JP7371195B2 - display device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to information processing and display technology related to content viewing of content distribution services.

There are various content distribution services that distribute content such as videos over communication networks. In content distribution services, it is necessary to control authority, permission, etc. for users to view and listen to content using the service. In other words, control is required over the user's equipment receiving and playing content. Conventionally, account information associated with a user who uses a content distribution service has been used for this control. The content distribution server performs authentication using the account information, and if the authentication result is successful, allows the user's device to receive and play the content.

On the other hand, in recent years, in-home systems are increasingly being configured by connecting multiple devices, including television receivers (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "display devices", etc.), to users' home networks. .

An example of prior art related to restricting content viewing is Japanese Patent No. 5248180 (Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 states that an "operated device" is defined as "an operator who is restricted from performing a predetermined operation by an authorized person giving permission through a simple operation. The above-mentioned restricted operations can be executed.''

Patent No. 5248180

According to the conventional technology such as Patent Document 1, content viewing can be restricted. However, the conventional technology does not take into account various usage environments and usage conditions, such as the user's home network. Therefore, when adapting to this, the usability is not sufficient for the user, and there is a problem in terms of convenience.

A user can use a content distribution service to view content using a device such as a television receiver connected to a home network as a content playback device. In order to be able to view content on that device, the user needs to set account information for the content distribution service on that device. For example, a user sets account information associated with his or her mobile terminal to that device in the home network.

However, when multiple devices are connected to the home network, it is necessary to set account information on each device, which requires a lot of effort on the part of the user. Further, if there is a plurality of pieces of account information that the user wants to register, the user's effort is even greater.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the effort required by a user to set account information on a device, while ensuring control of content viewing authority using account information, with respect to technology including a display device for viewing content. The objective is to provide technology that is easy to use and highly convenient in various environments and situations.

An embodiment of the present invention may be configured, for example, as described in the claims. The display device is a display device connected to the first network, and communicates with the mobile terminal without going through the network, and communicates with an external server on the second network that provides content distribution service through the first network. a display unit that receives content distributed from the external server and displays a reproduced video; and a control unit that controls the communication unit and the display unit, the control unit communicates with the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is connected to the display device to obtain account-related information associated with the content distribution service provided by the external server of the mobile terminal; communicating with the external server to perform authentication processing related to the provision of the content distribution service using the acquired account-related information, and if the mobile terminal is not connected to the display device and communication is not possible; , invalidate the acquired account related information.

According to a typical embodiment of the present invention, regarding a technology including a display device for viewing content, a user can input account information to a device while ensuring control of content viewing authority using account information. It can reduce the time and effort required to set up the system, and it can be used easily and conveniently in various environments and situations.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a system including a display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a content distribution server in Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a display device in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a software configuration of a display device in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence at the time of initial setting in Embodiment 1; 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a display device in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation sequence at the time of initial setting in a first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a system including a display device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and an example of an operation sequence at the time of initial setting. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a display device in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a system including a display device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and an example of an operation sequence at the time of initial setting. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a display device in Embodiment 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of a display device in a first modification of Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a system including a display device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and an example of an operation sequence at the time of initial setting. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an account registration screen in Embodiment 4. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen in Embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a table of setting information in Embodiment 4;

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
An information processing method and display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 1 to 7. The information processing method according to the first embodiment is a method including steps executed by a content viewing system including the display device according to the first embodiment.

[Content distribution service, user authentication, account information]
First, the content distribution service, user authentication, account information, etc., which are the premises and application targets of the embodiments that follow, will be explained. Examples of content distribution services include IPTV services and the like. The IPTV service is a service that delivers content such as movies and video distribution programs including video, audio, text information, etc. to user devices over the Internet. The user's device is a content playback device, such as a mobile terminal or a display device such as a television receiver.

Contains account information to enable content viewing using content distribution services. A user is registered as a regular user with the content distribution server of a service provider by registering account information and the like. The content distribution server performs authentication using account information in order to control the authority of services and content. Users and devices must be authenticated using account information when using services and viewing content. By controlling authority using authentication, acts that violate laws and regulations, such as unauthorized copying, movement, and modification of content, are prevented. Authentication may be required when logging into a content distribution service, or may be required when each piece of content is played back.

For example, the content distribution server performs user authentication. The content distribution server performs user authentication by comparing the registered account information with the account information received from the user's device. In addition to user authentication, device authentication may also be performed as authentication. Device authentication is authentication regarding a device that a user uses to view content. In device authentication, it is confirmed whether the device is permitted or recommended.

Account information is information associated with an account set for a user for each content distribution service. The account information is, for example, information on a combination of a user ID and a password, but is not limited thereto. User authentication may include biometric authentication. In that case, the account information may include information for biometric authentication.

Account information and distributed content may be subjected to predetermined protection measures, such as encryption. For example, content is encrypted in advance using a predetermined method, and key information for decryption is exchanged separately. Key information is managed together with content playback conditions.

In content distribution services, usage fees are often charged by the service provider. Billing is performed using a predetermined method, and billing information is recorded. For example, charges are calculated based on counts when data is stored on the user's device or when content is viewed.

Content distribution services basically play content by the same user and the same device, but there are also services that allow content playback by multiple users or multiple devices under predetermined conditions. Content distribution methods include streaming, downloading, progressive downloading, etc. Content may also be accompanied by programs such as application software. The program runs when the content is played back on the user's device.

[Mobile terminal, display device, account setting work]
Account information may be associated with, for example, a mobile terminal that is a user's device. That is, the account information may be stored in storage means within the mobile terminal. For example, a user enters their account information into a mobile terminal. Alternatively, a service provider or a device on a network inputs its account information into a mobile terminal. A user can use a content distribution service, that is, view content, using the account information on a mobile terminal. The embodiment considers a case where a content distribution service can be used even on a display device in a home network by using account information associated with a mobile terminal.

The embodiment assumes that the mobile terminal has account information. From this state, the display device of the user's home network can also use the content distribution service using the account information. Account information held in a mobile terminal is used during user authentication for viewing content on a display device.

To do this, conventionally, the user needs to set account information held in the mobile terminal to each display device connected to the home network. In order to enable content viewing on all display devices, account information must be set individually for each display device. The work including the settings requires a lot of effort on the part of the user.

Therefore, the embodiments provide a mechanism for automating the registration of account information held in a mobile terminal on multiple display devices in the home, and a mechanism for sharing the account information of the mobile terminal among multiple display devices in the home network. This mechanism improves convenience when making account information of a mobile terminal available on multiple display devices in a home. In the embodiment, an account sharing function compatible with this mechanism is provided.

[Content viewing system]
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a content viewing system that is a system including the display device of the first embodiment. The content viewing system includes a display device 1, a mobile terminal 2, an in-home network 5, an external network 6, a content distribution server 7, a broadcast station 8, and the like.

The display device 1 is a television receiver, and is a content playback device capable of receiving and playing back content. The display device 1 is a device having a function of receiving and reproducing broadcast programs and contents, and a display function of displaying the contents on a screen. The display device 1 includes a plurality of display devices 1 connected to a user's home network 5. In FIG. 1, a plurality of (n) display devices 1 include a display device 1a, a display device 1b, . . . , a display device 1n. Note that the names given to each display device 1 are shown as “TV1” to “TVn”.

The display device 1 is applicable to various devices such as a liquid crystal display device, a projection type video display device (projector), a PC, a monitor device, a tablet device, a recorder, a set-top box, a video game machine, and the like. In the case of recorders, set-top boxes, etc., although they do not have a display function, they can be applied by being connected to and working with other devices that have a display function.

A home network 5 is configured in a user's home, store, or the like. A plurality of television receivers, which are a plurality of display devices 1, are connected to the home network 5. The home network 5 is a network that is under the control of a certain user (referred to as U1) and basically cannot be used by other users. The home network 5 is composed of devices such as routers and switches, cables, and the like. Users purchase or rent these devices and use them.

