JP2011223417A - Information distribution system, information receiving apparatus, information reception method, information distribution apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve appropriate reception of content provided to limited areas.SOLUTION: This information distribution system comprises; a broadcast wave reception unit which receives broadcast waves from a broadcasting station 2; a communication unit which communicates with a broadcasting station control server 3 (a first information distribution apparatus) and a broadcasting station portal server 4 (a second information distribution apparatus) which distributes content provided by the broadcasting station 2 through an IP communication network 10; a registration information storage unit which stores its own location information, frequency information for broadcast waves of broadcasting stations, and information indicating reception status of the broadcast wave of the broadcasting station 2 on the device; and a receiver device 5 which sends its own location information to the broadcasting control server 3, selects either the broadcasting station 2 or the broadcasting station portal server 4 as a content source based on a frequency table received from the broadcasting station control server 3, and acquires content.

Description

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

  In so-called IP broadcasting in which broadcasting is performed via an IP (Internet Protocol) communication network such as the Internet, a technique for providing content only to an area within a broadcasting target range of a broadcasting station is known (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses latitude information / longitude information detected by a GPS (Global Positioning System) function provided in a set top box installed in a viewer's house as regional information of the set top box. Transmit to the server side, refer to the operation area table prepared in advance based on the area information, determine whether or not it is a broadcast target area, and determined that it is within the broadcast target range of the broadcast station In some cases, the contract content is provided to the set top box.

JP 2008-288814 A (summary etc.)

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the information stored on the server side is latitude information / longitude information, the broadcast target area is uniformly determined. Accordingly, when it is determined that the latitude / longitude information stored on the server side falls outside the broadcast target area, the content by the IP broadcast is received even in an area where the actual reception status of the broadcast station is good. I can't.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides an information distribution system, an information reception apparatus, an information reception method, an information distribution apparatus, and a program that can appropriately receive content provided in a limited area. And

  One aspect of the present invention relates to an information distribution system. That is, in an information distribution system including an information reception device, a first information distribution device, and a second information distribution device, the information reception device includes a broadcast wave reception unit that receives broadcast waves from a broadcast station, and first information A communication device that communicates with the distribution device, a second information distribution device that distributes information provided by the broadcast station via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station, and registration information that stores its own location information The own location information stored in the registration information storage unit is transmitted to the storage unit and the first information distribution device via the communication unit, and is transmitted from the first information distribution device according to the transmitted location information. A frequency information acquisition unit that stores information including frequency information of a broadcasting station in the registration information storage unit, a frequency designation unit that designates a frequency received by the broadcast wave reception unit, and a frequency designated by the frequency designation unit. Registration information storage A frequency presence / absence determining unit that determines whether or not the frequency information is stored and a determination result of the frequency presence / absence determining unit, based on the determination result of the frequency presence / absence determining unit, are set as information acquisition destinations. Based on the information acquisition destination determination unit to be determined and the acquisition source determined by the information acquisition destination determination unit, information is acquired from the broadcast station via the broadcast wave reception unit, or from the second information distribution device via the communication unit. An information acquisition unit for acquiring information, and the first information distribution device receives a position information of the information reception device, and a broadcast station based on the position information of the information reception device received by the reception unit. A frequency information transmitting unit that transmits information including the frequency information to the information receiving device, and the second information distribution device includes an information storage unit that stores information provided by the broadcasting station, and an information receiving device From the information acquisition department of When the acquisition request is received, the information stored in the information storage unit based on the determination of the distribution availability determination unit and the distribution availability determination unit that determines whether the information can be distributed based on the reception status of the broadcasting station, An information distribution system comprising: an information providing unit provided to an information receiving device.

  In addition, one aspect of the present invention relates to an information receiving device that forms part of the information distribution system described above. That is, the broadcast wave receiving unit that receives the broadcast wave of the broadcast station, the first information distribution device, and the second that distributes the information provided by the broadcast station via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station. A communication unit that communicates with the information distribution device, a registration information storage unit that stores its own location information, and its own location information stored in the registration information storage unit via the communication unit with respect to the first information distribution device A frequency information acquisition unit that stores information including the frequency information of the broadcasting station transmitted from the first information distribution apparatus according to the transmitted position information in the registration information storage unit, and a broadcast wave reception unit A frequency specifying unit that specifies a frequency to be received, a frequency presence / absence determining unit that determines whether the frequency specified by the frequency specifying unit is included in the frequency information stored in the registration information storage unit, and a frequency presence / absence determination Based on the judgment result An information acquisition destination determination unit that determines either the broadcast station or the second information distribution device as an information acquisition destination, and a broadcast wave reception unit from the broadcast station based on the acquisition destination determined by the information acquisition destination determination unit. And an information acquisition unit that acquires information from the second information distribution device via a communication unit.

  Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of the information receiving apparatus described above, the information acquisition destination determination unit includes the determination result of the frequency presence determination unit included in the frequency information stored in the registration information storage unit by the frequency specified by the frequency specification unit. The frequency information and its own position information are transmitted to the first information distribution device, and either the broadcast station or the second information distribution device is selected based on the response information from the first information distribution device. It is preferable to determine this as the information acquisition destination.

  Moreover, one aspect of the present invention relates to an information receiving method executed by an information receiving apparatus that constitutes a part of the above-described information distribution system. An information receiving method executed by an information receiving apparatus including a broadcast wave receiving unit, a communication unit, a registration information storage unit, a frequency information acquisition unit, a frequency designation unit, a frequency presence / absence determination unit, an information acquisition destination determination unit, and an information acquisition unit A registration information storage step for storing the position information of the own station, the frequency information of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station, and information indicating the reception status of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the own apparatus, and a frequency information acquisition unit However, the first location information stored in the registered information storage unit is transmitted to the first information distribution device via the communication unit, and the first information distribution device transmits the broadcast according to the transmitted location information. A frequency information acquisition step for storing information including the frequency information of the station in the registration information, a frequency changing step for the frequency specifying unit to change the frequency received by the broadcast wave receiving unit, and the presence or absence of the frequency A frequency presence determination step for determining whether or not the frequency after the change is included in the frequency information stored in the registration information storage unit when the frequency received by the frequency designation unit is changed by the fixing unit; Second information distribution in which the information acquisition destination determination unit distributes information provided by the broadcast station via a communication station different from the broadcast wave or the broadcast wave of the broadcast station based on the determination result of the frequency presence determination step An information acquisition destination determination step for determining one of the devices as an information acquisition destination, and an information acquisition unit that receives information from a broadcast station via a broadcast wave reception unit based on the acquisition destination determined in the information acquisition destination determination step. Or an acquisition step of acquiring information from the second information distribution apparatus via a communication unit.

  In addition, one aspect of the present invention relates to a program for causing a computer to function as an information receiving device that forms part of the above-described information distribution system. That is, the computer distributes the information provided by the broadcast station via the broadcast wave receiving means for receiving the broadcast wave of the broadcast station, the first information distribution device, and another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station. Communication means for communicating with the second information distribution apparatus, registration information storage means for storing its own position information, and the first information distribution apparatus, the self stored in the registration information storage section via the communication section Frequency information acquisition means for transmitting information including the frequency information of the broadcasting station transmitted from the first information distribution apparatus according to the transmitted position information in the registered information, and a broadcast wave receiving unit Whether the frequency after the change is included in the frequency information stored in the registration information storage unit when the frequency received by the frequency changing unit that changes the frequency received by the frequency designation unit is changed. Judge Determined by frequency presence / absence determination means, information acquisition destination determination means for determining either the broadcast station or the second information distribution device as an information acquisition destination based on the determination result of the frequency presence / absence determination section, and the information acquisition destination determination section A program for functioning as an information acquisition means for acquiring information from a broadcast station via a broadcast wave receiving unit or acquiring information from a second information distribution device via a communication unit based on the acquired source is there.

  Moreover, one aspect of the present invention relates to a first information distribution apparatus that constitutes a part of the information distribution system described above. That is, a reception unit that receives the position information of the information reception device described above according to claim 2 and information including the frequency information of the broadcasting station based on the position information of the information reception device received by the reception unit. And a frequency information transmitting unit that transmits the information to the information receiving apparatus.

  Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of the information distribution apparatus described above, an information distribution apparatus specifying unit for specifying a second information distribution apparatus corresponding to the broadcast station based on the position information and frequency information transmitted from the information reception apparatus, and information It is preferable to include a connection information transmission unit that transmits connection information of the second information distribution device specified by the distribution specification unit to the information reception device.

  Moreover, one aspect of the present invention relates to a second information distribution apparatus that constitutes a part of the information distribution system described above. That is, an information distribution device that distributes information provided by a broadcast station to another information receiving device according to claim 2 via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station, provided by the broadcast station An information storage unit in which information is stored; a distribution availability determination unit that determines whether or not information can be delivered based on a reception status of a broadcasting station of the information reception device when an information acquisition request is received from the information reception device; An information distribution apparatus comprising: an information providing unit that provides information stored in the information storage unit to an information reception device based on the determination of the distribution availability determination unit.

