JP2011097384A - Information distribution management device, information distribution management method, information distribution management program, and information distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately distribute content even when providing the content that is distributed via a certain communication medium, via other different communication medium without excessively using individual information. <P>SOLUTION: A broadcast station management server 4 (information distribution management device) includes: a content output propriety determination means for determining the output propriety of content in a receiver 5 on the basis of the reception situation of the radio waves of a plurality of broadcast stations 2 and the position information of the receiving device 5, in the receiving device 5 (information receiver) capable of receiving content from a broadcast station portal server 3 (information distribution device) which provides content via an IP communication network 10 (communication different from radio waves) within the broadcast range of the broadcast stations 2 (radio stations) sending out the radio waves; and a communication control means for transmitting the determined result of the content output propriety determination means to the receiving device 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution management device, an information distribution management method, an information distribution management program, an information reception device, and an information distribution system.

  When re-transmitting broadcast content provided by a broadcasting station via terrestrial digital broadcasting via an IP (Internet Protocol) communication network, the area where the broadcast content can be received is determined by the problem of radio wave law or copyright law. It is necessary to limit to the broadcasting range. As a limiting method for that purpose, for example, regional information stored in a receiving device capable of receiving broadcast content via an IP communication network, and a user of the receiving device are registered with an Internet service provider that has an Internet connection contract. By comparing with the area information obtained from the personal information of the user, it is determined whether or not the area where the receiving device is installed is an area where the broadcast content of the broadcasting station can be received. It is known that the range in which broadcast content is provided via an IP communication network is limited to the broadcast range of the broadcast station (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-329783 A

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, personal information registered in an Internet service provider with which the user of the receiving apparatus has an Internet connection contract must be used. Part of the information needs to be disclosed. Therefore, the personal information management method of the user and the personal information management method of the user who does not use the receiving device may be different on the Internet service provider side, and the personal information management on the Internet service provider side is complicated. There is a possibility. In addition, if the consent of the Internet service provider cannot be obtained for disclosing a part of the personal information of the user for the above reasons, the Internet service providers that can use the receiving device are limited. . As a result, a user who wants to use the broadcast content retransmission service by the receiving device cannot freely select an Internet service provider with which to make an Internet connection contract.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention is suitable even when content distributed via a certain communication means is provided via another different communication means without excessive use of personal information. An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution management device, an information distribution management method, an information distribution management program, an information reception device, and an information distribution system that can distribute the content.

  An information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information reception device capable of receiving content from an information distribution device that provides content by means of communication means different from radio waves within the broadcast range of a radio station that transmits radio waves. Based on the reception status of radio waves from a plurality of radio stations and the position information of the information receiving device, content output availability determining means for determining whether or not content can be output in the information receiving device, and determination results of the content output availability determining means as information receiving device And a communication control means for transmitting to.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a radio wave status acquisition table for acquiring radio wave reception statuses from a plurality of radio stations based on position information of the information reception device. The table creation means for creating the content output availability determination means transmits the radio wave status acquisition table created by the table creation means to the information receiving device, and receives radio waves from a plurality of wireless stations transmitted from the information receiving device. It is preferable to determine whether the content can be output from the information distribution device corresponding to the wireless station in the reception device based on the reception status.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention may be configured such that the content output availability determination unit is configured to transmit radio waves at a predetermined ratio of radio stations included in the radio wave status acquisition table. When it is determined that the content can be received from the reception status, it is preferable to permit all the contents output permission / inhibition from the information distribution apparatus corresponding to the wireless station included in the table.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention may be configured such that the content output availability determination unit is configured to receive radio waves at a specific radio station among radio stations included in the radio wave status acquisition table. When it is determined that the content can be received from the situation, it is preferable to permit all the contents output permission / inhibition from the information distribution apparatus corresponding to the wireless station included in the table.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a location information specification database that can specify location information of an information reception device, and a broadcast range specification that can specify a broadcast range of a wireless station. A content output availability determination unit that identifies the position information of the information receiving device with reference to the position information specifying database and that stores the information in the broadcast range of the wireless station stored in the broadcast range specifying database. It is preferable to determine whether or not the content provided from the information distribution apparatus corresponding to the wireless station can be output based on whether or not the specified position of the receiving apparatus is included.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reception sensitivity information database that can identify reception sensitivity information in a broadcast range of a wireless station. Provided from the information distribution apparatus corresponding to the radio station based on the information indicating the radio wave reception status of the radio station in the reception apparatus and the reception sensitivity information in the broadcast range of the broadcast station stored in the reception sensitivity information database It is preferable to determine whether or not the content to be output can be output.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reception sensitivity characteristic information database in which reception sensitivity characteristic information of an information reception apparatus for each wireless station is stored, and content output availability determination Based on the information indicating the radio wave reception status of the radio station in the information receiving apparatus and the reception sensitivity characteristic information of the information receiving apparatus in the radio station stored in the reception sensitivity characteristic information database, the means It is preferable to determine whether the content provided from the corresponding information distribution apparatus can be output.

  In addition, an information distribution management method according to one aspect of the present invention includes information for providing content by communication means different from radio waves within a broadcast range of a radio station that transmits radio waves, including content output availability determination means and communication control means. An information distribution management method executed by an information distribution management device capable of determining whether or not content can be output in an information receiving device capable of receiving content from the distribution device, wherein the content output permission determination unit is a wireless Based on the reception status of the radio wave from the station and the position information of the information receiving device, the content output availability determining step for determining whether or not the content can be output in the information receiving device and the determination result of the content output availability determining step And a communication control step for transmitting to the information receiving device.

  The information distribution management program according to one aspect of the present invention is capable of receiving content from an information distribution apparatus that provides content by a communication means different from radio waves within a broadcasting range of a radio station that transmits radio waves. Based on the radio wave reception status of the radio station and the position information of the information receiving device in the information receiving device, the content output propriety judging means for judging whether or not the content can be outputted in the information receiving device, the judgment result of the content output feasibility judging means is information It functions as communication control means for transmitting to the receiving device.

  In addition, the information receiving apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention can determine whether or not the content received from the information distribution apparatus that provides the content by the communication means different from the radio wave can be output within the broadcast range of the radio station that transmits the radio wave. Based on the content output availability determination information output means for transmitting the reception status of radio waves from the wireless station and its own location information to the information distribution management device, and the content output availability determination result transmitted from the information distribution management device, Content output control means for determining whether or not the content provided by the information distribution apparatus can be output.

  In addition, an information distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wireless station that transmits radio waves, an information distribution apparatus that provides content by a communication unit that is different from the radio waves within the broadcasting range of the radio stations, and radio waves from the radio stations. Information receiving device including information indicating whether or not the content is output, content output availability determination information output means for outputting its own position information, content output control means capable of receiving and outputting content provided by the information distribution device, and information reception Content output permission determination for determining whether or not content can be output from the information distribution device based on the reception status of radio waves from the radio station in the information reception device and the position information of the information reception device output by the content output control means of the device Information delivery comprising a communication control means for transmitting the determination result of the means and the content output permission determination means to the information receiving device And management apparatus, and has a.

  According to the present invention, even when content distributed via a certain communication means is provided via another different communication means without using personal information excessively, the content can be appropriately distributed. An information distribution management device, an information distribution management method, an information distribution management program, an information reception device, and an information distribution system can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the information delivery system which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the broadcasting station shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the broadcasting station portal server shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data stored in broadcasting station information DB shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a tuner ICDB illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the broadcast station management server shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the positional information conversion DB shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the receiver shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the area | region identification process performed between the receiver shown in FIG. 1, and a broadcast station management server. It is a flowchart of the output permission determination processing performed between the receiver shown in FIG. 1, and a broadcast station management server. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of content distribution processing executed between the receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and a broadcasting station portal server. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the positional information conversion DB shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following examples.

  First, an information distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an information distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution system 1 includes a broadcasting station 2, a broadcasting station portal server 3, a broadcasting station management server 4, and a receiving device 5. In this information distribution system 1, broadcast content can be received when the receiving device 5 receives the broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 2 with the antenna. In addition, the receiving device 5 can receive broadcast content provided by the broadcast station 2 and / or content other than the broadcast content from the broadcast station portal server 3 via the IP communication network 10. In the example of the information distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1, one broadcasting station 2, one broadcasting station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcasting station 2, one broadcasting station management server 4, and two receiving devices 5 are provided. In addition, a plurality of broadcasting stations 2, a plurality of broadcasting station portal servers 3, a plurality of broadcasting station management servers 4, and three or more receiving devices are also provided in units of prefectures or municipalities. 5 may be configured. In the example of the information distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1, one broadcast station portal server 3 exists for one broadcast station 2, but a plurality of broadcast station portal servers 3 exist for one broadcast station 2. There may be a broadcasting station 2 that does not have the broadcasting station portal server 3.

