JP4181785B2 - Television broadcast receiving apparatus and television broadcast receiving method - Google Patents

Description

という記述がなされている。これは、インターネットを用いたテレビ放送配信では、「inet_stream://company.com/tv/service1」というコンテンツを受信及び視聴時に、利用条件が成立するということを意味する。
【０１９１】
以上説明した本実施の形態によれば、テレビ番組がインターネットを介して配信されるような場合や、アプリケーションデータがインターネットを介して配信される場合においても、ユーザがテレビコンテンツの視聴しているか否かによって、アプリケーションの実行を制御することができるようになる。
【０１９２】
尚、ここでは第１の実施の形態と異なる構成及び動作についてのみ説明し、第１の実施の形態と同様に実行される、アプリケーションの起動処理、アプリケーションの実行中の処理、及びアプリケーションリスト表示処理等の処理に関しては、その詳細な説明を割愛する。
【０１９３】
[第４の実施の形態]
第１〜第３の実施の形態では、アプリケーションを利用する際に、これと同時にテレビ視聴をすることを利用の条件とする制御のための構成及び動作について説明して。
本実施の形態においては、アプリケーションの利用とテレビ視聴が同時に実施されない場合においても、テレビ視聴を条件にアプリケーションの利用を制御する。
【０１９４】
＜ディジタルテレビ受信装置１００のソフトウェア構成＞
図２６は、上記図１に示したディジタルテレビ受信装置１００において、ＣＰＵ１１８で実行されるソフトウェアによる機能構成、及び当該ソフトウェアと関連のあるハードウェアの関係について示したものである。
【０１９５】
尚、上記図２６に示すソフトウェア構成において、上記図５に示したソフトウェア構成と同様に機能する個所には同じ符号を付し、その詳細な説明は省略する。
【０１９６】
本実施の形態におけるディジタルテレビ受信装置１００は、特に、上記図２６に示すように、視聴履歴テーブル２６０８を備えた構成としている。
【０１９７】
本実施の形態では第1の実施の形態と同様に、アプリケーションのダウンロード及びアプリケーション管理テーブル５０６への登録は、ブラウザアプリケーション５０４が実施し、視聴制御モジュール５０３は、ユーザからのチャンネル変更や、ユーザからのテレビ視聴の中止の指示がなれる度に、視聴視聴履歴テーブル２６０８に対して、視聴履歴データを登録する。
【０１９８】
図２７は、視聴履歴テーブル２６０８の内容の一例を示したものである。
視聴履歴テーブル２６０８は、ＸＭＬで記述されており、サービスという名前の要素が使用可能なサービス（チャンネル）の数だけ登録（記述）されている。
【０１９９】
それぞれのサービス要素は、放送サービスＩＤを表す属性を有し、さらに各サービス要素の中には、「time」要素が３つ含まれている。これらの「time」要素は、過去３日間の各日において、当該サービス（チャンネル）を何分視聴したかを示す情報が記述されている。「day」属性は、日付を表している。
【０２００】
視聴制御モジュール５０２は、視聴履歴テーブル２６０８に対して、日が変わると、最も古い日の「time」要素を削除し、新たな日の日付属性を有する「time」要素を新規に登録する。
【０２０１】
上記図２７では、ユーザが、サービスＩＤ＝００２３のサービスを本日（７日）に７分、昨日（6日）に５４分、一昨日(5日)に１２４分視聴したことを表している。
【０２０２】
＜ディジタルテレビ受信装置１００の動作＞
まず、本実施の形態においては、アプリケーション実行制御モジュール５０１は、第1の実施の形態と同様に動作する。
例えば、アプリケーション実行制御モジュール５０１は、アプリケーション起動中の動作に関しては上記図１１に示した処理を実行し、アプリケーション実行中の動作に関しては上記図１５に示した処理を実行する。
【０２０３】
しかしながら、上記図１１に示した処理、及び上記図１５に示した処理共に、条件成立確認処理に関しては、第１の本実施の形態とは異なり、例えば、図２８に示すような処理を実行する。
【０２０４】
すなわち、アプリケーション実行制御モジュール５０１は、先ず、アプリケーション管理テーブル５０６から起動中若しくは実行中のアプリケーションの視聴条件を読み出し、視聴すべきサービス（チャンネル）の情報を取得する(ステップＳ２８０１)。
【０２０５】
次に、アプリケーション実行制御モジュール５０１は、上記図２７に示したような視聴履歴テーブル２６０８の情報を読み込み、視聴条件とされているサービスの３日間の累計視聴時間（分）を算出する(ステップＳ２８０２)。
【０２０６】
そして、アプリケーション実行制御モジュール５０１は、ステップＳ２８０２の算出結果が１分以上あった場合（ステップＳ２８０３）、条件成立という結果を出力し（ステップＳ２８０４）、０分であった場合、条件非成立という結果を出力する（ステップＳ２８０５）。
【０２０７】
以上説明した本実施の形態によれば、アプリケーションを利用するときに必ずテレビを視聴することを条件とするのではなく、過去３日の間に条件として指定されたサービス（チャンネル）を視聴していることを条件にアプリケーションの利用を制御できるようになる。
【０２０８】
尚、第１〜第４の実施の形態では、アプリケーション管理テーブル、アプリケーション属性データ、及び視聴履歴テーブルをＸＭＬを用いて記述するように構成したが、本発明の趣旨からすればこれに限ることなく、例えば、ＨＴＭＬ等を用いるようにしてもよい。また、マークアップ言語以外のデータ情報フォーマットを用いるようにしてもよい。
【０２０９】
また、本発明の目的は、第１〜第４の実施の形態のホスト及び端末の機能を実現するソフトウェアのプログラムコードを記憶した記憶媒体を、システム或いは装置に供給し、そのシステム或いは装置のコンピュータ（又はＣＰＵやＭＰＵ）が記憶媒体に格納されたプログラムコードを読みだして実行することによっても、達成されることは言うまでもない。
この場合、記憶媒体から読み出されたプログラムコード自体が第１〜第４の実施の形態の機能を実現することとなり、そのプログラムコードを記憶した記憶媒体及び当該プログラムコードは本発明を構成することとなる。
プログラムコードを供給するための記憶媒体としては、ＲＯＭ、フレキシブルディスク、ハードディスク、光ディスク、光磁気ディスク、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ、ＣＤ−Ｒ、磁気テープ、不揮発性のメモリカード等を用いることができる。
また、コンピュータが読みだしたプログラムコードを実行することにより、第１〜第４の実施の形態の機能が実現されるだけでなく、そのプログラムコードの指示に基づき、コンピュータ上で稼動しているＯＳ等が実際の処理の一部又は全部を行い、その処理によって第１〜第４の実施の形態の機能が実現される場合も含まれることは言うまでもない。
さらに、記憶媒体から読み出されたプログラムコードが、コンピュータに挿入された拡張機能ボードやコンピュータに接続された機能拡張ユニットに備わるメモリに書き込まれた後、そのプログラムコードの指示に基づき、その機能拡張ボードや機能拡張ユニットに備わるＣＰＵなどが実際の処理の一部又は全部を行い、その処理によって第１〜第４の実施の形態の機能が実現される場合も含まれることは言うまでもない。
【０２１０】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、ユーザは、テレビジョン放送中の番組内容とは関係なく好きな時間に、テレビジョン放送を受信してモニタ出力する装置或いはシステム（テレビジョン放送受信装置等）でアプリケーションプログラムを利用できるようになる。
【０２１１】
また、テレビジョン放送のモニタ出力状態（テレビジョン放送の視聴）に基づきアプリケーションプログラムの実行を制御することで、アプリケーションプログラムの提供者が放送事業者の場合、放送事業者は、番組視聴の機会を低下させること無く、ユーザに対してアプリケーションプログラムの利用サービスを提供できるようになる。そして、ユーザ側としては、このように放送事業者から提供されたアプリケーションプログラムを使用することで、無料若しくは低料金でのアプリケーションプログラムの利用が可能となる。
【０２１２】
また、アプリケーションプログラムを使用したいときに使用するというパーソナルコンピュータ（パソコン）等と同等のメリットを提供しつつも、アプリケーションプログラムの利用料金をユーザが直接アプリケーションプログラムの提供側（ソフト販売会社等）に支払うという従来のアプリケーションプログラムの利用形態ではなく、例えば、テレビジョン放送の事業側が、アプリケーションプログラムの販売側に対して料金を支払い、ユーザに対してアプリケーションプログラムを無料で利用できるサービスを提供することが可能となる共に、テレビジョン放送の事業側がユーザのテレビ視聴の機会増加により広告料収入を増やすことが可能となる、新たなアプリケーションプログラムの利用サービスのモデルが実現できるようになる。
【０２１３】
また、それぞれのアプリケーションプログラムで利用条件の監視等を行うのではなく、テレビジョン放送を受信してモニタ出力する装置或いはシステム（テレビジョン放送受信装置等）が備える機能（制御手段）が利用条件の監視等を行うことで、アプリケーションプログラムの開発が容易になるだけでなく、同じアプリケーションプログラムであっても、アプリケーション属性データ（条件データ）を変えるだけで、放送ネットワークやチャンネル編成等の異なる条件での利用が可能となる。
【０２１４】
また、アプリケーションプログラムの機能の一部に対してのみ、プログラムを実行許可する条件（視聴条件）を付加することが可能となるため、より自由度の高いアプリケーションプログラムの提供サービスが可能となる。
【０２１５】
また、アプリケーションプログラムを実行許可する条件として、複数のチャンネルについての視聴を条件とできるため、複数のチャンネルを有するテレビジョン放送の事業側が、自側の何れかのチャンネルの視聴者に対して、アプリケーションプログラムの利用サービスを提供することが可能となる。さらに、放送ネットワークや放送形態としては、一つに限ることなく、例えば、アナログテレビジョン放送、ディジタルテレビジョン放送、ラジオ等に対して適用可能であり、これらの放送にまたがった放送サービスを行っている事業側において有効である。
【０２１６】
また、アプリケーションプログラムを実行許可する条件として、複数の番組についての視聴を条件とできるため、例えば、ある広告事業者自らが番組提供している、すなわちＣＭが流れる番組を視聴しているユーザのみ、アプリケーションプログラムの利用サービスを適用する、ということも可能となる。さらに、これらの番組は１つのサービス（チャンネル）に限ることなく、複数のサービスにまたがっていてもよい。
