JP2017022562A - Content distribution device and content reproduction device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content distribution device etc., capable of preventing beforehand the occurrence of incapable content distribution through a network because of the expiration of a predetermined pairing period, using a method convenient for a user.SOLUTION: The content distribution device includes: a communication unit which distributes a content to a content reproduction device through a network; and a control unit which, after pairing processing to associate mutual identification information with the content reproduction device is performed and pairing is established and before the lapse of a predetermined pairing period, performs the pairing processing again with the content reproduction device under a predetermined condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution device and a content reproduction device.

  Recently, “DTCP +”, a new version of the digital content copyright protection method “DTCP-IP” established by “DTLA” (Digital Transmission Licensing Administrator), an organization that formulates and licenses copyright protection standards, and next-generation broadcasting Promotion Forums Next-generation smart TV related committees formulated standards such as “Remote Viewing Requirements for Digital Broadcasting Receivers (NEXTVF TR-0001)”, so that programs currently being broadcast and recorded programs can be viewed outside the home. So-called remote viewing that allows viewing via the Internet is being realized.

  Currently being broadcast via the Internet from, for example, a recording device, a television receiver, or NAS (network storage) that is a master device that supports these standards, to a mobile device (such as a smartphone) that is a slave device that supports the above standards. By distributing content that is a broadcast program or a recorded program outside the home, the user can view the content on the go with the child device.

JP 2013-62786 A

  In order to perform remote viewing by the above-mentioned delivery outside the house, it is necessary to perform a pairing process (a process for associating each other's identification information) between the master unit and the slave unit connected to the home LAN (local area network) in advance. There is. The pairing process is performed through operation of the device by the user. Here, the pairing established by the pairing process has an expiration date, and the expiration date is defined as 3 months in the above standard.

  When the expiration date has passed, pairing becomes invalid, and distribution outside the home becomes impossible, and pairing processing is required again at home. If the user forgets to perform pairing processing between devices before the expiration date, the user may notice that the delivery cannot be performed outside the home, but the pairing processing must be performed outside the home. Is not convenient for the user. In addition, when the pairing process is performed before the expiration date, the user operation for the pairing process is not complicated, but it is an operation that should be omitted if possible.

  Note that Patent Document 1 discloses connecting each device such as a tuner and a display at home, but does not relate to the expiration date of pairing.

  In view of the above situation, the present invention provides a content distribution device and a content reproduction device that can prevent content distribution via a network from becoming impossible due to exceeding a predetermined period of pairing by a method convenient for the user. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a content distribution apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that distributes content to a content reproduction apparatus via a network;
After the pairing process for associating the identification information with the content reproduction device is performed and the pairing is established, before the predetermined period of the pairing elapses, And a control unit that performs pairing processing again between them (first configuration).

  In the first configuration, when the control unit detects that the predetermined time has been reached, the control unit turns on the power of its own device, and confirms whether communication with the content reproduction apparatus is possible based on a history of pairing processing. The pairing process may be performed when communication is possible (second configuration).

  According to such a configuration, even if the power of the own device is off, the power is turned on at a predetermined time, and the pairing process is automatically performed. This is particularly effective when the aircraft does not have a function to turn on the power from outside, such as the Wake-On-LAN function.

  Further, in the second configuration, when the control unit detects that the predetermined end time has been reached when communication with the content reproduction apparatus is not possible, the control unit turns off the power of the own device without performing the pairing process. It is good also as a thing (3rd structure). According to such a configuration, an effect of power saving can be achieved.

  In the third configuration, the time period from the predetermined time to the predetermined end time may be set by an operation of an operation unit (fourth configuration).

  According to such a configuration, an appropriate time zone can be manually set according to the habit of the user using the content reproduction device, and the pairing process can be easily performed again.

  In the third configuration, the control unit may set a time period from the predetermined time to the predetermined end time based on a time when the pairing process is performed with the content reproduction device. (Fifth configuration).

