JP3590511B2 - Digital broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver for digitizing video, audio, data, and the like, compressing the digitized signal for pay viewing and the like, and encrypting and encrypting the same for broadcasting via satellite, terrestrial or cable. It is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In digital broadcasting, signals such as video, audio, data, etc., which have been digitized for pay viewing, etc., are encrypted so that the service is provided only to users who have contracted in advance. . In digital broadcasting that is currently being performed, an IC card is used as an output unit of key data for decrypting an encrypted signal.
[0003]
Generally, when a digital broadcast receiver is purchased, the enclosed IC card is inserted into a dedicated card slot, a key output from the IC card is input to a means for decrypting encrypted data, and video, audio, data, etc. Is returned to the original signal to receive the service.
[0004]
Here, the user applies in advance to the broadcasting company for a contract for a program or a channel desired for the service by mail or the like. The business operator broadcasts the contract contents of the applied program or channel as contractor individual information, and inputs the information to an IC card inserted in the digital receiver of the user who made the application.
[0005]
The IC card usually has a built-in nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, and can write and store such information. The transmission of the contractor individual information is performed periodically or every time the contract contents are changed, and is constantly updated to the latest contract contents.
[0006]
The user selects a desired program or channel using a remote controller or the like. In the program selected at this time, program information is broadcast in addition to services such as video, audio, and data. When this program information is input to the IC card, key data for decrypting the encryption is output according to the contract contents of the program, if the program is contracted.
[0007]
In the digital broadcast receiver, the program selected by the user can be displayed by inputting the key data to the means for decrypting the encrypted signal. This program information is broadcast periodically if the program is encrypted, and the key data is updated by performing the above-described processing each time. Therefore, unless the IC card is always inserted into the digital broadcast receiver, the user cannot receive the service.
[0008]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a conventional digital broadcast receiver.
In FIG. 5, 101 is an antenna, 102 is a tuner section for demodulating a received signal, 103 is a descramble section for decrypting the signal demodulated by the tuner section 102, and 104 is a descrambler for decrypting the signal demodulated by the tuner section 102. A data separation unit for extracting only a desired signal from the extracted signal, an MPEG decoding unit for decoding the signal extracted by the data separation unit 104, and a microprocessor (hereinafter, CPU) for controlling the entire receiver ), An IC card 107 for generating key information for decryption by the descrambling unit 103, and 108, an entire digital broadcast receiver.
[0009]
Hereinafter, the operation of the conventional digital broadcast receiver will be described.
The radio wave received by the antenna 101 is input into the digital broadcast receiver 108 via a cable, and is subjected to processing such as channel selection and demodulation by the tuner 102, and is converted into an MPEG transport stream. Here, the transport stream is one of the data stream forms defined by the MPEG standard.
[0010]
The descrambling unit 103 decrypts the code for pay viewing using the key obtained from the IC card 107. The data separating unit 104 separates data such as video, audio, and program information of the program selected by the user from the transport stream, and the separated data such as video and audio is sent to the MPEG decoding unit 105 at the subsequent stage. The program information is input to the IC card 107. The contents of the user's contract are recorded on the IC card 107. If the inputted program information is contracted, the above-mentioned key for decryption is output.
[0011]
The MPEG decoding unit 105 decodes the compression-encoded video and audio data and converts the video and audio data into video and audio signals that can be viewed on a home monitor.
[0012]
The control between the above-described blocks is performed by the CPU 106, and the CPU 106 also performs user interface processing such as a user's remote control operation.
[0013]
As described above, in the conventional digital broadcast receiver, the decryption means of the encrypted data, that is, the descrambling unit 103, the output means of the key data for decrypting the encrypted signal, that is, the IC card 107, There is one control means for controlling, that is, one CPU 106 each.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional digital broadcast receiver as described above, the following problems have occurred.
[0015]
First, since a user usually makes a contract for using a plurality of channels (channel contract), the viewing fee for the channel has already been paid, and the contents of the contract are written on an IC card. ing. However, when a plurality of channels desired to be used are broadcast at the same time, the conventional digital broadcast receiver cannot decrypt the encryption of the plurality of channels at the same time, and as a result, only the service of one channel is provided. Cannot output.
[0016]
Secondly, in a program (pay-per-view program) in which a user wants to use a program to be used each time by a predetermined operation of a digital broadcast receiver (pay-per-view program), if a plurality of programs desired to be used at the same time are broadcasted, The receiver cannot decrypt the encryption of a plurality of programs, and as a result, can output only one program service.
[0017]
Third, in the case of a digital broadcast receiver using satellites, when the channel is changed to a different transponder (satellite repeater) by a user's operation, ordinary analog broadcasting is used to obtain data for decoding the channel. It takes longer to tune in than a broadcast.
