JP7420882B2 - Digital broadcast receiving device, application operation control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving device and a method for controlling application operations.

One of the expanded functions of digital broadcasting services is data broadcasting, which transmits digital data via broadcast waves and displays various information such as weather forecasts, news, and recommended programs. Many television receivers capable of receiving data broadcasting are already on the market, and many technologies related to data broadcasting reception have been published, including Patent Document 1 listed below.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-186486

A feature of data broadcasting is that a television receiver compatible with digital broadcasting services can receive data broadcasting on its own, and can acquire and display a variety of information. On the other hand, with data broadcasting, the amount of data that can be transmitted is limited due to radio band restrictions, making it difficult to obtain high-definition screen displays and sophisticated effects. The problem was that it was difficult to implement on a broadcast receiver.

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcast receiver that can perform functions with higher added value.

As a means for solving the above problem, the technology described in the claims is used.
To give an example, the technique described in claim 1 is used.

By using the technology of the present invention, it is possible to provide a digital broadcast receiver that can perform functions with higher added value.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a broadcasting station server according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a service provider server according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile information terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of a mobile information terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a data configuration diagram of application control information according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an operation sequence diagram of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment when an application is started. FIG. 2 is an operation sequence diagram of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment when an application is started. FIG. 2 is an operation sequence diagram of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment when an application is started. FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram when the mobile information terminals according to the embodiment cooperate. FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram when the mobile information terminals according to the embodiment cooperate. FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram when the mobile information terminals according to the embodiment cooperate. FIG. 2 is an operation sequence diagram of the broadcast receiving device and the mobile information terminal when starting an application according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a basic screen of a cooperative control application of a mobile information terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a basic screen of a cooperative control application of a mobile information terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a data broadcast screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a notification screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast cooperation application launcher of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast collaboration application execution screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast collaboration application execution screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast collaboration application execution screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast collaboration application execution screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of an error display screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast cooperation application execution screen of the mobile information terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of an EPG display screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram of detailed information on an EPG display screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment when acquiring a broadcast cooperation application. FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram when terminals cooperate according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram when terminals cooperate according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram when terminals cooperate according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram when terminals cooperate according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast cooperation application launcher of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast cooperation application launcher of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast cooperation application launcher of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast cooperation application launcher of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a broadcast collaboration application launcher of a mobile information terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration and usage example including a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an operation sequence diagram of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment when the broadcast cooperation application is started. FIG. 2 is an operation sequence diagram of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment when the broadcast cooperation application is started. FIG. 2 is an operation sequence diagram of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment when the broadcast cooperation application is started. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a bootability confirmation screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of a user setting screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration and usage example including a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of types of applications and transitions between the applications, etc. according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an operation sequence diagram of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment when the broadcast cooperation application is started. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of controlling playback of a broadcast program and execution of an application according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of an example of a startup selection screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of an example of a startup selection screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of an example of a multiple application execution screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of an example of a multiple application execution screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration and usage example including a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of controlling playback of a broadcast program and execution of an application according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram when the broadcasting cooperation application of the broadcasting receiving device according to the embodiment is restarted. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of an example of a restart prevention screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of an example of a restart confirmation screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram when the broadcasting cooperation application of the broadcasting receiving device according to the embodiment is restarted. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram of an example of an update confirmation screen of the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment.

Examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, an example of a digital broadcast service that can be received by the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment will be described.
For example, in an example of BS/digital terrestrial broadcasting that can be received by the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment, a plurality of transport streams (TS) can be multiplexed and transmitted on one transponder (frequency channel). TS is a predetermined length obtained by dividing a data string such as a video/audio elementary stream (ES), program specific information (PSI)/service information (SI), etc. and adding a TS header. This is a series of TS packets.

PSI is a unique information table defined by the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-2 system standard for identifying which program each ES included in a TS belongs to. PSI is composed of PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table), CAT (Conditional Access Table), and the like. The PAT defines a list of programs included in the TS using the PID (Packet Identifier) of the PMT. The PMT defines the PID of each program component. CAT includes information regarding conditional access.

In addition, SI is an extension of PSI to include program information, etc., and is based on the Electronic Program Guide specified in ARIB STD-B10 by the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB). e: EPG). SI includes BIT (Broadcaster Information Table), SDT (Service Description Table), EIT (Event Information Table), TOT (Time Offset Table), etc. Consists of. The BIT includes broadcasting station identification information, affiliated information, broadcasting station SI transmission information, and the like. The SDT includes information such as a network ID for identifying a network, a TS ID for identifying a TS, and a service ID (so-called channel number) for identifying individual services (so-called channels) within the network. The EIT includes a service ID for identifying each service within the network, and information regarding the event, such as the name, broadcast date and time, and broadcast content of each event (so-called program). TOT includes information regarding the current date and time.

The TS also includes PCR (Program Clock Reference) information, which serves as a reference for playback timing in the decoder, and BML documents that are subsetted based on the BML (Broadcast Markup Language) specifications defined in ARIB STD-B24. .

In the broadcast receiving device of this embodiment, by receiving and decoding the TS composed of the video/audio ES and various information, the user can receive a broadcast program, a data broadcast screen, etc. produced using EPG, BML, etc. It is possible to provide

In addition, the broadcast receiving device of this embodiment links digital broadcasting services with functions using a broadband network, and acquires additional content via the broadband network, performs arithmetic processing in the server device, and performs presentation processing in cooperation with a mobile terminal device. It is possible to support broadcasting and communication cooperation systems that combine digital broadcasting services with digital broadcasting services. In order to realize the broadcast communication cooperation system, it is assumed that the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment is capable of executing an application written in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or the like. In addition, in the broadcast communication cooperation system that this broadcast receiving device supports, extended BML specifications, application control information (Application Information Table: AIT) in the broadcast communication cooperation system, and extended PSI/ Uses SI information. Note that the AIT is information for providing or disseminating various information necessary to start the application, such as where the application is obtained, and control information for controlling the start/termination of the application.

Although the above explanation is based on the digital broadcasting service in Japan, the application is not limited to only in Japan, including the broadcasting communication cooperation system to which the broadcasting receiving apparatus of this embodiment is compatible.

Next, a specific configuration example of the embodiment in this example will be explained.

[System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a communication system of this embodiment that realizes a broadcast communication cooperation system. The communication system of this embodiment includes a broadcast receiving device 100, an antenna 100a, a broadband network 200 such as the Internet, a router device 210, a radio tower 300t of a broadcasting station, a broadcasting station server 300, a service provider server 400, and other application servers 500. , a mobile telephone communication server 600, a base station 600b of a mobile telephone communication network, and a mobile information terminal 700.

The broadcast receiving device 100 is a television receiver that has a function compatible with the broadcast communication cooperation system in addition to the existing digital broadcast reception function. Broadcast receiving device 100 receives broadcast waves transmitted from radio tower 300t via antenna 100a. Further, the broadcast receiving device 100 can be connected to the Internet 200 via the router device 210, and can send and receive data through communication with each server device on the Internet 200.

The router device 210 is connected to the Internet 200 via wireless or wired communication, to the broadcast receiving device 100 via wireless or wired communication, and to the mobile information terminal 700 via wireless communication. This allows each server device on the Internet 200, the broadcast receiving device 100, and the mobile information terminal 700 to mutually transmit and receive data via the router device 210. Note that the communication between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 may be performed directly using a method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (Near Field Communication) without going through the router device 210.

The radio tower 300t transmits broadcast waves containing digital broadcast signals, AIT, control information regarding application presentation, etc. from the broadcast equipment of the broadcast station. Note that the control information regarding application presentation is control information regarding overlapping of a broadcast program and an application on a television receiver, and whether or not an application can be presented. Further, it is assumed that the broadcast station includes a broadcast station server 300. The broadcasting station server 300 stores broadcast programs (video content, etc.) and metadata such as the program title, program ID, program outline, performers, broadcast date and time of each broadcast program, and stores the video content and each metadata. It shall be possible to provide the service to the service provider based on the contract. Note that the video content and each metadata may be provided to the service provider through an API (Application Programming Interface) provided in the broadcasting station server 300.

The service provider server 400 is a server device prepared by a service provider to provide services using the broadcasting and communication cooperation system. The service provider server 400 stores, manages, and distributes video content and metadata provided from the broadcasting station server 300, as well as content and applications created for the broadcasting and communication cooperation system. It also has the ability to search for and provide a list of available applications in response to inquiries from television receivers. Note that storage, management, and distribution of the content and metadata and storage, management, and distribution of the application may be performed by different server devices. The broadcast station and the service provider may be the same or different providers. A plurality of service provider servers 400 may be provided for different services. Furthermore, the functions of the service provider server 400 may also be provided by the broadcasting station server 300.

The other application server 500 is a known server device that stores, manages, and distributes general applications, operating programs, contents, and data other than those related to the broadcast communication cooperation system.

Mobile telephone communication server 600 is connected to the Internet 200 and, on the other hand, to mobile information terminal 700 via base station 600b. The mobile phone communication server 600 manages telephone communication (calls) and data transmission and reception via the mobile phone communication network of the mobile information terminal 700, and manages data transmission and reception between the mobile information terminal 700 and each server device on the Internet 200. Enables sending and receiving. Note that communication between the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving device 100 may be performed via the base station 600b, the mobile telephone communication server 600, the Internet 200, and the router device 210.

[Hardware configuration of broadcast receiving device]
FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of broadcast receiving device 100. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 includes a main control section 101, a system bus 102, a ROM 103, a RAM 104, a storage section 110, a LAN communication section 121, an expansion interface section 124, a digital interface section 125, a tuner/demodulation section 131, a first separation section 132, First video decoding section 133, first audio decoding section 134, first subtitle decoding section 135, data broadcasting reception processing section 141, data broadcasting engine 142, streaming reception processing section 151, second separation section 152, second video decoding section 153, second audio decoding unit 154, second subtitle decoding unit 155, application control unit 161, application engine 162, video superimposition unit 171, audio selection unit 172, video display unit 173, speaker 174, video output unit 175, audio output 176, a presentation synchronization control section 181, and a terminal cooperation control section 191.

The main control section 101 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to a predetermined operation program. The system bus 102 is a data communication path for transmitting and receiving data between the main control unit 101 and each operational block within the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

The ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 is a memory in which basic operating programs such as an operating system and other operating programs are stored. For example, a rewritable ROM such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) or a flash ROM is used. . A RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 serves as a work area when basic operation programs and other operation programs are executed. The ROM 103 and the RAM 104 may be integrated with the main control unit 101. Further, the ROM 103 may not have an independent configuration as shown in FIG. 2A, but may use a part of the storage area within the storage unit 110.

The storage unit 110 stores operating programs and operating settings of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, personal information of the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and the like. Further, it is possible to store operating programs downloaded from the network and various data created using the operating programs. It is also possible to store content such as moving images, still images, audio, etc., obtained from broadcast waves or downloaded from a network. All or part of the functions of the ROM 103 may be replaced by a partial area of the storage unit 110. Further, the storage unit 110 needs to hold stored information even when power is not supplied to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 from the outside. Therefore, for example, devices such as semiconductor element memories such as flash ROMs and SSDs (Solid State Drives), and magnetic disk drives such as HDDs (Hard Disc Drives) are used.

It is assumed that each of the operating programs stored in the ROM 103 and the storage unit 110 can be updated and functionally expanded by download processing from each server device on the Internet 200.

A LAN (Local Area Network) communication unit 121 is connected to the Internet 200 via a router device 210 and sends and receives data to and from each server device on the Internet 200. The connection to the router device 210 may be a wired connection or a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). It is assumed that the LAN communication unit 121 includes an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and the like. Furthermore, the broadcast receiving device 100 may further include other communication units such as a BlueTooth (registered trademark) communication unit, an NFC communication unit, an infrared communication unit, and the like.

The tuner/demodulator 131 receives broadcast waves from the radio tower 300t via the antenna 100a, and tunes (selects) the channel of the service desired by the user based on the control of the main controller 101. Further, the tuner/demodulator 131 demodulates the received broadcast signal to obtain a TS. Note that although the example shown in FIG. 2A illustrates a configuration in which there is one tuner/demodulator, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may have a tuner/demodulator for the purpose of displaying multiple screens simultaneously, recording a different program, etc. It is also possible to have a configuration in which multiple devices are installed. Further, based on the control of the main control unit 101, control of access restriction to the demodulated TS, etc. may be performed.

The first separation unit 132 inputs the TS output from the tuner/demodulation unit 131, and receives each data such as a video data string, an audio data string, a subtitle data string, a program information data string, an AIT data string, a BML data string, etc. Separate and output into columns. These data strings may be in ES format, for example. The first video decoding unit 133 decodes the video data string input from the first separation unit 132 and outputs video information. The first audio decoding unit 134 decodes the audio data string input from the first separating unit 132 and outputs audio information. The first subtitle decoding unit 135 decodes the subtitle data string input from the first separating unit 132 and outputs subtitle information.

The data broadcast reception processing unit 141 decodes the BML data string input from the first separation unit 132 and reproduces a BML document. The data broadcast engine 142 is a BML browser that executes a BML document, executes the BML document reproduced by the data broadcast reception processing unit 141, and outputs data broadcast screen information.

Based on the control of the main control unit 101, the streaming reception processing unit 151 accesses video content etc. placed in each server device on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121, and receives a program stream ( Program Stream:PS). Further, based on the control of the main control unit 101, DRM (Digital Rights Management) processing for the acquired PS may be controlled.

The second separation section 152 receives the PS output from the streaming reception processing section 151, separates it into each data string such as a video data string, an audio data string, a subtitle data string, etc., and outputs the separated data strings. These data strings may be in ES format, for example. The second video decoding unit 153, second audio decoding unit 154, and second subtitle decoding unit 155 perform the same processing as the first video decoding unit 133, first audio decoding unit 134, and first subtitle decoding unit 135, respectively. Therefore, the explanation will be omitted.

Note that the first separation section 132 and the second separation section 152, the first video decoding section 133 and the second video decoding section 153, the first audio decoding section 134 and the second audio decoding section 154, the first subtitle decoding section 135 and the second The two subtitle decoding units 155 may be used in common.

The application control unit 161 operates on the application engine 162 regarding the application created for the broadcast communication cooperation system based on the AIT data string input from the first separation unit or the AIT file acquired from each server device on the Internet 200, Control and manage the lifecycle and events of each application. Further, depending on the state of the application and instructions from the AIT, the functional restrictions of the application are controlled as appropriate. The application engine 162 is an HTML browser that obtains and executes an application created for the broadcasting and communication cooperation system under the control of the application control unit 161.

The video superimposition unit 171 receives the video information output from the first video decoding unit 133, the subtitle information output from the first subtitle decoding unit 135, the data broadcasting screen information output from the data broadcasting engine 142, and the second video decoding unit. 153, subtitle information output from the second subtitle decoding unit 155, and application execution screen information output from the application engine 162, and performs processing such as selection and/or superimposition. The video superimposing section 171 includes a video RAM (not shown), and the video display section 173 and the like are driven based on video information input to the video RAM. Further, under the control of the main control unit 101, the video superimposition unit 171 performs scaling processing or superimposes EPG screen information created based on the program information data string output from the first separation unit 132, as necessary. Perform processing, etc.

The audio selection unit 172 inputs audio information output from the first audio decoding unit 134, audio information output from the second audio decoding unit 154, and application execution audio information output from the application engine 162, and performs main control. The audio information is appropriately selected and output under the control of the section 101.

The video display unit 173 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and provides the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 with the video information selected and/or superimposed by the video superimposition unit 171. The speaker 174 provides the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 with the audio information output from the audio selection section 172. The video output unit 175 is a video output interface that outputs the video information that has been selected and/or superimposed by the video superimposition unit 171. The audio output section 176 is an audio output interface that outputs the audio information output from the audio selection section 172. Note that, as described above, when the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is a television receiver or the like, the video output section 175 and the audio output section 176 are not essential components of the present invention.

The presentation synchronization control unit 181 provides video information, audio information, etc. obtained by decoding TS obtained from broadcast waves, and video information obtained by decoding PS obtained from each server device on the Internet 200. control of presentation synchronization on the video display unit 173 and speaker 174, or on the video output unit 175 and audio output unit 176, as well as application execution screen information and application execution audio information output from the application engine 162; is performed based on, for example, PCR information.

When coordinating with an external mobile terminal device, the terminal cooperation control unit 191 discovers and authenticates the cooperating device (mobile terminal device), connects the broadcast receiving device 100 and the cooperating device, cooperates with applications, etc. Management and control.

The expansion interface unit 124 is a group of interfaces for expanding the functions of the broadcast receiving device 100, and in this embodiment, it is configured of an analog video/audio interface, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a memory interface, etc. do. The analog video/audio interface inputs analog video signals/audio signals from an external video/audio output device, outputs analog video signals/audio signals to the external video/audio input device, and so on. The USB interface is connected to a PC or the like to send and receive data. Broadcast programs and content may be recorded by connecting an HDD. Additionally, a keyboard or other USB devices may be connected. The memory interface connects a memory card or other memory medium to send and receive data.

The digital interface unit 125 is an interface that outputs or inputs encoded digital video data and/or digital audio data. It is assumed that the digital interface section 125 can directly output the TS acquired by the tuner/demodulation section 131 and the PS acquired by the streaming reception processing section 151. Further, control may be performed so that the TS and PS input from the digital interface section 125 are input to the first separation section 132 and the second separation section 152. The digital content stored in the storage unit 110 may be output or stored in the storage unit 110 via the digital interface unit 125. The digital interface unit 125 may be a DVI terminal, an HDMI terminal, or the like, and may output or input data in a format compliant with the DVI specifications, HDMI specifications, or the like. The data may be output or input in the form of serial data conforming to the IEEE1394 specification or the like.

The broadcast receiving device 100 may be a television receiver, an optical disk drive recorder such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder, a magnetic disk drive recorder such as an HDD recorder, an STB (Set Top Box), or the like. It may also be a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a game machine, etc. that has a digital broadcast reception function and a broadcast communication cooperation function. If the broadcast receiving device 100 is a DVD recorder, HDD recorder, STB, etc., the video display section 173 and the speaker 174 may not be provided. By connecting an external monitor and an external speaker to the video output section 175 and the audio output section 176, the same operation as the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment is possible.

[Software configuration of broadcast receiving device]
FIG. 2B is a software configuration diagram of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, and shows the software configuration in the ROM 103, RAM 104, and storage unit 110. In this embodiment, a basic operating program 1001 and other operating programs are stored in the ROM 103, and a receiving function program 1002, a BML browser program 1003, an HTML browser program 1004, and other operating programs are stored in the storage unit 110. There is. The storage unit 110 also includes a content storage area 1011 that stores contents such as videos, still images, and audio, an authentication information storage area 1012 that stores authentication information, etc. used when linking with external mobile terminal devices, etc.; It is assumed that various information storage areas are provided to store various other information.

The basic operation program 1001 stored in the ROM 103 is expanded into the RAM 104, and the main control section 101 further executes the expanded basic operation program to constitute a basic operation execution section 1101. Further, the reception function program 1002, BML browser program 1003, and HTML browser program 1004 stored in the storage unit 110 are each expanded to the RAM 104, and the main control unit 101 further executes each of the expanded operation programs to perform reception. It includes a function execution unit 1102, a BML browser engine 1103, and an HTML browser engine 1104. Furthermore, the RAM 104 is provided with a temporary storage area that temporarily holds data created when each operating program is executed, as needed.

In the following, to simplify the explanation, the process in which the main control unit 101 controls each operation block by expanding the basic operation program 1001 stored in the ROM 103 into the RAM 104 and executing it will be referred to as basic operation execution. The description will be made assuming that the unit 1101 controls each operation block. Similar descriptions are made for other operating programs.

The reception function execution unit 1102 controls each operational block of the broadcast reception apparatus 100 in order to realize a broadcast reception function and a broadcast communication cooperation function. In particular, the broadcast program playback section 1102a includes a tuner/demodulation section 131, a first separation section 132, a first video decoding section 133, a first audio decoding section 134, a first subtitle decoding section 135, a data broadcast reception processing section 141, and a data broadcast reception processing section 141. It mainly controls the broadcast engine 142. Note that the data broadcasting engine 142 may be replaced by the BML browser engine 1103 developed on the RAM 104. Furthermore, the communication content playback section 1102b mainly controls the streaming reception processing section 151, the second separation section 152, the second video decoding section 153, the second audio decoding section 154, and the second subtitle decoding section 155. The cooperative application control unit 1102c mainly controls the application control unit 161 and the application engine 162. Note that the application engine 162 may be replaced by an HTML browser engine 1104 developed on the RAM 104. The terminal cooperation management section 1102d mainly controls the terminal cooperation control section 191.

Each of the operating programs may be stored in advance in the ROM 103 and/or the storage unit 110 at the time of product shipment. The information may be acquired from another application server 500 or the like on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121 after the product is shipped. Further, each of the operating programs stored in a memory card, an optical disk, or the like may be acquired via the expansion interface unit 124 or the like.

[Broadcast station server configuration]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the broadcast station server 300. The broadcasting station server 300 includes a main control section 301, a system bus 302, a RAM 304, a storage section 310, and a LAN communication section 321.

The main control section 301 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire broadcasting station server 300 according to a predetermined operating program. The system bus 302 is a data communication path for transmitting and receiving data between the main control unit 301 and each operational block within the broadcast station server 300. The RAM 304 serves as a work area when each operating program is executed.

The storage unit 310 stores a basic operation program 3001 and a content management/distribution program 3002, and further includes a video content storage area 3011 and a metadata storage area 3012. A video content storage area 3011 stores video content and the like of each broadcast program broadcast by a broadcast station. The metadata storage area 3012 stores metadata such as the program title, program ID, program outline, performers, broadcast date and time of each of the broadcast programs.

Further, the basic operation program 3001 and content management/distribution program 3002 stored in the storage unit 310 are each expanded to the RAM 304, and the main control unit 301 further executes the expanded basic operation program and content management/distribution program. This constitutes a basic operation execution unit 3101 and a content management/distribution execution unit 3102.

In the following, to simplify the explanation, the process in which the main control unit 301 controls each operation block by expanding the basic operation program 3001 stored in the storage unit 310 into the RAM 304 and executing it will be described as a basic explanation. The description will be made assuming that the action execution unit 3101 controls each action block. Similar descriptions are made for other operating programs.

The content management/distribution execution unit 3102 manages the video content, etc. and each metadata stored in the video content storage area 3011 and the metadata storage area 3012, and provides services for the video content, etc. and each metadata based on a contract. control when providing information to persons. Furthermore, when providing the video content, etc. and each metadata to the service provider, the content management/distribution execution unit 3102 performs authentication of the service provider server 400 based on the contract, as necessary. We also carry out processing, etc.

The LAN communication unit 321 is connected to the Internet 200 and communicates with the service provider server 400 and the like on the Internet 200. It is assumed that the LAN communication section 321 includes an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and the like.

