JP4023511B2 - Receiver - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to distribution and reception techniques when distributing program-related information such as digital broadcasting, and in particular, more information can be efficiently used for multi-channel program-related information sent from broadcast program providers. The present invention relates to a technique suitable for distribution to users.

Conventionally, for example, a viewer of a television program has selected a desired program by viewing a television program column such as a newspaper or a magazine and viewed it or recorded it on a VTR or the like.

Due to recent advances in image compression technology and LSI technology, the transition from the conventional analog system to the digital system is rapidly progressing in the fields of television broadcasting and audio broadcasting. By digitalization of broadcasting, it is possible to effectively use broadcasting frequencies and provide more broadcasting programs within a limited frequency band. As a result, the number of channels is greatly increased compared to analog systems. This will increase the number of channels for viewers and will allow many interesting programs to be viewed.

It is very difficult for a viewer to select a desired program as appropriate with reference to a printed material such as a newspaper or a magazine, as in the past, from such multi-channels. Currently EPG
(Electronic Program Guide) Program related information, which is data information, is multiplexed and transmitted together with video / audio / data information of the original program so that the viewer can select a desired program based on this EPG. It has become.

For example, EPG data information in BS digital broadcasting is transmitted by each TS (Transport
Program related information on all services with the same content is sent simultaneously to (Stream).
For this reason, the EPG data information of all services operated by BS digital broadcasting can be acquired without hindering the viewer from viewing the program.

The EPG data information is a table composed of broadcast station (channel) information, program broadcast date information, start time information, length information, and the like so that the viewer can select a desired program from many programs. In addition, each information such as program title information, detailed information, and genre information, which is program attribute information of each program, is also included. The receiver can receive such information to be transmitted, and can construct an EPG corresponding to the data information of each program and display it on the screen.

In this way, when information on all services is transmitted in each TS, the TS to be transmitted
In order to prevent different types and amounts of information to be acquired, the same content is transmitted to all services. Further, in order to enable stable acquisition of EPG data information, all TSs are transmitted at the same transmission cycle.

However, when EPG data information is transmitted using such a method, it is necessary to multiplex EPG data information together with video / audio / data information within a limited TS transmission capacity. However, considering that there is a need to send EPG data information related to all services, the amount of EPG data information that can be sent is inevitably within a certain framework, and thus may be the minimum necessary information. Is expensive.

On the other hand, it is possible to send detailed information related to the program only for the local service to each TS, but the information can be acquired only when the service is received. When the above information is acquired during reception of the program, viewing of the program of the service being viewed is hindered.

In the era when the conventional EPG service did not exist, for example, a viewer who has a lack of information in the TV program column of a newspaper may receive a weekly (one week of program information is posted) or every other week ( The information was supplemented by purchasing a TV magazine information magazine that contains more detailed information, that is, supplementary information that is published every two weeks.

However, if the number of channels is increased due to digitalization of broadcasting, for example, such specialized magazines will have a considerable number of pages, so it becomes inconvenient to post information for two weeks.

In the current digital broadcasting, when the viewer has a lack of information in the EPG data information sent together with the video / audio / data information as described above and wants to obtain supplementary information, the television program as described above is used. In addition to purchasing a specialized magazine for information, it is possible to obtain information by requesting a broadcaster or the like by telephone, facsimile, etc., an Internet homepage, or the like. However, not all broadcasters offer such services. In addition, when obtaining information by such means, viewers need to access each broadcaster, so it takes a lot of time to obtain information, and it is the viewing that organizes the obtained information. Therefore, the burden on the viewer increases. Further, when such means are used, it is necessary for the viewer to try to obtain the information again by using the above means when the acquisition information is changed due to a change in the program content or the like.

