JP4056719B2 - Program information changing method, receiving apparatus and computer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a program information changing method, a receiving device, a program information transmitting method, and a program information processing method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Today, digital broadcasting is becoming full-scale, and the realization of digital terrestrial broadcasting as well as BS broadcasting, CS broadcasting, and cable television broadcasting that have already been realized has become near-term. Along with this, televisions with large-capacity hard disks have been released. On the other hand, with the increase in the speed of communication lines such as the Internet, it has become possible to watch TV on a personal computer equipped with a TV tuner.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Under such circumstances, when the multi-channel television broadcasting is further promoted, the program or channel that the viewer wants to watch is selected from a large number of channels and programs. On the other hand, production of programs mainly in private broadcasting stations relies on funds provided by sponsors who want to promote advertisements through the programs, and commercials (CMs) of sponsors while broadcasting the programs. ) Is a problem. Specifically, for example, when a viewer records a program that the viewer wants to watch on the TV hard disk and views the program later, when the viewer starts watching the program by skipping only the CM part, For sponsors who want to promote advertisements with commercials, the meaning of funding the program will be lost.
[0004]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention prevents a viewer from skipping only a part of a program such as a CM or a specific scene when viewing the program.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
That is, in the program information changing method of the present invention, identification information is arbitrarily recorded in program information in which identification information, which is information for identifying a part of information constituting a program, is recorded.
[0006]
Here, “a part constituting a program” means any part of a scene, a corner, or a CM in a program. The “identification information” identifies the position (part) of the part, such as the start point of the partial information or both the start point and the end point.
[0007]
Further, “arbitrarily” means “randomly” using, for example, a random number or the like.
[0008]
Furthermore, “recording” includes, in addition to newly recording, inserting between existing information and overwriting.
[0009]
As described above, by arbitrarily recording the identification information in the program information in which the identification information is recorded and updating the program information, for example, the identification information indicating that it is a CM is a place where the identification information should originally exist. Regardless of this, since the program information is recorded at any location, it is impossible for the side receiving such program information to determine where the information indicating the true CM is based on the identification information. It becomes difficult to cut and see only the part of. Therefore, the advertisement can be effectively performed by showing the CM as desired by the program sponsor to the viewer.
[0010]
As described above, in order to make it difficult to identify where the CM is in the program information and to ensure that the viewer can watch the CM, in addition to arbitrarily recording the CM identification information, CM identification information can also be recorded based on a certain method in program information in which identification information, which is information for identifying a part of information constituting the information, is recorded.
[0011]
On the other hand, in a receiving device on the side of viewing a program such as a television, similarly, a program information receiving unit that receives program information in which CM identification information is recorded, and CM identification information is written in the program information received by the program information receiving unit. By providing a CM identification information recording unit and a program information accumulation unit for accumulating the results in the CM identification information recording unit, the location of information indicating the original CM in the program information based on the CM identification information is determined. Since it is possible to make it impossible to identify, it is possible to prevent only the CM from being skipped. In this case, the program information received by the program information receiving unit may be the program information that has already been changed so that it is difficult to identify the location of the CM identification information, or the regular information in which the CM identification information is recorded at the original position. It may be the information.
[0012]
By the way, in digital broadcasting, information such as video and audio is broadcast in a compressed state using an information compression technique such as MPEG. In such an information compression technique, information compression is performed by using, for example, a first video as a reference video and a subsequent video as a differential video from the reference video among a series of related videos. Then, a set video is created by combining the reference video and the difference video, and a plurality of set videos are continuously configured to form one program. On the other hand, on the television side, the information compressed in this way is decoded so that it can be viewed as a normal program. That is, in a very simplified description, for example, information related to a CM exists as one set video, and a set video corresponding to the CM is inserted between a plurality of set videos related to program content. Since the first video of the CM-related video is a reference video different from the previous set video, the set video of the CM portion cannot be skipped on the TV side unless the reference video can be recognized. . Therefore, in order to make it difficult to easily recognize the location of the first reference video of a set video showing a CM in this way, for example, a video of a difference between one reference video that is a reference video and one reference video A program information receiving step for receiving program information in which a plurality of set videos, each of which is a set of one or more difference videos, are continuously configured, and a reference for the set video constituting the program information received in the program information receiving step It is desirable that the program information is changed by a reference video changing step for changing the video to a differential video from the final differential video constituting the previous set video.
