JP4474442B2 - Receiving apparatus and receiving method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiver, an information device, and a system that receive transmitted digital information, and more particularly, to cooperation of devices in a system that reproduces and records received digital information based on a reception contract. In the following, the case where the present invention is applied to one that receives video / audio information of various programs distributed by a digital broadcasting service will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applied to data communication, etc. It can also be applied to data transmission / reception.

  In recent years, digital broadcasting services using communication satellites have started in the United States, digital multi-channel broadcasting using communication satellites (CS) has started in Japan in 1996, and various digital broadcasting services will be started in the future. . In addition, the digitalization of the current terrestrial broadcast (analog broadcast) is also being studied.

In the current digital broadcasting, the MPEG2-TS (Transport Stream) format, which is a multiplexing / separation method compatible with multi-programs, is used to multiplex and distribute a plurality of programs, and the digital broadcast receiver receives video / Extract audio data.

  As services, in addition to free broadcasts, pay broadcasts that require a subscription contract and PPV (pay per view) broadcasts that pay a viewing fee for the amount of viewing are provided.

Under such circumstances, research and development of a digital broadcast receiver for receiving digital broadcasts, a digital TV for reproducing programs, a digital VTR for recording, and the like are being performed in the home appliance / computer field.

  In addition, these digital devices are connected by a control bus capable of communicating data and control signals mixedly, and as a communication system for transmitting and receiving data and control signals between the devices, an IEEE 1394 serial bus or USB (Universal Serial Bus) is used. ) Has been proposed. In this system, node IDs are automatically assigned according to the connection form of each device. When a new device is added to or removed from the system, a bus reset is applied, and node IDs are automatically assigned again according to the new connection form.

  Here, since the current digital broadcast receiver extracts only one target program from a plurality of multiplexed and distributed programs and outputs it to an output device such as a TV, one channel at a time. Can only watch. Therefore, in order for a plurality of people to watch different broadcast program channels, it is necessary to install a plurality of digital broadcast receivers. For example, in order to view a digital broadcast with a plurality of output devices at home, a digital broadcast receiver must be purchased according to the number of output devices. This raises the problem that it is very uneconomical for the user.

  Further, in the above digital broadcast receiver, one reception contract is required for each digital broadcast receiver in order to view pay broadcasts and PPV. Therefore, a contract is required every time a new digital broadcast receiver is purchased in the home, and at the same time, it is necessary to perform individual reception management in each digital broadcast receiver, which is troublesome.

  Further, in order to view the PPV broadcast, in addition to the contract, it is necessary to connect a digital broadcast receiver and a telephone line in order to notify the billing information to the broadcast provider. Therefore, in order to install a plurality of digital broadcast receivers, it is necessary to consider the arrangement and connection configuration in consideration of connection with a telephone line.

  Further, as BS and terrestrial digitalization progresses in the future, it is considered that a paid service for broadcasting will be the basis, and means for preventing illegal viewing and illegal recording of programs is required.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a versatile digital broadcast receiver, an information device, and a multi-reception contract service that are easy to use for both broadcast providers and viewers and that can reproduce the recorded broadcast programs. It is to provide a digital broadcast receiving system.

In order to solve the above-described problems, one embodiment of the present invention uses, for example, the technical idea described in the claims.

  According to the present invention, in the digital broadcast receiver 100 having a function of receiving a program distributed by a digital broadcast service, the designated program separating unit 203, the reception contract managing unit 212, and the output destination monitoring unit 213 are provided. The following effects can be obtained.

(1) A single digital broadcast receiver 100 can simultaneously distribute broadcast programs to a plurality of devices, and can efficiently and economically view digital broadcasts at home or in an apartment having a plurality of households.

(2) The reception contract can be easily managed.

(3) It is possible to easily prevent illegal viewing and illegal copying of pay broadcasting and PPV.

  First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an embodiment for explaining the present invention, and is a configuration diagram in which the present invention is applied to a digital broadcast receiving system in one household 20.