  One aspect of the present invention relates to another information distribution system different from the information distribution system described above. That is, in an information distribution system including an information reception device, a first information distribution device, and a second information distribution device, the information reception device includes a broadcast wave reception unit that receives broadcast waves from a broadcast station, and first information A communication device that communicates with the distribution device, a second information distribution device that distributes information provided by the broadcast station via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station, and registration information that stores its own location information The own location information stored in the registration information storage unit is transmitted to the storage unit and the first information distribution device via the communication unit, and is transmitted from the first information distribution device according to the transmitted location information. A frequency information acquisition unit that stores information including frequency information of a broadcasting station in the registration information storage unit, a frequency designation unit that designates a frequency received by the broadcast wave reception unit, and a frequency designated by the frequency designation unit. Registration information storage A frequency presence / absence determining unit that determines whether or not the frequency information is stored and a determination result of the frequency presence / absence determining unit, based on the determination result of the frequency presence / absence determining unit, are set as information acquisition destinations. Based on the information acquisition destination determination unit to be determined and the acquisition source determined by the information acquisition destination determination unit, information is acquired from the broadcast station via the broadcast wave reception unit, or from the second information distribution device via the communication unit. An information acquisition unit that acquires information, and the first information distribution device includes a first reception unit that receives position information of the information reception device, and a position of the information reception device received by the first reception unit. A frequency information transmitting unit that transmits information including frequency information of the broadcasting station to the information receiving device based on the information, position information of the information receiving device transmitted from the information receiving device, and broadcasting of the broadcasting station in the information receiving device Wave frequency A second receiving unit for receiving information, an information distribution device specifying unit for specifying a second information distribution device corresponding to the broadcast station based on the position information and frequency information received by the second receiving unit, and an information distribution A connection information transmitting unit that transmits connection information of the second information distribution device specified by the specifying unit to the information receiving device; position information of the information receiving device transmitted from the second information distribution device; and Information reception based on the frequency information of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station and a third reception unit that receives information indicating the reception status of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving device, and information received by the third reception unit A reception availability determination unit that determines whether or not broadcast waves can be received from a broadcasting station in the apparatus; and a reception availability determination result transmission unit that transmits a determination result of the reception availability determination unit to the second information distribution apparatus, Information distribution device The frequency information of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving device transmitted from the information receiving device and the information indicating the reception status of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving device are transmitted to the first information distribution device. A first transmission unit, a distribution availability determination unit that determines whether or not the information provided by the second information distribution device is distributed based on a response from the first information distribution device to the information transmitted by the first transmission unit; A second transmission unit that transmits the determination result of the distribution availability determination unit to the information reception device, an information storage unit that stores information provided by the broadcasting station, and information stored in the information storage unit from the information reception device An information distribution system comprising: an information providing unit provided via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in response to the request.

  In addition, one aspect of the present invention relates to a first information distribution apparatus that constitutes a part of another information distribution system different from the information distribution system described above. That is, the first receiving unit that receives the position information of the information receiving device according to claim 2 and the frequency information of the broadcasting station is included based on the position information of the information receiving device received by the first receiving unit. A frequency information transmitting unit that transmits the received information to the information receiving device, and a second information that receives the position information of the information receiving device transmitted from the information receiving device and the frequency information of the broadcast wave of the broadcasting station in the information receiving device A receiving unit, an information distribution device specifying unit for specifying a second information distribution device corresponding to the broadcast station based on the position information and frequency information received by the second receiving unit, and a first specified by the information distribution specifying unit A connection information transmission unit that transmits connection information of the information distribution device 2 to the information reception device, position information of the information reception device transmitted from the second information distribution device, and a frequency of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information reception device And a third receiving unit that receives information indicating the broadcast wave reception status of the broadcasting station in the information receiving device, and broadcast from the broadcasting station in the information receiving device based on the information received by the third receiving unit The information distribution device includes: a reception availability determination unit that determines whether a wave can be received; and a reception availability determination result transmission unit that transmits a determination result of the reception availability determination unit to a second information distribution device.

  In addition, one aspect of the present invention relates to a second information distribution apparatus that constitutes a part of another information distribution system different from the information distribution system described above. That is, the frequency information of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving apparatus and the information indicating the reception status of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving apparatus transmitted from the information receiving apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 A first transmission unit that transmits to one information distribution device, and another communication medium that is different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station based on a response from the first information distribution device to information transmitted by the first transmission unit. A second information distribution device that distributes the information provided by the broadcast station via a distribution availability determination unit that determines whether or not the information provided by the second information distribution device is distributed, and a second result that transmits the determination result of the distribution availability determination unit to the information reception device. And a transmission unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information distribution system, an information reception device, an information reception method, an information distribution device, and a program that can appropriately receive content provided in a limited region.

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 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 figure which shows an example of the data stored in all the broadcast station information DB shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data stored in tuner IC information DB shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the broadcast station portal server shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data stored at least in broadcasting station information DB shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the 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 frequency table creation process performed between the receiver shown in FIG. 1, and a broadcast station management server. It is a flowchart of the presence determination process of the broadcasting station portal server corresponding to a broadcasting station performed between the receiver shown in FIG. 1 and a broadcasting station management server. It is a flowchart of the content delivery process performed between the receiver shown in FIG. 1, and a broadcast station portal server. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of a content delivery process shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the positional information conversion DB shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of an information distribution system, an information reception apparatus, an information reception method, an information distribution apparatus, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the information receiving method according to the present invention is described together with the description of the processing executed by the information receiving apparatus.

(Overview of information distribution system)
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 management server 3, a broadcasting station portal server 4, and a receiving device 5.

  The broadcast station 2 is an example of the claimed broadcast station, and broadcasts a plurality of contents superimposed on a broadcast wave. The broadcast station management server 3 is an example of a first information distribution apparatus according to the claims. A broadcast station portal corresponding to the broadcast station 2 in the area where the reception apparatus 5 is installed in response to an inquiry from the reception apparatus 5. The presence / absence of the server 4 and the connection information to the broadcasting station portal server are provided. The broadcast station portal server 4 is an example of a second information distribution apparatus according to the claims. When there is a content distribution request from the reception apparatus 5, the broadcast station portal server 4 depends on the reception status of the broadcast station 2 of the reception apparatus 5. Content broadcasted by 2, content related to the content, or content other than these content can be distributed to the receiving device 5 via the IP communication network 10. The receiving device 5 is an example of an information receiving device according to the claims, and transmits its own location information to the broadcasting station management server 3 to determine whether the broadcasting station portal server 4 corresponding to the broadcasting station 2 is based on the location information. Depending on the inquiry and the inquiry result, either the broadcast station 2 or the broadcast station portal server 4 can be determined as the content acquisition destination. That is, the receiving device 5 can receive the content superimposed on the broadcast wave of the broadcast station 2, and can also transmit the content distribution request to the broadcast station portal server 4 via the IP communication network 10. The content provided by can be received.

  In the example of the information distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1, one broadcasting station 2, one broadcasting station management server 3, one broadcasting station portal server 4 corresponding to one broadcasting station 2, and two receiving devices 5 are shown. However, in addition, a plurality of broadcasting stations 2, a plurality of broadcasting station management servers 3, a plurality of broadcasting station portal servers 4, and three or more receiving devices 5, in units of prefectures or in units of municipalities. May be configured. In the example of the information distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1, one broadcasting station portal server 4 exists for one broadcasting station 2, but a plurality of broadcasting station portal servers 4 exist for one broadcasting station 2. There may be one broadcast station portal server 4 corresponding to a plurality of broadcast stations 2. A broadcasting station 2 that does not have the broadcasting station portal server 4 may be included.

  The IP communication network 10 is a communication network for performing communication between the broadcast station management server 3, the broadcast station portal server 4, 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 shown in FIG. 1 superimposes broadcast program content on a broadcast wave according to a broadcast schedule. Also, the broadcasting station 2 can superimpose and transmit contents such as data broadcast and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information on the broadcast wave. In addition, although the broadcasting station 2 shown in FIG. 1 assumes digital broadcasting, you may send out analog broadcasting.

  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 broadcast 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). The various programs are read out to the RAM via a bus (not shown) and executed in cooperation. The broadcast content DB 25, the broadcast schedule DB 26, and the data broadcast content DB 27 described above are stored in the storage unit 29. The storage unit 29 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory (not shown). Consists of storage devices.

  The content stream creation unit 21 creates broadcast content with reference to the broadcast content DB 25. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that the broadcast content is encoded and multiplexed in conformity with the MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2) standard. In the MPEG2 standard, video, audio, and the like of content to be transmitted 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. . 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. In the broadcast schedule DB 26, the broadcast schedule of the broadcast station 2 is stored, but the broadcast schedule information of other broadcast stations 2 may be stored.