The home network 5 is a communication network compatible with a communication interface compatible with wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi. The home network 5 and the display device 1 are connected through the communication interface. Wi-Fi is a wireless LAN standard defined by the IEEE standard "IEEE 802.11a/IEEE 802.11b." The home network 5 may be a communication network compatible with a communication interface compatible with a wired LAN. The home network 5 can be connected to an external network 6 such as the Internet. The home network 5 has a communication interface with an external network 6, for example, an optical communication interface.

Content distribution server 7 is connected to external network 6. The content distribution server 7 is a server device that is managed by a service provider and provides a predetermined content distribution service. The content distribution server 7 holds and manages content. The content distribution server 7 distributes content in response to a request from the display device 1 connected through the external network 6.

The content is a movie, a video distribution program, etc. that includes video, audio, text information, etc. Content includes content data and content information. Content data is data such as moving images. The content information includes information for managing and controlling content, metadata, and the like.

Broadcasting station 8 provides broadcast programs and the like using broadcast waves. A television receiver, which is a display device 1, has a function of receiving broadcast waves, reproducing broadcast programs, etc., and displaying them on a screen.

Each device in the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5 can exchange information with external servers including the content distribution server 7 through the home network 5 and the external network 6. By passing authentication using account information, each device can use the content distribution service of the content distribution server 7, and can receive and reproduce content. Display device 1 communicates with content distribution server 7 via home network 5 and external network 6 based on user operations. The display device 1 transmits a content reproduction request and user authentication information including account information for user authentication to the content distribution server 7 . After successful user authentication, the display device 1 receives the content etc. from the content distribution server 7 and reproduces it. Thereby, the user can view the content on the display device 1.

The plurality of display devices 1 in FIG. 1 have the same configuration and have the same functions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the plurality of display devices 1 may differ in non-essential elements, such as display methods and attached functions, and devices of different types may coexist. In FIG. 1, a plurality of (n) display devices 1 are already installed and connected to the home network 5 in the initial state. The present invention is not limited to this, and display devices 1 may be added, removed, replaced, etc. to the home network 5 as appropriate.

The user's mobile terminal 2 can be a smartphone, a tablet, or various other devices. The mobile terminal 2 has a known configuration including a wireless communication function and the like. The mobile terminal 2 and the display device 1 have a communication interface for connecting and communicating with each other at home. This communication interface may be wireless or wired, or may be a short-range communication interface.

The mobile terminal 2 has account information 101. Account information 101 is stored at least temporarily in storage means within the mobile terminal 2. In the example of FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 2 has account information (indicated by A1) 101 of the user U1 associated with the content distribution service (indicated by X1) of the content distribution server 7. This account information 101 is the object to be set in the display device 1.

The mobile terminal 2 may include a program or the like for cooperating with the display device 1. The program may be an application for using the account sharing function of the display device 1. The application may display a screen provided by the account sharing function on the mobile terminal 2.

Further, the program for cooperating with the display device 1 may be an application for giving instructions to the display device 1 from the mobile terminal 2 and using the functions of the display device 1. That is, the application may be an application for using the mobile terminal 2 as a remote control for the display device 1. In this case, the mobile terminal 2 can be used as an input means for the display device 1.

The mobile terminal 2 is in communication connection with the display device 1 and transmits an instruction for a predetermined control operation to the display device 1 based on a user input operation. The display device 1 receives the instruction from the mobile terminal 2, and executes an operation corresponding to a predetermined control operation according to the instruction.

The display device 1 includes a content reproduction section 42, a user authentication section 44, and an account information sharing section 45 as processing sections that are constituent elements. The content playback unit 42 performs processing for receiving and playing back content on the display device 1 and displaying it on the screen. The user authentication unit 44 performs processing related to user authentication from the content distribution server 7 on the display device 1 using account information. The account information sharing unit 45 is an element that realizes an account sharing function. The account information sharing unit 45 cooperates with the user authentication unit 44 and performs a process of causing the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5 to share the account information of the mobile terminal 2. Details of each part will be described later.

[Content distribution server]
FIG. 2 shows a functional block configuration of hardware and software of the content distribution server 7. The content distribution server 7 includes a communication interface section 50, a control section 51, a memory 52, a storage 53, etc., which are connected via a bus 57.

The storage 53 stores various data, programs such as application programs, various information generated by the application programs, content 54, user management information 55, device information 56, and the like.

The control unit 51 controls the content distribution server 7. The control unit 51 configures various program function units in the memory 52 by loading programs from the storage 53 into the memory 52 and executing them. Various functions of the content distribution server 7 are realized by various program function units. The various program function units include a user management unit 31, a content management unit 32, and a content distribution unit 33.

The communication interface unit 50 has a communication interface for the external network 6, connects to the external network 6, and performs communication processing. The communication interface unit 50 transmits and receives information to and from the display device 1 via the external network 6 and the home network 5.

The user management unit 31 includes a function of performing user authentication and device authentication, and manages authentication information in user management information 55 and device information 56 in the storage 53. The user management unit 31 distinguishes users of the display device 1 through user authentication using account information.

The user management information 55 is information for user authentication including user account information. The device information 56 is information for device authentication. The user management information 55 manages information including account information and basic user information, for example in a table format. The user basic information includes information such as name, address, and contact information. The user management information 55 may manage key information, resume information, billing information, and the like. The resume information is information such as the content playback stop position on the user's device.

The content management unit 32 stores and manages content to be distributed as content 54 in the storage 53. Content 54 includes content data and content information. The content 54 may be stored in a device external to the content distribution server 7, such as a DB server on the external network 6. Content 54 may include applications, accompanying information, and the like. This application is, for example, a program that is transmitted together with content data and used when the display device 1 plays the content.

Examples of content information include content ID, format, descriptive information, size, target device, fee information, viewing period, and the like. The descriptive information includes genre, title, and the like. The target device is information indicating a device suitable for displaying content or executing an application. The fee information is information for managing usage fees for content distribution services.

The content distribution unit 33 performs a process of distributing content based on the content 54 to the display device 1 and the mobile terminal 2, which are user devices, through the communication interface unit 50. The content distribution unit 33 performs control to distribute content in accordance with the performance of the user's device, for example, performs processing to distribute content data with an appropriate resolution.

The content distribution server 7 performs user authentication using the user management unit 31 when logging into the content distribution service or receiving a content playback request from a user's device. At this time, the user management unit 31 receives user authentication information including account information from the user's device. Further, when performing device authentication, the user management unit 31 receives device information, for example, the device ID of the display device 1 from the user's device. The user management unit 31 refers to the account information in the user management information 55, compares and verifies the account information from the user's device, and determines the result of user authentication. If the two pieces of information match, the user management unit 31 determines the result as a success, and if they do not match, the user management unit 31 determines the result as a failure. Further, the user management unit 31 sets the result to failure if a predetermined condition corresponding to the content distribution service is not satisfied. The user management unit 31 transmits a response indicating the authentication result to the user's device. If the user authentication result is successful, the content distribution server 7 allows the user's device to receive and play the content. Then, the content distribution unit 33 distributes the specified content in the content 54 to the user's device.

Depending on the content distribution service, multiple accounts may be assigned to one display device 1 or multiple display devices 1. Furthermore, regarding accounts, it is also possible to set dependent relationships between multiple accounts.

[Hardware configuration of display device]
FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of a television receiver that is the display device 1 of the first embodiment. The display device 1 is connected to an antenna 11, and includes a tuner demodulator 12, a channel selection control unit 13, a signal separation unit 14, an audio decoder 15, a speaker 16, an audio output unit 17, a video decoder 18, a superimposition unit 19, and a display. 20, a video output section 21, a communication interface section 22, an input means 23, a control section 24, a memory 25, a storage 26, a digital interface section 27, and the like. Each part is connected via a bus 28.

The storage 26 stores various data, programs such as application programs, various information generated by the application programs, content received through distribution, and the like.

The control unit 24 controls the display device 1. The control unit 24 loads the program from the storage 26 into the memory 25 and executes it. As a result, various program function sections are configured in the memory 25. Various functions of the display device 1 are realized by various program function units.