[0013]
On the other hand, in the receiver on the television side, a plurality of set videos that are sets of one or more difference videos that are the difference between one reference video that is a reference video and one reference video are continuously displayed. The program information receiving unit that receives the program information configured in the above, and the reference video of the set video that constitutes the program information received by the program information receiving unit is the difference video from the last differential video that constitutes the previous set video And a program information storage unit for storing program information that is a result of the reference video change unit so that the location of the reference video indicating the start of the CM cannot be recognized, for example. Thus, the set video based on the reference video cannot be skipped, and the video based on the program information can be viewed. The reference video changing unit can be realized by, for example, a normal MPEG encoding technique.
[0014]
On the other hand, in the program information transmission method that prevents a part of the program from being viewed, the identification information in the program information in which the identification information that is information for identifying the information constituting the part of the program is recorded is encrypted. And a transmitting step of transmitting program information in which the identification information encrypted in the encrypting step is recorded.
[0015]
Information processing methods on the receiving side for processing program information transmitted by such a program information transmitting method include a receiving step for receiving program information transmitted in the transmitting step and an encryption performed in the encrypting step. A key obtaining step for obtaining a key for decrypting, and a descrambling step for decrypting encrypted identification information in the program information received in the receiving step using the key obtained in the key obtaining step; And a program information storing step of storing program information which is information of a result in the descrambling step.
[0016]
Here, “storing” is a concept including not only holding information in a recording medium such as a hard disk or a memory but also holding received data in a temporary memory.
[0017]
By doing so, it becomes possible to release the encryption of the encrypted identification information, recognize the location of information related to a specific part in the program, and skip only that part for viewing.
[0018]
Specifically, in order to be able to view only a portion related to a CM, the identification information is CM identification information for identifying a commercial. When the program information stored in the program information storage step is reproduced, A program information reproduction step of reproducing the program information by skipping the commercial identified by the CM identification information may be further included. However, if the viewer skips the CM, it is not possible to suitably carry out the advertising activities related to the sponsor through the program. Therefore, by providing a billing step for charging for the use of the key, the CM skip can be performed. It can be effectively prevented.
[0019]
Here, “charging” means counting the number of times the key is used, and calculating a fee based on the counted number of times the key is used and monthly contract items.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
Here, each embodiment described below shows a case where each user views a digital broadcast transmitted from a television broadcast station on a television receiver. Since the apparatus configuration of the entire broadcasting system is common to the embodiments, first, a schematic diagram thereof will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, S is a center computer installed in a broadcasting station, and program information produced and edited by the center computer S is transmitted through a transmitter Pa or the like. This transmission form is not particularly limited, for example, via an artificial satellite such as BS or CS, via terrestrial waves, via cable TV or the Internet. On the other hand, TV in the figure is a television receiver used by each user who views the broadcast, and includes a digital television broadcast tuner TN, a display D connected to the tuner TN, a hard disk HDD, an antenna (not shown), and the like. Have. Note that the tuner TN, the display D, the hard disk HDD, and the like may be separate units connected by cables or the like, or they may be incorporated integrally. Further, a general personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone or the like having a tuner function or a hard disk function may be used as a television receiver.
[0022]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the center computer S includes a CPU 1001, an internal memory 1002, an external storage device 1003 such as an HD, an input unit 1004 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 1005 such as a display, and a transmitter Pa. Communication interface 1006 and the like, and other general functions as a server computer such as a database function. Although this center computer is shown as a single computer, the processing of program information is performed by an external program production company, and the broadcast station only performs the act of broadcasting the program information obtained therefrom. Also good. When the functions of the center computer S are distributed and performed by a plurality of computers, it is assumed that each computer functions as a center computer as a whole.
