JPH07231439A - Data receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the illegal reception of the broadcasting of a pay program and to surely charge a viewer for reception charge without delay. CONSTITUTION:A 1st-order terminal 100 confirms the presence or absence of a transmission error in a received video signal by an error checker 113. The charging of reception charge is performed for a viewer based on the error information in a charging device 114 and the program information separated from the video signal in a separation circuit 112. Compressed video data is further time-base multiplexed with a terminal identification code and a key signal and the data is transmitted to a second-order terminal 150. In the second- order terminal 150, the presence or adsence of the charging to the viewer is confirmed by the terminal identification code multiplexed in the 1st-order terminal 100 and the processing of a compressed data deciding in a decoding circuit 166 is controlled. As a result, the charging according to the reception status of a pay program is performed for the viewer in the 1st-order terminal. Because the video signal is scrambled between the 1st-order and second-order terminals and further, a charging check is performed in the second-order terminal, an illegal reception can be prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a bidirectional communication cable,
The present invention relates to a usage fee charging method for a pay program such as a multi-channel program communication service for making a program request, home shopping, etc. by using terrestrial waves, satellite waves, telephone lines, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in addition to conventional terrestrial broadcasting for transmitting program video to each home by using radio waves in the VHF band and UHF band,
Cable broadcasting, in which a cable such as a coaxial cable or an optical fiber is installed from a relay station to each home and the program video is directly transmitted using the cable, is becoming popular in various places. In particular, recently, since it has become possible to transmit programs using communication satellites, broadcasting satellites, etc., many cable broadcasting companies providing multi-channel services are being established.

Further, with the progress of optical fiber technology, digital transmission technology, and high-efficiency coding technology, home shopping and video on demand (Video On Demand:
Hereinafter, it is abbreviated as VOD. ), Which is used to watch a favorite program at a desired time by requesting a program using a two-way communication cable, is being researched for a communication service such as an entertainment program distribution system that replaces a rental video.

These cable broadcasting and VOD systems are
Since the video signal is transmitted by wire communication using a coaxial cable or the like, the radio wave interference such as ghost, which is seen in the conventional program broadcasting using terrestrial waves, does not occur. Further, there is an advantage that a program distribution company's own broadcast can be used in addition to a retransmitted program of a normal program broadcast distributed by terrestrial waves.

[0005]

Each viewer makes a contract with a cable broadcasting company, a service supply company such as VOD, and connects the dedicated receiving terminal to a video signal display device such as his TV. As a result, the retransmitted program of the terrestrial broadcast distributed by the cable broadcasting company or the service supply company can be viewed without radio interference. In addition, it is possible to watch drama movies, various sports broadcasts, independent broadcasting by cable broadcasting companies and service providers such as music programs, and satellite broadcasting without special equipment other than dedicated terminals for receiving cable broadcasting. Become.
Further, by connecting a video signal recording / reproducing device such as a VTR to the dedicated terminal, it becomes possible to record and save the distributed program.

[0006] On the other hand, the service supply company transmits the program video only to the viewers who have the reception contract.
Therefore, it is desirable for the service supply company side to be able to view the program video only by the contracted viewer who can collect the reception fee. That is, a system in which a non-contractor can illegally view the distribution program video of this service supply company is not preferable. However, in the conventional system, the output video signal from the dedicated receiving terminal for receiving the distributed program of the service supply company is simple. That is, although a program cannot be received without a dedicated terminal, a video output from the dedicated terminal is copied using a VTR or the like, and the copy tape is transferred to a third party so that the third terminal does not have a dedicated terminal. People can easily view the distributed programs. That is, it is impossible to prevent unauthorized viewing of the program video by non-contractors. In this way, if the illegal reception by copying the distributed program video is frequently performed, a great disadvantage occurs to the program distribution company, the copyright holder of the program, and the like.

[0007] The present invention prevents the copyright holder from suffering a loss and a decrease in revenue due to the illegal copying of the distributed program image as described above.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system capable of reliably paying a fee for receiving a pay program to a contracted viewer without delay.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an error check circuit for checking the presence or absence of a transmission error in a communication path in a terminal which receives a distributed program video from a program supply company, A reception monitoring circuit that monitors the program reception status, such as which program was received for how many minutes,
Also, a billing device for charging the reception fee to the contract viewer depending on the error situation and the reception situation is prepared.