The input means 23 is an input device, input interface, etc. that accepts user input operations on the display device 1, and includes, for example, an operation panel, a remote control, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like. The user can give instructions and settings to the display device 1 using the input means 23. The control section 24 receives user input operations through the input means 23 and controls each section such as the channel selection control section 13, the signal separation section 14, the superimposition section 19, various program function sections, the storage 26, and the communication interface section 22.

The tuner demodulator 12 is controlled by the channel selection controller 13 and tunes to a channel of a desired service. The tuner demodulator 12 selects a digital broadcast signal from the broadcast station 8 received via the antenna 11, demodulates it, and generates a transport stream. The channel selection control section 13 receives a service channel selection instruction via the input means 23 and controls the tuner demodulation section 12 to switch the channel to be selected. The channel selection control unit 13 controls the tuner demodulation unit 12 to switch the program currently being broadcast to the channel number of the service that is currently broadcasting, based on instructions from various program function units.

The communication interface section 22 has a communication interface with the home network 5 and a communication interface with the mobile terminal 2, and performs respective communication processing. The communication interface section 22 is connected to the home network 5 through a communication interface compatible with a wireless LAN or the like. The communication interface section 22 performs communication processing with devices on the external network 6 via the home network 5. The communication interface unit 22 is capable of receiving a content stream, a video/audio stream, an application program, or the like as content of the IPTV service from the content distribution server 7 . The communication interface unit 22 performs communication processing with the mobile terminal 2 directly or via the home network 5.

Data and information received through the communication interface unit 22 are stored in the storage 26 or the like. In addition to or in place of the communication function with the home network 5, the communication interface section 22 may have a function of directly communicating with external devices through a predetermined communication interface. The communication interface may be a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi, IrDA (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or the like.

The signal separation unit 14 separates the transport stream obtained by the tuner demodulation unit 12 and the content stream obtained through the communication interface unit 22 by type, such as video data, audio data, subtitle text data, program information, etc. . The signal separation unit 14 has a function of acquiring program information and transmitting it to other processing units. When there is a data transmission request from another processing unit, the signal separation unit 14 transmits the designated data to the request source.

The audio decoding unit 15 decodes the audio data separated by the signal separation unit 14. The audio information decoded by the audio decoding section 15 is output from the speaker 16. The audio information decoded by the audio decoding unit 15 may be output from the audio output unit 17 to an external device. The video decoding unit 18 decodes the video data separated by the signal separation unit 14. The video information decoded by the video decoding section 18 is sent to the superimposing section 19.

The superimposing unit 19 superimposes, on the decoded video information from the video decoding unit 18, an EPG image created by various program function units, an OSD image, an image generated from various information separated by the signal separation unit 14, etc. . Various types of information include subtitle information and the like. The superimposition unit 19 synthesizes a browser display screen created by a browser engine, which will be described later, and a video signal, or performs selection switching between them. The video information that has passed through the superimposing section 19 is sent to the display section 20 and displayed on the display section 20.

The display section 20 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel or a projection optical system. The display unit 20 displays video information on a screen. The video information includes broadcast video via the tuner demodulator 12, video distributed via the communication interface unit 22, user interface information, browser display screen, images in the storage 26, and those generated by application programs. be. The video information that has passed through the superimposing section 19 may be output from the video output section 21 to an external device. The digital interface unit 27 outputs the transport stream separated by the signal separation unit 14 as digital data to the outside without decoding the video or audio.

Note that when the display device 1 is a device such as a recorder or a set-top box, it has a configuration in which elements such as the display section 20 and the speaker 16 are omitted. The device has devices such as a television receiver, a monitor device, and a speaker that are externally connected to the device such as the recorder. Transfer video, audio, etc. from a device such as a recorder to an external device and output it from the external device. When the display device 1 is a PC, a monitor device, or the like, it has a configuration in which the function of receiving broadcast waves, that is, the antenna 11, the tuner demodulator 12, and the like are omitted.

[Display device software configuration]
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the memory 25 and storage 26 as the software configuration of the display device 1 of FIG. The storage 26 stores various data 501, programs, content 502, user authentication information 503 including account information 504, setting information 505, and the like. The programs include a browser program 401, a content playback program 402, various application programs 403, a user authentication program 404, and an account information sharing program 405. Each program is expanded into the memory 25 to constitute a browser engine 41, a content reproduction section 42, various application sections 43, a user authentication section 44, an account information sharing section 45, a user setting section 46, and the like.

The account information 504 is user input information input by the user through the input means 23 during user authentication, or shared account information to be described later. Account information 504 is, for example, information on a combination of a user ID and password. The user authentication information 503 may be stored not only in the storage 26 but also in a non-volatile memory or external storage means (not shown). Device authentication information may be included in the user authentication information 503 or in parallel therewith when device authentication is performed. The device authentication information includes, for example, the device ID of the mobile terminal 2 and the display device 1. Examples of the device ID include a MAC address and a unique ID at the time of manufacture. The user authentication information 503 including the account information 504 may have a value that can be set variably by the user, or may be determined in advance by a service provider or the like.

The browser engine 41 includes functional blocks such as an HTML parser, a DB creation section, a rendering section, and an image processing section. The HTML parser analyzes the logical structure of the HTML data obtained via the control unit 24. The HTML parser is capable of interpreting the HTML data and converting it into internal data used by the television receiver. The DB creation unit creates a database regarding the structure of the HTML data. The rendering unit generates a layout structure including information on the expression format determined by each tag based on the database. Based on the layout structure, the rendering unit generates a browser display screen according to the size, position, and image data. The image processing unit converts the acquired image file into image data based on image file information specified by an image tag in the HTML data.

The content reproduction unit 42 receives content from the content distribution server 7 through the communication interface unit 22, and stores it in the storage 26 as content 502. The content playback unit 42 performs a process of playing back the content 502, that is, a process of displaying a video of the content 502 on the screen of the display unit 20.

The user authentication unit 44 performs processing related to user authentication using user authentication information 503 including account information 504 when authenticating a user from the content distribution server 7 . At the time of user authentication, the user authentication section 44 transmits user authentication information 504 to the content distribution server 7 via the communication interface section 22, the home network 5, and the external network 6. The user authentication unit 44 receives the result of user authentication from the content distribution server 7. The user authentication unit 44 may display user interface information such as user authentication information and a message on the screen of the display unit 20 during user authentication.

The applications in the various application section 43 indicate applications downloaded by the user from the content distribution server 7 or the like according to the user's preference. The various application units 43 execute processing according to the application.

The account information sharing section 45 cooperates with the processing related to user authentication performed by the user authentication section 44 . The account information sharing unit 45 performs processing for sharing account information among the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5. The account information sharing unit 45 obtains account information associated with the mobile terminal 2 directly from the mobile terminal 2 or via the home network 5. The account information sharing unit 45 registers the account information as account information 504 in the user authentication information 503. The account information sharing unit 45 sets the account information as shared account information for the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5. The account information sharing unit 44 performs control between the display devices 1 so that the account information can be shared and used by the plurality of display devices 1 for user authentication.

The account information sharing unit 45 controls the account information to be used as one of the means for inputting the user authentication information 503 to the user authentication unit 44. That is, the account information sharing unit 44 provides an alternative means for inputting account information through the input means 23. A user normally inputs account information through the input means 23 when authenticating the user on the display device 1 . In contrast, in the embodiment, the account sharing function of the account information sharing section 45 is used to cause the user authentication section 44 to use the account information 504 registered as shared account information in the processing related to user authentication. This allows the user to omit the account information input operation. Other details of the account information sharing section 45 will be described later.

The user setting section 46 realizes a user setting function of the display device 1. The user setting section 46 displays a setting screen on the display section 20 based on user input operations. The user can make general settings for the display device 1 on the settings screen based on user input operations. The user setting unit 46 manages setting information 505 for managing setting states in the storage 26, nonvolatile memory, or the like. The other processing units operate according to the setting state of the setting information 505.

