Digital broadcast transmitting and receiving method, digital broadcast transmitting and receiving system, transmitting station, receiving apparatus, and communication multimedia content server

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a transmitting station that multiplexes and transmits video / audio content (AVC) for digital broadcasting and its broadcast multimedia content (broadcast MMC), a receiving device for the digital broadcasting content, and the digital broadcasting content. It relates to a digital broadcasting transmission / reception system configured by connecting a communication MMC server that generates related communication multimedia contents (communication MMC) and transmits it from a communication network to a receiving device via a communication network.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

The following systems are known as an example of a digital broadcast transmission / reception system that provides a two-way communication environment for viewers and enables viewing of contents provided from the Internet.

【0003】

When the broadcasting station broadcasts a program, for example, it is distributed together with a description for drawing a symbol such as a button instructed when trying to browse a certain content. When a button is displayed during a program displayed via a set-top box, the viewer gives an instruction by an instruction means such as a remote controller. When this instruction is given, the Internet is accessed using the address of the content received from the broadcasting station and the program sponsor ID. Upon this access, the content provider on the Internet notifies the commercial server of the sponsor ID, downloads the commercial for the sponsor, synthesizes it with the content managed by itself, and transfers it to the viewer. (See, for example, Patent Document 1) [0004]

Here, the reason for the existence of the above-mentioned commercial server is that since the broadcast MMC is transmitted at the same time as the AVC, the AVC and the broadcast MMC can be linked as intended by the broadcaster, whereas communication is possible. This is because it is difficult for MMC to cooperate with AVC.

【0005】

In addition, when the communication MMC tries to cooperate with AVC without providing a dedicated commercial server, for example, information unique to the broadcaster is stored in a means that is not inadvertently erased in the receiving device. It is conceivable to control the reproduction operation of the receiving device by using the information.

【0006】

NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) can be considered as a means in the digital broadcast receiving device to achieve such a purpose, but in the conventional digital broadcast transmission / reception system, the common area of the operator on NVRAM is used. It can only be used in a closed form for the services of broadcasters. Regulations that do not use information unique to each operator from other operators or other services are operational regulations and are easy to open, but for example, as mentioned above, the regulations are opened and implemented. In that case, on the contrary, the information peculiar to the broadcasting company can be freely updated, and the security of the information is lowered. (See, for example, Non-Patent Document 1) [0007]

[Patent Document 1]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-199375 (Fig. 1) [Non-Patent Document 1]

"BS Digital Broadcasting Operation Regulations" (ARIB TR-B15 1.2 version), Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB), 6.3.4 Operation of common area for receiver NVRAM operators (Table 6.4) [0008]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the content desired by the viewer and the commercial downloaded by using the sponsor ID are combined and transferred to the viewer, the relationship between the AVC sponsor and the communication MMC sponsor is described. It may be possible to adjust, but it is necessary to set up a dedicated commercial server with a built-in customer management database in addition to the content management database on the Internet.

【0009】

Further, in Patent Document 1 described above, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a commercial of a sponsor competing with the sponsor ID of AVC is combined with a communication MMC, but the relationship between the content of the broadcast AVC and the sponsor of the communication MMC cannot be adjusted. For example, a ham company or the like is not preferable as a sponsor of content related to AVC for animal protection, but since Patent Document 1 does not determine the content of AVC, it is not possible to determine the relationship between sponsors of communication MMC.

【0010】

Further, when trying to link the communication MMC and AVC without providing a dedicated commercial server as in Patent Document 1, for example, even if NVRAM described in Non-Patent Document 1 is used, the operator on NVRAM. The common area is to be used in a closed form for the services of each broadcaster, and if this is to be opened, the information unique to the broadcaster can be freely updated, and the security of that information is reduced. There is a problem of doing it.

【0011】

Specifically, if the common area of the operator on NVRAM is opened without setting up a dedicated commercial server, for example, while playing a commercial on AVC, another sponsor who is in a competitive relationship with the sponsor of that commercial is advertised. The included MMC may be displayed on a display device such as a TV. Such a situation is considered to be an unfavorable situation from the viewpoint of the advertising business.

【0012】

In addition, when transmitting AVC via the Internet such as streaming, even if you try to link the contents of the AVC with the communication MMC, or instruct or update the viewing permission conditions related to AVC, that information will be displayed. There is no means to obtain it safely and reliably in the system specified in the current standard. This is an obstacle to new business development.