[0009] Furthermore, a set of two terminals that receive the distributed program video from the program supply company, that is, a primary terminal for carrying out a processing for preventing unauthorized reception of a video signal to a third party, and a video. The signal display device is directly connected to the secondary terminal which actually displays the received program on the monitor. The above-mentioned primary terminal is provided with a circuit for performing an unauthorized reception prevention process on the received video signal,
Further, a circuit that multiplexes a video signal with a terminal that has received the distributed program or an identification number that can identify the contractor is used.
The secondary terminal is provided with a circuit for confirming whether or not the viewer is charged based on the identification number or the like multiplexed by the primary terminal, a circuit for canceling the unauthorized reception preventing process performed by the primary terminal, and a video signal display device. The program video is displayed after the presence / absence of the billing for the viewer is confirmed by the above-mentioned recognition number confirmation circuit.

[0010]

According to this system, after the distribution program transmitted from the program distribution company is received by the error check circuit in the receiving terminal, it is confirmed whether or not there is a transmission error, and then in the reception monitoring circuit, the program of the contract viewer is received. Check the reception time, type of received program, etc. Based on the error information and the program reception information obtained by these circuits, the billing device charges the reception fee.

As a result, the contracted viewer who has received the distributed program can be charged a reception fee according to the reception time and the received program.

In addition, in the primary terminal of the receiving terminal which is a set of two terminals, the received video signal is scrambled by the unauthorized reception prevention processing circuit, and then the terminal or contract is set in advance in each terminal. A unique identification number that can identify a person is multiplexed with the video signal and output.

The video signal output from the primary terminal is then input to the secondary terminal, and the unique identification number of the terminal or the contractor multiplexed in the primary terminal is separated.
Whether or not the receiver of the distributed program is charged for the reception fee is confirmed by the terminal or contractor identification number separated here. That is, a unique identification number capable of identifying a terminal or a contractor is preset in the paired primary terminal and secondary terminal, and the primary terminal recognizes the primary terminal multiplexed in the video signal. When the number and the identification number of the secondary terminal match, it is determined that the receiving fee is charged to the receiver having those terminals. When it is confirmed that the 2 o'clock terminal is the terminal of the subscriber who has been charged the reception fee, the scramble is released and the received program is displayed on the video display device.

In this system, since the video signal output from the primary terminal is scrambled, 2
It is not displayed correctly unless the scramble is canceled on the next terminal. Therefore, even if the video signal output from the primary terminal is copied using a VTR or the like and transferred to a third party, it cannot be viewed on a monitor to which the secondary terminal is not connected. That is, a non-contractor with the program supply company cannot view the programs distributed by this program supply company. The video signal output from the primary terminal displays the program on the video display device after confirming whether or not the contractor is charged. Therefore, even if the magnetic tape or the like on which the distributed program image is recorded is transferred to a different contractor, the receiver who has not paid the receiving fee for the distributed program, that is, the primary terminal that has received the distributed program and the primary terminal are paired. Other than the subscriber who has the secondary terminal, the scramble of the video signal is not released, so that the video signal cannot be viewed.

As described above, the present system can prevent unauthorized viewing of a distributed program by a non-contractor and a contractor who does not receive the distributed program by himself, that is, the program distributor and the copyright holder of the program. It is possible to prevent disadvantages such as.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of displaying a distributed program video transmitted by cable broadcasting using the system according to the present invention. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, a pair of primary terminals, and It is a secondary terminal.

Before explaining FIG. 1, a cable broadcasting system will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In FIG.
600 is a program distribution company that produces and distributes pay programs, 6
Reference numeral 10 is a communication satellite (or broadcasting satellite), 620 is a cable broadcasting relay station, 630 is a communication cable such as a coaxial cable or an optical fiber for directly connecting the relay station and each contracted household, 641, 6
42, 643, 644, etc. are contract households each having a dedicated terminal for receiving a cable broadcast.

In the cable broadcasting system, the distributed program is first transmitted from the program supply company 600 or the like to the communication satellite (or broadcasting satellite) 610.
Etc., or by using the ground wave to the relay station 620. In the relay station 620, the video signal transmitted from the program supply company is received by the high sensitivity large antenna.
In this relay station 620, since a high-sensitivity large-sized antenna dedicated for receiving the video signal is used, signal deterioration such as radio interference does not occur significantly. The relay station 620 uses the cable 630 to transmit the received video signal to the cable broadcasting receiving terminal shown in FIG. 1 installed in each contract home 641 to 644.

Here, an example of the data structure of the video signal transmitted from the relay station to each contracted home will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an example of digital transmission data transmitted from the relay station in the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes program information having various information of the transmitted program video and decoding of compressed video data. Data header part including key signal etc. necessary for the above, compressed video data part 211, 212 etc., parity part for error check for confirming whether the video signal was correctly received at the destination terminal 221, 222 etc. Is.

