JP4312034B2 - Broadcast viewing certification system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for issuing a viewing certificate for certifying that broadcast information has been viewed. For example, the present invention relates to a technique that makes it possible to provide various services to viewers based on viewing of broadcast information.

Broadcast systems have evolved into multiplexed broadcasts that broadcast broadcast information (broadcast content) with multiplexed sub-audio, etc., and digital broadcasts that digitize broadcast information and broadcast via satellite, terrestrial, wired cable, etc. Yes.
On the receiver side used in the broadcasting system, in addition to a television receiver that reproduces and outputs the received broadcast information, a storage device that records and holds the received broadcast information in a recording medium such as a video tape or a hard disk (HDD) Is also used. The storage device generally has a mode in which the received broadcast information recorded and held by the device itself is reproduced and output using the screen or speaker of the television receiver. Various modes are conceivable, such as a mode in which broadcast information received by an apparatus is recorded and held, and this is dedicated to a broadcast information recording and holding function for reproduction and output using a screen or speaker of a television receiver.

Looking at the use of received broadcast information by the viewer, there is a usage form in which broadcast information received using a storage device is recorded and held, and the broadcast information is reproduced and viewed at a convenient time.
In recent years, video recording / playback apparatuses using HDDs capable of recording inexpensive and large-capacity broadcast information have begun to show signs of widespread use as such storage apparatuses. The storage device using the HDD has a great advantage in terms of random accessibility with respect to a video recording / playback device that uses a video tape that is currently widely used. As a result, the viewer can instantly access a desired scene in the broadcast information recorded and held, and as symbolized by time-shift recording that allows simultaneous recording and playback, It is also an added value element of video recording and playback devices.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of the storage apparatus. In the storage apparatus, the received data received from the receiving unit 1 (that is, television broadcast information including video signals, audio signals, etc.) is recorded and held in the storage device 2. Then, in response to a playback instruction input by the viewer, the broadcast information held in the storage device 2 is read and the playback unit 3 plays back and outputs video and audio.
In such a storage apparatus that uses an HDD for the storage device 2, a large amount of broadcast information is stored in the storage device 2, and a viewer can search and view any stored content at an arbitrary time. In parallel with such reproduction processing, new received broadcast information can be stored in the storage device 2.

Here, if the storage device as described above is used, access to the scene to be seen in the broadcast information can be made very easy, but the fragmentary viewing tendency of the main part of the program increases, and in particular, commercial messages (CM). There is concern that viewing opportunities will decrease. CMs are only secondary to viewers, but for sponsors who pay a sponsor fee to provide programs, there is no point in sponsoring a program if the content of the CM is not viewed by the viewers. It can be said that.
Under these circumstances, the position and field type of the CM inserted in the main part of the program in the broadcast information is discriminated so that the viewer can select and view the CM in the field of interest. In addition, an invention has been proposed in which the fee burden on the viewer based on program viewing is reduced in accordance with CM viewing (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-110980

  As described above, the viewing mode of the received broadcast information by the viewer varies, but for the producer and sponsor of the broadcast program, it is of great concern whether the viewer has watched or not. Understanding the viewing status of such viewers is very useful for program producers to evaluate program performance and motivation for future program production, and for sponsors to evaluate advertising effectiveness and future advertising modes. It will be very useful as a study material.

However, there is a problem that information useful enough for program producers and sponsors cannot be obtained only by grasping the situation in which the viewer views a main program or CM.
For example, if the same CM is broadcast several times with different time zones and broadcast channels, but the same viewer repeatedly views the same CM, the expected advertisement will be exceeded. The effect cannot be obtained. Also, for example, when a program main part or CM recorded and held using a storage device is played back and viewed, the actual broadcast time and the playback and viewing time will be different from each other. Some of them are worth watching in a timely manner, so even if they are viewed after a long time from the broadcast time, they are not viewed in the manner intended by the program producers and sponsors. In other words, taking into account the actual viewing mode, it is possible to understand whether the program producer or sponsor has viewed in the mode intended by simply viewing the situation in which the viewer has watched a main program or CM. There is a problem that information that is truly useful to program producers and sponsors cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and provides a technique capable of obtaining information that is truly useful for program producers and sponsors by performing conditioning when grasping the viewing situation of broadcast information. It is an object.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a technique for issuing a certificate based on viewing as described above and enabling a viewer to provide a service based on the certificate.

