Viewing limiting system

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a viewing restriction system, and in particular, in a television receiver having a viewing restriction function, a viewing restriction having a function of disabling the viewing restriction function for restricting viewing of a specified video by a simple operation. Regarding the system.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, the content of program broadcasting has also diversified due to the increase in the number of channels of program broadcasting. As a result, many videos such as violent videos and obscene videos that children do not want to see have come to be broadcast. As a method of restricting the viewing of the above-mentioned video program to children and the like, the transmitting side sends information indicating the level of the program's radicality together with the video, and the level of the program's radicality received on the receiver side is the parent. When the level exceeds the level set by the user, such as a viewing restriction function that stops the presentation of the program, a specific channel set by the user such as a parent, or a viewing restriction function that restricts the presentation of the program, etc. Exists.

【0003】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in a television receiver equipped with these viewing restrictions, if a child or the like is set to stop presenting a program when he or she tries to view a specific program, the parent or the like who registered this viewing restriction may be able to stop the presentation of the program. The viewing restriction function also works when the user tries to view this program. Originally, it is sufficient for the viewing restriction function to operate only when a child or the like watches a program, but since the user cannot be determined by the conventional technology, there are also users other than children who want to be subject to viewing restriction. The viewing restriction function operates as the target of viewing restriction.

【0004】

Therefore, a user such as a parent who has registered the viewing restriction also needs to input a predetermined input with a remote controller or the like every time he / she views a program with the viewing restriction, which is inconvenient.

【0005】

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a user such as a parent who has registered a viewing restriction with a user-friendly viewing restriction system, a method, and a storage medium on which a viewing restriction program is recorded.

【0006】

[Means for solving problems]

The viewing restriction system of the present invention for solving the above problems has an external input unit for inputting a password, viewing restriction information, and a channel to be viewed, a password storage unit for storing the password, and an external input unit. An input information storage unit that stores input history, a viewing restriction information storage unit that stores viewing restriction information via the input information storage unit, and a channel selection processing unit that releases viewing restriction when the input history is equal to the password. And include.

【0007】

Further, the viewing restriction method of the present invention releases the viewing restriction of a specific program when the power button is pressed after one or two or more key codes are input from the external input unit for the television device. If it is a restriction method, the step of acquiring the key code from the external input unit, the step of determining whether the key code is the key code corresponding to the power button that means the start of viewing, and the key code that does not correspond to the power button. In the step of waiting for the input of the next key code, and in the case of the key code corresponding to the power button, the input history of the key code input before the power button is pressed is read from the input information storage unit, and the key code is read out from the input information storage unit. The step includes a step of comparing the input history with the key code held in the password recording unit, and a step of releasing the viewing restriction when the input history matches the password.

【0008】

Further, the viewing restriction method of the present invention is a viewing restriction method for releasing the viewing restriction of a specific program by using an external input unit for a television device, and includes a step of storing an input history from the external input unit. , A step of determining whether the input history is a key code corresponding to the power button, a step of ending the presentation of the program if the key code corresponds to the power button, and a key code not corresponding to the power button. In that case, the step of confirming whether or not the viewing is restricted, and in the case of the viewing restricted state, if the channel stored in the viewing restricted information storage unit and the selected channel are equal, the image from that channel is used. Even if the step of stopping the output of signals and audio signals and the channel stored in the viewing restriction information storage unit and the selected channel are the same, if the password is input from the external input unit, that is the case. It includes a step of outputting a video signal and an audio signal from a channel.

【0009】

Further, the recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records a procedure for releasing the viewing restriction of a specific program, and the procedure means that the key code input from the external input unit starts viewing. A step to determine whether the key code corresponds to the power button, a step to wait for the next key code to be input if the key code does not correspond to the power button, which means to start viewing, and a step to start viewing. If the key code corresponds to the power button, the history of the key code input before pressing the power button is read from the input information storage unit, and the history is compared with the key code held in the password recording unit. If the history matches the password, the viewing restriction is released, while if the history does not match the password, the viewing restriction is performed, and it is confirmed whether or not the viewing restriction state is set. A predetermined step is to stop the output of the video signal and the audio signal from the channel when the channel stored in the viewing restriction information storage unit and the selected channel are equal in the viewing restriction state. Includes a step of entering the key code of to change the viewing restriction release state to the viewing restriction state.