[0018]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional digital broadcast receiver, and to provide a digital broadcast receiver which solves the above problem.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems , the present invention has taken the following measures.
That is, a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention is a digital broadcast receiver that receives a digital broadcast including an encoded and encrypted program, and includes a plurality of tuner units that receive a digital broadcast, and the plurality of tuners. A plurality of descrambling units for decrypting the respective programs received in, a plurality of data separating units for extracting program information from the plurality of descramble unit outputs, and A single IC card unit for creating a key for decrypting at each of a plurality of descramble units; and the plurality of data separation units time-divide the program information extracted at each of the plurality of The key is sent to a card unit, and the IC card unit processes the key generation in a time-division manner.
[0020]
In addition, the plurality of data separation units further extract only a desired program from the programs decrypted by the plurality of descramble units, and a plurality of decoding units that respectively decode the extracted programs, An output switching unit that switches and outputs the outputs from the plurality of decoding units.
[0021]
Alternatively, the plurality of data separation units further include a plurality of decryption units for extracting only a desired program from the programs decrypted by the plurality of descramble units, and respectively decrypting the extracted programs, And an output signal multiplexing unit that multiplexes and outputs the output from the decoding unit.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.
1, reference numeral 201 denotes an antenna, 202 denotes a first tuner unit for demodulating a signal received by the antenna 201, and 203 denotes a second tuner unit for demodulating a signal received by the antenna 201.
[0024]
Reference numeral 204 denotes a first descrambler for decrypting the signal demodulated by the first tuner 202, and reference numeral 205 denotes a second descrambler for decrypting the signal demodulated by the second tuner 203. 206 is a first data separation unit that extracts only a desired signal from the signal decrypted by the descramble unit 204, and 207 is a first data separation unit that decrypts the signal decrypted by the descramble unit 205. A second data separation unit for extracting only a desired signal; 208, a first MPEG decoding unit for decoding the signal extracted by the first data separation unit 206; 209, a first data separation unit 5 shows a second MPEG decoding unit that decodes the signal extracted at 207.
[0025]
Reference numeral 210 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire receiver, 211 denotes an IC card that generates key information for decryption by the first descrambler 204 and the second descrambler 205, and 212 denotes a IC card. 1 shows an entire digital broadcast receiver.
[0026]
Hereinafter, the signal flow and processing of the system of the first tuner unit 202 will be described.
The first tuner unit 202 performs a process such as demodulation on the selected channel and outputs an MPEG transport stream. The first descramble unit 204 decrypts the encrypted data for pay viewing using the key obtained from the IC card 211, and outputs the decrypted data to the subsequent stage.
[0027]
The first data separation unit 206 separates data such as video, audio, and program information of a program selected by the user from the transport stream, and separates the separated data such as video and audio into a first MPEG decoding unit 208 at the subsequent stage. And the program information is input to the IC card 211.
[0028]
The contents of the user's contract are recorded on the IC card 211. If the inputted program information is contracted, the above-mentioned key for decryption is output. The MPEG decoding unit 208 decodes the compressed video and audio data and converts the data into video and audio signals that can be viewed on a home monitor.
[0029]
The control between the above-described blocks is performed by the CPU 210, and the CPU 210 also performs user interface processing such as user's remote control operation.
[0030]
In the above-described signal processing, the same processing is performed for the system of the second tuner unit 203, and as a result, the digital broadcast receiver 212 outputs video and audio of different programs on different channels.
[0031]
In addition to the output of video and audio, for example, the output of the first data separation unit 206 and the second data separation unit 207 is the output of the digital broadcast receiver 212, so that data broadcasting can be supported.
[0032]
In addition, the tuner section and subsequent sections have been described as two systems, but the same applies to three or more sections.
[0033]
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to output a plurality of services broadcast at the same time by one IC card.
[0034]
FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a process of transmitting program information to IC card 211 according to the present embodiment.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, it has been described that different programs broadcast at the same time are decrypted by one IC card 211. However, the key for decryption is determined by the contract information recorded on the IC card 211 at present. Outputs the key when the received program is subscribed.
[0036]
Therefore, it is necessary to provide the above-described program information to the IC card 211 and obtain a key for decryption. Here, the program information of each program is usually broadcast every few seconds, whereby the key is changed every few seconds to maintain security.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, it is necessary to simultaneously decrypt a plurality of programs. Therefore, the CPU 210 needs to separate the program information from the first data separation unit 206 and the second data separation unit 207 and send the program information to the IC card 211. Normally, the key output processing in the IC card 211 takes about several hundred nsec, so the CPU 210 time-divides the program information to be sent to the IC card 211, transmits one piece of program information to the IC card 211, and waits for the output of the key. By processing so that the other program information is not sent while the program is running, it becomes possible to decrypt a plurality of programs broadcast at the same time.
