JP4584208B2 - Broadcast receiving apparatus and broadcast receiving control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a broadcast reception apparatus and a broadcast reception control program, and more particularly to a broadcast reception apparatus and broadcast reception control program of a limited reception system that enables viewing by releasing scrambling on the condition that a special card is used.

  Systems in which only a regular digital broadcast receiving apparatus can be used by attaching a special IC (Integrated Circuit) card or the like to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that receives the digital broadcast have been widely introduced. It is also said from the viewpoint of copyright protection, and a B-CAS (BS-Conditional Access System) card is an example. In this specification, a card for such a limited reception method is referred to as a broadcast reproduction card for convenience.

  With the shift to digital broadcasting, a plurality of digital broadcast receiving devices such as a television receiver and a recording device are used in each home. These digital broadcast receiving apparatuses are required to release a scramble or a descrambling of program data to be viewed by mounting a broadcast reproduction card. This is to ensure that, for example, pay broadcasts and certain types of public broadcasts are received using a regular digital broadcast receiver.

  Therefore, for example, when a home has two digital broadcast receivers such as a television receiver and a recording device, a broadcast playback card related to the viewing service is individually installed for each digital broadcast receiver. Alternatively, a single broadcast reproduction card may be attached to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus to be used each time to receive the viewing service.

  However, if one broadcast reproduction card is prepared for each digital broadcast receiving device, each time a new digital broadcast receiving device is purchased in the home, the broadcast reproduction card for viewing service is possessed. It is necessary to repeat the viewing contract, which is complicated and may be an economic problem. In order to solve such a problem, it is possible to “turn around” one broadcast reproduction card for each device used. However, in this latter case, every time the use of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is changed, it is necessary to set a single broadcast reproduction card in the apparatus. This work is not only troublesome, but there is also a risk of losing or damaging the broadcast playback card while moving. If the broadcast reproduction card is lost or damaged, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus cannot be used for viewing the program until the reissue, and an economic burden is imposed on the reissue of the card.

  In view of this, a digital broadcast receiving system has been proposed as a first proposal in which a broadcast playback card is set as a shared item on the management server side so that each digital broadcast receiving device can view the digital broadcast. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this first proposal, when using a plurality of digital broadcast receiving apparatuses based on a plurality of viewing contracts, the viewing contract information is mutually interchanged, and an appropriate viewing environment is set according to the usage situation of the viewer. Realize.

  FIG. 11 shows an outline of the digital broadcast receiving system of the first proposal. The first to third digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 101 to 103 constituting the digital broadcast receiving system 100 are connected to a communication cable 105 constituting a LAN (Local Area Network) together with the viewing contract information management server 104. In the viewing contract information management server 104, a plurality of IC (Integrated Circuit) card slots 106 to 108 are arranged, and the first to third broadcast reproduction cards 111 to 113 made of IC cards are set therein. ing.

  When the viewing contract information management server 104 receives a request for viewing a program from any of the first to third digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 101 to 103, the contract for each of the first to third broadcast reproduction cards 111 to 113 is received. The first to third broadcast reproduction cards 111 to 113 are selected so that the programs viewed on the broadcast station are not duplicated. Then, the scramble of the corresponding program is canceled with respect to the device that is requested to view among the first to third digital broadcast receiving devices 101 to 103. When there is a request for viewing the program from a plurality of the first to third digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 101 to 103 for the same program, the first to third broadcast reproduction cards 111 to 113 are the same. It is possible to view as many programs as permitted as a whole in the time period, and scramble is released for these programs. In this way, the first to third digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 101 to 103 can view the program while sharing the first to third broadcast reproduction cards 111 to 113.

  However, this first proposal requires a special device called the viewing contract information management server 104. In addition, since all the broadcast reproduction cards 111 to 113 are set in the viewing contract information management server 104, when the number of broadcast reproduction cards increases, the viewing contract information management is performed correspondingly. It is necessary to replace the server 104 with a large one.

On the other hand, it is second that one of a plurality of digital broadcast receiving apparatuses mounts a broadcast reproduction card, and the other digital broadcast receiving apparatuses share the broadcast reproduction card by communication between the apparatuses. It has been proposed as a proposal (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to the second proposal, the viewing contract information management server 104 required in the first proposal can be eliminated.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-064798 (paragraphs 0052 to 0058, FIG. 1) JP 2006-144841 A (paragraph 0020, FIG. 1)