[Service provider server configuration]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the service provider server 400. The service provider server 400 includes a main control section 401, a system bus 402, a RAM 404, a storage section 410, and a LAN communication section 421.

The main control unit 401 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire service provider server 400 according to a predetermined operating program. The system bus 402 is a data communication path for transmitting and receiving data between the main control unit 401 and each operational block within the service provider server 400. The RAM 404 serves as a work area when each operating program is executed.

The storage unit 410 stores a basic operation program 4001, a content management/distribution program 4002, and an application management/distribution program 4003, and further includes a video content storage area 4011, a metadata storage area 4012, and an application storage area 4013. The video content storage area 4011 and the metadata storage area 4012 store the video content, etc. and each metadata provided from the broadcasting station server 300, content produced by the service provider, metadata related to the content, and the like. The application storage area 4013 stores applications necessary for realizing each service of the broadcasting and communication cooperation system to be distributed in response to requests from each television receiver.

In addition, the basic operation program 4001, content management/distribution program 4002, and application management/distribution program 4003 stored in the storage unit 410 are each expanded to the RAM 404, and the main control unit 401 is also loaded with the expanded basic operation program and content management program. By executing the /distribution program and the application management/distribution program, a basic operation execution unit 4101, a content management/distribution execution unit 4102, and an application management/distribution execution unit 4103 are configured.

In the following, to simplify the explanation, the process in which the main control unit 401 controls each operation block by expanding the basic operation program 4001 stored in the storage unit 410 into the RAM 404 and executing it will be described as a basic explanation. The description will be made assuming that the action execution unit 4101 controls each action block. Similar descriptions are made for other operating programs.

The content management/distribution execution unit 4102 acquires video content, etc. and each metadata from the broadcast station server 300, manages video content, etc. and each metadata stored in the video content storage area 4011 and the metadata storage area 4012, and controls distribution of the video content, etc. and each metadata to each television receiver. Further, the application management/distribution execution unit 4103 manages each application stored in the application storage area 4013 and controls the distribution of each application in response to a request from each television receiver. Furthermore, the application management/distribution execution unit 4103 also performs authentication processing for each of the television receivers as necessary when distributing each of the applications to each of the television receivers.

The LAN communication unit 421 is connected to the Internet 200 and communicates with the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 via the broadcast station server 300 on the Internet 200 and the router device 210. It is assumed that the LAN communication section 421 includes an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and the like.

[Hardware configuration of mobile information terminal]
FIG. 5A is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of mobile information terminal 700. The mobile information terminal 700 includes a main control section 701, a system bus 702, a ROM 703, a RAM 704, a storage section 710, a communication processing section 720, an expansion interface section 724, an operation section 730, an image processing section 740, an audio processing section 750, and a sensor section 760. , consists of.

The main control section 701 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire mobile information terminal 700. The system bus 702 is a data communication path for transmitting and receiving data between the main control unit 701 and each operational block within the mobile information terminal 700.

The ROM 703 is a memory in which basic operating programs such as an operating system and other operating programs are stored, and a rewritable ROM such as an EEPROM or a flash ROM is used, for example. The RAM 704 serves as a work area when executing basic operation programs and other operation programs. The ROM 703 and the RAM 704 may be integrated with the main control unit 701. Further, the ROM 703 may not have an independent configuration as shown in FIG. 5A, but may use a part of the storage area within the storage unit 710.

The storage unit 710 stores the operating program and operation setting values of the portable information terminal 700, the personal information of the user of the portable information terminal 700, and the like. Further, it is possible to store operating programs downloaded from the network and various data created using the operating programs. It is also possible to store content downloaded from the network, such as videos, still images, and audio. All or part of the functions of the ROM 703 may be replaced by a partial area of the storage unit 710. Furthermore, the storage unit 710 needs to retain stored information even when power is not supplied to the portable information terminal 700 from the outside. Therefore, for example, a device such as a flash ROM, SSD, or HDD is used.

It is assumed that each of the operating programs stored in the ROM 703 and the storage section 710 can be updated and functionally expanded by download processing from each server device on the Internet 200.

The communication processing section 720 includes a LAN communication section 721, a mobile telephone network communication section 722, and an NFC communication section 723. The LAN communication unit 721 is connected to the Internet 200 via the router device 210 and sends and receives data to and from each server device on the Internet 200. It is assumed that the connection with the router device 210 is made through a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The mobile telephone network communication unit 722 performs telephone communication (call) and data transmission/reception through wireless communication with the base station 600b of the mobile telephone communication network. The NFC communication unit 723 performs wireless communication when in close proximity to a corresponding reader/writer. It is assumed that the LAN communication section 721, the mobile telephone network communication section 722, and the NFC communication section 723 each include an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, an antenna, and the like. Further, the communication processing unit 720 may further include other communication units such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit and an infrared communication unit.

The expansion interface unit 724 is a group of interfaces for expanding the functions of the mobile information terminal 700, and in this embodiment, it is assumed to be composed of a video/audio interface, a USB interface, a memory interface, and the like. The video/audio interface inputs video signals/audio signals from an external video/audio output device, outputs video signals/audio signals to the external video/audio input device, and so on. The USB interface is connected to a PC or the like to send and receive data. Additionally, a keyboard or other USB devices may be connected. The memory interface connects a memory card or other memory medium to send and receive data.

The operation unit 730 is an instruction input unit for inputting operation instructions to the mobile information terminal 700, and in this embodiment, it is composed of a touch panel 730t arranged over a display unit 741 and an operation key 730k arranged with button switches. shall be taken as a thing. It may be only one of them. The portable information terminal 700 may be operated using a keyboard or the like connected to the expansion interface section 724. The portable information terminal 700 may be operated using a separate portable terminal device connected by wired communication or wireless communication. Further, the touch panel function may be provided in the display section 741.

The image processing section 740 includes a display section 741, an image signal processing section 742, a first image input section 743, and a second image input section 744. The display unit 741 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and provides image data processed by the image signal processing unit 742 to the user of the mobile information terminal 700. The image signal processing section 742 includes a video RAM (not shown), and the display section 741 is driven based on image data input to the video RAM. Furthermore, the image signal processing unit 742 has a function of performing format conversion, menu and other OSD (On Screen Display) signal superimposition processing, etc., as necessary. The first image input unit 743 and the second image input unit 744 convert light input from a lens into an electrical signal using an electronic device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor. , a camera unit that inputs image data of surroundings and objects.

The audio processing section 750 includes an audio output section 751, an audio signal processing section 752, and an audio input section 753. The audio output unit 751 is a speaker, and provides the user of the mobile information terminal 700 with an audio signal processed by the audio signal processing unit 752. The voice input unit 753 is a microphone, and converts the user's voice into voice data and inputs the voice data.

The sensor unit 760 is a group of sensors for detecting the state of the mobile information terminal 700, and in this embodiment, it includes a GPS receiving unit 761, a gyro sensor 762, a geomagnetic sensor 763, an acceleration sensor 764, an illuminance sensor 765, and a proximity sensor 766. , consists of. These sensor groups make it possible to detect the position, inclination, direction, movement, surrounding brightness, proximity of surrounding objects, etc. of the mobile information terminal 700. Furthermore, the mobile information terminal 700 may further include other sensors such as an atmospheric pressure sensor.

The mobile information terminal 700 may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or the like. It may be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a notebook PC. Further, it may be a digital still camera, a video camera capable of shooting moving images, a portable game machine, or other portable digital equipment.

Note that the configuration example of the mobile information terminal 700 shown in FIG. 5A includes many configurations that are not essential to this embodiment, such as a sensor section 760, but even if the configuration does not include these components, this embodiment does not impair its effectiveness. Furthermore, configurations not shown may be further added, such as a digital broadcast reception function and an electronic money payment function.

[Software configuration of mobile information terminal]
FIG. 5B is a software configuration diagram of the portable information terminal 700 of this embodiment, showing the software configuration in the ROM 703, RAM 704, and storage unit 710. In this embodiment, a basic operating program 7001 and other operating programs are stored in the ROM 703, and a cooperation control program 7002, an HTML browser program 7003, and other operating programs are stored in the storage unit 710. The storage unit 710 also includes a content storage area 7011 that stores contents such as videos, still images, and audio, an authentication information storage area 7012 that stores authentication information used in cooperation with a television receiver, and other storage areas. It shall be provided with various information storage areas for storing various information.

The basic operation program 7001 stored in the ROM 703 is expanded into the RAM 704, and the main control unit 701 further executes the expanded basic operation program to constitute a basic operation execution unit 7101. Further, the cooperation control program 7002 and the HTML browser program 7003 stored in the storage unit 710 are each expanded to the RAM 704, and the main control unit 701 further executes each of the expanded operation programs, so that the cooperation control execution unit 7102 and HTML browser engine 7103 is configured. Furthermore, the RAM 704 is provided with a temporary storage area that temporarily holds data created when each operating program is executed, as needed.

In the following, to simplify the explanation, the process in which the main control unit 701 controls each operation block by expanding the basic operation program 7001 stored in the ROM 703 into the RAM 704 and executing it will be referred to as basic operation execution. The description will be made assuming that the unit 7101 controls each operation block. Similar descriptions are made for other operating programs.

The cooperation control execution unit 7102 manages device authentication and connection, transmission and reception of each data, etc. when the mobile information terminal 700 performs a cooperation operation with the television receiver. The HTML browser engine 7103 is an HTML browser that executes an application created for the broadcast communication cooperation system on the mobile information terminal 700.

Each of the operating programs may be stored in advance in the ROM 703 and/or the storage unit 710 at the time of product shipment. It may be acquired from another application server 500 or the like on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 721 or the mobile telephone network communication unit 722 after the product is shipped. Further, each of the operating programs stored in a memory card, an optical disk, or the like may be acquired via the expansion interface section 724 or the like.

[Overview of application control information (AIT)]
The application control information (AIT) of this embodiment is an application (AIT) that cooperates with a broadcast service for a television receiver, etc. (in this embodiment, the broadcast reception device 100) in the broadcast communication cooperation function supported by the broadcast reception device 100. The purpose of this information is to publicize the existence of the Broadcast Cooperation Application (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a broadcast cooperation application) and to instruct its control. The broadcast cooperation application is a broadcast managed application that (1) operates only in the broadcast reception state based on control signals such as start/stop included in the broadcast signal, and is permitted to access broadcast resources based on the control signals. (2) non-broadcasting managed applications whose operation modes such as startup/termination are not controlled by broadcast signals and whose access to broadcast resources is permitted based on means such as application authentication; It can be distinguished from other general applications to which access is not permitted.

AIT transmission methods include a method in which AIT in section format or XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format is transmitted via broadcast waves using a data carousel (DC) method, and a method in which AIT files in section format or XML format are transmitted over the Internet. Any method of distributing from a server device on 200 using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or https (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) may be used. Other methods may also be adopted.

FIG. 6 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the AIT. AIT mainly includes application type 901, application identifier 902, application control code 903, application profile 904, application acquisition source information 905, application boundary and access authority settings 906, startup priority 907, cache information 908, and server access distribution parameters 909. , etc. Furthermore, other information may be included.

The application type 901 defines the application description method. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the description method of the application is HTML. The application identifier 902 is identification information composed of an organization identification for identifying a business operator and an application identification numbered for each business operator to identify each application unit. Note that the application unit is a collection of HTML documents and their reference resources, whose entry documents are HTML documents existing at the location specified by the application acquisition location information 905. The application control code 903 specifies operation control for the target application, and describes one of (1) automatic startup, (2) operable, (3) termination, and (4) prefetch. . The application profile 904 is a value indicating the functions of the television receiver requested by the application, and indicates a combination of functions that the television receiver has as options. By referring to this value, it is determined whether the application can be used.

The application acquisition source information 905 is information that specifies the acquisition source of the application, and is location information for acquiring the HTML document that is first referred to when starting the application. Since it is assumed that an application may be transmitted via broadcasting or placed on a server device on a communication network, the location information specified in the application acquisition destination information 905 is compatible with both cases of broadcast acquisition and communication acquisition. Provisions are made. The application boundary and access restriction setting 906 is information that indicates the operable range as a broadcast managed application as a set of one or more areas (URL: Uniform Resource Locator). Furthermore, access restrictions to broadcast resources for each area are set for each function. The application boundary and access restriction settings 906 specify the range of document transitions to prevent transitions to unexpected documents or access to inappropriate broadcasting resources due to a chain of document transitions from the entry document at application startup. do. Further, it is possible to set access authority to a specific broadcasting resource in units of areas within the range of the document transition.

The activation priority 907 defines which one should be activated with priority when a data broadcast using a broadcast service and a broadcast managed application based on an HTML document exist at the same time. unconditionally specifying data broadcasting as the highest priority on the PMT, specifying the startup priority of a specific application type on the PMT, and specifying the startup priority of the target application in the startup priority 907; shall be possible. Cache information 908 is information used for cache control when holding application resources in preparation for application reuse. This information allows application resources to be cached for reuse even after the application ends. The server access distribution parameters 909 are a parameter set for distributing accesses for the purpose of reducing the load on servers where accesses are concentrated, such as at application acquisition destinations. The television receiver may operate to probabilistically delay application of the application control code according to the setting of this parameter.

Below, the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be explained.

[Operation sequence when starting the application]
First, a description will be given of a process for starting a broadcast collaboration application based on an AIT transmitted via broadcast waves in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment. The broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment uses information on the PMT, application control code 903 of the AIT, startup priority 907, and other information to determine which one takes priority when data broadcasting by a broadcasting service and a broadcast cooperation application exist at the same time. It is possible to specify whether to start it.

FIG. 7A is an operation sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation sequence of the broadcast cooperation application when it is specified that the broadcast cooperation application is started with priority. This figure shows a series of steps in which the broadcast receiving device 100 appropriately checks the PMT and AIT and starts a predetermined broadcast cooperation application.

When the tuner/demodulator 131 of the broadcast receiving device 100 performs tuning processing on the channel desired by the user and acquires the TS, the main controller 101 then acquires the PMT data string separated by the first separator 132. (S101), the activation priority described in the PMT is confirmed. When it is confirmed in the process of S101 that the launch priority of the broadcast cooperation application is high (S102), the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S103), and the acquired AIT The application control code 903 in the data string is confirmed (S104). In the process of S104, if the application control code 903 is "auto start", the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data string is further checked (S105), and the execution of the broadcast collaboration application specified in the AIT is confirmed. If it is confirmed that it is possible, a request to send the broadcast collaboration application is sent to the predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 based on the information described in the application acquisition source information 905. (S106).

The service provider server 400 that has received the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application performs authentication processing on the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary under the control of the application management/distribution execution unit 4103, and then stores the data in the application storage area 4013. The stored predetermined broadcast collaboration application is distributed via the LAN communication unit 421 (S107). Note that a known method may be used for the authentication process, and detailed explanation will be omitted. Next, the application engine 162 of the broadcast receiving device 100 starts the predetermined broadcast collaboration application received via the LAN communication unit 121 and distributed from the service provider server 400 based on the control of the application control unit 161. (S108).

FIG. 7B is an operation sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation sequence of the broadcast cooperation application when it is specified that data broadcasting by the broadcasting service is started with priority. This figure shows a series of steps in which the broadcast receiving device 100 appropriately checks the PMT and AIT and starts a predetermined broadcast cooperation application.

When the tuner/demodulator 131 of the broadcast receiving device 100 performs tuning processing on the channel desired by the user and acquires the TS, the main controller 101 then acquires the PMT data string separated by the first separator 132. (S201), the activation priority described in the PMT is confirmed. When it is confirmed in the process of S201 that the activation priority of data broadcasting by the broadcasting service is high (S202), the data broadcasting reception processing unit 141 acquires the BML data string separated by the first separation unit 132 and converts it into a BML document. Playback (S203). If automatic start of data broadcasting is set by the BML document, and if the user requests start of data broadcasting using an operation terminal (personal digital assistant 700, remote control, etc.) (S204), data broadcasting engine 142 generates data broadcasting screen information by executing the reproduced BML document and displays it on the video display section 173 (S205).

After the process of S205 or simultaneously with the process of S205, the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data string separated by the first separating unit 132 (S206), and checks the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data string. (S207). In the process of S207, if it is confirmed that the broadcast cooperation application designated by the AIT is executable, an entry button for the executable broadcast cooperation application is displayed on the data broadcasting screen. The entry button may be always displayed, and the color scheme may be changed from an inactive color to an active color only when the broadcast cooperation application can be executed. The entry button may be switched between an inactive state and an active state by changing its shape.

When the user selects the entry button using the operation terminal (S208), the data broadcasting engine 142 finishes the process of executing the BML document and generating data broadcasting screen information (S209). Subsequently, the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S210), and checks the application acquisition destination information 905 of the acquired AIT data string. Furthermore, based on the information described in the application acquisition source information 905 confirmed in S210, a request to send a broadcast collaboration application is transmitted to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 (S211).

The service provider server 400 that has received the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application performs authentication processing on the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary under the control of the application management/distribution execution unit 4103, and then stores the data in the application storage area 4013. The stored predetermined broadcast collaboration application is distributed via the LAN communication unit 421 (S212). Next, the application engine 162 of the broadcast receiving device 100 starts the predetermined broadcast collaboration application received via the LAN communication unit 121 and distributed from the service provider server 400 based on the control of the application control unit 161. (S213).

FIG. 7C is an operation sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation sequence of the broadcast cooperation application when no priority activation is specified. This figure shows a series of steps in which the broadcast receiving device 100 appropriately checks the PMT and AIT and starts a predetermined broadcast cooperation application.

When the tuner/demodulator 131 of the broadcast receiving device 100 performs tuning processing on the channel desired by the user and acquires the TS, the main controller 101 then acquires the PMT data string separated by the first separator 132. (S301), the activation priority described in the PMT is confirmed. When it is confirmed in the process of S301 that the launch priority of the broadcast cooperation application is high (S302), the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S303), and the acquired AIT The application control code 903 in the data string is confirmed (S304). In the process of S304, if the application control code 903 is "startable" instead of "automatic start", the display of the broadcast program is continued without starting either the data broadcast by the broadcast service or the broadcast cooperation application.

If the user uses the operation terminal to request the activation of data broadcasting after completing the process in S304 (S305), the acquisition of the BML data string and the BML Reproduction of documents, generation of data broadcasting screen information, etc. are performed (however, not shown). On the other hand, when the user uses the operation terminal to request the launch of the broadcast cooperation application launcher after completing the process in S304 (S306), the application control unit 161 selects the AIT data separated by the first separation unit 132. A column is acquired (S307), and the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data column is confirmed (S308). Further, the application control unit 161 displays a list of executable broadcast collaboration applications as a broadcast collaboration application launcher on the video display unit 173 (S309).

When the user uses the operating terminal to select a predetermined broadcast cooperation application from the broadcast cooperation application launcher displayed in S309 (S310), the application control unit 161 selects the AIT data string separated by the first separation unit 132. The AIT data string is acquired (S311), and the application acquisition destination information 905 of the acquired AIT data string is confirmed. Furthermore, based on the information written in the application acquisition source information 905 confirmed in S311, a request to send a broadcast collaboration application is sent to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 (S312).

The service provider server 400 that has received the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application performs authentication processing on the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary under the control of the application management/distribution execution unit 4103, and then stores the data in the application storage area 4013. The stored predetermined broadcast collaboration application is distributed via the LAN communication unit 421 (S313). Next, the application engine 162 of the broadcast receiving device 100 starts the predetermined broadcast collaboration application received via the LAN communication unit 121 and distributed from the service provider server 400 based on the control of the application control unit 161. (S314).

In addition, in the startup sequence of the broadcast cooperation application explained using FIGS. 7A to 7C, an example is explained in which AIT is obtained from broadcast waves. The AIT file may also be obtained from. Furthermore, the broadcast cooperation application may be obtained from broadcast waves instead of from the server device (service provider server 400) on the network. That is, when the location information written in the application acquisition source information 905 of the AIT indicates a broadcast wave, the application control unit 161 receives the HTML data string transmitted by the data carousel method or the like and separated and output by the first separation unit 132. The HTML document may be played back from , and the application engine 162 may execute the played back HTML document (broadcast cooperation application).

Note that if there is no information on the PMT that specifies the activation priority when data broadcasting by a broadcasting service and a broadcast cooperation application exist at the same time, the activation is performed based only on information such as the application control code 903 and activation priority 907 of the AIT. You may also check the priority. Similarly, even if acquisition of the information on the PMT fails, the activation priority may be checked only based on information such as the application control code 903 and activation priority 907 of the AIT. That is, regardless of the information on the PMT, the AIT is checked periodically, and if there is a broadcast cooperation application specified as "auto start" in the application control code 903 of the AIT, the broadcast cooperation application is If there is no broadcast cooperation application specified by "auto start" in the application control code 903 of the AIT, priority may be given to starting data broadcasting by the broadcasting service.

Additionally, if there is no response from the service provider server 400 for a predetermined period of time or more when a request for distribution of a broadcast collaboration application is made in S106, S211, or S312, a message such as "Please wait for a while" is displayed on the video display unit 173. It may also be displayed. Alternatively, in this case, a message may be displayed asking the user to cancel execution of the broadcast cooperation application.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the starting sequence of the broadcast cooperation application is not limited to the three patterns described above, and that the starting sequence may be different.

[Operation sequence when linking mobile information terminals]
In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is assumed that the functions of the broadcast communication cooperation service can be expanded by cooperative operation between the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the mobile information terminal 700. For example, by installing an application (cooperative control application) prepared by a television receiver manufacturer, it becomes possible to use the mobile information terminal 700 as a high-performance remote control for the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Furthermore, it is possible to execute a broadcast collaboration application on the mobile information terminal 700, and to display, for example, a service linked to the broadcast program being displayed on the broadcast receiving device 100 also on the mobile information terminal 700. Note that in order to expand functionality through cooperative operation between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700, it is desirable that the cooperation control application is activated on the mobile information terminal 700, and It is assumed that the broadcast cooperation application that performs the broadcast operation is controlled by the cooperation control application.

FIG. 8A is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence when starting the cooperation control application on the mobile information terminal 700. This figure shows a series of steps (first time) from when the mobile information terminal 700 performs authentication processing with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 until cooperative operation becomes possible. It is assumed that the cooperation control application is installed in the storage unit 710 of the mobile information terminal 700 in advance as a cooperation control program 7002.

When the user instructs to start the cooperative control application on the mobile information terminal 700 (S401), the cooperative control execution unit 7102 of the mobile information terminal 700 searches for a television receiver that can communicate (cooperatively operate) on the network ( S402), the search results are displayed on the display unit 741 as a list of television receivers. If a communicable television receiver cannot be found, a message to that effect is displayed and the process ends. When the user selects an arbitrary television receiver (the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment) from the list of television receivers, the cooperation control execution unit 7102 displays a login screen for connecting to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 on the display unit 741. do. When the user inputs authentication information (login name and password specified by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, etc.) on the login screen via the operation unit 730 (S403), the cooperative control execution unit 7102 inputs the input authentication information. is stored in the authentication information storage area 7012 and simultaneously transmitted to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S404). Note that the process of transmitting the authentication information to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may be performed via the LAN communication section 721 and the router device 210, or may be performed directly to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 via the NFC communication section 723. .

The terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving device 100 that has received the authentication information via the LAN communication unit 121 checks whether the received authentication information is correct by referring to the authentication information storage area 1012. (S405). If the received authentication information is confirmed to be correct through the process of S405, the information of the mobile information terminal 700 is stored in the authentication information storage area 1012, and the mobile information terminal 700 is authenticated (S406). The mobile information terminal 700 that has been authenticated by the broadcast receiving device 100 displays a basic screen (for example, a high-performance remote control screen) of the cooperative control application on the display unit 741 (S407). In S405, if the received authentication information is not confirmed to be correct, the terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving device 100 returns an error to the mobile information terminal 700. Through the above processing, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 become capable of cooperative operation.

FIG. 8B is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence when starting the cooperation control application on the mobile information terminal 700. This figure shows a series of steps (from the second time onwards) from when the mobile information terminal 700 performs authentication processing with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 until cooperative operation becomes possible.

When the user instructs to start the cooperative control application on the mobile information terminal 700 (S501), the cooperative control execution unit 7102 of the mobile information terminal 700 searches for a communicable television receiver on the network, and displays the search results on the television. It is displayed on the display section 741 as a list of receivers. If a communicable television receiver cannot be found, a message to that effect is displayed and the process ends. The user selects an arbitrary television receiver (broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment) from the list of television receivers (S502), and confirms that the selected broadcast receiving apparatus 100 has made a connection (cooperative operation) in the past. If it is a certain device, the cooperation control execution unit 7102 reads the authentication information of the broadcast receiving device 100 from the authentication information storage area 7012 and transmits it to the broadcast receiving device 100 (S503).

The terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving device 100 that has received the authentication information via the LAN communication unit 121 checks whether the received authentication information is correct by referring to the authentication information storage area 1012. (S504). If the received authentication information is confirmed to be correct through the process of S504, the mobile information terminal 700 is authenticated (S505). The mobile information terminal 700 that has been authenticated by the broadcast receiving device 100 displays the basic screen of the cooperation control application on the display unit 741 (S506). Through the above processing, the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 become capable of cooperative operation.

Note that when starting a broadcast cooperation application in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 subsequent to the processing in FIGS. 8A to 8B, the processing in FIGS. 7A to 7C may be performed after the processing in FIGS. 8A to 8B.

FIG. 8C is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence when starting the cooperation control application on the mobile information terminal 700. This figure shows a series of steps (from the second time onwards) from when the mobile information terminal 700 performs authentication processing with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 until cooperative operation becomes possible. However, this figure shows an example in which the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that executes the start sequence of the broadcast cooperation application requests the start-up of the cooperation control application on the mobile information terminal 700.

When the tuner/demodulator 131 of the broadcast receiving device 100 performs tuning processing on the channel desired by the user and acquires the TS, the main controller 101 then acquires the PMT data string separated by the first separator 132. (S601), the activation priority described in the PMT is confirmed. When it is confirmed in the process of S601 that the launch priority of the broadcast collaboration application is high (S602), the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S603), and the acquired AIT The application control code 903 in the data string is confirmed (S604). In the process of S604, if the application control code 903 is "auto start", the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data string is further checked (S605). In the process of S605, if it is confirmed that the broadcast cooperation application specified by the AIT can be executed, and furthermore, it is determined that cooperation control of the mobile terminal device is necessary, the terminal cooperation control unit 191 performs authentication. By referring to the information storage area 1012, the mobile information terminal 700 is selected as the mobile terminal device, and a cooperation control application activation request is transmitted to the selected mobile information terminal 700 (S606).

Note that selection of the mobile information terminal 700 by referring to the authentication information storage area 1012 is performed based on the latest information in the authentication information storage area 1012 or based on the most frequently used information in the authentication information storage area 1012. All you have to do is make it so.

Further, in the process of S606, if the mobile terminal device to which the cooperative control application activation request should be sent cannot be found, a message indicating this fact may be displayed on the video display section 173. Alternatively, in this case, a message may be displayed asking the user to cancel execution of the broadcast cooperation application.

The main control unit 701 of the mobile information terminal 700 starts the cooperation control application (the cooperation control execution unit 7102) in response to the cooperation control application activation request received via the LAN communication unit 721 (S607), and further performs the cooperation control. The execution unit 7102 reads the authentication information of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 from the authentication information storage area 7012 and transmits it to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S608).

The terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving device 100 that has received the authentication information via the LAN communication unit 121 checks whether the received authentication information is correct by referring to the authentication information storage area 1012. (S609). If the received authentication information is confirmed to be correct through the process of S609, the mobile information terminal 700 is authenticated (S610). The mobile information terminal 700 that has been authenticated by the broadcast receiving device 100 displays the basic screen of the cooperation control application on the display unit 741 (S611). Through the above processing, the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 become capable of cooperative operation.

Note that when the broadcast cooperation application is executed on both the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 following the above-described processing, the processing shown in FIG. 9 may be performed. FIG. 9 is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of the startup sequence of the broadcast cooperation application of the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700.

That is, after the processing of S601 to S611 in FIG. 8C, the application control unit 161 of the broadcast receiving device 100 acquires the AIT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S612), and applies the application of the acquired AIT data string. Check the acquisition source information 905. Furthermore, based on the information described in the application acquisition source information 905 confirmed in S612, a request to send the broadcast cooperation application (TV side) is sent to the predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121. (S613).

The service provider server 400 that has received the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application (TV side) performs authentication processing on the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary under the control of the application management/distribution execution unit 4103, and then transmits the application. The predetermined broadcast cooperation application (TV side) stored in the storage area 4013 is distributed via the LAN communication unit 421 (S614). The application engine 162 of the broadcast receiving device 100 executes the predetermined broadcast collaboration application (TV side) received via the LAN communication unit 121 and distributed from the service provider server 400 under the control of the application control unit 161. It is activated (S615).

Next, the terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving device 100 determines the acquisition destination of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) to be executed on the mobile information terminal 700, obtained from the AIT or the broadcast cooperation application (TV side) executed in S615. The URL information and the like are transmitted to the mobile information terminal 700 (S616). The cooperation control execution unit 7102 of the mobile information terminal 700 executes a predetermined service project via the LAN communication unit 721 based on the acquisition destination URL information of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) received via the LAN communication unit 721. A transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) is transmitted to the user server 400 (S617).

The service provider server 400, which has received the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side), performs authentication processing for the mobile information terminal 700 as necessary under the control of the application management/distribution execution unit 4103, and then transmits the application. The predetermined broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) stored in the storage area 4013 is distributed via the LAN communication unit 421 (S618). The HTML browser engine 7103 of the mobile information terminal 700 starts the predetermined broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) received via the LAN communication unit 721 and distributed from the service provider server 400 (S619).

Note that the AIT file can be obtained from a predetermined server device, the broadcast cooperation application can be obtained from broadcast waves rather than from a server device on the network, etc., which are the same as the operation sequences shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C. be. Note that when acquiring a broadcast cooperation application from a broadcast wave, the broadcast reception device 100 acquires the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) to be executed on the mobile information terminal 700 from the broadcast wave, and ) may be transferred to the mobile information terminal 700 via the communication unit 121. Alternatively, the broadcast receiving device 100 acquires the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) to be executed on the mobile information terminal 700 from the broadcast wave, stores it in the storage unit 110, and transmits it to the mobile information terminal 700 in the process of S616 in FIG. Location information of the storage unit 110 of the broadcast receiving device 100 may be transmitted as the URL information. The broadcast receiving device 100 may obtain the broadcast cooperation application (on the television side) from a broadcast wave, and the mobile information terminal 700 may obtain the broadcast cooperation application (on the terminal side) from a server device on the network. The digital broadcast reception function of the mobile information terminal 700 may be used to obtain the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) directly from the broadcast waves.

Furthermore, each of the operation sequences shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, FIGS. 8A to 8C, and FIG. , simultaneous operation, etc. are possible.

[Mobile information terminal cooperative control application basic screen]
FIG. 10A is a screen display diagram showing an example of the basic screen of the cooperative control application displayed by the process of S407 of FIG. 8A, the process of S506 of FIG. 8B, the process of S611 of FIG. 8C, and the like. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the basic screen 741a of the cooperative control application has a function as a high-performance remote control compatible with the broadcast receiving device 100.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the basic screen 741a of the cooperative control application includes a power key 741a1, a network selection key (terrestrial digital, BS, CS) 741a2, numeric keys (1 to 12) 741a3, a volume UP/DOWN key 741a4, Channel UP/DOWN key 741a5, input switching key 741a6, program guide key 741a7, data key 741a8, linked application key 741a9, menu key 741aa, back key 741ab, cursor key (up, down, left, right) 741ac, enter key 741ad , color keys (blue, red, green, yellow) 741ae. Other operation keys may also be displayed.

It is convenient to use each of the operation keys if the key arrangement/operation is similar to that of the dedicated remote control attached to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Further, the power key 741a1, network selection key 741a2, numeric key 741a3, etc. have the same functions as the operation keys of a known television remote controller, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The cooperation application key 741a9 is an operation key prepared for the broadcast communication cooperation function of this embodiment.

In addition, in the processing of S204 in FIG. 7B and S305 in FIG. 7C, it is assumed that data broadcasting can be started/ended by selecting the data key 741a8. Furthermore, in the processing of S208 in FIG. 7B and S310 in FIG. 7C, it is assumed that the executable broadcast cooperation application can be selected by operating the cursor key 741ac and the enter key 741ad. In addition, in the process of S306 in FIG. 7C, it is assumed that a start request for the broadcast cooperation application launcher can be made by selecting the cooperation application key 741a9.

If the cooperation application key 741a9 or other operation keys with similar functions are prepared on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application, each broadcast cooperation application used in the broadcast cooperation system of this embodiment can be easily selected/selected. It becomes possible to start. Further, the dedicated remote control attached to the broadcast receiving device 100 may be provided with the cooperative application key 741a9 or other operation keys having a similar function.

FIG. 10B is a screen display diagram showing an example of the basic screen of the cooperation control application displayed by the process of S407 of FIG. 8A, the process of S506 of FIG. 8B, the process of S611 of FIG. 8C, etc. This is a different example.

The basic screen 741b of the cooperative control application includes a cooperative control message 741b1 and a cooperative control application operation screen 741b2. Other objects may also be displayed. The cooperative control message 741b1 is a message display for making the user aware that the mobile information terminal 700 is in cooperative operation with the broadcast receiving device 100. The cooperation control application operation screen 741b2 is an area where any screen display is performed by the cooperation control application, and detailed explanation will be omitted in this embodiment. For example, the configuration within the cooperative control application operation screen 741b2 may be the same as the basic screen 741a of the previously described cooperative control application. A sub-screen or the like of the broadcast program being displayed on the broadcast receiving device 100 may be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 10B, by displaying the cooperative control message 741b1, the user of the mobile information terminal 700 can easily understand that the mobile information terminal 700 is in cooperative operation with the broadcast receiving device 100. It becomes like this. Note that the cooperative control message 741b1 is not limited to a text display, and may be a symbol display, a graphic display, or the like. It may be used as a substitute for the cooperative control message 741b1 due to the difference in background color, etc.

[Data broadcast screen of broadcast receiving device]
FIG. 11 is a screen display diagram showing an example of the data broadcasting screen displayed by the process of S205 in FIG. 7B. In this embodiment, it is assumed that three broadcast cooperation applications, cooperation application A, cooperation application B, and cooperation application C, are executable on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the description of the AIT. In this case, an entry button 173a2 for cooperative application A, an entry button 173a3 for cooperative application B, and an entry button 173a4 for cooperative application C are displayed at any position on the data broadcasting screen 173a.

On the data broadcast screen 173a shown in FIG. 11, if you select the entry button 173a2, entry button 173a3, entry button 173a4, etc. using the cursor key 741ac and enter key 741ad on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application, the data broadcast When the display of the screen 173a ends, the cooperative application A, the cooperative application B, the cooperative application C, etc. are activated under the control of the application control unit 161 and the application engine 162.

Note that when displaying the data broadcasting screen 173a, the frame color, internal color, shape, font, size, blinking status, etc. of each entry button may be changed as appropriate depending on the type of broadcasting cooperation application, security status, etc. You can also do it. For example, if the linked application A is a broadcast managed application, the frame color of the entry button 173a2 is set to blue, and if the linked application B is a non-broadcast managed application, the frame color of the entry button 173a3 is set to yellow, and the For example, if the cooperative application C is a general application, the frame color of the entry button 173a4 is set to red. Alternatively, if the cooperative application A is determined to be reliable from a security standpoint, the frame color of the entry button 173a2 may be set to blue, and if it is determined that the cooperative application B is not necessarily reliable from a security standpoint, the entry button 173a2 may be set to blue. For example, the frame color of the entry button 173a3 is made yellow, and if the cooperative application C is determined to be dangerous in terms of security, the frame color of the entry button 173a4 is made red.

In addition, the frame color, internal color, shape, font, size, blinking status, etc. of each entry button may vary depending on the function or genre of the broadcast cooperation application, or the expiration date of each broadcast cooperation application. may be changed as appropriate. The frame color, internal color, shape, font, size, blinking status, etc. of each entry button may be changed as appropriate depending on whether the broadcast cooperation application has been obtained from the network or not. . For example, if the cooperation application A has already been acquired from the network (cached in the RAM 104 or storage 110), the frame color of the entry button 173a2 is set to blue, and if the cooperation application B is being acquired, the entry button 173a2 is set to blue. For example, the frame color of the button 173a3 is made yellow, and if the cooperative application C has not been acquired, the frame color of the entry button 173a4 is made red.

In this way, the user of the broadcast receiving device 100 can easily understand the types of broadcast cooperation applications that can be executed by the broadcast receiving device 100, the security status, etc.

[Broadcasting cooperation application launcher screen of broadcasting receiving device]
FIG. 12A is a screen display diagram showing an example of a notification screen for making the user aware that there is a broadcast cooperation application that can be started in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment.

For example, in the operation sequence shown in FIG. 7C, after the processing in S304, the display of the broadcast program is continued without starting either the data broadcast by the broadcast service or the broadcast collaboration application. On the other hand, in this case, if an icon 173b0 as shown in FIG. 12A is displayed to make the user aware that there is a broadcast cooperation application that can be started, the usability of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 will be improved. That is, by displaying the icon 173b0, it is possible to prevent the user from overlooking the existence of the broadcast cooperation application that can be started.

Note that the icon 173b0 may be displayed at any position on the screen, but it is preferable that the icon 173b0 be displayed at a position that does not interfere with viewing the broadcast program. For example, the four corners of the screen. Moreover, the icon 173b0 may be a character display as shown in FIG. 12A, or may be a symbol, a figure, or the like. Further, the icon 173b0 may be displayed all the time, or may be displayed only for a predetermined time after the power is turned on or after channel switching. Alternatively, it may be displayed simultaneously when program information, channel numbers, etc. are displayed.

FIG. 12B is a screen display diagram showing an example of the broadcast cooperation application launcher displayed by the process of S306 in FIG. 7C. In this embodiment, it is assumed that three broadcast cooperation applications, cooperation application A, cooperation application B, and cooperation application C, are executable on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the description of the AIT. In this case, a broadcast cooperation application launcher 173b1 is displayed at an arbitrary position on the broadcast program screen 173b, and furthermore, within the broadcast cooperation application launcher 173b1, an entry button 173b2 for cooperation application A, an entry button 173b3 for cooperation application B, and an entry button 173b3 for cooperation application C are displayed. An entry button 173b4 and a return button 173b5 are displayed.

While the broadcast cooperation application launcher 173b1 as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed, use the cursor key 741ac and enter key 741ad on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application to select entry button 173b2, entry button 173b3, entry button 173b4, etc., cooperative application A, cooperative application B, cooperative application C, etc. are started under the control of the application control unit 161 and the application engine 162. When the return button 173b5 is selected, the display of the broadcast cooperation application launcher 173b1 ends.

Note that when displaying the broadcast cooperation application launcher 173b1 on the broadcast program screen 173b, depending on the type and security status of the broadcast cooperation application, the function and genre of the broadcast cooperation application, the acquisition status of the broadcast application from the network, etc. , the frame color, internal color, shape, font, size, blinking status, etc. of each entry button may be changed as appropriate. This is the same as when displaying .

Furthermore, if there is no broadcast cooperation application that can be executed by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, the broadcast cooperation application launcher 173b1 may not be displayed. Alternatively, in this case, a message such as ``There are no usable applications'' may be displayed inside the broadcast cooperation application launcher 173b1.

[Broadcast cooperation application execution screen of broadcast receiving device]
FIG. 13A is a screen display diagram showing an example of a broadcast cooperation application execution screen displayed in the process of S108 of FIG. 7A, the process of S213 of FIG. 7B, the process of S314 of FIG. 7C, the process of S615 of FIG. 9, etc. be. It is assumed that the broadcast cooperation application of this embodiment has graphics performance, effect performance, etc. written in HTML, and can be displayed as an overlay with the broadcast program screen on the video display section 173. For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, a broadcast collaboration application section 173c1 that displays information such as weather forecasts and news is displayed as an overlay at an arbitrary position on the broadcast program screen 173c. The broadcast cooperation application section 173c1 includes a first main object 173c2, a second main object 173c3, a third main object 173c4, a background object 173c5, and the like. Other objects may also be displayed.

By selecting the data key 741a8 on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application while the broadcast cooperation application section 173c1 is displayed as an overlay on the broadcast program screen 173c, the execution of the broadcast cooperation application is ended and the data broadcasting screen is displayed. It shall be possible to migrate to Furthermore, by selecting the cooperation application key 741a9 on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application, it is possible to end the execution of the broadcast cooperation application and return to displaying only the broadcast program screen 173c. The processing may be realized using different operation keys.

In addition, the transparency of the broadcast cooperation application section 173c1 can be changed by operating each operation key on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application while the broadcast cooperation application section 173c1 is displayed as an overlay on the broadcast program screen 173c. It shall be possible to do so. The transparency change process may be performed for the entire broadcast cooperation application section 173c1 at once, or for each of the first main object 173c2, second main object 173c3, third main object 173c4, and background object 173c5. It may be performed alone. It may be performed for each predetermined group (for example, a plurality of objects existing in the same graphics layer).

When performing the transparency change process, for example, select an object using the cursor key 741ac on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application, increase the transparency of the object using the "blue" key of the color keys 741ae, Use the "yellow" key to decrease the transparency of objects. The transparency change process may be performed using different operation keys. If the entire broadcast cooperation application section 173c1 is set to have a transparency of 100%, the broadcast cooperation application section 173c1 can be temporarily hidden. For example, when an emergency broadcast is distributed via broadcast waves, it is also possible to set the transparency of the entire broadcast cooperation application section to 100% and display only the broadcast program screen of the emergency broadcast on the video display section 173. Alternatively, a CM detection unit (not shown) detects that the broadcast program has changed from the main video to a CM video, and collectively sets the entire broadcast cooperation application unit 173c1 to 100% transparency (or makes the video of the broadcast program clear). It may also be controlled so that the transparency can be checked.

By performing the above processing, if you want to check the broadcast program screen in the background while the broadcast cooperation application is running, you can check the broadcast program screen without terminating the broadcast cooperation application. Become.

FIG. 13B shows an example different from the above-described example of the broadcast cooperation application execution screen displayed in the process of S108 in FIG. 7A, the process in S213 in FIG. 7B, the process in S314 in FIG. 7C, the process in S615 in FIG. 9, etc. FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 13B, a broadcast collaboration application section 173c6 that introduces recommended programs is displayed as an overlay at an arbitrary position on the broadcast program screen 173c. The broadcast cooperation application section 173c6 displays first recommended program information 173c7, second recommended program information 173c8, third recommended program information 173c9, and the like. More recommended program information may be displayed by scrolling, page switching, or the like.

Each of the recommended program information may be information on a program recommended in relation to the broadcast program being displayed (broadcast program screen 173c), or may be information on a program recommended based on the user's viewing history. The information may also be information about a program that is a hot topic on the Internet or the like. The information may be information about a recommended program sent to the user by a friend of the user of the broadcast receiving device 100. Further, the recommended program may be a program transmitted via broadcast waves of a digital broadcasting service, or may be a VOD (Video On Demand) program distributed from each server device on the Internet 200. good. It may also be an information screen such as a home page prepared on a server device on the Internet 200.

With the broadcast cooperation application section 173c6 overlay displayed on the broadcast program screen 173c, use the cursor key 741ac and enter key 741ad on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application to select the first recommended program information 173c7 and the second recommended program information. By selecting information 173c8, third recommended program information 173c9, etc., each program video recommended by first recommended program information 173c7, second recommended program information 173c8, third recommended program information 173c9, etc. is displayed on display section 173. will be displayed.

FIG. 13C is a screen display diagram showing an example of a case where a program video recommended by the broadcast cooperation application section 173c6 that introduces the recommended program is displayed. For example, when the first recommended program information 173c7 of the broadcast cooperation application section 173c6 is selected using the cursor key 741ac and enter key 741ad of the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application, the first recommended program information 173c7 is displayed on the display section 173. A program video 173ca of the program to be displayed is displayed. The program video 173ca may be able to be paused, jumped at a specified time, etc. by the user's operation on the operating terminal. Further, when displaying the program video 173ca, the original broadcast program screen 173c may be displayed at an arbitrary position in PIP (Picture In Picture) format. In this case, it may be possible to change which of the program video 173ca of the recommended program and the original broadcast program screen 173c is to be used as the main screen by the user's operation on the operating terminal. The size of the window on the original broadcast program screen 173c may be adjusted by the user's operation on the operating terminal.

Further, an icon display 173cb indicating that the program video 173ca of the recommended program is a video displayed by selecting one of the recommended program information displayed on the broadcast cooperation application section 173c6 is displayed at an arbitrary position on the screen. User convenience can be improved by displaying the information in Needless to say, the transparency of the broadcast cooperation application section 173c6 may also be changed on the broadcast cooperation application execution screen shown in FIG. 13B in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 13D shows a different example from the above of the broadcast cooperation application execution screen displayed in the process of S108 in FIG. 7A, the process in S213 in FIG. 7B, the process in S314 in FIG. 7C, the process in S615 in FIG. 9, etc. FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 13D, a broadcast cooperation application section 173cc serving as a portal for an SNS (Social Networking Service) service is displayed as an overlay at an arbitrary position on the broadcast program screen 173c. The broadcast cooperation application section 173cc displays a first SNS service entry button 173cd, a second SNS service entry button 173ce, a third SNS service entry button 173cf, and the like. Entry buttons for even more SNS services may be displayed by scrolling, page switching, etc.