【０２１７】
また、アプリケーションプログラムの利用中に利用条件が成立しなくなった場合に、ユーザに対して次処理を簡単に選択できるようなメニュー画面を表示することや、警告表示を行うこと、或いはアプリケーションプログラムの利用中において「画面切替」ボタンを押下するだけでアプリケーションプログラムの利用画面と通常のテレビ視聴画面を切り替えることができるようになるので、ユーザにとって非常に簡単で分かりやすいユーザーインターフェースを実現できるようになる
【０２１８】
また、蓄積されたアプリケーションプログラムをリスト表示する際に、現在放送中のチャンネルや番組で利用できるアプリケーションプログラムをハイライトで表示をすることが可能となるので、ユーザは現在利用できるアプリケーションプログラムを利用前に知ることができるようになる。
【０２１９】
また、蓄積されたアプリケーションプログラムの利用条件を含むデータ（条件データ）から有効期限の切れたものを自動的に削除したり、常に最新のデータとなるように更新することができるようになるので、ユーザの手を煩わすことなく、上述したような効果が得られるようになる。
【０２２０】
また、アプリケーションプログラムを利用する際に、必ずテレビジョン放送を視聴することを条件とするのではなく、過去数日の間に条件として指定されたサービス（チャンネル）を視聴していることを条件に、アプリケーションプログラムの利用を制御できるようになるので、例えば、深夜等で対象となるチャンネルが放送していない時間帯でも、ユーザに対してアプリケーションプログラムの利用サービスを提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】第１の実施の形態において、本発明を適用したテレビジョン放送受信装置の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】上記テレビジョン放送受信装置のリモートコントローラ（リモコン）の構成を説明するための図である。
【図３】アプリケーション属性データファイルの内容の例を説明するための図である。
【図４】上記アプリケーション属性データファイルの内容の他の例を説明するための図である。
【図５】上記テレビジョン放送受信装置のソフトウェア構成を示すブロック図である。
【図６】ブラウザアプリケーションの動作状態の遷移を説明するための図である。
【図７】アプリケーションをダウンロード可能なデータ放送コンテンツの表示画面を説明するための図である。
【図８】ブラウザアプリケーションのダウンロード処理動作の流れを説明するための図である。
【図９】アプリケーション管理テーブルの内容を説明するための図である。
【図１０】アプリケーション実行制御モジュールの動作状態の遷移を説明するための図である。
【図１１】上記アプリケーション実行制御モジュールのアプリケーション起動中状態における動作を説明するための図である。
【図１２】上記アプリケーション実行制御モジュールの条件成立確認処理の動作を説明するための図である。
【図１３】アプリケーション起動後の表示画面の一例を説明するための図である。
【図１４】アプリケーション起動処理中に条件が非成立となった場合に表示する動作選択メニュー画面の一例を説明するための図である。
【図１５】アプリケーション実行中におけるアプリケーション実行制御モジュールの動作を説明するための図である。
【図１６】アプリケーション実行中に条件非成立を検知した際の警告表示画面の一例を説明するための図である。
【図１７】アプリケーション実行中に、番組予約設定時間が迫ってきた場合に表示する警告表示画面の一例を説明するための図である。
【図１８】アプリケーション実行中にユーザーが視聴チャンネルを変更した場合の各モジュール間のやり取りを説明するための図である。
【図１９】アプリケーション実行中にリモコン入力がなされた場合のアプリケーション実行制御モジュールの動作を説明するための図である。
【図２０】アプリケーション実行中に、アプリケーション実行制御モジュールで実行するアプリケーション管理テーブルの更新及びメンテナンス動作を説明するための図である。
【図２１】アプリケーション実行制御モジュールがリモコン操作に応じてアプリケーションリストを表示する際の動作を説明するための図である。
【図２２】アプリケーションリストの表示画面の一例を説明するための図である。
【図２３】第２の実施の形態における上記テレビジョン放送受信装置のソフトウェア構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２４】第２の実施の形態において、カードメディアからアプリケーションを登録する動作を説明するための図である。
【図２５】第３の実施の形態における上記テレビジョン放送受信装置のソフトウェア構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２６】第４の実施の形態における上記テレビジョン放送受信装置のソフトウェア構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２７】第４の実施の形態において、視聴履歴テーブルの内容を説明するための図である。
【図２８】第４の実施の形態において、条件成立確認処理の動作を説明するための図である。
【符号の説明】
１００ テレビジョン放送受信装置
１０１ ディジタルチューナ部
１０２ デスクランブラ
１０３ トランスポートデコーダ
１０４ オーディオデコーダ
１０５ ディジタル／アナログ変換器（ＤＡＣ）
１０６ ビデオデコーダ
１０７ 動画プレーン
１０８ 静止画プレーン
１０９ 文字図形プレーン
１１０ グラフィック生成部
１１１ 画像合成部
１１２ メモリ
１１３ モデム
１１４ １３９４インターフェース
１１５ 操作部
１１６ 受光部
１１７ ＩＣカード制御部
１１８ ＣＰＵ
１１９ ハードディスク
１２０ シリアルインターフェース
１２１ バッファ
１２２ バス
１２３ アナログチューナ部
１３０ ＶＴＲ
１３１ プリンタ
１３２ リモコン
１３３ スピーカ
１３４ 表示器
１３５ ＩＣカード
１５０ データサーバ
１６０ アンテナ
５０１ アプリケーション実行制御モジュール
５０２ 視聴制御モジュール
５０３ 機能許可制御モジュール
５０４ ブラウザアプリケーション
５０５ ＥＰＧアプリケーション
５０６ アプリケーション管理テーブル
５０７ ユーザイベント制御モジュール
５０８ 予約情報
５０９ ダウンロードアプリケーション
５０９ａ 属性データ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention receives, for example, a digital broadcast wave in which data such as characters, images, sounds, videos, and programs are multiplexed, and performs display, playback, and program execution based on the received data. The present invention relates to a television broadcast receiving apparatus and a television broadcast receiving method used in an apparatus or system having
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, for example, a system in which a television broadcast signal including video is digitized, the digital television broadcast is transmitted via a broadcast satellite or a communication satellite, and the digital television broadcast is received at each home. Is in operation.
[0003]
According to the above-mentioned digital television broadcasting, it is said that television broadcast receivers (so-called televisions or television receivers) that receive digital television broadcasts are changing from what they see to what they use in each home.
[0004]
For example, in the past, a television that was only a means for viewing a broadcast program received radio waves multiplexed with moving images, sound, various data, and the like as the broadcast was digitized, and the user's remote controller It has become possible to display various data according to the operation of (remote controller) or the like.
[0005]
In BS digital broadcasting as television broadcasting, a data broadcasting service has already been started. This is because a broadcast station transmits a data group including display data, a script program, etc. superimposed on a television broadcast wave, and the television broadcast receiver side receives and stores the television broadcast wave, and the user's remote control This is a service that allows the corresponding data to be displayed on the screen in accordance with an operation or the like.