  In the second proposal, a plurality of digital broadcast receiving apparatuses share one broadcast reproduction card. However, according to the second proposal, even a digital broadcast receiving device that does not have any broadcast reproduction card can receive broadcasts, and the broadcast reproduction card is not provided when the product is purchased. There is a problem that the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is allowed to receive. In addition, when a user has a plurality of broadcast reproduction cards for which viewing contracts are made for different programs (broadcast stations), these broadcast reproduction cards are selected according to the contents of the program viewing. It needs to be replaced. In this case, there is a possibility that the broadcast reproduction card is damaged or lost due to the replacement.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a broadcast receiving apparatus and a broadcast reception control program that can share a broadcast reproduction card mounted on each apparatus with other apparatuses.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, (b) broadcast reproduction arranged in the own apparatus for arbitrarily selecting and installing any of the broadcast reproduction cards for specifying the reproducible broadcast range in units of cards. Card mounting means, (b) a broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not a broadcast playback card is mounted on the broadcast playback card mounting means, and (c) via a transmission path Other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means for determining whether any of the broadcast playback cards is mounted on one or more connected other devices, and (d) Whether or not the own device broadcast playback card is mounted The broadcast reproduction card for at least one of the other devices described above by the other device broadcast reproduction card insertion presence / absence determination unit when the determination unit determines that the broadcast reproduction card is installed in the own device. When determining the mounting, it is provided with a broadcast selection means for enabling selection of all, of a particular broadcast of the broadcast playback cards other devices all which are determined own device and mounted for playback to the broadcast receiving apparatus.

  That is, according to the present invention, the broadcast receiving device includes a broadcast reproduction card mounting means, and any one of the broadcast reproduction cards for specifying the reproducible broadcast range in units of cards is selected for broadcasting. I am trying to attach it to. This broadcast receiving apparatus can be connected to one or a plurality of other broadcast receiving apparatuses via a transmission path. Then, the other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means determines whether or not another connected broadcast receiving device is similarly mounted with one of the broadcast playback cards for broadcast playback. . When the own device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means determines that a broadcast playback card is installed in the own device, the other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination means broadcasts at least one of the other devices described above. When the broadcast card is determined to be mounted, the broadcast selection means can select all of the broadcasts specified by the broadcast playback cards of the self-device and all other devices determined to be mounted as playback targets. This makes it possible to expand viewing services by sharing broadcast playback cards with different viewing contracts without replacing the broadcast playback cards.

  However, even if the broadcast playback card is shared, it cannot be used immediately if any of the other devices connected via the transmission path uses the broadcast playback card of the other device. . In such a case, the priority order for the reproduction of the broadcasts of the other device and the own device determined by the other device usage status determination means is determined by the priority order determination means, and the own device has a higher priority. Only when it is determined, the broadcast reproduction means reproduces the selected broadcast.

  In the invention according to claim 2, (b) broadcast reproduction arranged in the own apparatus for arbitrarily selecting and installing any one of the broadcast reproduction cards for specifying the reproducible broadcast range in units of cards. Card mounting means, (b) a broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not a broadcast playback card is mounted on the broadcast playback card mounting means, and (c) via a transmission path Other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means for determining whether any one of a plurality of connected other devices is equipped with a broadcast playback card, and (d) Whether or not the own device broadcast playback card is mounted. When the means determines that a broadcast playback card is installed in its own device, the other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination unit determines whether the broadcast playback card is mounted in at least one of the other devices. The other device usage status determination for determining whether the broadcast reproduction card mounted on the own device or the other device is used by one or more other devices connected via the transmission path. And (e) when the other device usage status determining means determines that one or a plurality of other devices connected via the transmission line are using the broadcast reproduction card Priority determining means for determining the priority order of the reproduction of the broadcast of the other device determined to be, and (f) when the priority determining means determines that the own device has a higher priority, When all of the specified broadcasts of the broadcast reproduction card can be selected as a reproduction target and it is determined that the other device has a higher priority, the identification of the broadcast reproduction card of the other device described above It is provided to the broadcast receiving apparatus and a broadcast selection means for enabling selection of all of the broadcast identified for playback by these broadcast reproduction cards except minute broadcast was.

  That is, according to the present invention, the broadcast receiving device includes a broadcast reproduction card mounting means, and any one of the broadcast reproduction cards for specifying the reproducible broadcast range in units of cards is selected for broadcasting. I am trying to attach it to. This broadcast receiving apparatus can be connected to one or a plurality of other broadcast receiving apparatuses via a transmission path. Then, the other apparatus broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means determines whether another connected broadcast receiving apparatus is similarly mounted with one of the broadcast playback cards for broadcast channel selection. ing. The broadcast playback card for at least one of the other devices is installed by the other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining unit in a state where the own device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining unit determines that the broadcast playback card is installed in the own device The other device usage status determining means is used by either one or a plurality of other devices to which the broadcast playback card mounted on the own device or the other device is connected via the transmission path. To determine if The reason why the broadcast reproduction card of its own device is also determined is that another device may be using it. When the other device usage status determining means determines that one or more other devices connected via the transmission line are using the broadcast reproduction card, the priority determining means uses the own device. The priority order regarding the reproduction of the broadcast of the other apparatus determined to be the same is determined. When the priority order discriminating means discriminates that the own apparatus has a higher priority order, all the broadcasts specified by the respective broadcast playback cards can be selected as playback targets. In addition, when it is determined that the priority of the other device is higher, all of the broadcasts specified by these broadcast playback cards are subject to playback except for the broadcasts specified by the broadcast playback card of the other devices described above. As selectable. This makes it possible to expand viewing services by sharing broadcast playback cards with different viewing contracts without replacing the broadcast playback cards. In addition, reproduction targets that cannot be selected by the own device in relation to other devices are excluded.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided broadcast reception provided with broadcast reproduction card mounting means for arbitrarily selecting and mounting any one of the broadcast reproduction cards for specifying the reproducible broadcast range in units of cards. A broadcast reception control program is installed in the computer of the apparatus (a) a broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination process for determining whether or not a broadcast playback card is mounted in the broadcast playback card mounting means of the local apparatus; ) Other device broadcast reproduction card mounting presence / absence determination processing for determining whether any one of the broadcast reproduction cards is mounted on one or a plurality of other devices connected via the transmission path; In the state where it is determined that the broadcast playback card is installed in the own device in the broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination processing, the other device described above in the other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination processing. Broadcast selection processing that enables selection of all broadcasts specified by the broadcast reproduction card of the own device and all other devices determined to be installed when it is determined that at least one of the broadcast reproduction cards is attached It is characterized by having executed.

