JPH11355270A - Broadcast reception terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To add the function of a communication service capable of bidirectional call by detecting the identification information of a communicating party when a call originated from the communicating party is incoming to an interface part and communicating the information with the communicating party through the interface part corresponding to the identification information. SOLUTION: An interface part 105 outputs the identification information of the communicating party transmitted at the same timing as a calling signal based on the call from a managing server to an identification part 106. When the communicating party is judged as the managing server of the broadcast from the identification information, the identification part 106 instructs the connection of a communication line to the interface part 105. The interface part 105 starts the information communication with the managing server corresponding to the output of the identification part 106 and outputs the communication information sent from the managing server to a control part 104. Corresponding to the communication information sent from the managing server, the control part 104 controls a main information processing part 102 and a sub information processing part 103.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a receiving terminal for digital satellite broadcasting and the like, and more particularly, to a communication line for charging a viewing fee when a broadcasted program is received and viewed. The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving terminal that performs information communication using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the increase in the number of channels of broadcast media, pay broadcasts in which a viewer pays a viewing fee for a predetermined period or an individual broadcast program to view the broadcast program has begun to spread. For example, a broadcast receiving terminal for digital satellite broadcasting is provided with communication means using a communication line such as a telephone line for charging a viewing fee for an individual broadcast program, and billing for each customer by information communication with a billing management center. Managing. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional broadcast receiving terminal. In FIG. 3, 101 is a receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal and extracts main information and accompanying information of the main information, 102 is a main information processing unit that processes the main information extracted by the receiving unit 101, and 103 is a receiving unit that is a receiving unit 101. An accompanying information processing unit that processes the extracted accompanying information according to a user's operation input; 104, a control unit that controls the main information processing unit 102 and the accompanying information processing unit 103; 107, a main information processing unit 102
An output unit 205 that generates a reproduction signal in accordance with the output of the interface unit 205 is an interface unit that performs information communication using a communication line.

Next, the operation of the conventional broadcast receiving terminal will be described.

[0004] In FIG. 3, a receiving section 101 extracts main information such as video and audio and accompanying information indicating attributes such as identification information and viewing fee of the program from an input broadcast signal. The accompanying information includes general information on a broadcast channel and billing in addition to information on a specific program.
The main information output from the receiving unit 101 is the main information processing unit 10
2 is decoded. On the other hand, the accompanying information processing unit 103
Decrypts and displays the accompanying information as information such as the content of the main information corresponding to the content and the fee for viewing. When viewing the program corresponding to the main information and the accompanying information, the user inputs an operation to the accompanying information processing unit 103. Then, the interface unit 205 sets the associated information processing unit 103
The communication with the communication partner registered in advance or the communication partner input as the accompanying information is started in response to the output from. Here, a communication line uses a telephone line, and communication is performed by calling a telephone. The communication partner is a management server that manages broadcasting and billing, and performs information communication via a telephone line. Note that the interface unit 205 does not necessarily perform information communication every time according to the output from the associated information processing unit 103, but may perform information communication at a predetermined timing after accumulating communication contents for a certain period. is there.
The interface unit 205 is a management server (not shown)
Authentication is performed for the user to view the program through information communication with the user, and the result of the authentication is output to the control unit 104. If the control unit 104 determines that the user can view the program according to the output of the interface unit 205,
The main information processing unit 102 is permitted to output the decoded main information. Then, the output unit 107 generates a reproduction signal of the main information, for example, outputs a video signal to a television monitor (not shown) and outputs an audio signal to a loudspeaker (not shown). On the other hand, when the control unit 104 determines that the user cannot view the program as a result of the authentication at the interface unit, the control unit 104 prohibits the output of the decrypted main information to the main information processing unit 102 and the accompanying information processing unit 103 Is displayed to the effect that the user cannot view the program.