[0023]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the tuner TN in the television receiver TV includes a CPU 1011, an internal memory 1012, an input means 1013, a receiving means 1014 for receiving information broadcast from a broadcasting station, a hard disk HDD, a display D, and the like. It has a communication interface 1015 with peripheral devices and the like, and also has various functions as a general digital TV tuner. Then, the information received by the tuner TN is temporarily stored in the hard disk HDD and then displayed on the display D by a user's predetermined operation, or displayed on the display D in real time during broadcasting, so that it can be viewed by the user. Will be.
[0024]
Hereinafter, the first to third embodiments based on the present system will be specifically described.
[0025]
<First Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, in the center computer S, the CPU 1001 and peripheral devices operate according to programs stored in the storage device 1003 and the like, and as shown in FIG. 4, the program information management unit 1 and the CM identification information recording unit 2 The function as the program information transmission part 3 etc. is exhibited. The program may be installed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be received and installed through an electric communication line such as the Internet.
[0026]
Specifically, the program information management unit 1 accumulates and manages each produced program information in the program information database DB1 or the like. Each piece of program information managed here is stored as program data arranged in time series, for example, as shown in FIG. This program data is composed of program main body data which is a part indicating specific contents (contents) which are the essence of the program, and CM data indicating advertisement contents of a sponsor company or the like. In each CM data, CM identifiers 01 (start) and 02 (end) are recorded in data portions corresponding to the start time and end time.
[0027]
The CM identification information recording unit 2 adds and records the CM identifier 01 or 02 at an arbitrary location in the program information. The locations for recording the CM identifiers 01 and 02 are randomly determined based on random numbers or the like. That is, the CM identifiers 01 and 02 are newly recorded as appropriate regardless of the program main body data and the CM data, and may be overwritten at the place where the CM identifiers 01 and 02 were originally attached. However, it may be erased. The new recording of the CM identifiers 01 and 02 is not arbitrarily performed, but can be performed based on a predetermined rule. In any case, the program information managed by the program information management unit 1 is changed as a result of the action of the CM identification information recording unit 2.
[0028]
The program information transmission unit 3 transmits the program information to be received by the user's television receiver TV based on the changed program information.
[0029]
On the other hand, in the television receiver TV, peripheral devices such as the CPU 1011 of the tuner TN, the hard disk HDD, and the display D operate in accordance with a program stored in advance or a program transmitted and downloaded from a broadcasting station, as shown in FIG. The functions of the program information receiving unit 101, the program information accumulating unit 102, the program reproducing unit 103, and the like are exhibited.
[0030]
Specifically, the program information receiving unit 101 receives and receives program information transmitted from the program information transmitting unit 3 of the center computer S. The program information storage unit 102 stores the program information received by the program information reception unit 101 in a hard disk HDD or the like. The program playback unit 103 plays a program corresponding to the program information on the display based on the program information stored in the program information storage unit 102, and controls video display and audio output. The program playback unit 103 can also play back the program information received by the program information receiving unit 101 in real time.
[0031]
Next, the system usage flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0032]
First, the broadcast station center computer S records a program identifier in a program information database by arbitrarily writing a CM identifier (FIG. 6; step S1). In the recorded program information, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), CM identifiers 01 and 02 are recorded and changed at arbitrary locations in the program main body data in addition to the original CM data start position and end position. It becomes a state. Next, the changed program information is stored in the program information database (step S2) and transmitted when a predetermined broadcast time is reached (step S3).
[0033]
On the other hand, the user's television receiver TV receives the transmitted program information (FIG. 7; step S101), stores it (step S102), and performs a predetermined operation at a time when the user wants to view the program. If it is performed, it is played back (step S103). At this time, even if the television receiver TV has a function of recognizing the CM identifier in the program information and skipping the CM data to reproduce only the program main body data, the program information has a part other than the original CM data. Since the CM identifier is also recorded, the original normal program content cannot be viewed. Therefore, the user is forced to view the entire program including the CM portion, and as a result, it is possible to perform advertising activities through the CM together with the main portion of the program as expected by the sponsor and the broadcasting station. .