On the other hand, from the standpoint of broadcasters who provide programs, each broadcast program provider needs to increase the program audience rating of its own program from hundreds of channels. E is sent along with video / audio / data information
In PG data information, there is a limit to the amount of information, and it is not possible to sufficiently advertise programs for increasing the audience rating. Therefore, it is conceivable to advertise programs using complementary information and the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of easily and efficiently using program-related information using a bidirectional transmission network.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, for example, a technique described in the claims may be used.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which can utilize program relevant information easily and efficiently using a bidirectional | two-way transmission network can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a program information distribution system of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1a to 1n are program provider terminals, 2 and 4 are two-way communication networks represented by telephones or communication lines, and 5a to 5n are receiving terminals. As shown in FIG. 1, the system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of program provider terminals 1a to 1n.
Are connected to the program related information distribution terminal 3 via the bidirectional communication network 2. Further, the program related information distribution terminal 3 is connected to the receiving terminals 5 a to 5 n via the bidirectional communication line 4.

One terminal of the plurality of program provider terminals 1a to 1n has, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the program provider terminal 1 includes a plurality of program provider terminals 1a to 1n.
1 terminal is shown.

The broadcast service generation unit 11 is configured to transmit to a broadcast transmission network such as a satellite, the ground, and a cable via the transmission control unit 10. The broadcast service generating unit 11 converts video and audio information of a digital broadcast program provided by the program provider terminal 1 into MPEG.
2 is encoded and multiplexed together with additional information such as data information and program-related information, and then an MPEG2 transport stream that is a digital broadcasting standard is generated. The program-related information is a part of data extracted for multiplexing in the broadcast service from the program-related information database 15 in which all information related to programs scheduled to be broadcast from the present to the future is stored.

The MPEG2 transport stream generated by the broadcast service generation unit 11 is transmission path encoded by the transmission control unit 10 and sent to a broadcast transmission network such as a satellite / terrestrial / cable.

The program related information generation unit 13 is configured to transmit to the program related information distribution terminal 3 via the communication control unit 14 and the bidirectional communication network 2. The program-related information generation unit 13 provides information that could not be multiplexed from the program-related information database 15 due to capacity restrictions for program-related information transmission of the broadcast service, such as broadcast service. Complement information for the program related information is also generated. The supplementary information is information for supplementing the program related information (main information) provided from the broadcast service. For example, the information not included in the program related information corresponds to this supplementary information. The complementary information generated by the program-related information generating unit 13, the program-related information supplemented with the complementary information, or the original program-related information is the so-called program-related information. It is transmitted to the program related information distribution terminal 3 via the communication network 2.

The request information receiving unit 12 receives the program related information transmitted from the program related information distribution terminal 3. The request information receiving unit 12 receives the request item information of the program related information transmitted by the program related information distribution terminal 3 and transmits it to the program related information generating unit 13. The program related information generation unit 13 searches whether or not an item corresponding to this item exists in the program related information database 15, and if it exists, extracts it.

Extraction of information from the program related information database 15 to the program related information generating unit 13 includes items registered in advance between the program provider terminal 1 and the program related information distribution terminal 3 and a request information receiving unit. 12 may be information on both or either of the items requested from 12.

The communication control unit 14 is configured to control communication with the program related information distribution terminal 3 via the bidirectional communication network 2.

The program related information distribution terminal 3 is configured as shown in FIG. 3, for example. In FIG. 3, the communication control unit 30 is connected to the program provider terminal 1 via the bidirectional communication network 2.
It is comprised so that the communication performed between a-1n may be controlled.

The identification information generation unit 32 and the information storage unit 33 are configured to receive from the program provider terminals 1a to 1n via the communication control unit 30 and the bidirectional communication network 2. When the program-related information transmitted from the program provider terminals 1a to 1n is updated, the identification information generation unit 32 generates identification information indicating that the information provider and the information related to the update have been updated, and the information storage unit 33. The information accumulating unit 33 accumulates the program related information transmitted from the program provider terminal 1 and the identification information transmitted from the identification information generating unit 32 in association with each other. The information storage unit 33 stores some past program related information and identification information.