[0006]
On the other hand, it goes without saying that an environment in which an application program is mainly used has been realized by a personal computer (personal computer). When a user uses an application program on a personal computer, the user must provide the application program. A certain fee is paid to the software sales company. As a result, the user can use the application program on the personal computer.
[0007]
Specifically, for example, the user purchases a package of a desired application program from the software sales company side, and installs the application program on a personal computer. Alternatively, the user accesses a desired application program provider via the Internet or the like by operating a personal computer, inputs user information such as a credit card number, and then downloads the application program. Alternatively, the user accesses a desired application program provider via the Internet or the like by operating a personal computer, and after downloading the application program, pays this fee and receives the key code from the provider of the application program. After receiving the disclosure, the application program is used.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional digital broadcast receiving apparatus as described above, it is possible to execute only a part of scripts or programs included in the data of the program being broadcast, and this execution is performed during the broadcast of the program. Was only possible.
That is, the conventional television broadcast receiving apparatus cannot answer the request that the user wants to use the application program in order to achieve a certain purpose.
[0009]
Therefore, in order to realize an environment in which application programs can be used proactively, for example, it is considered as a relatively simple means to install an application program usage environment equivalent to that of a personal computer in a television broadcast receiver. It is done.
However, even such a configuration has several problems (1) and (2) as described below.
[0010]
Problem (1):
The first problem is that the user cannot easily use the application program.
For example, in order for a user to use an application program, the user needs to purchase a package of the application program from the sales side in the same manner as a personal computer. Alternatively, the user needs to perform a procedure such as depositing a fee after downloading the application program via the Internet or the like and inputting a key code for canceling the use restriction.
[0011]
Problem (2):
Next, the second problem is on the broadcasting station side of television broadcasting. That is, if an application program is frequently used by a user frequently in a television broadcast receiving apparatus, the opportunity for viewing a program is reduced, and as a result, revenue from advertisements and the like is reduced.
[0012]
As means for solving the above problem (1), for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-251724, etc., the application can be used somewhat easily by enabling trial use of the software as the application software usage control method. Technology has been proposed.
[0013]
However, in the above technique, when an application program is used many times, the user has to pay a usage fee as in the conventional case. Further, the above technique (2) cannot be solved by the above technique.
[0014]
Therefore, the present invention was made to eliminate the above-described drawbacks, and the television broadcast receiver can be used mainly for applications, and unlike the conventional personal computer environment, it is unique to the television broadcast receiver. It is an object of the present invention to provide a television broadcast receiving apparatus and a television broadcast receiving method that provide an application execution control function for realizing a simple application usage environment.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A television broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention is a television broadcast receiving apparatus that receives a television broadcast and outputs a video and audio data of a selected broadcast program on a monitor, and is included in the broadcast data of the television broadcast. Application execution means for executing an application program; control means for controlling execution of a part of the function of the application program by the application execution means based on a selection state of the broadcast program and condition data included in the broadcast data; It is characterized by providing.
[0016]
The television broadcast receiving method according to the present invention is included in the step of receiving the television broadcast and outputting the video / audio data of the selected broadcast program, the selection state of the broadcast program, and the broadcast data of the television broadcast. Executing a part of the functions of the application program included in the television broadcast based on the condition data; and Have It is characterized by that.
[0024]
According to the configuration of the present invention as described above, for example, in an environment where an application program is temporarily stored in a television broadcast receiving apparatus and used, a part of the function of the application program can be used by a user watching a TV program or the like. Can be controlled on the condition.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0029]
[First embodiment]
The present invention is applied to, for example, a television broadcast receiver (digital television receiver) 100 that receives digital television broadcast (digital broadcast) as shown in FIG.
[0030]
First, in the present embodiment, video data, audio data, and “broadcast data” of a television program are encoded in a digital broadcast station (not shown), and each encoded data is multiplexed. The data is modulated later, and the modulated data is transmitted as a broadcast wave from an antenna (not shown) of the broadcasting station. The broadcast wave transmitted from the antenna of the broadcast station is received by the digital television receiver 100 (user side terminal device) via a broadcast satellite (BS) (not shown).
[0031]
The above “broadcast data” means “service information data” (SI data) indicating the contents of broadcast channels and broadcast programs, “data broadcasting” including text data, image data, and audio data described in a markup language. Data including “content data” and “application data” including application program code and related data files.
[0032]
Hereinafter, the digital television receiver 100 of the present embodiment that receives and processes broadcast waves including the broadcast data as described above will be specifically described.
[0033]
<Configuration and Series of Operations of Digital Television Receiver 100>
In the digital television receiver 100 shown in FIG. 1, first, the antenna 160 receives a broadcast wave from a broadcast station. The received wave is sent to the analog tuner unit 123 or the digital tuner unit 101 depending on whether the received wave is a digital broadcast (digital TV broadcast) or an analog broadcast (analog TV broadcast). Entered.
[0034]
The analog tuner unit 123 selects and inputs a signal in a frequency band of a channel selected by a user operation or the like from a reception wave (analog broadcast wave) of the antenna 160 and an analog television signal (a television according to the NTSC system). The digital broadcast signal is digitized and the audio data included in the digital data is output to the digital / analog converter (DAC) 105, and the video data included in the digital data is output to the graphic buffer 121. Output.
[0035]
The DAC 105 and the graphic buffer 121 will be described later.
[0036]
On the other hand, the digital tuner unit 101 selects and inputs a signal in a frequency band of a channel selected by a user operation or the like from a reception wave (digital broadcast wave) of the antenna 160, and performs demodulation and demodulation on the input signal. Processing such as error correction is performed to generate digital data in a format called a transport stream (TS), and the transport stream (hereinafter referred to as “TS data”) is output to the descrambler 102.
[0037]
When the TS data from the digital tuner unit 101 is TS data that has been scrambled for viewing restriction, the descrambler 102 includes key information for descrambling (descrambling) included in the TS data, Based on the key information output from the IC card control unit 117 (to be described later), the TS data is descrambled and the descrambled TS data is output to the transport decoder 103.
[0038]
Further, when the TS data from the digital tuner unit 101 is not TS data that has been scrambled for viewing restriction, the descrambler 102 outputs the TS data to the transport decoder 103.
[0039]
The IC card 135 from which information is read from the IC card control unit 117 stores user contract information, key information for unlocking key information for descrambler included in TS data obtained from received waves, and the like.
[0040]
The IC card control unit 117 reads the key information from the IC card 135 when the key information has been recorded for the IC card 135 in order to unlock the key information for descrambling in the descrambler 102, and this is read out by the bus. The data is output to the descrambler 102 via 122.
[0041]
In addition to the contract information and key information described above, the IC card 135 stores, for example, billing information used by the user, billing information according to the billing application, and the like.
[0042]
The transport decoder 103 extracts packet data corresponding to the program selected by the user from the TS data from the descrambler 102, and distributes video data, audio data, and broadcast data (encoded data) for each packet. Output.
[0043]
The video decoder 106 decodes the encoded video data obtained by the transport decoder 103 and outputs the decoded video data to the moving picture plane 107 in the graphic buffer 121.
[0044]
When video data is output from the analog tuner unit 123, the video data is output to the moving image plane 107.
[0045]
The audio decoder 104 decodes the encoded audio data obtained by the transport decoder 103 and outputs the decoded audio data to the digital / analog converter (DAC) 105.
[0046]
The DAC 105 converts the audio data from the audio decoder 104 into an analog signal and outputs it from the speaker 133.
[0047]
Note that when the audio data is supplied from the analog tuner unit 123, the DAC 105 converts the audio data into an analog signal and outputs it from the speaker 133.
[0048]
The CPU 118 controls operation of the entire digital television receiver 100 by reading out and executing a predetermined processing program.
[0049]
For example, the CPU 118 once fetches the encoded broadcast data obtained by the transport decoder 103 into the memory 112 via the bus 122, reads out the broadcast data from the memory 112, decodes the broadcast data, and after the decoding Broadcast data is stored in the hard disk 119 via the bus 122.
[0050]
Further, the CPU 118 reads out and executes an application program stored in a data storage device (not shown), thereby performing various data processing and transferring data to the graphic generation unit 110 so that the graphic is generated. Perform display control.
[0051]
The graphic generation unit 110 generates character or graphic image data based on the data supplied from the CPU 118, and transfers the image data to the character graphic plane 109 or the still image plane 108 of the graphic buffer 121.
[0052]
The screen composition unit 111 performs composition processing or switching processing of data stored in the moving image (video) plane 107, the character graphic plane 109, and the still image plane 108 in the graphic buffer 121, and displays the processed data on the display To 134.
The display 134 displays the data from the screen composition unit 111 on the screen.