【0013】

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcast transmission / reception system in which communication MMC and AVC are linked, including a sponsor, with a relatively simple configuration. Is to be.

【0014】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the digital broadcast transmission / reception method of the present invention provides AVC for digital broadcasting and content for digital broadcasting including broadcast MMC that is related to the AVC and is broadcast in a multiplexed manner with the AVC. A transmitting station that sends out and sends and receives arbitrary information to and from the outside by being connected to the communication network, and a transmitting station that receives and demolishes and outputs digital broadcasting content, and is connected to the communication network to send and receive to the outside. A communication MMC server that is connected to a communication network and generates a communication MMC that is connected to a communication network to send and receive arbitrary information and is transmitted on the communication network in relation to digital broadcasting content, and also sends and receives arbitrary information. In a digital broadcast transmission / reception system consisting of, the transmission station sends permission information for composite output of broadcast MMC or communication MMC together with AVC to the communication MMC server over the communication network, and the communication MMC server. However, the step of storing the received composite output permission information, the step of the transmitting station inserting the composite output permission information and the address of the communication MMC server into the broadcast MMC, multiplexing it with the AVC, and transmitting it as a broadcast signal, and the receiving device. However, the step of extracting the composite output permission information and the address of the communication MMC server from the received broadcast MMC and storing them in the storage unit, and the receiving device, when the communication MMC is selected, addresses the address of the communication MMC server. The step of requesting the communication MMC, the step of the communication MMC server inserting the composite output permission information into the requested communication MMC and transmitting it to the receiving device, and the step of extracting the composite output permission information from the received communication MMC by the receiving device. Then, when the extracted content is derived from the combined output permission information stored in the storage unit, it has a step of recognizing the combined output of the received communication MMC and the digital broadcasting content.

【0015】

In addition, the digital broadcast transmission / reception system of the present invention can transmit AVC for digital broadcasting and contents for digital broadcasting including broadcast MMC that is multiplexed and broadcast with AVC in relation to the AVC, and also can transmit a communication network. A transmitting station that is connected to and can send and receive arbitrary information to and from the outside, and a reception that can receive and demote and output digital broadcast content, and is connected to a communication network and can send and receive arbitrary information to and from the outside. It consists of a device and a communication MMC server that is connected to the communication network and can generate communication MMCs that are transmitted on the communication network in relation to digital broadcasting content, and that can send and receive arbitrary information. Allows the combined output of AVC and communication MMC in the receiving device, and the combined output permission information / address information storage unit that stores the address information in the communication network of the communication MMC server, and the combined output permission for the communication MMC server. It has a broadcast control unit that transmits information and inserts the composite output permission information / address information into the broadcast MMC, and the receiving device has a non-volatile storage unit that stores the composite output permission information and address information, and the broadcast MMC. Received, extracted composite output permission information / address information and stored it in the non-volatile storage unit, requested the communication MMC from the communication content server when the communication MMC was selected, and the composite output extracted from the received communication MMC. The communication MMC server has a reception control unit that determines whether or not the communication MMC can be combined and output at the same time as the AVC by using the contents stored in the non-volatile storage unit, and the communication MMC server stores the combined output permission information. The output permission information storage unit, the information insertion unit that inserts the composite output permission information into the generated communication MMC, and the composite output permission information received from the transmitting station are stored in the composite output permission information storage unit to request the communication MMC. It has a content server control unit that sends out a communication MMC into which synthetic output permission information is inserted when it is received.

【0016】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

【0017】

Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

【0018】

Note that the solid line arrows of normal thickness in FIG. 1 indicate the flow and direction of the control signal and data related to control, as well as connecting the locks of each part. The thick arrow between the blocks indicates that each block is connected, and indicates the flow and direction of digital information data. More specifically, the solid thick line arrow indicates the flow and direction of AVC information data, the broken line thick line arrow indicates the flow and direction of broadcast MMC information data, and the one-dot chain line thick line arrow indicates the communication MMC. Indicates the flow and direction of information data.