[0034]
In the present embodiment, the case where the center computer S records the CM identifier in the program information has been described above. However, the broadcast station transmits the program information in which the regular CM identifier is recorded and receives it. The television receiver as the receiving apparatus may be configured to record the CM identifier in the program information in the same manner as the CM identification information recording unit 2 and to reproduce the recorded program information after accumulating it. The same effect as the embodiment can be obtained. Such a modification of the first embodiment will be described below.
[0035]
That is, in this modification, the center computer S on the broadcast station side functions as a program information management unit 1, a program information transmission unit 3 and the like as shown in FIG. Demonstrate. On the other hand, the television receiver TV functions as a program information receiving unit 101, a program information accumulating unit 102, a program reproducing unit 103, a CM identification information recording unit 104, and the like by operating each unit according to a predetermined program or the like.
[0036]
Here, the program information management unit 1 in the center computer S accumulates each program information produced and edited in the program information database DB1, etc., as in the first embodiment, and the program information transmission unit 3 The accumulated program information is transmitted. Here, each stored program information is composed of program main body data and CM data, similar to the program information shown in FIG. 5A, and each CM data has its start time and end time. CM identifiers 01 and 02 are recorded in the data portion corresponding to the time.
[0037]
In the television receiver TV, the program information receiving unit 101 receives the program information transmitted by the program information transmitting unit 3 as in the first embodiment. The CM identification information recording unit 104 adds the CM identifier 01 or 02 to an arbitrary location in the program information received by the program information receiving unit 101 and records the same, similar to the CM identification information recording unit in the first embodiment. It has the effect of. The program information storage unit 102 stores the program information to which the CM identification information is added by the CM identification information recording unit 104, and the program reproduction unit 103 stores the program information in the program information storage unit 102. Based on the stored program information, a program corresponding to the program information is reproduced.
[0038]
Next, the flow of system use in this modification will be described. First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the center computer S accumulates program information produced and edited in advance (step S1 ′), and transmits the program information when a predetermined broadcast time is reached (step S1 ′). S2 ′).
[0039]
On the other hand, as shown in the flowchart in FIG. 11, when receiving the transmitted program information (step S101 ′), the television receiver TV records CM identification information 01 or 02 in the program information (step S102 ′). Further, program information in which CM identification information is recorded is accumulated (step S103 ′). Here, the program information in which the CM identification information 01, 02 is added and recorded is at the start position and the end position of the original CM data as shown in FIG. In addition, CM identifiers 01 and 02 are recorded and changed at arbitrary locations in the program main body data. When the user performs a predetermined operation at a time when the user wants to view the program, such program information is reproduced (step S104 ′).
[0040]
Even in the modification described above, the user can watch the entire program without skipping the CM, as in the case of changing the CM identification information on the center computer S side as in the above embodiment. it can.
[0041]
Second Embodiment
In the present embodiment, the center computer S is operated according to a predetermined program or the like so that the program information receiving unit 11, the program information managing unit 12, the reference video changing unit 13, the program information transmitting unit as shown in FIG. The function as at least 14 etc. is exhibited.
[0042]
The program information receiving unit 11 receives program information relating to a program produced in an external program production company or broadcasting station through a recording medium such as the Internet, an intranet, or a DVD-ROM, and the received program information is As in the case of the first embodiment, the program information management unit 12 manages the program information database D12, for example.
[0043]
Here, in the present embodiment, the program information is encoded using a video compression technique such as MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group), for example, and for example, as shown in a simplified manner in FIG. A series of videos related in the contents of audio is set as a set video, and the difference between one reference video (001) based on each set video and the immediately preceding video (reference video (001) or difference video (002)) is set. It consists of a set of a plurality of difference videos (002) which are videos. That is, the head of each set video is a reference video (001), and the program data is configured by sequentially arranging a plurality of set videos representing program main body data and CM data in time series. Here, set video numbers 01, 02, 03,... Are added in order from the top set video of the program information.