The present invention is a broadcast viewing certification system that issues viewing certification based on viewing of broadcast content, and a broadcast receiver or a storage device that records and holds received broadcast information includes broadcast content determination information included in the received broadcast information. And whether to issue a viewing certificate by playing the received broadcast information based on the viewing certificate issuance condition and the broadcast content identified by the broadcast content determination information when the viewing certificate issuance condition is satisfied A certificate issuing function for issuing the viewing certificate.
Therefore, when issuing a certificate, information that is truly useful to program producers and sponsors can be verified by making judgments based on viewing certificate issuance conditions such as the number of times of viewing and the playback time to condition the entity of the viewing mode. Can be obtained as
Here, the broadcast receiver is composed of a device having a function of receiving broadcast information, such as a television receiver. In addition to a device having a broadcast information reception function, the storage device does not have a reception function for recording and holding the broadcast information received by the television receiver connected to the television receiver, for example. It may be a device.

  In the present invention, in particular, the broadcast content determination information is information for identifying the type of the commercial message included in the broadcast information together with the program content information, and whether or not the determination function issues a viewing certificate by reproducing the commercial message in the received broadcast information. It is preferable that the certificate issuing function issues a viewing certificate related to the commercial message identified by the broadcast content discriminating information. With such a configuration, it plays an important role in program production. Information useful to fulfilling sponsors can be collected. In addition, the viewer can be motivated to find value not only in the main part of the program but also in viewing the CM by adopting a system configuration that can be used to receive services provided by viewing certification as described below. , The advertising effect of CM can be further enhanced.

  Further, in the present invention, it is preferable to have an output function for outputting the issued viewing certificate to an external information record holding body. With such a configuration, a memory card, a mobile phone having a memory function, etc. The viewing certificate output to the portable information recording device is held, or the viewing certificate is transmitted and transmitted to the server or program producer or sponsor who manages the viewing certificate through the network, and the viewing certificate of each viewer is portable or transmitted. It is possible to collect important information for program producers and sponsors, and for viewers to enjoy services based on viewing certification.

According to the present invention, since the viewing certificate is issued according to the determination based on the viewing certificate issuing condition, it is possible to grasp the viewing situation useful for the program producer and the sponsor.
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to give new value to the act of viewing TV broadcasts, in particular, CMs. In the meantime, a new TV viewing style has been established, such as searching for and viewing only commercials, and maintaining the current meaning of commercials. It is possible to increase or exceed the current level.

The present invention will be specifically described based on some embodiments.
FIG. 1 shows an example in which the present invention is implemented by a broadcast receiver such as a television receiver. The broadcast receiver shown in the figure reproduces the reception data received by the reception unit 11 (that is, television broadcast information including video signals and audio signals and information for viewing confirmation described later) by the reproduction unit 12, Based on the signal and the audio signal, video and audio are reproduced and output by a screen and a speaker. In addition to functioning as such a normal television receiver, in this broadcast receiver, the playback unit 12 sends viewing confirmation information (viewing confirmation data) in the received broadcast information to the viewing issuing unit 13. The determination is performed by the determination function unit 14 provided in the viewing issuance unit 13 and the viewing certificate issuance processing is performed by the issuance function unit 15. The issued viewing certificate is registered in the database 16 provided in the broadcast receiver and is stored so that it can be used by being output from the database 16 as will be described later. The registered contents of the database 16 are referred to.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the present invention is implemented by a storage device with a receiving function that uses a storage device 18 such as an HDD. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part similar to the component shown in FIG. 1, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
The storage apparatus shown in FIG. 2 has a broadcast information reception function, and receives reception data (television broadcast information including a video signal, an audio signal, and information for viewing confirmation described later) received by the reception unit 11. Recorded and stored in the storage device 18. When a playback instruction is input from the viewer by operating an operation unit (not shown), the received data instructed is read from the storage device 18 and is played back by the playback unit 12, and based on the video signal and the audio signal. Thus, video and audio are reproduced and output by the screen and the speaker. In addition to functioning as such a normal storage device, in this storage device, as with the device of FIG. 1, viewing issuance based on viewing confirmation data in the received broadcast information input from the playback unit 12 The determination function unit 14 of the unit 13 performs a determination process. The issue function unit 15 performs a viewing certificate issuance process according to the determination result, and registers the issued viewing certificate in the database 16 provided in the storage device.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of broadcast information received by the receiving unit 11 by wire or wirelessly.
The broadcast information (content) has a structure in which information for viewing confirmation (viewing confirmation data) is inserted at a required position in the content in addition to the basic structure in which CM is inserted in the main part of the program. Note that the content composed of CM in the main part of the program is video signal and audio signal data, and is subject to playback processing by the playback unit 12.
The information for viewing confirmation includes broadcast time information, broadcast content confirmation information (content classification information and content outline information), and viewing certificate issuance conditions. In the broadcast information playback process in the playback unit 12, the broadcast information And is output to the viewing certificate issuing unit 13 as viewing confirmation data together with the reproduction time information.