[User authentication]
The following is an example of the timing and communication procedure for user authentication of the content distribution service. The following is the case when user authentication is performed when logging into the content distribution service. The user's display device 1 accesses the content distribution service for logging in based on the user's operation. The content distribution server 7 transmits a user authentication information request to the display device 1 for user authentication at the time of login. When display device 1 receives the user authentication information request, display device 1 transmits user authentication information including account information to content distribution server 7 . When the content distribution server 7 receives the user authentication information, the content distribution server 7 performs user authentication by comparing it with the registered user authentication information, and if the result of user authentication is successful, it responds with login permission, and if it is unsuccessful, responds that login is not permitted.

A content viewing portal screen may be provided to the device of a user who is an authenticated user and is an authorized user. The display device 1 displays the portal screen based on communication with the content distribution server 7. The portal screen includes content list information and the like. The user can select and search for content to be viewed on the portal screen. In the logged-in state, the user can view content without user authentication. The display device 1 transmits a content reproduction request including the content ID of the content selected by the user to the content distribution server 7. When the content distribution server 7 receives the content playback request, it distributes the specified content.

When performing user authentication for each content, the procedure is as follows. The user's display device 1 transmits a content reproduction request including the content ID of the content selected by the user on a portal screen or the like to the content distribution server 7. The content distribution server 7 transmits a user authentication information request to the display device 1 for user authentication for each content. When display device 1 receives the user authentication information request, display device 1 transmits user authentication information including account information to content distribution server 7 . The content distribution server 7 similarly performs user authentication, and if the user authentication result is successful, it responds with content playback permission and distributes the specified content, and if it fails, content playback is disabled. Reply with permission. A content playback request and user authentication information may be sent together.

[Initial settings]
The operation and processing at the time of initial setting regarding account information in the first embodiment will be explained using FIG. 5 and the like. Here, the initial settings are settings necessary for the user to be able to view content on the display device 1 in the system shown in FIG.

[Operation sequence]
FIG. 5 shows an example of an operation sequence between devices at the time of initial setting in the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, the plurality of display devices 1 have the same functions including the account information sharing section 45. In the example of FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 2 of the user U1 is connected to a certain display device 1a in the home network 5, and the account information 101 is transferred and registered. Then, the account information 101 is shared and made available to the plurality of display devices 1a to 1n in the home network 5. The initial setting shown in FIG. 5 includes operations up to registering the account information 101 held in the mobile terminal 2 as shared account information in the plurality of display devices 1 of the home network 5. In FIG. 5, steps S1 to S9 are included. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S1) The mobile terminal 2 of the user U1 is connected to any display device 1 of the home network 5, for example, the display device 1a, by a wireless connection or the like. The display device 1a to which the mobile terminal 2 is connected in this way is also referred to as a "first device" for the sake of explanation.

(S2) The account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1a, which is the first device, communicates with the mobile terminal 2 and acquires the account information 101 contained in the mobile terminal 2 by transferring it to the display device 1a. At the time of this transfer, the first device may request the mobile terminal 2 to perform the transfer, or the mobile terminal 2 may instruct the first device to perform the transfer. Further, the user may perform an input operation on the mobile terminal 2 or the display device 1 corresponding to the initial setting. The mobile terminal 2 or the display device 1 may transfer the account information in response to the input operation.

(S3) The account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1a, which is the first device, transfers the account information 101 acquired from the mobile terminal 2 to the account information 504 of the user authentication information 503 in its own storage 26 as shared account information. Register as.

(S4) On the other hand, other display devices 1 in the home network 5, for example, the display device 1b, do not have account information themselves at the time of initial setup. Other display devices 1 such as display devices 1b to 1n are also referred to as "second devices" for purposes of explanation. The account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1b, which is the second device, makes an inquiry regarding account information to another display device 1 in the home network 5, for example, the display device 1a. This inquiry is an inquiry as to whether or not the account information is held, and if it is held, the inquiry includes a transfer request.

(S5) When the display device 1a, which is the first device, receives the inquiry from the display device 1b, which is the second device, it responds. The account information sharing unit 45 of the first device reads account information registered as shared account information in its own storage 26, and transfers information including the account information to the display device 1b, which is the second device that is the inquiry source. Transfer to.

(S6) When the inquiry source display device 1b receives the information including the account information transferred as a response from the inquiry destination display device 1a, the inquiry source display device 1b transfers the account information to the account information of the user authentication information 503 in its own storage 26. 504 as shared account information. As a result, the account information is also held in the display device 1b. The above operation is performed in the same way on other display devices 1 such as the display device 1n, and the same account information is held in each display device 1. This completes the initial settings. The above operation is the same regardless of which of the plurality of display devices 1 becomes the first device or the second device. For example, when the mobile terminal 2 is first connected to the display device 1b, the display device 1b becomes the first device and the other display device 1 becomes the second device.

(S7) After that, when the display device 1a, which is the first device, performs user authentication with the content distribution server 7, the user authentication unit 44 uses the account information registered for itself in S3. Then, processing related to user authentication can be performed.

(S8) Also, suppose that the mobile terminal 2 of the user U1 is then connected to the display device 1b, which is the second device. In this case, since the account information has already been registered in the display device 1b in S6, there is no need to transfer the account information from the mobile terminal 2 to the display device 1b, and account registration processing is unnecessary.

(S9) In the display device 1b, which is the second device, when user authentication is performed with the content distribution server 7, the user authentication unit 44 confirms that the information has been registered in S6 as in the case of the display device 1a. Processing related to user authentication can be performed using account information.

[Processing flow (1)]
FIG. 6 shows a processing flow at the time of initial setting in the display device 1 of the first embodiment. (A) in FIG. 6 shows the flow of the first process corresponding to the "first device" in FIG. FIG. 6B shows the flow of the second process corresponding to the "second device" in FIG. FIG. 6A includes steps S101 to S105. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S101) The first device connects to the mobile terminal 2.

(S102) The account information sharing unit 45 requests the mobile terminal 2 to transfer the account information held in the mobile terminal 2, thereby causing the mobile terminal 2 to transfer the account information to the display device 1. The account information sharing unit 45 receives and acquires the transferred account information.

(S103) The account information sharing unit 45 registers the account information obtained in S102 in the account information 504 of the user authentication information 503 in the storage 26 as shared account information. Note that at this time, the account information may be passed from the account information sharing section 45 to the user authentication section 44, and the account information may be registered by the user authentication section 44.

(S104) The account information sharing unit 45 is waiting for an inquiry from the second device, which is another display device 1 in the home network 5. When the account information sharing unit 45 receives an inquiry from the second device (S104-Y), it proceeds to S105.

(S105) In response to the inquiry from the second device, the account information sharing unit 45 determines whether there is no problem in providing the account information to the second device. After confirming that there is no problem, the account information sharing unit 45 reads the shared account information held in the account information 504 in the storage 26 and sends the information including the account information to the inquirer's account via the home network 5. Transfer to device 2.

FIG. 6B includes steps S111 to S115. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S111) The account information sharing unit 45 of the second device checks whether the account information 504 in its own storage 26 holds the account information, that is, whether the shared account information has been registered. If it is held (S111-Y), the initial setting process ends, and if it is not held (S111-N), the process advances to S112.

(S112) The account information sharing unit 45 checks whether another display device 1 is connected to the home network 5. Note that this step can be omitted if the connection and its display device 1 are known in advance. If another display device 1 is connected (S112-Y), the process advances to S113, and if not connected (S112-N), the process ends.

(S113) The account information sharing unit 45 transmits inquiry information regarding account information to other display devices 1 within the home network 5 via the home network 5. The other display device 1 to which the inquiry is directed may be the first device or the second device.

(S114) If the account information is transferred as a response from the first device (S114-Y), the account information sharing unit 45 proceeds to S115. If the transfer is not made, the other display device 1 to which the inquiry is made is a second device that does not hold account information. The account information sharing unit 45 similarly makes an inquiry if there is another display device 1, and if account information is not transferred from any display device 1 (S114-N), ends the process. .