  In addition, the receiving device 5 in the information distribution system 1 is installed with a process for authenticating the validity of the device of the receiving device 5 with the broadcast station management server 4 via the IP communication network 10. A process for identifying the area where the receiving device 5 is installed, and a process for determining whether or not the output of the content provided from each broadcasting station portal server 3 is permitted in the area where the receiving device 5 is installed. After the execution, a content distribution request is made to the broadcasting station portal server 3. The IP communication network 10 is a communication network for performing communication between the broadcasting station portal server 3 and the receiving device 5. The IP communication network 10 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 the IP communication network 10 may include a network using a communication protocol other than IP communication.

(Broadcasting station structure)
The broadcast station 2 sends broadcast program content as stream data in accordance with the broadcast schedule. The broadcast station 2 can transmit data broadcast and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information superimposed on the broadcast wave. The broadcasting station 2 corresponds to an example of a wireless station in the claims.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the broadcast station 2 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the broadcasting station 2 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 broadcast content DB 25, a broadcast schedule DB 26, and a data broadcast. The content DB 27 is a main component. Here, in 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, and the MUX unit 24, the control unit 28 that controls the entire broadcast station 2 is not shown. It is realized by executing in cooperation with hardware resources. Specifically, the control unit 28 includes a CPU, which is a hardware resource (not shown), and a central processing unit such as the CPU is stored in a storage unit such as a ROM, a hard disk, or a flash memory (not shown). This is realized by reading out various programs to a RAM (not shown) and executing them in cooperation. The broadcast content DB 25, the broadcast schedule DB 26, and the data broadcast content DB 27 described above are stored in a storage unit 29. The storage unit 29 is, for example, from a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory. Composed.

  The content stream creation unit 21 creates broadcast content with reference to the broadcast content DB 25. 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 broadcasting station 2.

  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 2. 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 25 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 26. Note that the broadcast schedule DB 26 stores the broadcast schedule of the broadcast station 2, but may also store broadcast schedule information of other broadcast stations 2.

  The data broadcast creation unit 23 creates information related to data broadcast such as information related to weather forecasts and programs from the data broadcast content DB 27. In the following description, it is assumed that information related to data broadcasting is encoded and multiplexed according to the MPEG2-TS standard in the same manner as the above-described broadcast content. In addition to information related to data broadcasting, such as weather forecasts and information related to programs, the data broadcasting content DB 27 includes a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) provided by a broadcast station portal server 3 described later related to the program. ) Information and search query information that can be used in the P2P (Peer to Peer) 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 25, EPG information created by the EPG information creation unit 22 with reference to the broadcast schedule DB 26, and the broadcast creation unit 23 Broadcast data is generated by multiplexing data broadcast program data created with reference to the data broadcast content DB 27. Then, the broadcast data is transmitted as a broadcast wave from the antenna of the broadcast station 2.

(Broadcasting station portal server configuration)
The broadcast station portal server 3 transmits broadcast content of the broadcast station 2 (content corresponding to so-called simulcast of the broadcast station 2), related content such as still images, audio, and moving images related to the content, and broadcast content via the IP communication network 10. The receiving device 5 is provided with content corresponding to the broadcasting station 2 such as original content (for example, a home page, text information, still image information, and moving image information provided by the broadcasting station portal server 3) independently produced. The broadcast station portal server 3 corresponds to an example of an information distribution apparatus in the claims.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the broadcast station portal server 3 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the broadcast station portal server 3 includes a transmission permission determination unit 31, a content generation unit 32, a communication control unit 33, a broadcast station information DB 34, a content DB 35, and a tuner ICDB 36 as main components. Here, the information processing realized by the functions of the transmission permission determination unit 31, the content generation unit 32, and the communication control unit 33 described above is performed by the control unit 37 that controls the entire broadcast station portal server 3 and hardware resources (not shown). It is realized by executing in cooperation. Specifically, the control unit 37 includes a CPU, which is a hardware resource (not shown), and a central processing unit such as the CPU is stored in a storage unit such as a ROM, a hard disk, or a flash memory (not shown). This is realized by reading out various programs to a RAM (not shown) and executing them in cooperation. The above-mentioned broadcast station information DB 34, content DB 35, and tuner ICDB 36 are stored in a storage unit 38. The storage unit 38 is configured by a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory.

  The transmission permission / inhibition determination unit 31 refers to the broadcast station information DB 34 and the like, and determines whether or not the receiving device 5 that has requested the content distribution is permitted to distribute the content via the IP communication network 10. The transmission permission / inhibition determination unit 31 refers to an output permission determination result of a radio wave status acquisition table (to be described later) transmitted by the receiving device 5 that has requested content distribution, and determines that content distribution via the IP communication network 10 is not possible. In this case, the receiving apparatus 5 is notified that the content cannot be transmitted. Note that the transmission availability determination unit 31 refers to the output availability determination result of the radio wave status acquisition table transmitted by the receiving device 5 that has requested the content distribution, and determines that content distribution via the IP communication network 10 is possible. In this case, the receiving apparatus 5 is notified that the content can be transmitted, and a signal for permitting the content request is supplied to the content generating unit 32.

  When the content generation unit 32 receives a signal permitting a content distribution request from the transmission permission determination unit 31, the content generation unit 32 refers to the content DB 35 and generates content to be transmitted to the receiving device 5. Here, the content to be transmitted to the receiving device 5 may be a content requested by the receiving device 5 or a content linked to the broadcast program. The selected content may be generated when the receiving device 5 requests specific content, and program-linked content may be automatically generated and transmitted otherwise. The communication control unit 33 is a communication interface that receives a content distribution request from the receiving device 5 via the IP communication network 10 and transmits the content to the receiving device 5.

  The broadcast station information DB 34 is a database in which information about the broadcast station 2 is stored. The radio frequency and area classification of the broadcast station 2, the reception level condition in the area classification, and the broadcast station portal server 3 are connected to the IP communication network. 10 stores position information that becomes a viewing area that can be provided.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the broadcast station information DB 34 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the data stored in the broadcast station information DB 34 includes “broadcast station ID”, “broadcast station name”, “call sign” of the broadcast station 2 corresponding to the broadcast station portal server 3, “Broadcasting station portal server URL” or the like. The “broadcast station ID” stores a code that can uniquely identify the broadcast station 2 corresponding to the broadcast station portal server 3 among the plurality of broadcast stations 2 in the information distribution system 1. In “Broadcasting station name”, the name of the broadcasting station 2 corresponding to the broadcasting station portal server 3 is stored. The “call sign” stores an identification number issued based on the international telecommunication treaty of the broadcasting station 2 corresponding to the broadcasting station portal server 3. The “broadcast station portal server URL” stores the URL of the home page of the broadcast station portal server 3. Therefore, in the broadcast station information DB 34, referring to the “broadcast station ID”, the “broadcast station name”, “call sign”, “broadcast station portal server URL” and the like associated with the broadcast station ID are uniquely determined. The

  The table for managing viewing area information stored in the broadcast station information DB 34 includes “prefecture code”, “city code”, “postal code”, “frequency”, “area classification”, “reception level condition”. There are items such as. The “prefecture code” stores a number that can uniquely identify a Japanese prefecture within the information distribution system 1. The “city code” stores a number that can uniquely identify a city in Japan in combination with the “prefecture code” in the information distribution system 1. The “zip code” stores the zip code of the area uniquely specified by the “prefecture code” and the “city code”. The “frequency” stores the frequency of the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 2 that can be received in the area specified by the “prefecture code” and “city code”. In the “area classification”, a flag (1, 0) indicating an area classification for determining the reception status of the “frequency” of a certain broadcasting station 2 in the area specified by the “prefecture code” and the “city code” is stored. Has been. When the flag value is “0”, it indicates a receivable area (broadcast license area that may be a good reception state), and when it is “1”, a fringe area (a bad reception state area). (Broadcast license areas). The “reception level condition” stores a numerical value of the reception level condition necessary for receiving from the broadcasting station 2 specified by “frequency” in the area specified by “prefecture code” and “city code”. . The unit of the numerical value stored in the “reception level condition” is mV / m.