With the broadcast cooperation application section 173cc overlay displayed on the broadcast program screen 173c, use the cursor key 741ac and enter key 741ad of the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application to press the entry button 173cd of the first SNS service and the second SNS service entry button 173c. By selecting the entry button 173ce for the SNS service, the entry button 173cf for the third SNS service, etc., the functions assigned to each entry button, such as the chat function, bulletin board function, and Internet telephone function, are enabled. This makes it possible to enjoy the broadcast program being displayed (broadcast program screen 173c) while exchanging information with others. Furthermore, at the same time, the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application on the mobile information terminal 700 may be changed to a character input screen such as a software keyboard or a voice input screen for chatting or posting on a bulletin board by voice input. good.

In addition to the above-mentioned example, the broadcast cooperation application that can be executed by the broadcast reception apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes synchronization with the broadcast timing of commercials using the cooperation function between the broadcast reception apparatus 100 and the mobile information terminal 700. Then, a related CM application may be presented to both the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700. Alternatively, in a paid service that can be used by the broadcast receiving device 100, the broadcast cooperation application checks whether the user of the broadcast receiving device 100 has subscribed to the paid service, and depending on the result, the broadcast receiving device 100 and/or the mobile information terminal 700 It may be something like changing the display of. In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the effects described using FIGS. 13A, 13B, etc. can be enjoyed no matter which broadcast cooperation application is executed.

[Broadcast receiving device error display screen]
FIG. 14 shows broadcast cooperation by checking the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data string in the process of S105 in FIG. 7A, the process in S207 in FIG. 7B, the process in S308 in FIG. 7C, the process in S605 in FIG. 8C, etc. FIG. 7 is a screen display diagram showing an example of an error display screen when it is determined that the application cannot be executed, when the AIT description is insufficient, or when AIT acquisition fails, etc.

In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when it is determined that the broadcast cooperation application cannot be executed, the reason why the broadcast cooperation application cannot be executed, such as the confirmation result of the application profile 904, is determined. The error message 173d1 is displayed. For example, if the result of checking the application profile 904 is that a predetermined optional function is missing on the television receiver side, this fact is displayed in the error message 173d1. The error code and a guide (URL, etc.) to the television receiver manufacturer's home page containing an explanation of the error code may be displayed. Alternatively, when acquiring a broadcast cooperation application from a network, the network connection status is of course checked in advance, but at this time, for example, if the acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application is not possible due to a LAN cable connection problem, etc. If it is not possible, an error message 173d1 is displayed to that effect. Furthermore, the error message 173d1 may be displayed even if the network connection has been established, but the broadcast cooperation application cannot be acquired correctly due to poor error conditions. An error message 173d1 may be displayed when the broadcast cooperation application is being acquired and the broadcast cooperation application is not yet in a state where it can be executed. Additionally, error message 173d1 is also displayed when the reception status of broadcast waves is unstable and it becomes impossible to receive information such as AIT, etc., even though it was initially possible to receive information such as AIT. good. Note that in such a case, if the broadcast collaboration application acquired from each server device is cached as it is, it can be used as is after the broadcast wave reception status recovers.

Furthermore, if the result of checking the application profile 904 is that the TV receiver lacks a predetermined optional function, an error message 173d1 is displayed to recommend checking or updating the latest TV receiver firmware. You can do it like this. Alternatively, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may automatically check or update the latest firmware. Alternatively, if the broadcast cooperation application can be made executable by adding paid optional hardware or software to the television receiver, a guide to the paid optional hardware or software may be displayed. good. Note that the error message 173d1 may be displayed on the mobile information terminal 700 instead of on the broadcast receiving device 100.

[Broadcast cooperation application execution screen on mobile information terminal]
FIG. 15 is a screen display diagram showing an example of the broadcast collaboration application (terminal side) execution screen displayed in the process of S619 in FIG. The broadcast cooperation application execution screen 741c shown in FIG. 15 includes a main window 741c1, a subwindow 741c2, a selection marker 741c3, cursor keys 741c4 and 741c5, an explanation display section 741c6, and an end button 741c7. Other objects may also be added.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) executed on the mobile information terminal 700 is an application for checking details of the broadcast program being displayed on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Further, the main window 741c1 displays the same video as the broadcast program screen displayed on the broadcast receiving device 100, and the subwindow 741c2 displays an enlarged video at the position specified by the selection marker 741c3. It is assumed that the position of the selection marker 741c3 can be changed by selecting the cursor keys 741c4 and 741c5. The commentary display section 714c6 displays commentary subtitles regarding the broadcast program currently displayed on the main window 741c1, comments posted by other users regarding the broadcast program, and the like. The end button 741c7 is a button for ending the operation of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side).

By operating the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) on the mobile information terminal 700, it becomes possible to expand the functionality of the broadcast communication cooperation service through the cooperation between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700.

[EPG screen of broadcast receiving device]
FIG. 16A is a screen display diagram showing an example of an electronic program guide (EPG) display screen in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment. The EPG display screen 173e is a distribution schedule of broadcast programs in the digital broadcast service of this embodiment, which is created by the main control unit 101 based on the program information data string output from the first separation unit 132. It is assumed that the EPG display screen 173e is displayed on the video display section 173 by selecting the program guide key 741a7 on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application.

In this embodiment, the EPG display screen 173e has a matrix shape in which the vertical axis represents time and the horizontal axis represents service ID (channel), and displays detailed information of each broadcast program broadcast on each channel in each time period. indicate. The detailed information 173e1 of each broadcast program is mainly composed of a title area 173e2 and a detailed explanation area 173e3, as shown in FIG. 16A.

The title area 173e2 displays the program title of each broadcast program and symbols representing attributes of each broadcast program. The symbols representing the attributes of each broadcast program include, for example, a mark symbolizing "New" meaning a new program, a symbol symbolizing "Replay" meaning a rebroadcast program, etc. Alternatively, it may be a mark symbolizing "data", which means that the service is compatible with data broadcasting by a broadcasting service. Furthermore, if the broadcast program has a broadcast cooperation application that can be executed by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, a mark or the like symbolizing "Linkage" may be used to indicate this. The detailed explanation area 173e3 displays related information such as the program contents and performers of each broadcast program, the URL of a homepage introducing each broadcast program, and the like.

Note that even if a broadcast cooperation application is prepared for the broadcast program, the symbol of "Linkage" displayed in the title area 173e2 is displayed on the information display device as a result of checking the application profile 904. If execution at 100 is not possible, it may not be displayed. Furthermore, the symbol "Linkage" displayed in the title area 173e2, which indicates that the program is a broadcast program for which the executable broadcast cooperation application is prepared, further indicates that the linkage with a mobile terminal device is possible. The color, shape, font, etc. may be changed depending on whether or not it is. If a cooperative operation with a mobile terminal device is possible, a symbol symbolizing "Mobile" may be displayed together with a symbol symbolizing "Linkage".

The presence or absence of the symbol symbolizing "Linkage" and the symbol symbolizing "Mobile" is determined by the fact that each broadcast program is the original Whether or not the broadcast program is prepared with a broadcast collaboration application that can be executed by the broadcast receiving device 100 of the embodiment, and whether or not the executable broadcast collaboration application can operate in conjunction with a mobile terminal device. The control may be performed by acquiring information such as the following information. Alternatively, the information obtained from program distribution information of digital broadcast programs prepared in a predetermined server device on the Internet 200 may be added to an electronic program guide created based on a program information data string obtained from broadcast waves of a digital broadcast service. It may be added.

As mentioned above, on the EPG display screen 173e, there is a mark symbolizing "Linkage" indicating that the broadcast program has an executable broadcast cooperation application prepared, and that it is possible to operate in cooperation with a mobile terminal device. By displaying a symbol symbolizing "Mobile", the user can easily grasp the compatibility status of each broadcast program with the broadcast communication cooperation service in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Needless to say, the mark symbolizing the predetermined characters representing the attributes of each broadcast program may be replaced with the characters themselves, sentences, or the like. By changing the background color of the detailed information 173e1 of each broadcast program, the compatibility status of each broadcast program with the broadcast communication cooperation service may be indicated. In addition, the symbol symbolizing "Linkage" and the symbol symbolizing "Mobile" are not normally displayed in the title area 173e2, but pop up only when each broadcast program is selected by the program selection cursor 173e4. It may be displayed.

The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment has a function of making viewing reservations and/or recording reservations for each broadcast program from the EPG display screen 173e. For example, while the EPG display screen 173e is displayed, use the cursor keys 741ac on the basic screen 741a of the cooperative control application to move the program selection cursor 173e4 on the EPG display screen 173e, and select any broadcast program using the enter key 741ad. By selecting , viewing and/or recording reservations are made for the selected broadcast program.

In the above-mentioned process, if the broadcast program for which the viewing reservation and/or recording reservation has been made is a broadcast program compatible with a broadcast communication cooperation service, the said viewing reservation and/or recording reservation is used as a trigger to perform the broadcast program. The acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application prepared for the broadcast program may be started without waiting for the broadcast start time of the program. That is, information (location information such as URL) specifying the acquisition destination of the broadcast cooperation application is written in the EIT information including detailed information of each broadcast program. In this way, the broadcast receiving device 100 can grasp the information on the acquisition source of the broadcast cooperation application prepared for each broadcast program at the time when the broadcast program is selected with the program selection cursor 173e4. Become. Therefore, the broadcast receiving device 100 can start acquiring the broadcast collaboration application before the broadcast start time of the broadcast program.

In addition, if the broadcast program for which the viewing reservation and/or recording reservation has been made is a broadcast program that supports broadcasting and communication cooperation services and is a broadcast program that can be operated in conjunction with a mobile terminal device, The broadcast coordination application (terminal side) prepared for the broadcast program may also start acquiring the program before the broadcast start time of the broadcast program, using the same process as described above. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16B, a two-dimensional barcode 173e5 or the like indicating the acquisition location information (location information such as URL) of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) prepared for the mobile terminal device is displayed on the EPG display screen 173e. may be displayed to prompt the user to download a broadcast cooperation application (on the terminal side) prepared for the mobile terminal device.

In this way, if the broadcast receiving device 100 refers to the acquisition destination information of the broadcast cooperation application included in the EPG information and starts the acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application before the broadcast start time of the broadcast program. , it becomes possible to distribute the load on the service provider server 400 that stores the broadcast cooperation application. Further, even if the communication speed of the network between the service provider server 400 and the information display terminal 100 is insufficient, the broadcast collaboration application can be effectively used immediately after the start of the broadcast of the broadcast program. become.

FIG. 17 is an operation sequence diagram illustrating an example of the acquisition sequence of the broadcast collaboration application when viewing and/or recording of a broadcast program is reserved from the EPG display screen 173e.

While viewing a digital broadcast service, the main control unit 101 of the broadcast receiving device 100 acquires the program information data string output from the first separation unit 132 (S701). When the user requests activation of the EPG screen using the operation terminal (S702), the EPG display screen 173e is displayed on the video display section 173 (S703). When the user selects an arbitrary broadcast program on the EPG display screen 173e using the operation terminal and makes a viewing reservation and/or a recording reservation for the broadcast program (S704), the main control unit 101 controls the first separation. The program information data string acquired from the section 132 is confirmed (S705), and the location where the broadcast cooperation application linked to the broadcast program for which the viewing reservation and/or recording reservation has been made is acquired (S706).

After the processing in S706, the application control unit 161 transmits a request to transmit the broadcast collaboration application to the predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 based on the confirmed URL (S707). The service provider server 400 that has received the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application performs authentication processing on the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary under the control of the application management/distribution execution unit 4103, and then stores the data in the application storage area 4013. The stored predetermined broadcast collaboration application is distributed via the LAN communication unit 421 (S708). Subsequently, the application control unit 161 causes the predetermined broadcast cooperation application received via the LAN communication unit 121 and distributed from the service provider server 400 to be cached in the RAM 104 or the storage 110 (S709).

According to the transmitting/receiving device 100 of the present embodiment described above, it is possible to perform functions with higher added value.

Example 2 of the present invention will be described below. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. of this example are the same as those of Example 1 unless otherwise specified. Therefore, in the following, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly explained, and the explanation of the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

In the first embodiment, an embodiment in which mobile information terminal cooperation processing (hereinafter referred to as terminal cooperation) is performed has been described, but a more detailed embodiment will be described.

When performing mobile information terminal cooperation, there are cases where it is desired to restrict the use of terminal cooperation only to mobile information terminals 700 located in the same premises as broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (hereinafter, this restriction will be referred to as the same premises restriction). For example, in an application for using broadcast cooperation (hereinafter referred to as a broadcast cooperation application), the display screen of broadcast reception device 100 and the display screen of mobile information terminal 700 may be closely related, or This is the case, for example, when it is desired that the user of the mobile information terminal 700 views the displayed advertisement video.

The point that must be considered in the process is determining whether the broadcast-linked application in question imposes same-household restrictions. This judgment is not necessary if it is assumed that all broadcast cooperation applications are restricted to the same home; however, if there is no restriction, the broadcast receiving device 100 transmits control information regarding the presence or absence of the same home restriction. acquired and the operating procedures need to be changed. Control information regarding the presence or absence of this restriction may be obtained from the broadcast signal (for example, written as an item of AIT) or may be obtained from a server specified by the broadcast station.

In this embodiment, including the above procedure, a procedure for ensuring that the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 are present in the same house will be described.

Usually, devices existing in the same house exist on a local network connected to the same router device 210. Therefore, since the mobile information terminal 700 is connected to the same local network as the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, it can be determined that the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 are present in the same house. Note that a known method may be used to determine whether the target device is connected to the local network, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Furthermore, even if the mobile information terminal 700 is not on the local network, it can be determined that it exists in the same house by directly communicating with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 using NFC, BlueTooth, infrared communication, or the like. In this case, the communication for acquiring the broadcast cooperation application etc. may be the above-mentioned direct communication or may be based on mobile phone communication.

As mentioned above, there can be multiple methods of confirming that the device exists in the same house, but which method to use is written in the AIT, for example, and the broadcast receiving device 100 reads it.

Furthermore, once it is confirmed that the mobile information terminal 700 exists in the same home, it may be assumed that the mobile information terminal 700 exists in the same home until the end of the program, or a certain valid time (for example, 10 minutes) can be set, and It is also possible to use a method in which the device is assumed to exist in the same residence, but if the validity period has passed, it is not considered to exist in the same residence unless it is confirmed again. This valid time is written in the AIT, for example, and read by the broadcast receiving device 100.

Further, for example, an event signal may be set in the broadcast signal at any point during the program, and each time this event signal is received, it is confirmed that the mobile information terminal 700 is present in the same residence. You can also do it.

Furthermore, it is also possible to use a combination of the first two methods.

Next, a specific procedure for permitting terminal cooperation only to the mobile information terminals 700 existing in the same house will be explained. In this embodiment, restrictions are set when the mobile information terminal 700 acquires a broadcast cooperation application or information used in the broadcast cooperation application (hereinafter, the information used in the broadcast cooperation application and the information used in the broadcast cooperation application, specific In particular, this includes HTML documents and streaming video, but these are collectively referred to as broadcast cooperation information). There are two types of methods for acquiring broadcast cooperation information: communication acquisition, which is acquired from the broadcast station server 300 or operator server 400, and broadcast acquisition, which is acquired from broadcast waves. In the case of communication acquisition, there are two methods: acquisition after the start of broadcast reception and method of acquisition before the start of broadcast reception. Furthermore, in the case of communication acquisition, there are cases where the broadcast receiving device 100 first obtains the information and then the mobile information terminal 700 obtains it from the broadcast receiving device 100, and cases where the mobile information terminal 700 directly obtains the information from the broadcast station server 300 or the operator server 400. There is. There are various methods, but from the perspective of the mobile information terminal 700, they can be roughly divided into two: acquisition from the broadcast receiving device 100 and acquisition from the broadcast station server 300 or the operator server 400.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the mobile information terminal 700 acquires broadcast cooperation information from the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and a case in which it is acquired from a server will be explained in the next embodiment.

FIG. 18A shows the procedure of this example.

First, before performing terminal cooperation, a cooperation control application that is an application that controls terminal cooperation is activated on each of the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S10001, S10002). In this state, the mobile information terminal 700 issues a terminal cooperation request to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S10003). Next, AIT is acquired from the broadcast signal (S10004). Based on this AIT information, it is determined whether the application for the target mobile information terminal has the same-household restriction (S10006), and if there is a restriction, the process proceeds to step S10008, and the first stage where the terminal cooperation request is made. The process then proceeds to step S10009, and it is determined whether the mobile information terminal 700 that has requested terminal cooperation is in the same house as the broadcast receiver 100 (S10009). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the devices are not in the same house, a response is sent to the cooperation control application on the mobile information terminal side indicating that cooperation is not permitted, and the process ends (S10011).

Here, in the first place, if it is assumed that all broadcast cooperation applications have the same home restriction, the determination in S10006 is not performed and is skipped. If it is possible that there are both apps with and without in-house restrictions, the determination in S10006 is made.

If it is determined that the mobile information terminal 700 is located in the same home, or if the application does not have the same home restriction, the process advances to S10012 and a broadcast cooperation application related service is performed. This service (S10012) processes a broadcast cooperation information distribution request (S10013) from the mobile information terminal 700, and distributes the broadcast cooperation information to the mobile information terminal 700 (S10018). This broadcast cooperation information includes information received by the broadcast receiving device 100 from the distribution server that is the operator server 300 (S10014, S10015, S10016), information acquired from the broadcast signal (S10017), and information stored in the broadcast receiving device 100. There are things that have been done. The broadcasting cooperation information is received by the broadcasting receiving apparatus 100 (S10016, S10017) not only in response to a broadcasting cooperation information distribution request (S10013) from the mobile information terminal 700, but also by the broadcasting receiving apparatus 100 autonomously acquiring the information, The acquisition may be based on the occurrence of an event from a broadcast signal. The distribution of the broadcast collaboration information to the mobile information terminal 700 (S10018) may also be done spontaneously from the broadcast receiving device 100 side.

After receiving (obtaining) and distributing a series of broadcast cooperation information, the broadcast receiving device 100 determines whether or not the same program is being viewed continuously (S10019), and if not, the mobile information terminal side A response indicating that cooperation is not permitted is sent to the cooperation control application, and the process ends (S10020).

If you are continuing to watch, the process returns to step S10005, and if there is a home restriction, it is checked whether the mobile information terminal 700 is in the same home (S10009), but the preset valid time has elapsed since the last check. or whether there has been a confirmation request (S10007) from a broadcast signal or distribution server since the last check (S10008). The confirmation (S10009) is not performed, and the process proceeds to the next broadcast cooperation application related service (S10012) via S10010. Here, it is described that the confirmation request from the broadcast signal (S10007) is obtained from the broadcast cooperation information, but the event message is also described here as being included in the broadcast cooperation information. Furthermore, this confirmation request may be written in the AIT.

Note that the procedure described above is a loop processing procedure for the broadcast signal, the broadcast receiving device 100, the mobile information terminal 700, and the distribution server as a whole in the section indicated by the arrow S10022. The confirmation request in S10007 may be made at any timing within the loop.

Furthermore, the authentication information written in the AIT may be incorporated into the authentication key used for authentication at the distribution server (S10015). This allows confirmation that the authentication request is valid. In addition, if the authentication information written in the AIT is changed as the program progresses, and the distribution server does not perform authentication unless the authentication key includes information that is synchronized with the progress of the program, it is possible to You can confirm that you are continuing to watch. In this case, the AIT information is read and updated as appropriate (S10021). Note that the authentication information to be incorporated into the broadcast signal may be incorporated as broadcast cooperation information in addition to being described in the AIT. Furthermore, as a method that essentially changes the authentication information, it is also possible to use a method in which the URL of the distribution server itself is changed as the program progresses.

In this way, while executing the broadcast cooperation application related service (S10012), the mobile information terminal 700 receives the broadcast at every preset valid time, or every time there is a confirmation request from the broadcast signal or the distribution server. By checking whether the device 100 and the device 100 are located in the same home, it is possible to appropriately execute a broadcast-related application that has the same home restriction. Furthermore, by using the authentication information embedded in the broadcast signal for authentication on the distribution server, the legitimacy of the distribution request can be ensured.If the authentication information of the broadcast signal is changed appropriately, the same program You can also confirm that you are continuing to watch.

According to the mobile information terminal cooperation technology according to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to implement the same-house restriction for mobile information terminals that cooperate with a broadcast receiving device.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the mobile information terminal 700 acquires broadcast cooperation information from a distribution server.

FIG. 18B shows the procedure of this example.

First, before performing terminal cooperation, a cooperation control application, which is an application that controls terminal cooperation, is activated on each of the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving device 100 (S10101, S10102). In this state, the mobile information terminal 700 issues a terminal cooperation request to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S10103). Next, AIT is acquired from the broadcast signal (S10104). Information such as the URL regarding the distribution server is acquired from this AIT information, and the information is transmitted to the mobile information terminal 700 (S10105). Next, the broadcast receiving device 100 issues a time confirmation request to the distribution server (S10106), and based on this request, the distribution server transmits time information to the broadcast receiving device 100 (S10107). This allows the subsequent authentication key issuance (S10115) to be performed in accordance with the time of the distribution server, but it may be omitted if the time difference is not a problem.

Thereafter, loop control is entered as indicated by the arrow in S10127.

First, the portable information terminal 700 issues a request for issuing an authentication key or a request for broadcast cooperation information distribution to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S10109). The authentication key is used in the broadcast cooperation information distribution request to the distribution server in the subsequent stage (S10125). The broadcast cooperative distribution request in S10109 is a request for distribution of information acquired from a broadcast signal, and corresponds to the subsequent step S10126.

In any case, when the request in S10109 is issued from a mobile information terminal, it is determined whether the broadcast cooperation application has a same-home restriction (S10111), and if there is a restriction, the process proceeds to the next step S10112; otherwise, the step S10112 is skipped. Skip and proceed to S10114. If all broadcast cooperation applications have the same home restriction, the determination in S10111 is not performed and the process advances to S10112. In S10112, it is determined whether the mobile information terminal that issued the request is in the same house, and if not, the terminal cooperation is terminated (S10113). If they are in the same house, the requested procedure is to obtain broadcast cooperation information from the distribution server (S10125) or to obtain broadcast cooperation information from the broadcast signal (S10126). The procedure of S10126 is also described because it is possible to obtain the information from the broadcast signal in addition to the acquisition from the distribution server.

First, the procedure for acquiring broadcast cooperation information from the distribution server (S10125) will be described.

First, the broadcast receiver 100 issues the authentication key requested by the information cooperation terminal 700. At this time, it is assumed that the authentication key includes time information at the time of issue and is valid only for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 minutes). The distribution server checks the authentication information, including whether the authentication key is within the validity period, and if the authentication is OK, allows distribution of the broadcast cooperation information. After that, distribution of information will be permitted within the valid time, but distribution will be stopped once the valid time has passed. For example, streaming video cannot be viewed after its validity period has passed.

The preset valid time may be held in the distribution server, or the broadcast receiving device 100 may acquire it from a broadcast signal (for example, AIT) and incorporate the valid time information into the authentication key. Information on the validity period is notified to the mobile information terminal 700 in advance, and the issuance of the authentication key is requested before the validity period expires. Alternatively, the valid time is managed by the broadcast receiving device 100, and after confirming that the mobile information terminal 700 is in the same house before the valid time expires, the broadcast receiving device 100 automatically transmits the message to the mobile information terminal 700. However, an authentication key may be issued.