  In this example, a digital broadcast receiver 100 that receives a digital broadcast program using a communication satellite or terrestrial waves, a digital TV 110a to 110c that displays the broadcast program, and a digital VTR 120 that records the broadcast program data on a magnetic tape, A recording device 130 for recording broadcast program data on a digital recording medium such as a DVD and a PC 140 are connected by a bus 10 such as an IEEE 1394 serial bus or a USB.

  Here, assuming a digital broadcast receiving system in the home 20, it is assumed that the digital TV 110a and the digital VTR 120 are installed in the room A21, the digital TV 110b, the DVD 130, and the PC 140 in the room B22, and the digital TV 110c in the room C23.

  The digital VTR 120 and the DVD 130 may be a recording device for recording on a magnetic disk such as HD or MO or an optical disk.

  Next, a configuration of the digital broadcast receiver 100 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The digital broadcast receiver 100 includes a tuner unit 201, a descrambling unit 202, a designated program separation unit 203, an output format conversion unit 204, an encryption / decryption conversion unit 205, an AV data output unit 206, a control unit 207, and a command input / output unit. 208, an accounting information management unit 209, a modem unit 210, a timer reservation management unit 211, a reception contract management unit 212, an output destination monitoring unit 213, and an authentication processing unit 214.

  The tuner unit 201 is a part that selects a desired channel from a plurality of channels through which a program is transmitted and demodulates the digitally modulated program.

  The descrambling unit 202 is a part for releasing the scramble of the broadcast program data that has been applied in order to be able to receive only the channels for which the reception is contracted with the broadcast provider.

  The designated program separation unit 203 is a part that extracts video / audio data corresponding to a desired broadcast program from the broadcast program data multiplexed and transmitted.

  The output format conversion unit 204 is a part that converts the received desired broadcast program data into an output format desired by a playback device or recording device connected to the digital broadcast receiver 100.

  The encryption / decryption conversion unit 205 prevents unauthorized acquisition of data during transmission and reception of broadcast program data and various commands with an output device or recording device connected to the digital broadcast receiver 100. Further, it is a part that performs encryption processing on data and commands to be transmitted and performs decryption processing on received data and commands.

  The AV data output unit 206 is a part that transmits broadcast program data to an output device or a recording device connected to the digital broadcast receiver 100.

  The control unit 207 is a part that comprehensively controls the operation of each unit in the digital broadcast receiver 100.

  The command input / output unit 208 is a part that transmits / receives various commands to / from an output device or a recording device connected to the digital broadcast receiver 100.

The billing information management unit 209 is a part that manages information to be billed when viewing or recording pay broadcasting or PPV.

  The modem unit 210 is a part that transmits a program request command and billing information to the broadcast provider.

  The timer reservation management unit 211 is a part that manages timer reservation information in timer reservation processing for viewing and recording broadcast programs.

  The reception contract management unit 212 is a part that manages information related to the reception contract with the broadcast provider.

  The output destination monitoring unit 213 monitors a device that is currently outputting broadcast program data from the digital broadcast receiver 100.

  The authentication processing unit 214 authenticates with respect to the device to which the broadcast program data is output, whether the device is authorized and manufactured (that is, the device that does not perform illegal viewing or illegal copying). Part.

  One feature of the present invention is that provision of the designated program separation unit 203, the reception contract management unit 212, and the output destination monitoring unit 213 in the digital broadcast receiver 100 prevents illegal viewing and illegal recording of broadcast programs. There is a point that can be done.

  Next, the configuration of the digital TVs 110a to 110c in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. However, these are all the same configuration, and here, the configuration of the digital TV 110 will be described.

  A digital TV 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an AV data input unit 301, an encryption / decryption conversion unit 302, a decoder unit 303, a video DA unit 304, an audio DA unit 305, a command input / output unit 306, a control unit 307, a timer. The reservation management unit 308, the authentication processing unit 309, the reproduction output management unit 310, and the warning processing unit 311 are configured.

  The AV data input unit 301 is a part that receives video / audio data from a digital broadcast receiver or recording device connected to the digital TV 110.