In this embodiment, as an example, the data header portion is composed of n bytes, the compressed video data portion is composed of m bytes, and the parity portion is composed of 1 byte. Here, n, m, and l are arbitrary natural numbers, n is several bytes to several tens of bytes, m is several hundred bytes to several thousand bytes, respectively.
l is composed of digital data of several bytes. Further, in time, the data header section 200 is transmitted at the beginning, and thereafter, the compressed video data section and the parity section alternate until the end of the program, that is, 211, 221, 212, 22.
2, ... are transmitted in this order. If the reception from the middle of the program is taken into consideration, it is desirable to insert the data header portion not only at the beginning of the video signal but at a specific time.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 is a primary terminal for receiving a distributed program transmitted from a relay station, and 101 is an input terminal for inputting a video signal from the relay station to the primary terminal.
Reference numeral 2 is an output terminal for outputting billing information of the program reception fee in the primary terminal 100, 103 is an output terminal for outputting a scrambled video signal in the primary terminal 100, 111
Is a demodulation circuit for digitally demodulating the video signal input from the input terminal 101, 112 is a data header including program information and the like from the video signal digitally demodulated by the demodulation circuit 111, a key signal necessary for decoding compressed video data, and the like. A separation circuit for separation, 113 is an error checker for confirming whether the video signal transmitted from the relay station is correctly received, 114 is program information separated by the separation circuit 112,
And a billing device that creates billing information of the program reception fee based on the result of the reception check by the error checker 113, and 115 is a terminal-specific identification that can identify the primary terminal 100 or a contractor having the primary terminal 100. A memory for storing the code, 116 is a scrambler for superimposing and encrypting the key signal separated by the separation circuit 112 and the terminal identification code stored in the memory 115, and 117 is output from the error checker 113. It is a multiplexing circuit for time-multiplexing the compressed video data and the key information output from the scrambler 116.

Reference numeral 150 is a secondary terminal paired with the primary terminal 100, 151 is an input terminal for inputting a scrambled video signal in the primary terminal, and 161 is key information from the input video signal. An extraction circuit for extracting 162
A descrambler 163 that descrambles the key information extracted by the extraction circuit 161 and separates the superimposed decryption key from the unique terminal identification code of the primary terminal.
Is a memory for storing the terminal identification code of the primary terminal which is paired with the secondary terminal 150, that is, the primary terminal 100, 164
Is a comparator that compares the terminal identification code separated by the descrambler 162 with the terminal identification code stored in the memory 163, and 165 inputs the decryption key output from the descrambler 162 and outputs it to the output of the comparator 164. A switch for controlling the output according to the above, 166 is a decoding circuit for decoding the compressed video signal using the decoding key output from the switch 165, and 167 is a D / A converter for converting the decoded digital video signal into an analog signal. Reference numeral 168 is a monitor that displays the program video converted into an analog signal.

The video signal transmitted from the relay station 620 of FIG. 6 through the cable 630 is the primary terminal 1 of FIG.
00 is input to the input terminal 101. The video signal input to the input terminal 101 is first input to the demodulation circuit 111, digitally demodulated and output. Demodulation circuit 111
Next, the video signal output from is input to the separation circuit 112, the data header of the video signal, that is, the data header section 200 in FIG. 2, is separated, and the compressed video data and the parity are stored in the error checker 113 and the data header section. The included decryption key is output to the scrambler 116, and the program information is output to the billing device 114.

The compressed video data and the parity are then input to the error checker 113, where it is confirmed whether the compressed video data has been correctly received. In this embodiment, as an example, the parity units 221 and 22 in FIG.
An error check is performed by using a CRC code for 2 and so on. That is, before transmitting the video data on the relay station side, the compressed video data is calculated using a specific arithmetic expression, and the error detection code obtained as a result is added as parity to the compressed video data and transmitted. On the other hand, the receiving terminal side, that is, 1
In the next terminal 100, the received compressed video data is calculated using the same calculation formula as the transmitting side, and the result is compared with the parity. If the calculation result is equal to the parity, it means that the compressed video data was transmitted and received correctly. The error check code required by this error checker 113 is CRC.
The code is not limited to the code, and may be a Reed-Solomon code, a simple parity code, a BCH code, or the like. Furthermore, by using these error correction codes, it is possible to correct a slight error depending on the degree of transmission error.