  According to such a configuration, an appropriate time zone is automatically set according to the habit of the user using the content reproduction device, and the pairing process can be easily performed again.

  Further, in the third configuration, the control unit starts from the predetermined time based on the connection time of the content reproduction device to the communication device used when the pairing process with the content reproduction device is performed. It is good also as setting the time slot | zone until an end time (6th structure). According to such a structure, there exists an effect similar to a 5th structure.

  Further, in any one of the second to sixth configurations, when the remaining time until the expiration date becomes less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit may start processing to detect that the predetermined time has been reached. Good (seventh configuration).

  According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to forcibly perform pairing processing again when the expiration date approaches.

  In any one of the second to sixth configurations, the time interval of the predetermined time may be adjusted according to the remaining time until the expiration date (eighth configuration).

  According to such a configuration, the time interval of the predetermined time can be shortened as the expiration date approaches, and the pairing process can be easily performed again.

  In any one of the first to eighth configurations, the pairing process is performed with the content reproduction device via a closed network, and the content distribution is performed with the closed network. It may be performed via a connected Internet (ninth configuration).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the out-of-home delivery function from being used due to the expiration date and preventing the content playback device from being viewed on the go.

In order to achieve the above object, a content reproduction apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a reproduction unit that reproduces content distributed from a content distribution apparatus via a network;
After the pairing process for associating each other's identification information with the content distribution device is performed and the pairing is established, the content distribution device is in a predetermined condition before the predetermined period of the pairing elapses. And a control unit that performs pairing processing again between them (tenth configuration).

  Further, in the tenth configuration, when the control unit detects that the communication device used when the pairing process with the content distribution device was previously performed and the own device are connected, the control unit turns on the power. For this purpose, a command may be transmitted to the content distribution apparatus to perform pairing processing (eleventh configuration).

  According to such a configuration, even when the power of the content distribution apparatus is off, the power can be turned on and the pairing process can be automatically performed.

  Further, in the eleventh configuration, the control unit detects that the communication device and the communication device of the same broadcast domain as the communication device are connected even if the communication device and the communication device are not connected. The command may be transmitted to perform pairing processing (a twelfth configuration).

  According to such a configuration, when the own device is connected to a communication device in the same broadcast domain as the communication device used when the pairing process with the content distribution device has been performed previously, A command to turn on the power can be transmitted to the content distribution apparatus.

  In any one of the tenth to twelfth configurations, the pairing process is performed with the content distribution device via a closed network, and the content distribution is performed with the closed network. It may be performed via the connected Internet (13th configuration).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the out-of-home delivery function from being used due to the expiration date and preventing the content playback device from being viewed on the go.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a user from being unable to distribute content via a network by exceeding a predetermined period of pairing by a method convenient for the user.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the content remote delivery system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows each structure of the video recording apparatus and smart phone which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart regarding 1st Embodiment which concerns on the automatic pairing process of this invention. It is a flowchart regarding the 2nd-5th embodiment which concerns on the automatic pairing process of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time slot | zone setting in 3rd Embodiment which concerns on the automatic pairing process of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows each structure of the video recording apparatus and smart phone which concern on the deformation | transformation embodiment of this invention.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<About the configuration of this embodiment>
First, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a content remote delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content remote delivery system shown in FIG. 1 includes a recording device 1 that is an example of a master unit, a wireless access point 20 that complies with, for example, Wi-Fi, an Internet 21, a wireless access point 22, a server 23, and a child. A smartphone 11 which is an example of a machine is provided.

  A recording device 1 that is a parent device (content distribution device) connected to a home wireless access point 20 includes a slave device via a wireless access point 20 with a router function, the Internet 21 and a wireless access point 22 outside the home. Content is distributed to the smartphone 11 which is a (content reproduction device). The smartphone 11 plays the distributed content.

  In order to perform the above-described delivery outside the home, a pairing process is performed between the recording device 1 and the smartphone 11 in a LAN (same broadcast domain) configured by connecting the recording device 1 and the smartphone 11 in the home to the wireless access point 20. (Process of associating each other's identification information) needs to be performed in advance. Through the pairing process, the identification information of the recording device 1 and the smartphone 11 is stored in the server 23 in association with each other, and pairing is established.