  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. Information related to data broadcasting is also encoded and multiplexed in conformity with the MPEG2 standard in the same manner as the broadcast content described above. In the data broadcasting content DB 27, in addition to information related to data broadcasting such as weather forecast and information related to a program, URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information provided by a broadcast station portal server 4 described later related to the program Alternatively, search query information that can be used in a 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 broadcast 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 a data broadcast creation unit. 23 generates broadcast data D in which data broadcast program data created by referring to the data broadcast content DB 27 is multiplexed. Then, the broadcast data D is transmitted as a broadcast wave from the antenna of the broadcast station 2.

(Broadcasting station management server configuration)
The broadcasting station management server 3 shown in FIG. 1 determines the function of authenticating the receiving device 5, the function of specifying the area where the receiving device 5 is installed, and the presence or absence of the broadcasting station portal server 4 corresponding to the broadcasting station 2. It is a server that has at least a function and performs overall management of the broadcasting station portal server 4 in the information distribution system 1. Even if the broadcasting station portal server 4 corresponding to the broadcasting station 2 exists in the broadcasting station management server 3, the broadcasting station portal server 4 serves as the broadcasting station portal server 4 corresponding to the broadcasting station 2. It may have information that it is not registered or that there is no broadcasting station portal server 4 in the first place. The broadcast station management server 3 corresponds to an example of a first information distribution apparatus in the claims.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the broadcast station management server 3 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the broadcast station management server 3 includes a device authentication unit 31, a region identification processing unit 32, a frequency information providing unit 33, a portal server identification unit 34, a communication control unit 35, a location information conversion DB 36, and all broadcast stations. The information DB 37 and the tuner IC information DB 38 are the main components. Here, the information processing realized by each of the functions of the device authentication unit 31, the area identification processing unit 32, the portal server identification unit 34, and the communication control unit 35 described above is performed by the control unit 39 that controls the broadcasting station management server 3 as a whole. This is realized by executing in cooperation with hardware resources (not shown). Specifically, the control unit 39 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 via the bus and executing it in cooperation. Further, the above-described position information conversion DB 36, all broadcast station information DB 37, and tuner IC information DB 38 are stored in the storage unit 40. The storage unit 40 includes a storage device such as an HDD (not shown) or a flash memory.

  The device authentication unit 31 is configured by a dedicated program, for example, and authenticates whether 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 provided to the receiving device 5 and the device authentication unit 31, respectively. It is possible to perform device authentication of the receiving device 5 by constructing and executing the “device ID” verification between them.

  The area specifying processing unit 32 is configured by a dedicated program, for example, and specifies an area where the receiving device 5 is installed. Details of the area specifying process performed by the area specifying processor 32 will be described later. The frequency information providing unit 33 is configured by a dedicated program, for example, specifies frequency information of the broadcast station 2 that can be received in the area where the receiving device 5 is installed, and generates a frequency table (a list of frequency information). Execute the process. Details of the frequency information providing process performed by the frequency information providing unit will be described later. The portal server specifying unit 34 is configured by a dedicated program, for example, and specifies the broadcast station portal server 4 corresponding to the broadcast station 2 of the frequency from the frequency information received from the receiving device 5, and the broadcast station portal server 4. The process of transmitting the connection information and the like is executed. The communication control unit 35 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 communication control unit 35 corresponds to an example of each of the first receiving unit, the second receiving unit, and the third receiving unit.

  The position information conversion DB 36 is a database that stores at least information that can identify the installation position of the receiving device 5 from position information such as an IP address, a zip code, and an address. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the position information conversion DB 36 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the location information conversion DB 36 includes “IP address”, “prefecture code”, “prefecture name”, “city code”, “city name”, “zip code”, “town” Information such as “area name” is stored at least. The “IP address” includes a global IP address corresponding to an area specified by “prefecture code”, “prefecture name”, “city code”, and “city name”. 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 all broadcast station information DB 37 is a database in which data relating to each broadcast station 2 included in the information distribution system 1 is stored. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the all broadcast station information DB 37 shown in FIG. The upper table for managing the information of the broadcasting station 2 shown in FIG. 5 stores at least information such as “broadcasting station ID”, “broadcasting station name”, “call sign”, and “broadcasting station portal server URL”. Has been. The “broadcast station ID” includes a code that can uniquely identify the broadcast station portal server 4 from the frequency of the broadcast station 2 in the information distribution system 1. “Broadcasting station name” includes the name of the broadcasting station 2 corresponding to the broadcasting station portal server 4. The “call sign” includes an identification number issued based on the international telecommunication agreement of the broadcasting station 2 corresponding to the broadcasting station portal server 4. “Broadcasting station portal server URL” includes the URL of the homepage of the broadcasting station portal server 4. Therefore, by referring to the “broadcast station ID” in the broadcast station information DB 44, the “broadcast station name”, “call sign”, “broadcast station portal server URL” and the like associated with the broadcast station ID are uniquely determined. can do.

  The table shown in the lower section for managing the viewing area information of the broadcasting station 2 stores information such as “prefecture code”, “city code”, “postal code”, “frequency”, “broadcast station ID”, etc. Yes. The “prefecture code” includes a number that can uniquely identify a Japanese prefecture within the information distribution system 1. The “city code” includes 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” includes the zip code of the area uniquely specified by the “prefecture code” and the “city code”. The “frequency” includes 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”. The “broadcast station ID” includes a code that can uniquely identify the broadcast station portal server 4 from the frequency of the broadcast station 2 in the information distribution system 1. The table shown in the upper part of FIG. 5 and the table shown in the lower part are associated by this “broadcast station ID”.

  The tuner IC information DB 38 is a database that stores at least device information of the receiving device 5 used in the information distribution system 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the tuner IC information DB 38 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, “tuner information identification”, “receiver manufacturer code”, “receiver model number”, “tuner manufacturer name”, “tuner model number”, “tuner farm version”, “reception level calculation count” "Is stored at least. The “tuner information identification” includes identification information that can be uniquely identified by the tuner 52 of the receiving device 5 in the information distribution system 1. The “receiving device manufacturer code” includes identification information that can uniquely identify the manufacturer of the receiving device 5. The “receiving device model number” includes identification information that can uniquely identify the model number of the receiving device 5. The “tuner firmware version” includes firmware version information for the tuner 52 of the receiving device 5. The “reception level calculation count” includes a conversion count calculated in accordance with characteristics of various parameters related to the tuner 52. Therefore, if “tuner information identification” is specified, the “receiver manufacturer code”, “receiver model number”, “tuner manufacturer” associated with the “tuner information identification” are referred to the tuner IC information DB 38. The “name”, “tuner model number”, “tuner firmware version”, and “reception level calculation count” can be uniquely specified.

(Broadcasting station portal server configuration)
The broadcast station portal server 4 shown in FIG. 1 has broadcast contents of the broadcast station 2 (contents corresponding to the so-called simultaneous broadcast of the broadcast station 2) via the IP communication network 10 and related contents such as still images, sounds, and moving pictures related to the contents. In addition, the receiving device 5 receives content corresponding to the broadcast station 2 such as original content independently produced regardless of broadcast content (for example, a home page, text information, still image information, and moving image information provided by the broadcast station portal server 4). To provide. Also, the broadcast station portal server 4 receives the content distribution request from the receiving device 5 and determines whether or not reception is possible based on the reception status of the broadcast station 2 in the receiving device 5. The broadcast station portal server 4 may have content corresponding to a plurality of broadcast stations 2. The broadcast station portal server 4 corresponds to an example of a second information distribution apparatus in the claims.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the broadcast station portal server 4 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the broadcast station portal server 4 includes a distribution availability determination unit 41, a content generation unit 42, a communication control unit 43, a broadcast station information DB 44, a content DB 45, and a tuner IC information DB 46 as main components. . Here, the information processing realized by the functions of the delivery permission determination unit 41, the content generation unit 42, and the communication control unit 43 described above is performed by the control unit 47 that controls the entire broadcast station portal server 4 and hardware resources (not shown). It is realized by executing in cooperation. Specifically, the control unit 47 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 station information DB 44, the content DB 45, and the tuner IC information DB 46 described above are stored in the storage unit 48. The storage unit 48 includes a storage device such as an HDD or a flash memory (not shown).

  The distribution availability determination unit 41 is configured by, for example, a program that can execute a distribution availability determination process, and refers to the broadcast station information DB 44 and the like for the receiving device 5 that has made a content distribution request via the IP communication network 10. It is determined whether or not content distribution is permitted. The distribution availability determination unit 41 refers to the information transmitted by the receiving device 5 that has requested the content distribution, and determines that the content cannot be transmitted when it is determined that the content cannot be distributed via the IP communication network 10. When notifying to the receiving device 5 and determining that the content can be distributed, a signal for permitting the content distribution request to the receiving device 5 (permitted information of distribution availability information) is supplied to the content generation unit 42. To do. Details of the delivery permission determination process will be described later.