The valid time may be the same within one program, or may be changed as the program progresses. Furthermore, if no valid time is set, it may be handled such that once authentication is performed, the authentication is valid while the program is being viewed.

Furthermore, the authentication information written in the AIT may be incorporated into the authentication key used for authentication at the distribution server (S10117). This allows confirmation that the authentication request is valid. In addition, if the authentication information written in the AIT is changed as the program progresses, and the distribution server does not perform authentication unless the authentication key includes information that is synchronized with the progress of the program, it is possible to You can confirm that you are continuing to watch. In this case, the AIT information is read and updated as appropriate (S10124). Note that the authentication information to be incorporated into the broadcast signal may be incorporated as broadcast cooperation information in addition to being described in the AIT. Furthermore, as a method that essentially changes the authentication information, it is also possible to use a method in which the URL of the distribution server itself is changed as the program progresses. Note that in this case, the URL is changed when the distribution server is the same but the entrance is different, but it is also possible to change to a new distribution server due to changes in the broadcast cooperation application, etc. In this case, each time a change is made, the procedures of sending distribution server information (S10105), requesting time confirmation (S10106), and sending time information (S10107) are performed.

Next, a procedure for acquiring broadcast cooperation information from a broadcast signal (S10126) will be described.

In this case, after confirming that the mobile information terminal 700 is in the same house, the broadcast receiving device 100 acquires broadcast cooperation information from the broadcast signal (S10119), and subsequently distributes the information to the mobile information terminal 700. (S10120).

Note that when changing the broadcast cooperation information as the program progresses, a notification of the change may be issued from the broadcast signal (S10110), and the broadcast cooperation information may be acquired using the notification as a trigger. In that case, if the authentication key is obtained from the distribution server, the broadcast receiving device 100 issues an authentication key to the mobile information terminal (S10115) and notifies the mobile information terminal that there has been a change notification. If it is within the validity period, the issuance of the authentication key may be omitted and only the change notification may be sent. In the case of acquisition from a broadcast signal, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 acquires the information (S10119) and distributes it to the mobile information terminal (S10120). In addition, in the case of acquisition from a broadcast signal, it is possible to confirm that the mobile information terminal 700 is in the same house for each change notification, or as in the second embodiment, this confirmation is omitted if it is within the valid period. I don't mind if you do. Here, although it is described that the change notification from the broadcast signal (S10110) is obtained from the broadcast cooperation information, the event message is also described here as being included in the broadcast cooperation information. Furthermore, this change notification may be written in the AIT.

After receiving (obtaining) and distributing a series of broadcast coordination information, the broadcast receiving device 100 determines whether or not the same program is being viewed continuously (S10121), and if not, the mobile information terminal side A response indicating that cooperation is not permitted is sent to the cooperation control application, and the process ends (S10123). If viewing continues, the process returns to S10108 and loop processing S10127 continues.

In this way, by including time information in the authentication key used to authenticate the distribution server and managing the valid time, it is possible to periodically confirm that the mobile information terminal 700 is in the same house as the broadcast receiving device 100. It is possible to execute broadcast cooperation applications that have appropriate restrictions within the same home. Furthermore, by using the authentication information embedded in the broadcast signal for authentication on the distribution server, the legitimacy of the distribution request can be ensured.If the authentication information of the broadcast signal is changed appropriately, the same program You can also confirm that you are continuing to watch.

According to the mobile information terminal cooperation technology according to the present embodiment described above, even when a mobile information terminal that cooperates with a broadcast receiving device acquires broadcast cooperation information from a distribution server, it is possible to realize the same-house restriction. .

In the second and third embodiments, the procedure for realizing the same-house restriction in terminal cooperation has been described, but depending on the broadcast cooperation application, use from outside the home may also be permitted. In this embodiment, such a case will be explained. For example, if a program such as a TV shopping program itself is used for public relations or advertising, it would be desirable for broadcasters to be able to use a broadcast collaboration application regardless of whether the program is inside or outside the home. In the case of such a program, once it is registered in the broadcast receiving device 100, the use of the broadcast collaboration application may be permitted regardless of whether the mobile information terminal 700 is present in the home. In this case, it would be more convenient if there was a broadcast cooperation application that converts the broadcast video itself into streaming data and distributes it from the broadcast receiving device 100 to the mobile information terminal 700 via the Internet. The streaming data may be encrypted in the broadcast receiving device 100 for copyright protection. Whether or not the broadcast cooperation application allows use from outside the home, including the distribution of broadcast video outside the home, is written in the data within the broadcast signal (for example, AIT, etc.).

The specific procedure is shown in FIG. 18C. Since a part of the procedure is the same as in Examples 2 and 3, the explanation of the parts that overlap with Examples 2 and 3 will be omitted. When there is a terminal cooperation request from outside the home (S10203), if the application is allowed to be used outside the home, the broadcast receiving device 100 checks whether the request source is a registered mobile information terminal ( In step S10205), cooperation is permitted. Here, if necessary, authentication may be performed between the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in order to protect the copyright of the broadcast video and broadcast cooperation information (S10207). At this time, the authentication may be performed by the distribution server (S10207). Information about whether copyright protection is necessary or not and information about the authentication method for copyright protection are acquired from the broadcast signal (for example, as described in the AIT), and control is performed accordingly. If these pieces of information are not stored in the broadcast signal, a predetermined method predetermined in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is followed. For example, predetermined copyright protection processing may be performed. Furthermore, if such information is not stored in the broadcast signal, it may be determined in advance that the copyright protection process is not performed in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

A specific example of authentication for copyright protection is shown below. Only one of each of the following authentications may be performed. Alternatively, a combination of a plurality of authentications illustrated below may be performed. Further, the authentication illustrated below may be performed in combination with other authentication processing not illustrated below.

[Authentication using ID and password]
When registering the portable information terminal 700 with the broadcast receiving device 100, an ID and password are issued, and the broadcast receiving device 100 allows cooperation by confirming the ID and password.

[Use of encryption key]
In addition to the above-mentioned authentication using the ID and password, an encryption key for decoding encrypted video data, etc. is transmitted from the broadcast receiving device 100 to the mobile information terminal. This encryption key may be obtained from a broadcast signal (for example, written in the AIT).

[Usage of distribution server]
A method in which a distribution server issues an encryption key to decrypt encrypted video data, etc. Mobile information terminal 700 transmits the ID and password to the distribution server and obtains the encryption key. In this case, by acquiring the location information (specifically, the URL) of the distribution server from the broadcast signal (for example, written in the AIT) and transmitting this location information from the broadcast receiving device 100 to the mobile information terminal 700, Greater safety. If the mobile information terminal 700 cannot obtain the encryption key, it will not be possible to decrypt the video, etc., so the broadcast receiving device 100 may request authentication from the distribution server, which may be used as authentication for copyright protection, or the mobile information terminal The authentication may be completed by notifying the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 from 700 that the encryption key has been obtained. Note that billing may be performed by the distribution server.

[Mutual authentication of encryption keys]
The encryption keys held by the broadcast receiving device 100 and the portable information terminal 700 are mutually authenticated and confirmed, thereby providing authentication for copyright protection.

If the information stored in the broadcast signal indicates that copyright protection by a predetermined method is required, and the copyright protection cannot be authenticated by the predetermined method, terminal cooperation is not permitted. Further, even if there is no specification in the broadcast signal and authentication is performed using a predetermined method of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, if copyright protection cannot be authenticated using the predetermined method, terminal cooperation is not permitted.

If terminal cooperation is permitted, from then on, it is not checked whether the mobile information terminal 700 exists in the same house, and requests from the mobile information terminal 700 (S10211), autonomous control of the broadcast receiving device 100, and broadcast signals are not confirmed. In accordance with the request from (S10210), broadcast cooperation information is distributed to the mobile information terminal 700 (S10217), and an authentication key for the distribution server is issued (S10212). Note that in this case, it is not necessary to perform control that sets the effective time. The portable information terminal 700 located outside the home acquires broadcast cooperation information from the broadcast receiving device 100 or the distribution server using the issued authentication key (S10215). Further, the authentication information acquired from the broadcast signal (for example, it is stated in the AIT) is incorporated into the authentication key issued by the broadcast receiving device 100, and the distribution server uses the authentication key in which the authentication information acquired from the broadcast signal is incorporated. If access is permitted, it is possible to optimize use outside the home.

Furthermore, in some cases, such as when discounting program viewing as a premium, it may be better not to allow unlimited use of broadcast-linked apps. It is preferable to do so and then allow use of the distribution server even if the distribution server is not in the same home. In this case, it does not matter if the mobile information terminal 700 is not registered in the broadcast receiving device 100.

The specific procedure in this case is shown in FIG. 18D. Since some of the steps in this procedure are the same as those in FIG. 18C, the description of the overlapping parts will be omitted. First, when the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 are in the same house, the mobile information terminal 700 makes a terminal cooperation request to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 After confirming that it exists (S10305), cooperation is permitted. Here, if necessary, authentication may be performed between the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in order to protect the copyright of the broadcast video and broadcast cooperation information (S10307). In this case, the authentication may be performed by an external distribution server. Information about whether copyright protection is necessary or not and information about the authentication method for copyright protection are acquired from the broadcast signal (for example, as described in the AIT), and control is performed accordingly. If this information is not stored in the broadcast signal, a predetermined method predetermined in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is followed. For example, predetermined copyright protection processing may be performed. Furthermore, if such information is not stored in the broadcast signal, it may be determined in advance that the copyright protection process is not performed in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

A specific example of authentication for copyright protection is shown below. Only one of each of the following authentications may be performed. Alternatively, a combination of a plurality of authentications illustrated below may be performed. Further, the authentication illustrated below may be performed in combination with other authentication processing not illustrated below.

[Use of encryption key]
While the portable information terminal 700 is in the same house, an encryption key for decoding encrypted video data, etc. is transmitted from the broadcast receiving device 100 to the portable information terminal. This encryption key may be obtained from a broadcast signal (for example, written in the AIT). Authentication is achieved by handing over this encryption key within the same household. Furthermore, if the encryption key can only be obtained from the broadcast signal at a certain point in the program, and if the transfer of the encryption key to the mobile information terminal 700 is limited to within the same home, then the user must be within the same home at that time. Limits can be set, and it can also be used to give premiums for viewing.

[Usage of distribution server]
A method in which a distribution server issues an encryption key to decrypt encrypted video data, etc. Mobile information terminal 700 transmits the ID and password to the distribution server and obtains the encryption key. In this case, by acquiring the location information (specifically, the URL) of the distribution server from the broadcast signal (for example, written in the AIT) and transmitting this location information from the broadcast receiving device 100 to the mobile information terminal 700, Greater safety. If the mobile information terminal 700 cannot obtain the encryption key, it will not be possible to decrypt the video, etc., so the broadcast receiving device 100 may request authentication from the distribution server, which may be used as authentication for copyright protection, or the mobile information terminal The authentication may be completed by notifying the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 from 700 that the encryption key has been obtained. The distribution server can be accessed either inside or outside the home, but the location information of the distribution server can only be obtained from the broadcast signal at a certain point in the program, and the location information is transmitted to the mobile information terminal 700. If the delivery of videos is limited to within the same home, a restriction can be set that the user must be in the same home at the time, and this can also be used to provide a premium for viewing. Note that billing may be performed by the distribution server.

[Mutual authentication of encryption keys]
The encryption keys held by the broadcast receiving device 100 and the portable information terminal 700 are mutually authenticated and confirmed, thereby providing authentication for copyright protection. This authentication may be performed at home or outside the home.

If the information stored in the broadcast signal indicates that copyright protection by a predetermined method is required, and the copyright protection cannot be authenticated by the predetermined method, terminal cooperation is not permitted. Further, even if there is no specification in the broadcast signal and authentication is performed using a predetermined method of the broadcast receiver 100, if copyright protection cannot be authenticated using the predetermined method, terminal cooperation is not permitted. The procedure after allowing terminal cooperation is the same as the procedure shown in FIG. 18C, so a description thereof will be omitted.

According to the mobile information terminal cooperation technology according to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to realize the use of a mobile information terminal that cooperates with a broadcast receiving device from outside the home while paying attention to copyright protection.

In actual usage situations, it is more desirable to easily know whether a program has a terminal cooperation application or not, and which terminal cooperation applications are available. In this embodiment, a method of displaying the availability status of a terminal cooperation application will be explained. A terminal cooperation application refers to a broadcast cooperation application used for terminal cooperation.

FIG. 19A is an example of a launcher screen (173b11) of a broadcast cooperation application when there is a terminal cooperation application. Broadcast cooperation apps are displayed as framed text icons. Broadcast cooperation applications (173b12 to 173b14) for the broadcast receiving device 100 and broadcast cooperation applications (173b15 to 173b17) for mobile information terminals that are linked to the program being viewed are displayed. In this example, the status of the app is indicated by the thickness of the border surrounding the string and the color within the border. Main body applications A and B (173b12, 173b13) and terminal applications A and B (173b15, 173b16) are available, and main body application C (173b14) and terminal application C (173b17) are unavailable. . The state in which a terminal application is unavailable means that none of the mobile information terminals 700 that are capable of communicating with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 has the function of executing the application.

FIG. 19B shows a screen after terminal application A is selected in FIG. 19A. The status of each mobile information terminal 700 regarding terminal application A is shown. The mobile information terminal displayed on this screen is a terminal that has cooperated with or has been registered with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in the past.

Mobile terminal 1 (173b22) and mobile terminal 2 (173b23) whose icons have a solid border are in a state where they can communicate with the broadcast receiving device 100, and mobile terminal 3 (173b24) whose icon has a dotted border This indicates that the mobile terminal 4 (173b25) is not in a state where it can communicate with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. In addition, mobile terminal 1 (173b22) and mobile terminal 3 (173b24) whose icons have white frames have the function of executing terminal application A, and mobile terminals 2 (173b23) and mobile terminals 4 whose icons have gray frames. (173b25) indicates that the terminal application A does not have the function of executing it. Furthermore, if the app is already running on the device, an icon with a design that represents this may be used.

Also, it is easier to visually understand icons by using pictures, so an example is shown below.

FIG. 19C is an example of a launcher screen (173b31) showing a list of broadcast cooperation applications. In addition to the broadcast receiving device 100, icons are shown for each type of mobile information terminal 700. 173b32 and 173b33 are icons indicating the broadcast receiving device 100, 173b34 and 173b35 are icons indicating the smartphone type portable information terminal 700, and 173b36 is an icon indicating the head mounted display type portable information terminal 700. Each app is for a device indicated by an icon.

In FIG. 19C, if the application cannot be used, a mark (in this case, a circle with diagonal lines) indicating that the application cannot be used is displayed superimposed on the image of the device. Further, regarding the broadcast receiving device 100, if the application is already being executed, a mark indicating this (in this case, a dot on a circle) may be displayed in an overlapping manner. With this display, it is possible to prevent the wasteful operation of proceeding with the launcher procedure even though it has already been executed. In the case of the mobile information terminal 700, it is also possible to display a mark indicating that the application is being executed when the application is being executed on all terminals that are capable of communicating with the broadcast receiving device and are capable of executing the application.

FIG. 19D is a screen (173b41) after selecting application C (173b34) in FIG. 19C. The state of a mobile information terminal 700 of a type compatible with application C is shown. On this screen, if the mobile information terminal 700 does not have the function to execute the broadcast cooperation application, is not in a state where it can communicate with the broadcast reception device 100, or is already running the broadcast cooperation application, it will be displayed. The mark that represents the icon is displayed over the icon. In this example, a circle with a diagonal line (173b44, 173b46) is marked if the execution function is not available, a triangle with an exclamation point (173b45, 173b46) is marked if the communication is not possible, and a dot is marked in a circle if it is already being executed. mark (173b43) is displayed.

Furthermore, it would be desirable to have a display method that allows the user to know that a broadcast cooperation application is available when the situation changes without having to start the launcher each time. For example, when the power is turned on, when the channel is changed, when there is a change in the broadcast cooperation application at the beginning of the program, or even during the program, there is a change in the communication status between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700. In this case, if the execution status of the app changes, the icon will be displayed for a predetermined period of time to display the status at that time.

An example of this case is shown in FIG. 19E. If an icon indicating the type of each device is displayed, this indicates that there is a broadcast cooperation application compatible with that type of device. In this case, a circle with a diagonal line indicates that there are no available devices of that type that can run the app. A dot in a circle indicates that the app is running on all enabled devices of that type.

FIG. 19F is a display screen (10401) on the mobile information terminal 700. When requesting terminal cooperation from the mobile information terminal 700, it is more convenient to use a list if you can see which broadcast cooperation application can be used with which broadcast reception device 100. An example of the list is shown in FIG. 19F (10402). This table shows which broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in the home can use the broadcast cooperation application corresponding to the program that the user wants to check. Furthermore, if the status of each broadcast receiving device 100 is also displayed, convenience will be further enhanced, especially when using from outside the home. In this example, the following display examples are shown: the program is being received, another program is being received, the program is vacant, and another program is reserved (when recording of another program is reserved from the middle of the program). Note that if there are a plurality of tuners in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, convenience will be further improved if the status is displayed for each of the plurality of tuners. In table 10202, branch numbers are used to distinguish tuners within the same device. For example, receiving device B-1 and receiving device B-2 are tuners within the same broadcast receiving device 100. In the case of terminal cooperation, if broadcast video and audio can be distributed as streaming data, there is no need to use the video section of the broadcast receiving device 100, and if the tuner in the broadcast receiving device 100 can be used, the broadcast can be used. Therefore, it is convenient to know the usage status of each tuner.

Note that in order to perform the display described in this embodiment, information regarding whether the application is compatible with the broadcast receiving device 100 or what type of mobile information terminal 700 is required for each broadcast cooperation application is required. There must be. Further, information for executing the corresponding application on the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 is required. For example, by writing this information in the AIT, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can obtain the information.

According to the mobile information terminal cooperation technology according to the present embodiment described above, by displaying information regarding the broadcast cooperation application, the broadcast receiving device 100, and the mobile information terminal 700, it is possible to use the broadcast cooperation service with higher convenience. becomes.

Example 6 of the present invention will be described below. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. of this example are the same as those of Example 1 unless otherwise specified. Therefore, in the following, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly explained, and the explanation of the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

In this embodiment, an example will be described regarding the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in the case where the following applies to the activation process of the broadcast cooperation application based on the AIT transmitted by the broadcast wave. In this case, the broadcast cooperation application is a broadcast managed application, and based on the information on the PMT and information such as the application control code 903 and startup priority 907 of the AIT (Fig. 6), the broadcast management application that is the broadcast cooperation application is This is a case where it is prescribed and instructed that an application be prioritized and automatically started. Note that hereinafter, the broadcast managed application may be referred to as a "broadcast managed application."

The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment has a function of controlling the activation process of the broadcast cooperation application specified to be automatically activated in the digital broadcast service according to a selection by the user. When there is the above-mentioned automatic startup regulation or instruction, the broadcast receiving device 100 of the sixth embodiment does not automatically start the broadcast cooperation application unconditionally, but under the following conditions (1) to (3). Control automatic startup only when applicable. (1) When automatic startup is set to be allowed in the user settings of the broadcast receiving device. (2) When a user who owns a predetermined terminal that cooperates with the broadcast receiving device is viewing the broadcast, in other words, when the user settings of the cooperating terminal are set to allow automatic startup. (3) If the user is asked to confirm the activation each time and the confirmation is confirmed.

FIG. 20 shows a system configuration and usage example including the broadcast receiving device 100 of the sixth embodiment. The broadcast receiving device 100 receives broadcast waves from the broadcast station server 300 via the radio tower 300t, and separates the video of the broadcast program from information such as AIT. The broadcast receiving device 100 acquires a broadcast cooperation application from the service provider server 400 as appropriate based on information such as AIT. The AIT may include information that instructs automatic activation of a broadcast cooperation application that cooperates with a broadcast program.

There are one or more mobile information terminals 700 that perform terminal cooperation with the broadcast receiving device 100. For example, one broadcast receiving device 100 can be linked with each of the portable information terminals 700 of two users and is shared. For example, there is a terminal A owned by user A and a terminal B owned by user B. The present invention is not limited to this, and one user may use multiple mobile information terminals 700.

The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment includes an application activation control means 2000 including a user selection means 2001. The user selection unit 2001 is a unit that selects whether or not to allow the startup and execution of the broadcast collaboration application based on the operations of the users of the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700. The user selection means 2001 is configured by, for example, an instruction input section, a user setting section, etc. in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the mobile information terminal 700. When automatic startup of a broadcast cooperation application is instructed by the AIT, the application start control means 2000 controls the broadcasting according to the selection by the user and the user selection means 2001 as to whether or not to allow the start and execution of the broadcast cooperation application. Control the launch of linked apps.

[For automatic launch of broadcast managed app]
In the sixth embodiment, when it is specified that the broadcast managed application is automatically started with priority, the broadcast receiving device 100 appropriately checks information such as PMT and AIT, and starts the broadcast managed application. The operation sequence is the same as the explanation using FIG. 7A of the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 7A, it is confirmed whether the target broadcast managed application can be executed in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 by checking the application profile 904 of the AIT (S105). If it is confirmed that the application is executable, the broadcast managed application will always be automatically launched regardless of the selection by the user of the broadcast receiving device 100.

However, consideration should be given to the possibility that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 does not wish to automatically start the broadcast managed application, for example, because he or she wants to concentrate on watching the broadcast program. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the sixth embodiment includes an application activation control means 2000 as a control function that takes this possibility into consideration. That is, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the sixth embodiment receives an instruction to automatically start the broadcast managed application with priority based on the information such as the PMT and AIT, and when it is confirmed that the broadcast managed application can be executed based on the information such as the AIT. Also, the activation of the app is controlled depending on the user's selection of whether to activate the app. An example in which whether or not automatic startup of a broadcast managed application is controlled will be described below.

[Operation sequence when starting the broadcast managed application (1)]
FIG. 21 shows, as a first configuration example and processing example of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment, the activation of a broadcast cooperation application in a case where it is specified that a broadcast managed application, which is a broadcast cooperation application, is started with priority. An example of an operation sequence is shown below. FIG. 21 shows a series of steps in which the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 appropriately checks the information of the PMT and AIT, and further controls whether or not to automatically start a predetermined broadcast cooperation application according to the user's selection. In the first configuration example, user settings in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 are used as the user selection means 2000.

In FIG. 21, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 uses the tuner/demodulator 131 in FIG. 2A to select a channel desired by the user and obtains a TS. Next, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 uses the main control unit 101 to acquire the PMT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S1101), and checks the activation priority described in the acquired PMT (S1102). In the processes of S1101 and S1102, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 confirms that the activation priority of the broadcast managed application, which is a broadcast cooperation application, is high.