[0044]
The reference image changing unit 13 changes the reference image in the set image related to the CM data in the program information to a difference image that is a difference from the final difference image in the immediately preceding set image. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the program information changed here is managed again by the program information management unit 12.
[0045]
The program information transmitting unit 14 transmits the program information to be received by the user's television receiver TV based on the program information changed by the reference video changing unit 13.
[0046]
On the other hand, each part of the television receiver TV operates according to a predetermined program or the like, and as shown in FIG. 13, functions as a program information reception unit 111, a program information storage unit 112, a program reproduction unit 113, and the like are exhibited. The program information reception unit 111, the program information storage unit 112, and the program reproduction unit 113 are respectively the program information reception unit 101, the program information storage unit 102, and the program reproduction unit 103 of the television receiver TV in the first embodiment. The description is omitted because it has the same function. When the program information is reproduced, the television receiver TV is provided with an appropriate decoder so as to decode and reproduce the compressed video.
[0047]
Next, the flow of system use of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0048]
First, the center computer S of the broadcasting station receives program information from the outside and manages it in the program information database D12 (FIG. 15; step S11), and the set video corresponding to the CM data from the program information and the set video just before it. The final difference video at is extracted (step S12). Then, the reference video located at the head of the set video of the CM data is changed to a difference video with the previous difference video (step S13), and the program information is accumulated based on the changed information (step S14). ). Here, FIG. 14B shows a specific example of the changed program information. That is, in the figure (a), in the set picture (set picture number 03) relating to the CM data, the leading reference picture (001, shown with shading in the figure) is shown in the figure (b). It has been changed to a difference video (002, shown with shading in the figure). Furthermore, the managed program information is transmitted at a predetermined broadcast time (step S15).
[0049]
On the other hand, in the user's television receiver TV, the transmitted program information is received (FIG. 16; step S111), stored (step S112), and a predetermined operation is performed at the time when the user wants to view the program. If it is performed, it is played back (step S113). At this time, even if the television receiver TV has a function of recognizing the reference video in the program information and skipping the CM data to reproduce only the program body data, the received program information includes the reference video in the CM data. Since it is changed to the difference video, the reference video indicating the start of the CM video cannot be identified, and the original normal program content cannot be viewed. Therefore, the user is forced to view the entire program including the CM portion, and as a result, it is possible to perform advertising activities through the CM together with the main portion of the program as expected by the sponsor and the broadcasting station. .
[0050]
In the present embodiment, the case where the center computer S changes the reference video related to the CM data in the program information to the difference video has been described above. However, the broadcast station transmits the program information in which the regular reference video is recorded. Then, in the television receiver as a receiving apparatus that receives the received data, the reference video related to the CM data is changed to a differential video, and the changed program information is stored and reproduced. Also, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained. Such a modification of the second embodiment will be described below.
[0051]
That is, in this modification, the center computer S on the broadcasting station side functions as a program information receiving unit 11, a program information managing unit 12, a program information transmitting unit 14 and the like as shown in FIG. 17, as shown in FIG. Demonstrate. On the other hand, the television receiver TV functions as a program information receiving unit 111, a program information accumulating unit 112, a program reproducing unit 113, a reference video changing unit 114, and the like when each unit operates according to a predetermined program or the like.
[0052]
Here, the program information receiving unit 11 in the center computer S receives and receives program information produced and edited in advance, as in the second embodiment, and receives the received program information as a program information database. The program information management unit 12 manages such as storing in D12. The program information transmitter 14 transmits the stored program information. Here, as shown in FIG. 18, each program information stored and transmitted is a program composed of a reference video (001) and a plurality of difference videos (002), similarly to the program information shown in FIG. 14 (a). It is composed of a plurality of set videos related to main body data or CM data.