  Therefore, when the “prefecture code” and the “city code” are specified in the broadcast station information DB 34, the “zip code” of the area specified by the code can be specified, and the broadcast station 2 in the area can be specified by “frequency”. The “area classification” that identifies whether the broadcast station 2 specified by the “frequency” in the area is a receivable area or a fringe area and “reception” that can be received from the broadcast station 2 in the area. A “level condition” can be uniquely identified. In the broadcast station information DB 34, the “postal code” is used as a key, the broadcast station 2 that can be received in the area specified by the “postal code” is specified by “frequency”, and the “frequency” in the area is specified. It is possible to uniquely identify the “area classification” that indicates whether the broadcast station 2 identified by the above is a receivable area or a fringe area, and the “reception level condition” that can be received from the broadcast station 2 in the area. it can. The broadcast station portal server 3 can provide the data stored in the broadcast station information DB 34 to the broadcast station management server 4 via the IP communication network 10.

  The content DB 35 is a database in which various contents are stored. Content stored in the content DB 35 stores content that is linked to a program broadcast by the broadcast station 2, content that can be connected even after the broadcast ends, content that does not limit the receiving area, and the like. Specific types of content include still images, moving images, and audio. The information is described in a markup language such as XML (extensible Markup Language) or BML (Broadcast Markup Language). By using such a markup language, the compatibility with the IP communication network 10 is achieved. Can be made good.

  The tuner ICDB 36 is a database that stores at least device information of the receiving device 5 used in the information distribution system 1. The performance of the receiving device 5 varies depending on the manufacturer of the receiving device 5 and the type of tuner IC incorporated in the receiving device 5, and is the same due to the influence of noise when the tuner IC is embedded in the receiving device 5. The reception sensitivity from the broadcasting station 2 is different for each product. Therefore, for each type of receiving device 5, it is calculated from various parameters such as RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) and S / N ratio (SNR: Signal to Noise ratio) related to a tuner IC for calculating comparable receiving sensitivity. Coefficients are stored.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of data stored in tuner ICDB 36 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, at least “device ID”, “manufacturer name”, “model number”, “firmware version”, and “reception level calculation coefficient” are stored in this data. In the “device ID”, identification information that can be uniquely identified by the receiving device 5 in the information distribution system 1 is stored. The “manufacturer name” stores the name of the manufacturer of the receiving device 5. The “model number” stores model number information determined by the manufacturer of the receiving device 5. “Firmware version” stores firmware version information of the receiving device 5. The “reception level calculation coefficient” stores a coefficient calculated in accordance with characteristics of various parameters related to each tuner IC. Therefore, in the tuner ICDB 36, when the “device ID” is specified, the “manufacturer name”, “model number”, “firm version”, and “reception level calculation coefficient” associated with the “device ID” are uniquely determined. Can be determined.

(Broadcasting station management server configuration)
The broadcast station management server 4 has a function of authenticating the receiving device 5, a function of specifying the area where the receiving device 5 is installed, and a broadcast corresponding to the broadcast station 2 only in an area corresponding to the broadcast range of the broadcast station 2. It is a server that has at least a function of enabling output of content provided from the station portal server 3 and performs overall management in the information distribution system 1. Note that the broadcast station management server 4 includes a broadcast station 2 (for example, a broadcast station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcast station 2) that is not included in the information distribution system 1. The broadcast station portal server 3 may have information on the case where the broadcast station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcast station 2 is not registered or the broadcast station portal server 4 does not exist in the first place. The broadcast station management server 4 corresponds to an example of an information distribution management device in the claims.

  6 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the broadcast station management server 4 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the broadcast station management server 4 includes a device authentication unit 41, an area identification processing unit 42, an output availability determination unit 43, a communication control unit 44, a position information conversion DB 45, an all broadcast station information DB 46, tuner IC information. DB 47 is a main component. Here, the information processing realized by the functions of the device authentication unit 41, the area identification processing unit 42, the output availability determination unit 43, and the communication control unit 44 described above is not performed by the control unit 48 that controls the entire broadcast station management server 4. This is realized by executing in cooperation with the illustrated hardware resource. Specifically, the control unit 48 includes a CPU, which is a hardware resource (not shown), and the CPU stores various programs stored in a storage unit such as a ROM, a hard disk, and a flash memory (not shown). This is realized by reading the data into the RAM and executing it in cooperation. Further, the above-described position information conversion DB 45, all broadcast station information DB 46, and tuner IC information DB 47 are stored in the storage unit 49, and the storage unit 49 includes a storage device such as an HDD or a flash memory.

  The device authentication unit 41 authenticates whether or not the receiving device 5 is a valid device in the information distribution system 1. In the information distribution system 1, for example, a common mechanism that can be issued in advance as a one-time device ID by a time stamp method similar to a one-time password or a challenge-response method is used. The device authentication of the receiving device 5 can be performed by executing the verification of the “device ID” between these devices. The device authentication unit 41 can store the one-time device ID (device ID) in the tuner IC information DB 47.

  The area identification processing unit 42 identifies an area where the receiving device 5 is installed. Details of the area specifying process performed by the area specifying processor 42 will be described later. The output permission determination unit 43 determines whether the content provided by the broadcasting station portal server 4 in the reception device 5 can be output. The details of the output permission determination process performed by the output permission determination unit 43 will be described later. The communication control unit 44 is a communication interface for communicating with external devices such as the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station portal server 4 via the IP communication network 10.

  The position information conversion DB 45 is a database that stores at least information that can identify position information from an IP address. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the position information conversion DB 45 illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the location information conversion DB 45 includes “IP address”, “prefecture code”, “city code”, “postal code”, “prefecture name”, “city name”, “town” "Area name" etc. are stored at least. In “IP address”, a global IP address is stored. The unit in which the IP address is stored may be a method of storing in units of a predetermined range (for example, a unit of network address) in addition to the method of storing in units of individual IP addresses as shown in FIG. The position information conversion DB 45 corresponds to an example of a position information specifying database in claims.

  The all broadcast station information DB 46 is a database in which data related to each broadcast station 2 included in the information distribution system 1 is stored. Like the broadcast station information DB 34 of the broadcast station portal server 3, the all broadcast station information DB 46 The database stores at least an area classification, a reception level condition in the area classification, and position information serving as a viewing area of broadcast content provided via the IP communication network 10. The all broadcast station information DB 46 is an aggregate of the broadcast station information DB 34 of each broadcast station portal server 3 and is not shown. The all broadcast station information DB 46 corresponds to an example of a broadcast range specifying database in the claims and an example of a reception sensitivity information database.

  The tuner IC information DB 47 is a database that stores at least device information of the receiving device 5 used in the information distribution system 1, similarly to the tuner IC information DB 37 of the broadcasting station portal server 3. The tuner IC information DB 47 is the same as the information stored in the tuner IC information DB 37 of the broadcasting station portal server 3 and is not shown. The tuner IC information DB 47 corresponds to an example of a reception sensitivity characteristic information database.

(Receiver configuration)
The receiving device 5 receives a broadcast wave from the broadcast station 2 and outputs video, audio and EPG information of the received broadcast program. In addition, the reception device 5 transmits the broadcast station 2 transmitted from the broadcast station portal server 3 via the IP communication network 10 when the reception state of the broadcast wave transmitted from the antenna of the broadcast station 2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. Can output the same content as the content transmitted by broadcast waves and / or content related to the content, and other different content. The receiving device 5 corresponds to an example of an information receiving device in claims.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the receiving device 5 shown in FIG. The receiving device 5 is a stationary device configured to receive, for example, a TV broadcast or a radio broadcast from the broadcast station 2 and to be connected to the IP communication network 10. The receiving device 5 outputs information received from the broadcasting station 2, the broadcasting station management server 4, and the broadcasting station portal server 3 to the display device 6 and the audio reproduction device 7. Note that the receiving device 5 according to the present embodiment is a separate device from the display device 6 and the audio reproduction device 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the receiving device 5, the display device 6, and the audio reproduction device 7 may be provided in the same housing, for example, a television set. Further, the receiving device 5 and the display device 6 may be provided in the same housing, and only the audio reproducing device 7 may be provided in another housing. That is, there are no particular limitations on the devices in which the three receiving devices 5, the display device 6, and the audio reproducing device 7 are provided. The receiving device 5 may have a recording function and a recording function.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the reception device 5 includes an operation input unit 51, a tuner 52, a DEMUX (DEMMultipleXer) unit 53, a decoding unit 54, a video / audio output unit 55, a network connection unit 56, a reception status detection unit 57, registration The information storage unit 58 and the control unit 59 are main components. Here, the control unit 59 is a central processing unit that controls the entire receiving device 5 including a CPU and the like, and the CPU is stored in various storage parts such as a ROM, a hard disk, and a flash memory (not shown). By reading the program into a RAM (not shown) and executing these programs, the operation input unit 51, tuner 52, DEMUX unit 53, decoding unit 54, video / audio output unit 55, network connection unit 56, reception status detection unit 57, each function of the receiving device 5 is realized in cooperation with each unit of the registration information storage unit 58.