(S115) The account information sharing unit 45 registers the account information received from the first device in the account information 504 of the user authentication information 503 in its own storage 26 as shared account information. This completes the initial setting process.

Note that as a modification, confirmation of possession of account information and request for transfer in the inquiry in S113 may be separated as separate communication steps. Further, when making an inquiry, the second device may similarly make an inquiry to all other display devices 1 in the home network 5, or may make an inquiry to a specific display device 1. For example, if the account information sharing unit 45 knows in advance the first device in the home network 5, it may send the transfer request only to that first device. Furthermore, when transferring account information between display devices 1, the account information may be encrypted or the like.

The account information sharing unit 45 may manage the holding and sharing status of account information in the plurality of display devices 1 of the home network 5 in a table. For example, information such as the device ID of each display device 1, whether or not account information is held, and the role may be managed in a table for each account information. The roles are first device, second device, etc.

[Effects etc.]
As described above, according to the content viewing system of Embodiment 1, the user can input account information to the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5 while ensuring control of content viewing authority using account information. It is possible to reduce the time and effort required for setting, and it is possible to improve usability and convenience in various environments and situations.

For example, the user only needs to register the account information held in the mobile terminal 2 in the first device, which is one display device 1 of the home network 5, in the initial setting. As a result, account information is automatically registered on the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5, and the display devices 1 become available for shared use. There is no need to register account information for each individual display device 1 in the home network 5, which saves time and effort on the part of the user.

Conventional technology does not take into account cooperation between mobile terminals and display devices, and even if the mobile terminal has account information, it is easy to share the account information with multiple display devices in the home network. isn't it. On the other hand, according to the first embodiment, such sharing can be easily achieved with a simple operation.

Modifications of the first embodiment include the following. For example, assume that the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5 are a first television and a second television. It is assumed that the account information of the mobile terminal 2 has already been registered in the first television. Suppose that a third television is newly added to the home. When the account information sharing unit 45 of the third television is connected to the home network 5, it makes an inquiry to other display devices 1 in the home network 5, for example, the first television, for its own initial settings. The first television that received the inquiry transfers the account information to the third television. The third television registers the account information with itself and completes the initial settings. That is, the account sharing function in the modification realizes a function of registering for sharing account information when the display device 1 is connected to the home network 5.

As a modification, a form of an in-home system that enables communication between the plurality of display devices 1 and between the display devices 1 and external devices without going through the in-home network 5 may be used. In that case, the account sharing function is a function that allows the in-house system to share account information.

[First modification]
The following is possible as a first modification of the first embodiment. The first device, which is the display device 1, registers the account information acquired from the mobile terminal 2 with itself, and immediately transfers it to the second device, which is another display device 1 in the home network 5. The second device that receives the immediately transferred account information registers the account information with itself.

FIG. 7 shows an example of an operation sequence between devices at the time of initial setting in the first modification of the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, steps S11 to S16 are included. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S11 to S13) In S11, the mobile terminal 2 of the user U1 is connected to any display device 1 of the home network 5, for example, the display device 1a. In S12, the account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1a, which is the first device, transfers the account information 101 held in the mobile terminal 2 to the display device 1a and acquires it. In S13, the account information sharing unit 45 registers the account information 101 acquired from the mobile terminal 2 in its own user authentication information 503 as shared account information.

(S14) Furthermore, the account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1a, which is the first device, immediately shares the information including the account information in S13 with each second display device 1, which is the other display device 1 in the home network 5. transfer to the device. This instant transfer information is also a registration instruction for the second device. This immediate transfer may be, for example, broadcast transmission to other display devices 1 in home network 5, or sequential transmission to each other display device 1 in a predetermined order.

(S15) On the other hand, each second device that is another display device 1 in the home network 5, for example, the display device 1b, receives the instant transfer information in S14 from the first device. The second device registers the account information in its own user authentication information 503 as shared account information. As a result, the account information is also held in the display device 1b. Similarly, account information is held in each display device 1. This completes the initial settings. The above operation is the same regardless of which of the plurality of display devices 1 becomes the first device or the second device.

(S16) After that, when the display device 1a or the display device 1b performs user authentication with the content distribution server 7, the display device 1a or the display device 1b performs processing related to user authentication using the account information already registered for itself. be able to.

In the first modification of the first embodiment, the above-mentioned inquiry is not necessary, and by performing immediate transfer, the time required for the initial setting can be shortened.

(Embodiment 2)
The display device 1 and the like according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained using FIGS. 8 and 9. The basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Components of the second embodiment that are different from those of the first embodiment will be described below. The second embodiment realizes account information sharing in the home network 5 in the same way as the first embodiment, but the processing method for this is partially different from the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, a first device among the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5, which is the display device 1 in which account information of the mobile terminal 2 is registered, is set as an "account server." The "account server" here refers to a device and role that typically manages account information within the home network 5. Account information is not registered in the second device, which is another display device 1 in the home network 5. The second device accesses the account server, which is the first device, and refers to and uses the account information each time account information is required for user authentication.

[Operation sequence]
FIG. 8 shows an example of an operation sequence between devices at the time of initial setting in the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, steps S21 to S28 are included. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S21) The mobile terminal 2 of the user U1 is connected to any display device 1 in the home network 5, for example, the display device 1a.

(S22) The account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1a, which is the first device, transfers and acquires the account information 101 held in the mobile terminal 2 to the display device 1a.

(S23) The account information sharing unit 45 registers the account information 101 acquired from the mobile terminal 2 in the account information 504 of the user authentication information 503 in its own storage 26 as shared account information. The display device 1a, which is the first device, becomes an account server that manages shared account information. At this point, the initial setup is basically complete.

Note that after S23, a step is further provided in which the display device 1a, which is the first device, notifies each second device, which is the other display device 1, that the display device 1a has become the account server. Good too.

(S24) On the other hand, the second device, which is another display device 1 in the home network 5, does not hold account information. Assume that user authentication with the content distribution server 7 occurs in a second device, for example, the display device 1b. That is, assume that account information becomes necessary for user authentication.

(S25) The account information sharing unit 45 of the second device transmits an account information reference request to the account server, which is the first device of the home network 5.

(S26) When the account information sharing unit 45 of the first device receives a reference request from the second device, the account information sharing unit 45 of the first device sends the account information registered in itself in S23 to the requesting second device as a response. Send.

(S27) The account information sharing unit 45 of the second device uses the account information received from the first device for processing related to user authentication by the user authentication unit 44 without registering the account information itself.

(S28) After that, when the display device 1a, which is an account server, performs user authentication with the content distribution server 7, it uses its own account information to perform processing related to user authentication. It can be carried out.

The above operation is the same regardless of which of the plurality of display devices 1 becomes the first device or the second device. In the above example, only one display device 1a is used as an account server, but the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more display devices may serve as account servers. In that case, the second device may access any account server.

Furthermore, among the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5, only a specific display device 1 may be set to serve as an account server. For example, using the user setting function of the display device 1, only the display device 1a is set to be the account server. In that case, devices other than the display device 1a are controlled based on the settings so that they do not become account servers even if the mobile terminal 2 is connected first.

[Processing flow]
FIG. 9 shows a processing flow at the time of initial setting in the display device 1 according to the second embodiment. (A) of FIG. 9 shows the flow of the first process corresponding to the account server that is the first device. (B) of FIG. 9 shows the flow of the second process corresponding to the second device. FIG. 9A includes steps S141 to S145. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S141-S143) Steps S141-S143 are the same as S101-S103 in the first embodiment.

(S144, S145) In S144, the account information sharing unit 45 of the first device, which is the account server, waits for an account information reference request from the second device, which is another display device 1 in the home network 5. There is. When the account information sharing unit 45 receives the reference request (S144-Y), the process proceeds to S145. In S145, the account information sharing unit 45 transmits its own account information to the second device as a response to the reference request.