The identification information comparison unit 36 and the request information generation unit 31 are configured to receive from the reception terminal via the communication control unit 38 and the bidirectional communication network 4. The identification information detection unit 35 acquires the update identification information from the identification information generation unit 32 and sends it to the identification information comparison unit 36 when the identification information of the identification information generation unit 32 is updated. At this time,
The identification information comparison unit 36 acquires the latest identification information stored in the receiving terminals 5a to 5n from the receiving terminals 5a to 5n. Further, the identification information comparison unit 36 compares the update identification information from the identification information generation unit 32 with the identification information acquired from the receiving terminals 5a to 5n, and the comparison result and the update identification information are: It is transmitted to the update information generator 37. Based on the comparison result, the update information generation unit 37 obtains the program-related update information that can update the program-related information stored in the receiving terminals 5a to 5n with the minimum amount of information from the information storage unit 33. Acquired and generated, together with the update identification information, the receiving terminals 5a to 5 through the communication control unit 38 and the bidirectional communication network 4
n is transmitted. The request information generation unit 31 receives a request for a program related information item acquired from the receiving terminals 5 a to 5 n on the user side, and sends the request item to the program via the communication control unit 30 and the bidirectional communication network 2. It is comprised so that it may transmit to the provider terminals 1a-1n.

The billing processing unit 34 is used when billing processing is performed when information is distributed from the program related information distribution terminal 3 to the receiving terminals 5a to 5n.

The communication control unit 38 is configured to control communication with the recipient terminals 5a to 5n via the bidirectional communication network 4.

One terminal of the plurality of receiving terminals 5a to 5n on the user side has a configuration shown in FIG. 4, for example. In FIG. 4, the receiving terminal 1 includes a plurality of receiving terminals 5a to 5 on the user side.
n indicates one terminal. The communication control unit 50 is configured to control communication performed with the program-related information distribution terminal 3 via the bidirectional communication network 4.

The request information generating unit 51, the identification information detecting unit 52, and the information recording unit 54 are configured to receive from the program related information distribution terminal 3 via the communication control unit 50 and the bidirectional communication network 4. The information recording unit 54 is configured to cause the information storage unit 53 to store program-related update information and update identification information transmitted from the program-related information distribution terminal 3. The identification information detection unit 52 acquires identification information corresponding to the program related information stored in the information storage unit 53, and receives the communication control unit 50 and the bidirectional communication network 4.
Is transmitted to the program-related information distribution terminal 3 via.

The information storage unit 53 includes a hard disk (HDD) that can increase the access speed of reading and writing, a readable / writable optical disk, a readable / writable magneto-optical disk, and a readable / writable magnetic disk. A storage medium using a disk or a storage medium using a semiconductor is preferable, but a storage medium using a tape such as a magnetic tape may be used.

In the receiving terminal 5 on the user side, the user interface unit 55 has, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a remote controller as an input device, and has a display device and a speaker device, such as a CRT, as an output device. The user can control the operation of the receiving terminal 5 by performing predetermined key operations. The request information generation unit 51 transmits a request item of program related information input by the user interface unit 55 to the program related information distribution terminal 3 via the communication control unit 50 and the bidirectional communication network 4. Yes.

The digital broadcast reception processing unit 59 receives a digital broadcast wave from a broadcast transmission network such as satellite / terrestrial / cable via the reception control unit 58, performs a digital broadcast demodulation process, and demodulates video / audio / data information. Is sent to the user interface unit 55, and the program-related information that is demodulated additional information is sent to the additional information storage unit 57. The demodulated video / audio / data information is reproduced by a display device and a speaker device which are output devices of the user interface unit 55. On the other hand, the demodulated program related information is stored in the additional information storage unit 57. The program related information stored in the information storage unit 53 and the program related information stored in the additional information storage unit 57 are sent to the information integration unit 56, where both program related information is integrated and output from the user interface unit 55. Displayed on the device.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step 1 (S1), the user selects the user interface unit 5
5 is selected, for example, one of the selection items “automatic update” and “item request update” displayed on the screen of the display device is selected. That is, whether the program related information and the identification information stored in the information storage unit 53 of the receiving terminal 5 are automatically updated at the timing when the information stored in the program related information distribution terminal 3 is updated. Alternatively, when the “automatic update” setting is selected, an item of program-related information that is not distributed is specified to specify whether a distribution request is made. Generally, the default setting is
It is desirable that “automatic update” is selected.