As described above, in the conventional broadcast receiving terminal, information communication is performed at a predetermined timing with a predetermined communication partner or a communication partner included in the accompanying information extracted from the broadcast signal. It authenticates users and manages billing for program viewing fees.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional broadcast receiving terminal, a call for information communication is made only unilaterally from the broadcast receiving terminal, and a call is sent from the management server as a communication partner to the broadcast receiving terminal. Can not do it. This is because, in order for the broadcast receiving terminal to occupy the incoming call from the management server and connect to the line, a dedicated communication line must be provided for the broadcast receiving terminal, or if the telephone line is shared with the general call. , The user connects to the line each time a call is sent from the management server and checks the other party,
This is because the line connection must be switched to the broadcast receiving terminal whenever the incoming call is recognized as information communication by the management server.

Further, the information communication can be performed only at a preset timing or a timing included in the accompanying information transmitted as a broadcast signal. Update cannot be performed.

Further, in the conventional broadcast receiving terminal, as described above, information communication can be performed from the broadcast receiving terminal to the management server only at a predetermined time interval. However, it has not been possible to newly add or realize additional services such as performing information communication by using.

An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast receiving terminal provided with a communication service function capable of making a two-way call in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of a conventional broadcast receiving terminal. is there.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, a first present invention (corresponding to the first aspect of the present invention)
A receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal and extracts main information and accompanying information, a main information processing unit that processes the main information, and an accompanying information processing unit that processes the accompanying information according to a user's operation input An interface unit for performing information communication via a communication line, a control unit for controlling the associated information processing unit and / or the main information processing unit according to the output of the associated information processing unit and / or the interface unit, An output unit that generates a reproduction signal in accordance with an output of the information processing unit, and detects an identification information of the communication partner when a call from the communication partner arrives at the interface unit, and accordingly, the interface unit A broadcast receiving terminal comprising: an identification unit configured to perform information communication with the communication partner.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the timing at which the identification information is transmitted from the communication partner may be the same as the timing of the call signal generated by the call or immediately after connection of a communication line.

According to a second aspect of the present invention (corresponding to the second aspect of the present invention), the identification information is a communication partner identification information for identifying the communication partner itself and a type and / or type of communication information from the communication partner. Or information identification information for identifying new and old, the identification unit has identification information storage means for storing the identification information, the control unit, the newly transmitted information identification information and the identification unit According to the result of comparison with the stored information identification information, the associated information processing unit updates the associated information based on the communication information, and updates the information identification information to the identification information storage unit. A first aspect of the present invention is a broadcast receiving terminal according to the present invention.

In a third aspect of the present invention (corresponding to the third aspect of the present invention), the identification information is transmitted from the communication partner even when information communication is started by calling the communication partner. A broadcast receiving terminal according to a second aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to the fourth aspect of the present invention), the control unit stores the identification information storage unit with the output of the accompanying information processing unit and / or the communication information. A broadcast receiving terminal according to the second or third aspect of the present invention, wherein the partner identification information is updated accordingly.

[0015]

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

(First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a broadcast receiving terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a receiving unit 101 receives a broadcast signal and extracts main information and accompanying information of the main information, a main information processing unit 102 processes the main information extracted by the receiving unit 101, and a receiving unit 101. An associated information processing unit 104 that processes the extracted associated information according to a user's operation input;
2, a control unit for controlling the associated information processing unit 103; 105, an interface unit for performing information communication using a communication line such as a telephone line;
5, an identification unit 10 for detecting the identification information of the communication partner when a call from the communication partner arrives and controlling the connection of the communication line;
Reference numeral 7 denotes an output unit that generates a reproduction signal according to the output of the main information processing unit 102. Here, the interface unit 105
Has a function of calling a management server (not shown) and connecting to a communication line with the management server, and a function of connecting a communication line with the management server in response to a call from the management server. doing. Note that 101 to 104 and 1
07 are the same as the components of the conventional broadcast receiving terminal.

Next, the operation of the broadcast receiving terminal according to the present embodiment will be described.

The receiving section 101 extracts main information and accompanying information from the input broadcast signal. The main information output from the receiving unit 101 is decoded in the main information processing unit 102.
On the other hand, the accompanying information processing unit 103 decodes and displays the accompanying information. When viewing the program corresponding to the main information and the accompanying information, the user
Input operation to. The operation so far is the same as the operation of the conventional broadcast receiving terminal.