Processing related to the issuance of the viewing certificate in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is performed as shown in FIG.
Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the case of issuing a viewing certificate relating to CM viewing will be described, but the viewing certificate for the main program may be issued in the same manner. In the database 16, viewing certificates already issued for CMs that have been reproduced (that is, viewed) are registered, and the corresponding CMs are identified by the broadcast content confirmation information. In addition, the database 16 is not an essential configuration when the issued viewing certificate is immediately output to the five information record holder, or when the already issued status is not used as the issue condition.

Broadcast information (that is, video signal, audio signal, broadcast time, broadcast content confirmation information, viewing certification issuance condition) is input to the reproduction unit 12 and reproduction processing is performed. (Time, broadcast time, broadcast content confirmation information, viewing certificate issuance condition) are input to the viewing certificate issuing unit 13, the difference between the playback time and the broadcast time for the CM reproduced and output by the determination function unit 14 is viewed. It is determined whether or not it is within a predetermined time specified by the certificate issuance condition (step S1).
As a result, when it is reproduced and output within a predetermined time after being broadcast, the issue count determination process (step S2) is performed in order to determine further issue conditions for the CM. If the playback output has exceeded the predetermined time, the process ends without issuing a viewing certificate for the playback output of the CM because the advertisement effect cannot be expected because the viewer watched the timing later. .

In the determination process of step S2, the determination function unit 14 refers to the database 16 to check how many times the viewing proof has already been issued for the same CM specified by the broadcast content confirmation information. It is determined whether or not the issuance upper limit number specified in the issuance condition is less.
As a result, when the number of viewing certifications already issued for the same CM is within the issuance upper limit, the issuing function unit 15 performs the viewing certification issuing process (step S3) on the reproduction output of the CM. If the issuance upper limit is exceeded, for example, sufficient viewing has already been performed and no further advertising effect can be expected, and the process is terminated without issuing a viewing certificate for the reproduction output of the CM.

In the issuance process in step S3, the issuance function unit 15 creates a viewing certificate to which CM identification information based on broadcast content confirmation information is added, and registers and stores the viewing certificate in the database 16. The viewing certificate registered in the database 16 in this way can be output to an external information holding body such as a mobile phone having a memory function or a network server by the output function unit 17 provided in the database 16. When the viewer inputs a reading instruction, a desired viewing certificate can be stored and held in the information holding body, and can be used for enjoying the service as described later.
Note that an output function unit 17 may be provided in the viewing certificate issuing unit 13 so that the issued viewing certificate is registered in the database 16 for determination processing and output to an external information holding body for holding. Good.

Note that the determination of the reproduction time as described above is not so meaningful for a television receiver or the like that reproduces and outputs broadcast information in real time because the broadcast time and the reproduction time are generally almost the same. Although not provided, even in such a receiver, when the received broadcast information is stored in an external storage device and the broadcast information stored in the storage device is reproduced later, the broadcast time and the reproduction time are If the difference is the viewing certificate issuance condition, the viewing certificate can be issued only when the CM or the main program is viewed in a timely manner according to the intention of the sponsor or the like.
In the present embodiment, the time difference between the broadcast time and the playback time and the number of times of viewing certificate is shown as the viewing certificate issuance condition. However, any one of them may be used. Or a condition for prescribing the viewing mode intended by the sponsor may be adopted. For example, when the playback time zone is added to the broadcast information as the viewing certificate issuance condition, the broadcast is broadcast, and when the playback time actually grasped by the clock function provided in the device is in the time zone If a certificate is issued, the viewers will be motivated to watch the program during the time period intended by the program producer, or fortunately, a limited service will be provided to the viewers who have watched during the time period. Various usage modes can be realized.