【0019】

The digital broadcast transmission / reception system shown in FIG. 1 can send out digital broadcast content including AVC for digital broadcast and broadcast MMC that is multiplexed and broadcast with AVC in relation to the AVC, and also communicates with the Internet and the like. Digital broadcasting transmission station 1 that is connected to the network 5 and can send and receive arbitrary information to and from the outside, and content for digital broadcasting can be received and played, and is connected to the communication network 5 and can be connected to the outside. The digital broadcast receiver 2 that can send and receive the information of the above and the communication network 5 can generate the communication MMC that is transmitted on the communication network 5 in relation to the content for digital broadcasting, and can send and receive arbitrary information. It is equipped with a communication MMC server 3 that can be used.

【0020】

The digital broadcast transmission station 1 transmits composite output permission information to the communication MMC server 3 by controlling each part in the digital broadcast transmission station 1, and inserts the composite output permission information / address information into the broadcast MMC. 11 and AVC generator 12 that generates the video and audio part of AVC for digital television (DTV) broadcasting, and multiplexing / transmitter 13 that multiplexes various contents to generate and transmit broadcast signals, and is related to AVC. The broadcast MMC generator 14 that generates the broadcast multimedia content (broadcast MMC) that is multiplexed and broadcast with the AVC, the information that permits the combined output of the AVC and the communication MMC in the digital broadcast receiver 2, and the information that allows the combined output of the AVC and the communication MMC. Multiplexing with a composite output permission information / address information storage unit 15 that stores address information in the communication network 5 of the communication MMC server 3, and a communication control unit 16 that is connected to the communication network and controls the transmission and reception of various information and data. It has a transmission antenna 17 that is connected to the conversion / transmission unit 13 and transmits a broadcast signal including contents for digital broadcasting.

【0021】

Here, the composite output permission information is, for example, in the digital broadcasting transmission station 1, before multiplexing the AVC and the broadcasting MMC, their contents and the sponsor relationship are adjusted, and the adjustment is made between the AVC and the communication MMC. It is information to be implemented even in between. As the information for determining the relationship between AVC and communication MMC, it is conceivable that the information for determining the relationship between AVC and broadcasting MMC can be used as it is in digital broadcasting transmitting station 1, but in general, digital broadcasting transmitting station 1 By obtaining the communication MMC in advance and confirming the relationship with AVC, the composite output permission information with new elements added is generated.

【0022】

To confirm the relationship between communication MMC and AVC, for example, an element for confirming that the following four conditions are satisfied is extracted, and the element is added to generate composite output permission information. (1) The content of the AVC itself and the content of the communication MMC itself may be displayed at the same time without any conflict, conflict or contradiction. (2) AVC sponsor and communication MMC sponsor are not in a competitive relationship. (3) There is no conflict, conflict or contradiction between the content of AVC itself and the business content of the communication MMC sponsor, and the content may be displayed at the same time. (4) There is no conflict, conflict or contradiction between the content of the communication MMC itself and the business content of the AVC sponsor, and the content may be displayed at the same time.

【0023】

For example, when the digital broadcasting transmission station 1 permits the composite output of an arbitrary communication MMC to the AVC of its own station, when the AVC is generated, the composite output is directed to the communication MMC server 3 that generates the communication MMC. Send permission information and allow the permission information to be inserted into the communication MMC.

【0024】

The broadcast control unit 11 is connected to each of the above units by an internal line, an internal bus, or the like, and can transmit and receive control signals and various data.

【0025】

Further, the AVC generation unit 12 and the broadcast MMC generation unit 14 are connected to the multiplexing / transmitting unit 13, and the AVC and the broadcasting MMC are directly input to the multiplexing / transmitting unit 13 to generate the multiplexed broadcast signal. It is generated and the broadcast signal is transmitted from the transmitting antenna 17.

【0026】

Further, the communication control unit 16 is connected to the combined output permission information / address information storage unit 15 and is also connected to the broadcast MMC generation unit 14 via, for example, the broadcast control unit 11. Further, a limited reception control unit (not shown) and a content transmission management device (not shown) are also connected to the communication control unit 16. For this reason, the digital broadcasting transmitting station 1 is set to exchange information in both directions using the digital broadcasting receiving device 2 and the communication network 5 in the broadcasting MMC, billing processing for paid contents, and viewing permission operation. It is possible to appropriately exchange information with the digital broadcast receiving device 2 when carrying out such operations.