[0053]
The bus 122 includes the descrambler 102, the memory 112, the transport decoder 103, the video decoder 106, the graphic generation unit 110, the graphic buffer 121, the screen synthesis unit 111, the hard disk 119, the IC card control unit 117, and the CPU 118. An IEEE 1394 interface 114, a modem 113, a serial interface 120 capable of communicating with the display 134, a light receiving unit 116 of a remote controller (remote controller) 132, and an operation unit 115 for receiving various operation instructions from a user are connected.
The components connected to the bus 122 can communicate with each other via the bus 122.
[0054]
The IEEE 1394 interface 114 is an interface for performing protocol communication with a VTR (video tape recorder) 130 or a printer 131 externally connected to the main body of the digital television receiver 100.
[0055]
The modem 113 is an interface for connecting to a network (not shown) such as the Internet via a telephone line. For example, the modem 113 is used for information communication with the data server 150 on the broadcaster side on the network.
[0056]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the remote controller 132.
Note that the configuration of the remote control 132 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows only buttons for performing operations for realizing necessary functions for the sake of simplicity of description of the present embodiment, and buttons necessary for actual reception and processing of television broadcasting are as follows. This is not the case.
[0057]
In FIG. 2, 201 is a light emitting unit for performing infrared communication between the remote controller 132 and the light receiving unit 115 of the digital television receiver 100 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 202 denotes a power key for turning on / off the power of the digital television receiver 100.
Reference numeral 203 denotes a stick-like cursor key, which is configured to input a cursor movement in four directions by tilting it up / down (front / back) and left / right, and to input a “decision” by pressing the stick itself.
[0058]
Reference numeral 204 denotes a “d” key (d button) for displaying a data broadcast obtained from a digital broadcast wave.
Reference numeral 205 denotes a screen switching key for switching the display screen on the display 134. Reference numeral 206 denotes numeric keys arranged in a matrix. Reference numeral 207 denotes a menu button for displaying a menu screen on the display 134.
[0059]
Reference numeral 208 denotes an UP / Down key composed of two keys, UP and Down.
Reference numeral 209 denotes a color key, and buttons of four colors of blue, red, green, and yellow are arranged in a horizontal row.
Reference numeral 210 denotes an application key for displaying an application selection list on the display 134.
[0060]
<Various data handled by the digital television receiver 100>
At the time of digital broadcast reception, the data broadcast content data and application data included in the broadcast data described above are transmitted to the digital television receiver 100 in accordance with, for example, the DSM-CC data carousel system defined in ISO / IEC13818-6. Are repeatedly transmitted from the broadcasting station as digital data.
[0061]
The data broadcasting content data is composed of a text file including character information, display layout information, and script information, an image data file, a video data file, and an audio data file.
The text file is, for example, a file according to XML (eXtensible Markup Language) defined by W3C.
[0062]
On the other hand, application program data (application data) includes a bytecode file (hereinafter also referred to as a “class file”) obtained by compiling a source code described in JAVA (R) language in advance, and an image data file. , An audio data file, and a parameter file including parameters necessary for other processing, and an application attribute data file (condition data) to be described later. In this embodiment, by JAR (Java (R) ARchive) processing in advance It takes the form of a single archived file.
[0063]
3 and 4 show examples of the contents of the application attribute data file.
The application attribute data is data described in the XML format. In application attribute data, each element that is data content is a start tag <XXX> and end tag It is described in the area surrounded by </ XXX>. The start tag and the end tag include element names. Each element has a hierarchical structure so that other elements can be included in one aspect.
[0064]
The application attribute data shown in FIG. 3 includes an element indicating the application name (see (a) in the figure) and an element indicating the usage conditions of the entire application (b in the figure). Reference), an element indicating the usage condition of a part of the application (see (c) in the figure), an element indicating the viewing format during execution of the application (see (d) in the figure), and the application attribute data are updated. It includes an element ((e) in the figure) showing information for
[0065]
The application attribute data indicates the usage conditions of the entire application. As an internal element of <Overall usage condition data> element, <Condition> element or <Operation when the condition is not met> element is included, and as these internal elements, Contains an <item> element.
[0066]
<Item> element is a “type” attribute for identifying analog TV broadcast and digital TV broadcast, network ID element for distinguishing BS digital broadcast in digital TV broadcast, terrestrial digital broadcast, CS digital broadcast, etc. It includes a service ID element and a service name element for distinguishing between channels and broadcasting stations.
The <operation when the condition is not satisfied> element includes an element indicating an operation such as charging, termination, or channel (CH) switching.
[0067]
The <viewing type> element includes a display parameter of a TV program screen to be displayed and reproduced during execution of an application, and an audio parameter element.
The <update data> element includes date and time information when update data is released next time, and a URI (Uniform Resource Indicator) character string for acquiring the data.
[0068]
On the other hand, the application attribute data shown in FIG. 4 indicates the usage conditions of a part of the application. The <partial use condition data> element contains information.
[0069]
The <partial usage condition data> element indicates which part of the usage part is allowed to be used The <permitted part> element and the conditions for permitting the use were indicated. Contains a <condition> element.
The <condition> element is Contains an <item> element.
The <item> element includes an event ID element that specifies a program, an event name element, an audio level element that specifies a minimum volume ratio at the time of viewing, and the like.
[0070]
<Software Configuration of Digital Television Receiver 100>
FIG. 5 shows a functional configuration by software executed by the CPU 118 in the digital television receiver 100.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 5, the functions implemented by the CPU 118 are an application execution control unit 501, a viewing control unit 502, a function permission control unit 503, a browser application 504, an EPG application 505, an application management table 506, and a user event control unit. 507, reservation information 508, and a download application 509 are included.
[0072]
The viewing control unit (viewing control module) 502 controls the broadcast wave while controlling hardware including the digital tuner unit 101, the analog tuner unit 123, the transport decoder 103, the video decoder 106, the audio decoder 104, and the screen synthesis unit 111. This is a module for performing (broadcast reception stream) decoding processing, video display control, and the like.
[0073]
An application execution control unit (application execution control module) 501 is a module that controls execution of an application.
In the present embodiment, the application execution control module 501 controls so that any one of the download application 509, the browser application 504, and the EPG application 505 is in operation.
[0074]
The application management table 506 and the reservation information 508 are data modules each including table information for application execution management and schedule information for viewing reservation and recording reservation.
[0075]
The user event control unit (user event control module) 507 is a module that receives a user input from the remote controller 132 and transmits an event to the viewing control module 502 and the application execution control module 501 based on the user input. .
[0076]
The function permission control unit (function permission control module) 503 determines whether to permit an access request to the system resources of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, such as file access from an application, network access, and printer access. It is a module that controls
[0077]
The download application 509 is acquired from the broadcast wave by download processing to be described later, and is temporarily stored in the hard disk 119. Here, it is assumed that the download application 509 is being executed.
The attribute data 509a is a data module having the contents of the application attribute data file shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
[0078]
The browser application 504 and the EPG (electronic program guide) application 505 are stored in the hard disk 119 in advance. Here, it is assumed that the browser application 504 and the EPG (electronic program guide) application 505 are being executed.
[0079]
<Specific Operation of Digital Television Receiver 100>
Here, the operation of the digital television receiving device 100 implemented by the software configuration shown in FIG. 5 will be described.
[0080]
First, FIG. 6 shows the operation of the browser application 504 as a state transition diagram.
In the present embodiment, not only the browser application 504 but also other applications have four states of “Loaded”, “Paused”, “active”, and “destroyed” as shown in FIG. This state transition is controlled by the application execution control module 501.
[0081]
The application execution control module 501 loads the browser application 504 stored in the hard disk 119 first into the “loaded” state, then initializes it into the “paused” state, and shifts to the “active” state. The browser application 504 is executed.
For example, the browser application 504 is executed when the user presses the “d” button 204 (see FIG. 2) of the remote controller 132 or when the user selects execution of the browser application 504 on an application list display screen described later. This is done in the case of
[0082]
The browser application 504 controls the transport decoder 103 when the application execution control module 501 enters the “active” state (active state) and the internal state is the “content updating” state (see FIG. 6 above). Thus, for example, reception of data broadcast content transmitted by the data carousel method is started, and XML data for screen display on the display 134 or images or moving images embedded in the XML data from the data broadcast content. And the like, and the data is stored in the memory 112 or the hard disk 119.
[0083]
The browser application 504 controls the graphic generation unit 110 based on the layout information included in the XML data, thereby displaying content on the display screen on the display unit 134. As a result, the browser application 504 transitions to the “content display in progress” state (see FIG. 6 above).
[0084]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen 700 by the browser application 504.