Here, television broadcasting has also been digitized, and television broadcasting digital distribution systems using cable television and fixed wireless access systems (FWA) have become widespread.
As shown in FIG. 5, the FWA system is a system that wirelessly communicates digital data between a base station 20 connected to a backbone network and a terminal station 21 fixedly installed in a user's home. By broadcasting the broadcast information received from the backbone network to each terminal station 21, the received broadcast information can be used by a television receiver or storage device connected to each terminal station 21.

When broadcasting information is distributed as such digital data, for example, the broadcasting information is distributed as a transmission packet subjected to compression processing as shown in FIG.
In other words, several contents including video signal, audio signal and viewing confirmation data are respectively compression encoded, and these contents are further compression encoded and multiplexed to form a TS packet stream (Transport Stream), and these TS packets are further compressed. It is encoded and transmitted to the receiver side as a transmission packet sequence to which a header and an error correction code are added.
In the illustrated example, the data for viewing confirmation of each content includes broadcast date information, content identification code, classification code, broadcasting station code, and sponsor code in addition to the certificate issuance conditions. The detailed content can be identified.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a method for using the viewing certificate issued as described above.
The viewing certificate 32 issued by the receiver 31 such as a television receiver or storage device for the broadcast information received from the broadcasting station 30 as described above is connected to the receiver 31 by a known interface (Bluetooth or the like). The mobile phone 33 is downloaded according to the instruction input by the viewer.
In this way, the viewing certificate is transferred to the portable information record holding body 33, and the viewer visits the service provider 34 equipped with the portable telephone 33 and provided with the viewing certification confirmation means, and sends it to the cellular phone 33. By presenting the stored certificate, a predetermined service can be received from the service provider. Note that the used processing is performed so that the viewing certificate once read from the receiver 31 and the mobile phone 33 is deleted so that the viewing certificate is not used repeatedly.

FIG. 8 shows another example of a method for using the viewing certificate issued as described above.
In this example, the viewing certificate 32 issued by the receiver 31 is uploaded to an external server 36 via a network such as the Internet 35 and registered and held. When the viewer intends to use the viewer, the mobile phone 33 downloads the desired viewing certificate 32 from the server 36 via the network 35, brings the mobile phone 33 into the service provider 34, and receives a predetermined service. According to this usage method, even when the viewer is away from the receiver 31 such as on the go, the necessary viewing certificate can be stored in the mobile phone 33 and used. If the viewing proof provided to the service provider 34 is provided as feedback to the program producer or sponsor in this way, the program producer can grasp the advertisement effect and the viewing status of the program.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the broadcast receiver which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the storage apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the broadcast information which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the process which concerns on the viewing-and-listening issuance which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the FWA system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining packet transmission concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the usage method of the viewing certificate which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the usage method of the viewing certificate which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the conventional storage apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

11: receiving unit, 12: reproducing unit,
13: viewing certificate issuing unit, 14: determination function unit,
15: Issue function section, 16: Database,
17: Output function unit, 18: Storage device,
30: broadcast station, 31: receiver,
32: Proof of viewing, 33: Mobile phone,
34 service provider, 35: network,
36: server,

Claims (5)