【0027】

The digital broadcast receiving device 2 is a display device capable of displaying an image of the AVC extracted from the demodulated received broadcast signal, the reproduced contents of the broadcast MMC, and the reproduced signal of the communication MMC received from the communication network 5. It is connected with 6. The digital broadcast receiving device 2 performs a reproduction process on the received digital broadcast content, transmits the reproduced content to the connected display device 6, and makes it available for viewing by the user.

【0028】

The display device 6 may be configured in one housing with the digital broadcast receiving device 2 or may be configured as a separate device from the digital broadcast receiving device 2. In this embodiment, any form can be implemented.

【0029】

In the digital broadcast receiving device 2, the receiving antenna 20 that receives the broadcasting signal including the digital broadcasting content transmitted from the digital broadcasting transmitting station 1 and the digital broadcasting signal received by the receiving antenna 20 are input and demodulated. A reception / demodulation unit 21 that sends out a digital broadcast signal, a decoding unit 22 that decodes the demodulated digital broadcast signal and separates the digital broadcast content into video / audio content (AVC) and data broadcast content (broadcast MMC). The AVC information separated by the decoding unit 22 is input, converted into a reproduced TV signal for AVC and transmitted, and the AVC and MMC reproduced by the AVC reproduction unit 23 and the MMC reproduction unit 28 described later. The output synthesizer 24 that synthesizes and sends to the display device 6, the communication control unit 25 that is connected to the communication network 5 and controls the transmission and reception of various information and data, and various information can be stored non-volatilely. Specifically, the non-volatile storage unit 27 that stores at least the composite output permission information and address information extracted from the broadcast MMC received from the digital broadcast transmission station 1 and the MMC information separated by the decoding unit 22 are input. , MMC playback unit 28 that reproduces as MMC and sends it to output synthesis unit 24, and by controlling each part in the digital broadcast receiver 2, the combined output permission information and communication MMC server 3 from the broadcast MMC in the received broadcast signal. It has a reception control unit 29 that extracts address (URL: Uniform Resource Locator) information on the communication network 5 (Internet) of the above and stores it in the non-volatile storage unit 27.

【0030】

Further, when the communication MMC is selected, the reception control unit 29 requests the selected communication MMC from the communication MMC server 3 using the received address, and obtains the communication MMC from the communication MMC server 3. Furthermore, the communication MMC is combined and output at the same time as the AVC by using the composite output permission information extracted from the received communication MMC and the composite output permission information (stored contents) obtained from the broadcast MMC and stored in the non-volatile storage unit 27. Judge whether it is possible or not.

【0031】

Further, the communication control unit 25 can transmit and receive information to and from the communication control unit 16 in the digital broadcast transmission station 1 on the communication path according to the instruction from the reception control unit 29, and the result is received and received from the reception control unit 29. Return to. The reception control unit 29 controls each part in the digital broadcast reception device 2 so as to operate appropriately according to the broadcast signal or the instruction from the user.

【0032】

Further, the non-volatile storage unit 27 is connected to the reception control unit 29 and the MMC playback unit 28, and is displayed on various setting items by the viewer for operating as a digital (TV) broadcast receiver and on the electronic content table screen. In addition to information commonly used for all receiving devices such as the logo mark unique to the broadcaster, various information specified by the broadcaster regarding MMC, which will be described later, is stored.

【0033】

In addition, the decoding operation of the decoding unit 22 includes an operation of returning to the decrypted information based on the rights information possessed by the viewer when the digital content information to be processed is encrypted and transmitted. Is done.

【0034】

The communication control unit 25 of the digital broadcast receiver 2 has a function such as a modem for receiving a communication service represented by the Internet, is produced by the communication MMC generation unit 33, and uses the communication MMC server 3 for a communication line. Acquire and use the communication MMC published on network 5.

【0035】

By using the communication MMC on the communication network 5, it becomes possible to use the huge amount of information that already exists in the Internet world. In addition, a large amount of content that is difficult to transmit using broadcasting in a limited band can be transmitted via the communication network 5, and the problem of digital broadcasting can be complemented.

【0036】

The use of communication MMC in a digital broadcast transmission / reception system will be described below. The digital broadcast receiving device 2 acquires the MMC from the communication MMC server 3 on the communication path by using the communication control unit 25 under the control of the broadcast MMC or the reception control unit 29 based on the instruction from the viewer. The acquired MMC is sent to the connected MMC reproduction unit 28, and is reproduced by being subjected to the same processing as the MMC transmitted via the broadcast path.