In the display screen 700, the “● download application” portion is assumed to be displayed in red, for example.
[0085]
The display screen 700 of FIG. 7 is an example of a content display screen for downloading an application. The user can download an application by pressing a button 701 on the display screen 700.
[0086]
When the browser application 504 is in a “content display” state, the browser application 504 acquires an operation event by the user's remote controller 132 from the application execution control module 501 and performs an operation corresponding to the event.
[0087]
For example, the user performs a predetermined button operation (pressing operation of the button 701) of the remote controller 132 while the screen 700 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, that is, while the display screen 700 where the application can be downloaded is displayed. . As a result, the browser application 504 shifts to the “downloading” state (see FIG. 6), and performs, for example, the operation shown in FIG.
[0088]
That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the browser application 504 receives and acquires application data transmitted by the data carousel method by controlling the transport decoder 103 in the same manner as the screen display data acquisition. (Step S801) When this is completed, the application data is stored in the hard disk 119 as a file (Step S802).
[0089]
As described above, the application data here includes a bytecode file, necessary image data and audio data, and an application attribute data file as the application program body.
[0090]
Then, the browser application 504 registers in the application management table 506 in accordance with the contents of the application attribute data file included in the application data (step S803), and the process ends.
[0091]
FIG. 9 shows an example of the contents of the application management table 506.
As shown in FIG. 9, in the application management table 506, application information currently stored in the hard disk 119 is registered.
[0092]
In the present embodiment, the browser application 504 and the EPG application 505 are already registered in the application management table 506 (see (A) and (B) in FIG. 9).
[0093]
The browser application 504 registers the downloaded application in the application management table 506 as shown in FIG. As a result, the download application information indicated by “application 1” is added to the application management table 506. (See (C) in FIG. 9 above).
[0094]
For example, the application execution control module 501 changes its operation state as shown in FIG.
[0095]
That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the application execution control module 501 starts the application registered in the application management table 506 (“application is starting” state), finishes (“application is closing” state), application State change processing (“application executing” state) that controls the transition of the four states (“Loaded”, “Paused”, “Active”, “Destroyed”), and application list display (“application list being displayed”) to be described later State) etc.
[0096]
FIG. 11 shows the operation of the application execution control module 501 in the “application active” state shown in FIG.
In FIG. 11, “●” (black circle) indicates the start of processing, double circles indicate the end, and diamonds indicate determination and branching.
[0097]
First, the application execution control module 501 reads the contents of the application management table 506 (step S1101), and analyzes the attribute data of the application to be activated (target application) (step S1102).
[0098]
As a result of the analysis in step S1102, the application execution control module 501 does not have the overall usage condition, that is, if the attribute data does not include data in the overall usage condition element (step S1103), the details will be described later. Initialization processing (steps S1104a to S1104i) is executed (step S1104), and this processing ends.
[0099]
On the other hand, if the result of analysis in step S1102 includes data in the overall usage conditions (step S1103), the application execution control module 501 analyzes the type attribute of the same element (step S1105).
[0100]
If the application execution control module 501 is based on viewing as a result of the analysis in step S1105, the service (channel) or program currently being viewed corresponds to the condition, as will be described in detail later. The process which confirms whether it is is performed is performed (step S1106).
[0101]
If the condition is satisfied as a result of the process execution in step S1106, the application execution control module 501 executes the target application initialization process (step S1104). If the condition is not satisfied, details will be described later. Processing (step S1108a to step S1108d) is executed (step S1108).
Thereafter, the application execution control module 501 executes an initialization process for the target application (step S1104), and ends this process.
[0102]
Further, as a result of the analysis in step S1105 described above, when the target application is an application subject to charging, the application execution control module 501 executes charging processing by the IC card control unit 117 (step S1109).
Thereafter, the application execution control module 501 executes an initialization process for the target application (step S1104), and ends this process.
[0103]
FIG. 12 specifically shows the condition satisfaction confirmation processing in step S1106 shown in FIG.
Here, for example, in the application management table 506, two types of condition elements, the overall use condition and the partial use condition, are defined, and which condition element is to be compared is determined by a parameter ( Argument). For example, in step S1106 of FIG. 11 above, it is assumed that the entire use condition is targeted.
[0104]
Therefore, first, the application execution control module 501 acquires information on the currently viewed service and program from the viewing control module 502 (step S1201).
Note that the information on the currently viewed service and program can be acquired based on the SI information output from the transport decoder 103.
[0105]
Then, the application execution control module 501 compares the acquired information in step S1201 with the contents of the item elements included in the entire (partial) use condition element (steps S1202 and S1203), and the condition is satisfied based on the comparison result. (Step S1204) or whether the condition is not satisfied (step S1205).
[0106]
Specifically, the item element here identifies an attribute for identifying whether it is a digital TV broadcast or an analog TV broadcast, and identifies a broadcast network such as BS digital TV broadcast or terrestrial broadcast in digital TV broadcast Network ID, service ID representing a channel, and service name representing a channel name.
[0107]
In step S1202, the application execution control module 501 determines whether information such as a network being viewed, a service, and an event (program) matches all elements in the item elements included in the entire (partial) use condition element. If the information matches (step S1203), the condition is satisfied (AND condition, step S1204).
[0108]
For example, for the application shown in FIG. 9C, the service and program currently being viewed are the network ID = 001, service ID = 0023, and service name = digital TV broadcast as the first item. The condition is satisfied when it matches the information of BS Hinomaru Broadcasting 1 or when it matches the information of 6 channels in the second item, analog TV broadcasting (OR condition between items).
[0109]
If the condition is satisfied as a result of the condition establishment confirmation process (step S1106) as described above, the target application initialization process is executed as shown in FIG. 11 (step S1104).
[0110]
Specifically, first, when the application execution control module 501 includes a viewing type element for the attribute of the active application (target application) (step S1104a), a program viewing window to be displayed during the execution of the application is displayed. The size and position are generated and determined based on the element information of the target application (step S1104b).
[0111]
Then, when there is data in the partial use condition element (step S1104c), the application execution control module 501 executes the condition establishment confirmation process shown in FIG. 12 using the data as a parameter (step S1104d).
[0112]
If the condition is not satisfied as a result of the process execution in step S1104d (step S1104e), the application execution control module 501 loads the byte code of the target application into the memory (step S1104f) and calls the initialization function of the target application. To execute the pause state (step S1104g), and further call the execution permission function to set the active state (step S1104h), thereby ending this processing.
[0113]
FIGS. 13A and 13B show an example of the state of the screen after the initialization process of the target application.
The screen shown in FIG. 13A is an example of a screen when the viewing type element display element is “window”, and FIG. 13B shows that the same element is “blend”. It is an example of a screen.
[0114]
Note that the processing when the condition is satisfied as a result of the processing execution in step S1104d (step S1104e) will be described later.
[0115]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11 above, if the condition is not established as a result of the condition establishment confirmation process (step S1106), the condition establishment process for the target application is executed (step S1108).
[0116]
Specifically, first, the application execution control module 501 selects “true” as the attribute data of the “operation when condition is not satisfied” element in the application management table 506 (step S1108a). For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the processing contents defined in the “operation” element are displayed on the screen as a list (step S1108b).
[0117]
On the other hand, when selection = false, the application execution control module 501 executes all the operation processes defined in the operation element (steps S1108c and S1108d).
[0118]
For example, when the data of the target application is the data as shown in FIG. 9, the menu screen (see FIG. 14 above) for the user to select the next operation is displayed by selecting = true. Displayed on the instrument 134.
The application execution control module 501 executes the accounting process when “use after accounting process” is selected by the user on the menu screen (step S1109), and “does not use the application (end)” on the menu screen. "" Is selected, the activation process of the target application is interrupted, and when "Switch to a channel that meets the usage conditions (CH switching)" is selected on the menu screen, any of the item elements in the condition element The viewing service switching request is made to the viewing control module 502 so as to meet the above condition (step S1108).
[0119]
Here, in the application initialization process (step S1104) described above, the process when the condition is satisfied as a result of the process execution of step S1104d (step S1104e) will be specifically described.
[0120]
In the following description, it is assumed that application attribute data called application 2 having the partial use condition element as shown in FIG. 4 is registered in the application management table 506 by the download processing of the browser application 504 described above. To do.
[0121]
First, when the condition is satisfied, the application execution control module 501 changes the parameters for the function permission control module 503 (step S1104i).
[0122]
The parameter in step S1104i is an “operation” element for the data or resource indicated in the “target” element using the JAVA (R) class indicated in the “class” element included in the “permitted subelement”. It means that the operation shown in is permitted.