The result of the error check using the CRC code or the like is output from the error checker 113, and the separation circuit 11
It is input to the billing device 114 together with the program information output from No. 2. In this billing device 114, the error checker 113
Based on the error information output from the device and the program information added to the received video signal, billing information of the reception fee for the contractor is created. For example, by including the program name, program genre, production company name, copyright holder name, etc. in the program information, the reception fee may be changed depending on the program genre such as news, movies, etc. It is possible to smoothly receive the reception fee and the service fee from the creator to the production company and the copyright holder. On the other hand, if error information is used, for example, depending on the state of the communication path, if there are many transmission errors that interfere with program viewing, the reception fee will be discounted, or no fee will be charged at all. The service according to it becomes possible. For example, when a transmission error occurs, the error information can be transmitted to the relay station to prompt the retransmission of the video signal of the error portion. Needless to say, the error checker 113 is not necessary when using a communication path that is error-free, that is, does not cause a data transmission error.

The billing information created by the billing device 114 is output from the output terminal 102 and transmitted to a relay station, a cable broadcasting company, or the like through a telephone line, another dedicated line, or a cable. Furthermore, the input terminal 101 of the primary terminal 100
If the transmission cable for receiving the video signal, which is connected to, is a cable capable of bidirectional communication, it can be commonly used for transmitting billing information. In this case, the input terminal 101 may be changed to a shared input / output terminal and the output of the billing device 114 may be output from the input / output terminal. In this case, not only can the number of communication cables connecting the relay station and each contract home be reduced, but V
Two-way communication services represented by program requests such as OD systems can be easily supported. In addition, by checking the reception of the program, it is possible to conduct an accurate audience rating survey.

While the billing information is created in the billing device 114, the key signal for decoding the video signal output from the separation circuit 112 is input to the scrambler 116. The scrambler 116 scrambles the input key signal, and further, the primary terminal 10 stored in the memory 115.
A terminal identification code unique to 0 is multiplexed. Here, as the terminal identification code, for example, a binary number or the like may be used. in this case,
It is most preferable to assign different numerical values to all existing terminals, but in reality, a binary number of about 10 to 20 bits can almost prevent duplication of terminal identification numbers.

The key information scrambled by the scrambler 116 and superimposed on the terminal identification code is input to the multiplexing circuit 117 together with the compressed video data. Here, the compressed video data and the key information are time-axis multiplexed and output from the output terminal 103.

FIG. 3 shows a simple configuration example of a signal in which key information and compressed video data are time-axis multiplexed. In the figure, 30
Reference numeral 1 indicates key information, and 311, 312, 313, etc. indicate compressed video signals. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, in consideration of the fact that the recording is performed on the recording medium such as the VTR and the reproduction is started from the middle of the program on the magnetic tape, at regular time intervals, specifically at least about once every 5 minutes, If possible, the key information 301 is inserted more frequently. By doing so, even when reproduction is started from the middle of the compressed video data 312 on the magnetic tape, the compressed video data 312 cannot be decoded because there is no key information, but the video signal is decoded from the compressed video data 313. be able to. If the video signal recording / reproducing device used is a randomly accessible video signal storage device such as a laser disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a hard disk, the key information 301 can be reproduced from the middle of the program even at only one place. Become. However, in this case as well, considering that an error occurs on the recording medium, it is desirable to record the key information 301 in at least two locations.

The output terminal 1 of the primary terminal 100 shown in FIG.
The signal output from 03 is input to the input terminal 151 of the secondary terminal 150 in FIG. 1B directly or via a video signal recording / reproducing device such as a VTR. The input signal in which the compressed video data and the key information are multiplexed is extracted by the extraction circuit 1.
At 61, the compressed video data and the key signal are separated, the key signal is then descrambled by the primary terminal in the descrambler 162, and the decryption key is the switch 1
At 65, the terminal identification code added at the primary terminal is output to the comparator 164.

A terminal identification code preset in the secondary terminal, which is stored in the memory 163, is input to the other input terminal of the comparator 164, and the contents thereof are compared. As described above, this terminal identification code is unique for each group of terminals, and the pair of primary and secondary terminals have the same code. Therefore, by comparing the terminal identification code transmitted from the primary side with the terminal identification code of the secondary side in the comparator 164, the compressed video data input to the input terminal 151 becomes the secondary terminal 150. A pair of primary terminals, that is, the primary terminal 10
It is possible to judge whether or not it is received by 0.