【0037】

The communication MMC server 3 includes a communication control unit 31 that is connected to the communication network 5 to control the transmission and reception of various information and data, and an information insertion unit 32 that inserts synthetic output permission information into the generated communication MMC, which is not shown. Communication MMC generation unit 33 that generates communication MMC related to AVC generated by digital broadcasting transmission station 1 based on the information stored in the data storage of the above, and synthetic output permission information storage unit 34 that stores synthetic output permission information. The composite output permission information received from the digital broadcast transmission station 1 is stored in the composite output permission information storage unit 34, and when a communication MMC request is received, the information insertion unit 32 inserts the composite output permission information for communication. It has a content server control unit 36 that sends out MMC.

【0038】

By inserting the permission information into the communication MMC, the communication MMC server 3 can transmit the permission information to the digital broadcast receiving device 2 as a communication MMC with the permission information.

【0039】

The insertion of the permission information into the communication MMC can be embedded, for example, as information determined by a tag (for example, <MMcontentsLevels>) newly defined in XHTML (eXtended HyperText Markup Language).

【0040】

Next, among the rules regarding data broadcasting in the digital broadcast transmission / reception system, the operation rules regarding the non-volatile storage unit 27 will be described.

【0041】

As for the operation of non-volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as NVRAM), "BS Digital Broadcasting Operation Regulations" (ARIB TR-B15 1.2 version) of Non-Patent Document 1 above, 6.3.4 Operation of the common area of the receiver NVRAM (Table 6.4) ), An area common to all broadcasters, which is an area that can be used in common by all broadcasters, and an area dedicated to operators, which is an area occupied by each operator, are provided. Here, considering that any MMC can be used, it is necessary to use a common area for operators in order to exchange data with the non-volatile storage unit 27 (NVRAM) in the digital broadcast receiver 2.

【0042】

However, according to the rules for use of the common business area described in ARIB-TR B15, most of the common business area is used for storing the viewer's name, address, and the like. In addition, the area that can be used from MMC is a business operator's regulation, and basically it is impossible to send and receive information between business operators without individual regulation. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a new license information area is provided in the data structure of the operator common area in NVRAM.

【0043】

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of a business operator common area in NVRAM according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 has a structure in which the information of block number 16 is added to the usage rules of the common area for operators described in ARIB-TR B15, and there are no other changes.

【0044】

Block 16 in FIG. 2 serves as a licensed information area and can be used to determine whether the target MMC is intended by the broadcaster.

【0045】

Further, in the present embodiment, the number of characters occupied by the information in the block 16 is set to 256 half-width characters, but in actual operation, there is no problem even if this value is increased or decreased. Similarly, in the present embodiment, the character type in block 16 is designated by the business operator or EUC-JP, but this is also not limited to this in actual operation, and for example, the character type is not specified. On the contrary, the processing of the receiving device may be reduced by limiting the confidentiality to only alphanumeric characters.

【0046】

Next, the operation of the broadcast transmission / reception system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG.

【0047】

FIG. 3 shows, among the operations of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG. 1, the acquisition of the communication MMC and the process of determining whether or not the reproduction is possible, and the operation similar to that of the conventional broadcast transmission / reception system is omitted or simplified.

【0048】

First, as a preliminary work, the address in the communication network 5 of the communication MMC server 3 is notified in advance to the digital broadcasting transmission station 1 via the communication network 5 (PS1). This address is stored in the composite output permission information / address storage unit 15 in the digital broadcasting transmission station 1. In this preliminary work, the address of the communication MMC server 3 may be input to the composite output permission information / address storage unit 15 by mail, manual work, or the like without using the communication network 5.

【0049】

In the digital broadcasting transmission station 1, the information for permitting the combined output of the broadcasting MMC generated by the broadcasting MMC generation unit 14 to the AVC generated by the AVC generation unit 12 is transmitted to the communication MMC server 3 via the communication network 5. Send to (S1). In this case, it is premised that the information for permitting the composite output of the broadcast MMC for AVC is the information for permitting the composite output of the communication MMC for AVC as it is. If there is a different element between the information for permitting the composite output of the broadcast MMC for AVC and the information for permitting the composite output of the communication MMC for AVC, that element is added and transmitted.