A broadcast viewing certification system that issues a viewing certificate based on viewing of broadcast content,
A broadcast receiver is a receiving unit for receiving broadcast information including broadcast content including a program main part and a commercial message, broadcast content confirmation information for identifying broadcast content including the main program part and a commercial message , and viewing certification issuing conditions. When,
A determination function unit for determining whether or not to issue a viewing certificate by playing a commercial message in the received broadcast information based on a viewing certificate issuing condition included in the broadcast information received by the receiving unit;
Wherein when it is determined that the viewing certificate issuing condition is satisfied by the determination function unit, as the viewing proof of the commercial message in the broadcast content identified by the broadcast content confirmation information, consisting of the main program and the commercial message broadcasting A broadcast viewing certification system, comprising: a certification issuing function unit that issues a viewing certification to which the broadcast content confirmation information for identifying the content is added. A broadcast viewing certification system that issues a viewing certificate based on viewing of broadcast content,
The broadcast receiver determines the difference between the broadcast content composed of the main program and commercial message , broadcast time information, broadcast content confirmation information for identifying the broadcast content composed of the main program and commercial message, and the reproduction time and broadcast time. A receiving unit for receiving broadcast information having a viewing certificate issuing condition within a predetermined time;
A storage unit for recording and holding broadcast information received by the receiving unit;
Whether or not to issue a viewing certificate by playing the commercial message in the broadcast information based on the viewing certificate issuing condition included in the broadcast information when the commercial message in the broadcast information recorded and held in the storage unit is played back A determination function unit for determining whether or not,
In the broadcast content identified by the broadcast content confirmation information , when the difference between the playback time and the time of the broadcast time information included in the broadcast information is within a predetermined time specified by the viewing certificate issuing condition as viewing proof according to the commercial message, and characterized by having a certificate issuing function unit issuing said broadcast viewing certificate contents confirmation information added to identify the broadcast contents consisting of the main program and a commercial message Broadcast viewing certification system. A broadcast viewing certification method by a system that issues a viewing certificate to provide a viewer with a service based on viewing broadcast content,
The reception unit of the system receives broadcast information including broadcast content including a program main part and a commercial message, broadcast content confirmation information for identifying the broadcast content including the main program part and a commercial message , and viewing certification issuance conditions. ,
The determination function unit of the system determines whether or not to issue a viewing certificate by playing a commercial message in the received broadcast information based on a viewing certificate issuance condition included in the broadcast information received by the receiving unit,
Certificate issuing function unit of the system, when it is determined that the viewing certificate issuing condition is satisfied by the determination function unit, as the viewing proof of the commercial message in the broadcast content identified by the broadcast content confirmation information, Issuing a viewing certificate to which the broadcast content confirmation information for identifying the broadcast content consisting of the main program and the commercial message is added,
The output function unit of the system outputs and holds the viewing certificate issued by the certificate issuing function unit to the information recording device carried by the viewer,
A broadcast viewing certification method that enables a viewer to receive a service provision by presenting a viewing certificate held in the portable information recording device to the service provider. A broadcast receiver that issues a viewing certificate based on viewing broadcast content,
A receiver that receives broadcast information including broadcast content including a program main part and a commercial message, broadcast content confirmation information for identifying broadcast content including the program main part and a commercial message , and viewing certification issue conditions;
A determination function unit for determining whether or not to issue a viewing certificate by playing a commercial message in the received broadcast information based on a viewing certificate issuing condition included in the broadcast information received by the receiving unit;
Wherein when it is determined that the viewing certificate issuing condition is satisfied by the determination function unit, as the viewing proof of the commercial message in the broadcast content identified by the broadcast content confirmation information, consisting of the main program and the commercial message broadcasting A broadcast receiver, comprising: a certificate issuing function unit that issues a viewing certificate to which the broadcast content confirmation information for identifying the content is added. A broadcast receiver that issues a viewing certificate based on viewing broadcast content,
Broadcast content consisting of the main program and commercial message, broadcast time information, broadcast content confirmation information for identifying the broadcast content consisting of the main program and commercial message , and the difference between the reproduction time and the broadcast time within a predetermined time A receiving unit for receiving broadcast information having a viewing certificate issuing condition to be received;
A storage unit for recording and holding broadcast information received by the receiving unit;
Whether or not to issue a viewing certificate by playing the commercial message in the broadcast information based on the viewing certificate issuing condition included in the broadcast information when the commercial message in the broadcast information recorded and held in the storage unit is played back A determination function unit for determining whether or not,
In the broadcast content identified by the broadcast content confirmation information , when the difference between the playback time and the time of the broadcast time information included in the broadcast information is within a predetermined time specified by the viewing certificate issuing condition as viewing proof according to the commercial message, and characterized by having a certificate issuing function unit issuing said broadcast viewing certificate contents confirmation information added to identify the broadcast contents consisting of the main program and a commercial message Broadcast receiver.

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