The comparison result of the terminal identification code in the comparator 164 is output to the switch 165. The output of the key signal for decoding the compressed video signal output from the descrambler 162 is controlled by the switch 165 according to the output result of the comparator 164. That is, the switch 165
Outputs a decryption key to the decryption circuit 166 if the terminal identification codes match as a result of comparison by the comparator 164, and does not output if they do not match.

The compressed video data separated from the key information by the separation circuit 161 is input to the decoding circuit 166. In the decoding circuit 166, the compressed video signal is decoded using the decoding key input from the switch 165. However, when the comparison result of the terminal identification codes in the comparator 164 does not match, the decoding key is not output from the switch 165, so that the decoding circuit 166 does not decode the compressed video data. That is, the compressed data cannot be decoded by the decoding circuit 166 except for the video signal received by the primary terminal 100 paired with the secondary terminal 150.

The decoded video signal output from the decoding circuit 166 is then converted into an analog signal in the D / A converter 167, and the video is displayed on the monitor 168. The video signal that cannot be decoded by the decoding circuit 166 cannot be displayed correctly on the monitor 168.
Therefore, the viewing of the program video becomes impossible.

As described above, by using the system of the present invention as a pay broadcast receiving terminal, a pay program reception fee can be instantly charged to a viewer, and other viewers can be illegally received. Can be prevented.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a primary terminal having a configuration different from that of the primary terminal 100 of the present invention shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, 400 is a primary terminal body, 401 is an input terminal for inputting a video signal transmitted from a relay station, 4
Reference numeral 02 is an output terminal for outputting billing information, 403 is an output terminal for outputting a video signal subjected to unauthorized reception prevention processing, 4
Reference numeral 11 is a demodulation circuit for demodulating a video signal input from the input terminal 401, 412 is a separation circuit for separating a header portion of program information or the like from the demodulated video signal, and 413 is correct video data transmitted from the relay station. An error checker 414 for confirming whether or not reception is possible is a charging device 414 for generating charging information according to the reception status confirmed by the error checker and the program information output from the separation circuit. A charging device 415 is compression-encodes the received video signal. Encoding circuit 416, a terminal,
Alternatively, a memory 417 that stores a unique terminal identification code that can identify a contractor who has a terminal is a coding circuit 41.
A scrambler which scrambles the key signal output from 5 for decoding and superimposes it on the terminal identification code, 4
A multiplexing circuit 18 time-multiplexes the compressed video data output from the encoding circuit 415 and the key information output from the scrambler 417.

The primary terminal 400 shown in FIG. 4 is an example of the configuration of the primary terminal in the case where the video signal transmitted from the relay station is processed for the video signal which has not been subjected to compression coding or the like. In this case as well, program information for charging the contracted viewer, a signal for error check, etc. are required, but these information may be inserted with a dedicated time space. In this case, the video signal may be inserted in the horizontal or vertical scanning period.

In FIG. 4, the video signal transmitted from the relay station is input from the input terminal 401, and the separation circuit 411 separates the program information inserted in the vertical scanning period or the like, and the video signal is sent to the error checker 413. The program information is output to the billing device 414. Error checker 41
At 3, the presence / absence of an error in the received video signal is confirmed, and the result is output to the billing device 414. In this error check, for example, a specific signal is inserted every horizontal scanning period or vertical scanning period, a known specific signal is detected by the error checker 413, and the presence or absence of the specific signal is confirmed, or parity is detected in the horizontal scanning period. Insert, etc.

The billing device 414 creates billing information in the same manner as in the first embodiment and outputs it from the output terminal 402 to a relay station or the like. On the other hand, the video signal is input to the encoding circuit 415 and compression encoded. Thereafter, the compressed video data is output to the multiplexing circuit, and the key signal required for decoding the compressed video data is output to the scrambler 417. The decoding key from the encoding circuit 415 and the terminal identification code from the memory 416 are input to the scrambler 417, and both signals are superimposed and scrambled. The terminal identification code used here is the same as that described in the first embodiment. Further, in the multiplexing circuit 418, the compressed video data output from the encoding circuit 415 and the key information output from the scrambler 417 are time-axis multiplexed and output from the output terminal 403. The configuration and functions on the secondary terminal side are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment, and will be omitted.