【0010】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the viewing restriction system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the password storage unit 11 stores a password for disabling the viewing restriction function. The channel selection processing unit 9 compares the history of the key code stored in the input information storage unit 10 with the password of the password storage unit 11. As a result of the comparison, if the password is input, the channel selection processing unit 9 does not perform the viewing restriction processing performed at the time of channel selection. As a result, a user such as a parent who has set the viewing restriction does not need to perform an operation of canceling the viewing restriction every time he / she views a program with the viewing restriction set by himself / herself.

【0011】

Antenna 1 is an antenna for receiving radio waves of television broadcasting.

【0012】

The tuner unit 2 is a tuner that converts a designated television broadcast radio wave into a video / audio signal according to the information of the channel selection processing unit 9.

【0013】

The separation unit 3 separates the video / audio signal received from the tuner unit 2 into a video signal and an audio signal and takes them out.

【0014】

The video decoder unit 4 decodes the video signal received from the separation unit 3 and at the same time controls whether or not to send the decoded video information to the video output unit 5 according to the information of the channel selection processing unit 9.

【0015】

The video output unit 5 is a monitor device or the like, and displays video information received from the video decoder unit 4.

【0016】

The audio decoder unit 6 decodes the audio signal received from the separation unit 3 and at the same time controls whether or not to send the decoded audio information to the audio output unit 7 according to the information of the channel selection processing unit 9.

【0017】

The audio output unit 7 is a speaker device or the like, and outputs audio information received from the audio decoder unit 6.

【0018】

The external input unit 8 is a remote control receiver that receives the signal information of the remote control, converts the remote control signal received from the remote control into a key code that can identify the pressed button of the remote control, and converts the channel selection processing unit 9 and the input information recording unit 10 into a key code. Send to. Further, the external input unit 8 sends a key code which is a password arbitrarily set by the user to the password storage unit 11.

【0019】

The channel selection processing unit 9 compares the key code sent from the external input unit 8 with the information stored in the input information storage unit 10, the password storage unit 11, and the viewing restriction storage unit 12, and performs comparison processing with the tuner unit 2. The request information for specifying the radio wave to be received and whether or not to output the video or audio to the video decoder unit 4 or the audio decoder unit 6 is transmitted.

【0020】

The input information storage unit 10 stores the key code information sent from the external input unit 8 as the key code information input in the past. There are a plurality of key code information that can be stored in the input information storage unit 10. Therefore, it is possible to go back in time and grasp the pressed button on the remote controller.

【0021】

The password storage unit 11 stores a password for temporarily stopping all viewing restriction functions.

【0022】

The viewing restriction storage unit 12 stores information such as a program or channel for which viewing is restricted, or condition information of a viewing restriction level such as the degree of radicality of the screen.

【0023】

The antenna 1 converts the radio wave of the television broadcast received by the tuner unit 2 into a video / audio signal according to the information of the channel selection processing unit 9, and further the video signal by the separation unit 3. Separate into audio signals. The video signal is reproduced in the video by the video decoder unit 4. In addition, it controls whether or not to send the reproduced video to the video output unit 5 according to the information of the channel selection processing unit 9. The audio signal is reproduced as audio by the audio decoder unit 6. Controls whether or not to send the reproduced audio to the audio output unit 7 according to the information of the channel selection processing unit 9. The external input unit 8 converts the remote control signal received from the remote controller into a key code and sends it to the channel selection processing unit 9 and the input information recording unit 10. There is a one-to-one key code for the buttons on the remote control.

【0024】

The input information recording unit 10 holds the key code received from the external input unit 8 retroactively. For example, if the user presses the buttons on the remote controller in the order of "1", "2", and "5", the external input unit 8 sets "1" to the channel selection processing unit 9 and the input information recording unit 10. The key code corresponding to the remote control button is sent in the order of "2" and "5".