After confirming the above, the broadcast receiving device 100 uses the application control unit 161 to acquire the AIT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S1103), and checks the application control code 903 of the obtained AIT data string (S1104). . In the processing of S1103 and S1104, if the application control code 903 is "auto start", that is, if automatic start of the broadcast cooperation application is specified, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 further updates the application of the acquired AIT data string. The profile 904 is confirmed (S1105).

In step S1105, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 checks the information in the application profile 904 to confirm that the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can execute the broadcast cooperation application specified by the AIT. When it is confirmed that the execution is possible, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 further refers to the operation setting values stored in the storage section 110 by the application control section 161. Thereby, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 confirms whether automatic activation of the broadcast cooperation application is permitted in the user settings of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S1106).

The operation setting value indicating whether or not the broadcast cooperation application can be automatically started can be selected and set by the user according to the user's preference using the function setting menu of the broadcast receiving device 100 or the like. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 serves as a user selection means 2001 and provides a function setting menu to the user on a screen or the like. The user can make user settings regarding various functions using the function setting menu on the screen by operating the remote control of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, the linked mobile information terminal 700, or the like. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 stores the user setting information in the function setting menu in a memory within the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 as an operation setting value.

If the broadcast receiving device 100 confirms in the process of S1106 that automatic startup of the broadcast cooperation application is not permitted (“no”), that is, the user does not wish to automatically start the broadcast cooperation application (S1107 -No), the main processing of FIG. 21 ends. That is, the application control unit 161 does not acquire or launch the broadcast collaboration application specified by the AIT.

On the other hand, when the broadcast receiving device 100 confirms in the process of S1106 that automatic startup of the broadcast cooperation application is permitted (“allowed”), that is, the user desires automatic startup of the broadcast cooperation application. (S1107-Yes), proceed to S1108. In the process of S1108, the broadcast receiving device 100 uses the application control unit 161 to perform broadcasting to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 based on the information described in the application acquisition destination information 905 of the AIT. Send a request to distribute the linked app.

The service provider server 400 that has received the distribution request for the broadcast collaboration application in S1108 performs authentication processing on the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary based on the control of the application management/distribution execution unit 4103 in FIG. A predetermined broadcast collaboration application stored in the application storage area 4013 is distributed via the LAN communication unit 421 (S1109). Note that a known method may be used for the authentication process, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

Next, the broadcast receiving device 100 activates a predetermined broadcast collaboration application received via the LAN communication unit 121 and distributed from the service provider server 400 based on the control of the application control unit 161 by the application engine 162 ( S1110). As a result, the broadcast cooperation application is executed and the execution screen of the application is displayed.

Note that as a modification, the processing in S1106 to S1107 may be performed after the broadcast cooperation application is acquired in the processing in S1108 to S1109.

As in the first configuration example of FIG. 21 described above, in the sixth embodiment, the broadcast cooperation application can be started when it is confirmed in the user settings of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that automatic start is allowed.

[Operation sequence when starting the broadcast managed application (2)]
FIG. 22 is a second configuration example and processing example of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the sixth embodiment, and is similar to FIG. 21 in a case where the broadcast managed application, which is a broadcast cooperation application, is specified to be started with priority. An example of an operation sequence when starting different broadcast cooperation applications is shown. FIG. 22 shows whether or not the broadcast cooperation application can be automatically started by referring to the operation setting values stored in the mobile information terminal 700 that performs the cooperation operation with the broadcast receiving device 100, that is, the user setting information. This is an example of checking. The second configuration example uses user settings on the mobile information terminal 700 as the user selection means 2000. The user selects and sets whether or not to allow automatic startup of the broadcast cooperation application on the mobile information terminal 700.

In FIG. 22, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 first performs processing in S1201 to S1205, which is similar to processing in S1101 to S1105 in FIG. If the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 checks the application profile 904 in S1205 and confirms that the broadcast cooperation application designated by the AIT can be executed, then the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 performs the process in S1206. In S1206, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 uses the application control unit 161 to transmit a user setting confirmation request to the mobile information terminal 700 that is operating in cooperation. Here, it is assumed that there is a terminal A in FIG. 20, for example, as a portable information terminal 700 that is in a cooperative operation or is in a state where terminal cooperation is possible.

In response to the user setting confirmation request received by the cooperative control execution unit 7102 in FIG. 5B via the LAN communication unit 721, the mobile information terminal 700 reads the operation setting values related to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 stored in the storage unit 710 in FIG. 5A. See. Thereby, the mobile information terminal 700 checks whether the broadcast cooperation application can be automatically started on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in the user settings on the mobile information terminal 700 (S1207). In the mobile information terminal 700, the cooperative control execution unit 7102 transmits the confirmation result of whether or not automatic activation is possible to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 via the LAN communication unit 721 as the user setting confirmation result (S1208).

Note that the operation setting value, which is the user setting information of the mobile information terminal 700, indicating whether or not the broadcast cooperation application can be automatically started in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can be set, for example, by the following means. That is, when the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 are in a cooperative operation state, the user can select and set according to his/her preference using the cooperation function setting menu, which is one item of the function setting menu of the mobile information terminal 700. can. The mobile information terminal 700 provides the above function setting menu to the user on a screen or the like. The user selects the collaboration function setting menu from the function setting menu. The collaboration function setting menu is a menu that allows settings related to collaboration operations. The user can set whether or not the broadcast cooperation application can be automatically started on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 by selecting from the cooperation function setting menu. The mobile information terminal 700 stores the user setting information in the function setting menu in the memory within the mobile information terminal 700 as an operation setting value.

Through the processes of S1206 to S1208 described above, the broadcast receiving device 100 determines that automatic startup of the broadcast cooperation application is not permitted, that is, the user who owns the mobile information terminal 700 does not allow the automatic startup of the broadcast cooperation application on the broadcast reception device 100. If it is confirmed that this is not desired (S1209-No), the main processing of FIG. 22 is ended. That is, the application control unit 161 does not acquire or launch the broadcast collaboration application specified by the AIT.

On the other hand, the broadcast receiving device 100 indicates that automatic startup of the broadcast cooperation application is permitted, that is, that the user who owns the mobile information terminal 700 wishes to automatically start the broadcast cooperation application on the broadcast reception device 100. If confirmed (S1209-Yes), the process advances to S1210.

In S1210, the broadcast receiving device 100 requests the predetermined service provider server 400 to distribute the broadcast collaboration application via the LAN communication unit 121 based on the information written in the application acquisition source information 905 of the AIT by the application control unit 161. Send.

The service provider server 400 that has received the distribution request for the broadcast collaboration application in S1210 performs the authentication process of the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary based on the control of the application management/distribution execution unit 4103, and then stores the application. A predetermined broadcast cooperation application stored in the area 4013 is distributed via the LAN communication unit 421 (S1211).

Next, the broadcast receiving device 100 activates a predetermined broadcast collaboration application received via the LAN communication unit 121 and distributed from the service provider server 400 based on the control of the application control unit 161 by the application engine 162 ( S1212).

As in the second configuration example of FIG. 22 described above, in the sixth embodiment, there is a mobile information terminal 700 that cooperates with the broadcast receiving device 100, and it is confirmed that automatic startup is allowed in the user settings of the mobile information terminal 700. You can start the broadcast cooperation application when

As a modified example, when the user settings are confirmed in FIG. 22, if the mobile information terminal 700 is not operating in cooperation with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, S606 to S611 in FIG. 8C are performed before the processes in S1206 to S1208. You may perform the following processing. As a result, in this modification, the cooperative control application is activated to cause the mobile information terminal 700 to start cooperative operation with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and the user settings are confirmed in this state.

Further, as a modified example, an example in which control is performed to select the Yes side in S1209 or an example in which control is controlled to select the No side in S1209 is possible in the following cases. In this case, there is no mobile information terminal 700 to which the user setting confirmation request is sent in S1206, there is no response to the request, or the user setting confirmation result cannot be correctly obtained in S1208. This case corresponds to a situation where there is no portable information terminal 700 that can perform terminal cooperation at that time, a situation where communication between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the portable information terminal 700 is temporarily unavailable, or the like. In the former embodiment, the broadcast cooperation application is started, although permission to start according to the user settings could not be confirmed. In the latter embodiment, the broadcast cooperation application is not started because permission to start according to the user settings could not be confirmed. Which control operation to adopt in the above modification is defined by the specifications of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, or can be selected and set by the user.

Further, as a modification, the processing in S1206 to S1209 may be performed after the broadcast cooperation application is acquired in the processing in S1210 to S1211.

[Operation sequence when starting the broadcast managed application (3)]
FIG. 23 shows, as a third configuration example and processing example of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the sixth embodiment, a further different broadcast cooperation in a case where a broadcast managed application, which is a broadcast cooperation application, is specified to be started with priority. An example of the operation sequence when starting an application is shown. FIG. 23 is an example in which the user is checked in real time whether the broadcast cooperation application can be started or not by a message on the screen or the like. In the third configuration example, inputting an instruction from a mobile information terminal 700 to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is used as the user selection means 2000.

In FIG. 23, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 first performs processing in S1301 to S1305, which is similar to processing in S1101 to S1105 in FIG. If the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 checks the application profile 904 in S1205 and confirms that the broadcast cooperation application designated by the AIT can be executed, then the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 performs the processing in S1306. In S1306, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 causes the application control unit 161 to display an activation permission confirmation screen on the video display unit 173 for allowing the user to select whether or not to allow activation of the broadcast cooperation application.

The user selects whether or not to launch the broadcast cooperation application using the mobile information terminal 700, remote control, or the like as an operation means on the activation confirmation screen displayed in S1306 (S1307). Broadcast receiving device 100 receives information on the selection as an instruction input.

In accordance with the result of the user's activation permission selection in S1307, if the broadcast cooperation application is not selected to be activated, that is, if the user does not allow activation at this point (S1308-No), the broadcast receiving device 100 This process of FIG. 23 ends. That is, the application control unit 161 does not acquire or launch the broadcast collaboration application specified by the AIT.

On the other hand, if the user selects to launch the broadcast collaboration application in S1307, that is, if the user allows the launch at this point (S1308-Yes), the broadcast receiving device 100 proceeds to S1309. In the process of S1309, the broadcast receiving device 100 requests the predetermined service provider server 400 to distribute the broadcast collaboration application via the LAN communication unit 121 based on the information described in the application acquisition source information 905 by the application control unit 161. Send.

The service provider server 400 that has received the distribution request for the broadcast cooperation application performs authentication processing on the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary based on the control of the application management/distribution execution unit 4103, and then stores it in the application storage area 4013. A predetermined broadcast cooperation application stored in the LAN communication unit 421 is distributed via the LAN communication unit 421 (S1310).

Next, the broadcast receiving device 100 activates a predetermined broadcast collaboration application received via the LAN communication unit 121 and distributed from the service provider server 400 based on the control of the application control unit 161 by the application engine 162 ( S1311).

Note that as a modification, the processing in S1306 to S1308 may be performed after the broadcast cooperation application is acquired in the processing in S1309 to S1310.

As in the third configuration example of FIG. 23 described above, in the sixth embodiment, the user is asked to confirm activation on the screen each time, and if permission is confirmed, the broadcast collaboration application can be activated.

In the example shown in FIG. 23, the mobile information terminal 700 functions as an operating means for the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 through terminal cooperation, and allows the user to select whether or not to activate the mobile information terminal 700. The present invention is not limited to this, and an embodiment in which the above-mentioned activation permission/prohibition is selected using a remote control or the like provided in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, which is the main body, is also possible.

[Startability confirmation screen]
FIG. 24 shows an example of a screen for confirming whether or not the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can be activated, which is displayed in the process of S1306 in FIG. 23. In this embodiment, a message box 173f1 is displayed on the screen of the video display section 173 in FIG. 24 as a startup permission confirmation screen. The message box 173f1 includes a message indicating that a predetermined broadcast cooperation application is available for use, and a display of "Yes" and "No" buttons for selecting whether to start the broadcast cooperation application. An example of a message is "Broadcast cooperation application XXX is available for use. Do you want to start broadcast cooperation application XXX?". Another example of a message is, "The launch of the broadcast cooperation application XXX has been specified and it is possible to launch it. Do you want to allow the launch?".

In a state where the message box 173f1 shown in FIG. 24 is displayed, the user selects whether to enable or disable activation using the operation means described above (S1307). For example, the user selects "Yes" or "No" using the cursor key 741ac, enter key 741ad, etc. on the basic screen 741a of the cooperative control application of the mobile information terminal 700 in FIG. 10A. Thereby, the user can select whether or not to allow the start-up of the broadcast collaboration application presented in the message box 173f1 on the broadcast receiving device 100, depending on his/her convenience and situation at the time.

As a modified example, instead of the message box 173f1, an icon 173b0 indicating that a cooperative application is available as shown in FIG. Good too. In this case, the user presses, for example, the cooperation application key 741a9 on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application. As a result, a predetermined broadcast cooperation application is started. Further, if the cooperation application key 741a9 corresponding to the selection of the icon 173b0 is not pressed for a predetermined period of time or more, the display of the icon 173b0 may be controlled to disappear.

[Effects etc.]
As described above, according to each configuration example of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the sixth embodiment, there is a provision and instruction for automatically starting the broadcast managed application with priority by the PMT and AIT, and it has been confirmed that the broadcast managed application can be executed by the AIT. Even in this case, the activation of the broadcast managed application can be appropriately controlled according to the user's selection. That is, according to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, functions with higher added value can be executed.

It should be noted that which of the first to third configuration examples and various modified examples to adopt is either defined in the specifications of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 or the like, or it is determined by the user's selection settings for the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 etc. possible. For example, in the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the operation setting values set by the user are (a) ``Start of broadcast managed application is allowed (possible)'' and (b) ``Start of broadcast managed application is not allowed (not allowed).'' )” can be selected from two values. Not limited to this, as a modified example, in addition to the above (a) and (b), the user settings may include multiple values such as (c) "Ask the terminal" and (d) "Confirm on the screen each time". It may be possible to select from. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this modification performs control operations according to the first to third configuration examples in response to the setting values selected by the user. In the case of the setting (c), the process of the second configuration example is performed, and in the case of the setting (d), the process of the third configuration example is performed.

In particular, in the first configuration example shown in FIG. 21, it is possible to control the activation of the broadcast cooperation application according to the user's settings for the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in advance. Users can change the settings as appropriate and use the broadcast collaboration app according to their convenience.

FIG. 25 shows an example of displaying a menu for user settings on the screen of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. A user setting menu 173f2 is displayed on the screen in response to the user's operation of a remote control or the like. In the case of the first configuration example, the menu 173f2 has "Allow launch of broadcast managed application" as one of the setting items. This item corresponds to "whether or not to permit automatic startup when automatic startup of a broadcast cooperation application is specified." The user can set whether or not to support the above (a) and (b) by turning on/off the button in the corresponding setting item of the menu 173f2. A similar function can be realized on the screen of the mobile information terminal 700.

In particular, in the second configuration example shown in FIG. 22, it is possible to set whether or not to automatically start the broadcast managed application for each user who owns a mobile information terminal 700, and furthermore, it is possible to set whether or not to automatically start the broadcast managed application for each user who owns a mobile information terminal 700. It is also possible to select whether or not to automatically start the managed application.

An example of the above settings and usage will be explained using FIG. 20 described above. As for the user settings on the mobile information terminal 700, user A's terminal A has setting A, and user B's terminal B has a different setting B. For example, setting A means that the automatic start of the broadcast cooperation application is "enabled", and setting B means that automatic start of the broadcast cooperation application is "disabled". At the time of the processing from S1206 to S1209 in FIG. 22, for example, if only terminal A of user A is operating in cooperation, the terminal A will be confirmed and activation will be permitted. If only terminal B of user B is performing a cooperative operation, the terminal B will be checked and activation will not be permitted. In this way, it is possible to set whether or not to launch the broadcast collaboration application for each mobile information terminal 700 of each user, and it is possible to launch and use the broadcast collaboration application depending on whether or not there is a mobile information terminal 700 to cooperate with at that time. be.

As a modification, a control operation can be performed that takes into consideration a combination of both the specifications or user settings of broadcast receiving device 100 and the specifications or user settings of mobile information terminal 700. For example, an embodiment in which the contents of the user settings on the mobile information terminal 700 are given priority over the user settings on the broadcast receiving device 100, and the contents of the user settings on the broadcast receiving device 100 are given priority over the user settings on the mobile information terminal 700. Any of the embodiments is possible.

Further, in the second configuration example, the user may be able to set whether or not to inquire of the mobile information terminal 700 to confirm whether or not the broadcast cooperation application can be started. In this case, the user setting menu 173f2 shown in FIG. 25 provides a setting item corresponding to "Inquiry to terminal" in (c) above.

In particular, in the third configuration example shown in FIG. 23, it is possible to control whether or not a broadcast managed application prepared for each broadcast program can be activated in units of units. Users can view the broadcast managed application and confirmation information presented on the screen, and if they want to launch the app at that time, they can allow it to launch; if they do not want to launch the app at that time, they can disallow its launch. .

Further, in the third configuration example, the user may be able to set whether or not to check on the screen each time whether or not the broadcast cooperation application can be started. In that case, in the user setting menu 173f2 of FIG. 25, a setting item corresponding to "Confirm on screen each time" in (d) above is provided.

Other examples include the following. In other embodiments, in the configuration example of FIG. 21 or 22 above, even if the user has selected and set (b) above in advance, the broadcast managed application is forced regardless of the setting value. Provide an option to start it automatically. In this embodiment, for example, in the data structure of the AIT shown in FIG. 6, in addition to (1) to (4), a setting value of (5) "forced start" is prepared as the setting value of the parameter of the application control code 903. do. Alternatively, an item of "forced startup setting" may be separately prepared as one of the AIT parameters (one of the "other information" in FIG. 6). For these setting values, for example, "valid" or "invalid" can be selected.

Furthermore, if the setting value of the application control code 903 is the above (5) "forced start", or if the value of the "forced start setting" item is "valid", the broadcast receiving device 100 Control as follows. That is, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 controls the broadcast managed application to be forcibly started even if the operation setting value is set to No in (b). In other words, in the control of this embodiment, forced activation is provided as a higher order and priority item than the user selection item regarding automatic activation described above. In the case of an embodiment with the option of forced activation as described above, for example, applications that have a high degree of necessity for display and provision, such as applications for displaying emergency information from the broadcasting station or applications necessary for the production of specific commercials, etc. Applications can be suitably displayed and provided to users.

As another example, when a broadcast cooperation application is preinstalled inside the broadcast receiving device 100, processing such as acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application to the service provider server 400 described above (for example, S1108 to S1110 in FIG. ) becomes unnecessary.

The information included in the broadcast waves for controlling the broadcast cooperation application is not limited to PAT, AIT, etc., and can be applied. For example, one of the parameters (901 to 909) of the AIT in FIG. 6 may be separated and configured and provided as independent control information. The control information may be provided in a form included in the broadcast wave, or may be provided in a form different from the broadcast wave. The control information may be set in advance in the device.

Example 7 of the present invention will be described below. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. of this example are the same as those of Example 1 unless otherwise specified. Therefore, in the following, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly explained, and the explanation of the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

Since the broadcast cooperation application, which is an application used in the broadcast communication cooperation system of this embodiment, is composed of an HTML document, it can be linked with other HTML documents on the network. Operations such as startup/termination of the broadcast managed application are controlled based on the AIT application control code 903 and the like included in the broadcast signal of the broadcast wave. Operations such as startup/termination of non-broadcast managed applications and general applications are not controlled by the broadcast signal. Note that hereinafter, a non-broadcasting managed application may be referred to as a "non-broadcasting application", and a general application may be referred to as a "general application".

Since linking is possible in the HTML document that constitutes the broadcast cooperation application, in the seventh embodiment, it is assumed that transition from a broadcast managed application to a non-broadcasting application or a general application is possible. Further, in the seventh embodiment, non-broadcasting applications and general applications can be started directly from the aforementioned broadcasting cooperation application launcher screen or the like in response to a user's instruction operation. For example, broadcasting stations, service providers, etc., include information on instructions for transitioning to other HTML documents that constitute non-broadcasting applications, etc. by describing links such as URLs in the HTML documents of broadcast managed applications. . In such a case, a transition from the broadcast managed application to a non-broadcast application may occur.

Since the non-broadcasting applications and general applications mentioned above are not controlled in their activation/termination and other operations by broadcast signals, the user may run the non-broadcasting applications and general applications while viewing the broadcast program. When the user is running a non-broadcast application while viewing a broadcast program, there may be a case where the user is further requested to start a broadcast managed application that is linked to the broadcast program. The request includes, for example, an instruction to start the AIT using the application control code 903 included in the broadcast signal. That is, in this case, it is required to execute the non-broadcast application or general application and the broadcast managed application in parallel, or to select one of them. Although it is technically possible to run multiple applications of different types in parallel in this way, it may be undesirable in terms of control and may be inconvenient for the user.

Therefore, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the seventh embodiment has a function of controlling the duplication or parallel activation of the applications or the activation and termination of each application so as to be able to suitably deal with the above situation. This function, when a request is made to start and execute a second application while the first application is running, controls operations including the start and end of those applications in accordance with the user's selection. In particular, if a request to start a broadcast managed application is received while a non-broadcasting application is running, this function will terminate the non-broadcasting application or start the broadcast managed application according to the user's input instructions and settings. Control. In the seventh embodiment, an example of the control operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in the above-described case and situation will be described.

An example of control according to user selection using the above function is as follows. (1) The above function starts and executes the target broadcast managed application while continuing the non-broadcasting application or general application that is being executed at the time the above request is received. (2) The above function terminates the non-broadcast application or general application that is being executed at the time the above request is received, and starts and executes the target broadcast managed application. (3) The above function allows non-broadcasting applications and general applications that are being executed at the time the above request is received to continue, and does not start or execute the target broadcast managed application.

The means of user selection using the above function are as follows. (a) The above functions include information that informs the user of the situation in which a request to start a broadcast managed application other than the non-broadcast application being executed when the above request is received, and an application to start or terminate. Alternatively, information for allowing the user to select the above-mentioned control operation is displayed on the screen. This function accepts a user's operation to input a selection instruction on the screen. The function executes the control content selected from, for example, (1) to (3) above, according to the user's selection. (b) The above function accepts user setting operations by the user in advance. When the above request is received, this function executes the control content selected from, for example, (1) to (3) above, in accordance with confirmation of the user setting information.

FIG. 26 shows a system configuration and usage example including the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the seventh embodiment. The broadcast receiving device 100 receives broadcast waves from the broadcast station server 300 via the radio tower 300t, and separates the video of the broadcast program from information such as AIT. The broadcast receiving device 100 appropriately acquires a broadcast managed application, which is a broadcast cooperation application, from the service provider server 400 or the like based on information such as the AIT. The broadcast receiving device 100 also acquires non-broadcast applications and general applications from the service provider server 400, other application servers 500, etc. as appropriate. Furthermore, there may be a mobile information terminal 700 that performs terminal cooperation with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and various applications are acquired and executed in a state of terminal cooperation between the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the mobile information terminal 700. Good too.