  When the content generation unit 42 receives a signal permitting a content distribution request from the distribution availability determination unit 41, the content generation unit 42 refers to the content DB 45 and generates content to be transmitted to the receiving device 5. Here, as the content to be transmitted to the receiving device 5, the content requested by the receiving device 5 may be generated, or content linked to the broadcast program broadcast by the broadcast station 2 may be generated. In addition, the content generation unit 42 generates the selected content when the receiving device 5 requests specific content, and automatically generates and transmits the program-linked content otherwise. Good. The communication control unit 43 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 44 is a database in which information related to the broadcast station 2 is stored. The frequency and area classification of the broadcast station 2, the reception level condition in the area classification, and the broadcast station portal server 4 are connected to the IP communication network 10. Stores position information that is a viewing area that can be provided.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data stored at least in the broadcast station information DB 44 shown in FIG. In this example, the broadcast station information DB 44 stores three tables. The upper table for managing the information of the broadcasting station 2 stores at least information such as “broadcasting station ID”, “broadcasting station name”, “call sign”, “broadcasting station portal server URL”, and the like. The “broadcast station ID” includes a code that can uniquely identify the broadcast station 2 corresponding to the broadcast station portal server 4 in the information distribution system 1. “Broadcasting station name” includes the name of the broadcasting station 2 corresponding to the broadcasting station portal server 4. The “call sign” includes an identification number issued based on the international telecommunication agreement of the broadcasting station 2 corresponding to the broadcasting station portal server 4. “Broadcasting station portal server URL” includes the URL of the homepage of the broadcasting station portal server 4. Therefore, by referring to the “broadcast station ID” in the broadcast station information DB 44, the “broadcast station name”, “call sign”, “broadcast station portal server URL” and the like associated with the broadcast station ID are uniquely determined. can do.

  The table shown in the middle row for managing the viewing area information of the broadcasting station 2 includes “prefecture code”, “city code”, “zip code”, “frequency”, “area classification”, “broadcast station ID”, etc. Information is stored. The “prefecture code” includes a number that can uniquely identify a Japanese prefecture within the information distribution system 1. The “city code” includes 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” includes the zip code of the area uniquely specified by the “prefecture code” and the “city code”. The “frequency” includes 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”. The “area classification” includes a flag (1, 0) indicating an area classification for determining the reception status of the “frequency” of the broadcasting station 2. 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). (Area other than the broadcasting license area). The “broadcast station ID” includes a code that can uniquely identify the broadcast station portal server 4 from the frequency of the broadcast station 2 in the information distribution system 1. The table shown in the upper part of FIG. 8 and the table shown in the lower part are associated by this “broadcast station ID”.

  Furthermore, information such as “area classification” and “reception level condition” is stored in the table shown in the lower part. “Area classification” is a foreign key to the table shown in the middle section described above. The “reception level condition” stores a numerical value of the reception level condition necessary for receiving from the broadcasting station 2 specified by the “area classification”. The unit of the numerical value stored in the “reception level condition” is mV / m. In addition, the table shown in the middle part of FIG. 8 and the table shown in the lower part are associated by “area classification”.

  Therefore, by referring to the broadcast station information DB 44, if “zip code” and “frequency” are specified in the table shown in the middle row, the “broadcast station ID” can be specified, and the “broadcast station ID” is set in the table shown in the upper row. "Broadcast station portal server URL" can be specified. Further, if “zip code” and “frequency” are specified in the table shown in the middle row, the “area division” of the specified broadcasting station 2 can be specified, and “reception” from the “area division” in the table shown in the lower row. Level condition "can be acquired.

  The content DB 45 is a database in which various contents are stored. The content stored in the content DB 45 includes program content broadcasted by the broadcasting station 2, content linked to the program content, content that can be connected even after the broadcast ends, content that does not have a limited receiving area, and the like. It is remembered. 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 content stream format data broadcast from the broadcasting station 2 may be stored in the content DB 45 as it is and provided to the receiving device 5.

  The tuner IC information DB 46 is a database that stores at least device information of the receiving device 5 used in the information distribution system 1. The tuner IC information DB 46 is the same as the tuner IC information DB 38 (FIG. 6) described in the broadcast station management server 3, and is not shown. However, when the broadcast station portal server 4 executes the distribution availability determination process. For this, it is preferable to use the “reception level calculation count” stored in the tuner IC information DB 46. The reason is that the receiving device 5 has different performance depending on the manufacturer of the receiving device 5 and the type of tuner IC incorporated in the receiving device 5, and the influence of noise when the tuner IC is embedded in the receiving device 5. This is because the reception sensitivity from the same broadcasting station 2 may be different for each product. Therefore, the broadcast station portal server 4 calculates the RSSI (required sensitivity) that can be compared with the reference value (threshold value) of the broadcast reception sensitivity uniformly in the reception propriety determination for each type of the receiving device 5. By using conversion counts calculated from various parameters such as Rceive Signal Strength Indication (SNR) and S / N ratio (SNR: Signal to Noise ratio), it is possible to execute an appropriate distribution availability determination process.

(Receiver configuration)
The receiving device 5 shown in FIG. 1 receives broadcast waves from the broadcast station 2 and outputs video, audio and EPG information of the received broadcast program. In addition, 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, the reception device 5 has the same content as the content transmitted by the broadcast station 2 using the broadcast wave and / or the content And other different contents can be received from the broadcast station portal server 4 via the IP communication network 10 and output. The receiving device 5 corresponds to an example of an information receiving device in the claims.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the receiving apparatus 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 3, and the broadcasting station portal server 4 to the display device 6 and the audio reproduction device 7. The receiving device 5 according to the present embodiment is a device separate from the display device 6 and the audio reproducing 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. The receiving device 5 is an example of an information receiving device in claims.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, 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 the RAM via a bus (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, Each function of the reception device 5 is realized in cooperation with each unit of the reception status detection unit 57 and 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. 9, only one tuner 52 is shown for receiving terrestrial digital television broadcasts. However, in the case of receiving terrestrial analog television broadcasts, radio broadcasts (analog, digital), and BS broadcasts (analog, digital) as well. These tuners 52 may be provided, and two or more tuners 52 may be provided.

  The DEMUX unit 53 receives a TS signal composed of TS packets from the tuner 52 (that is, broadcast data D obtained by multiplexing a plurality of streams such as video and audio in the MUX unit 24 of the broadcasting station 2 on the transmission side), video, audio, etc. Is separated into stream data and section format data such as SI / PSI. 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) and stores them. The data supplied to the storage unit by the decoding unit 54 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. Data decoded by the decoding unit 54 in response to 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 3 or the broadcast station portal server 4 via the IP communication network 10. The network connection unit 56 receives data from the broadcasting station portal server 4 or the broadcasting station management server 3 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. In addition to the RSSI circuit, the reception status detection unit 57 may acquire the radio wave intensity using an S meter (Signal Meter) or the like. The reception status detection unit 57 may be capable of detecting an S / N ratio (SNR: Signal to Noise ratio), multipath information, and the like.

  The registration information storage unit 58 stores registration information about a user who uses the information distribution system 1 using the receiving device 5, device information about the receiving device 5, position information of the receiving device 5, and broadcasting station information. Storing. The registration information about the user here refers to an IP address associated with a user who can use the information distribution system 1 and assigned to the receiving device 5, a user ID of the user, a password associated with the user ID, Some or all of the user's address, postal code, telephone number, etc. The device information about the receiving device 5 includes device ID information of the receiving device 5 (for example, a manufacturer code and a serial number for identifying the manufacturer of the receiving device 5), device type information (for example, receiving) Model number information of the device 5), information on the tuner 52 (corresponding to “tuner information identification”, “tuner model number”, “tuner farm version” stored in the tuner IC information DB 38, 46). Further, the position information of the receiving device 5 is a part of or all of the postal code, telephone number, address, and IP address assigned to the own device where the own device is installed. The broadcasting station information of the receiving device 5 includes a value detected by the reception status detection unit 57, information indicating the detection date and time, name information of the broadcasting station 2 corresponding to the detected value, Part or all of the frequency information.

  The receiving device 5 may include a descrambler unit (not shown) for releasing the scramble when the broadcast data D superimposed on the broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 2 is scrambled. . In that case, the descrambler unit superimposes the TS signal, which is superimposed on the RF signal received by the tuner 52 and subjected to the scramble process, into a normal signal according to the descrambling instruction of the control unit 59. Perform the release 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.

  The receiving device 5 may perform the following processing when data is transmitted from the broadcasting station portal server 4 in the TS packet format. That is, when the content is transmitted from the broadcasting station portal server 4 in the TS packet format, the control unit 59 supplies the TS packet data received by the network connection unit 56 to the DEMUX unit 53, and the video or video The data is separated into stream data such as audio and section format data such as SI / PSI, and the data separated by the decoding unit 54 is decoded and output to the display device 6 or the audio reproduction device 7 by the video / audio output unit 55. You may make it make it.

(Region specific processing)
Then, the area specific process performed between the broadcast station management server 3 and the receiver 5 is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the area specifying process executed between the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station management server 3 shown in FIG.

  START: For example, when a user inputs an operation input instruction by operating the operation input unit 51, the control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 starts the following process. In addition to the user operating the operation input unit 51, the area specifying process is automatically started when the communication between the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station management server 3 is established. May be.

  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 3. Specifically, the control unit 59 transmits the device 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 3.