  That is, in the present invention, first, whether or not a broadcast playback card is mounted for broadcast playback is determined in the broadcast playback card mounting means of the own device by the presence / absence determination processing of the own device broadcast playback card. In this case, next, it is determined whether or not any other device broadcast reproduction card is installed in one or more other devices connected via the transmission path to determine whether or not any of the broadcast reproduction cards is installed for broadcast reproduction. Determine by processing. When at least one of the above-mentioned other devices is mounted, all of the broadcasts specified by the broadcast playback card of all the other devices that have been determined to be mounted by the broadcast selection process can be selected for playback. I try to make it. This makes it possible to expand viewing services by sharing broadcast playback cards with different viewing contracts without replacing the broadcast playback cards.

  However, even if the broadcast playback card is shared, it cannot be used immediately if any of the other devices connected via the transmission path uses the broadcast playback card of the other device. . In such a case, the priority order regarding the reproduction of the broadcast between the other device and the own device determined in the other device usage status determination process is determined in the priority order determination processing, and the own device has a higher priority. Only when it is determined, the broadcast reproduction means reproduces the selected broadcast.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, broadcast reception comprising broadcast reproduction card mounting means for arbitrarily selecting and mounting any one of the broadcast reproduction cards for specifying the reproducible broadcast range in units of cards. A broadcast reception control program is installed in the computer of the apparatus (a) a broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination process for determining whether or not a broadcast playback card is mounted in the broadcast playback card mounting means of the local apparatus; ) Other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination processing for determining whether any one of the broadcast playback cards is mounted on one or more other devices connected via the transmission path; In the state where it is determined that the broadcast playback card is installed in the own device in the playback card mounting presence / absence determination processing, the other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination processing reduces the number of other devices. When the installation of the broadcast reproduction card is determined for one of them, either by one or a plurality of other devices to which the broadcast reproduction card attached to the own device or the other device is connected via the transmission path Other device usage status determination processing for determining whether or not the device is being used, and (d) one or a plurality of other devices connected via the transmission path in this other device usage status determination processing has a broadcast reproduction card. When it is determined that the device is in use, priority determination processing for determining the priority of broadcast reproduction of the other device determined to be used with the own device, and (e) When it is determined that the priority is higher, it is possible to select all the broadcasts specified by the respective broadcast playback cards as playback targets, and the other devices described above are determined to have higher priority. And a broadcast selection process that allows all of the broadcasts specified by the broadcast playback card to be selected for playback except for the broadcasts specified by the broadcast playback card of the other device described above. Yes.

  That is, in the present invention, first, whether or not a broadcast playback card is installed in the broadcast playback card mounting means of the own device is determined by the own device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination process. If one of the broadcast playback cards is installed in one or a plurality of other devices connected via the transmission path to select a broadcast, then the other device broadcast playback This is determined by the card loading / unloading determination process. When it is determined that at least one of the other apparatuses is mounted with a broadcast reproduction card, one of the one or a plurality of other apparatuses to which the broadcast reproduction card attached to the own apparatus or the other apparatus is connected via a transmission path The other device usage status determination process determines whether it is being used, and when it is determined that it is being used, the priority order for the broadcast playback priority of the other device that has been determined to be used with the local device is determined. It is decided by the process. In the broadcast selection process, when it is determined in the priority determination process that the own device has a higher priority, all the broadcasts specified by the respective broadcast playback cards can be selected as playback targets, and the other devices described above When the priority is determined to be high, all the broadcasts specified by these broadcast playback cards can be selected as playback targets except for the broadcasts specified by the broadcast playback cards of the other devices described above. This makes it possible to expand viewing services by sharing broadcast playback cards with different viewing contracts without replacing the broadcast playback cards. In addition, reproduction targets that cannot be selected by the own device in relation to other devices are excluded.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of broadcast receiving apparatuses share a viewing service obtained by these broadcast reproduction cards in a state where the broadcast reproduction cards are attached to the respective apparatuses as broadcast reproduction conditions. can do. Therefore, troublesome work such as replacement of a broadcast reproduction card such as an IC card between devices can be omitted, and damage or loss of the broadcast reproduction card can be prevented. In addition, a newly added broadcast receiving apparatus can receive a service using an existing all-broadcast reproduction card without adding a viewing contract. Furthermore, broadcast reception can be permitted only to a broadcast receiving device of a standard conforming to the broadcast reproduction card.