When the user interface unit 55 is operated and “automatic update” is selected, the process proceeds to step 2 (S2), and the process of step 2 is repeated until the identification information of the program-related distribution terminal 3 is updated. When the identification information is updated, the process proceeds to step 3 (S3), and the identification information detecting unit 52 of the receiving terminal 5 is requested by the request from the program related information distribution terminal 3.
Detects the identification information stored in the information storage unit 53. First, the identification information is read from the information storage unit 53, and the information is transmitted to the program related information distribution terminal 3 via the communication control unit 50 and the bidirectional communication network 4.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, each information related to the program and identification information corresponding to the information are stored in the information storage unit 53, and each identification information is transmitted from the program related information distribution terminal 3. The information recording unit 54 includes information (for example, year / month / day / time information) indicating the update history of the program-related information corresponding to the identification information and an identifier such as an ID number specific to the provider that provided the program-related information. Location (address) information indicating a storage location of program-related information corresponding to the identifier to be added is included.

Next, it progresses to step 4 (S4), and it transmits via the communication control part 50 and the bidirectional | two-way communication network 4 from the identification information detection part 52 of the receiving terminal 5 by the identification information comparison part 36 of the program related information delivery terminal 3. The identification information of the information storage unit 53 thus received is the communication control unit 3.
8 is received. Next, the identification information comparison unit 36 compares the updated identification information updated in the program-related information distribution terminal 3 with the received identification information of the information storage unit 50 from the identification information detection unit 52.

In step 5 (S5), the update information generation unit 37 causes the identification information comparison unit 3 to
6, the updated program related information is read from the information storage unit 33, and the updated program related information and the update identification information are read from the receiving terminal 5 via the communication control unit 38 and the bidirectional communication network 4. It transmits to the information recording part 54. In step 6 (S6), when the information recording unit 54 receives the update program related information and the update identification information from the update information generating unit 37 via the communication control unit 50, the information recording unit 54 The old program related information corresponding to the update identification information and the old identification information are replaced and stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the identification information b of the program B and the program related information β are to be updated, as shown in FIG.
The identification information b ′ of the program B, which is update information, and the program related information β ′ are replaced. Since the identification information stored in the information storage unit 53 includes location (address) information indicating the storage location of program-related information corresponding to the identification information, this replacement is possible without any problem.

  Thereafter, the process is terminated.

When the selection item “update item request” is selected by the user in step 1 (S1), the process proceeds to step 7 (S7).

In step 7 (S7), first, the program related information distribution terminal 3 is notified that the user has instructed "update item request" from the receiving terminal 5. As a result, the program-related information distribution terminal 3 transmits the information items stored in the information storage unit 33 and the information items that can be acquired from the program provider terminal 1 via the communication control unit 38 and the bidirectional communication network 4. Transmit to the receiving terminal 5. When the receiving terminal 5 receives a distributable program-related information item from the program-related information distribution terminal 3, characters and diagrams corresponding to the information item are displayed on a screen such as a CRT which is an output device of the user interface unit 55. Is done.

Next, in step 8 (S8), the user sees distributable information items displayed on a screen such as a CRT of the user interface unit 55 of the receiving terminal 5, and stores the information items in the information storage unit 53 from among them. A desired information item is selected by operating a remote controller or a keyboard or mouse. In step 9 (S9), all the user selection items selected by the user in step 8 (S8) are transmitted to the program via the communication control unit 50 and the bidirectional communication unit 4 by the request information generation unit 51. It is transmitted to the related information distribution unit 3.

In step 10 (S10), first, the request information generation unit 31 of the program related information distribution terminal 3 causes the request information generation unit 51 of the reception terminal 5 to execute the communication control unit 50.
The user selection item transmitted via the bidirectional communication network 4 is the communication control unit 3.
8 is received. Next, the request information generation unit 31 checks whether or not the program related information corresponding to the received user selection item is stored in the information storage unit 33 of the program related information distribution unit 3. When the program related information corresponding to the user selection item is not stored in the information storage unit 33, the process proceeds to step 11 (S11).