  In the server 23, the reset elapsed time is stored in the associated identification information. If the time advances and the elapsed time is within a predetermined expiration date (an example of the predetermined period of the present invention, for example, 3 months), out-of-home delivery from the recording device 1 to the smartphone 11 is permitted. When the time exceeds the above expiration date, delivery outside the home is not permitted.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing more specific configurations of the recording device 1 and the smartphone 11. FIG. 2 shows a case where the recording device 1 and the smartphone 11 are in the house.

  A recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes a tuner unit 2, a data processing unit 3, a recording unit 4, an output unit 5, an operation unit 6, a storage unit 7, a communication unit 8, a power supply unit 9, and a control unit 10. . The recording device 1 is electrically connected to an unillustrated antenna, monitor, or television receiver, and is used for recording and reproducing television broadcasting.

  The tuner unit 2 is used for receiving a broadcast signal provided from a television broadcasting station. The tuner unit 2 selects and demodulates a broadcast signal received from an antenna (not shown).

  The data processing unit 3 generates a video / audio signal based on the broadcast signal received from the tuner unit 2 and transmits the signal to the recording unit 4 or the output unit 5. The data processing unit 3 also performs a reproduction process on the recorded content of the recording unit 4 and transmits the processed video / audio signal to the output unit 5.

  The recording unit 4 records the video / audio signal (broadcast program) acquired through the tuner unit 2 and the data processing unit 3 as recorded content. The recording unit 4 includes an HDD (hard disk drive), an optical disk device, and the like, and may be an external device in addition to the one built in the recording device 1.

  The output unit 5 outputs video / audio signals received from the data processing unit 3 and OSD (on-screen display) image data such as a menu screen and an electronic program guide to the outside. The output signal of the output unit 5 is sent to, for example, a monitor or a television receiver that is electrically connected to the recording apparatus 1. The monitor and the television receiver display the video and the OSD image based on the output signal of the output unit 5 on their screens, and output the sound from the speaker.

  The operation unit 6 includes various operation keys provided on the housing surface of the recording apparatus 1 or a remote controller (not shown). For example, the operation unit 6 receives an operation related to recording of a program and playback of a recorded program by a user, and an operation related to an electronic program guide and recording reservation.

  The control unit 10 is composed of a calculation unit (not shown) and other electronic components, and comprehensively controls each unit of the recording apparatus 1 based on a program and data stored and input in advance in the storage unit 7 or the like.

  The storage unit 7 stores EPG (electronic program guide) information and recording reservation contents for the recording unit 4, in addition to the programs and data used by the control unit 10. The communication unit 8 performs wireless communication with a home wireless access point 20. The power supply unit 9 is a circuit that supplies power to each unit of the recording apparatus 1, and is on / off controlled by the control unit 10.

  The communication unit 12 performs wireless communication with a base station in the mobile communication network. Using this wireless communication, audio data, video data, e-mail data, etc. are transmitted and received, and Web data, streaming data, etc. are received.

  The camera unit 13 performs electronic imaging using an imaging device such as a CMOS image sensor, and can compress the captured image in, for example, JPEG format and store the compressed data in the storage unit 17.

  The display unit 14 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel and a backlight, and displays various images. The voice input / output unit 15 collects input ambient voice and converts it into an electrical signal and outputs it, or converts the input voice signal into voice and outputs it to the outside.

  The operation unit 16 includes keys for various operations such as a power supply operation and a volume operation that are arranged on the housing of the smartphone 11, and a touch panel that is arranged on the surface of the display unit 14, for example, a liquid crystal panel.