  Furthermore, in any case in the present invention, a plurality of broadcast reproduction cards are not physically concentrated on a special device and each broadcast receiving device is managed individually. The range of reproducible broadcasting is managed in a distributed manner. Therefore, a special device such as the viewing contract information management server shown in FIG. 11 is unnecessary, and the system can be constructed at low cost. Also, even when the system is temporarily unable to operate due to some trouble, each broadcast receiving device has its own broadcast playback card installed, so at least within the range of the reproducible broadcast Reception environment can be secured. For this reason, it functions as a robust communication system that ensures broadcast reproduction even in the event of an abnormality such as a disaster.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of the digital broadcast receiving system of this embodiment. The digital broadcast receiving system 200 includes first and second digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 201 ₁ and 201 ₂ and an information communication path 202 for performing information communication between them. The first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ includes a main control unit 211 ₁ . Although not shown, the main control unit 211 ₁ is a storage medium such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a control program executed by the CPU, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a working memory. It has. The main control unit 211 ₁ is connected to a card reader unit 212 ₁ that reads card information. The card reader unit 212 ₁ is loaded with a _first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ as an IC card. The first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ is for releasing the scramble of the program data, and the B-CAS card described above is representative.

The main part of the second digital broadcast receiver 201 ₂ is basically the same as that of the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ . Therefore, for each of these parts, “2” is attached instead of “1” as a subscript of a symbol representing the part. The same applies to FIG. The second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ also has a similar structure to that of the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ , although the range of the received broadcast is different. In this embodiment, the information communication path 202 uses a communication cable. Wireless communication is also possible instead of wired communication.

FIG. 2 specifically shows the configuration of the first and second digital broadcast receiving apparatuses. Here, the description will be focused on the _first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 2011. The card reader unit 212 ₁ includes an IC card control unit 221 ₁ and a card slot unit 222 ₁ . The IC card control unit 221 ₁ is provided with an IC card input / output I / F (interface) unit 223 ₁ and a control communication unit 224 ₁ for inputting and outputting IC card signals. The IC card control unit 221 ₁ includes a CPU (not shown) as with the main control unit 211 _1, and a storage medium such as a ROM storing a control program executed by the CPU and a RAM as a working memory.

Inside the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ , the main control unit 211 ₁ and the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ are connected to the first IC card via the IC card control unit 221 ₁ and the card slot unit 222 _1. and performs communication of information 231 _11. Similarly, within the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 _2, the main control unit 211 ₂ and the second broadcast reproducing card 213 _2, the second through the IC card control unit 221 ₂ and a card slot 222 ₂ The IC card information 231 ₂₂ is communicated.

The first main control unit 211 ₁ and the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 second broadcast reproducing card 213 ₂ mounted to the _second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 _1, the card reader unit 212 ₁ Control communication unit 224 _1, IC card input / output I / F unit 223 ₁ , information communication path 202, IC card input / output I / F unit 223 ₂ in card reader unit 212 ₂ , control communication unit 224 ₂ , card slot first second and performs communication IC card information 231 ₁₂ through the part 222 _2. Similarly, the second main control unit 211 ₂ and the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 first broadcast reproducing card 213 ₁ attached to _one of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 _2, the card reader unit 212 in the ₂ Control communication unit 224 _2, IC card input / output I / F unit 223 ₂ , information communication path 202, IC card input / output I / F unit 223 ₁ in card reader unit 212 ₁ , control communication unit 224 ₁ , card The second first IC card information 231 ₂₁ is communicated through the slot portion 222 ₁ .

FIG. 3 shows a state of connection between digital broadcast receiving apparatuses in the digital broadcast receiving system of the present embodiment. The first and second digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 201 ₁ and 201 ₂ are respectively provided with liquid crystal displays 241 ₁ and 241 ₂ , and the apparatuses are connected by an information communication path 202 using a communication cable. A first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ is attached to the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ , and a second broadcast reproduction card is attached to the second digital broadcast receiver 201 _2. 213 ₂ is installed.

As a result, the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ can receive not only the program of the broadcasting station in the range corresponding to the first broadcast playback card 213 ₁ but also the second broadcast playback. By using the service card 213 ₂ , it is possible to receive programs of broadcast stations in a range corresponding to this. The second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ not only can receive the program of the broadcasting station in the range corresponding to the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ , but can also receive the first broadcast reproduction card. It is possible to receive programs of broadcasting stations in a range corresponding to this using 213 ₁ .