  The encryption / decryption conversion unit 302 prevents unauthorized acquisition of data in the middle when transmitting / receiving broadcast program data and various commands to / from a digital broadcast receiver or recording device connected to the digital TV 110. In this part, encryption processing is performed on data and commands to be transmitted, and decryption processing is performed on received data and commands.

  The decoder unit 303 is a part that decodes the compressed video / audio data and expands it to the original video / audio signal.

  The video DA unit 304 is a part that converts the video data expanded by the decoder unit 303 into an analog video signal and outputs the analog video signal.

  The audio DA unit 305 is a part that converts the audio data expanded by the decoder unit 303 into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal.

  The command input / output unit 306 is a part that transmits / receives various commands to / from a digital broadcast receiver or recording device connected to the digital TV 110.

  The control unit 307 is a part that comprehensively controls the operation of each unit in the digital TV 110.

  The timer reservation management unit 308 is a part that manages timer reservation information in timer viewing reservation processing for broadcast programs.

  The authentication processing unit 309 is a part that performs an authentication process as to whether a digital broadcast receiver or a recording device connected to the digital TV 110 is a properly certified and manufactured device.

  The reproduction output management unit 310 is a part that manages whether or not the digital TV 110 is currently reproducing a pay program.

  The warning processing unit 311 is a part that notifies the user that the broadcast program specified by the user cannot be viewed or notifies the user that the current viewing is to be interrupted.

  Similarly, one configuration of the digital VTR 120 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The DVD 130 has the same configuration.

  The digital VTR 120 includes an AV data input / output unit 410, an encryption / decryption conversion unit 420, a recording / playback unit 430, a command input / output unit 440, a control unit 450, a recording management unit 460, a warning processing unit 470, and a timer reservation management unit 480. The authentication processing unit 490 is configured.

  The AV data input / output unit 410 is a part that transmits / receives video / audio data to / from a digital broadcast receiver or output device connected to the digital VTR 120.

  The encryption / decryption conversion unit 420 is the same as the encryption / decryption conversion unit 302 in the digital TV 110.

  The recording / reproducing unit 430 is a part that performs recording or reproduction of the received video / audio data.

  The command input / output unit 440 is the same as the command input / output unit 306 in the digital TV 110.

  The control unit 450 is a part that comprehensively controls the operation of each unit in the digital VTR 120.

  The recording management unit 460 is a part that manages whether or not the digital VTR 120 is currently recording a pay program.

  The warning processing unit 470 is a part that notifies the user that the broadcast program designated by the user cannot be recorded, or notifies the user that the current recording is interrupted.

  The timer reservation management unit 480 is a part that manages timer reservation information in the timer program reservation process of a broadcast program.

  The authentication processing unit 490 is the same as the authentication processing unit 309 in the digital TV 110.

  Next, a configuration example of the reception contract information data 500 managed by the reception contract management unit 212 in the digital broadcast receiver 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The reception contract information data 500 includes a contract ID 510, a reception contract channel 520, a viewing contract number 530, and a recording contract number 540.

  The contract ID 510 is a unique identifier for identifying a user (that is, the digital broadcast receiver 100) with which the broadcast provider has received a reception contract, and is determined by the broadcast provider when the reception contract is made.

  The reception contract channel 520 indicates a channel on which the user can make a reception contract specified by the contract ID 510 and can be viewed or recorded by the user. In this example, two channels 210 (CH210) and 430 (CH430) are contracted.

  The viewing contract number 530 indicates the number of output devices that can simultaneously view and output the broadcast program data of the reception contract channel 520. In this example, the number of channels 210 that can be viewed and output simultaneously is two, and the number of channels 430 is one.

  The number of recording contracts 540 indicates the number of recording devices that can simultaneously record and output broadcast program data of the reception contract channel 520. In this example, one channel 210 can be recorded and output simultaneously, and zero channel 430.

  Next, a configuration of the output destination status information data 600 managed by the output destination monitoring unit 213 in FIG. 2 in the digital broadcast receiver 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The output destination status information data 600 includes a reception contract channel 610, a viewing device 620, and a recording device 630.