Next, the interface unit 105 starts communication with a communication partner registered in advance or a communication partner input as accompanying information in accordance with an output from the accompanying information processing unit 103. The interface unit 105 does not necessarily perform information communication every time according to the output from the associated information processing unit 103 like the interface unit 205 in the conventional broadcast receiving terminal, but stores communication contents for a certain period. After that, it is also possible to perform information communication at a predetermined timing. When the interface unit 105 calls the management server and connects a communication line with the management server, after connecting the line, the user performs authentication for viewing the program by information communication with the management server,
The result of the authentication is output to the control unit 104. Control unit 104
If it is determined that the user can view the program in accordance with the output of the interface unit 105, the main information processing unit 102 is permitted to output the decoded main information. Then, the output unit 107 generates a reproduction signal of the main information, for example, outputs a video signal to a television monitor (not shown) and outputs an audio signal to a loudspeaker (not shown). Also,
If the control unit 104 determines that the user cannot view the program as a result of the authentication at the interface unit, the control unit 104 prohibits the output of the decrypted main information to the main information processing unit 102 and Display that the user cannot view the program. For the operation up to this point, the interface unit 205
The operation is basically the same as that of the conventional broadcast receiving terminal except that the operation is replaced with 05.

On the other hand, when the interface unit 105 connects a communication line with the management server in response to a call from the management server, the interface unit 105 first transmits the call signal at the same timing as a call signal from the management server. The interface unit 105 outputs the identification information of the coming communication partner to the identification unit 106. The identification unit 106 detects whether the other party is a broadcast management server from the input identification information, and if it is determined that the other party is a management server, the interface unit 106 connects the communication line. 105
To instruct. The interface unit 105 includes an identification unit 106
Starts information communication with the management server in response to the output of the control unit 104, and transmits the communication information transmitted from the management server to the control unit 104.
Output to The control unit 104 controls the main information processing unit 102 and the auxiliary information processing unit 103 according to the communication information transmitted from the management server. Specific examples of this control include stopping the playback of the main information if the user is unable to pay the viewing fee for the user while watching the program, or viewing the unpaid viewing fee. For a completed program, the usage statement record managed by the accompanying information processing unit 103 when payment is completed is updated.

As described above, the broadcast receiving terminal according to the present embodiment identifies a destination of an incoming call on a communication line, and preferentially connects the line when the communication destination is a management server registered in advance. Thus, information communication can be performed.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the broadcast receiving terminal according to the present embodiment, the identification unit has the identification information storage means of the present invention, and the identification information identifies the other party identification information of the present invention and the type and / or old and new of the communication information from the communication partner. It is the same as the broadcast receiving terminal according to the first embodiment described above except that it includes information identification information. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first
Components that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted. Unless otherwise described, it is the same as the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a broadcast receiving terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the configuration of the broadcast receiving terminal according to the first embodiment is that an identification unit 116 having identification information storage means (not shown) for storing identification information is provided instead of the identification unit 106. It is.

Next, the operation of the broadcast receiving terminal according to the present embodiment will be described.

The operation of the broadcast receiving terminal according to the present embodiment is the same as the operation of the broadcast receiving terminal according to the first embodiment except for the operation described below.

When the interface unit 105 connects a communication line with the management server in response to a call from the management server, the identification information transmitted from the management server includes the other party identification information for identifying the communication partner itself. And information identification information for identifying the type of communication information from the communication partner and / or new and old. The control unit 104 transmits the transmitted new identification information to the identification information identification unit 116.
Comparing with the identification information stored in the identification information storage means, the communication information corresponding to the new identification information causes the accompanying information to be updated. Is started, the associated information processing unit 103 updates the associated information and the identification information storage unit updates the identification information.