FIG. 4 shows the flow of program selection processing of the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus. Since the processing on the _second digital broadcast receiver 201 ₂ side is basically the same as that of the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ , its illustration and description are omitted. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

User to put the first power source of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 _1, and selects the program viewing mode of the digital broadcast (step S301: Y). When a mode other than this is selected (step S301: N), execution processing for the selected other mode is performed. In this case, the use of the first and second broadcast reproduction cards 213 ₁ does not become a problem, and the description thereof is omitted. When the program viewing mode for digital broadcasting is selected (step S301: Y), the main control unit 211 ₁ determines whether or not the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ is inserted in the card slot unit 222 ₁ ( Step S302). In the digital broadcast receiving system 200 of the present embodiment, if the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ itself is not wearing a broadcast reproducing card 213 (N), it is impossible to view the program of the digital broadcast. Therefore, the liquid crystal display 241 of the _first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ in this case, which programs be displayed it is impossible to view (step S303), the processing is terminated (END). In this case, whether the migration in and buy disk to other modes such as watching a movie is prompted, will be the first broadcast installation of reproducing card 213 ₁ is prompted.

When the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ is correctly attached to the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ (step S302: Y), the main control unit 211 ₁ uses the control communication unit 224 ₁ to It is determined whether or not communication with the device (here, the second digital broadcast receiving device 201 ₂ ) is possible (step S304). If communication with the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ is not possible (N), a program (broadcast) that can be viewed with the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ of its own apparatus that is the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 _1. A display indicating that selection is possible is performed at a predetermined position such as a tuner (step S305).

On the other hand, if possible to communicate with the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ as another apparatus (step S304: Y), the main control unit 211 ₁ by the communication of the first second IC card information 231 _12, It is determined whether or not the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ is inserted in the card slot portion 222 ₂ of the second digital broadcast receiver 201 ₂ (step S306). If the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ is not attached (N), this cannot be used, and the process proceeds to step S305.

When the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ is attached (step S306: Y), it is determined whether or not it is being used by the second digital broadcast receiver 201 ₂ (step S307). . The first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ and the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ manage whether the broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ or 213 _{2 of} their own apparatus is in use by turning on / off a flag. is doing. When the second digital broadcast receiver 201 ₂ does not use the second broadcast playback card 213 ₂ , that is, when the flag is off (step S307: N), the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ can use this. Therefore, in this case, a display that allows selection of a program (broadcast station) that can be viewed by both the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ and the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ is the first digital broadcast. It will be made to a predetermined position such as a tuner of the receiving apparatus 201 ₁ (step S308).

On the other hand, when the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ uses the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ (step S307: Y), the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ includes the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ . communicating for (step S309), the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ to determine whether the second broadcast reproducing card 213 ₂ can be used (step S310). In the present embodiment, this determination is made by comparing the priorities set in advance in both devices 201 ₁ and 201 ₂ .

FIG. 5 specifically shows the communication processing in step S309. First, the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ requests acquisition of the priority set on the _second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ side regarding the use of the _second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ (step). S321). When the second main control unit 211 ₂ of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ receiving this request, the reads the second priority of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 for ₂ being written by the user in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) reply 1 to the digital broadcasting receiving apparatus 201 _1. Therefore, when the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 2011 ₁ receives this priority from the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ (step S322: Y), the first data written by the user in the nonvolatile memory of the first apparatus is stored. read the priority of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 for ₁ compares the two (step S323).

It should be noted that the priorities set for both devices 201 ₁ and 201 ₂ can be changed by the user or the system administrator at any time. The priority is represented by a numerical value, and for example, any one of the five levels is adopted so as not to overlap for each apparatus. Here, it is assumed that higher priority is higher number, the first priority of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ is "4", the second priority of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ is "2" It shall be. In this example, toward the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ is the higher second priority than the digital broadcasting receiving apparatus 201 _2.

Returning to FIG. 4, the description will be continued. In the example described above, the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ can use the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ of the second digital broadcast receiver 201 ₂ . Therefore, the determination in step S310 is that a program of another device can be selected. In this case (Y), the process proceeds to step S308, where it is possible to select a program (broadcast station) that can be viewed by both the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ and the second broadcast reproduction card 213 _2. display of is performed on a predetermined position, such as the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ of the tuner.

When it is judged to be impossible selects a program of another device in step S310 selected for (N), the program can be viewed by the first broadcast reproducing card 213 ₁ proceeds to step S305 (broadcast station) Is displayed at a predetermined position such as a tuner.

As described above, in the embodiment, when the first digital broadcast receiving device 2011 ₁ equipped with the _first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ is set to the program viewing mode, the second digital connected via the information communication path 202 is set. A program (or broadcast station) that can be selected in relation to the _second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ of the broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ is displayed. Therefore, the user selects and watches a desired program from the programs that can be selected depending on the situation.

FIG. 6 shows the flow of processing when the user selects a program on the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus side. Since the processing on the _second digital broadcast receiver 201 ₂ side is basically the same as that of the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ , its illustration and description are omitted. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

If the user in the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ side selects one of the programs that are the selectable by the first broadcast reproducing card 213 ₁ (step S341: Y), the viewing of the program is started (step S342), a flag indicating that the use for the first broadcast reproducing card 213 ₁ as the own device card is turned on (step S343).

When the user on the _second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ side selects one of the programs that can be selected by the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ , the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ Thus, a use request for the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ is sent. When the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ side receives this use request (step S344: Y), whether or not the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ is in use on the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ side. Is determined (step S345). Being in use means that the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ side is watching a program using the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ .

First a broadcast reproducing card 213 ₁ when the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ side is not in use (Step S345: N), the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ first broadcast playback card 213 ₁ can be used. Therefore, in order to ensure the use, the process proceeds to step S343, and a flag indicating that the _first broadcast reproduction card 2131 is in use is turned on. For example, this also applies to the case where the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ side is watching a program using the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ .

On the other hand, when the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ is using the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ , the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ uses the _first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ . May be required. This is the case priority as than the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ toward the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ high. In this situation, the user on the _first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ side is watching the program using the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ (step S345: Y). Therefore, the liquid crystal display 241 of the _first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ side in this example, "I will watch higher priority device side, and ends the reception of the program." Display, such as Is performed (step S346), and viewing of the program ends (END). This is forbidden to use both the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ and the second digital broadcast receiver 201 ₂ to simultaneously use the _first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ to view the program. Because.

On the other hand, consider the case where the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ side selects a program that can be viewed with the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ in step S308 of FIG. 4 (step S347: Y). In this case, the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ transmits a use request for the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ to the second digital broadcast receiver 201 ₂ (step S348). The second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₂ performs display such as “the reception of the program is terminated because the apparatus side with higher priority views”, and displays the second broadcast reproduction card 213 _2. Send a response to the use request. When the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201 ₁ receives the response (step S349: Y), starts the viewing of the program using the second broadcast reproducing card 213 ₂ (step S350).

In the embodiment described above, the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ and the second digital broadcast receiver 201 ₂ are still equipped with the broadcast reproduction cards 213 ₁ and 213 ₂ based on the respective contracts. There is no need to replace them. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the broadcast reproduction cards 213 ₁ and 213 ₂ from being damaged or lost due to the replacement. In addition, since a central device such as a server is not used, the system configuration is simplified.

  In addition, since the digital broadcast receiving apparatus that can be viewed according to the priority order is determined when competition for a program or a broadcast station occurs, it is possible to respond faster than adjustment between users. Also, if the high-priority digital broadcasting receiver side is provided with ancillary equipment such as a recording device, even if there is a program contracted with other equipment, it will be received preferentially when necessary and the attached equipment will be Can be used.

In the embodiment described above, the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ (or the second broadcast reproduction card 213) is inserted into the card slot portion 222 ₁ of the first digital broadcast receiver 201 ₁ in step S 302 of FIG. _{When 2} ) is not attached, it is assumed that no program can be viewed (step S303). However, for example, a specialized channel that broadcasts only public broadcasts, commercials, and shopping programs does not scramble these programs (or broadcast stations) regardless of whether or not these broadcast playback cards 213 ₁ and 213 ₂ are installed. When viewing is permitted, it is a matter of course that display enabling viewing of these programs may be performed.

  <First Modification of Invention>

FIG. 7 shows a digital broadcast receiving system according to a first modification of the present invention. In the digital broadcast receiving system 200A of the first modified example, the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₁ is connected to the _second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₂ via an information communication path 202 ₁₂ as a communication cable. . Second digital broadcast receiver 201A ₂ is a third digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₃ both connected through an information communication channel 202 _23. That is, in this digital broadcast receiving system 200A, it is possible to connect three or more arbitrary numbers of digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 201A in series by serially connecting the information communication paths 202 ₁₂ , 202 ₂₃ ,. it can.

FIG. 8 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus in the first modification. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₁ and the third digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₃ have basically the same circuit configuration as the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A _2. The illustration and description are omitted. However, two digital broadcast receivers 201A located at both ends of digital broadcast receivers 201A ₁ , 201A ₂ , 201A ₃ ,... Connected in series (in the example shown in FIG. The circuit configuration of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₁ and the third digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₃ ) may be basically the same as the circuit configuration shown in FIG.

Card reader unit 212A ₂ of the second digital broadcast receiver 201A ₂ is an IC card control section 221A ₂ and the card slot unit 222 _2. Similarly to the first IC card input / output I / F (interface) unit 223A ₂₁ for inputting / outputting IC card signals, the IC card control unit 221A ₂ also inputs / outputs IC card signals. An IC card input / output I / F unit 223A ₂₂ and a control communication unit 224A ₂ for performing these controls are arranged.

As described above, the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₂ includes the _two IC card input / output I / Fs of the first IC card input / output I / F unit 223A ₂₁ and the second IC card input / output I / F unit 223A _22. F section is provided. Therefore, for example, the first IC card input / output I / F unit 223A ₂₁ is connected to the _first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₁ shown in FIG. 7 via the information communication path 202 ₁₂ and the second IC card. the input and output I / F unit 223A _22, via the information communication path 202 ₂₃ can be connected to the third digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₃ shown in FIG.

The main control unit 211A ₂ connected to the IC card control unit 221A ₂ includes not only the information related to the second broadcast reproduction card 213 ₂ of its own device but also a plurality of information communication paths 202 ₁₂ and 202 ₂₃ as shown in FIG. And the information related to the first broadcast reproduction card 213 ₁ of the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₁ as the other apparatus and the third broadcast reproduction card 213 ₃ of the third digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201A ₃ . Information can be acquired.