【0025】

When registering a password, the external input unit 8 sends a key code, which is a password arbitrarily set by the user (such as a parent who restricts viewing), to the password storage unit 11.

【0026】

The channel selection processing unit 9 performs channel selection processing on the tuner unit 2 according to the key code received from the external input unit 8, and outputs video and audio to the video decoder unit 4 and the audio decoder unit 6. Take control.

【0027】

The operation of the channel selection processing unit 9 will be described below. The operation of the channel selection processing unit 9 differs depending on whether the user is not watching the program or is watching the program.

【0028】

First, with reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the channel selection processing unit in a state where the user is not watching the program will be described.

【0029】

First, the channel selection processing unit 9 acquires a key code from the external input unit 8 (step A1).

【0030】

Next, the channel selection processing unit 9 compares whether or not the received key code corresponds to the button for starting viewing (hereinafter referred to as the power button) (step A2). If the key code does not correspond to the power button, wait for the next key code to be entered. If the key code corresponds to the power button, the viewing of the program is started, so the channel selection processing unit 9 reads the key code input immediately before from the input information storage unit 10 to read it, and sets it as the password. Compare the key codes held in the recording unit 11 (step A3). The key code held in the password recording unit 11 is a password for temporarily stopping the preset viewing restriction function.

【0031】

If the number string by the 1 or 2 or more buttons on the remote controller pressed immediately before starting to watch the program matches the password stored in the password storage unit 11, the channel selection processing unit 9 restricts viewing. Stop functioning (steps A4, A5). In the viewing restriction function stopped state, the channel selection processing unit 9 stops the processing of the viewing restriction function until the user stops viewing the program.

【0032】

The channel selection processing unit 9 starts the program presentation process after the key code and password comparison process (step A6).

【0033】

For example, if the user presses the remote controller in the order of "3", "8", "5", "2", and "power", the passwords held in the password recording unit 11 are "8" and "5". , "2", when the "power" button is pressed, that is, when the program starts to be viewed, the channel selection processing unit 9 has the three key codes and passwords immediately before the "power" button is pressed. Make a comparison. In the above example, since the passwords match, the channel selection processing unit 9 is in the viewing restriction function stopped state. If the passwords are "5", "8", and "2", the passwords do not match, so the channel selection processing unit 9 does not stop the viewing restriction function.

【0034】

Here, the password is set to three arbitrary buttons, but the number of buttons can be set to any number as long as it is one or more.

【0035】

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the channel selection processing unit 9 when the user is watching the program will be described.

【0036】

First, the channel selection processing unit 9 acquires a key code from the external input unit 8 (step B1).

【0037】

Next, the channel selection processing unit 9 compares whether the received key code is the key code corresponding to the power button of the remote controller (step B2).

【0038】

Next, if the key code corresponds to the power button on the remote controller, it is necessary to end the presentation of the program, so after canceling the viewing restriction function stop state, the presentation of the program ends (step B3). .. On the other hand, if the key code does not correspond to the power button of the remote controller, the channel selection processing unit 9 confirms whether the viewing restriction function is stopped (step B4). If the viewing restriction function is stopped, the channel selection processing unit 9 does not perform viewing restriction processing when selecting a program by operating the remote controller (step B5). On the other hand, if the viewing restriction function is not stopped, the channel selection processing unit 9 performs the viewing restriction process when selecting a program by operating the remote controller (step B6).

【0039】

Next, the procedure of viewing restriction processing is shown.

【0040】

The viewing restriction information storage unit 12 stores CHs for which viewing restriction is desired, for example, program conditions such as setting of a radical level for starting viewing restriction. After making a channel selection request to the tuner unit 2, the channel selection processing unit 9 extracts the viewing restriction information from the viewing restriction information storage unit 12 and compares the conditions with the CH or program currently being viewed.

【0041】

If the CH or program you are currently watching is not the CH or program that restricts viewing, the presentation will continue. On the other hand, if the CH or program currently being viewed is a CH or program that restricts viewing, the user is requested to perform an operation (such as entering a password) to release the viewing restriction.

【0042】

If the operation for releasing the viewing restriction is not performed, the channel selection processing unit 9 requests the video decoder unit 4 and the audio decoder unit 6 to stop the output of video and audio.