  The reception contract channel 610 has the same contents as the reception contract channel 520. That is, in this example, channel 210 (CH210) and channel 430 (CH430) are shown.

  The viewing device 620 indicates a unique identifier for identifying an output device that is currently outputting broadcast program data of the reception contract channel 610 among a plurality of output devices connected on the bus 10. This may be a device address given in advance to each device on the bus. In this example, only one device is currently outputting the channel 210, and broadcast program data is output to the output device 621 specified by Node_ID_1.

  The recording device 630 indicates a unique identifier for identifying a recording device that is currently outputting broadcast program data of the reception contract channel 610 among a plurality of recording devices connected on the bus 10. This may be a device address given in advance to each device on the bus. In this example, it is indicated that the number of devices currently being recorded for the channel 210 is one, and broadcast program data is being output to the output device 631 specified by Node_ID_3.

  Here, the output destination status information data 600 is read from the reception contract information data 500 managed by the reception destination management unit 212 by the output destination monitoring unit 213 when the digital broadcast receiver 100 is powered on. Created based on

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a procedure for distributing the broadcast program desired by the user to the digital TVs 110a to 110c as output devices by the digital broadcast receiver 100 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in this system will be described. . For the sake of clarity, it is assumed that a broadcast program on the channel 210 is currently being viewed on the digital TV 110b and recorded on the DVD 130, and a new reception request for the channel 210 is issued from the digital TV 110a.

  First, a procedure for distributing a broadcast program on the digital broadcast receiver 100 side in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the digital broadcast receiver 100 is turned on and the setup process is completed, the digital broadcast receiver 100 waits to receive channel requests from other devices connected via the bus 10 (step 711), and the command input / output unit 208 in FIG. It is monitored whether there is a channel request (step 712). Here, when the distribution request for the channel 210 is received from the digital TV 110a in FIG. 1, the control unit 207 in FIG. 2 reads the output destination status information data 600 managed by the output destination monitoring unit 213 (step 713) and receives it. It is checked whether a desired broadcast program can be distributed within the contract range (step 714). In the output status information data 600 of FIG. 6, the number of viewing contracts for the reception contract channel 210 (611 in the figure) is 2, and as described above, in FIG. 1, the digital TV 110b (output device 621) and the DVD 130 (recording device) are currently present. 631) broadcast programs are being distributed. Therefore, since the distribution request from the digital TV 110a in FIG. 1 is within the range of the number of viewing contracts, the broadcast program can be distributed. This is illustrated via the command input / output unit 208 in FIG. 1 digital TV 110a. Then, the authentication processing unit 214 in FIG. 2 authenticates whether the digital TV 110a in FIG. 1 is a legitimately certified device (that is, a device that does not allow illegal viewing) (step 715). If it is a legitimate device, the device ID indicating the digital TV 110a of FIG. 1 is written in the viewing device 622 in the output status information data 600 (step 716). Then, the encryption / decryption conversion unit 205 performs encryption processing on the broadcast program data of the channel 210 and distributes it from the AV data output unit 206 to the digital TV 110a of FIG. 1 (step 717). After distribution, the process returns to the channel request reception waiting state (step 711). Next, when the distribution request for the channel 210 is received from the digital TV 110c of FIG. 1 following the above processing, the processing of step 713 and step 714 is performed as described above. As a result, since the number of viewing contracts 2 of the reception contract channel 210 is exceeded, the broadcast program cannot be distributed, so that the digital TV 110c in FIG. 1 is notified of this (step 718). Then, it is checked whether or not there is a request for changing the current distribution destination from the digital TV 110c (step 719). When there is no distribution destination change request, the process returns to the channel request reception waiting state (step 711), and when there is a change request, distribution destination change processing is executed (step 720). Details of this change processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  Next, a procedure for receiving and playing back a broadcast program desired by the user by the digital TVs 110a and 110c in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when a user selects a channel using an input device such as a remote controller (step 800), the digital TV 110a in FIG. 1 displays a broadcast program of a channel desired by the user via the command input / output unit 306 in FIG. A command for requesting distribution is issued to the digital broadcast receiver 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 (step 810). Then, a determination is made as to whether or not the broadcast program is distributed from the digital broadcast receiver 100 (step 820). As a result, as described above, since the digital broadcast receiver 100 accepts the distribution request of the digital TV 110a, the digital TV 110a receives the determination that the distribution is possible. Thereafter, an authentication process is performed with the digital broadcast receiver 100 (step 830), and the encrypted broadcast program data distributed from the digital broadcast receiver 100 is received by the AV data input unit 301 in FIG. 3 (step 830). 840), the encryption / decryption conversion unit 302 decrypts the broadcast program data, the decoder unit 303 separates it into video data and audio data, and the video DA unit 304 and audio DA unit 305 convert the video data and audio data. Output to the user (step 850).