  The storage unit 17 includes a control program and control data for the control unit 19, address data that associates the name and telephone number of the communication partner, transmitted / received e-mail data, Web data downloaded by Web browsing, and downloaded content Data is stored, and streaming data and the like are temporarily stored. Note that the storage unit 17 includes, for example, a flash memory, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The communication unit 18 performs wireless communication with the indoor wireless access point 20. Note that the communication unit 18 can also perform wireless communication with the wireless access point 22 (FIG. 1) when the smartphone 11 is outside the home.

  The control unit 19 operates according to the control program and control data stored in the storage unit 17, and performs overall control of each unit of the smartphone 11.

<About pairing processing and delivery outside the home>
The flow of pairing processing at home by the recording apparatus 1 and the smartphone 11 having such a configuration is, for example, as follows. Here, a dedicated application for remote viewing is stored in the storage unit 17 of the smartphone 11 in advance. The application is downloaded by the communication unit 12, for example.

  First, by operating the operation unit 6 according to the screen displayed on the monitor or the like by the output from the output unit 5 in the recording device 1, the control unit 10 is set in a state where the pairing process can be executed. And the control part 19 starts the said application by operation of the operation part 16 in the smart phone 11. FIG. The control unit 19 uses the communication unit 18 to request by broadcast that the device information including the identification information is returned to the device connected to the wireless access point 20. When receiving the request via the communication unit 8, the control unit 10 of the recording device 1 sends device information including identification information of the recording device 1 to the communication unit 18 using the communication unit 8.

  Based on the device information received from the communication unit 18, the control unit 19 causes the display unit 14 to display the model number of the device (that is, information about the recording device 1 is displayed). Here, when the displayed model number or the like of the recording device 1 is selected by the operation unit 16, the identification information included in the received device information is stored in the storage unit 17. Then, the control unit 19 sends the identification information of the smartphone 11 to the communication unit 8 using the communication unit 18, and the control unit 10 stores the received identification information of the smartphone 11 in the storage unit 7. As a result, the recording device 1 and the smartphone 11 mutually recognize the identification information.

  For example, the control unit 19 of the smartphone 11 sends the identification information of the recording device 1 and the smartphone 11 to the server 23 via the wireless access point 20 and the Internet 21 using the communication unit 18 (FIG. 1). The server 23 stores the sent identification information in association with each other. Thereby, pairing is established. At this time, the server 23 stores the elapsed time reset in association with each identification information. Thereafter, as time progresses, the elapsed time changes. Note that the remaining time until the expiration date may be stored instead of the elapsed time.

  After pairing is established in this way, the smartphone 11 is connected to the wireless access point 22 outside the home, and the application is activated. Then, the control unit 19 uses the communication unit 18 to send the identification information of the recording device 1 and the smartphone 11 to the server 23 via the wireless access point 22 and the Internet 21.

  The server 23 checks whether there is a set of identification information stored in its own device that matches each transmitted identification information, and if there is, determines whether the corresponding elapsed time has exceeded the expiration date. If not exceeded, the server 23 requests the recording device 1 to distribute the content to the smartphone 11 via the Internet 21 and the wireless access point 20 in order to permit the distribution outside the home.

  Thus, the control unit 10 of the recording apparatus 1 that has received the request uses the communication unit 8 to transmit the recorded content recorded in the recording unit 4 or the broadcast program content being broadcast received by the tuner unit 2 to the wireless access point 20. Then, distribution to the smartphone 11 via the Internet 21 and the wireless access point 22 is started.

  The content thus distributed outside the home and acquired by the communication unit 18 is output as video and audio from the display unit 14 and the audio input / output unit 15, and content reproduction is performed. Thereby, the user can view the content of the recording device 1 by the smartphone 11 at a place where the user is away.

  On the other hand, if the server 23 determines that the elapsed time has exceeded the expiration date, the server 23 does not request the content distribution to the recording device 1 and is not permitted to distribute outside the home. At this time, the server 23 transmits to the smartphone 11 that the elapsed time has exceeded the expiration date, and notifies the user of the fact by the display unit 14 of the smartphone 11 or the like.

<First Embodiment for Automatic Pairing Processing>
Since the delivery outside the home cannot be performed after the expiration date has passed after the establishment of manual pairing as described above, the following automatic pairing process is executed in order to prevent this. Here, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows processing performed on the smartphone 11 side.