[0123]
Therefore, in the application attribute data file shown in FIG. 4, the “read, write” operation for the file “/ applications / app1 / data” using the “com.newtv.fileaccesscont” class, and the “com.newtv.printeraccess” Will be allowed for "print" operations using the "class".
[0124]
In addition, the application attribute data file shown in FIG. 4 includes specific program information for digital radio broadcasting service and digital television broadcasting and information for specifying a viewing volume level for the item element of the partial use condition element. include.
[0125]
In this case, in the condition establishment confirmation process in step S1104d, a program with network ID = 001, service ID = 0093, service name = BS Hinomaru Radio 1 is being viewed, and the volume level is 10% or more. = 001, service ID = 0023, service name = BS Hinomaru Broadcasting, and a program indicated by event (program) ID = 8443, network ID = 001, service ID = 0023, service name = BS Hinomaru The partial use condition is satisfied when broadcasting 2 and viewing a program indicated by the event name = daytime wide show.
[0126]
FIG. 15 shows the operation of the application execution control module 501 in the “application executing” state shown in FIG.
[0127]
Here, the application execution control module 501 performs operations in two periodic processes and a user input event in the execution state of the target application. One of the two periodic processes will be referred to as a timer 1 event process.
FIG. 15 shows the timer 1 event process (operation of the timer 1 when an event occurs).
[0128]
First, after the timer 1 event occurs, the application execution control module 501 analyzes information in the application management table 506, and data is included in the overall use condition element for the attribute of the application (target application) being executed. It is determined whether or not there is (step S1501).
[0129]
If the result of the determination in step S1501 is that data is included in the overall usage condition element, the application execution control module 501 establishes the condition as shown in FIG. 12 using the condition element included in the overall usage condition element as a parameter. A confirmation process is executed (step S1502).
When the application execution control module 501 continuously executes the condition establishment confirmation process for a predetermined period and has not been established for a certain period (step S1503), the application execution control module 501 and the step S1108 shown in FIG. Similarly, the process when the condition is not satisfied is executed (step S1504).
[0130]
On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1501, when the data is not included in the overall usage condition element, the application execution control module 501 includes the partial usage condition element for the attribute of the application being executed (target application). It is determined whether or not (step S1505).
[0131]
As a result of the determination in step S1505, if the partial usage condition element includes data, the application execution control module 501 follows the parameters of the “condition” element included in the partial usage condition element as shown in FIG. A process for confirming that the condition is satisfied is executed (step S1506).
[0132]
If the condition is not satisfied due to the result of the process execution in step S1506 and the condition is already satisfied in the above-described startup process or the previous timer 1 process, the application execution control module 501 determines that the function permission control module 503 Then, the access control parameter is changed (step S1509).
[0133]
For example, in the case of the application attribute data file as shown in FIG. 4 above, “read, write” for the file “/ applications / app1 / data” using the “com.newtv.fileaccesscont” class defined as the permitted subelement. ”Operation and“ print ”operation using the“ com.newtv.printeraccess ”class are set as“ not permitted ”.
[0134]
The application execution control module 501 displays a warning to the user indicating that the usage conditions are no longer satisfied, for example, as shown in FIG. 16 (step S1510).
[0135]
On the other hand, if the condition is satisfied according to the result of the process execution in step S1506 and the condition is not satisfied in the above-described startup process or the previous timer 1 process, the application execution control module 501 includes the function permission control module 503. In this case, the access control parameter is changed (step S1509). In this case, the read and write operations for the file “/ applications / app1 / data” using the “com.newtv.fileaccesscont” class, and “ The “print” operation using the “com.newtv.printeraccess” class is set as “permitted” and the warning display is canceled (step S1510).
If the condition is satisfied or not satisfied in both the startup process and the timer 1 process, the process directly proceeds to step S1508.
[0136]
The application execution control module 501 reads the reservation information in the process corresponding to the event of the timer 1 (step S1508), and compares this reservation information with the channel (service) currently being viewed (step S1511). ).
[0137]
When the application execution control module 501 determines that there is a recording or viewing reservation process by another channel within a preset time as a result of the comparison in step S1511, the graphic generation unit 110 displays the result shown in FIG. Warning display to the user.
[0138]
In a state where the above conditions are satisfied, when a user who has used the application changes the channel, the digital television receiver 100 operates as follows.
[0139]
FIG. 18 shows a processing sequence between the modules (software modules) as shown in FIG. 5 in the above case, and the time t is shown from the top to the bottom in the figure. ing.
[0140]
First, when the user operates the Up / Down key 208 of the remote controller 132, an event is notified from the user event control module 507 to the viewing control module 502 (step S1701).
Thereby, the viewing control module 502 executes channel change processing corresponding to the notification event (step S1702).
[0141]
On the other hand, a timer 1 event is periodically generated for the application execution control module 501 (step S1703).
The application execution control module 501 executes the process shown in FIG. 15 every time a timer 1 event occurs.
[0142]
When the application execution control module 501 detects that the condition is not satisfied due to the change of the viewing channel, the application execution control module 501 changes the parameter for the function permission control module 503 (step S1704). The function use permission is canceled and the graphic generation unit 110 is further controlled to display a warning (step S1705).
[0143]
Thereafter, for example, even if the application 1 (509) makes a print execution request to the function permission control module 503, an error occurs and printing cannot be executed from the application 1 (509).
[0144]
FIG. 19 shows the operation of the application execution control module 501 when the user operates the remote controller 132.
[0145]
For example, when the user presses the “screen switching” button 205 of the remote controller 132 (step S1801), the application execution control module 501 receives an event due to the operation of the remote controller 132 via the user event control module 507 (step S1803). ).
[0146]
In the application execution control module 501, the event in step S1803 is an operation event of the “screen switching” button 205, and the current display screen of the display unit 134 is, for example, as shown in FIG. If the screen is an application running screen, settings are made for the viewing control module 502 and the screen composition unit 111 so that the entire display screen becomes a viewing program screen (viewing screen) (step S1804).
[0147]
In contrast to the above case, when the current display screen is a viewing screen, the application execution control module 501 determines that the current viewing screen is a screen as shown in FIG. 13 (A) or (B). Settings are made to the viewing control module 502 and the screen composition unit 111 so as to be (a window display screen or a blend display screen) (step S1804).
[0148]
Note that the screen to be switched in step S1804 depends on the content of the “viewing type” element in the application management table 506 (see FIG. 9 above).
Further, the process (step S1802) in the case where the event in step S1803 is an event caused by pressing the “APP” button 210 of the remote controller 132 will be described later.
[0149]
FIG. 20 shows the operation of the application execution control module 501 in the “application being executed” state shown in FIG. 10 above, with respect to the timer 1 event process (operation when the timer 1 event occurs) shown in FIG. The timer 2 event processing (operation when the timer 2 event occurs) is shown.
[0150]
That is, the process shown in FIG. 20 shows the operation of managing and updating the application management table 506 in the application execution control module 501. This is the same as the operation shown in FIG. Implemented.
[0151]
First, the application execution control module 501 analyzes the expiration date attribute of the “item” element included in the overall usage condition or partial usage condition element of each application registered in the application management table 506 (step S2001).
[0152]
As a result of the analysis in step S2001, if there is an item having an expiration date attribute older than the current date and time, the application execution control module 501 deletes the entire item (step S2002).
Thereby, for example, when the application management table 506 is a table having the contents as shown in FIG. 9, the item element (id = 1) will expire on April 6, 2000. Therefore, the item element is deleted on April 7, 2000.
[0153]
On the other hand, as a result of the analysis in step S2001, if there is no item having an expiration date attribute older than the current date and time, specifically, an “update data” element is included in the attribute information of each application, and If the current date and time is the same as the information of the “next update date” element described in the above, or the current date and time is advanced, the application execution control module 501 executes the download process as shown in FIG. S2004).
[0154]
Here, in step S2004, where the data is acquired is determined from the information of the “URI” element. This URI includes a broadcast type, a network ID, a transport stream ID, a service ID, a directory name (ID) based on a data carousel system, and a file name.
[0155]
For example, if the application management table 506 is a table having the contents as shown in FIG. 9 above, it is “dtv_bs: //network_id.transport_stream_id.service_id” in BS digital TV broadcasting on May 6, 2000. On the channel shown. Data “/module_id/app1.atrb” is distributed as data according to the carousel method.
In FIG. 9, specific numbers are not described as the network ID, transport ID, and service ID, but numbers are actually described.
[0156]
The application execution control module 501 updates the contents of the application management table 506 by the operation described above.
[0157]
FIG. 21 shows the operation of the application execution control module 501 when the user operates the remote controller 132 shown in FIG. 19 when the operation event is a press of the “APP” button 210 of the remote controller 132. The operation is shown.