  Step S2: When the control unit 39 of the broadcast station management server 3 receives the information of step S1 from the receiving device 5 via the communication control unit 35, the control unit 39 determines what device the receiving device 5 is. Specifically, the control unit 39 refers to the tuner IC information DB 38 (FIG. 6), and identifies what kind of receiving device 5 is the receiving device 5 from the transmitted device information. For example, when the device type can be identified from the device information of the receiving device 5 in the example of FIG. 6, the control unit 39 proceeds to the process of step S <b> 3. In addition to the above-described specifying method, the control unit 39 specifies what kind of receiving device 5 is the model type information (for example, model number information of the receiving device 5) sent from the receiving device 5. You may do it.

  Step S3: The control unit 39 performs a process of confirming the validity of the position information transmitted from the receiving device 5. Specifically, the control unit 39 refers to the position information conversion DB 35 (FIG. 4), and from the position information specified from the transmitted “IP address” information and the “postal code” information also transmitted. Compare with the specified location information and confirm the validity of the location information transmitted from the receiving device 5 by checking whether the “prefecture name”, “city name”, “town name” match. To do. 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 Can be determined by considering the accuracy of the area specified from the “IP address” information and the accuracy of the area specified from the “zip code” information. preferable.

  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 39 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 confirmation result of the validity received from the broadcast station management server 3 via the IP communication network 10, displays a screen indicating the confirmation result on the display device 6, and performs processing. End (END).

  As described above, the broadcast station management server 3 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 regional information that the receiving device is installed.

  Next, frequency table creation processing executed between the broadcast station management server 3 and the receiving device 5 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a frequency table creation process executed between the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station management server 3 shown in FIG.

  START: The control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 starts the following process after the area specifying process shown in FIG. 10 is completed. Note that the process described below may be executed together with the process of step S4 in the area specifying process shown in FIG.

  Step S6: 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 3. 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 3.

  Step S7: When the control unit 39 of the broadcast station management server 3 receives the information of step S6 from the receiving device 5 via the communication control unit 35, the control unit 39 refers to the position information conversion DB 36 and has been transmitted from the receiving device 5. “Frequency” information that matches the “zip code” information is extracted, the presence or absence of “broadcast station ID” associated with the extracted “frequency” is confirmed, and only “frequency” having “broadcast station ID” is found. Extract further. By this extraction process, the frequency information of the broadcasting station in which the broadcasting station portal server 4 exists among the broadcasting stations 2 set to be receivable in the area where the receiving device 5 is installed is extracted. Further, the control unit 39 transmits the extracted “frequency” to the receiving device 5 as a frequency table. Here, when the same “frequency” information is extracted by different broadcasting stations 2, any one “frequency” information may be included in the frequency table. As a method for determining any one of the “frequency” information in this case, refer to the “area division” of each of the overlapping “frequency” information, and select the one set in the receivable area (0). Alternatively, a number with a young (small) broadcast station ID may be selected.

  Step S8: Upon receiving the frequency table transmitted from the broadcast station management server 3 in Step 7, the control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 stores the frequency table in a storage unit (not shown) and ends the process (END). ). Note that the frequency table may be stored in the registration information storage unit 58.

(Broadcasting station portal server presence / absence judgment processing)
Next, the presence / absence determination process of the broadcast station portal server 4 corresponding to the broadcast station 2 executed between the broadcast station management server 3 and the receiving device 5 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the presence / absence determination process of the broadcast station portal server 4 corresponding to the broadcast station 2 executed between the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station management server 3 shown in FIG.

  START: When the user performs a predetermined operation (in the following case, a channel selection instruction operation for changing a broadcast program being viewed) by the operation input unit 51, the receiving device 5 starts the following processing.

  Step S11: The control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 confirms the presence / absence of the broadcast station portal server 4 corresponding to the selected broadcast station 2, and the “frequency” corresponding to the selected broadcast station 2 is In FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not it exists in the list of frequency tables received and stored from the broadcast station management server 3. If it exists in the list of the frequency table (YES in step 11), the control unit 59 proceeds to the process of step S12. If not (NO in step S11), the control unit 59 proceeds to the process of step S20.

  Step S12: The information and the zip code information set in the own apparatus are transmitted to the broadcast station management server 3. For example, in the case of radio broadcasting, the information transmitted in step S12 may be transmitted simultaneously with the band type such as AM or FM.

  Step S13: When receiving the frequency information and the zip code information from the receiving device 5, the control unit 39 of the broadcast station management server 3 refers to the information stored in the all broadcast station information DB 37 (FIG. 5) and receives it. The “broadcast station ID” specified from the “frequency” information and the “zip code” information is searched. When the “broadcast station ID” is searched with reference to the all broadcast station information DB 37 (FIG. 5) (YES in step S13), the control unit 39 proceeds to the process of step S14, and all broadcast stations If there is no “broadcast station ID” with reference to the information DB 37 (FIG. 5) (NO in step S13), the process proceeds to step S16.

  Step S14: The control unit 39 acquires the “broadcast station ID” information searched in step S13. Thereafter, when the process of step S14 is completed, the control unit 39 proceeds to the process of step S15.

  Step S15: The control unit 39 searches and acquires the “broadcast station portal server URL” information associated with the “broadcast station ID” acquired in step S14 with reference to the all broadcast station information DB 37 (FIG. 5). At the same time, the presence / absence determination result to be transmitted to the receiving device 5 is set to indicate that there is a broadcasting station portal server 4 corresponding to the selected broadcasting station 2 and the URL information. Thereafter, when the process of step S15 is completed, the control unit 39 proceeds to the process of step S17.

  Step S16: The control unit 39 sets the fact that there is no broadcast station portal server 4 corresponding to the selected broadcast station 2 as a result of presence / absence determination to be transmitted to the receiving device 5. Thereafter, when the process of step S16 is completed, the control unit 39 proceeds to the process of step S17.

  Step S17: The control unit 39 determines the determination result information set in Step S15 (URL information for providing the broadcasting station portal server 4 corresponding to the selected broadcasting station 2 and connecting to the broadcasting station portal server 4). ) Or the determination result information set in step S16 (that there is no broadcast station portal server 4 corresponding to the selected broadcast station 2) is transmitted to the receiving device 5.

  Step S18: The control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 receives the determination result information transmitted from the broadcast station management server 3 in step S17, and the broadcast station portal corresponding to the selected broadcast station 2 is used as the determination result information. If the server 4 is present and URL information for connecting to the broadcast station portal server 4 is received (YES in step S18), the process proceeds to step S19, and the selected broadcast station 2 is supported. If it is received that there is no broadcast station portal server 4, the process proceeds to step S20.

  Step S19: The control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 connects to the broadcast station portal server 4 based on the URL information included in the determination result information received in Step S18 (END).

  Step S20: When the “frequency” corresponding to the selected broadcast station 2 does not exist in the list of the frequency table (NO in step S11), the control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 receives the determination result information received in step S18. When the broadcast station portal server 4 does not exist, the content cannot be acquired from the broadcast station portal server 4, so the content is received from the broadcast station 2 and output (END).

  In addition, as the predetermined operation for starting the presence / absence determination process, for example, when the user performs an operation of switching the reception method of the broadcast content currently being viewed by the user via the IP communication network 10, the user receives the receiving device 5. It is also possible to turn on the power of the device and perform an operation for changing from a state where communication between the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station management server 3 is not established to an established state.

  In addition, the presence / absence determination process of the broadcast station portal server 4 has been described as a process that is executed whenever the channel selection of the program being viewed is changed. 2, based on the determination result transmitted from the broadcast station management server 3 until the receiving device 5 is turned off (or within a predetermined time after the presence determination process is executed) or Any of the broadcast stations 2 may be determined as a content acquisition destination.

  Further, the creation date / time information of the frequency table created in FIG. 11 is stored in advance, and if a predetermined time has elapsed from the creation date / time of the frequency table in step S11, the creation of the frequency table shown in FIG. After executing the process again, it may be determined whether or not the “frequency” corresponding to the selected broadcast station 2 exists in the list of the frequency table.

  Next, a content distribution process executed between the receiving device 5 and the broadcast station portal server 4 after the process of step S18 in FIG. 12 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a content distribution process executed between the receiving device 5 and the broadcasting station portal server 4 shown in FIG.

  START: The control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 starts the following process when the process of step S18 shown in FIG. 12 is completed.

  Step S21: The control unit 59 transmits the zip code information, device information, and tuner information set in the own device to the broadcast station portal server 4. The tuner information included in the information transmitted in step S21 indicates information related to the tuner 52 and broadcast station information included in the device information stored in the registration information storage unit 58.

  Step S22: When the control unit 47 of the broadcast station portal server 4 receives the zip code information, device information, and tuner information transmitted from the receiving device 5 in step S21, the control unit 47 refers to the broadcast station information DB 44 (FIG. 8), The “reception level condition” of the broadcasting station 2 is acquired. Specifically, the control unit 47 specifies “area classification” from the zip code information. For example, when the “area classification” in the broadcast station information DB 44 (FIG. 8) is 0 (receivable area), The “reception level condition” when the “area classification” is 0 is acquired. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the “reception level condition” in which “area classification” is 0 is stored as the electric field strength of 0.25 mV / m, and thus this numerical value is acquired. Thereafter, when the process of step S22 is completed, the control unit 47 proceeds to the process of step S23.