  The operation input unit 51 receives an operation input (such as a channel selection instruction) from the user and transmits the user instruction to the control unit 59. The operation input unit 51 is configured by, for example, a remote control or a touch panel, but may be configured to allow voice input or the like. The user can perform an operation input to the receiving device 5 by operating the operation input unit 51. The operation input to the receiving device 5 may be input to the operation input unit 51 provided in the receiving device 5 via a radio signal (operation signal) such as infrared rays. When the user inputs a channel selection instruction using the operation input unit 51, a signal indicating the content of the channel selection instruction is input to the control unit 59 via the operation input unit 51 and a bus (not shown). Transmits a tuning instruction to the channel selected by the user to the tuner 52 via a bus (not shown).

  The tuner 52 receives a broadcast wave of the broadcast station 2 by an antenna according to a tuning instruction from the control unit 59, demodulates the received RF (Radio Frequency) signal, performs error correction processing, and the like, and generates a TS signal composed of TS packets. Is output to the DEMUX unit 53. In FIG. 8, only one tuner 52 is shown for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting, but when receiving analog broadcasting, radio broadcasting (analog, digital), and BS broadcasting (analog, digital), those tuners are also shown. The tuner 52 may be provided, and two or more tuners 52 may be provided.

  The DEMUX unit 53 receives TS signals (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 broadcasting station 2) from the tuner 52, such as video and audio. A process of separating the stream data and the section format data such as SI / PSI is performed. Each data separated by the DEMUX unit 53 is supplied to the decoding unit 54.

  The decoding unit 54 decodes the broadcast content, EPG information, data broadcast, and the like supplied from the DEMUX unit 53, and generates audio data, video data, and program data, respectively. The audio data generated by decoding is supplied to the audio reproduction device 7 described above. The audio reproduction device 7 performs D / A conversion processing on the supplied audio data and outputs it as an audio signal. The decoding unit 54 supplies the decoded video data and program data to the video / audio output unit 55. The data supplied to the video / audio output unit 55 is output to the display device 6 and / or the audio reproduction device 7. The decoding unit 54 decodes data received from the network connection unit 56 and supplies the decoded data to the video / audio output unit 55. The decoding unit 54 supplies these decoded data to a storage unit (not shown). The data supplied from the decoding unit 54 to the storage unit may be supplied as it is as a data signal without being decoded as a video signal or an audio signal.

  The video / audio output unit 55 stores the supplied program data in a RAM (not shown). The video / audio output unit 55 generates EPG information by drawing program data. Then, the video / audio output unit 55 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 54, and sends it to the display device 6. The display device 6 displays this composite screen. Note that data decoded by the decoding unit 54 in accordance with a storage instruction from the control unit 59 is stored in a storage unit (not shown). Note that the output method to the video / audio output unit 55 is not limited to the above, and the program data may be directly output to the display device 6 without being stored in the RAM. Further, the video / audio output unit 55 does not form a composite screen obtained by combining the screen based on the EPG information on the screen based on the video data, but displays the screen only of the video data or the screen of only the EPG information. May be output respectively.

  The network connection unit 56 is a communication interface that communicates with the broadcast station management server 4 via the IP communication network 10. The network connection unit 56 receives data from the broadcasting station portal server 3 or the broadcasting station management server 4 and sends the data to the decoding unit 54.

  The reception status detection unit 57 has a function of detecting the reception status of a broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 2 in accordance with a reception status detection instruction from the control unit 59. For example, the reception status detection unit 57 includes an electric field reception intensity signal generation circuit (not shown) that can generate an electric field reception intensity signal, and outputs a value obtained from the generation circuit to the control unit 59. As the generation circuit, for example, a known RSSI (Receive Signal Strength Indication) circuit can be provided, and 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. By using the electric field reception intensity signal obtained from the electric field reception intensity signal generation circuit described above, it is possible to detect the broadcast wave reception status.

  The registration information storage unit 58 stores registration information about a user who uses the information distribution system 1 using the receiving device 5 and device information about the receiving device 5. Note that the registration information about the user here refers to 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 an address of the user. Zip code, phone number, etc. The device information about the receiving device 5 includes device type information, device ID information, serial number, and the like of the receiving device 5.

  Note that the reception device 5 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 2 is scrambled. Good. In that case, the descrambler unit cancels the TS signal composed of the TS packet that is superimposed on the RF signal received by the tuner and scrambled and transmitted to the normal signal according to the descrambling instruction of the control unit 59. Perform the process. Further, the descrambler unit supplies a TS signal including the TS packet from which the scramble process has been released to the DEMUX unit 53.

(Region specific processing)
Then, the area specific process performed between the broadcast station management server 4 and the receiver 5 is demonstrated. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the area specifying process executed between the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station management server 4 shown in FIG.

  START: When the operation input signal from the operation input unit 51 is input, the control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 starts the following processing.

  Step S <b> 1: The control unit 59 transmits the device information about the receiving device 5 and the registration information about the user stored in the registration information storage unit 58 to the broadcast station management server 4. Specifically, the control unit 59 transmits the model information of the receiving device 5, the IP address information allocated to the receiving device 5, and the user zip code information to the broadcast station management server 4.

  Step S2: When the control unit 48 of the broadcast station management server 4 receives the information of step S1 from the receiving device 5 via the communication control unit 44, the control unit 48 determines what device the receiving device 5 is. Specifically, the control unit 48 refers to the tuner IC information DB 47 and identifies the receiving device 5 of the receiving device 5 from the transmitted device information. If the device type can be identified from the device information of the receiving device 5, the control unit 48 proceeds to the process of step S3.

  Step S3: The control unit 48 performs processing for confirming the validity of the position information transmitted from the receiving device 5. Specifically, the control unit 48 refers to the position information conversion DB 45, compares the position specified from the transmitted IP address information with the position specified from the zip code information, and determines “prefecture name”, The validity of the position information transmitted from the receiving device 5 is confirmed depending on whether the “city name” and “town name” match. As a method of comparing the specified positions and determining that they are the same, as described above, if the “prefecture name”, “city name”, and “city name” match completely, In addition to the method of judging that they match, if “prefecture name” and “city name” match, both are judged to match, and if only “prefecture name” matches, both However, it is preferable to select an appropriate one in consideration of the accuracy of the area specified from the IP address and the accuracy of the area specified from the zip code.

  Step S4: As a result of the comparison in step S3, if the validity of the position information transmitted from the receiving device 5 is confirmed, the control unit 48 notifies the receiving device 5 that the validity has been confirmed. If the validity cannot be confirmed, the fact that the validity cannot be confirmed is transmitted to the receiving device 5.

  Step S5: The control unit 59 of the receiving device receives the validity confirmation result received from the broadcast station management server 4 via the IP communication network 10, displays a screen showing the confirmation result on the display device 6, and performs processing. End (END).

  As described above, the broadcast station management server 4 compares the position information obtained from the IP address information transmitted from the receiving device 5 with the position information obtained from the zip code information by the determination process in step S3 described above. Thus, it is possible to confirm the legitimacy of the area information on which the receiving device is installed.

(Output availability judgment processing)
Subsequently, an output permission determination process executed between the broadcast station management server 4 and the receiving device 5 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the output propriety determination process executed between the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station management server 4 shown in FIG. Note that the following processing may be executed continuously with the region specifying process shown in FIG. 9 or may be executed independently after the region specifying process shown in FIG. 9 is completed. Good.