  First, when the smartphone 11 is connected to a certain access point (Y in Step S1), the process proceeds to Step S2, and the control unit 19 performs wireless communication when the connected access point has previously performed pairing processing with the recording device 1. It is determined whether the access point 20 or not. This can be determined because the identification information of the wireless access point 20 is stored in the storage unit 17 when the manual pairing process is executed as described above.

  When it is determined that it is connected to the wireless access point 20 when the pairing process has been performed previously (Y in step S2), the process proceeds to step S4.

  Here, the recording apparatus 1 supports the Wake-ON-LAN function. The Wake-ON-LAN function is a function for remotely turning on the power of a device connected to the LAN, and is performed by transmitting a specific data packet called a magic packet. In step S <b> 4, the control unit 19 transmits a magic packet to the communication unit 8 via the wireless access point 20 using the communication unit 18 to turn on the power of the recording apparatus 1. At this time, the power supply unit 9 is turned on by the control unit 10.

  In step S <b> 5, the control unit 19 requests the recording apparatus 1 to transmit identification information via the wireless access point 20 using the communication unit 18, and the control unit 10 that received the request receives the identification information of the recording apparatus 1. Is transmitted to the smartphone 11 using the communication unit 8, and the control unit 19 stores the acquired identification information in the storage unit 17. And the control part 19 transmits the identification information of the smart phone 11 to the video recording apparatus 1 using the communication part 18, and the control part 10 memorize | stores the acquired identification information in the memory | storage part 7. FIG. For example, the control unit 19 of the smartphone 11 transmits the identification information of the recording device 1 and the smartphone 11 to the server 23 via the wireless access point 20 and the Internet 21. Then, the server 23 resets the elapsed time stored corresponding to each transmitted set of identification information.

  In this manner, the pairing process is performed again in step S5, the pairing is established, and the elapsed time is reset. As a result, if the smartphone 11 is connected to the wireless access point 20 before the expiration date from the previous pairing establishment, the power of the recording device 1 is activated by the Wake-On-LAN function, and the pairing process is automatically performed again. And the elapsed time is reset. Therefore, the expiration date is substantially extended, and it is possible to prevent the out-of-home delivery function from being disabled due to the expiration date. In addition, since manual operation by the user is not necessary for the pairing process again, it is highly convenient for the user.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the connected access point is not the wireless access point 20 when the pairing process was previously performed (N in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the connected access point is an access point of the same broadcast domain as the access point when the pairing process was performed previously. Here, for example, the control unit 19 transmits the identification information of the access point when the pairing process was previously performed by broadcast via the currently connected access point using the communication unit 18, and has the identification information. Judgment based on whether there is a reply from.

  If there is a reply from the access point (wireless access point 20) when the pairing process was performed previously (Y in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4, and the control unit 19 turns on the power of the recording device 1 Therefore, a magic packet is transmitted through the currently connected access point. On the other hand, when there is no reply from the access point (wireless access point 20) when the pairing process was performed previously (N in step S3), the process ends as it is (end). As a result, the pairing process is automatically performed not only when the access point has been previously paired but also when connected to an access point of the same broadcast domain.

<Second Embodiment According to Automatic Pairing Processing>
Next, a second embodiment of the automatic pairing process will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows processing performed on the recording apparatus 1 side.

  First, in step S11, the control unit 10 of the recording device 1 determines whether or not a predetermined time has come. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, the time of every hour.

  Next, in step S12, the control unit 10 turns on the power supply unit 9. In step S <b> 13, the control unit 10 determines whether communication with the smartphone 11 that has been previously paired is possible. At this time, the control part 10 transmits the identification information of the smart phone 11 via the wireless access point 20 using the communication part 8, and determines whether there exists a reply from the apparatus which has the said identification information.