  Step S23: The control unit 47 refers to the tuner IC information DB 46 (corresponding to FIG. 6), and acquires tuner information associated with the device information received in step S22. Specifically, the control unit 47 extracts the “receiving device manufacturer code” and the “receiving device model number” of the receiving device 5 from the device information transmitted from the receiving device 5, and refers to the tuner IC information DB 46. The tuner information that matches the extracted information is acquired. Thereafter, when the process of step S23 is completed, the control unit 47 proceeds to the process of step S24.

  Step S24: The control unit 47 performs a reception availability determination process based on the “reception level condition” obtained in step S22 and the tuner information obtained in step S23. In this reception availability determination process, it is determined whether or not the reception device 5 can actually receive the broadcast. For example, after the receiving device 5 is connected to the broadcast station portal server 4, the tuner information included in the receiving device 5 can be determined from the device information. Then, the RSSI and S / N ratio included in the tuner information are compared with the reception level condition in the area where the receiving device 5 is installed. For example, when the “area classification” of the area where the receiving device 5 is installed is 0 (receivable area), it is understood that the “reception level condition” is 0.25 mV / m. If the RSSI and S / N ratio values in the above satisfy certain threshold conditions, it is determined that the broadcast wave of the broadcast station 2 has been received. The threshold values of RSSI and S / N ratio may be determined by fixed values in a program provided in the broadcast station portal server 4 (not shown), or the threshold values are stored in the tuner IC information DB 46 in advance. And may be acquired.

  Step S25: When the control unit 47 determines that reception is possible in the reception availability determination process of step S24 (YES in step S25), the control unit 47 proceeds to the process of step S34 and determines that reception is not possible (step S25). (NO in S25), the process proceeds to step S26.

  Step S26: The control unit 47 refers to the broadcast station information DB 44 (FIG. 8), and acquires an area classification that matches the postal code information transmitted from the receiving device 5. When the process of step S26 is completed, the control unit 47 proceeds to the process of step S27.

  Step S27: The controller 47 determines whether or not the area classification acquired in step S26 is a fringe area. When the area classification acquired in step S26 is a fringe area (YES in step S27), the control unit 47 proceeds to the process of step S28, and when it is not a fringe area (NO in step S27), the receiving device The position 5 is determined to be a difficult viewing area although it is a receivable area, and the process proceeds to step S30. If the area classification acquired in step S26 is a fringe area (YES in step S27), the control unit 47 shifts to the process in step S30 without executing the processes in steps S28 and S29. May be. That is, the control unit 47 may perform processing for unconditionally disabling content distribution when it is determined that the place where the receiving device 5 is installed is a fringe area.

  Step S28: The control unit 47 refers to the broadcast station information DB 44 (FIG. 8), acquires the value of the reception level condition of the fringe area (area division is 1), and receives the same reception as the processing of step S24 described above. Executability determination processing is executed.

  Step S29: When the control unit 47 determines that reception is possible in the reception availability determination process of step S28 (YES in step S29), the control unit 47 proceeds to the process of step S31 and determines that reception is impossible (step S29). (NO in S29), the process proceeds to step S30.

  Step S30: The control unit 47 sets that the content provided by the broadcast station portal server 4 cannot be distributed to the receiving device 5. Thereafter, when the process of step S30 is completed, the control unit 47 proceeds to the process of step S32.

  Step S31: If the control unit 47 determines that reception is possible in step S25, if it is determined in step S27 that the position of the receiving device 5 is a receivable area but a difficult viewing area, and that reception is possible in step S29. When the determination is made, the receiver 5 is set so that the content provided by the broadcasting station portal server 4 can be distributed. Thereafter, when the process of step S31 is completed, the control unit 47 proceeds to the process of step S32.

  Step S32: When the process of step S30 or step S31 is completed, the control unit 47 transmits the determination result to the receiving device 5.

  Step S33: Upon receiving the determination result transmitted from the broadcasting station portal server 4 in step S32, the control unit 59 of the receiving device 5 determines whether or not the determination result can distribute the content. When the content distribution is possible from the received determination result (YES in step S33), the control unit 59 proceeds to the process of step S34, and when the content distribution is impossible (NO in step S33), The process proceeds to step S36.

  Step S34: The control unit 59 makes a content distribution request to the broadcast station portal server 4 and acquires the content. Thereafter, when the process of step S34 is completed, the control unit 59 proceeds to the process of step S35.

  Step S35: The control unit 59 outputs the content acquired in step S34 and ends the process (END).

  Step S36: Since it is determined in step S33 that the content distribution from the broadcast station portal server 4 is not possible, the control unit 59 receives and outputs the content from the broadcast station 2, and ends the processing (END).

  Such a receiving device 5 and an information receiving method executed by the receiving device 5 specify the area where the receiving apparatus 5 is installed by the area specifying process shown in FIG. When the frequency table of the broadcasting station 2 having the broadcasting station portal server 4 is held in advance on the receiving device 5 side and the frequency existing in the frequency table is selected by the frequency table creation processing shown in FIG. Only, the presence / absence determination process of the broadcast station portal server 4 corresponding to the broadcast station 2 shown in FIG. 12 provides the presence / absence of the broadcast station portal server 4 and the connection destination information to the server. With the content distribution process shown in FIG. 13 with the portal server 4, content distribution is performed in consideration of the actual reception status of broadcast waves from the broadcast station 2. By such a method, the receiving device 5 makes an inquiry to the broadcasting station management server 4 only when the broadcasting station portal server 4 corresponding to the selected broadcasting station 2 exists, and therefore the number of receiving devices 5 is large. Even if the user who uses the receiving device 5 frequently selects a channel, etc., if there is no frequency in the frequency table, the broadcast station management server 4 is not inquired, and the broadcast station management server 4 is not inquired. The load of is reduced.

  A method of determining the content acquisition source by inquiring to the broadcast station management server 4 without holding the frequency table on the receiving device 5 side is also conceivable. However, in this method, it is immediately performed for the following reason. It is difficult to determine whether the content can be received from the broadcast station 2 and output. The reason for this is that if the content received by the tuner 52 is output before connecting to the broadcast station management server 4 or the broadcast station portal server 3 and acquiring the content via the IP communication network 10, If the interval until the content acquired via the IP communication network 10 can be output is not so long, the content received by the tuner 52 is output for a moment, and then immediately after the content acquired via the IP communication network 10 is output. There is a concern that the content received by the tuner 52 that is output only for a moment may sound like noise. In order to eliminate this concern, it is possible to prevent the content received by the tuner 52 from being output until it is determined whether or not the content acquired via the IP communication network 10 can be viewed when the frequency is changed. If the broadcast station 2 does not provide content via the IP communication network 10, the output of the content received by the tuner 52 will be delayed. In this regard, in the present invention, only when the frequency described in the frequency table is selected, it is received by the tuner 52 until it is determined whether or not the content provided via the IP communication network 10 can be viewed. When content output is suppressed and a frequency not listed in the frequency table is selected, the content received by the tuner 52 can be output immediately, so that the above-mentioned concerns can be solved. Further, when the broadcast station management server 4 creates the frequency table, even if the same frequency is extracted from different broadcast stations, the area division is determined and the frequency of any broadcast station 2 is set to the frequency table. Can be included.

  Therefore, the receiving device 5 and the information receiving method executed by the receiving device 5 can appropriately receive even content distributed in a limited area. In addition, the broadcast station management server 3 included in the information distribution system 1 described above, the information distribution method executed by the broadcast station management server 3, the broadcast station portal server 4, and the information distribution method executed by the broadcast station portal server 4 include regions. The content distributed in a limited manner can be appropriately received by the receiving device 5.

  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 above-described embodiment and modification, the receiving device 5 executes the area specifying process with the broadcast station management server 3 and the content distribution process with the broadcast station portal server 4. However, a part or all of the processing executed by the broadcast station management server 3 may be configured to be executed by the broadcast station portal server 4, or part of the processing executed by the broadcast station portal server 4. Or you may comprise so that the broadcast station management server 3 can perform all. For example, the area specifying process may be executed in the broadcast station portal server 4, or the broadcast station management server 3 may determine whether or not to receive the broadcast station 2 that is a part of the content distribution process (steps S 22 to S in FIG. 13). S32) may be executed.