  Next, a case where the digital TV 110c in FIG. 1 issues a broadcast program distribution request will be described. From step 800 to step 820, the same processing as described above is performed. Since the digital broadcast receiver 100 continues to reject the distribution request from the received digital TV 110c, in step 820, the digital broadcast 110c receives a notification that the digital TV 110c cannot be distributed. Then, the digital TV 110c notifies the user by displaying on the warning display screen that the desired broadcast program cannot be viewed by the warning processing unit 311 or explaining the warning by voice (step 860). Then, it is determined whether or not a request for changing the current output destination of the digital broadcast receiver 100 has been instructed by the user (step 870). As a result, since the user wants to view the digital TV 110c, if the user requests to interrupt the viewing of any of the digital TVs 110a and 110b that are currently being viewed, the output destination is changed with respect to the digital broadcast receiver 100. A request is issued (step 880), and output destination change processing is executed (step 890). Details of this change processing will be described with reference to FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 870 that the user has not instructed to change the output destination, the process ends.

  Next, details of the process (step 720) of changing the broadcast program distribution destination on the digital broadcast receiver 100 side in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the digital broadcast receiver 100 receives a broadcast program distribution destination change request from the digital TV 110c in FIG. 1 via the command input / output unit 208 in FIG. 2, the digital broadcast receiver 100 manages the output destination monitoring unit 213 in FIG. 6 is read and information on the current output destination device is acquired (step 910 in FIG. 9). Then, the information is transmitted to the digital TV 110c, and a request is made to select a device whose output is to be interrupted from the devices (step 920). Then, it is determined whether or not a device to be interrupted has been selected by the user (step 930). As a result, if no device to be interrupted is selected from the digital TV 110c, the process returns to the channel request reception waiting state (step 711). When a device to be interrupted is selected from the digital TV 110c, for example, when the digital TV 110a is selected, the digital TV 110a is first notified that the current program distribution is to be interrupted, and the program distribution is interrupted immediately or after a few minutes. To do. Then, the data related to the digital TV 110a described in the output status information data 600 is deleted (step 940). Then, the subsequent processing is executed from the above-described authentication processing (step 715).

  Next, the details of the process (step 890) of changing the broadcast program distribution destination on the digital TV 110c side in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described using FIG.

  When the digital TV 110c receives a request to select a device to be interrupted from the digital broadcast receiver 100, the digital TV 110c displays a device list display screen currently in use based on the information regarding the current output destination transmitted at the same time (step 1010). The user selects a device to be interrupted from among them (step 1020). Then, the digital broadcast receiver 100 is notified of the selected device (step 1030).

  Here, FIG. 11 shows an example of a warning screen 1100 displayed to the user by the digital TV 110c of FIG. 1 in step 860 of FIG. When the user selects the “End processing” item 1110 on the screen 1100, the program distribution request processing ends.

  When the user selects the “suspend currently used device” item 1120, a device list display screen 1200 currently used as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed in step 1010. When the user instructs <Return> 1220 on the screen 1200, the screen 1100 is displayed again. When the user selects a device to be interrupted and instructs <decision> 1210, it waits for a desired broadcast program to be distributed.