For example, the control unit 104 identifies a charge management server for a broadcast viewing fee and an additional service management server for providing an information communication service such as e-mail based on the other party identification information of the new identification information. Is identified as a billing management server, the flag for updating the usage statement record specified by the information identification information of the new identification information is different from that of the old identification information. Update the statement record. On the other hand, if the communication partner is identified as the additional service management server, the associated information processing unit 103
Then, the communication information is displayed or the transmission information operated and input by the user is transmitted to the communication line via the interface unit 105.

As described above, the broadcast receiving terminal according to the present embodiment is different from the broadcast receiving terminal according to the first embodiment in that a plurality of management servers in which the destinations of incoming calls are registered in advance on a communication line. , Information communication and processing of transmitted information according to each management server can be efficiently performed.

In the present embodiment, the identification information of the present invention has been described as being transmitted from the communication partner when information communication is started by a call from the communication partner. Also, when information communication is started by calling to, the information may be transmitted from the communication partner.
Thus, the same effects as described above can be obtained when information communication is started by calling the communication partner.

In this embodiment, the control unit 10
4 may cause the identification information storage means of the identification unit 116 to update the partner identification information according to the output of the accompanying information processing unit 103 and / or the transmitted communication information. For example, the above-mentioned supplementary service management server
According to the user's request and the service provider's intention, add or update the setting value for performing a new service and the necessary information communication for a specific broadcast receiving terminal, or register a specific service This is the case when it is deleted.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the communication line used for the information communication of the present invention is described as a telephone line. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect can be obtained when used.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can provide a broadcast receiving terminal provided with a communication service function capable of making bidirectional calls.

That is, in the first aspect of the present invention,
The identification unit detects the identification information of the calling party for the incoming call on the communication line, and detects the incoming call by the management server, thereby sharing the general call line with the line for information communication. While receiving a call from the management server, the broadcast receiving terminal can preferentially connect to the incoming call without the user confirming the calling party each time. Therefore, the management server can transmit emergency information to a specific user, or provide a new additional service through interactive information communication such as electronic mail.

In the present invention of claim 2 or 3, the identification unit stores the identification information of the management server, identifies incoming calls from a plurality of management servers, and performs information communication and system operation according to them. It can be performed. This allows you to, for example, receive multiple information and communication services from different servers, send replies accordingly,
It is possible to perform a payment process by linking the broadcast billing management server and the user's deposit / savings management server via the transmitting / receiving terminal.

Further, according to the present invention, the identification information stored in the identification information storage means of the identification unit is updated according to the output of the associated information processing unit and / or the communication information. By controlling, it is possible to additionally update information about the management server that provides a new information communication service to a specific user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcast receiving terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcast receiving terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional broadcast receiving terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Receiving part 102 Main information processing part 103 Associated information processing part 104 Control part 105,205 IF part 106,116 Identification part 107 Output part

Claims (4)

[Claims] A receiving unit configured to receive a broadcast signal to extract main information and accompanying information; a main information processing unit configured to process the main information; and an attached unit configured to process the accompanying information in response to a user operation input. An information processing unit, an interface unit for performing information communication by a communication line, and a control unit for controlling the auxiliary information processing unit and / or the main information processing unit according to the output of the auxiliary information processing unit and / or the interface unit. An output unit that generates a reproduction signal in accordance with an output of the main information processing unit, and detects an identification information of the communication partner when a call from the communication partner arrives at the interface unit. A broadcast receiving terminal, comprising: an interface unit; and an identification unit configured to perform information communication with the communication partner. 2. The identification information includes partner identification information for identifying the communication partner itself and information identification information for identifying the type and / or old and new of communication information from the communication partner, and the identification unit includes: Having identification information storage means for storing identification information, the control unit, according to the result of comparing the newly transmitted information identification information and the information identification information stored in the identification unit, 2. The broadcast receiving terminal according to claim 1, wherein the accompanying information processing unit updates the accompanying information based on the communication information, and causes the identification information storage unit to update the information identification information. 3. The broadcast receiving terminal according to claim 2, wherein the identification information is transmitted from the communication partner even when information communication is started by calling the communication partner. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the identification information storage unit to update the partner identification information according to an output of the associated information processing unit and / or the communication information. 4. The broadcast receiving terminal according to 2 or 3.