[0158]
First, the application execution control module 501 reads the application management table 506 (step S1201), and requests the viewing control module 502 for information on all services and programs currently being broadcast.
[0159]
Information on services and programs currently being broadcast is distributed as SI (Service Information) information in the case of digital TV broadcasting.
Based on the request from the application execution control module 501, the viewing control module 502 issues an SI information acquisition request to the transport decoder 103 to acquire the SI information, and this is acquired by the application execution control module. It returns to 501 (step S2102).
[0160]
The application execution control module 501 compares the information of the “total use condition” element of each application included in the application management table 506 with the information of the service and program currently being broadcast (step S2103).
[0161]
Then, the application execution control module 501 highlights the name of the application for which the condition is satisfied based on the comparison result in step S2103 (highlighted display with brightness or character color that is more conspicuous than the application for which the condition is not satisfied). The list is displayed on the screen (step S2104).
[0162]
22A and 22B show an example of the display screen in step S2104.
[0163]
For example, when the application management table 506 has the contents as shown in FIG. 9, “1. browser application” and “2. EPG application” do not include data on the use condition element, and thus can be used. As shown in FIG. 22B, a list is displayed with highlights (shown in bold in the figure).
[0164]
As for “3. Application 1”, when a digital TV broadcast that is currently being broadcast includes a channel with network ID = 001, service ID = 0023, or 6 channels of analog TV broadcast, As shown in FIG. 22 (A), a list is displayed with highlights. At this time, if any channel is not being broadcasted, it is displayed without being highlighted as shown in FIG.
[0165]
When a desired application is selected by the user operating the remote controller 132 while the application list is displayed as described above (step S2105), the application execution control module 501 performs termination processing for the currently executing application. This is executed (step S2106), and the activation process of the application selected by the user is executed (step S2107).
[0166]
In FIG. 21, the application whose use condition is confirmed to be established is highlighted by the processing in step S2103. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, “available” in the list display is displayed. You may make it show with a character or with an icon, a mark, etc.
In the present embodiment, the application attribute data 509a and the application management table 506 are configured to be described in XML. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other text formats and binary The present invention can be applied even in a data block format.
[0167]
As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects (1) to (5) can be obtained.
(1) The application distributed by the data carousel method is temporarily stored in the television broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and depending on the environment to be used, the entire application or a part of its functions can be used by the user to view the TV program. It becomes possible to control according to conditions.
[0168]
(2) The television broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment displays a menu screen that allows the user to easily select the next process when a use condition is not satisfied while using an application, and a warning display. Etc. can be carried out.
[0169]
(3) While using the application, the user can easily switch between the application use screen and the normal television viewing screen by simply operating the “screen switch” button 205 of the remote controller 132.
[0170]
(4) When the accumulated applications are displayed in a list, it becomes possible to highlight the applications available for the currently broadcast channel or program.
[0171]
(5) It is possible to automatically delete the expired data from the accumulated data including the usage conditions of the application so that the data is always the latest data.
[0172]
[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, in the television broadcast receiving apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the application data multiplexed in the broadcast wave and distributed in the same data carousel method as the data broadcast is displayed in the browser application 504. It was supposed to be downloaded using.
According to the gist of the present invention, application data can be acquired via a network such as the Internet, or can be acquired from a recording medium such as a card medium.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, application data is acquired via a network or a recording medium.
[0173]
<Software Configuration of Digital Television Receiver 100>
FIG. 23 shows a functional configuration by software executed by the CPU 118 and a hardware relationship related to the software in the digital television receiver 100 shown in FIG.
[0174]
As shown in FIG. 23, the functions implemented by the CPU 118 of this embodiment are an application execution control unit 2301, a viewing control unit 2302, a function permission control unit 2303, an application management table 2304, a user event control unit 2305, download An application 2307 and attribute data 2306 are included.
[0175]
The application execution control unit 2301, the viewing control unit 2302, the function permission control unit 2303, the application management table 2304, the user event control unit 2305, the download application 2307, and the attribute data 2306 are respectively the application execution control unit illustrated in FIG. 501, the viewing control unit 502, the function permission control unit 503, the application management table 506, the user event control unit 507, the download application 509, and the attribute data 509a.
[0176]
In particular, in this embodiment mode, a card reader 2308 is provided in addition to the above configuration.
The application execution control module 501 reads application data from the card reader 2308 and registers it in the application management table 506.
[0177]
<Operation of Digital Television Receiver 100>
FIG. 24 shows the operation of digital television receiving apparatus 100 in the present embodiment.
[0178]
In this embodiment, when a card medium is inserted into the card reader 2308, an event is notified to the application execution control module 501. The application execution control module 501 operates as follows according to the occurrence of the event.
[0179]
First, the application execution control module 501 reads application data (target application data) from the card medium inserted into the card reader 2308 (step S2401), analyzes the information of the application attribute data file of the application data, and the analysis result Is compared with the contents already registered in the application management table 506 (step S2402).
[0180]
When the application execution control module 501 recognizes that the target application data is an application that has not been registered as a result of the comparison in step S2402, the application execution control module 501 accumulates the target application data as a file in the disk 119. (Step S2404), the application attribute data file of the target application data is registered in the application management table 506 (Step S2405).
[0181]
According to the present embodiment described above, the user takes in the application data into the digital television receiver 100 (accumulation in the disk 119) simply by inserting the card medium storing the application data into the card reader 2308. Further, an application attribute data file of the application data can be registered in the application management table 506.
[0182]
Here, only the configuration and operation different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and application startup processing, processing during application execution, and application list display processing executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. A detailed description of such processing is omitted.
[0183]
[Third embodiment]
In the first embodiment, distribution of broadcast contents including video and audio and distribution of application data are performed using a digital broadcast service, and further a download process is performed using a data broadcast browser (browser application 504). Configured to do.
From the gist of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, stream distribution and application distribution may be performed using a network such as the Internet.
Therefore, in this embodiment, stream distribution and application distribution are performed via a network.
[0184]
<Software Configuration of Digital Television Receiver 100>
FIG. 25 shows the functional configuration of the software executed by the CPU 118 and the relationship of the hardware related to the software in the digital television receiver 100 shown in FIG.
[0185]
In the software configuration shown in FIG. 25, portions that function in the same manner as the software configuration shown in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0186]
In particular, the digital television receiving apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to include a WWW browser application 2505, an Internet communication module 2508, and a high-speed modem 2509 as shown in FIG.
[0187]
<Operation of Digital Television Receiver 100>
In the present embodiment, the digital television receiver 100 is connected to, for example, the Internet communication network via the high-speed modem 2509, and can be browsed from the Internet communication network with a TV program composed of video and audio, and a WWW browser. Receive distribution of HTML content and application data. The internet communication module 2508 distributes the distribution data to the corresponding module or component in the digital television receiver 100.
[0188]
For example, the Internet communication module 2508 once transmits stream data of a television program to the transport decoder 103, transmits moving image data to the video decoder 106, transmits audio data to the audio decoder 104, HTML The content is transmitted to the WWW browser application 2505.
[0189]
When the user downloads an application during execution of the WWW browser, the WWW browser application 2505 acquires the application data using the HTTP protocol, accumulates the data in the disk 119, and also includes application attributes included in the application data. Data is registered in the application management table 506.
[0190]
The application attribute data here is basically the same content as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as described in the first embodiment, but the description of the “item” element. Is slightly different. For example,

The description is made. This means that in television broadcast distribution using the Internet, a usage condition is satisfied when the content “inet_stream: //company.com/tv/service1” is received and viewed.
[0191]
According to the present embodiment described above, whether or not a user is watching TV content even when a TV program is distributed via the Internet or when application data is distributed via the Internet. Depending on how, the execution of the application can be controlled.
[0192]
Here, only the configuration and operation different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and application startup processing, processing during application execution, and application list display processing executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. A detailed description of such processing is omitted.
[0193]
[Fourth embodiment]
In the first to third embodiments, the configuration and operation for control in which, when an application is used, viewing the TV at the same time as the use condition will be described.
In the present embodiment, even when application use and television viewing are not performed simultaneously, the use of the application is controlled on the condition of television viewing.
[0194]
<Software Configuration of Digital Television Receiver 100>
FIG. 26 shows the functional configuration by software executed by the CPU 118 and the relationship of hardware related to the software in the digital television receiver 100 shown in FIG.
[0195]
In the software configuration shown in FIG. 26, portions that function in the same manner as the software configuration shown in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0196]
The digital television receiver 100 according to the present embodiment is particularly configured to include a viewing history table 2608 as shown in FIG.
[0197]
In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the application is downloaded and registered in the application management table 506 by the browser application 504, and the viewing control module 503 receives a channel change from the user or a user. Every time an instruction to stop watching TV is given, the viewing history data is registered in the viewing / listening history table 2608.