  Further, the above-described content distribution process (FIG. 13) may be the content distribution process shown in FIG. That is, the broadcast station portal server 4 transmits the information received from the receiving device 5 to the broadcast station management server 3 (step S62). Then, the broadcast station management server 3 executes a part of the reception availability determination process (corresponding to steps S22 to S24 in FIG. 13 and steps S63 to S65 in FIG. 14), and the execution result is received from the broadcast station management server 3. Is transmitted to the broadcasting station portal server 4 (step S66). When the broadcast station portal server 4 determines that reception is possible from the execution result, the broadcast station portal server 4 executes the remaining reception availability determination processing (corresponding to steps S25 to S32 in FIG. 13 and steps S67 to S74 in FIG. 14). You may make it do. The processing on the receiving device 5 side (step S61, step S75 to step S78) in the content distribution processing shown in FIG. 14 is not described in detail, but the content distribution processing described above (step S21, step S33 to step S36 in FIG. 13). ). In the case of the content distribution process shown in FIG. 14, the processes in steps S70 and S71 may not be executed. That is, when it is determined from the broadcast station management server 3 that reception is not possible, if it is determined that the location where the receiving device 5 is located is a fringe area, content distribution may be unconditionally disabled.

  Further, although the broadcast station portal server 4 in the above-described embodiment and modification has been described as an apparatus having content provided by the broadcast station 2, the broadcast station portal server 4 is not necessarily an apparatus having content provided by the broadcast station 2. May be. For example, the broadcast station portal server 4 does not have any content provided by the broadcast station 2, and a content distribution server that distributes the content provided by the broadcast station 2 is configured independently of the broadcast station portal server 4, The receiving device 5 executes only the content distribution availability determination provided via the IP communication network 10 with the broadcast station portal server 4, and when the distribution result is permitted, the broadcast station portal server 4 It is also possible to acquire connection destination information of the content distribution server, connect to the content distribution server based on the connection destination information, and make a content distribution request.

  Further, in the frequency table creation process described with reference to FIG. 11 described above, when transmitting the frequency table to the receiving device 5, the “broadcast station ID” corresponding to the “frequency” from the table of all broadcast stations DB 37 is changed to “broadcast station portal”. The “server URL” may be specified, the “broadcasting station portal server URL” and “frequency” may be associated with each other and transmitted to the receiving device 5 and held on the receiving device 5 side. Thereby, in step S11 of FIG. 12, when the frequency of the selected broadcasting station 2 exists in the frequency table, it is possible to directly connect to the broadcasting station portal server 4 without making an inquiry to the broadcasting station management server 3. It becomes.

  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 3 adds to the position information conversion DB 36 a latitude / longitude conversion table capable of specifying the position 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 3 together with the IP address information of the receiver 5. On the broadcast station management server 3 side, the location information conversion DB 36 to which the latitude / longitude conversion table has been 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 (content distribution processing) other than the region specifying processing in the mobile receiver 5 is the same as that in the above-described embodiment and modification, and thus the description thereof is 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 portal 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 37 of the broadcast station management server 3. Is stored in advance, and in the tuner IC information DB 38, a reception error rate multiplication coefficient for each receiving device 5 is stored in advance, and reception determination processing is preferably performed based on these information.

  Further, in the transmission process of step S21, different information may be transmitted for each model of the receiving device 5. For example, the receiving device 5A transmits RSSI and S / N ratio as tuner information, while the receiving device 5B transmits S meter (Signal Meter) and multipath information (Multipath Information). Different information may be transmitted for each model of the receiving device 5.

  In the embodiment and the modification described above, the receiving device 5 executes the area specifying process with the broadcast station management server 3 and the content distribution process with the broadcast station portal server 4. However, a part or all of the processing executed by the broadcast station management server 3 may be configured to be executed by the broadcast station portal server 4, or one of the processing executed by the broadcast station portal server 4. You may comprise so that the broadcast station management server 3 can perform a part or all. For example, the area specifying process may be executed in the broadcast station portal server 4, or the broadcast station management server 3 may determine whether or not to receive the broadcast station 2 that is a part of the content distribution process (steps S 22 to S in FIG. 13). S32) may be executed.

  In the above-described embodiments and modifications, a client server type network system for downloading content from the broadcast station portal server 4 is employed. However, a P2P (Peer To Peer) type network system may be employed. . In this case, the content request to the broadcast station portal server 4 is broadcasted to the broadcast station portal server 4 or the broadcast station management server 3 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 is good also as a means to implement | achieve. In particular, all or some of the functions of the broadcast station management server 3, the broadcast station portal server 4, and the receiving device 5 described in the above-described embodiments and modifications are configured by a program, and this program is an information processing apparatus (computer). It is good also as a means to implement | achieve the function with which the broadcasting station management server 3, the broadcasting station portal server 4, and the receiving device 5 which were mentioned above are provided by installing in. The program can be directly installed on a computer from an information recording medium recorded in an executable state, but may be installed on a remote computer via a network. Such a program can be appropriately received even for content distributed in a limited area.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information delivery system, 2 ... Broadcast station, 3 ... Broadcast station management server (an example of 1st information delivery apparatus), 4 ... Broadcast station portal server (2nd information delivery apparatus of 2nd information delivery apparatus) Example) 5, 5A, 5B ... receiving device (an example of information receiving device), 6 ... display device, 7 ... audio playback device, 10 ... IP communication network (with broadcast waves of broadcast stations) Is an example of other communication media different from each other), 21 ... content stream creation unit, 22 ... information creation unit, 23 ... data broadcast creation unit, 24 ... MUX unit, 25 ... broadcast content DB, 26 ... broadcast schedule DB, 27 ... data broadcast content DB, 28 ... control unit, 29 ... storage unit, 31 ... device authentication unit, 32 ... area specifying process Section 33 frequency information providing section 34 portal server specifying section An example of a part of the information distribution device specifying unit, an example of a part of the connection information transmitting unit), 35... Communication control unit (receiving unit, first receiving unit, second receiving unit, third receiving unit) An example, an example of a reception availability determination result transmission unit), 36 ... position information conversion DB, 37 ... all broadcast station information DB, 38 ... tuner IC information DB, 39 ... control unit (information distribution device) An example of a specifying unit, an example of a connection information transmission unit, an example of a reception availability determination unit), 40... Storage unit, 41... A distribution availability determination unit (an example of a part of the distribution availability determination unit), 42. · Content generation unit 43 ··· Communication control unit (an example of an information distribution request reception unit, an example of a first transmission unit, an example of a second transmission unit), 44 ··· broadcast station information DB, 45 ··· -Content DB, 46 ... tuner IC information DB, 47 ... control unit (an example of distribution availability determination unit, information An example of an information providing unit, an example of an area determination unit, an example of a reception status request unit), 48... Storage unit (an example of information storage unit), 51. ... Tuner (an example of a broadcast wave receiving unit), 53 ... a DEMUX unit, 54 ... a decoding unit, 55 ... a video / audio output unit, 56 ... a network connection unit (an example of a communication unit) , 57... Reception status detection unit, 58... Registration information storage unit, 59... Control unit (an example of frequency information acquisition unit, an example of frequency presence determination unit, an example of information acquisition destination determination unit, information acquisition An example of the part)

Claims (11)