FIG. 9B includes steps S151 to S155. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S151 to S153) In S151, if the account information sharing unit 45 of the second device requires user authentication by the user authentication unit 44, that is, account information is required (S151-Y), the process proceeds to S152. In S152, the account information sharing unit 45 checks whether the account server, which is the first device, is connected to the home network 5. If connected (S152Y), proceed to S152. In S153, the account information sharing unit 45 transmits an account information reference request to the account server, which is the first device.

(S154, S155) In S154, when the account information sharing unit 45 receives the account information transferred as a response from the account server, which is the first device (S154), the process proceeds to S155. In S155, the account information sharing unit 45 causes the user authentication unit 44 to use the account information received in S154 for user authentication, and ends without registering it in its own storage 26.

[Effects etc.]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, account information sharing in the home network 5 can be realized similarly to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, a step of referring from the second device to the first device is required during user authentication, but there is an advantage that account information can be securely held only in the first device. Furthermore, when changing the settings to cancel the shared state, it is sufficient to delete the shared account information only on the first device.

(Embodiment 3)
A display device 1 and the like according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 10 to 12. The basic configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, components in the third embodiment that are different from those in the first embodiment will be explained. Embodiment 3 assumes a situation that may occur when a plurality of account information of a plurality of mobile terminals 2 are registered in the display device 1 of the home network 5. The third embodiment has a function of deleting account information registered in the display device 1 as a setting change depending on the situation.

[Content viewing system]
FIG. 10 shows an example of a content viewing system and an operation sequence in the third embodiment. 10 differs from FIG. 1 in that a user U2, such as a friend of the user U1, is invited to the user U1's home. The user U1 owns a "smartphone A" which is a personal mobile terminal 2a, and the user U2 has a "smartphone B" which is a personal mobile terminal 2b. As in the first embodiment, user U1 has account information 101 regarding content distribution service X1 in mobile terminal 2a. Further, the user U2 has account information 102 (indicated by A2) regarding the content distribution service X1 in the mobile terminal 2b. The user U2 can use the content distribution service X1, usually at the user's home or the like, using his or her display device, mobile terminal 2b, and account information 102.

In the example of FIG. 11, the user U2 who visited the user U1's home temporarily uses the display device 1 owned by the user U1, and uses the content distribution service X1 using the account information 102 of the mobile terminal 2b. and watch the content. After that, the user U2 leaves the user U1's house and returns home. User U2 uses the same content distribution service X1 from a display device at home, for example. In Embodiment 3, a function for controlling the shared account information of the display device 1 in the user's U1's home in such a situation will be described.

[Operation sequence]
An example of the operation sequence of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, steps S31 to S36 are included. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S31) First, the operations of the user U1 in the home are basically the same as those described in the first embodiment. That is, the account information 101 held in the mobile terminal 2a is registered as shared account information in the display device 1a, for example.

(S32) The mobile terminal 2b of the user U2, who is a guest visiting the user U1's home, is connected to, for example, the display device 1a.

(S33) The account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1a, which is the first device, acquires the account information 102 held in the mobile terminal 2b by transfer. The display device 1a registers the account information 102 in the account information 504 of the user authentication information 503 in its own storage 26. The account information 504 includes two items: the account information 101 of the user U1 and the account information 102 of the user U2.

In this example, for account information sharing, it is assumed that only one display device 1a holds the guest's account information 102. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the account information 102 of the guest can be held on a plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5 by using the account sharing function, as in the first embodiment and the like. In that case, the account information sharing unit 45 transfers account information between the display devices 1, etc., as in the first embodiment. This allows the user U2 to view the content on each display device 1. Furthermore, it is possible to connect the guest's mobile terminal 2b to any display device 1 in the home network 5 and register account information 102 therein. As will be described later, it is also possible for the user to set whether or not guest account information can be registered on the display device 1.

(S34) The account information 102 of the user U2 is now registered on the display device 1a. Therefore, the user U2 can view the content of the content distribution service X1 on the display device 1a through user authentication using the account information 102.

(S35) After that, the user U2 finishes viewing the content, leaves the user U1's house, and returns home, for example. A state 1101 indicates a state in which the mobile terminal 2b of the user U2 is outside the user U1's home, for example, at the user U2's home. User U2 uses content distribution service X1 from content distribution server 7 via external network 6 through the display device and mobile terminal 2b at home.

In this way, when the mobile terminal 2b, which was initially in the user U1's house and registered the account information 102 on the display device 1a, goes out of the house, the account information 102 of the user U2 is stored in the user U1's house, It exists both outside the user U1's home and outside the home. In such a situation, in the conventional system, a request from inside the user U1's home and a request from outside the user U1's home may be generated as requests to the content distribution server. In that case, depending on the service design, if the content distribution server does not allow content viewing in different locations, the content distribution server may, for example, disallow user authentication for one request and disallow viewing. do. Embodiment 3 is a technology that also assumes such a situation.

(S35) The account sharing unit 45 of the display device 1a, which is the first device, periodically checks the location of the mobile terminal 2, for example, the mobile terminal 2b, in which account information has been registered. The account sharing unit 45 detects and determines, through the home network 5, whether the registration source mobile terminal 2 is in the home associated with the home network 5 of the user U1 as a location check. This location confirmation is realized, for example, as follows.

The display device 1 may detect and determine whether the mobile terminal 2 is inside or outside the home by determining whether the mobile terminal 2 is connected to the home network 5. This connection determination may be a determination as to whether there is a wireless connection between the display device 1 and the mobile terminal 2, or a determination as to whether the display device 1 and the mobile terminal 2 are connected via the home network 5. Alternatively, the display device 1 may attempt to establish a wireless connection to the mobile terminal 2 based on the information obtained when the wireless connection was first established with the mobile terminal 2, and make a determination based on the result. That is, the display device 1 determines that the user is inside the home when a wireless connection is possible or there is a response to the mobile terminal 2, and the display device 1 determines that the user is outside the home when the wireless connection is not possible or there is no response. It may be determined that The display device 1 may determine that the user is outside the home when the wireless connection is disconnected after the first wireless connection with the mobile terminal 2, or when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the disconnection.

The location confirmation may be realized using short-range wireless communication between the display device 1 or devices forming the home network 5 and the mobile terminal 2. The location confirmation may be performed using a method in which a beacon or the like emitted by the mobile terminal 2 is used and the display device 1 detects the beacon or the like. That is, the display device 1 may determine that the mobile terminal 2 is outside the home when the mobile terminal 2 leaves the predetermined radial distance range associated with the home.

In S35, it is assumed that the display device 1a detects that among the plurality of mobile terminals 2 that were in the user's U1's home, a specific mobile terminal 2b whose account information has been registered is not in the home, that is, is outside the home.

(S36) The account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1a deletes the account information 102 of the mobile terminal 2b registered and held by itself based on the out-of-home detection in S35. This updates the setting state of the display device 1a and invalidates the account information 102 so that it cannot be used for user authentication. This prevents the user U2 from continuing to view the content on the display device 1 in the user's U1's home.

[Processing flow]
FIG. 11 shows a processing flow as the first device in the display device 1 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 11, steps S161 to S165 are included. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S161 to S163) In S161, the first device connects to the guest's mobile terminal 2, for example, the user U2's mobile terminal 2b. In S162, the account information sharing unit 45 of the first device acquires the account information of the guest's mobile terminal 2 by transfer. In S163, the account information sharing unit 45 registers the guest's account information in the account information 504 of the user authentication information 503 in its own storage 26.

(S164, S165) In S164, the account information sharing unit 45 periodically confirms the location of the guest's mobile terminal 2, which is the source of account information registration in S163. When the account information sharing unit 45 detects and determines that the guest's mobile terminal 2 is not at home, that is, is outside the home (S164-N), the process proceeds to S165. In S165, the account information sharing unit 45 deletes the account information of the guest's mobile terminal 2 registered in the account information 504 of the user authentication information 503 in its own storage 26.

[Effects etc.]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, even when a person such as a friend who comes to the user's home temporarily uses the display device 1 of the home network 5 to view content, the settings can be easily configured. It can be carried out. Further, in that case, the guest's account information registered on the display device 1 in the house is deleted when the guest's mobile terminal 2 leaves the house. Thereby, there is no worry that the account information will continue to be used. A guest user is also prevented from viewing the content using the display device 1 from outside the home.