The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the seventh embodiment includes a plurality of application execution control means 2600 including a user selection means 2601. The user selection unit 2601 is a unit for selecting control contents such as operations including starting and terminating multiple types of applications, parallel execution, etc., based on user operations of the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700. . The user selection unit 2601 includes, for example, an instruction input unit that receives and processes instruction inputs from the broadcast receiving device 100, the mobile information terminal 700, etc., related to (a) above. The user selection unit 2601 includes, for example, a user setting unit related to (b) above that receives and processes user settings.

For example, the multiple application execution control means 2600 controls the user and the user selection means 2601 when the AIT of the broadcast wave instructs to start a broadcast managed application while a non-broadcast application or a general application is being executed while viewing a broadcast program. , and controls termination of non-broadcast applications, startup of broadcast managed applications, etc., depending on the selection of control operations corresponding to the case.

[Example of multiple types of apps]
FIG. 27 shows an example of the structure of a document for a plurality of types of applications, the activation of each application, the transition between each application, and the like. The broadcast wave 2010 includes video of a broadcast program, information such as AIT, and information such as BML. As described above, in the broadcast communication cooperation function, the AIT notifies the broadcast reception device 100 of the existence of the broadcast cooperation application and instructs control such as starting and terminating the application. For example, the broadcast managed application 2011 is started based on the AIT information included in the broadcast wave 2010.

In the seventh embodiment, the broadcast cooperation applications are broadly classified into (a) broadcast managed applications, (b) non-broadcast applications, and (c) general applications. The broadcast managed application operates in a broadcast reception state and is permitted to access broadcast resources based on a control signal included in a broadcast signal. Non-broadcast applications operate without being controlled by broadcast signals in terms of activation/termination, etc., and are permitted to access broadcast resources based on authentication and the like. General apps operate independently of broadcast signals and are not allowed access to broadcast resources.

In FIG. 27, App1, which is a broadcast managed application 2011, is composed of, for example, four documents, HTML11 to HTML14. App2, which is the non-broadcasting application 2012, is composed of two documents, HTML21 and HTML22, for example. App3, which is the general application 2013, is composed of two documents, HTML31 and HTML32, for example. Each HTML document can be moved through links indicated by solid arrows. For example, it is possible to transition from HTML13 of App1 to HTML21 of App2 or HTML31 of App3. Dashed arrows indicate examples of transitions between HTML documents.

In FIG. 27, for example, App2, which is a non-broadcasting application 2012, and App3, which is a general application 2013, can be activated in response to a user operation 2020 on the broadcast cooperation application launcher screen described above. App2 is executed by reading HTML21, for example, and App3 is executed by reading HTML31, for example.

An example of a case where each application is executed independently during reproduction of a broadcast program (for example, broadcast program A) using the broadcast wave 2010 is as follows. (a1) The AIT instructs to start App1, which is the broadcast managed application 2011, and App1 is started and executed. App1 is permitted to access broadcast program A. When the same AIT instructs to terminate App1, App1 is terminated.

(a2) Based on the user's selection operation such as inputting an instruction, the launch of App2, which is a non-broadcasting application 2012, is instructed to launch via the broadcast cooperation application launcher screen or a link from the HTML13 of App1, and App2 is launched and executed. be done. App2 is permitted to access broadcast program A. When the instruction to terminate App2 is given, App2 is terminated. (a3) Similarly, based on the user's selection operation, the launch of App3, which is the general application 2013, is instructed to launch by the broadcast cooperation application launcher screen, the link from the HTML 13 of App1, etc., and App3 is launched and executed. . App3 is not permitted to access broadcast program A. When the instruction to terminate App3 is given, App3 is terminated.

[Operation sequence when starting the broadcast managed app]
FIG. 28 shows a control operation sequence in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the seventh embodiment when activation of a broadcast managed application is requested by AIT of a broadcast signal or the like while a non-broadcasting application is being executed while a broadcast program is being viewed. show. Note that although the following description will be made in the case of non-broadcasting applications, this is also possible in the case of general applications. In FIG. 28, it is assumed that the information on the PMT and the information such as the application control code 903 and the activation priority level 907 of the AIT specify and instruct that the broadcast managed application be prioritized in activation.

In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, while the user is viewing a broadcast program, in response to, for example, the user's operation of selecting a desired non-broadcasting application from the broadcast cooperation application launcher screen, activation of the non-broadcasting application is instructed. Then, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 displays, for example, an execution screen of a non-broadcast application superimposed on the broadcast program screen (S1401). When the broadcast program is switched in the state of S1401, the contents of information such as PMT and AIT in the broadcast signal are updated. Even if the update is performed, the non-broadcast application continues to be executed because its activation/termination and other operations are not controlled by the broadcast signal.

Next, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 uses the main control unit 101 to acquire the PMT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S1402), and checks the activation priority described in the PMT (S1403). In the process of S1403, for example, it is confirmed that the launch priority of the broadcast managed application is high. Then, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 uses the application control unit 161 to acquire the AIT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S1404), and checks the application control code 903 of the obtained AIT data string (S1405). If the application control code 903 is "auto start" in the process of S1405, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 further checks the application profile 904 of the AIT data string (S1406). In S1406, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 confirms whether the broadcast managed application designated by the AIT is executable.

When it is confirmed that the above execution is possible, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 causes the application control unit 161 to display a startup selection screen (see FIG. 30, which will be described later) on the video display unit 173 (S1407). The startup selection screen is used to allow the user to select the control operations related to the startup/termination of the running non-broadcast application and the broadcast managed application that is requested to be automatically launched, in other words, the application to be launched or terminated. This is a screen containing information on In the seventh embodiment, as the selection of the control operation described above, it is possible to select whether to continue or terminate the execution of the non-broadcast application, whether to start the broadcast managed application, etc. on the startup selection screen. In other words, it is possible to select whether or not to allow the non-broadcast application and the broadcast managed application to be executed in parallel.

On the startup selection screen displayed in S1407, the user uses his or her operating means such as the mobile information terminal 700 or the remote control of the broadcast receiving device 100 to control the startup and termination of the multiple types of applications. Select (S1408). The broadcast receiving device 100 receives the user's selection result as an instruction input. If starting the broadcast managed application is not selected according to the user's selection result in S1408 (S1409-No), the broadcast receiving device 100 ends this process in FIG. 28. That is, the application control unit 161 does not acquire or launch the broadcast managed application specified by the AIT. Execution of non-broadcast applications continues.

On the other hand, if starting the broadcast managed application is selected (S1409-Yes), the process advances to S1410. In S1410, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 causes the application control unit 161 to terminate the operation of the non-broadcasting application being executed.

Next, the transmitting/receiving device 100 transmits a broadcast managed application distribution request to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 based on the information described in the application acquisition source information 905 of the AIT (S1412). The service provider server 400 that has received the distribution request in S1412 performs authentication processing on the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary under the control of the application management/distribution execution unit 4103, and then stores the request in the application storage area 4013. The predetermined broadcast managed application is distributed via the LAN communication unit 421 (S1412). The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 then uses the application engine 162 to start the broadcast managed application received via the LAN communication section 121 based on the control of the application control section 161 (S1413).

In the above embodiment, when starting the broadcast managed application is selected in S1409, control is performed to terminate the non-broadcasting application in S1410. The control is not limited to this, and the following control is also possible. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 checks whether termination of the non-broadcast application has been selected during S1409 or in a step provided next. Depending on the user's selection result in this step, the broadcast receiving device 100 executes S1410 if ending the non-broadcast application is selected, and proceeds to S1411 if not selected.

Note that as a modification, the processes such as activation confirmation and termination of the non-broadcast application in S1407 to S1410 may be performed after acquiring the broadcast managed application in S1411 to S1412.

[Control example]
FIG. 29 shows an example of controlling the reproduction and execution of a broadcast program and a plurality of types of applications, corresponding to the process of FIG. 28 of the seventh embodiment. The horizontal axis indicates time. In the vertical direction, reproduction of a video of a broadcast program by a broadcast signal of a broadcast wave and control instructions by an AIT, (A) first control, (B) second control, and (C) third control are shown in relation to each other. (A) First control indicates (A1) execution of App2, which is a non-broadcast application, and (A2) execution of App1, which is a broadcast managed application. Similarly, (B) second control indicates (B1) execution of App2 and (B2) execution of App1. (C) Third control indicates (C1) execution of App2 and (C2) execution of App1. Note that, as described above, the activation priority of App1, which is a broadcast managed application, is higher than that of App2, which is a non-broadcast application.

First, as an example of reproduction of a broadcast program, broadcast program A is reproduced during a period from time t1 to t3. The program is switched to broadcast program B from t3 to t4, and broadcast program B is played back from t4 to t6. Along with switching to broadcast program B, the AIT instructs to start App1, which is a broadcast managed application linked to broadcast program B.

(A) In the case of the first control, as shown in (A1), for example, at time t2, App2, which is a non-broadcasting application, is started by a user operation or the like, and is executed from t2. Assume that during the execution of App2, an instruction to start App1 is issued at t3. At this time, from t3 to t4, the user selection means 2601 selects to continue App2 and start App1. The multiple application execution control unit 2600 of the broadcast receiving device 100 starts App1 at t4 as shown in (A2) while continuing the execution of App2 according to the user's selection, and changes the display state of the screen accordingly. Control. Thereafter, for example, during a period from t4 to t5, App1 and App2 are executed in parallel, and at t5, App2 is terminated by a user operation or the like. During the period from t5 to t6, execution of App1 continues, and at t6, App1 is terminated in accordance with the instruction to terminate App1 from the AIT.

(B) In the case of the second control, App2 is being executed during the period from t2 to t3 as in (B1), and with the instruction to start App1 at t3, the user selects the end of App2 and the start of App1. Selected. The broadcast receiving device 100 ends the execution of App2 according to the user's selection, and starts App1 at t4 as shown in (B2). After that, App1 is executed during the period from t4 to t6.

(C) In the case of the third control, App2 is being executed during the period from t2 to t3 as shown in (C1), and in response to the instruction to start App1 at t3, the user selects to continue App2 and deactivate App1. is selected. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 continues to execute App2 according to the user's selection, and does not start or execute App1 at t4 as shown in (C2). After that, App2 is executed during the period from t4 to t5.

[Start selection screen]
FIG. 30 shows an example of the startup selection screen displayed by the process of S1407 in FIG. 28 in the seventh embodiment. A message box 173g1 is displayed on this screen. The message box 173g1 confirms with the user that a non-broadcast application is currently being executed, that the launch of the broadcast managed application has been instructed and is possible, and that the user selects whether or not to launch the broadcast managed application. including the display of a message to the effect that the The message box 173g1 in this example includes "Yes" and "No" buttons for allowing the user to select whether or not to activate the activation.

With the message box 173g1 displayed, the user selects "Yes" or "No" using, for example, the cursor key 741ac and enter key 741ad on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application. That is, the user selects "Yes" if he wants to start the broadcast managed application at that time, and "No" if he wants to continue executing the non-broadcast application. This screen allows the user to easily decide whether or not to launch a new broadcast managed application on the broadcast receiving device 100 that is currently running any desired non-broadcasting application, according to his/her convenience and wishes. You can choose. The above control is similarly possible for general applications.

Note that instead of the message box 173g1, the icon 173b0 of FIG. 12A described above and other marks are displayed to prompt a predetermined user operation, and the operation controls the start of the broadcast managed application and the termination of non-broadcast applications. It may also be in the form of For example, a mark or message indicating that there is a request to start a broadcast managed application may be displayed in the corner of the screen using OSD. If a predetermined user operation is not performed after the icon etc. is displayed, the display is deleted.

FIG. 31 shows an example of another startup selection screen. The activation selection screen in FIG. 31 displays a message box 173g2. The message box 173g2 includes displays such as messages for prompting the user to select control operations related to starting, terminating, etc. of a plurality of types of apps including the non-broadcast apps and broadcast managed apps. The message box 173g2 provides information on specific control options such as (1) starting the broadcast managed application while the non-broadcast application is running, (2) terminating the non-broadcast application and starting the broadcast managed application, ( 3) Including not starting the broadcast managed application.

With the message box 173g2 displayed, the user selects from the above options using, for example, the color key 741ae on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application. For example, blue corresponds to control (1), red corresponds to control (2), and yellow corresponds to control (3). The above screen also allows the user to easily select whether to terminate or start each application, depending on the situation at the time.

The activation selection screen is not limited to being displayed when a request occurs, but may also be displayed when a user makes settings. In this case, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 displays a user setting menu on the screen of the video display unit 173, for example, as in FIG. 25, and displays control options such as (1) to (3) above in the menu. , allowing the user to configure the selection. Broadcast receiving apparatus 100 executes control according to this user setting information when a request is generated.

[Multiple apps execution screen]
In the case of controlling to terminate the non-broadcast application and start and execute the broadcast managed application, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 controls the display of the screen of the video display unit 173 in the same manner as in the above example. That is, the broadcast receiving device 100 displays, for example, on the screen of the video display unit 173, an execution screen of a non-broadcasting application that is being displayed in an area different from the broadcast program screen or in an area that partially overlaps with the broadcast program screen. Close it and display a new execution screen for the broadcast managed application.

In addition, when the broadcast receiving device 100 starts the broadcast managed application while continuing the execution of the non-broadcast application, that is, when controlling to execute both applications in parallel, the broadcast receiving device 100 displays the screen of the video display unit 173 as follows. may be controlled. For example, the broadcast receiving device 100 appropriately adjusts the size and display position of the execution screen of the non-broadcast application and the execution screen of the broadcast managed application so that the execution screen of the non-broadcast application and the execution screen of the broadcast managed application do not overlap as a whole. Further, both execution screens may be adjusted so that they overlap in some areas.

For example, the broadcast receiving device 100 may perform a process of reducing the size of the execution screen of the non-broadcast application being executed so as not to interfere with the display of the execution screen of the newly started broadcast managed application. Conversely, the size of the execution screen of a newly launched broadcast managed application may be reduced so as not to interfere with the display of the execution screen of the non-broadcast application being executed. Also, even if the non-broadcast application is temporarily turned into an icon, only the execution screen of the broadcast managed application is displayed, and the display of the execution screen of the non-broadcast application is restored when the user selects the icon of the non-broadcast application. good. Alternatively, both apps may be made into icons, and an execution screen may be displayed in response to the user's selection of the icon.

For example, the broadcast receiving device 100 displays a broadcast program playback screen on the screen of the video display unit 173, displays an execution screen of a non-broadcast application over a part of the broadcast program playback screen, and further An execution screen of a broadcast managed application, etc. may be displayed superimposed on a part of the execution screen of a non-broadcast application. Furthermore, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may divide all or part of the screen of the video display section 173 to display the broadcast program and the execution screens of both applications in parallel.

FIG. 32 shows an example of a screen of the video display unit 173 corresponding to the example of controlling the parallel execution of the plurality of applications. In the screen of FIG. 32, an execution screen of a newly started broadcast managed application is displayed overlapping a part of the area 173g3 on the broadcast program display screen 173g. At the same time, the execution screen of the non-broadcast application being executed is displayed in a reduced size or as an icon in a part of the area 173g4 within the area 173g3. When the user selects 173g4, the execution screen of the non-broadcast application is displayed in an enlarged size in the area 173g3, and conversely, the execution screen of the broadcast managed application is displayed in a reduced size or as an icon in the area 173g4. In the area 173g4, a mark or a message indicating that there is an instruction to start the broadcast managed application may be displayed.

A screen like the one in the above example allows the user to easily grasp and recognize the execution status of broadcast programs and multiple types of applications.

FIG. 33 shows another screen example of the video display unit 173 corresponding to the example of controlling the parallel execution of the plurality of applications described above. The screen in FIG. 33 has a plurality of divided areas including a broadcast program screen 173g, a non-broadcast application execution screen 173g5, a newly launched broadcast managed application execution screen 173g6, and a display screen 173g6 for selecting a start, etc. An area 173g7 for displaying information is displayed in parallel. In the area 173g7, a mark or message indicating that there is an instruction to launch a broadcast managed application may be displayed, or information on an application list such as the broadcast cooperation application launcher in FIG. 12B may be displayed. Furthermore, if there are two or more non-broadcast applications, general applications, or two or more broadcast managed applications, the execution screens of each application may be displayed in parallel on this screen.

[Effects etc.]
As described above, according to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the seventh embodiment, even if a request to start a broadcast managed application is generated by AIT or the like while a non-broadcasting application or a general application is being executed in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, various multiple The startup and termination of apps can be controlled as appropriate according to the user's selection. That is, according to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, functions with higher added value can be executed. Users can select and use non-broadcast apps or broadcast managed apps depending on the situation and convenience at the time of the request.

It should be noted that which of the controls, modifications, screen display control methods, etc. to be adopted in Embodiment 7 is defined in the specifications of the broadcast receiving device 100, etc., or is determined by the user's selection for the broadcast receiving device 100, etc. Allows settings.

The following is possible as a modification of the seventh embodiment. As a first modification, after the processing up to S1406 in FIG. 28, the non-broadcasting application in S1410 to S1413 is automatically terminated and the broadcast managed application is started, without confirming the user selection in S1407 to S1408. You may also do so. Similarly, after the processing up to S1406, the broadcast managed application may be automatically started without confirming the user's selection, while the non-broadcasting application continues. Similarly, while a non-broadcast application or a general application is being executed, the broadcast managed application may be controlled not to be automatically started without confirming the user's selection. In the case of this modification, the user requires less effort in operation.

As a second modified example, in addition to confirming the user selection instruction input on the startup confirmation screen, similar to the sixth embodiment described above, multiple It may also be possible to control the execution of these types of applications. For example, the user can select and set whether or not to start a broadcast managed application while a non-broadcasting application or a general application is being executed, according to the user's preference, using user setting information such as the function setting menu described above. Broadcast receiving apparatus 100 stores the setting value in storage unit 110. The broadcast receiving device 100 refers to and confirms the contents of the user setting information of the broadcast receiving device 100 when a request is made to start a broadcast managed application while a non-broadcasting application is being executed, for example, during the processing of S1407 to S1409 described above. . The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 judges and determines the control such as the above-mentioned activation according to the content. In the case of this modification, the user can change the user settings as appropriate according to his or her convenience and use multiple types of broadcast cooperation applications.

The same can be achieved when using the user settings of the mobile information terminal 700. Similar to the sixth embodiment, the activation and termination of the plurality of types of applications can be flexibly controlled depending on the presence or absence of a cooperating mobile information terminal 700 or the user settings for each cooperating mobile information terminal 700.

As another modification, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 displays information indicating that a non-broadcasting application has been terminated midway and a broadcast managed application has been started, as a control example related to the second control (B) in FIG. 29 above. However, after the broadcast managed application is terminated, the non-broadcast application that was terminated midway may be started and executed again, either automatically or by a predetermined user operation. In the case of this modification, the user can easily return to using the non-broadcast application.

As another modification example, as a control example related to the third control in FIG. Put it on hold without starting it, and continue running the non-broadcasting application. Thereafter, the broadcast receiving device 100 starts the suspended broadcast managed application, for example, after the non-broadcast application ends. An example of controlling the screen display in this case is to display a message or mark indicating that there is a request to start the broadcast managed application or that the start is on hold, in the corner of the execution screen of the non-broadcast application. This prompts the user to close the non-broadcast application and start the broadcast managed application. In the case of this modification, the user can move on to using the broadcast managed application at a convenient time.

Example 8 of the present invention will be described below. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. of this example are the same as those of Example 1 unless otherwise specified. Therefore, in the following, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly explained, and the explanation of the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the eighth embodiment has a function of suitably controlling the restart of an application that has been terminated in accordance with a user's selection. Although automatic restart of a broadcast cooperation application is technically possible, it may be undesirable in terms of control or inconvenient for the user. On the other hand, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the eighth embodiment allows the broadcast cooperation application to be restarted, and then controls the restart according to the user's selection as to whether or not to allow the restart. As a result, even if the program is terminated due to an erroneous operation by the user, it can be restarted according to the user's selection.

The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the eighth embodiment performs the following operations when an application for which priority and automatic startup has been instructed by the AIT or the like is terminated by a user operation or the like, and when the startup instruction from the AIT continues. control. That is, (1) the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 controls restart according to the user's selection, that is, according to the input of an instruction or the confirmation of the user setting. (2) The broadcast receiving device 100 displays information such as an icon on the screen for allowing the user to select whether or not to restart the application, and only when the user requests it by selecting the information, Restart the app.

FIG. 34 shows a system configuration including a broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the eighth embodiment. Broadcast receiving apparatus 100 includes application restart control means 3400. The application restart control means 3400 includes a user selection means 3401 and a storage section 3402. The user selection unit 3401 receives a selection operation regarding the operation of controlling the restart of the application based on the operation of the user of the broadcast receiving device 100 or the mobile information terminal 700. The user selection means 3401 is realized by inputting instructions and user settings on the screen of the broadcast receiving device 100 or the mobile information terminal 700, as in the sixth embodiment and the like.

The application restart control means 3400 stores information regarding the execution and status of the application in the storage unit 3402 as application execution information 3411. The application execution information 3411 includes cache data that holds information regarding terminated applications. The application restart control means 3400 controls whether or not to restart the application in accordance with the user selection by the user selection means 3401 when and when a situation related to the restart of the broadcast managed application occurs. . The application restart control unit 3400 uses the application execution information 3411 when restarting the application.

FIG. 35 shows examples of reproduction of a broadcast program using a broadcast signal, instructions from an AIT, execution and control of a broadcast managed application, user operations, user selections, etc. in the eighth embodiment, in relation to each other on a time axis.

The broadcast managed application, which is a type of broadcast cooperation application used in the broadcast communication cooperation system of this embodiment, performs operations such as startup/termination based on information such as the AIT application control code 903 included in the broadcast signal. controlled. Of course, the operation of the broadcast managed application may be controlled based on a user's instruction operation or the like.

When controlling the activation of a broadcast managed application linked to a broadcast program using the AIT, etc., information such as the application control code 903 of the AIT for instructing the activation is at least included in the broadcast signal at the start of the broadcast program. include. Further, the information needs to be included in the broadcast signal not only at the start of the broadcast program but also continuously during the broadcast of the broadcast program. The reason for this is that users do not always view a broadcast program from the beginning, but may start viewing from the middle of the broadcast program. When playing a broadcast program from the middle, if the above information is not included in the broadcast signal, the broadcast managed application cannot be started.

Therefore, information such as the AIT is continuously transmitted during the period from the beginning to the end of the broadcast program. For example, the information may be transmitted periodically, such as once every few seconds. The broadcast receiving device 100 periodically refers to and acquires information such as AIT included in the broadcast signal, for example, to check whether the information content has been updated. This makes it possible to control the activation of the broadcast managed application even when the user wants to watch a broadcast program from the middle of the program.

On the other hand, information such as the application control code 903 for instructing the termination of the execution of the broadcast managed application should be included in the broadcast signal at the timing when the application is desired to be terminated, for example, at the end of the broadcast program. Just do it. For example, if the broadcast managed application is to be terminated at an arbitrary timing during the broadcast of a broadcast program, for example, at a time specified by the broadcast station, information for instructing the termination may be included in the broadcast signal at that timing. When the broadcast receiving device 100 receives the termination instruction, it terminates the execution of the broadcast managed application.