  START: When it is desired to know whether or not the broadcast content received from the broadcast station 2 can be received via the IP communication network 10, or the reception method of the currently viewed broadcast content is desired to be switched to the IP communication network 10. In some cases, when the user operates the operation input unit 51, the control unit 59 of the reception device 5 starts the following processing.

  Step S11: The control unit 59 transmits the device information about the receiving device 5 and the registration information about the user stored in the registration information storage unit 58 to the broadcast station management server 4. Specifically, the control unit 59 transmits the model information of the receiving device 5, the IP address information allocated to the receiving device 5, and the user zip code information to the broadcast station management server 4.

  Step S12: When the control unit 48 of the broadcast station management server 4 receives the information of step 11 from the receiving device 5 via the communication control unit 44, the control unit 48 performs the area specifying process of step S3 shown in FIG.

  Step S13: The control unit 48 creates a radio wave status acquisition table that can be received in the area specified in step S12, and transmits the radio wave status acquisition table to the receiving device 5. Specifically, the control unit 48 refers to the all broadcast station information DB 46, creates a radio wave status acquisition table by listing all the “frequency” associated with the area specified by the “zip code”, The radio wave condition acquisition table is transmitted to the receiving device 5.

  Step S14: The control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 detects the reception sensitivity of the broadcast wave from each broadcast station based on the radio wave status acquisition table transmitted from the broadcast station management server 4, and the radio wave including the detection result. Information on the situation acquisition table is transmitted to the broadcast station management server 4.

  Step S15: The control unit 48 of the broadcast station management server 4 sets the reception status of each broadcast station 2 included in the radio wave status acquisition table transmitted in step S14 for each broadcast station stored in the all broadcast station information DB 46. Whether or not reception is possible is determined based on whether or not the “reception level” has been reached, and whether or not content can be output in the reception device 5 is determined based on whether or not reception is possible. Specifically, the control unit 48 refers to the all broadcast station information DB 46 and the tuner IC information DB 47, and is a value obtained by multiplying the value indicating the reception sensitivity at the broadcast station 2 by the reception level calculation coefficient of the reception device 5. Is determined as to whether or not reception is possible depending on whether or not the value set as the reception level condition of the broadcasting station 2 has been reached, and provided from the broadcasting station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcasting station 2 based on this determination. Determine whether the content can be output. That is, when the control unit 48 determines that the reception status of the broadcast station 2 has reached the value set as the reception level condition of the broadcast station 2 and is receivable, the control station 48 corresponds to the broadcast station 2. It is determined that the output of the content provided from the portal server 3 is permitted. If the content is not reached, it is determined that the output of the content provided from the broadcast station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcast station 2 is not permitted. The control unit 48 executes this determination process for all the broadcasting stations 2 included in the radio wave status acquisition table.

  Step S16: Furthermore, the control unit 48 determines that, in all the broadcasting stations 2 determined in step S15, the broadcasting stations 2 determined to permit the output of content are equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio (for example, included in the radio wave status acquisition table). When it is determined that 50% or more of the broadcast stations 2 to be permitted to output), it is determined that content output is permitted for all the broadcast stations 2 included in the radio wave status acquisition table, and the determination result Is notified to the receiving device 5 and the processing is terminated (END). On the other hand, in all the broadcasting stations 2 determined in step S15, the control unit 59 determines that the broadcasting stations 2 determined not to permit content output are not equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio (for example, the broadcasting included in the radio wave status acquisition table). When it is determined that 50% or more of the stations 2 permit the output, when 30% is determined to permit the output), the contents are output for all the broadcasting stations 2 included in the radio wave status acquisition table. And notifying the reception device 5 of the radio wave condition acquisition table information including the determination result, and the process is terminated (END). In addition, about the predetermined ratio mentioned above, you may set it as the same ratio uniformly with respect to all the broadcasting stations 2, and you may make it change and set a ratio for every predetermined area.

  Step S17: The control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 receives the determination result information and ends the processing (END). Thereafter, the receiving device 5 can execute a content distribution request to the broadcast station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcast station 2 based on the determination result information notified from the broadcast station management server 4.

  Such a broadcast station management server 4 performs the determination process of step S16, so that the broadcast station 2 is originally within the broadcast range depending on the position of the broadcast station 2 and the reception environment in the building where the receiving device 5 is installed. Even if it is determined that the signal cannot be received from the broadcasting station 2, the receiving device can be used if the determination result of the broadcasting station 2 included in the radio wave condition acquisition table can be received at a predetermined rate or more. It is possible to permit the output of the content provided from the broadcast station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcast station 2 that is determined to be unreceivable, assuming that 5 exists within the broadcast range. On the other hand, since the frequencies of the broadcasting stations 2 in different regions happen to coincide with each other, the broadcasting station management server 4 is not allowed to output contents via the IP communication network 10 originally. If the reception status of the broadcasting station 2 is determined, reception is determined to be possible, and even if a situation in which content output is permitted occurs, the reception status of other broadcasting stations 2 included in the radio wave status acquisition table other than the broadcasting station 2 Therefore, it is assumed that the receiving device 5 does not exist within the broadcasting range of the broadcasting station 2 and the determination that the output of the content provided from the broadcasting station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcasting station 2 is not permitted is made. It becomes possible to do. That is, the broadcast station management server 4 and the information distribution management method executed by the broadcast station management server 4 are cases where content distributed via a certain communication means is provided via another different communication means. Also, the content can be distributed appropriately.

  Next, content distribution processing executed between the receiving device 5 and the broadcasting station portal server 3 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a content distribution process executed between the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station portal server 3 shown in FIG. Note that this process may be executed integrally with the output availability determination process shown in FIG. 10, or may be executed independently after the output availability determination process.

  START: When it is desired to know whether or not the broadcast content received from the broadcast station 2 can be received via the IP communication network 10, or the reception method of the currently viewed broadcast content is desired to be switched to the IP communication network 10. In some cases, when the user operates the operation input unit 51, the control unit 59 of the reception device 5 starts the following processing.

  Step S21: The control unit 59 transmits the determination result information of the radio wave condition acquisition table received from the broadcast station management server 4 by the content output permission determination process shown in FIG.

  Step S22: The control unit 37 of the broadcasting station portal server 3 receives the determination result information of the radio wave condition acquisition table in the receiving device 5 from the receiving device 5, and collates the content output availability result from its own broadcasting station portal server 3. Then, it is determined whether or not the content can be distributed. Prior to step S22, determination result information of the radio wave condition acquisition table in the receiving device 5 is acquired in advance from the broadcast station management server 4, and the determination result information received from the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station management server are acquired. 4 may be a process of collating according to whether or not the determination result information received from 4 matches.

  Step S23: The control unit 37 distributes the content to the receiving device 5 when it is determined in step S22 that the content can be distributed.

  Step S24: The control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 receives the content distributed from the broadcasting station portal server 3, outputs it to the display device 6 and the audio reproduction device 7, and ends the processing (END).

  Such a receiving apparatus 5 executes the device authentication process shown in FIG. 9 and the output permission determination process shown in FIG. 10 with the broadcast station management server 4, and then, based on the determination result, the broadcast station portal. Since the content distribution processing shown in FIG. 11 is executed with the server 3, even when the content distributed via a certain communication means is provided via another different communication means, The content can be distributed.

  Further, by using the information distribution system 1 described above, the receiving device 5 side executes a process of specifying a region by declaring regional information called a zip code, and the receiving device 5 broadcasts on the broadcasting station management server 4 side. A broadcasting station portal that determines whether or not it exists in a receivable area and considers not only the reception sensitivity status of individual broadcasting stations 2 but also the reception sensitivity statuses of a plurality of broadcasting stations 2 that can be received in the area. Whether or not the content provided from the server 3 can be output is finally determined. In the information distribution system 1, the broadcast station management server 4, the information distribution method executed by the broadcast station management server 4, and the receiving device 5, there is no need to ask the Internet service provider to disclose personal information in the first place. Appropriate distribution of content even if the content distributed via a certain communication means is provided via another different communication means without using personal information excessively only by reporting regional information be able to.