  If there is a reply (Y in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14, where the control unit 10 requests the smartphone 11 for identification information using the communication unit 8, and stores the acquired identification information in the storage unit 7. Let Then, the control unit 10 transmits the identification information of the recording device 1 to the smartphone 11 using the communication unit 8, and the control unit 19 stores the acquired identification information in the storage unit 17. And the control part 19 sends each identification information of the recording device 1 and the smart phone 11 to the server 23 via the wireless access point 20 and the internet 21. FIG. Thereby, the elapsed time stored in the server 23 corresponding to each identification information is reset.

  In step S15, the control unit 10 controls the power supply unit 9 to turn it off.

  If it is determined in step S13 that communication with the previously paired smartphone 11 is impossible (N in step S13), the process proceeds to step S16, and the control unit 10 reaches a predetermined end time. It is determined. The predetermined end time is a time after a predetermined elapsed time (for example, after 5 minutes) from the predetermined time in step S11. If the predetermined end time has not been reached (N in step S16), the process returns to step S13. On the other hand, if the predetermined end time is reached (Y in step S16), the control unit 10 turns off the power supply 9 (step S15).

  According to such an embodiment, the power of the recording device 1 is activated every predetermined time, and if the smartphone 11 that has been previously paired is connected to the wireless access point 20, the pairing process is automatically performed again. Since the elapsed time at the server 23 is reset, it is possible to prevent the out-of-home delivery function from being unavailable due to expiration. This is particularly effective when the recording apparatus 1 does not support the Wake-On-LAN function.

<Third Embodiment for Automatic Pairing Processing>
As a modification of the second embodiment, the predetermined time in step S11 for starting the power source of the recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4 is operated by the user on a menu screen displayed on a monitor or the like connected to the output unit 5. Setting may be made by the unit 6.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the time zone can be set for each day of the week from Monday to Sunday, the start time of the time zone is set as the predetermined time in step S11, and the end time of the time zone is set as the end time in step S16. . For example, if it is Wednesday in FIG. 5, 20:00 is set as the predetermined time in step S11, and 23:00 is set as the end time in step S16. That is, the power of the recording apparatus 1 is activated at 20:00 on Wednesday, and the smartphone 11 is tried to be detected while the power is activated until 23:00 at the longest.

  If it does in this way, if the time zone (homecoming time zone etc.) with a high possibility that a user will use the smart phone 11 in a house is set, it will become easy to perform a pairing process automatically again. Note that only the time zone may be set as the daily setting regardless of the day of the week. Moreover, you may enable it to set a time slot | zone for every date of one month instead of a day of the week.

<Fourth Embodiment Related to Automatic Pairing Processing>
In the third embodiment, the time zone for starting up the power of the recording apparatus 1 can be set manually, but it may be set by calculation.

  More specifically, for example, at the time of the above-described manual pairing process, the time at that time is stored in the storage unit 7 of the recording apparatus 1, and the power of the recording apparatus 1 is activated based on the stored time The control unit 10 calculates the band. For example, a time zone having a one-hour width including the stored time of pairing processing may be calculated, or a time zone obtained by adding one hour before and after that time zone may be calculated. For example, assuming that the time at the time of the pairing process is 18:45, the time zone from 18:00 to 19:00 or from 17:00 to 20:00 is calculated. In addition to the calculated time zone, the day of the week for pairing processing may be added and set.

  Further, when the control unit 19 detects that the smartphone 11 is connected to the wireless access point 20 when the pairing process has been performed previously, the time at that time is transmitted to the recording device 1 and based on the acquired time. The control unit 10 may calculate the time zone. In addition to the calculated time zone, the day of the week at the time of detection may be added.

  Thereby, the time zone which uses the smart phone 11 at home can be estimated, and it can be made easy to perform a pairing process automatically again.

<Fifth Embodiment Related to Automatic Pairing Processing>
The present embodiment is applied to the second to fourth embodiments. Here, when the pairing process is performed, the control unit 10 of the recording apparatus 1 starts to measure the elapsed time, and when it reaches a predetermined period before the expiration date (for example, two weeks before), thereafter, FIG. Perform the indicated process. As a result, when the expiration date approaches, the pairing process can be forcibly performed again.