Further, when the broadcast managed application is to be terminated at an arbitrary timing during the broadcast of a broadcast program, for example, at a point in time based on a user's operation, the following control operations may be performed. For example, based on the user's operation of changing the frequency channel, that is, selecting the channel or program to be played, or instructing the user to terminate the application, using the mobile information terminal 700, remote control, etc. Terminates execution.

The example of AIT in FIG. 35 shows an example in which instruction information is continuously and periodically included during the broadcast of a broadcast program as described above. For example, there is a broadcast managed application M1 that cooperates with broadcast program A. AIT is regularly distributed during the period from time t1 to time t3 during which broadcast program A is being broadcast, including the beginning and end. The first AIT at t1 includes at least an instruction to automatically start the broadcast managed application M1. The last AIT at t3 includes at least an instruction to automatically terminate the broadcast managed application M1. As a result, as shown in (a), the broadcast managed application M1 is automatically executed during the period from t1 to t3. Between t1 and t3, AIT is distributed in the same way as at t2. The same applies to broadcast program B and broadcast managed application M2.

The broadcast managed application may be terminated based on a user's instruction during the broadcast of the broadcast program. In this case as well, while the broadcast program continues to be aired, the PMT, AIT, etc. included in the broadcast signal may continue to instruct automatic startup giving priority to the application.

(b) of FIG. 35 is an example in which the broadcast managed application M2 is started in the middle of the broadcast program B, and the broadcast managed application M2 is terminated in the middle of the broadcast program B. Assume that broadcast program B is played back by changing the frequency channel (ch) at time t5, for example, by the user operation in (c). Thereafter, the broadcast managed application M2 is started, for example, in response to an instruction to start the broadcast managed application M2 by the AIT at a regular time t6. Further, assume that the user operation in (c) instructs, for example, at time t7, to change the frequency channel (ch) or terminate the broadcast managed application M2. As a result, the broadcast managed application M2 is terminated.

However, when the broadcast managed application is terminated by the user's instruction operation, needless to say, it is not preferable that the same broadcast managed application is automatically restarted based on the description of the PMT, AIT, etc. For example, once an application is terminated, the AIT is periodically checked immediately, and the application is automatically restarted according to the AIT's automatic startup instructions. From the user's perspective, the app is immediately restarted even though the user instructs the user to close the app. Therefore, a configuration may be considered that disables automatic restart of the same broadcast managed application as described above.

On the other hand, consideration should also be given to the possibility that the user's instruction to terminate the broadcast managed application was a mistake by the user. Considering this possibility, it is also not preferable to completely disable automatic restart of the same broadcast managed application. From a user's point of view, it is inconvenient because if an application is closed by mistake, it cannot be restarted or restored immediately.

The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the eighth embodiment has a function of performing control in consideration of restarting the application. In Embodiment 8, the execution of the broadcast managed application is terminated at any timing during the broadcast program based on the user's instructions, and the priority of the same application is determined based on information such as AIT included in the broadcast wave. An example of controlling the restart of the broadcast managed application of the broadcast receiving device 100 when automatic startup is continuously instructed will be described.

In (d) of FIG. 35, the broadcast managed application M2 was terminated in the middle of broadcast program B as shown in (b), but after that, the instruction to start it was continued at AIT at time t8. This shows a case where the broadcast managed application M2 is restarted immediately.

FIGS. 35(e) to 35(g) show examples of control by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the eighth embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, the user selection in (e) is confirmed for the case in (d). Accordingly, in the first control (f), the broadcast managed application M2 is inhibited from being restarted and re-executed. In the second control (g), the broadcast managed application M2 is controlled to be restarted and re-executed. The user selection in (e) involves inputting instructions on the screen, checking user setting information, etc.

[Operation sequence when restarting the broadcast managed application]
FIG. 36 shows an example of a control operation sequence including processing for restarting the broadcast managed application in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the eighth embodiment. FIG. 36 shows a series of control operations when it is specified and instructed that the broadcast managed application be started with priority. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 terminates the broadcast managed application that is automatically started based on the AIT of the broadcast signal when the user starts viewing a broadcast program, in response to an instruction from the user. Furthermore, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 appropriately checks the PMT and AIT, and controls whether or not to restart the once terminated broadcast managed application, according to the user's selection.

In FIG. 36, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 uses the tuner/demodulator 131 to perform tuning processing on a frequency channel desired by the user to obtain a TS. Then, in S1500, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 performs the same processing as, for example, S101 to S108 in FIG. 7A described above. That is, the broadcast receiving device 100 checks the startup priority from the PMT, checks instructions such as automatic startup based on the application control code of the AIT, checks the executable state from the application profile, and executes the specified command from the operator server etc. as appropriate. Obtain the Broadcast Managed App, which is a broadcast collaboration app. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 starts a broadcast managed application by the application engine 162 under the control of the application control unit 161 .

After the processing in S1500, in S1509, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 uses the application control unit 161 to store the information regarding the started broadcast managed application and the situation as application execution information 3411 in the temporary storage area of the RAM 104 (storage unit in FIG. 34). 3402) is temporarily stored, in other words cached. The process in S1509 may be performed according to the AIT cache information 908 described above.

The application execution information 3411 includes information such as PMT and AIT acquired during the process of S1500, data of the HTML document that constitutes the broadcast managed application, and attributes such as the broadcast program name and service ID (frequency channel) regarding the application. , etc. Note that for the sake of explanation, this information is referred to as application execution information 3411, but individual information may be managed.

Here, in FIG. 36, it is assumed that the user uses the mobile information terminal 700, remote control, etc. to instruct the termination of the broadcast managed application at any desired timing during the broadcast program without waiting for the end of the broadcast program. (S1510). In FIG. 35, this corresponds to time t7 of the user operation in (c). Then, the broadcast receiving device 100 ends the execution of the broadcast managed application by the application engine 162 (S1511).

When the broadcast managed application is terminated in S1511, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 again obtains a PMT data string using the main control unit 101 (S1512), and obtains an AIT data string using the application control unit 161 (S1513). The acquisition of information in S1512 and S1513 may be performed continuously or periodically during the airing of a broadcast program, as shown in FIG. A process of acquiring and referencing the information may be performed. Note that the PMT includes information pointing to the AIT, and here both the PMT and the AIT are referenced and acquired.

Next, in the process of S1514, the broadcast receiving device 100 checks whether the AIT information of S1513 above instructs to launch the same application as temporarily stored in S1509, for example, automatic startup giving priority to the broadcast managed application. do. In other words, in S1514, it is checked whether execution of the same HTML document has been instructed and whether the content displayed by the broadcast managed application has been updated. In S1514, if the information content of the AIT in S1513 is the same as the information content in the AIT of the application execution information 3411 during temporary storage in S1509, that is, the activation of the same application or the execution of the same document is instructed, and the displayed content is If it has not been updated (Yes), the process advances to S1516. In S1514, if the information content of the AIT in S1513 is different from the information content in the AIT of the application execution information 3411 during temporary storage in S1509, that is, the activation of a different application or the execution of a different document is instructed, and the displayed content is updated. If so (No), the process advances to S1515.

Note that, for example, while a broadcast program is being aired, there is a possibility that part of the information content of the AIT included in the broadcast signal will be changed. For example, there is a case where the description of a link of a transitionable HTML document among a plurality of HTML documents constituting the same broadcast cooperation application is changed. Alternatively, the description of the link may be changed to allow transition to an HTML document of a different application. In S1514, a determination is made including the presence or absence of such a change.

When proceeding to S1515, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 prevents the broadcast managed application that ended in S1511 from being restarted. In this case, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 restarts the process of starting the predetermined broadcast managed application or updating the display content, etc., as shown in FIG. It may be performed in the same manner as the processing in S101 to S108. Then, the main process of FIG. 36 ends.

FIG. 37 shows a restart prevention screen that is an example of a screen displayed at S1515. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may display a screen and information as shown in FIG. 37 at the time of S1515. The screen in FIG. 37 displays a predetermined mark 173h1 or a message indicating that restart of the broadcast managed application has been suppressed on the broadcast program screen 173h, for example in a corner of the screen. This allows the user to recognize the situation in which restarting the app has been suppressed.

On the other hand, when proceeding to S1516, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 performs control to restart the broadcast managed application that was terminated in S1511. In S1516, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 displays information for restarting the broadcast managed application that ended in S1511 in accordance with the user's selection operation on the screen of the video display unit 173.

FIG. 38 shows a restart confirmation screen that is an example of the screen displayed in S1516 above. This screen displays a message box 173h2 for confirmation of restart on the broadcast program screen 173h. Alternatively, this screen may display a restart icon 173h3 in a corner or the like within the screen. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 accepts a user's selection operation for information on this screen, in other words, an instruction input operation for selecting whether to restart or not. The message box 173h2 includes a confirmation message as to whether or not to restart the broadcast managed application, and buttons for "Yes" and "No". The broadcast receiving device 100 restarts the application in response to the "Yes" selection operation.

The icon 173h3 is an icon indicating a predetermined broadcast managed application. The broadcast receiving device 100 restarts the application by selecting the icon 173h3. The icon 173h3 may be similar to the icon 173b0 that allows the user to recognize the broadcast collaboration application that can be started as shown in FIG. 12A described above. Moreover, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 automatically erases the display of the message box 173h2 and the icon 173h3 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since displaying the message box 173h2 and the icon 173h3, and does not restart the apparatus in this case. Since the confirmation information continues to be displayed for a predetermined period of time, the user can restart the application by selecting the icon 173h3 remaining on the screen. The user can easily select whether or not to restart the application based on the user's convenience at the time, using the above screen.

On the screen of S1516 in FIG. 36, in S1517, the user receives an operation to select the restart icon 173h3 using the portable information terminal 700, remote control, or the like as an operation means. Here, for example, assume that the user selects the screen restart icon 173h3 from the mobile information terminal 700. The same goes for selecting the "Yes" button in the message box 173h2. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 internally instructs to restart the broadcast managed application that was terminated in S1511, according to the user's selection.

When restarting the broadcast managed application, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 first, in S1518, causes the application control unit 161 to read data of the HTML document constituting the application in the application execution information 3411 that was temporarily stored in S1509. Further, in S1519, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 uses the application engine 162 to execute the HTML document under the control of the application control unit 161. As a result, the broadcast managed application that ended in S1511 is restarted.

If the user does not want to restart the broadcast managed application that was instructed in S1510 and terminated in S1511, in S1517, the user inputs an instruction not to restart using the operation means, or leaves the application as is without inputting an instruction. do it. For example, selecting the "No" button in the message box 173h2, pressing the aforementioned return key 741ab, etc. As a result, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 does not internally generate a reboot instruction and also erases the display of the reboot confirmation screen.

As described above, according to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the eighth embodiment, a broadcast managed application is terminated by a user operation or the like during a broadcast program, and the same application continues to be automatically started with priority based on information such as the AIT of the broadcast wave. Even in cases where the user is instructed to restart the app, the restart of the app can be suitably controlled according to the user's selection. Users can control whether to restart the app with a simple operation. This is highly convenient because the user can immediately restart the app even in the event of an erroneous operation. That is, according to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to perform functions with higher added value.

As a modification of the eighth embodiment, the application restart processing in S1516 to S1519 may be executed in accordance with confirmation of user setting information on the broadcast receiving device 100 or the mobile information terminal 700, as in the sixth embodiment. For example, the broadcast receiving device 100 provides a screen for user settings regarding whether to allow restarting of the application, and stores setting values based on user operations in the storage unit 110 (in the case of the mobile information terminal 700, the storage unit 710). Memorize in advance. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 refers to the setting values on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 or the mobile information terminal 700 to confirm the reboot confirmation screen in S1516. Broadcast receiving device 100 restarts the application if restarting is permissible with the setting value.

As a modification of the eighth embodiment, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may perform a process of adjusting and controlling the transparency of the display of the broadcast managed application on the screen instead of the process of terminating the broadcast managed application in S1511. The display when the broadcast managed application is executed has a transparency of 0%, and the display when the broadcast managed application ends has a transparency of 100%. When terminating the application in S1511, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 maintains the computer process without terminating the application, and changes the display transparency of the application execution screen to 100% so that the application is not visible to the user. do. Furthermore, when restarting the application in S1516 to S1517, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 restores the display transparency of the application on the screen to its original state of 0% so that the application can be seen by the user. In the case of this modification, there is no need to read and execute the HTML document of the application execution information 3411 in the temporary storage area during the processing in S1518 to S1519, and the processing load is low. The above-mentioned transmittance may be a value other than 0% or 100%.

Example 9 of the present invention will be described below. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. of this example are the same as those of Example 8 unless otherwise specified. Therefore, in the following, the differences between this embodiment and the eighth embodiment will be mainly explained, and the explanation of the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

The broadcast managed application used in the broadcast communication cooperation system of Embodiment 9 has operations such as startup/termination not only controlled based on information such as AIT included in the broadcast signal, but also based on information included in the broadcast signal as appropriate. It is possible to control event operations such as page updates using event messages sent. In this embodiment, a page update refers to a change in part or all of the information such as characters and images that make up the application screen displayed on the display unit 173 by executing the broadcast managed application, or , transitioning from an HTML document corresponding to the screen to an HTML document corresponding to another linked application screen, etc. The page update is also illustrated in FIG. 27 described above as a transition between applications and between HTML documents. HTML documents and pages correspond. The update corresponds to a change in the HTML document that constitutes the application.

If AIT, etc. included in the broadcast waves continues to instruct the priority automatic startup of the broadcast managed application, event messages for controlling event operations of the application will also continue to be included in the broadcast waves as necessary. It turns out. Even if the user terminates the broadcast managed application at his/her own discretion, the page may be updated based on the event message etc. of the broadcast wave. In this case, the execution and display contents of the application will be changed by updating the page before and after the application is terminated.

In this case, consideration should be given to the possibility that the user may wish to restart the broadcast managed application once it has been terminated. In other words, there is a possibility that the user would like to view information on the page that is newly provided by updating the page. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the ninth embodiment has a function of suitably controlling restart of an application in consideration of the above-mentioned page update and the like and the situation.

[Operation sequence when restarting the broadcast managed application]
FIG. 39 shows an example of an operation sequence for controlling restart of the broadcast managed application in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the ninth embodiment when the broadcast managed application is instructed to be started with priority. In FIG. 39, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 terminates the broadcast managed application that was automatically started at the start of viewing the broadcast program in response to an instruction from the user. Further, the broadcast receiving device 100 checks the AIT etc. as appropriate, and if the information content is not updated, the broadcast receiving device 100 updates the terminated broadcast according to the event message newly acquired from the broadcast wave and according to the user's selection. Controls whether to restart managed apps.

In FIG. 39, the processing from S1600 to S1615 is the same as the processing from S1500 to S1515 in FIG. The broadcast waves include event messages as appropriate. In S1600, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 starts a predetermined broadcast managed application by performing the same processing as S101 to S108 in FIG. 7A. After S1600, in S1609, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 stores information regarding the activated broadcast managed application in the temporary storage area as application execution information 3411.

As an example, up to S1609, the parts from the first page (for example, HTML11 of App1 in FIG. 27) to the third page (for example, HTML13) in a certain broadcast managed application are executed through transitions between pages and viewed by the user. do. In S1609, the contents of this execution and viewing are cached as application execution information 3411.

In S1610, the user operates to instruct the end of the broadcast managed application at a timing in the middle of the broadcast program. In S1611, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 ends execution of the broadcast managed application. In S1612, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 acquires a PMT data string again, and in S1613 acquires an AIT data string.

Next, in S1614, if the AIT information acquired in S1613 is not the same as the AIT information content of the application execution information 3411 temporarily stored in S1609 (No), the process advances to S1615. In this case, the broadcast managed application that ended in S1611 is not restarted. In S1615, the process of starting a predetermined broadcast managed application is performed again using the updated PMT and AIT obtained in S1612 and S1613.

On the other hand, if the AIT information acquired in S1613 is the same as the AIT information content of the application execution information 3411 temporarily stored in S1609 (Yes), the process advances to S1616, and the information content is the same as that of the AIT information in the application execution information 3411 temporarily stored in S1609. Control takes place. After S1616, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the ninth embodiment monitors the event message included in the broadcast wave until the frequency channel is changed or the information such as PMT and AIT included in the broadcast wave is updated. and acquisition. Note that when the frequency channel is changed or information such as PMT or AIT included in the broadcast wave is updated, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 shifts the process to S1615 described above and performs the same process. The event message may be distributed periodically like AIT, for example. The broadcast receiving device 100 may acquire event messages, for example, periodically.

As an example, assume that in S1616, transition to and display of the fourth page (HTML14 of App1 in FIG. 27) and subsequent parts of the broadcast managed application is instructed as a page update due to an event. The user has not yet viewed the fourth and subsequent pages.

In S1616, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 uses the application control unit 161 to acquire the event message separated by the first separation unit 132. Next, the broadcast receiving device 100 analyzes the acquired event message and determines the analysis result. In S1617, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 checks whether the event message acquired in S1616 instructs the broadcast managed application terminated in S1611 to update the page or the like. In S1617, if the event is not an instruction to update a page or the like (No), the main process in FIG. 39 ends. That is, the broadcast managed application terminated in S1611 is not restarted.

On the other hand, if the event is an instruction to update a page or the like in S1617 (Yes), the process advances to S1618, and control is performed to restart the broadcast managed application that was terminated in S1611. In S1618, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 reads the HTML document of the application execution information 3411 temporarily stored in S1609. The document is before the page was updated. Furthermore, in S1619, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 transmits the event message acquired in S1616 to the application engine 162, and the application engine 162 executes the HTML document read in S1618 based on the control of the application control unit 161. In the process of S1619, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 applies the instruction content of the event message of S1616 to the HTML document to reflect the page update. As a result, the broadcast managed application that was terminated in S1611 is restarted. The content displayed on the screen of the application after the restart is the state after the page has been updated.

As an example, the content displayed on the screen of the broadcast managed application after the restart is displayed from the fourth page onwards. The user can view the fourth and subsequent pages that were unviewed before termination after restarting.

At the time of the restart, the broadcast receiving device 100 may be controlled to automatically transition to and display a new page (for example, the fourth page) after the page update. Also, at this time, the broadcast receiving device 100 may display on the screen a message indicating that a page update has occurred, a message indicating that a transition has been made to a new page, or the like. In this case, the user has less effort to perform operations such as transitioning between pages.

Furthermore, during the restart, the broadcast receiving device 100 controls the display to restore the page before the page update (for example, the third page), displays a page update confirmation message, etc. on the screen, and prompts the user. Depending on the operation, control may be performed to transition to a new page (for example, the fourth page) after the page has been updated. In this case, the user can easily recognize the page update status.

FIG. 40 shows an update confirmation screen that is an example of a screen for confirming with the user regarding restart in case of page update and causing restart according to the user's selection. For example, when the event is a page update in S1617, the broadcast receiving device 100 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 40. This screen displays a message box 173h4. The message box 173h4 includes a message indicating that the page contents of the broadcast managed application have been updated, and a button for selecting whether to restart the application. Broadcast receiving device 100 restarts the application when restart is selected on this screen. This screen allows users to easily recognize the situation, restart the app depending on the situation at the time, and view updated page content.

As described above, according to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the ninth embodiment, for a once terminated broadcast managed application, in response to a page update based on an event message obtained from a broadcast wave, and in accordance with user selection, the broadcast managed application is Restart can be suitably controlled. That is, according to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to perform functions with higher added value.

As a modification of the ninth embodiment, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 performs the processing of S1616 to S1619 described above, that is, the process of restarting the application that reflects the page update by the event message, in the same way as the sixth embodiment. The process may also be executed in accordance with confirmation of user setting information on the mobile information terminal 700. For example, the broadcast receiving device 100 provides a screen for user settings regarding whether to allow restart of the application and restart in case of page update due to an event, and stores setting values based on user operations. When acquiring the event message in S1616, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 checks the setting value and determines whether to restart the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above using Examples 1 to 9, the configuration for realizing the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. All of these belong to the scope of the present invention. Further, the numerical values, messages, etc. that appear in the text and figures are merely examples, and the effects of the present invention will not be impaired even if different values are used. Some or all of the functions of the present invention described above may be realized by hardware, for example, by designing an integrated circuit, or a microprocessor unit or the like may interpret an operating program to realize the respective functions. It may be realized by software, such as by executing the program, or it may be realized by a combination of hardware and software. In addition, the control lines and information lines shown in the diagram are those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all control lines and information lines on the product.In reality, almost all configurations are shown. You can think of them as being interconnected.

Note that the above-mentioned software for controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may be stored in advance in the ROM 103, the storage unit 110, etc. of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 at the time of product shipment. It may also be acquired from another application server 500 or the like on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121 after the product is shipped. Further, software stored in a memory card, an optical disk, or the like may be acquired via the expansion interface unit 124 or the like. Similarly, the software that controls mobile information terminal 700 may be stored in advance in ROM 703, storage unit 710, etc. of mobile information terminal 700 at the time of product shipment. It may be acquired from another application server 500 or the like on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 721 or the mobile telephone network communication unit 722 after the product is shipped. Further, software stored in a memory card, an optical disk, or the like may be acquired via the expansion interface section 724 or the like.

100: Broadcast receiving device, 132: First separating section, 133: First video decoding section, 134: First audio decoding section, 135: First subtitle decoding section, 141: Data broadcasting reception processing section, 142: Data broadcasting engine , 151: Streaming reception processing section, 152: Second separation section, 153: Second video decoding section, 154: Second audio decoding section, 155: Second subtitle decoding section, 161: Application control section, 162: Application engine, 171: Video superimposition unit, 172: Audio selection unit, 173: Video display unit, 174: Speaker, 175: Video output unit, 176: Audio output unit, 181: Presentation synchronization control unit, 191: Terminal cooperation control unit, 300: Broadcasting station server, 400: Service provider server, 500: Other application server, 600: Mobile telephone communication server, 600b: Base station, 700: Mobile information terminal, 3400: Application restart control means, 3401: User selection means , 3402: Storage unit, 3411: Application execution information.

Claims (1)

In an application startup method for starting an application for accessing broadcast resources in a broadcast receiving device,
The application for accessing the broadcast resource includes a broadcast managed application activated by application control information included in the broadcast signal, and a non-broadcast managed application activated by application control information other than the application control information included in the broadcast signal,
receiving a broadcast signal;
a document transition range setting step of setting a document transition range within the broadcast managed application based on application control information included in the received broadcast signal;
a first application starting step of starting the broadcast managed application based on the application control information;
a launcher screen display step of displaying a launcher screen by an application launcher provided in the broadcast receiving device on the broadcast receiving device;
a second application starting step of starting the non-broadcasting managed application based on a user operation via the displayed launcher screen;
a communication step for communicating with an external mobile terminal;
a third application starting step of starting the non-broadcasting managed application based on a user operation via the external mobile terminal in the communication step;
An application startup method with

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