Accordingly, the first to third digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 201A _{1 to} 201A ₃ can share all the broadcast reproduction cards 213 _{1 to} 213 ₃ constituting the digital broadcast receiving system 200A. In addition, by setting priorities for the _first to third digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 201A _{1 to} 201A ₃ , this is automatically adjusted when competition occurs for the use of the broadcast reproduction cards 213 _{1 to} 213 _3. Will be able to.

  <Second Modification of Invention>

FIG. 9 shows a digital broadcast receiving system according to a second modification of the present invention. In the digital broadcast receiving system 200B of the second modified example, the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201B ₁ is connected to one end of a LAN (Local Area Network) cable 401 ₁ and the other end is a hub as a centralized connection apparatus. (HUB) 402 is connected to one port. The second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201B ₂ is also connected to one end of the LAN cable 401 ₂ , and the other end is connected to another port of the hub 402.

FIG. 9 shows the case where the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201B ₁ and the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201B ₂ are connected to the LAN as the simplest case of configuring the LAN. The broadcast receiving apparatus 201B can be connected. In the second modification, the IC card input / output I / F unit 223 shown in FIG. 2 of the embodiment may be changed to an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface circuit for packet communication.

Digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201B ₁ ~201B _N first to N is to be connected to a LAN in a digital broadcast receiving system 200B. Here, N is an integer of 2 or more. In this case, for example, the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201B ₁ the remaining second to packet each sent the first N of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201B ₂ ~201B _N first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201B ₁ Destination Even if not, you can intercept. Therefore, it is possible to easily understand the usage status of the first to N digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201B ₁ ~201B _N first to N broadcasting reproducing card 213B ₁ ~213B _N shared by. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize the cards that are not used among the first to N broadcasting reproducing card 213B ₁ ~213B _N. In addition, the first to Nth digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 201B _{1 to} 201B _N have unique priorities, thereby simplifying the use management of the _first to Nth broadcast reproduction cards 213B _{1 to} 213B _N. Can be

  <Third Modification of the Invention>

FIG. 10 shows a digital broadcast receiving system according to a third modification of the present invention. In the digital broadcast receiving system 200C of the third modified example, the first digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201C ₁ and the second digital broadcast receiving apparatus 201C ₂ communicate with each other wirelessly 411. The communication form may be one-to-one wireless communication as described in the embodiment, or may be wireless communication between two or more devices as described in the first modification. . Further, the LAN described in the second modification may be wireless.

  Furthermore, as a combination of the embodiment and each modification, the digital broadcast receiving system of the present invention may be a mixture of a plurality of communication forms. Further, in the embodiment, an IC card is used as a broadcast reproduction card. However, it is sufficient if it has some or all information for descrambling and descrambling, and it is not limited to an IC card. Of course.

  In the embodiment, when another device is watching a program (broadcast station), it is determined whether or not the device is superior in relation to the priority order. Although the program (broadcast station) of the device can be selected, if another device is viewing the program (broadcast station), it may be unconditionally excluded from the viewing target. On the other hand, regardless of whether or not the other device is viewing the program (broadcast station), all of them are selected for viewing, and the user of the own device selects the program (broadcast station) of the other device. Only when it is possible to adjust viewing with other devices. In this case, since the user of one broadcast receiving apparatus can grasp the programs (broadcast stations) that can be received by all the broadcast receiving apparatuses linked by the communication means, the user can view the program (broadcast station). It becomes possible to consider the strategy.

It is a block diagram showing the outline | summary of the circuit structure of the digital broadcast receiving system in one Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which expressed concretely the composition of the 1st and 2nd digital broadcasting receiver of this example. It is a system configuration | structure figure showing the mode of the connection of the digital broadcast receivers in the digital broadcast receiver system of a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the program selection process of the 1st digital broadcast receiver in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the communication processing of Step S309 concretely. It is a flowchart which shows a process when a user selects a program by the 1st digital broadcast receiver side in a present Example. It is a system configuration figure showing a digital broadcast receiving system by the 1st modification of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the outline of the circuit structure of the 2nd digital broadcast receiver in a 1st modification. It is the simplified block diagram of the digital broadcast receiving system by the 2nd modification of this invention. It is the simplified block diagram of the digital broadcast receiving system by the 3rd modification of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the outline | summary of the digital broadcast receiving system in the conventional 1st proposal.