With the configuration described in the second embodiment, even if the video signal transmitted from the relay station is not compression-coded, the contractor is charged and the third aspect is used.
It is possible to prevent unauthorized reception by a person. Even if the video signal transmitted from the relay station is an analog signal, the tuner is provided immediately before the demodulation circuit 411, and the A / D converter is provided immediately after the demodulation circuit 411 or immediately before the encoding circuit 415. It is possible.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 5, 550 is 2 in the present invention.
Next terminal main body, 551 is an input terminal to which the output of the primary terminal is input directly or a signal via a video signal recording / reproducing device such as a VTR is input, 552 is an output terminal for outputting the decoded program video to a monitor, 561 is An extraction circuit for extracting key information from the input video signal, a descrambler for descrambling the key information extracted by the extraction circuit 561 and separating a compressed video signal decoding key signal and a terminal identification code, 563. Is a memory for storing a terminal identification code in advance, 564 is a comparator for comparing the terminal identification code separated by the descrambler 562 with the terminal identification code stored in the memory 563, and 565 is a decryption key from the descrambler 562. Is input to control the output of the comparator 564, and the switch 566 controls the output of the comparator 564.
A decoding circuit for decoding the compressed video signal by using the decoding key output from 65, 567 is a D / A converter, and 568 is a VTR for the video signal output from the output terminal 552.
A copy guard circuit 570 for performing signal processing that cannot be recorded in a video signal recording / reproducing device such as a monitor is a monitor for displaying a video signal output from the secondary terminal 550.

Each circuit of 561 to 567 in the figure is shown in FIG.
Since each of the circuits 161 to 167 operates in the same manner, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 5, the input terminal 551 of the secondary terminal 550 stores compressed video data and key information output from the 1 o'clock terminal as shown in the block diagram of FIG. The axis-multiplexed signal is input directly or via a video signal recording / reproducing device such as a VTR. The input signal includes an extraction circuit 561, a descrambler 562, a memory 563, a comparator 564, a switch 565, and a decoding circuit 56.
6 and the D / A converter 567, respectively.
.. to 167, the same processing, that is, confirmation of the terminal identification code on the primary terminal side, decoding of compressed video data, conversion to an analog signal, and the like are performed and output. D / A converter 5
The analog video signal output from 67 is then input to the copy guard circuit 568. In this copy guard circuit, the sync signal portion of the video signal is processed and output from the output terminal 552. That is, the secondary terminal having the circuit configuration shown in this embodiment has an external commercial monitor as an apparatus for displaying the program video. Therefore, signal processing for preventing unauthorized reception is required between the output terminal 552 of the secondary terminal and the monitor 570. Here, since it is not necessary to record on a video signal recording / reproducing device such as a VTR, display by the monitor is possible in the copy guard circuit 568, but recording on the VTR or the like is impossible, that is, on the monitor. The synchronizing portion of the video signal is changed so that it is synchronized but not synchronized with the VTR or the like.

With the circuit configuration described in the present embodiment, not only the same effects as the above-described embodiments can be obtained, but also an existing TV monitor or the like can be used as a program video display device.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration in which the dedicated receiving terminal is not divided into the primary side and the secondary side but is one unit. In the figure,
Reference numeral 700 is a dedicated terminal for receiving a distributed program transmitted from the relay station, 701 is an input terminal for inputting a video signal from the relay station, 702 is an output terminal for outputting charging information of the program reception fee at the dedicated terminal 700, Reference numeral 703 is an output terminal for outputting a scrambled video signal to a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR, 704 is an input terminal for inputting a scrambled video signal from a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR, and 705 is a monitor. An output terminal for outputting a program image to a display device such as a display device, 711 is a demodulation circuit for digitally demodulating the video signal input from the input terminal 701, and 712 is data including program information etc. from the video signal digitally demodulated by the demodulation circuit 711 A separation circuit that separates a header and a key signal required for decoding compressed video data, and 713 is a video transmitted from a relay station Error checker for checking whether the issue has been correctly received, the 714 separation circuit 712
A billing device 715 that creates billing information of the program reception fee based on the program information separated by the above and the result of the reception check by the error checker 713, 715 can identify the dedicated terminal 700 or the contractor having the dedicated terminal 700. , A memory for storing a terminal-specific identification code, 716 is a separation circuit 71
A scrambler 717 that superimposes the key signal separated in 2 and the terminal identification code stored in the memory 715 and encrypts the compressed video data output from the error checker 713 and the scrambler 716. A multiplexing circuit for time-division multiplexing with key information, 721 is an extraction circuit for extracting key information from the video signal input from the input terminal 704, and 722 is descrambled and compressed for the key information extracted by the extraction circuit 721. A descrambler for separating the video signal decoding key signal and the terminal identification code, 72
Reference numeral 3 is a comparator for comparing the terminal identification code separated by the descrambler 722 with the terminal identification code stored in the memory 715. Reference numeral 724 is a decryption key input from the descrambler 722, and according to the output of the comparator 723. A switch for controlling the output, 725 is a first selector for inputting the compressed video data output from the error checker 713 and the compressed video data output from the extraction circuit 721, and selectively outputting one, and 726 is a separation circuit. The second selector 727 receives the decryption key output from the switch 712 and the decryption key output from the switch 724 and selectively outputs one of them.
Decoding circuit for decoding the compressed video data output from the first selector using the decoding key output from the selector 726 of No. 7, 728 is a D / A converter, and 729 is an output terminal 705.
A copy guard circuit for performing signal processing on a video signal output from the VTR or the like so that the video signal cannot be recorded in a video signal recording / reproducing device. A signal recording / reproducing device 760 is a monitor for displaying a video signal output from the dedicated terminal 700. 711 to 717 in the figure
Are 111 to 117 and 721 to 724 and 727 of FIG.
Reference numeral 729 is a circuit that performs the same operation as 561, 562, 564 to 568 in FIG.