[First modification]
The following is possible as a first modification of the third embodiment. In this first modification, the location of the mobile terminal 2 is confirmed and the account information is deleted depending on the result of user authentication.

FIG. 12 shows a processing flow of the display device 1 as the first device in the first modification of the third embodiment. In FIG. 12, steps S171 to S176 are included. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S171) Similarly to the third embodiment, the account information of the guest's mobile terminal 2 is registered in the display device 1.

(S172, S173) In S172, user authentication with the content distribution server 7 occurs. The display device 1 transmits a content reproduction request and the like to the content distribution server 7 in accordance with a normal content viewing operation sequence based on the guest user's operation. At this time, the user authentication unit 44 uses the account information of the guest registered with itself and transmits user authentication information including the account information to the content distribution server 7. The user authentication unit 44 receives the result of user authentication from the content distribution server 7. In S173, if the result of user authentication is failure (S173-Y), the display device 1 proceeds to S174.

(S174, S175) In S174, the account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1 confirms the location of the guest's mobile terminal 2, which is the source of account information registration. If the guest's mobile terminal 2 is at home (S174-Y), there is no problem and the process ends. If you are not at home (S174-N), proceed to S175. In S175, the account information sharing unit 45 cooperates with the user authentication unit 44 to delete the account information of the guest's mobile terminal 2 registered with itself.

Note that when deleting account information, if the account information is held in a plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5, the first device deletes the account information held in the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5. Account information will also be deleted in the same way. In this case, for example, the first device transmits an instruction to delete account information to the second device, which is another display device 1 in the home network 5. The second device that receives the instruction deletes the corresponding account information registered in itself.

In the first modification of the third embodiment, the account information is deleted when the user authentication results in failure in a situation where the account information exists both inside and outside the user U1's home as described above. As a result, the same effects as in the third embodiment can be obtained. Note that the step of confirming the location of S174 may be omitted, and the account information may be deleted immediately if the user authentication result is unsuccessful.

(Embodiment 4)
Display device 1 and the like according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 13 to 16. The basic configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Components of the fourth embodiment that are different from those of the first embodiment will be described below. In Embodiment 4, regarding the account sharing function, different operations and settings are possible for each display device 1, rather than the same operations and settings for a plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5. In the fourth embodiment, restrictions are imposed on each display device 1 regarding the account sharing function. In the fourth embodiment, it is possible to set for each individual display device 1 whether or not to use the account sharing function, that is, whether or not to share account information.

The display device 1 of the fourth embodiment provides a user setting function that allows settings regarding the account sharing function to be made as user settings. This user setting function is realized using the user setting section 46 shown in FIG. The user setting section 46 cooperates with the account information sharing section 45. The state of user settings is managed using setting information 505. The account information sharing section 45 controls whether or not to share account information for each display device 1 based on the setting information 505 of the user setting section 46 .

In the display device 1 of the fourth embodiment, when setting account information regarding the account sharing function for the first time, an account registration screen is provided and an account registration process is performed. The first device registers account information through an account registration screen.

In the display device 1 of the fourth embodiment, a setting screen is displayed on the display device 1 using the user setting function. The user can set the account sharing function for the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5 while viewing the settings screen.

Depending on the settings made using the user setting function, it is possible to select and set the method to be used from the various methods shown in the first to third embodiments described above. For example, as in Embodiment 1, a specific display device 1 can be set as a first device, and a specific display device 1 cannot be a first device. . Further, as in the second embodiment, it is possible to set a specific display device 1 to be an account server, and other display devices cannot be to be an account server. Further, as in the third embodiment, it is possible to set a specific display device 1 to be the first device in which guest account information can be registered.

In the fourth embodiment, the following settings regarding the account sharing function are also possible. When one mobile terminal 2 has multiple account information, it is possible to set the display device 1 to select a part of the account information to be registered instead of registering all of the multiple account information. be. In addition, when there are multiple mobile terminals 2 having account information, instead of registering the account information of all of the mobile terminals 2 on the display device 1, the account information of some of the mobile terminals 2 is registered. It is possible to configure settings to select whether to register. Further, it is also possible to set specific content to be viewable and specific content to be viewable out of the content group of the content distribution service associated with the account information.

Settings regarding account information sharing can be made for each account information and each mobile terminal 2. For example, assume that a first mobile terminal has first and second account information. By user settings, the first account information can be shared by all display devices in the home network 5, and the second account information can be held only by a specific display device 1.

The user setting section 46 displays a setting screen on the display section 20, and the user can perform user settings by inputting through the input means 23 on the display device 1 while viewing the setting screen. Furthermore, as described above, the user may operate the display device 1 from the mobile terminal 2, which allows user settings to be made in the same manner. In that case, the user setting section 46 may display a setting screen on the screen of the mobile terminal 2.

The following are possible timings for performing user settings using the user setting function. Basically, the user can call up and use the setting screen of the user setting function by operating the display device 1 or the mobile terminal 2 at any timing. For example, user settings can be made in advance before initial settings. Further, user settings are possible even after the initial settings. When setting up for the first time, an account registration screen is displayed, but you can also go to the settings screen at that time.

[Content viewing system]
FIG. 13 shows an example of a content viewing system and an operation sequence in the third embodiment. 13 differs from FIG. 1 in that the mobile terminal 2A of the user U1 has account information 111 (indicated by A001), and another mobile terminal 2B has different account information 112 (indicated by A002). Account information 111 is for content distribution service X1 of content distribution server 7a, and account information 112 is for content distribution service X2 of content distribution server 7b.

The display device 1a uses the user setting section 46 to display an account registration screen at the time of initial setting, and also displays a setting screen at an arbitrary timing.

[Operation sequence]
An example of the operation sequence at the time of initial setting in Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. In this example, account information 111 held in the mobile terminal 2A is registered in the display device 1a and shared by all display devices 1 in the home network 5. Account information 112 held in the mobile terminal 2B is registered only in a specific display device 1 based on user settings. In FIG. 13, steps S41 to S48 are included. Below, the steps will be explained in order.

(S41) First, registration of account information 111 will be explained. For example, a mobile terminal 2A is connected to the display device 1a.

(S42) The user setting unit 46 of the display device 1a, which is the first device, displays an account registration screen (see FIG. 14, which will be described later) on the screen of the display unit 20 of the display device 1a at the time of initial setting. The user looks at the account registration screen and confirms whether or not to register the account information 111 held in the mobile terminal 2A as shared account information for all display devices 1 including the display device 1a. When registering, the user inputs information indicating registration.

(S43) The user setting unit 46 performs an account registration process based on the user confirmation input through the account registration screen of S42, and registers the account information 111 in the display device 1a. This process specifically includes S44 to S46.

(S44 to S46) In S44, the account information sharing unit 45 acquires the account information 111 from the mobile terminal 2 by transfer. In S45, the account information sharing unit 45 registers the account information 111 in the account information 504 of the user authentication information 503 in the storage 26 as shared account information. In S46, the account information sharing unit 45 transfers the account information 111 in the same way as in the first embodiment, so that the account information 111 is shared among the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5. For example, the account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1n registers the account information 111 transferred from the display device 1a to itself.

(S47) Thereafter, for example, the user can connect the mobile terminal 2A to the display device 1n and use the content distribution service X1 from the display device 1n. At this time, since the account information 111 has already been registered in the display device 1n as shared account information, the display device 1n does not output the account registration screen. The display device 1n requests, for example, the content C1 from the content distribution server 7a based on a user operation. When performing user authentication, the display device 1n creates user authentication information using the account information 111 it owns and sends it to the content distribution server 7a. Thereby, the user can view the content C1 from the content distribution server 7a on the display device 1n without having to register account information.