  In step 940, the digital TV 110a notified of the interruption of program distribution from the digital broadcast receiver 100 displays a warning screen 1300 as shown in FIG.

  In the above-described example, the program distribution procedure between the digital broadcast receiver 100 and the digital TVs 110a to 110c is mainly described.

  Next, a program distribution procedure with the digital VTR 120 and the DVD 130 will be briefly described.

  First, the digital VTR 120 is recording a broadcast program of the channel 210, and a device ID related to the digital VTR 120 is described in the recording device 630 in the output status information data 600 of the output destination monitoring unit 213 of the digital broadcast receiver 100. Suppose that Here, if there is a request for recording the same broadcast program from the DVD 130, the number of recording contracts for that channel is 1, so the above-mentioned recording request is not accepted.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the system in which the digital broadcast receiver 100 and the output devices 110 (110a to 110c) and the recording devices 120 and 130 are connected by the control bus 10 in FIG. The designated program separation unit 203, the reception contract management unit 212, and the output destination monitoring unit 213 in FIG. 2 are provided, and the warning processing in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is performed on the output devices 110 (110a to 110c) and the recording devices 120 and 130 in FIG. Parts 311 and 470 are provided. As described above, when the digital broadcast receiver 100 receives a broadcast program output request, the digital broadcast receiver 100 checks whether to accept or reject the request based on the contents of the reception contract. Here, if there is a problem, the user is notified on the monitor screen or the like. Thereby, illegal viewing and illegal recording of digital broadcast programs can be easily prevented.

Here, the output destination monitoring unit 213 of the digital broadcast receiver 100 may monitor only the current number of output destinations and may not monitor information regarding the output destinations. In this case, an acquisition request for information regarding the current output status or recording status or program is issued directly to the playback output management unit 310 and the recording management unit 460 of each device connected on the bus 10, and Information will be acquired.

  Also, in this embodiment, since a digital broadcast receiving system can be constructed with one digital broadcast receiver 100, it is possible to save the trouble of receiving contracts that require the purchase of a plurality of digital broadcast receivers individually. This reduces the burden on the user.

  The digital broadcast receiver 100 of FIG. 1 may be integrated with either or both of the output device and the recording device, and examples thereof are shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 14, a digital TV 1400 with a built-in digital broadcast receiver distributes a program to another output device or recording device. Thus, the receiver integrated with the output device and the recording device distributes the program to other output devices and recording devices. Output management in this case is performed by the above-described processing.

  FIG. 15 shows one configuration of a digital TV 1400 with a built-in digital broadcast receiver, which is a combination of the configuration of the digital broadcast receiver 100 of FIG. 2 and the configuration of the digital TV 110 of FIG. Thus, the receiver integrated with the output device and the recording device may be a combination of the configuration of the digital broadcast receiver 100 of FIG. 2, the configuration of the digital TV 110 of FIG. 3, and the configuration of the digital VTR 120 of FIG.

  It is also conceivable to set priorities in advance so that the current output destination is not interrupted in the digital broadcast receiver 100 as in timer reservation setting.