In the figure, the video signal transmitted from the relay station 620 of FIG. 6 via the cable 630 is input from the input terminal 701 of the dedicated receiving terminal 700, and the demodulation circuit 711, the separation circuit 712, the error checker 713, The billing device 714 performs digital demodulation, separation of program information and decoding key, confirmation of transmission error, and creation of reception fee billing information. Since the processing here is the same as the processing in the circuit of the corresponding number in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, detailed description will be omitted.

The compressed video data output from the error checker 713 is multiplexed by the multiplexing circuit 717 and the first selector 72.
5 and the decryption key output from the separation circuit 712 are output to the scrambler 716 and the second selector 726, respectively.

The decryption key input to the scrambler 716 and the compressed video data input to the multiplexing circuit 717 are decoded by the scrambler 716 and the multiplexing circuit 717 with the terminal identification number stored in the memory 715. Multiplexing with a key and time axis multiplex with compressed video data are performed. Since the processes in the scrambler 716 and the multiplexing circuit 717 are also the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description will be omitted. The compressed video data in which the decoding information is multiplexed is output from the output terminal 703 and input to the video signal recording / reproducing device 750, where the video signal can be recorded and stored in the storage medium.

The signal output from the video signal recording / reproducing device 750 is input from the input terminal 704, and first the extraction circuit 7
The key information is extracted at 21 and the descrambler 72
2, the compressed video data is output to the first selector 725, respectively. The key information input to the descrambler 722 is descrambled and then the decryption key and the terminal identification code are separated, and the terminal identification code is the same as the content stored in the memory 715 in the comparator 723, as described in FIG. Be compared. On the other hand, the decryption key is input to the switch 724 and its output is controlled by the output of the comparator 723.
The output is input to the second selector 726.

First selector 725 and second selector 726
Always works together. That is, when the first selector 725 selectively outputs the output of the error checker 713, the second selector 726 selectively outputs the decryption key output from the separation circuit 712. Conversely, in the first selector, the extraction circuit 7
When the output of 21 is selectively output, the second selector 72
6 selectively outputs the decryption key output from the switch 724. That is, the two selectors 725 and 726 are
When some video signal recording / reproducing device is connected to the outside of the dedicated receiving terminal 700 and video signal data is input from the input terminal 704, compression is performed from each external video signal recording / reproducing device. The video data and the decryption key are selectively output. Otherwise, 2
The two selectors 725 and 726 are respectively the error checker 7
13 and the compressed video data output from the separation circuit 712 and the decryption key are selectively output.

The compressed video data output from the first selector 725 is sent to the second selector 72 in the decoding circuit 727.
It is decrypted using the decryption key output from 6. Furthermore,
Although the processing is performed in the D / A converter 728 and the copy guard circuit 729, the processing here is the same as the processing in FIG. 5, so detailed description will be omitted.

Even if the receiving terminal is configured as described in the above embodiment, the same effect as in the other embodiments described above is obtained, that is, the reception fee is charged to the contractor according to the program reception status, and fraudulent to the third party. Reception can be prevented. Further, with the configuration of this embodiment, only one memory for storing the terminal identification code prepared in the receiving terminal is required. Also, there is no need to divide the receiving terminal into the primary terminal and the secondary terminal,
Space saving such as installation location can be achieved. Especially for contractors who do not use a video signal recording / reproducing device such as a VTR,
There is also an advantage that wiring between the next terminals and a cable are unnecessary.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the distributed program from the relay station is transmitted using the wired communication cable has been described, but the present invention is applicable to other cables such as a telephone line, terrestrial broadcasting, It goes without saying that it is applicable regardless of whether it is satellite broadcasting, analog transmission, or digital transmission.