【0043】

For example, if 301CH is set as a viewing restriction channel in advance and the user presses the buttons on the remote control in the order of "3", "0", and "1", the channel is selected when the "1" button is pressed. The processing unit 9 requests the tuner unit 2 to receive 301CH.

【0044】

At this time, if the channel selection processing unit 9 is in the viewing restriction function stopped state, the presentation of the program is started as it is. On the other hand, if the viewing restriction function is not stopped, the channel selection processing unit 9 extracts the channel information to be restricted from viewing from the viewing restriction information storage unit 12, and compares whether the currently received 301CH is the channel to be restricted from viewing. To do. In this example, it is necessary to restrict viewing as a result of comparison, but there are cases where a user such as a parent wants to view.

【0045】

Therefore, the channel selection processing unit 9 requests the user to perform an operation for releasing the viewing restriction. If the operation for releasing the viewing restriction is not performed, the channel selection processing unit 9 requests the video decoder unit 4 and the audio decoder unit 6 to stop the transmission to the video and audio. As a result, nothing is output from the video output unit 5 and the audio output unit 7, and viewing is restricted.

【0046】

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the viewing restriction system of the present invention including the storage medium 14 on which the viewing restriction program is recorded. The recording medium 14 may be a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or other storage medium.

【0047】

The viewing restriction program is read from the recording medium 14 into the data processing device 13, and controls the operation of the data processing device 13. The data processing device 13 performs the following processing under the control of the viewing restriction program, that is, the same processing as the processing of the channel selection processing unit 9 in the first embodiment. That is, the data processing device 13 compares the key code sent from the external input unit 8 with the information of the input information storage unit 10, the password storage unit 11, and the viewing restriction storage unit 12, and receives the information from the tuner unit 2. Specify the radio wave to be output, and specify information on whether to send the decoding result to the output unit for the video decoder unit 4 and the audio decoder unit 6.

【0048】

The data processing device 13 performs the following operations with respect to the key code sent from the external input unit 8.

【0049】

The data processing device 13 compares the key codes stored in the input information storage unit 10 and the password storage unit 11.

【0050】

If the key codes match, the data processing device 13 is in the viewing restriction function stopped state. After performing the channel selection process, the data processing device 13 determines whether or not the viewing restriction function is stopped.

【0051】

The data processing device 13 starts the viewing restriction processing unless the viewing restriction is stopped. In the viewing restriction processing, the data processing device 13 extracts the viewing restriction information from the viewing restriction information storage unit 12 and compares it with the CH or the program currently being viewed.

【0052】

If the CH or program you are currently watching is not a CH or program that restricts viewing, the presentation will continue.

【0053】

If the CH or program currently being viewed is a CH or program for which viewing restriction is performed, the data processing device 13 requests the user to perform an operation for releasing the viewing restriction.

【0054】

If the viewing restriction is not released, the data processing device 13 requests the video decoder unit 4 and the audio decoder unit 6 to stop the output of video and audio.

【0055】

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, in order to quickly shift from the state in which the viewing restriction is released to the state in which viewing is restricted, a key code for clearing the stored contents of the input information storage unit should be set. Just do it.

【0056】

[Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention described above, it is possible to prevent the viewing restriction function for restricting the viewing of the specified video from being operated by a simple operation. The reason is that it is not necessary to release the viewing restriction every time a relative user who has set the viewing restriction tries to view the program for which the viewing restriction is set.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

Block diagram of the viewing restriction system of the present invention [Figure 2]

A flowchart for explaining the operation of the channel selection processing unit 9 when the user is not watching the program. [Fig. 3]

A flowchart for explaining the operation of the channel selection processing unit 9 when the user is watching a program. [Fig. 4]

Block diagram of the viewing restriction system of the present invention including a recording medium on which a viewing restriction program is recorded. [Explanation of symbols]

1 antenna 2 Tuner section 3 Separation part 4 Video decoder 5 Video output section 6 Audio decoder 7 Audio output section 8 External input section 9 Channel selection processing department 10 Input information storage unit 11 Password storage 12 Viewing information storage unit