  The information distribution system 1 has been described as an embodiment 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, in the output availability determination method according to the embodiment of the present invention, when it is determined that a predetermined ratio or more of the broadcasting stations 2 included in the radio wave condition acquisition table is receivable, all broadcast stations included in the radio wave condition acquisition table 2, it is determined that output is permitted for the content provided from the broadcast station portal server 3, but in addition, it is determined that a predetermined ratio or more of the specific broadcast station 2 included in the radio wave status acquisition table can be received. The content provided from the broadcast station portal server 3 corresponding to all the broadcast stations 2 included in the radio wave condition acquisition table may be permitted to be output. Specifically, for example, the ratio of receivable stations of AM stations included in the radio wave condition acquisition table is equal to or higher than a predetermined ratio, or the ratio of receivable stations of FM stations included in the radio wave condition acquisition table is equal to or higher than a predetermined ratio. In this case, output may be permitted for content provided from the broadcast station portal server 3 corresponding to all the broadcast stations 2 included in the radio wave status acquisition table.

  Furthermore, when it is determined that a specific broadcast station 2 is receivable among the broadcast stations 2 included in the radio wave status acquisition table, it is not necessary to consider the reception status of other broadcast stations 2. You may make it permit the output about the content provided from the broadcast station portal server 3 corresponding to all the broadcast stations 2 contained in an acquisition table. Specifically, for example, when it is determined that a broadcast station 2 (for example, a community broadcast station) whose broadcast range is limited to an extremely narrow area compared to other broadcast stations 2 can be received. May permit output of content provided from the broadcast station portal server 3 corresponding to all broadcast stations 2 included in the radio wave status acquisition table.

  In addition, although the receiving device 5 in the above-described embodiment and modification is assumed to be used in a stationary type, it may be a mobile type receiving device 5. In that case, since it is difficult to specify the area even if a postal code or the like is used, it is assumed that the receiving device 5 is provided with a GPS function. Then, the broadcast station management server 4 adds to the position information conversion DB 45 a latitude / longitude conversion table in which the position can be specified from the latitude / longitude information as shown in FIG. Then, the mobile receiver 5 acquires latitude / longitude information indicating the current position by the GPS function, and transmits it to the broadcast station management server 4 together with the IP address information of the receiver 5. On the broadcast station management server 4 side, the location information conversion DB 45 to which the latitude / longitude conversion table is added is referred to, the area specified from the latitude / longitude information transmitted from the mobile receiver 5 and the IP address information. The area where the mobile receiver 5 is located is identified by comparing with the area identified from the above. Note that the processing after the region specifying processing (output availability determination processing, content distribution processing) in the mobile receiver 5 is the same as that in the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and modification, the output propriety determination process as illustrated in FIG. 10 is exemplified, but other output propriety determination processes as described below may be used. For example, at the time when the broadcast station management server 4 identifies the area where the receiving device 5 is installed from the device information of the receiving device 5, the IP address information allocated to the receiving device 5, and the user zip code information. If there is a broadcasting station 2 in which the area division of the area is set as a receivable area (flag is 0), determination is made to permit content output from the broadcasting station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcasting station 2 at that time. If there is a broadcasting station 2 that is set as a fringe area (flag is 1), a radio wave condition acquisition table composed only of the broadcasting station 2 that is the fringe area is created and transmitted to the receiving device 5 You may make it do. By using such a radio wave condition acquisition table creation method, it is possible to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted, and to detect the reception sensitivity again on the receiving device 5 side for the broadcast station 2 that is known in advance as the receivable area. Can be omitted.

  In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the reception sensitivity is detected by the electric field reception intensity as a method of detecting the reception sensitivity of the broadcast station 2 in the reception device 5, but other reception error rates can be detected. A reception error rate detection circuit (not shown) is provided in the receiving device 5 so that a detection signal is generated when a predetermined reference value is exceeded from the reception error rate detection circuit. You may make it transmit to the management server 4. FIG. In the case of the method of detecting the reception sensitivity of the broadcast station 2 based on the reception error rate, the standard reception error rate within the broadcast range of the broadcast station 2 is used in the entire broadcast station information DB 46 of the broadcast station management server 4. Is stored in advance, and tuner ICDB 47 preferably stores a reception error rate multiplication coefficient for each receiving device 5 in advance, and determines whether or not to output based on these pieces of information.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, a client server type network method for downloading content from the broadcast station portal server 3 is adopted. However, a P2P (Peer To Peer) type network method may be adopted. . In this case, the content request for the broadcast station portal server 3 is broadcasted to the broadcast station portal server 3 or the broadcast station management server 4 included in the information distribution system 1 as a search query, and information indicating the reception status is transmitted. Only when the information indicating the reception status satisfies the reference value, the information of the peer (computer) holding the content may be transmitted and the content may be downloaded from the peer.

  Moreover, all or a part of the functions provided in each device described in the above-described embodiments and modifications is configured by a program, and the functions provided in each device described above by installing this program in an information processing device (computer). It may be realized. In particular, all or part of the functions of the broadcast station management server 4 described in the above-described embodiments and modifications are configured by a program, and the information distribution management program is installed in an information processing apparatus (computer). You may make it implement | achieve the function with which the broadcast station management server 4 is provided. The information distribution management program can be directly installed on a computer from a medium recorded in an executable state, but may be installed on a remote computer via a network. Such an information distribution management program appropriately uses the content even if the content distributed via a certain communication means is provided via another different communication means without using personal information excessively. Can be delivered.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information delivery system, 2 ... Broadcast station (radio station), 3 ... Broadcast station portal server (information delivery apparatus), 4 ... Broadcast station management server (information delivery management apparatus), 5. .. receiving device, 6... Display device, 7 .. audio reproduction device, 21... Content stream creation unit, 22... EPG information creation unit, 23. Broadcast content DB, 26 ... broadcast schedule DB, 27 ... data broadcast content DB, 28 ... control unit 29 ... storage unit, 31 ... transmission availability determination unit, 32 ... -Content generation part, 33 ... Communication control part, 34 ... Broadcasting station information DB, 35 ... Content DB, 36 ... Tuner ICDB, 37 ... Control part, 38 ... Storage part, 41 ... Device authentication unit, 42 ... Region identification Management unit 43 ... Output availability determination unit (content output availability determination unit, table creation unit) 44 ... Communication control unit (communication control unit) 45 ... Position information conversion DB (Position information identification database) 46 ... All broadcast station information DB (broadcast range identification database, reception sensitivity information database), 47 ... Tuner ICDB (reception sensitivity characteristic information database), 48 ... Control unit, 49 ... Storage unit, 51 ... Operation input unit, 52 ... Tuner, 53 ... DEMUX unit, 54 ... Decode unit, 55 ... Video / audio output unit, 56 ... Network connection unit, 57 ... Reception status detection unit, 58... Registration information storage unit, 59... Control unit (part of content output availability determination information output unit, part of content output control unit)

Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention is suitable even when content distributed via a certain communication medium is provided via another different communication medium without using personal information excessively. An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution management device, an information distribution management method, an information distribution management program, an information reception device, and an information distribution system that can distribute the content.

An information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information distribution management device capable of determining whether or not content can be output , and includes an information reception device capable of receiving content transmitted by a radio station using radio waves. For content provided from an information distribution device capable of distributing content using a communication medium different from radio waves within the content transmission range, the reception status of radio waves of a plurality of wireless stations and the position of the information reception device in the information reception device Content output availability determination means for determining whether or not content can be output in the information reception device based on the information, communication control means for transmitting the determination result of the content output availability determination means to the information reception device, and position information of the information reception device A table creation means for creating a radio wave status acquisition table for acquiring radio wave reception statuses from a plurality of radio stations based on The content output availability determination unit transmits the radio wave status acquisition table created by the table creation unit to the information receiving device, and is acquired based on the radio wave status acquisition table transmitted from the information receiving device. Based on the radio wave reception status of some radio stations among the radio wave reception statuses from multiple radio stations, it is determined whether or not content can be output from the information distribution device corresponding to some radio stations to the information reception device. When it is determined that the content distribution from the information distribution device corresponding to some of the wireless stations is possible, the output of the content distributed by the information distribution device corresponding to all the wireless stations included in the table is output. It is something to allow .

In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention is configured such that some of the wireless stations are a predetermined percentage of the wireless stations included in the radio wave status acquisition table, and the content output When it is determined that the reception is possible from the reception status of radio waves at a predetermined ratio of radio stations, the permission determination unit permits permission to output content from information distribution apparatuses corresponding to all the radio stations included in the table. It is preferable to do.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention is configured such that some of the wireless stations are a predetermined percentage of the wireless stations included in the radio wave status acquisition table, and the content output When it is determined that the reception is possible from the reception status of radio waves at a predetermined ratio of radio stations, the permission determination unit permits permission to output content from information distribution apparatuses corresponding to all the radio stations included in the table. It is preferable to do.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a location information specification database that can specify location information of an information reception device, and a broadcast range specification that can specify a broadcast range of a wireless station. A content output availability determination unit that identifies the position information of the information receiving device with reference to the position information specifying database and that stores the information in the broadcast range of the wireless station stored in the broadcast range specifying database. It is preferable to determine whether or not the content provided from the information distribution apparatus corresponding to the wireless station can be output based on whether or not the specified position of the receiving apparatus is included .