Further, the data structure of the video signal shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and there is no problem even if it has a form other than these structures. However, the video signal transmitted from the relay station requires the data header section and the parity section indicating the program information, but the parity section may be omitted in the error-free transmission path. Further, if attention is paid only to prevention of illegal reception without considering the charging of the reception fee, it is possible to cope with the signal configuration of the current broadcasting. The data structure between the primary and secondary terminals shown in FIG. 3 is not limited as long as the key information is appropriately inserted between the compressed video data. Further, the primary and secondary video data does not necessarily have to be compressed data, and if data compression is not used, the video data is subjected to some scrambling other than data compression to prevent unauthorized reception. There is a need.

[0060]

By using the system configuration of the present invention, it is possible to confirm that the video signal transmitted from the program distribution company is correctly transmitted at the receiving terminal of each contractor. If an error occurs in the transmitted data, services such as data re-transmission can be provided, and if the program is properly received at the terminal, the program name or program production company It is possible to charge a fee according to the copyright holder or the reception time immediately and without delay.

Further, by scrambling the received signal after billing, it is possible to prevent copying of the program recording medium using a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR, and to prevent unauthorized reception by a third party. It is possible to protect the interests of production companies and copyright holders.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a video signal receiving terminal for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a video signal transmitted from a program relay station in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a video signal transmitted between the primary and secondary terminals in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a primary terminal for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a secondary terminal for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cable broadcasting system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a video signal receiving terminal for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... Primary terminal, 112 ... Separation circuit, 113 ... Error checker, 114 ... Charger, 115, 163 ... Memory,
116 ... Scrambler, 117 ... Multiplexing circuit, 150 ...
Secondary terminal, 161 ... Extraction circuit, 162 ... Descrambler, 164 ... Comparator, 165 ... Switch, 166 ... Decoding circuit, 168 ... Monitor

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display area H04N 7/167

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pay data receiving terminal, an error check circuit for checking whether or not there is a transmission error in the received pay data, a pay data reception status of a terminal owner, and a transmission checked by the error check circuit. A data receiving device, comprising: a billing device that charges a reception fee to a terminal owner according to a situation of a transmission error that has occurred on the road. 2. A pay data receiving terminal, a primary terminal for encoding received pay data, a secondary terminal for decoding data encoded by the primary terminal, and an output from the secondary terminal. A monitor for displaying the generated data, wherein in the secondary terminal, only pay data received from a specific primary terminal paired with the secondary terminal in the input data is decrypted, A data receiving device characterized by displaying on a monitor. 3. The primary terminal comprises: a first memory capable of storing a terminal identification code unique to the primary terminal; a scramble circuit for encoding input pay data; and a scramble circuit for encoding. Data and above first
A multiplexing circuit that multiplexes the terminal identification code stored in the memory, the secondary terminal includes a second memory capable of storing a terminal identification code unique to the secondary terminal, and the primary terminal. In the scramble circuit, a comparator for comparing the terminal identification code multiplexed in the data output from the terminal with the terminal identification code stored in the second memory, and the scrambling circuit according to the comparison result in the comparator. And a descramble circuit for decoding encoded data, wherein each primary and secondary terminal is a pair, and the paired primary and secondary terminals have the same terminal identification code in advance. 3. The encoded data is decoded in the descrambling circuit only when the comparator determines that the primary and secondary terminal identification codes are the same. De Data receiving device. 4. A pay data receiving terminal, a memory for storing a terminal identification code of the data receiving terminal, a scramble circuit for encoding the received pay data, and a terminal identifying code stored in the memory. A multiplexing circuit that multiplexes the data encoded by the scrambling circuit, a data storage medium capable of recording and reproducing the output of the multiplexing circuit, and the multiplexing circuit based on the data output from the data storage medium. An extraction circuit for extracting the terminal identification code multiplexed with the coded data by the comparator; a comparator for comparing the terminal identification code extracted by the extraction circuit with the terminal identification code stored in the memory; A descramble circuit that decodes encoded data according to a comparison result of the terminal identification code in the comparator. It is characterized in that the descramble circuit decodes the encoded data only when the terminal identification code multiplexed in the encoded data output from the same is the same as the terminal identification code stored in the memory. Data receiving device. 5. The received pay data includes a data header part having information such as a charge required for data reception and a key signal necessary for decoding compressed video data, a compressed video data part, and an error detection code part. 5. The data receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the data receiving device is a video signal composed of.