In step 11 (S11), the request information generation unit 31 performs communication control unit 3
0 and the user selection item transmitted via the bidirectional communication network 2 are received by the request information receiving unit 12 of the program provider terminal 1 via the communication control unit 14. The request information receiving unit 12 notifies the user selection items to the program related information generating unit 13. The program related information generation unit 13 displays information corresponding to the user selection item in the program related information database 1.
5 is extracted.

Next, in step 12 (S12), the program related information generation unit 13 extracts the extracted program related information transmitted via the communication control unit 14 and the bidirectional communication network 2 via the communication control unit 30. Are received by the information storage unit 32 and the identification information generation unit 32 of the program related information distribution terminal 3. The identification information generation unit 32 generates identification information and transmits it to the storage information unit 33, and the information storage unit 33 stores the received program related information and the identification information from the identification information generation unit 32 in association with each other.

Thereafter, in step 6 (S6), the update information generation unit 37 receives the identification information and the program related information transmitted via the communication control unit 38 and the bidirectional communication unit 4 via the communication control unit 50. The data is received by the information recording unit 54 of the receiving terminal 5. The information recording unit 54 stores the received program related information and identification information in the information storage unit 53.

When the program-related information and identification information, which are request information, are distributed and stored in the information storage unit 53, the charging processing unit 34 can perform a predetermined charging process on the receiving terminal 5.

In this billing process, for example, it is possible to set different fee systems for acquiring program-related information with a sponsor and for acquiring program-related information without a sponsor.

By transmitting information related to the charging process to the receiving terminal 5 via the bidirectional communication network 4, it is possible to notify the user of the current charging status, and it is also possible for the user to acquire it. . It is also possible to send billing information to a credit card company or a financial institution such as a bank and withdraw the amount equivalent to the bill from the user's account.

By doing so, the user can receive supplemental program related information that complements the program-related information, which is different from the program-related information sent over the broadcast transmission network, with a simple operation. . In addition, when the program related information is updated, the program related information distribution terminal 3 transmits only the information related to the program via the bidirectional communication network 4.
The amount of information can be reduced, and program related information can be distributed efficiently.

  Thereafter, the process ends.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The configuration of this embodiment includes an update information generation unit 16 for the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, an update identifier receiving unit 39 for the configuration shown in FIG. The update identifier detection unit 510 is added to the configuration shown in FIG. Except for these portions, the configuration and operation are the same as those in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, and therefore the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. Operations of the update information generation unit 16, the update identifier reception unit 39, and the update identifier detection unit 510 will be described.

The outline of this example is that, in the first embodiment, the program related information distribution terminal 3 detects the update of the program related information transmitted from the program provider terminal 1 and acquires the identification information from the receiver terminal 5. The program provider terminal 1 multiplexes and transmits the update identifier of the program related information as additional information of the broadcast service, and transmits the update information of the program related information at the receiving terminal 5. When received, the update identifier is detected, and as a result, the receiving terminal 5 bills the program related information distribution terminal 3 for update information.

In FIG. 7, the update identifier generation unit 16 receives information when the program related information extracted from the program related information database 15 for multiplexing with the broadcast service is updated from the program related information database 15. An update identifier for recognition at the terminal is generated. The update identifier is multiplexed together with video, audio and data information in the broadcast service generation unit 11, is encoded by the transmission control unit 10, and is sent to a broadcast transmission network such as a satellite / terrestrial / cable. The

In FIG. 9, the update information identifier detection unit 510 includes a digital broadcast reception process 59.
Receives digital broadcast waves from broadcast transmission networks such as satellites, terrestrials and cables.
8, is subjected to digital broadcast demodulation processing, detects the demodulated update identifier, and transmits it to the program related information distribution unit 3 via the communication control unit 50 and the bidirectional communication network 4. ing.