The information delivery management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, a reception sensitivity information can identify reception sensitivity information database in the broadcast range of the wireless station, the content output determination means, information Provided from the information distribution apparatus corresponding to the radio station based on the information indicating the radio wave reception status of the radio station in the reception apparatus and the reception sensitivity information in the broadcast range of the broadcast station stored in the reception sensitivity information database It is preferable to determine whether or not the content to be output can be output.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution management device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reception sensitivity information database that can specify reception sensitivity information in a broadcast range of a wireless station , and the content output availability determination unit includes information Provided from the information distribution apparatus corresponding to the radio station based on the information indicating the radio wave reception status of the radio station in the reception apparatus and the reception sensitivity information in the broadcast range of the broadcast station stored in the reception sensitivity information database It is preferable to determine whether or not the content to be output can be output.

Also, an information distribution management method according to one aspect of the present invention includes information distribution management executed by an information distribution management apparatus having content output permission determination unit, communication control unit, and table creation unit and capable of determining content output permission / inhibition. The information distribution management device transmits information to an information receiving device capable of receiving content transmitted by a radio station using radio waves, using a communication medium different from radio waves within the content transmission range of the radio station. It is possible to determine whether or not the content distributed from the distributable information distribution device to the information reception device can be output in the information reception device, and the content output permission determination unit can receive the radio wave from the wireless station in the information reception device and A content output enable / disable determining step for determining whether or not content can be output in the information receiving device based on position information of the information receiving device; The communication control means transmits the determination result of the content output availability determination step to the information receiving device, and the table creation means determines the reception status of radio waves from a plurality of wireless stations based on the position information of the information receiving device. A table creation step for creating a radio wave status acquisition table for acquisition, and the content output availability determination means includes the information reception device that receives the radio wave status acquisition table created in the table creation step in the content output availability determination step. Received information based on the radio wave reception status of some radio stations out of the radio wave reception statuses from multiple radio stations acquired based on the radio wave status acquisition table sent from the information receiving device Determine whether content can be output from the information distribution device corresponding to some wireless stations to the device, and If the delivery of content from the information distribution device to respond is determined that the possible is one that information distribution device corresponding to all the radio stations included in the table to allow the output of the content to be distributed.

An information distribution management program according to one aspect of the present invention is an information distribution management program for causing a computer to function as an information distribution management apparatus capable of determining whether or not content can be output. The content of the content distributed to the information receiving device from the information distributing device capable of distributing the content to the information receiving device capable of receiving the content to be transmitted using the communication medium different from the radio wave within the content transmission range of the wireless station. In order to make it possible to determine whether output is possible in the information receiving device, whether to output content in the information receiving device is determined based on the reception status of radio waves from a plurality of wireless stations in the information receiving device and the position information of the information receiving device. The determination result of the content output permission determination means and the content output permission determination means is transmitted to the information receiving device. Communication control means, table creation means for creating a radio wave status acquisition table for acquiring radio wave reception statuses from a plurality of radio stations based on position information of the information receiving device, and content output availability determination means, Of the radio wave reception statuses from a plurality of radio stations acquired based on the radio wave status acquisition table transmitted from the information reception device to the radio wave status acquisition table created by the table creation means Based on the radio wave reception status of some wireless stations, it is determined whether or not content can be output from the information distribution apparatus corresponding to some wireless stations to the information receiving apparatus, and information distribution corresponding to some wireless stations is performed. When it is determined that the content can be distributed from the device, the content distributed by the information distribution device corresponding to all the radio stations included in the table is delivered. It is intended to enable the output of the tool.

An information receiving apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an information receiving apparatus capable of receiving content transmitted by a radio station using radio waves, and is a communication medium different from radio waves within a content transmission range of the radio station. Communication means capable of communicating with an information distribution apparatus capable of distributing content using the information distribution management apparatus capable of determining whether the content distributed from the information distribution apparatus to the information reception apparatus can be output in the information reception apparatus Sends out its own location information, receives the radio wave status acquisition table for acquiring radio wave reception statuses from multiple radio stations created on the information distribution management device side based on the location information, and acquires the radio wave reception status From the information distribution management device and the content output permission determination information output means for acquiring the radio wave reception status from the wireless station included in the table and transmitting it to the information distribution management device Based on the signal content output determination result, the content output control means for determining the output permission of the content information distribution apparatus for distributing, and has a.

An information distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention manages an information receiving apparatus capable of receiving information transmitted from a radio station by radio waves, an information distributing apparatus capable of distributing information to the information receiving apparatus, and information distribution. An information distribution system having an information distribution management device, wherein the information distribution device distributes content by a communication medium different from radio waves within a transmission range of content transmitted by radio stations by radio waves, and the information distribution management device The content output availability determination means for determining whether the information reception apparatus can output content and the content output availability determination means based on the reception status of radio waves from a plurality of wireless stations in the information reception apparatus and the position information of the information reception apparatus Communication control means for transmitting the results to the information receiving device, and acquisition of radio wave reception status from multiple radio stations based on the location information of the information receiving device And a table output means for generating a radio wave status acquisition table for transmitting the content status to the information receiving device. If it is determined that reception is possible from the radio wave reception status of some radio stations among the radio wave reception statuses from multiple radio stations acquired based on the received radio wave status acquisition table, The output of the content distributed from the information distribution device corresponding to all the radio stations included in the table is permitted, and the information reception device transmits the content using a communication medium different from the radio wave within the content transmission range of the radio station. A communication means capable of communicating with a distributable information distribution apparatus, and an information reception apparatus for content distributed from the information distribution apparatus to the information reception apparatus via the communication means To transmit its own location information to an information distribution management device capable of determining whether or not to output, and to acquire radio wave reception statuses from a plurality of wireless stations created on the information distribution management device side based on the location information Content output availability determination information output means for receiving a radio wave status acquisition table, acquiring a radio wave reception status from a radio station included in the radio wave reception status acquisition table, and transmitting it to an information distribution management device; and information distribution management Content output control means for determining whether or not the content distributed by the information distribution apparatus can be output based on the content output permission determination result transmitted from the apparatus.

According to the present invention, even when content distributed via a certain communication medium is provided via another different communication medium without using personal information excessively, the content is appropriately distributed. An information distribution management device, an information distribution management method, an information distribution management program, an information reception device, and an information distribution system can be provided.

Such a broadcast station management server 4 performs the determination process of step S16, so that the broadcast station 2 is originally within the broadcast range depending on the position of the broadcast station 2 and the reception environment in the building where the receiving device 5 is installed. Even if it is determined that the signal cannot be received from the broadcasting station 2, the receiving device can be used if the determination result of the broadcasting station 2 included in the radio wave condition acquisition table can be received at a predetermined rate or more. It is possible to permit the output of the content provided from the broadcast station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcast station 2 that is determined to be unreceivable, assuming that 5 exists within the broadcast range. On the other hand, since the frequencies of the broadcasting stations 2 in different regions happen to coincide with each other, the broadcasting station management server 4 is not allowed to output contents via the IP communication network 10 originally. If the reception status of the broadcasting station 2 is determined, reception is determined to be possible, and even if a situation in which content output is permitted occurs, the reception status of other broadcasting stations 2 included in the radio wave status acquisition table other than the broadcasting station 2 Therefore, it is assumed that the receiving device 5 does not exist within the broadcasting range of the broadcasting station 2 and the determination that the output of the content provided from the broadcasting station portal server 3 corresponding to the broadcasting station 2 is not permitted is made. It becomes possible to do. That is, the broadcast station management server 4 and the information distribution management method executed by the broadcast station management server 4 are cases where content distributed via a certain communication medium is provided via another different communication medium. Also, the content can be distributed appropriately.

Such a receiving apparatus 5 executes the device authentication process shown in FIG. 9 and the output permission determination process shown in FIG. 10 with the broadcast station management server 4, and then, based on the determination result, the broadcast station portal. Since the content distribution process shown in FIG. 11 is executed with the server 3, even if the content distributed via a certain communication medium is provided via another different communication medium , The content can be distributed.