In an information distribution system comprising an information receiving device, a first information distribution device, and a second information distribution device,
The information receiving apparatus is
A broadcast wave receiver for receiving broadcast waves from a broadcast station;
A communication unit that communicates with the first information distribution device and the second information distribution device that distributes information provided by the broadcast station via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station;
A registered information storage unit for storing the position information of the user;
The position information stored in the registration information storage unit is transmitted to the first information distribution apparatus via the communication unit, and is transmitted from the first information distribution apparatus according to the transmitted position information. A frequency information acquisition unit that stores information including the frequency information of the broadcast station in the registration information storage unit;
A frequency designating unit for designating a frequency received by the broadcast wave receiving unit;
A frequency presence / absence determining unit that determines whether or not the frequency specified by the frequency specifying unit is included in the frequency information stored in the registration information storage unit;
An information acquisition destination determination unit that determines either the broadcast station or the second information distribution device as an acquisition destination of the information based on a determination result of the frequency presence determination unit;
Based on the acquisition destination determined by the information acquisition destination determination unit, information is acquired from the broadcast station via the broadcast wave reception unit, or information is acquired from the second information distribution device via the communication unit. An information acquisition unit to
With
The first information distribution apparatus includes:
A receiving unit for receiving position information of the information receiving device;
A frequency information transmitting unit that transmits information including the frequency information of the broadcasting station to the information receiving device based on the position information of the information receiving device received by the receiving unit;
With
The second information distribution apparatus is
An information storage unit for storing the information provided by the broadcasting station;
A distribution availability determination unit that determines whether or not the information can be distributed based on a reception status of the broadcasting station when receiving the information acquisition request from the information acquisition unit of the information reception device;
An information providing unit that provides information stored in the information storage unit to the information receiving device based on the determination of the delivery permission determination unit;
An information distribution system comprising: A broadcast wave receiver for receiving broadcast waves from a broadcast station;
A communication unit that communicates with a first information distribution device and a second information distribution device that distributes information provided by the broadcast station via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station;
A registered information storage unit for storing the position information of the user;
The position information stored in the registration information storage unit is transmitted to the first information distribution apparatus via the communication unit, and is transmitted from the first information distribution apparatus according to the transmitted position information. A frequency information acquisition unit that stores information including the frequency information of the broadcast station in the registration information storage unit;
A frequency designating unit for designating a frequency received by the broadcast wave receiving unit;
A frequency presence / absence determining unit that determines whether or not the frequency specified by the frequency specifying unit is included in the frequency information stored in the registration information storage unit;
An information acquisition destination determination unit that determines either the broadcast station or the second information distribution device as an acquisition destination of the information based on a determination result of the frequency presence determination unit;
Based on the acquisition destination determined by the information acquisition destination determination unit, information is acquired from the broadcast station via the broadcast wave reception unit, or information is acquired from the second information distribution device via the communication unit. An information acquisition unit to
An information receiving apparatus comprising: The information receiving device according to claim 2,
The information acquisition destination determination unit
When the frequency specified by the frequency specifying unit is included in the frequency information stored in the registration information storage unit as a result of the determination by the frequency presence / absence determining unit, the frequency information and the self location information are Transmitting to the first information distribution apparatus, and determining either the broadcast station or the second information distribution apparatus as an acquisition source of the information based on response information from the first information distribution apparatus. A characteristic information receiving apparatus. In an information receiving method executed by an information receiving apparatus including a broadcast wave receiving unit, a communication unit, a registration information storage unit, a frequency information acquisition unit, a frequency designation unit, a frequency presence / absence determination unit, an information acquisition destination determination unit, and an information acquisition unit,
A registration information storage step in which the registration information storage unit stores its own location information, frequency information of broadcast waves of the broadcast station, and information indicating a reception status of the broadcast waves of the broadcast station in its own device;
The frequency information acquisition unit transmits its own location information stored in the registration information storage unit to the first information distribution device via the communication unit, and the first information distribution device receives the first information according to the transmitted location information. A frequency information acquisition step of storing information including frequency information of the broadcast station transmitted from the information distribution device in the registration information;
The frequency specifying unit changes the frequency received by the broadcast wave receiving unit, a frequency changing step,
When the frequency received by the frequency specifying unit is changed, the frequency presence / absence determining unit determines whether the changed frequency is included in the frequency information stored in the registered information storage unit. A frequency presence determination step;
The information acquisition destination determination unit distributes information provided by the broadcast station via the broadcast station or another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station based on the determination result of the frequency presence determination step. An information acquisition destination determination step for determining one of the two information distribution apparatuses as an acquisition destination of the information;
The information acquisition unit acquires information from the broadcast station via the broadcast wave reception unit based on the acquisition source determined in the information acquisition destination determination step, or the communication from the second information distribution device. An acquisition step of acquiring information via a section;
An information receiving method comprising: Computer
Broadcast wave receiving means for receiving broadcast waves of a broadcasting station;
A communication means for communicating with a first information distribution device and a second information distribution device for distributing information provided by the broadcast station via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station;
Registered information storage means for storing own position information;
The position information stored in the registration information storage unit is transmitted to the first information distribution apparatus via the communication unit, and is transmitted from the first information distribution apparatus according to the transmitted position information. Frequency information acquisition means for storing information including frequency information of the broadcasting station in the registration information;
Frequency changing means for changing the frequency received by the broadcast wave receiving unit;
A frequency presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the frequency after the change is included in the frequency information stored in the registration information storage unit when the frequency received by the frequency specifying unit is changed;
Information acquisition destination determination means for determining either the broadcast station or the second information distribution device as an acquisition destination of the information based on a determination result of the frequency presence determination unit;
Based on the acquisition destination determined by the information acquisition destination determination unit, information is acquired from the broadcast station via the broadcast wave reception unit, or information is acquired from the second information distribution device via the communication unit. Information acquisition means,
Program to function as. A receiving unit for receiving position information of the information receiving device according to claim 2;
A frequency information transmitting unit that transmits information including frequency information of a broadcasting station to the information receiving device based on the position information of the information receiving device received by the receiving unit;
An information distribution apparatus comprising: The information distribution device according to claim 6,
An information distribution device specifying unit for specifying a second information distribution device corresponding to the broadcast station based on the position information and the frequency information transmitted from the information reception device;
A connection information transmitting unit for transmitting connection information of the second information distribution device specified by the information distribution specifying unit to the information receiving device;
An information distribution apparatus comprising: An information distribution device for distributing information provided by the broadcast station to the information reception device according to claim 2 or 3 via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station,
An information storage unit for storing the information provided by the broadcasting station;
A distribution availability determination unit that determines whether or not the information can be distributed based on a reception status of the broadcast station of the information reception device when the information acquisition request is received from the information reception device;
An information providing unit that provides information stored in the information storage unit to the information receiving device based on the determination of the delivery permission determination unit;
An information distribution apparatus comprising: In an information distribution system comprising an information receiving device, a first information distribution device, and a second information distribution device,
The information receiving apparatus is
A broadcast wave receiver for receiving broadcast waves from a broadcast station;
A communication unit that communicates with the first information distribution device and the second information distribution device that distributes information provided by the broadcast station via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station;
A registered information storage unit for storing the position information of the user;
The position information stored in the registration information storage unit is transmitted to the first information distribution apparatus via the communication unit, and is transmitted from the first information distribution apparatus according to the transmitted position information. A frequency information acquisition unit that stores information including the frequency information of the broadcast station in the registration information storage unit;
A frequency designating unit for designating a frequency received by the broadcast wave receiving unit;
A frequency presence / absence determining unit that determines whether or not the frequency specified by the frequency specifying unit is included in the frequency information stored in the registration information storage unit;
An information acquisition destination determination unit that determines either the broadcast station or the second information distribution device as an acquisition destination of the information based on a determination result of the frequency presence determination unit;
Based on the acquisition destination determined by the information acquisition destination determination unit, information is acquired from the broadcast station via the broadcast wave reception unit, or information is acquired from the second information distribution device via the communication unit. An information acquisition unit to
With
The first information distribution apparatus includes:
A first receiving unit for receiving position information of the information receiving device;
A frequency information transmitting unit that transmits information including the frequency information of the broadcasting station to the information receiving device based on the position information of the information receiving device received by the first receiving unit;
A second receiving unit for receiving position information of the information receiving device transmitted from the information receiving device and frequency information of broadcast waves of the broadcasting station in the information receiving device;
An information distribution device specifying unit for specifying the second information distribution device corresponding to the broadcast station based on the position information and frequency information received by the second reception unit;
A connection information transmission unit that transmits connection information of the second information distribution device identified by the information distribution identification unit to the information reception device;
The position information of the information receiving device transmitted from the second information distribution device, the frequency information of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving device, and the reception status of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving device. A third receiving unit for receiving information indicating;
A reception availability determination unit that determines whether or not to receive a broadcast wave from the broadcast station in the information reception device based on the information received by the third reception unit;
A reception availability determination result transmission unit that transmits the determination result of the reception availability determination unit to the second information distribution device;
With
The second information distribution apparatus is
The frequency information of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving device and the information indicating the reception status of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving device transmitted from the information receiving device to the first information distribution device. A first transmitter for transmitting;
A distribution availability determination unit that determines whether information provided by the second information distribution device is distributed based on a response from the first information distribution device to the information transmitted by the first transmission unit;
A second transmission unit that transmits the determination result of the distribution availability determination unit to the information reception device;
An information storage unit for storing the information provided by the broadcasting station;
An information providing unit that provides information stored in the information storage unit via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in response to a request from the information receiving device;
An information distribution system comprising: A first receiving unit that receives position information of the information receiving device according to claim 2;
A frequency information transmitting unit that transmits information including the frequency information of the broadcasting station to the information receiving device based on the position information of the information receiving device received by the first receiving unit;
A second receiving unit that receives position information of the information receiving device transmitted from the information receiving device and frequency information of a broadcast wave of a broadcasting station in the information receiving device;
An information distribution device specifying unit for specifying a second information distribution device corresponding to the broadcast station based on the position information and frequency information received by the second reception unit;
A connection information transmission unit that transmits connection information of the second information distribution device identified by the information distribution identification unit to the information reception device;
The position information of the information receiving device transmitted from the second information distribution device, the frequency information of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving device, and the reception status of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station in the information receiving device. A third receiving unit for receiving information indicating;
A reception availability determination unit that determines whether or not to receive a broadcast wave from the broadcast station in the information reception device based on the information received by the third reception unit;
A reception availability determination result transmission unit that transmits the determination result of the reception availability determination unit to the second information distribution device;
An information distribution apparatus comprising: The frequency information of the broadcast wave of the broadcasting station in the information receiving device and the information indicating the reception status of the broadcast wave of the broadcasting station in the information receiving device transmitted from the information receiving device according to claim 2 or 1 A first transmission unit for transmitting to the information distribution apparatus;
The information provided by the broadcast station is distributed via another communication medium different from the broadcast wave of the broadcast station based on a response from the first information distribution apparatus to the information transmitted by the first transmission unit. A distribution availability determination unit that determines whether information provided by the second information distribution apparatus can be distributed;
A second transmission unit that transmits the determination result of the distribution availability determination unit to the information reception device;
An information distribution apparatus comprising:

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