[0053]
In the television receiver TV, the program information receiving unit 111 receives the program information transmitted by the program information transmitting unit 14 as in the second embodiment. The reference image changing unit 114 changes the reference image in the set image related to the CM data in the program information received by the program information receiving unit 111 to a difference image that is a difference from the final difference image in the immediately preceding set image. The same operation as the reference image changing unit 13 of the center computer S in the second embodiment is achieved. The program information storage unit 112 stores program information changed by the reference video changing unit 114, and the program playback unit 113 plays back the stored program information corresponding to the program information. Is.
[0054]
Next, the flow of system use in this modification will be described. First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19, the center computer S receives and receives program information that has been produced and edited in advance (step S11 ′), and stores it (step S12 ′). When the predetermined broadcast time is reached, the program information is transmitted (step S13 ′).
[0055]
On the other hand, the television receiver TV receives the transmitted program information as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 20 (step S111 ′). Then, from the program information, the set video corresponding to the CM data and the final difference video in the previous set video are extracted (step S112 ′), and the reference video located at the head of the set video of the CM data is used as the immediately preceding video. The difference video is changed to the difference video (step S113 ′), and the program information is accumulated based on the changed information (step S114 ′). Further, when the user performs a predetermined operation at a time when the user wants to view the program, the changed program information is reproduced (step S115 ′). Here, as shown in FIG. 21, the program information that has been changed to the reference video and accumulated and reproduced based on the set video (see FIG. The first reference image ((001) in FIG. 18) of the set image number 03) is changed to a difference image (002, shown with shading in the figure).
[0056]
Even in the modified example as described above, the entire program is not skipped by the user without the CM being skipped as in the case of changing the reference video of the CM data to the differential video on the center computer S side as in the above embodiment. Can be viewed.
[0057]
<Third Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the center computer S operates as each unit operates according to a predetermined program or the like, whereby a program information management unit 21, an encryption processing unit 22, a program information transmission unit 23, and a key management unit as shown in FIG. 24, at least a function as the billing information management unit 25 and the like.
[0058]
Specifically, the program information management unit 1 accumulates and manages each produced program information in the program information database DB 21 or the like. Each program information managed here is accumulated as program data arranged in time series as shown in FIG. 23A, for example. This program data is composed of program body data and CM data as in the above embodiments. In the present embodiment, the program information is recorded in a state where the identification information (0001) is recorded corresponding to the program body data and the identification information (0002) is recorded corresponding to the CM data.
[0059]
The encryption processing unit 22 performs processing for encrypting each identification information for the managed program information. In order to encrypt the identification information, a general encryption key may be used, and the encryption key is stored in the key management unit 24 described later.
[0060]
The program information transmitting unit 23 transmits the program information to be received by the user's television receiver TV based on the program information in which the encrypted identification information is recorded.
[0061]
The key management unit 24 includes an encryption processing unit 22 together with a decryption key for decrypting identification information encrypted by pairing the encryption key used in the encryption processing unit 22 with the encryption key. 22 is managed in correspondence with the program information encrypted in step 22.
[0062]
When the information using the decryption key managed by the key management unit 24 is transmitted to the user's television receiver TV, the billing information management unit 25 receives the information and charges the user with an appropriate fee. It accumulates information for the purpose.
[0063]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22, the television receiver TV operates according to a predetermined program or the like, so that a program information reception unit 121, a decryption key acquisition unit 122, a descrambling unit 123, and a program information storage unit 124 are obtained. At least functions as the program playback unit 125, the billing information processing unit 126, and the like.
[0064]
Specifically, the program information receiving unit 121 receives and receives the program information transmitted from the program information transmitting unit 23 of the center computer S.
[0065]
The decryption key acquisition unit 122 requests the key management unit 24 of the center computer S for a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key that encrypts the identification information in the program information received by the program information reception unit 121. Along with this, it is received and acquired. Note that the decryption key acquisition unit 122 may acquire a decryption key transmitted unilaterally from the center computer S. The acquisition of the decryption key from the center computer S may be received from the center computer S or may be received from the center computer S through a network such as the Internet or CATV.