Further, by using the information distribution system 1 described above, the receiving device 5 side executes a process of specifying a region by declaring regional information called a zip code, and the receiving device 5 broadcasts on the broadcasting station management server 4 side. A broadcasting station portal that determines whether or not it exists in a receivable area and considers not only the reception sensitivity status of individual broadcasting stations 2 but also the reception sensitivity statuses of a plurality of broadcasting stations 2 that can be received in the area. Whether or not the content provided from the server 3 can be output is finally determined. In the information distribution system 1, the broadcast station management server 4, the information distribution method executed by the broadcast station management server 4, and the receiving device 5, there is no need to ask the Internet service provider to disclose personal information in the first place. Deliver the content appropriately even if the content distributed via a certain communication medium is provided via another different communication medium without using personal information excessively only by reporting regional information be able to.

Moreover, all or a part of the functions provided in each device described in the above-described embodiments and modifications is configured by a program, and the functions provided in each device described above by installing this program in an information processing device (computer). It may be realized. In particular, all or part of the functions of the broadcast station management server 4 described in the above-described embodiments and modifications are configured by a program, and the information distribution management program is installed in an information processing apparatus (computer). You may make it implement | achieve the function with which the broadcast station management server 4 is provided. The information distribution management program can be directly installed on a computer from a medium recorded in an executable state, but may be installed on a remote computer via a network. Such an information distribution management program appropriately uses the content even if the content distributed via a certain communication medium is provided via another different communication medium without using personal information excessively. Can be delivered.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information delivery system, 2 ... Broadcast station (radio station), 3 ... Broadcast station portal server (information delivery apparatus), 4 ... Broadcast station management server (information delivery management apparatus), 5. ··· Receiving device, 6 ··· Display device, 7 ··· Audio playback device, 10 · · · IP communication network (other communication medium different from radio waves), 21 · · · Content stream creation unit, 22 ··· EPG information creation unit, 23 ... data broadcast creation unit, 25 ... broadcast content DB, 26 ... broadcast schedule DB, 27 ... data broadcast content DB, 28 ... control unit 29 ... Storage unit, 31 ... Transmission enable / disable determination unit, 32 ... Content generation unit, 33 ... Communication control unit, 34 ... Broadcasting station information DB, 35 ... Content DB, 36 ... Tuner ICDB, 37 ... control unit, 38 ..Storage unit 41... Device authentication unit 42. Communication control means), 45 ... position information conversion DB (position information specifying database), 46 ... all broadcasting station information DB (broadcast range specifying database, reception sensitivity information database), 47 ... tuner ICDB (reception sensitivity) (Characteristic information database), 48 ... control unit, 49 ... storage unit, 51 ... operation input unit, 52 ... tuner, 53 ... DEMUX unit, 54 ... decoding unit, 55 ... and video / audio output unit, 56 ... network connection unit (communication means), 57 ... receiving condition detecting section, 58 ... registration information storage unit, 59 ... control unit (content output determination information output Some of the stage, a portion of the content output control means)

The present invention relates to an information distribution management system, information distribution management method, information distribution management program, about your and information distribution system.

Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention is suitable even when content distributed via a certain communication medium is provided via another different communication medium without excessively using personal information. and an object to the information receiving apparatus capable of receiving the content, method information received, the information receiving program, to provide your and information distribution system.

According to the present invention, even when content distributed via a certain communication medium is provided via another different communication medium without using personal information excessively, the content is appropriately distributed. information distribution management device capable, information distribution management method, information distribution management program, it is possible to provide your and information distribution system.

Claims (11)

In the information receiving device capable of receiving the content from the information distribution device that provides the content by means of communication means different from the radio wave within the broadcast range of the radio station that transmits the radio wave, Content output availability determination means for determining whether or not to output the content in the information reception device based on the position information of the information reception device;
Communication control means for transmitting the determination result of the content output permission determination means to the information receiving device;
An information distribution management device comprising: The information distribution management device according to claim 1,
A table creating means for creating a radio wave status acquisition table for acquiring radio wave reception statuses from a plurality of the radio stations based on position information of the information receiving device;
The content output availability determination means includes:
The radio wave status acquisition table created by the table creating means is transmitted to the information receiving device, and based on the radio wave reception status from the plurality of radio stations transmitted from the information receiving device, An information distribution management device that determines whether or not content can be output from the information distribution device corresponding to the wireless station. The information distribution management device according to claim 2,
The content output availability determination means includes:
Of the wireless stations included in the radio wave status acquisition table, when it is determined that reception is possible from the radio wave reception status in the predetermined percentage of the radio stations, the radio station corresponding to the radio station included in the table An information distribution management device which permits all the contents output permission / inhibition from the information distribution device. An information distribution management device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein
The content output availability determination means includes:
When it is determined that a specific radio station is receivable from the radio wave reception status among the radio stations included in the radio wave status acquisition table, the information distribution corresponding to the radio station included in the table An information distribution management device which permits all the contents output permission / inhibition from the device. The information distribution management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A position information specifying database capable of specifying the position information of the information receiving device;
A broadcast range specifying database capable of specifying the broadcast range of the wireless station, and
The content output availability determination means includes:
The position information of the information receiving apparatus is specified with reference to the position information specifying database, and the specified position of the information receiving apparatus is included in the broadcast range of the radio station stored in the broadcast range specifying database. Whether or not the content provided from the information distribution apparatus corresponding to the wireless station can be output is determined based on whether or not the information is distributed. The information distribution management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Receiving sensitivity information database capable of identifying receiving sensitivity information in the broadcast range of the wireless station,
The content output availability determination means includes:
Information corresponding to the radio station based on information indicating the radio wave reception status of the radio station in the information receiving device and reception sensitivity information in the broadcast range of the broadcast station stored in the reception sensitivity information database An information distribution management device that determines whether or not to output content provided from a distribution device. The information distribution management device according to claim 6,
A reception sensitivity characteristic information database in which reception sensitivity characteristic information of the information reception device for each wireless station is stored,
The content output availability determination means includes:
Based on the information indicating the radio wave reception status of the radio station in the information receiving device and the reception sensitivity characteristic information of the information receiving device in the radio station stored in the reception sensitivity characteristic information database, the radio station An information distribution management device for determining whether or not to output content provided from an information distribution device corresponding to the above. A content output permission determination unit and a communication control unit;
Information capable of determining whether or not the content can be output in an information receiving device capable of receiving the content from an information distribution device that provides the content by means of communication means different from the radio wave within the broadcast range of the radio station that transmits the radio wave An information distribution management method executed by a distribution management device,
The content output availability determination unit determines whether the information reception device can output the content based on a reception status of radio waves from the radio station in the information reception device and position information of the information reception device. A determination step;
A communication control step in which the communication control means transmits the determination result of the content output permission determination step to the information receiving device;
An information distribution management method comprising: Computer
The reception status of the radio station and the information in the information receiving apparatus capable of receiving the content from the information distribution apparatus that provides the content by communication means different from the radio wave within the broadcast range of the radio station that transmits the radio wave Content output availability determination means for determining whether or not to output the content in the information reception device, based on position information of the reception device;
Communication control means for transmitting the determination result of the content output permission determination means to the information receiving device;
Information distribution management program to function as From the wireless station to the information distribution management device capable of determining whether or not to output the content received from the information distribution device that provides the content by the communication means different from the radio wave within the broadcasting range of the wireless station that transmits the radio wave Content output availability determination information output means for transmitting the reception status of the radio wave and the position information of itself,
Content output control means for determining whether or not to output the content provided by the information distribution device based on the content output availability determination result transmitted from the information distribution management device;
An information receiving apparatus comprising: A radio station that transmits radio waves,
An information distribution device for providing content by means of communication means different from the radio waves within the broadcast range of the wireless station;
Content output availability determination information output means for outputting information indicating the reception status of radio waves from the wireless station and its own position information, and content output control means capable of receiving and outputting the content provided by the information distribution device An information receiving device to
Whether or not content can be output from the information distribution device based on the reception status of the radio wave from the radio station in the information reception device and the position information of the information reception device output by the content output control means of the information reception device An information distribution management device comprising a communication control means for transmitting the determination result of the content output permission determination means, the determination result of the content output permission determination means to the information reception device;
An information distribution system comprising:

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