In FIG. 8, the update identifier receiving unit 39 is configured to receive an update identifier from the receiving terminal 5 via the communication control unit 38 and the bidirectional communication network 4. When receiving the update identifier, the update identifier receiving unit 39 notifies the update information generating unit 37 of this. As a result, the update information generation unit 37 acquires information from the information storage unit 33 for program-related update information that can update the program-related information stored in the receiving terminals 5a to 5n with a minimum amount of information. Along with the update identification information generated and sent from the identification information comparison unit 36, the receiving terminal 5 is connected via the communication control unit 38 and the bidirectional communication network 4.
It is comprised so that it may be transmitted to a-5n.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step 13 (S13), the update identifier detector 5 of the receiving terminal 5 is used.
Step 10 is repeated until an update identifier is detected at 10. When the update identifier is detected, this is transmitted to the program related information distribution terminal 3 via the communication control unit 50 and the bidirectional communication network 4.

Next, the process proceeds to step 14 (S14), and the update identifier receiving unit 39 of the program related information distribution terminal 3 causes the communication control unit 50 to update from the update identifier detecting unit 510 of the receiving terminal 5.
The update identifier information transmitted via the bidirectional communication network 4 is transmitted to the communication control unit 3.
8 is received. The update identifier receiving unit 39 notifies the update information generating unit 37 that the update identifier information has been received.

In step 15 (S15), the update information generation unit 37 reads the update program related information from the information storage unit 33 based on the update identifier, and the update program related information and the update identification information from the identification information comparison unit 36 are read. Is transmitted to the information recording unit 54 of the receiving terminal 5 via the communication control unit 38 and the bidirectional communication network 4.

In step 16 (S16), when the information recording unit 54 receives the update program related information and the update identification information from the update information generating unit 37 via the communication control unit 50, the information recording unit 54 The old program related information corresponding to the update identification information and the old identification information are replaced and stored.

  Thereafter, the process ends.

By doing so, the update status of the program related information can be obtained through the broadcast service, so that the acquisition of the updated program related information can be further accelerated. Also,
Further speeding up can be achieved by making it possible to detect which information of which program of which channel has been updated in more detail with respect to the update identifier.

Examples of supplementary information that can be distributed by the program related information distribution terminal 3 include the following.

As a first example of supplementary information, for example, when considering a current music program, the program information of most digital music (radio) programs includes the name of the album released when the currently broadcasted music is released. Information on the CD (Compact Disc), what other songs are on the CD, what kind of CD jacket it is, and future time zones such as the next time zone This is information such as what is playing and what the concert (event) information of the artist is. Currently, the information that the viewer wants to know is not sent, and by using the present invention, such information can be distributed.

As a second example of supplementary information, for example, in addition to time information such as the start / end / length of a program, which is current program information, other time information, for example, C in a program
M start / end / length time information and further details on the CM product,
Or, for example, information such as a program broadcast schedule for all services for one month.

As a third example of the supplemental information, for example, in the case of digital broadcasting, a program such as a news program or a weather forecast is also broadcast with high image quality. Specific minimum required recording rate information.

In the case of information such as the supplementary information described above, for example, it is possible not to be charged. Further, these supplementary information may be constantly updated, or may be updated only when requested by the user.

If the format of the program related information transmitted from each of the program provider terminals 1a to 1n to the program related information terminal 3 is different for each program provider terminal, for example, the information storage unit 33 changes the format to the same format. May be converted and integrated into a single data format, stored in a plurality of formats and stored in a plurality of data formats, or stored in the different separate formats Then, the format may be converted by the update information generation unit 37 and transmitted to the receiving terminal side. In other words, in the program information distribution system according to claim 1 or claim 2, the first storage means of the distribution terminal has the program related information from a plurality of provider terminals determined in advance. The integrated program-related information that is converted into a specified format and integrated into one data format may be stored in association with the third identification information that is changed when the integrated program-related information is updated.