【0050】

The communication MMC server 3 stores the composite output permission information received from the digital broadcast transmission station 1 via the communication network 5 in the composite output permission information storage unit 34, and notifies the digital broadcast transmission station 1 of the end of storage (S2). ..

【0051】

In the digital broadcast transmission station 1, the broadcast MMC generation unit 14 inserts the composite output permission information / address read from the composite output permission information / address storage unit 15 into the broadcast MMC, and the multiplexing / transmission unit 13 broadcasts with AVC. A broadcast signal in which MMC is multiplexed is transmitted from the transmission antenna 17 (S3).

【0052】

In the digital broadcast receiving device 2, when the receiving antenna 20 receives the broadcast signal, the receiving / demodulating unit 21 demodulates the signal, the decoding unit 22 decodes the AVC and the broadcast MMC, and the AVC is sent to the AVC playback unit 23. , Broadcast MMC is sent to MMC playback unit 28. The MMC playback unit 28 analyzes the contents of the received broadcast MMC, extracts the composite output permission information and the address, and stores them in the non-volatile storage unit 27 (S4).

【0053】

The composite output permission information is permission information unique to the broadcasting company, and is recorded in block 16 of the company common area in FIG. 2, for example.

【0054】

When recording, for the purpose of classifying the service ID indicating one service (broadcast channel) of the broadcaster and the service into multiple groups, or for the purpose of dividing the control for each content in detail. A format ID that can be used is provided.

【0055】

Using this service ID and format ID, for example, format ID = 0 is specified to describe information for default control of a certain broadcaster, and format ID = 0 is specified for controlling the content for each day. An example of defining and controlling a format ID for each, an example of controlling by specifying a format ID according to the genre classification in content information such as sports, movies, news, etc., format ID for (some of) advertising sponsors It is possible to realize fine control such as ensuring the degree of control in presenting advertisements.

【0056】

For example, the BML control command in the communication MMC is used so that the combined output permission information is appropriately processed when it is received by the digital broadcast receiving device 2. In the digital broadcast receiving device 2, when the communication MMC is received, the licensing information (BML control command) in the communication MMC is processed by the decoding unit 22 and sent to the MMC reproduction unit 28 as the communication MMC information to control the reproduction. .. In the case of the present embodiment, the stage is to reproduce the communication MMC before synthesizing. For example, even if the communication MMC is reproduced, the output synthesizing unit 24 should not synthesize the communication MMC. It may be configured.

【0057】

Next, the digital broadcast receiver 2 determines whether or not the communication MMC is selected (S5). When the communication MMC is selected (S5: YES), the digital broadcast receiver 2 requests the selected communication MMC via the communication network 5 using the address stored in the communication MMC server 3. To do. If the communication MMC is not selected (S5: NO), the output processing of the original AVC and broadcast MMC is continued (S11).

【0058】

The communication MMC server 3 that has received the communication MMC request transmits the communication MMC into which the composite output permission information is inserted to the digital broadcast receiver 2 via the communication network 5 (S6).

【0059】

The digital broadcast receiver 2 extracts the composite output permission information from the communication MMC received by the MMC playback unit 28 (S7). As an extraction method, for example, when permission information is inserted in the communication MMC as the information determined by the above-mentioned tag <MMcontentsLevels>, <MMcontentsLevels> is extracted and the permission information in the tag is acquired. It is possible with.

【0060】

Next, the MMC playback unit 28 is, for example, a portion corresponding to the service ID of the broadcaster currently broadcasting the AVC currently being viewed from block 16 of the operator common area of the non-volatile storage unit 27, and further, the portion currently being viewed. Read the permission information corresponding to the format ID that matches the content information of AVC. Further, in the MMC reproduction unit 28 and the reception control unit 29, the composite output can be permitted after some calculation is performed between the extracted contents and the composite output permission information stored in the non-volatile storage unit 27 as necessary. Whether or not it is judged (S8). This judgment may be, for example, simply collated and whether or not they are equal, or may be a judgment using the result of the exclusive OR with the broadcast date and time. This operational decision is defined by the relationship between the mounting cost of the digital broadcast receiver 2 and the safety aspect.

【0061】

The MMC playback unit 28 and the reception control unit 29 are allowed to output the communication MMC and the AVC or the broadcast MMC at the same time when the judgment result allows the combined output (S8: YES). Therefore, the communication MMC is reproduced by the MMC playback unit 28, and the AVC or / and the broadcast MMC and the communication MMC are combined by the output synthesis unit 24 and output to the display device 6 (S12).