[0066]
The descrambling unit 123 decrypts the encrypted identification information in the program information based on the program information received by the program information receiving unit 121 and the decryption key acquired by the decryption key acquisition unit 122, and A process of returning the identification information to the state before encryption is performed.
[0067]
The program information storage unit 124 basically stores the program information obtained by decrypting the identification information as described above. When the decryption key is not used to cancel the encryption, the program information storage unit 124 stores the program information. The program information received by the program information receiving unit 121 can be stored as it is.
[0068]
The program reproduction unit 125 reproduces a program corresponding to the program information on the display based on the program information stored in the program information storage unit 124, and controls video display and audio output. At this time, the program playback unit 125 cuts (skips) a part related to the CM data in the program information based on the identification information that has been decrypted, and then essentials the program based on the program body data. It is possible to select whether or not to reproduce only the content portion.
[0069]
When the program reproducing unit 125 skips the CM data based on the CM identification information indicating the CM data and reproduces the program information, the billing information generating unit 126 notifies the user based on the information indicating that the CM is skipped. It generates information for charging. Specifically, for example, every time a CM is skipped and reproduced, the number of times the key is used is counted assuming that the decryption key is used once for the program. Then, the number of times of key use counted every count or every predetermined time limit (such as one month) is transmitted as billing information to the center computer S and managed by the billing information management unit 25.
[0070]
Next, the flow of system use of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0071]
First, in the center computer S of the broadcasting station, the identification information (0001, 0002) is encrypted with respect to certain program information in the program information database by using an encryption key as shown in FIG. 23 (b), for example. (FIG. 24; step S21), and the program information is recorded and managed (step S22). When the predetermined broadcast time is reached, the managed program information is transmitted (step S23).
[0072]
On the other hand, the television receiver TV that has received the transmitted program information (FIG. 25; step S121) transmits information requesting the decryption key corresponding to the program information to the center computer S and correspondingly. The decryption key transmitted from the center computer S is received and acquired (step S122). Further, based on the received program information and the obtained decryption key, the encrypted identification information is decrypted to decrypt the identification information (step S123), and then the program information is stored. (Step S124). The program information obtained by decoding the identification information is in the original state as shown in FIG. Then, when the stored program information is played back and the program is viewed, the user selects whether to skip the portion related to the CM data (step S125), and the user skips the CM and plays it back. When a predetermined operation is performed, the operation is recognized (step S125; Y), and program information consisting only of the portion related to the program body data is reproduced (step S126). In this case, a process of adding “1” to the number of times of use of the decryption key is performed based on the fact that the program information is reproduced by skipping the CM (step S127). On the other hand, when the user performs a predetermined operation for reproduction without skipping the CM in step S125 (step S125; N), the entire program data composed of both the CM data and the program main body data is reproduced (step S125; N). Step S128). For example, the number of times the program information is reproduced by skipping the CM by using the decryption key for a predetermined period such as every month, that is, the number of times the decryption key is used, which is the number of times the processing in step S127 is performed. Is stored as billing information, and the billing information is transmitted to the center computer at a predetermined time (step S129).
[0073]
On the other hand, in the center computer S that has received the billing information, for example, on the basis of a contract with the user from the beginning, for example, the amount corresponding to the billing information is withdrawn from the bank account of the user acquired in advance, For example, issuing a bill based on the billing information.
[0074]
In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not to skip the CM when reproducing the program information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the program information may be used to determine whether to obtain a decryption key. It can also be done when it is accepted. In other words, when the decryption key is obtained, the encrypted identification information is decrypted and then the program information is stored and reproduced. On the other hand, when the decryption key is not obtained, the identification information is encrypted. Store and play live program information. Then, only when the decryption key is obtained, the user is charged based on skipping and playing the CM.
