents are received based on the acquisition method set by the receiver 40A. If there is no particular setting, after receiving the content indicating which linked content is received prior to receiving the linked content, the linked content according to the content request may be received, or there are a plurality One of the contents or all of the contents may be received.

  Step S25: The control unit 42 detects the reception status of the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20A, and proceeds to the process of step S26. Note that the method for detecting the broadcast wave reception status is the same as the processing in step S5 in FIG.

  Step S26: The control unit 42 determines whether or not to output the received program-linked content based on the value detected in step S25. When the received program-linked content is output (YES in step S26), the control unit 42 proceeds to the process of step S28, and when not output (NO in step S26), the control unit 42 proceeds to the process of step S27.

  Step S27: The control unit 42 reproduces (outputs) the content indicating that the linked content cannot be output from the broadcasting station 20A, and ends the processing (END).

  Step S28: The control unit 42 reproduces (outputs) the linked content by the set method, and ends the processing (END). Specifically, it is possible to reproduce with a broadcast wave on two screens, or to reproduce a still image or a moving image on the display device 60 when the broadcast is audio such as radio broadcast.

  By using such an information distribution system 10A, content linked to a broadcast program can be output from the receiver 40A via the IP communication network 100 within a broadcast target area without imposing a special operation on the user. Can do. That is, the content can be distributed only to the receiver 40A that can receive the broadcast wave. In addition, such an information distribution system 10A makes it possible to distribute content linked to a broadcast program only for users who are viewing the broadcast program. Also, the user can view various contents provided by the broadcast station 20A only by viewing the broadcast program.

  The information distribution systems 10 and 10A have been described as exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. .

  For example, the presence or absence of program-linked content may be notified by voice. Alternatively, the presence / absence of linked content may be notified during broadcast broadcasting of a broadcast wave. Specifically, the presenter may introduce the program in a program or stream it as a telop. When notification is made during program broadcast, the presence or absence of linked content may be detected by voice recognition or image recognition.

  Further, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the reception status is determined on the receiver 40 side, and whether or not the content can be output is determined. Unlimited content may be prepared, and the processing may be performed when reproduction of content limited to a region is requested.

  In addition, the transmission availability determination unit 26 of the broadcasting station 20 in the first embodiment of the present invention receives information indicating the reception status of the broadcast wave from the receiver 40 and determines whether the content can be transmitted from the reception status. You may do it. If the content requested from the receiver 40 is not limited to the area, the content may be transmitted to the receiver 40 regardless of the result of determination of whether or not the broadcast station 20 can be received. . Further, the transmission permission / inhibition determination unit 26 may transmit the content also to the receiver 40 when the broadcasting station 20 is not temporarily determined to be receivable by referring to the transmission permission information DB 26a. In this case, it is preferable that determination result information regarding whether or not the receiver 40 has been able to transmit in the past is stored in advance in the transmission enable information DB 26a.

  Further, in the information distribution systems 10 and 10A according to the above-described embodiments, the client server type network method for downloading content from the broadcast stations 20 and 20A is adopted. However, the information distribution system 10 and 10A is performed by the P2P type network method. Also good. In this case, a request for content to the broadcast stations 20 and 20A is transmitted as a search query, information indicating the reception status is also transmitted, and a peer that owns the content only when the information indicating the reception status satisfies a reference value. May be transmitted to download content from the peer.

  Further, all or some of the functions of the respective parts described in the information distribution systems 10 and 10A according to the above-described embodiments may be configured by a program, and this program may be installed in an information processing apparatus (computer). . Specifically, it can be a program for functioning as a computer. The program can be directly installed on a computer from a medium recorded in an executable state, but it may be installed on a remote computer via a network.

10, 10A information distribution system, 20, 20A broadcast station (wireless station, information distribution apparatus, content distribution server), 21 content stream creation unit, 22 EPG information creation unit, 23 data broadcast creation unit, 24 MUX unit, 25 reception unit , 26 transmission availability determination unit, 27 content generation unit, 28 transmission unit, 29 control unit, 30 storage unit, 21a broadcast content DB, 22a broadcast schedule DB, 23a data broadcast content DB, 26a transmittable information DB, 27a content DB, 40, 40A receiver (information receiving device), 41 operation input unit, 42 control unit, 43 tuner, 44 DEMUX unit, 45 decoding unit, 46 video / audio output unit, 47 recording unit, 48 network connection unit, 49 network Information decoding part, 50 reception status detection , 51 Output availability determination unit, 52 User information storage unit, 60 Display device, 70 Audio playback device, 80 Reception error rate detection circuit, 81 Error detection unit, 82 Main counter, 83 Error bit counter, 84 Error rate calculation unit, 85 Determination unit, 86 memory, 100 IP communication network (other communication means)

Claims (5)

An information distribution device capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from a radio station and distributing information transmitted by the radio waves and / or information other than information transmitted by the radio waves, and communication means other than the radio waves In the information receiving apparatus that can communicate via
Status of reception of radio waves transmitted from the radio station when information transmitted from the radio station and / or information other than information transmitted by the radio station from the radio wave is received from the information distribution device. A reception status detection unit for detecting
An output for determining whether or not the information transmitted by the radio station and / or information other than the information transmitted by the radio station is output based on the value detected by the reception status detection unit A determination unit;
An information receiving apparatus comprising: The information receiving device according to claim 1,
The reception status detection unit
An information receiving apparatus for detecting a value of a received electric field intensity and / or a reception error rate of the radio wave from the radio station. In the information receiving device according to claim 1 or 2,
An information receiving apparatus that determines whether or not to perform the processing of the reception status detection unit and the output availability determination unit based on information received from the information distribution apparatus. An information distribution device capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from a radio station and distributing information transmitted by the radio waves and / or information other than information transmitted by the radio waves, and communication means other than the radio waves In an information receiving method used for an information receiving apparatus capable of communicating via
Status of reception of radio waves transmitted from the radio station when information transmitted from the radio station and / or information other than information transmitted by the radio station from the radio wave is received from the information distribution device. A reception status detection step for detecting
Based on the value detected in the reception status detecting step, an output for determining whether or not information transmitted by the radio station using the radio wave and / or information other than the information transmitted by the radio station using the radio wave is output. A determination step;
An information receiving method characterized by comprising: A radio station that transmits radio waves,
An information delivery device capable of delivering information other than information transmitted by the radio station and / or information transmitted by the radio station via the communication means other than the radio wave;
Status of reception of radio waves transmitted from the radio station when information transmitted from the radio station and / or information other than information transmitted by the radio station from the radio wave is received from the information distribution device. A reception status detection unit for detecting the information, and information transmitted by the radio station using the radio wave and / or information other than the information transmitted by the radio station using the radio wave based on a value detected by the reception status detection unit. An information reception device including at least an output availability determination unit that determines whether or not to output;
An information distribution system comprising:

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