(S48) The registration of the account information 112 held in the mobile terminal 2B is as follows. The user U1 calls a user setting function by inputting an input operation on one of the display devices 1, for example, the display device 1a. At this time, the user U1 may connect the mobile terminal 2B to the display device 1a and perform the input operation. The user setting section 46 displays a setting screen (FIG. 15, which will be described later) on the display device 1a. The setting screen has setting items for each of the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5, such as whether or not to share account information. For example, if the user U1 wants to register the account information 112 only on the display device 1a, he selects and sets the account information 112 to be registered only on the display device 1a on the setting screen. The user setting section 46 stores the setting state in the setting information 505. If the user U1 wants to continue registering the account information 112, he or she connects the mobile terminal 2B to, for example, the display device 1a. The account information sharing unit 45 of the display device 1a registers the account information 112 in its own storage 26 based on the setting information 505, and does not register it in other display devices 1.

[Account registration screen]
FIG. 14 shows an example of an account registration screen output by the display device 1 to which the mobile terminal 1 is connected at the time of initial setting. This account registration screen includes item f1, item f2, and item f3.

Item f1 displays a registration confirmation message and the like. In this example, in item f1, "Do you want to register the account information on your mobile device as shared account information on all TVs including "TV1"?" ” is displayed. Further, in item f1, the contents of the account information are displayed for confirmation. Further, in item f1, yes and no buttons are displayed corresponding to whether to register or not. The user can select whether to register using item f1. If "Register" (Yes) is selected, this corresponds to a setting in which all display devices 1 in the home network 5 use the account sharing function. Then, the operation sequence shown in Embodiment 1 and the like is automatically executed.

In addition, if "not to register" (No) is selected in the item f1, the item f2 may be displayed. Item f2 is an item corresponding to the case where account information is registered in only one display device 1, as in the conventional case. In this example, in item f2, "Do you want to register the account information on your mobile device as account information only on "TV1"? ” is displayed. If "Register" (Yes) is selected, the account sharing function is not applied, and the account information is not registered on other display devices 1 in the home network 5.

In addition, item f3 displays a button that allows the user to make settings regarding the account sharing function. When this item f3 is selected, the screen changes to a setting screen as shown in FIG. 15.

[Settings screen]
FIG. 15 shows an example of a setting screen displayed by the user setting function of the user setting section 46. This setting screen includes items g1 to g5. In this example, a display example at the time of initial setting is shown.

Item g1 is an item for setting whether to use the account sharing function regarding the plurality of display devices 1 in the home network 5. The user can select whether to use it or not. When this item g1 is selected to be used, the account sharing function described in Embodiment 1 etc. is applied in a valid state, and details can be set in items g2 and below. If this item g1 is selected not to be used, it is not applied and the same operation as before is performed.

Item g2 is a setting item regarding whether to perform individual settings for each device. The user can select whether or not to perform individual settings. If it is set in this item g2 that individual settings are to be made, the contents can be set in item g4.

Item g3 is a setting item for determining whether or not the account sharing function regarding the guest's mobile terminal 2 as in the third embodiment is applicable. When sharing is set in this item g3, the contents can be similarly set in another item (not shown).

Item g4 is an item for individual settings for each device. In this example, item g4 displays a table for settings. Based on the setting information 505, the user setting section 46 displays a table having contents corresponding to the current setting state. This table has items such as the name and device ID of the display device 1, which is a device, whether accounts can be shared, and whether content can be shared. In the "Account Sharing Possibility" item, it is possible to set whether or not to apply the account sharing function for each display device 1 indicated by the device ID. The user can set permission for each display device 1 in the "account sharing permission" item, for example, by operating a check button. The display device 1 set as possible in this item performs an operation based on the account sharing function. Display devices 1 that are set as disabled in this item do not operate using the account sharing function. For example, the display device 1n indicated by "TVn" in the fourth line is set to be disabled, does not become the first device and second device, and does not hold account information.

Item g4 is a display example at the time of initial setting before account information registration, and items of individual account information and information regarding the mobile terminal 2 are not displayed. Items that allow individual settings for each account information or for each mobile terminal 2 can be similarly implemented.

Further, the "content availability" item is a setting item regarding whether or not each content can be viewed on the display device 1 indicated by the device ID. The contents of the "content availability" item can be set using item g5. Item g5 is a setting item for allowing/disabling each content. In item g5, the ID of the content distribution service associated with the account information can also be selected. Item g5 displays a content list for each account information and content distribution service. The display device 1 acquires content list information based on communication with the content distribution server 7. In this example, item g5 displays a list of contents corresponding to certain account information in a table. The present invention is not limited to this, and a format in which icons are arranged for each content may be used. Each content in the list has items such as explanatory information (not shown) and whether or not it can be viewed. The user can set whether each content is allowed or not, for example, by operating a check button in the "viewability" item. Note that it may be a format in which all content is basically shared and non-shared content is selected, or a format in which all content is basically non-shared and shared content is selected.

[Setting information]
FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of a table of setting information 505 managed by the user setting unit 46. The table of FIG. 16 has columns of account information, mobile terminal device ID, display device device ID, shareability, and content permission/inhibition. The first column “Account Information” indicates account information held in the mobile terminal 2. The second column “mobile terminal device ID” indicates the device ID of the mobile terminal 2. The third column "Display device device ID" indicates the device ID of the display device 1, for example, the MAC address. The fourth column "Shareability" is a flag indicating whether or not the display device 1 in the third column holds and shares the account information in the first column. The fifth column "Content availability" indicates setting values regarding viewing availability for each content. For example, "ALL" indicates a setting value that allows viewing of all contents of the content distribution service associated with the account information. In addition, individual content IDs can be written in this column, and content that can be viewed or viewed can be set.

The first to third lines show settings for sharing account information "A001" on three display devices 1 using the account sharing function. The fourth to sixth lines indicate settings for registering account information "A002" only in the display device 1a among the three display devices 1. The account information "B001" is held in the display device 1a, but indicates a setting that allows viewing of only a specific content "C00003."

[Effects etc.]
As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, a user setting function and the like related to the account sharing function are provided, so that the user can easily perform account registration and user settings while viewing the screen. Setting operations can be performed directly on the display device 1 alone, or can be performed from the mobile terminal 2. Using the user setting function, the user can easily make all settings related to the account sharing function regarding the plurality of display devices 1 of the home network 5 on the screen of the display device 1 or the mobile terminal 2. Therefore, compared to the prior art, in which account information is individually set for a plurality of devices, the user's effort is reduced and setting errors can be prevented.

Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. It is also possible to combine the plurality of embodiments described above, and to replace, add, and delete components. Each component and means can be realized by software program processing, hardware circuits, or the like. The various data, information, and programs in the device may be recorded on an external recording medium or stored in a device on an external network.

1, 1a, 1b, 1n...Display device, 2...Mobile terminal, 5...Home network, 6...External network, 7...Content distribution server, 8...Broadcasting station, 42...Content playback section, 44...User authentication section, 45 ...Account information sharing section, 46...User setting section, 101...Account information.

Claims (4)

A display device connected to a first network,
a communication unit that communicates with the mobile terminal without a network and communicates with an external server on a second network that provides a content distribution service via the first network;
a display unit that receives content distributed from the external server and displays a reproduced video;
a control unit that controls the communication unit and the display unit,
The control unit includes:
When the mobile terminal is connected to the display device, the mobile terminal communicates with the mobile terminal to acquire account-related information associated with the content distribution service provided by the external server of the mobile terminal, and communicating with a server to perform authentication processing related to providing the content distribution service using the acquired account-related information;
If the mobile terminal is not connected to the display device and communication is not possible, invalidating the acquired account-related information;
Display device. The display device according to claim 1,
Furthermore, the display device includes a storage section,
The control unit includes:
storing the acquired account related information in the storage unit;
When invalidating the acquired account-related information, deleting the acquired account-related information from the storage unit;
Display device. The display device according to claim 1,
The account-related information is associated with biometric information of a user of the mobile terminal,
Display device. The display device according to claim 1,
The account related information is associated with a user ID and password information set on the mobile terminal by a user of the mobile terminal.
Display device.

Images