It is one Example of this invention, and is a block diagram which applied this invention to the digital broadcast receiving system. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the digital broadcast receiver of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an output device such as a TV in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a recording device such as the VTR or DVD of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of reception contract information data. It is a block diagram of output destination status information data. It is a flowchart figure which shows the broadcast program delivery procedure in a digital broadcast receiver. It is a flowchart figure which shows the broadcast program reception procedure and reproduction | regeneration procedure in digital TV. It is a flowchart figure which shows the procedure which changes the present broadcast program delivery destination in a digital broadcast receiver. It is a flowchart figure which shows the procedure which changes the present broadcast program delivery destination in digital TV. It is a block diagram of a warning screen displayed by the digital TV and recording device. It is a block diagram of a device list display screen currently in use displayed by a digital TV and recording device. It is a block diagram of a warning screen displayed by the digital TV and recording device. It is another Example of this invention, and is a block diagram which applied this invention to the digital broadcast receiving system. It is a block diagram of digital TV with a built-in digital broadcast receiver of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Digital broadcast receiver, 110a, 110b, 110c ... Digital TV, 120 ... Digital VTR, 130 ... Recording device, 140 ... PC, 10 ... Bus, 201 ... Tuner unit 202 ... descrambling unit 203 ... designated program separating unit 204 ... output format converting unit 205 205 encryption / decryption converting unit 206 ... AV data output unit 207 ... Control unit 208... Command input / output unit 209... Billing information management unit 210... Modem unit 211... Timer reservation management unit 212. ..Output destination monitoring unit, 214... Authentication processing unit, 301... AV data input unit, 302... Encryption / decryption conversion unit, 303. ···sound DA unit, 306 ... command input / output unit, 307 ... control unit, 308 ... timer reservation management unit, 309 ... authentication processing unit, 310 ... reproduction output management unit, 311 ... warning Processing unit 410 ... AV data input / output unit 420 ... Encryption / decryption conversion unit 430 ... Recording unit / playback unit 440 ... Command input / output unit 450 ... Control unit 460・ ・ ・ Record management unit, 470 ... Warning processing unit, 480 ... Timer reservation management unit, 490 ... Authentication processing unit, 500 ... Received contract information data, 510 ... Contract ID, 520 ··· reception contract channel, 530 ... number of viewing contracts, 540 ... number of recording contracts, 600 ... output destination status information data, 610 ... reception contract channel, 620 ... viewing device, 630 ...・ Recording equipment.

Claims (4)

A digital information output device that receives scrambled and transmitted digital information and outputs the received digital information to another device,
Receiving means for receiving the digital information;
Descrambling means for descrambling the digital information received by the receiving means;
Encryption means for encrypting the digital information descrambled by the descrambling means;
Output means for outputting the digital information encrypted by the encryption means to the other device;
Storage means for storing the number of the other devices that are output destinations of the output means, and the limit number per reception channel of the number of devices capable of outputting the digital information;
Authentication means for authenticating whether the other device as the output destination of the digital information is a properly authorized device;
Control means for controlling the output of the output means,
The control means acquires the number of the other devices that are output destinations stored by the storage means and the limit number, and outputs the digital information from the output means at the same time as the other destinations. When the number of devices is within the limit and the other device that is the output destination is authorized as a device authorized by the authentication means, the other authorized by the output means A digital information output apparatus that controls the apparatus to encrypt the digital information and output the encrypted digital information. A digital information output method for receiving scrambled and transmitted digital information and outputting it to another device,
Receiving the digital information;
Descramble the received digital information,
Managing the number of devices that can output the descrambled digital information per receiving channel;
Is output destination to manage the number of the other device,
Authenticates whether or not the device is properly authorized for the other device that is the output destination of the descrambled digital information,
The number of the other devices that are output destinations that simultaneously output the descrambled digital information is within the limit, and the other device that is the output destination is a properly certified device. A digital information output method, wherein the digital information is encrypted and output simultaneously to another device. In a digital information output method for receiving scrambled and transmitted digital information and outputting it to another device,
Descramble the received digital information,
The descrambled digital information can be output to a plurality of output destinations,
Managing the number of output destinations that simultaneously output the descrambled digital information and the limit number per receiving channel of the number of devices capable of outputting the digital information;
When the number of output destinations is within the limit per number of reception channels of the number of devices capable of outputting the digital information, and the output destination device is an authenticated device, the output destination is the digital A digital information output method characterized by encrypting and outputting information. Scramble and send digital information,
Receiving the transmitted digital information,
Descramble the received digital information,
In the output of the descrambled digital information to a plurality of output destinations, the number of output destinations that simultaneously output the digital information and the limit number per receiving channel of the number of devices that can output the digital information are managed,
When the number of output destinations is within the limit per number of reception channels of the number of devices capable of outputting the digital information, and the output destination device is an authenticated device, the output destination is the digital A digital information transmission / reception method characterized by encrypting and outputting information.

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