In addition, as inventions related to the invention described in the claims, (1
In the program information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the provider terminal requests program-related information from the distribution terminal side. Means for receiving request information, wherein the distribution terminal receives request information for requesting program-related information to the provider terminal side, and receives a request item of program-related information from the receiving terminal side And (2) receiving the program related information of the broadcast service via the two-way communication network. A distribution device that distributes to the terminal side, the first storage unit that stores the first identification information for identifying the program-related information to be updated and the program-related information received from the provider terminal side;
Information for identifying program-related information stored in the receiving terminal, and the stored program-related information of the receiving terminal based on second identification information sent from the receiving terminal and the first identification information And a means for transmitting update information and the first identification information to the receiving terminal side, and (3) a program of a broadcast service. A receiving device for receiving program-related information distributed via a two-way communication network from a distribution device that distributes related information, and identifying storage means for storing the program-related information and the stored program-related information Means for detecting identification information to be transmitted and transmitting it to the distribution device side, and updating means for updating the stored program-related information with update information formed based on the identification information on the distribution device side Receiving terminal side And (4) using the program information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, displaying at least information items distributable from the distribution terminal side, and request items from the distributable information items And a program information distribution method for distributing program-related information to the receiving terminal side through a step of requesting the distribution terminal side and selecting each of the items described in the description of the above embodiment. Within range.

It is a block diagram which shows the Example structure of the program information delivery system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the Example structure of the provider terminal of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the Example structure of the delivery terminal of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the Example structure of the receiving terminal of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the program information delivery system of this invention. It is explanatory drawing in the case of updating the information of the information storage part in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the Example structure of the provider terminal of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the Example structure of the delivery terminal of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the Example structure of the receiving terminal of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the program information delivery system of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Program provider terminal, 1a to 1n ... Program provider terminal,
2 ... interactive communication network 3 ... program related information distribution terminal,
4 ... two-way communication network, 5 ... receiving terminal,
5a to 5n: receiving terminal, 10 ... transmission control unit,
11 ... Broadcast service generation unit, 12 ... Request information reception unit,
13 ... Program related information generation unit, 14 ... Communication control unit,
15 ... Program related information database,
16 ... Update identifier generation unit, 30 ... Communication control unit,
31 ... Request information generation unit, 32 ... Identification information generation unit,
33 ... Information storage unit 34 ... Billing processing unit,
35 ... identification information detection unit, 36 ... identification information comparison unit,
37 ... Update information generation unit, 38 ... Communication control unit,
39 ... Update identifier receiving unit, 50 ... Communication control unit,
51 ... Request information generation unit, 52 ... Identification information detection unit,
53 ... Information storage unit, 54 ... Information recording unit,
55 ... User interface unit, 56 ... Information integration unit,
57 ... Additional information storage unit, 58 ... Reception control unit,
59. Digital broadcast reception processing unit,
510: Update identifier detection unit.

Claims (4)

Program, a receiver for receiving a digital signal including identification information corresponding to the program-related information and the respective program-related information related to the program,
A first accumulator that accumulates program-related information received by the receiver;
A communication unit that receives a digital signal including identification information corresponding to the program-related information and the respective program-related information related to the program via a bi-directional communication network,
A second storage unit for storing program-related information received by the communication unit;
An update identifier detection unit that detects an update identifier indicating updated program-related information from the digital broadcast received by the reception unit, and transmits the update identifier via the bidirectional communication network;
E Bei an output unit for output the the program related information stored in said second storage unit and the first program-related information stored in the storage unit,
The communication unit receives updated program related information indicated by the update identifier transmitted from the update identifier detecting unit and identification information corresponding to the updated program related information,
Each of the identification information is a receiving device in which address information indicating a storage location of program related information corresponding to the identification information is included. The receiving device according to claim 1,
Each of the identification information includes information that indicates an update history of program-related information corresponding to the identification information.   The receiving device according to claim 1,
  The receiving apparatus, wherein the program related information includes rate information for recording a program.   The receiving device according to claim 1,
  The receiving apparatus includes the related information including a program broadcast schedule.

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