[0075]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented by combining any of these embodiments, and the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a program such as a broadcast station that broadcasts a program can be viewed in such a manner that a part of the program such as a CM that the viewer wants to show to the viewer is not skipped by the viewer. Is possible. Therefore, in particular, when a part of the program is the CM of the sponsor of the program, the information representing the essential contents of the program can be obtained by allowing the user to view the entire program including the CM as much as possible. Of course, since it will be possible to effectively promote advertising activities of sponsors who have invested in program production through commercials, broadcasters will be able to streamline broadcasting operations and fully respond to sponsors' wishes. Is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a device configuration of an entire system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an internal device configuration diagram of the center computer on the broadcasting station side in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an internal device configuration diagram of a television receiver on the viewer side in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram in the first embodiment based on the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a memory map showing an example of program information in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the center computer in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the television receiver in the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a functional configuration diagram of a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a memory map showing an example of program information in the modified example
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the center computer in the modification.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the television receiver in the modification.
FIG. 12 is a memory map showing an example of program information after change in the modified example
FIG. 13 is a functional configuration diagram of a center computer in the second embodiment based on the embodiment;
FIG. 14 is a memory map showing an example of program information in the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the center computer in the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the television receiver in the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a functional configuration diagram in a modified example of the second embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a memory map showing an example of program information in the modified example
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the center computer in the modification.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the television receiver in the modification.
FIG. 21 is a memory map showing an example of program information after change in the modified example
FIG. 22 is a functional configuration diagram of the center computer in the third embodiment based on the embodiment;
FIG. 23 is a memory map showing an example of program information in the third embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the center computer in the third embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the television receiver in the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Program information management department
2 ... CM identification information recording unit
3 ... Program information transmitter
11 ... Program information reception part
12 ... Program information management department
13 ... Reference picture changing part
14 ... Program information transmitter
21 ... Program information management department
22: Encryption processing unit
23. Program information transmission unit
24 ... Key management department
25 ... Billing information manager
101 ... Program information reception part
102. Program information storage unit
103 ... Program playback section
111 ... Program information reception part
112 ... Program information storage unit
113 ... Program playback section
121 ... Program information reception part
122: Decryption key acquisition unit
123: Decryption unit
124: Program information storage unit
125 ... Program playback section
126 ... Billing information generation unit

Claims (6)

Program information reception for receiving program information in which a plurality of set videos, each of which is a set of one or more difference videos that are the difference video between one reference video that is a reference video and one reference video, are configured Steps,
Reference image to change the reference image in the set image according to the CM data of the set image constituting the program information program information received by the receiving step to the difference between the video from the last differential image constituting the immediately preceding set image A program information changing method comprising: a changing step. Wherein in the reference image changing step, the reference image of the MPEG image according to CM, program information changing method according to claim 1 wherein the change in the difference image from the last differential image set picture of the immediately preceding MPEG. Program information reception for receiving program information in which a plurality of set videos, each of which is a set of one or more difference videos that are the difference video between one reference video that is a reference video and one reference video, are configured And
Reference image to change the reference image in the set image according to the CM data of the set image constituting the program information program information received by the receiving portion to the difference of the image from the last differential image constituting the immediately preceding set image Change part,
A receiving apparatus comprising: a program information accumulating unit that accumulates program information that is a result of the reference video changing unit. The reference image changing unit, the reference image of the MPEG image according to CM, receiving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the change to the image of the difference from the last differential image set picture of the immediately preceding MPEG. It is used for implementing the program information changing method according to claim 1,
Program information reception for receiving program information in which a plurality of set videos, each of which is a set of one or more difference videos that are the difference video between one reference video that is a reference video and one reference video, are configured Part,
Reference image to change the reference image in the set image according to the CM data of the set image constituting the program information program information received by the receiving portion to the difference of the image from the last differential image constituting the immediately preceding set image Change part, and
A computer that functions as a program information transmission unit that transmits program information changed by the reference video change unit. The reference image changing unit, the reference image of the MPEG image according to CM, claim 5 of the computer to change the difference of the video from the last differential image set picture of the immediately preceding MPEG.

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