[0198]
FIG. 27 shows an example of the contents of the viewing history table 2608.
The viewing history table 2608 is described in XML, and registers (describes) the number of services (channels) that can use the element named service.
[0199]
Each service element has an attribute representing a broadcast service ID, and each service element includes three “time” elements. These “time” elements describe information indicating how many times the service (channel) has been viewed on each day of the past three days. The “day” attribute represents a date.
[0200]
When the day changes in the viewing history table 2608, the viewing control module 502 deletes the “time” element of the oldest day and newly registers a “time” element having the date attribute of the new day.
[0201]
27 shows that the user has watched the service with the service ID = 0023 for 7 minutes today (7 days), 54 minutes yesterday (6 days), and 124 minutes yesterday (5 days).
[0202]
<Operation of Digital Television Receiver 100>
First, in the present embodiment, the application execution control module 501 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
For example, the application execution control module 501 executes the process shown in FIG. 11 for the operation during application startup, and executes the process shown in FIG. 15 for the operation during application execution.
[0203]
However, both the process shown in FIG. 11 and the process shown in FIG. 15 are different from the first embodiment regarding the condition satisfaction confirmation process, for example, the process shown in FIG. 28 is executed. .
[0204]
That is, the application execution control module 501 first reads the viewing conditions of the application that is being started or executed from the application management table 506, and acquires information on the service (channel) to be viewed (step S2801).
[0205]
Next, the application execution control module 501 reads the information in the viewing history table 2608 as shown in FIG. 27 and calculates the cumulative viewing time (minutes) for the three days of the service set as the viewing condition (step S2802). ).
[0206]
Then, the application execution control module 501 outputs a result that the condition is satisfied (step S2804) when the calculation result of step S2802 is 1 minute or more (step S2803), and the result that the condition is not satisfied when it is 0 minute. Is output (step S2805).
[0207]
According to the present embodiment described above, it is not always necessary to view a TV when using an application, but a service (channel) specified as a condition during the past three days is viewed. It becomes possible to control the use of the application on the condition that it is.
[0208]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the application management table, application attribute data, and viewing history table are configured to be described using XML. However, the present invention is not limited to this in terms of the gist of the present invention. For example, HTML or the like may be used. Further, a data information format other than the markup language may be used.
[0209]
In addition, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the host and terminal according to the first to fourth embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Needless to say, this can also be achieved by (or CPU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the first to fourth embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code and the program code constitute the present invention. It becomes.
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used.
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the first to fourth embodiments are realized, but also an OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where the functions of the first to fourth embodiments are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the extension function board inserted in the computer or the function extension unit connected to the computer, the function extension is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the first to fourth embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0210]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a user can receive a television broadcast and monitor and output it at any time regardless of the contents of the program being broadcast (such as a television broadcast receiver). ) Will be able to use application programs.
[0211]
In addition, by controlling the execution of the application program based on the monitor output state of the television broadcast (viewing of the television broadcast), if the provider of the application program is a broadcaster, the broadcaster has an opportunity to view the program. It is possible to provide the application program usage service to the user without degrading. The user can use the application program free of charge or at a low charge by using the application program provided by the broadcaster.
[0212]
In addition, while providing the same benefits as a personal computer (personal computer) that is used when you want to use an application program, the user pays the application program usage fee directly to the application program provider (software sales company, etc.). For example, a television broadcasting business can pay a fee to the application program sales side and provide a service that allows the user to use the application program free of charge. At the same time, it is possible to realize a new application program usage service model that enables the television broadcasting business side to increase advertising revenue by increasing users' opportunities to watch TV.
[0213]
In addition, each application program does not monitor usage conditions, but functions (control means) provided in a device or system (television broadcast receiving device, etc.) that receives a television broadcast and outputs it for monitoring. Monitoring, etc. not only facilitates the development of application programs, but even in the same application program, simply changing application attribute data (condition data) allows for different conditions such as broadcast networks and channel organization. It can be used.
[0214]
Further, since it is possible to add a condition (viewing condition) for permitting execution of the program only to a part of the function of the application program, it is possible to provide a service for providing the application program with a higher degree of freedom.
[0215]
In addition, since a condition for permitting execution of the application program can be a condition for viewing on a plurality of channels, a television broadcasting business side having a plurality of channels can apply an application to a viewer on one of its channels. It is possible to provide a program usage service. Furthermore, the broadcasting network and broadcasting form are not limited to one, but can be applied to, for example, analog television broadcasting, digital television broadcasting, radio, etc., and perform broadcasting services that span these broadcasting. It is effective on the business side.
[0216]
In addition, since the condition for permitting execution of the application program can be a condition for viewing a plurality of programs, for example, only a user who provides a program by a certain advertising company, that is, a user who is viewing a program in which a CM flows, It is also possible to apply application program usage services. Further, these programs are not limited to one service (channel), and may be spread over a plurality of services.
[0217]
In addition, when the usage conditions no longer hold while using the application program, a menu screen that allows the user to easily select the next process, display a warning, or use the application program The user can switch between the application program usage screen and the normal TV viewing screen simply by pressing the “screen switching” button, enabling a user interface that is very simple and easy to understand for the user.
[0218]
In addition, when the stored application programs are displayed in a list, it is possible to highlight the application programs that can be used on the currently broadcast channel or program, so that the user can use the currently available application programs before using them. To be able to know.
[0219]
In addition, because it is possible to automatically delete expired data from the data (condition data) including the usage conditions of the accumulated application program, or update it to always be the latest data, The effects as described above can be obtained without bothering the user.
[0220]
In addition, when using an application program, it is not always necessary to view a television broadcast, but is based on the condition that a service (channel) specified as a condition has been viewed in the past few days. Since the use of the application program can be controlled, for example, the application program use service can be provided to the user even during a time period when the target channel is not broadcasted at midnight or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television broadcast receiving apparatus to which the present invention is applied in a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a remote controller (remote controller) of the television broadcast receiver.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the contents of an application attribute data file.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another example of the contents of the application attribute data file.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the television broadcast receiving apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the operation state of the browser application.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a display screen of data broadcasting content from which an application can be downloaded.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a flow of a browser application download processing operation;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the contents of an application management table;
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the operation state of the application execution control module.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the application execution control module in an application activation state.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a condition establishment confirmation process of the application execution control module.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a display screen after application activation;
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation selection menu screen displayed when a condition is not satisfied during application activation processing;
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the application execution control module during application execution;
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of a warning display screen when condition non-satisfaction is detected during execution of an application.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an example of a warning display screen displayed when the program reservation setting time approaches during application execution.
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining exchanges between modules when a user changes a viewing channel during execution of an application.
FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the application execution control module when a remote control input is made during application execution.
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an update and maintenance operation of an application management table executed by an application execution control module during application execution.
FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an operation when an application execution control module displays an application list in response to a remote control operation;
FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining an example of an application list display screen;
FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the television broadcast receiver in the second embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining an operation of registering an application from a card medium in the second embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the television broadcast receiver in the third embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the television broadcast receiving apparatus in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the contents of a viewing history table in the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a condition satisfaction confirmation process in the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Television broadcast receiver
101 Digital tuner section
102 Descrambler
103 Transport decoder
104 Audio decoder
105 Digital / Analog Converter (DAC)
106 Video decoder
107 Movie plane
108 Still image plane
109 character graphic plane
110 Graphic generator
111 Image composition unit
112 memory
113 Modem
114 1394 interface
115 Operation unit
116 light receiving part
117 IC card controller
118 CPU
119 hard disk
120 serial interface
121 buffers
122 Bus
123 Analog tuner
130 VTR
131 Printer
132 remote control
133 Speaker
134 Display
135 IC card
150 Data server
160 Antenna
501 Application execution control module
502 viewing control module
503 Function permission control module
504 Browser application
505 EPG application
506 Application management table
507 User event control module
508 Reservation information
509 download application
509a Attribute data

Claims (3)

A television broadcast receiving apparatus that receives a television broadcast and monitors and outputs video and audio data of a selected broadcast program,
Application execution means for executing an application program included in the broadcast data of the television broadcast;
Control means for controlling execution of a part of the function of the application program by the application execution means based on the selection state of the broadcast program and the condition data included in the broadcast data;
A television broadcast receiving apparatus comprising:   The television broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the television broadcast including the application program is transmitted by a data carousel method. Receiving a television broadcast and outputting video and audio data of the selected broadcast program;
Executing a part of the function of the application program included in the television broadcast based on the selection state of the broadcast program and the condition data included in the broadcast data of the television broadcast;
Television broadcast receiving method characterized by having a.

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