Explanation of symbols

200, 200A, 200B, 200C Digital broadcast receiving system 201, 201A, 201B, 201C Digital broadcast receiving apparatus 202 Information communication path 211, 211A Main control unit 212, 212A Card reader unit 213 Broadcast playback card 222 Card slot unit 223, 223A IC card input / output I / F unit 224, 224A Control communication unit 401 LAN cable 411 wireless

Claims (6)

Broadcast reproduction card mounting means arranged in the own apparatus for arbitrarily selecting and mounting any one of the broadcast reproduction cards for specifying a reproducible broadcast range in units of cards,
The broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the broadcast playback card is mounted to the broadcast playback card mounting means;
Another device broadcast reproduction card mounting presence / absence determining means for determining whether one of the broadcast reproduction cards is mounted in one or a plurality of other devices connected via a transmission path;
The other apparatus broadcast reproduction card mounting presence / absence determining means broadcasts at least one of the other apparatuses in a state where the own apparatus broadcast reproduction card mounting presence / absence determination means determines that a broadcast reproduction card is installed in the own apparatus. Broadcast selection means for enabling selection of all broadcasts specified by the broadcast reproduction card of the self-device and all other devices determined to be mounted as playback targets when it is determined that the playback card is mounted. A broadcast receiver characterized by that. Broadcast reproduction card mounting means arranged in the own apparatus for arbitrarily selecting and mounting any one of the broadcast reproduction cards for specifying a reproducible broadcast range in units of cards,
The broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the broadcast playback card is mounted to the broadcast playback card mounting means;
Another apparatus broadcast reproduction card mounting presence / absence determining means for determining whether one of the broadcast reproduction cards is mounted in one or a plurality of other apparatuses connected via a transmission path;
When the own device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means determines that a broadcast playback card is installed in the own device, the other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determining means broadcasts at least one of the other devices. Whether or not the broadcast reproduction card attached to the own device or the other device is used by one or a plurality of other devices connected via the transmission path. Other device usage status determining means for determining;
When the other device usage status determining means determines that one or a plurality of other devices connected via the transmission path is using the broadcast reproduction card, the other device usage status determining means Priority order determining means for determining the priority order of the broadcast playback of the determined other device;
When the priority determining means determines that the own device has a higher priority, all of the broadcasts specified by the respective broadcast playback cards can be selected for playback, and the other device has a higher priority. Broadcast selection means for enabling selection of all of the broadcasts specified by the broadcast reproduction card except for the broadcast specified by the broadcast reproduction card of the other device A broadcast receiving device characterized. When the broadcast selected by the broadcast selection means is broadcast by a broadcast reproduction card attached to any of the other devices, the broadcast reproduction card is used by any of the other devices connected via the transmission path. Other device usage status determining means for determining whether or not
Priority order judging means for judging the priority order of reproduction of the broadcast of the other apparatus and the own apparatus determined by the other apparatus use status judging means;
2. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a broadcast reproducing means for reproducing the selected broadcast only when the priority order judging means judges that the own apparatus has a higher priority order. In a computer of a broadcast receiving apparatus equipped with a broadcast reproduction card mounting means for arbitrarily selecting and mounting any one of the broadcast reproduction cards for specifying a reproducible broadcast range in units of cards,
A self-device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination process for determining whether or not the broadcast playback card is mounted in the broadcast playback card mounting means of the local device;
An other apparatus broadcast reproduction card mounting presence / absence determination process for determining whether one of the broadcast reproduction cards is mounted on one or a plurality of other apparatuses connected via a transmission path;
Broadcasting on at least one of the other devices in the other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination process in a state where it is determined in the own device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination processing that the own device has a broadcast playback card mounted. When it is determined that the playback card is attached, a broadcast selection process is performed to select all the broadcasts specified by the broadcast playback card of the device and all other devices determined to be attached as playback targets. A broadcast reception control program. In a computer of a broadcast receiving apparatus equipped with a broadcast reproduction card mounting means for arbitrarily selecting and mounting any one of the broadcast reproduction cards for specifying a reproducible broadcast range in units of cards,
Self-device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination processing for determining whether or not the broadcast playback card is mounted in the broadcast playback card mounting means of the own device;
Another apparatus broadcast reproduction card mounting presence / absence determination process for determining whether one of the broadcast reproduction cards is mounted on one or a plurality of other apparatuses connected via a transmission path;
Broadcast playback of at least one of the other devices through the other device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination processing in a state where the own device broadcast playback card mounting presence / absence determination processing determines that the own device has a broadcast playback card mounted. Whether or not the broadcast reproduction card attached to the own device or the other device is used by one or a plurality of other devices connected via the transmission path. Other device usage status determination processing to determine,
When it is determined that any one or a plurality of other devices connected via the transmission path is using the broadcast reproduction card in the other device usage status determination process, A priority determination process for determining a priority for the reproduction of the broadcast of the determined other device;
When it is determined in this priority determination process that the own device has a higher priority, all the broadcasts specified by the respective broadcast reproduction cards can be selected as reproduction targets, and the other devices have a higher priority. The broadcast selection process for making it possible to select all of the broadcasts specified by these broadcast playback cards as playback targets except for the broadcasts specified by the broadcast playback card of the other device. A broadcast reception control program. When the broadcast selected by the broadcast selection process is broadcast by a broadcast reproduction card attached to any of the other devices, the broadcast reproduction card is used by any of the other devices connected via the transmission path. Other device usage status determination processing to determine whether
A priority determination process for determining a priority order related to reproduction of the broadcast of the other apparatus and the own apparatus determined in the other apparatus usage status determination process;
5. The broadcast reception control program according to claim 4, wherein a broadcast reproduction process for reproducing the selected broadcast is further executed only when it is determined by the priority determination process that the device itself has a higher priority. .

Images