  Alternatively, when the expiration date approaches, the time interval of the predetermined time in step S11 of FIG. 4 may be shortened. For example, before reaching the predetermined period before the expiration date, the predetermined time in step S11 is an hour interval, but after reaching the predetermined period, the predetermined time is 30 minutes.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, if it is in the range of the meaning of this invention, embodiment can be variously changed.

  For example, for the pairing process, it is not always necessary for both the parent device and the child device to acquire each other's identification information, and only one of them can acquire the other's identification information, or neither can acquire the server. Only the identification information association may be stored. Further, the server is not essential, and the parent device side may manage the identification information of the child device and the elapsed time for the expiration date.

  Further, for example, in the recording apparatus 1 and the smartphone 11 each having the communication units 8 and 18 that perform wireless communication as described above, as shown in FIG. 6, USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface units 31 and 32 are further provided, respectively. You may make it prepare. In this case, when the USB interface units 31 and 32 are connected to each other by the USB cable 40, identification information is exchanged via the USB cable 40 between the control unit 10 and the control unit 19 that detect the USB interface unit 32 and the pair. The ring process is performed automatically.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording device 2 Tuner part 3 Data processing part 4 Recording part 5 Output part 6 Operation part 7 Storage part 8 Communication part 9 Power supply part 10 Control part 11 Smartphone 12 Communication part 13 Camera part 14 Display part 15 Voice input / output part 16 Operation part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 Memory | storage part 18 Communication part 19 Control part 20 Wireless access point 21 Internet 22 Wireless access point 23 Server 31, 32 USB interface part 40 USB cable

Claims (13)

A communication unit for distributing content to a content reproduction device via a network;
After the pairing process for associating the identification information with the content reproduction device is performed and the pairing is established, before the predetermined period of the pairing elapses, A content distribution apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs pairing processing again between them.   When the control unit detects that the predetermined time has come, it turns on the power of its own device, confirms whether communication with the content playback device is possible based on the history of pairing processing, and performs pairing when communication is possible The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution apparatus performs processing.   3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein when the communication with the content reproduction apparatus is impossible, the control unit turns off the power of the own device without performing the pairing process when detecting that the predetermined end time is reached. The content distribution apparatus described.   The content distribution apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a time period from the predetermined time to the predetermined end time can be set by operating an operation unit.   The content delivery according to claim 3, wherein the control unit sets a time zone from the predetermined time to the predetermined end time based on a time when a pairing process is performed with the content reproduction device. apparatus.   The control unit sets a time zone from the predetermined time to the predetermined end time based on a connection time of the content reproduction device to a communication device used when pairing processing is performed with the content reproduction device. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 3.   7. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the remaining time until the expiration date becomes less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit starts a process of detecting that the predetermined time has been reached. The content distribution apparatus described.   The content distribution apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a time interval of the predetermined time is adjusted according to a remaining time until an expiration date.   The pairing process is performed with the content reproduction apparatus via a closed network, and the content distribution is performed via the Internet connected to the closed network. The content distribution apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A playback unit for playing back content distributed from a content distribution device via a network;
After the pairing process for associating each other's identification information with the content distribution device is performed and the pairing is established, the content distribution device is in a predetermined condition before the predetermined period of the pairing elapses. And a control unit that performs pairing processing again between the content reproducing apparatuses.   When the control unit detects that the communication device used when the pairing process with the content distribution device has been performed previously and the own device are connected, the control unit issues a command to the content distribution device to turn on the power. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the content reproduction apparatus performs transmission and performs pairing processing.   When the control unit detects that the communication device and the communication device of the same broadcast domain as the communication device are connected even if the communication device and the own device are not connected, the control unit transmits the command and performs pairing processing. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 11, wherein:   The pairing process is performed with the content distribution apparatus via a closed network, and the content distribution is performed via the Internet connected to the closed network. The content reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

Images