[0038]
By the same method, it is possible to decrypt more programs at the same time.
[0039]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the processes from reception by the antenna 201 to the first MPEG decoding unit 208 and the second MPEG decoding unit 209 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and are broadcast at the same time. Obtain two different services (video, audio, data). Then, these services are input to the newly provided output switching means 213.
[0040]
The output switching means 213 switches and outputs the output signal of the digital broadcast receiver 212 under the control of the CPU 210.
[0041]
The user switches from one program to another program by operating a remote controller or the like. In such a conventional digital broadcast receiver, a longer waiting time was required for such program switching as compared to the conventional analog broadcast for switching of a tuner, acquisition of program information, and the like.
[0042]
According to the configuration of the present embodiment, by waiting for the decoding of the next program to be completed by the decoder of the other system while outputting the signal by the decoder of one system, the waiting time can be eliminated. .
[0043]
In the embodiment shown here, two systems are described, but the same applies to three or more systems.
[0044]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0045]
In the present embodiment, the processes from reception by the antenna 201 to the first MPEG decoding unit 208 and the second MPEG decoding unit 209 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and are broadcast at the same time. Obtain two different services (video, audio, data). These services are input to the newly provided output signal multiplexing means 214.
[0046]
The output signal multiplexing unit 214 converts the output signal of the digital broadcast receiver 212 into a signal that displays two images on one monitor (two screens) under the control of the CPU 210. The user can select a display method on the monitor by operating a remote controller or the like, select a normal one-screen display, or display images of two selected programs on the same monitor.
[0047]
Further, similarly to the second embodiment, switching from one program to another program can be performed without waiting time.
[0048]
In the embodiment shown here, two systems of signal processing are described, but the same applies to three or more systems.
[0049]
Further, in the first to third embodiments described above, the case of broadcasting by satellite or terrestrial radio was described, but the same applies to broadcasting by cable such as a cable.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, digital signals that have been encrypted for pay broadcasting are provided at a same time by providing a plurality of means for decoding using a key obtained from an IC card or the like. A plurality of programs can be viewed by one digital broadcast receiver.
[0051]
Further, according to the present invention, when a user intends to receive a plurality of services being broadcast at the same time, transmission of individual program information to an IC card or the like is temporally managed, so that a single IC can be obtained. A plurality of services encrypted by a card or the like can be decrypted.
[0052]
Further, according to the present invention, the waiting time when switching to another program, which has been a problem in the conventional digital broadcast receiver, can be reduced, and the operability of switching programs in conventional analog broadcasting can be approximated.
[0053]
Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of decrypted programs can be displayed on one monitor on multiple screens.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment for realizing the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process of transmitting program information to an IC card for realizing the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment for realizing the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment for realizing the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional digital broadcast receiver.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 101 Antenna 102 Tuner section 103 Descramble section 104 Data separation section 105 MPEG decoding section 106 CPU
107 IC card 108 Digital broadcast receiver 201 Antenna 202 First tuner unit 203 Second tuner unit 204 First descramble unit 205 Second descramble unit 206 First data separation unit 207 Second data separation unit 208 First MPEG decoding unit 209 Second MPEG decoding unit 210 CPU
211 IC card 212 Digital broadcast receiver 213 Output switching means 214 Output signal multiplexing means

Claims (3)

In a digital broadcast receiver for receiving a digital broadcast including an encoded and encrypted program,
  A plurality of tuners for receiving digital broadcasts,
  A plurality of descrambling units for decrypting each program received by the plurality of tuners,
  A plurality of data separation units for extracting program information from the plurality of descramble unit outputs,
  A unique IC card unit for creating a key for decrypting each of the plurality of extracted program information in each of the plurality of descrambling units,
  Wherein the plurality of data separation units time-divide the program information extracted respectively and send the information to the IC card unit, and the IC card unit processes the key creation in a time-division manner. And a digital broadcast receiver. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1,
  The plurality of data separation units further extract only a desired program from programs decrypted by the plurality of descramble units,
  A plurality of decoding units for respectively decoding the extracted programs;
  An output switching unit that switches and outputs the outputs from the plurality of decoding units,
  A digital broadcast receiver comprising: The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1,
  The plurality of data separation units further extract only a desired program from programs decrypted by the plurality of descramble units,
  A plurality of decoding units for respectively decoding the extracted programs;
  An output signal multiplexing unit that multiplexes and outputs the outputs from the plurality of decoding units,
  A digital broadcast receiver comprising:

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