【0062】

Conversely, if the judgment result does not allow composite output (S8: NO), then only the selected communication MMC is played back and output, or only the original AVC and broadcast MMC are output. Determine if to do (S9). When outputting only the selected communication MMC (S9: YES), the process of playing and synthesizing the original AVC and the broadcast MMC is stopped, and only the selected communication MMC is played and output to the display device 6. (S10). When only the original AVC and the broadcast MMC are output (S9: NO), the output process of reproducing and synthesizing the original AVC and the broadcast MMC and sending them to the display device 6 is continued (S11).

【0063】

The selection of this step S9 can be selected by the viewer setting the receiving device in advance or setting it at that time.

【0064】

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the communication MMC is described in XHTML has been described, but the communication MMC can also be described using BML (Broadcasting Markup Language).

【0065】

In that case, since the operations of steps S8 to S12 can be described in BML during the communication MMC, there is an advantage that it becomes easy to freely express the content using the format ID described above. However, on the other hand, since the non-volatile storage unit 27 can be directly controlled from the communication MMC, the security in terms of security is reduced.

【0066】

As described above, in the broadcast transmission / reception system according to the first embodiment, the composite output permission information is inserted into the broadcast MMC in advance and broadcast, so that the composite output is permitted to the non-volatile storage unit 27 (NVRAM) in the digital broadcast receiver. Information is transmitted and retained, and the content is used to determine permission to synthesize and output (reproduce) the communication MMC, so a relatively simple configuration is used to link the communication MMC and AVC, including the sponsor. It is possible to acquire a communication MMC that does not conflict with AVC on the receiving device side.

【0067】

Further, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to send a broadcast MMC more than necessary by broadcasting, the broadcast signal band can be effectively used, and a large amount of infrastructure information accumulated on the Internet can be used, so that various and advanced information can be used. Can be offered.

【0068】

Embodiment 2. In the above-described first embodiment, the permission information of the composite output is stored in the communication MMC server 3 in advance, and then the permission information is inserted into the broadcasting MMC from the digital broadcasting transmission station 1 and transmitted. On the digital broadcast receiver 2 side, by checking the permission information extracted from the communication MMC obtained from the communication MMC server 3 with the permission information extracted from the broadcast MMC, the communication MMC including the sponsor can cooperate with the AVC. However, since all the permission information is transmitted by broadcasting or on the communication network 5, there is a possibility that noise may be mixed in during transmission depending on the propagation status of the broadcast and the line status of the communication network 5. Conceivable.

【0069】

In addition, in order to improve safety, it is conceivable to increase the amount of data to be transmitted. It is not preferable to increase the number of data from the viewpoint of effectively utilizing the broadcast signal band. Further, as the amount of data increases, the possibility of noise being mixed during transmission increases, so increasing the amount of permitted information data is not preferable from the viewpoint of reducing transmission errors. Therefore, the permission information has a limited amount of data, but in that case, the receiving device 2 limits the security and the degree of freedom of judgment of the simultaneous output permission for the communication MMC.

【0070】

Therefore, in the second embodiment described below, by providing the communication MMC authentication server connected to the communication network 5, the security and the degree of freedom of judgment of the simultaneous output permission for the communication MMC in the communication device 2 are improved. The case of causing the operation will be described.

【0071】

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

【0072】

The difference from the digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to the first embodiment is that the digital broadcast transmission station 1 has a communication MMC authentication server 19 and the communication MMC server 3 has a communication MMC authentication request information storage unit 35. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

【0073】

The communication MMC authentication server 19 stores various information about the AVC and the broadcast MMC being broadcast at that time from the broadcast MMC generator 14, and also inserts the composite output permission information and transmits various information about the communication MMC. It has a communication MMC authentication information storage unit 18 that also stores information. Here, the various information is, for example, various elements for satisfying the four conditions for confirming the relationship between the communication MMC and the AVC in the first embodiment.

【0074】

In FIG. 4, the communication MMC authentication server 19 is described by sharing the communication control unit 16 in the digital broadcast transmission station 1 so that the information from the broadcast MMC generation unit 14 can be easily obtained. 16 may be the same as a physical device or may not be the same. If they are not physically the same, there is no problem because the port numbers and IP addresses are different, of course, but even if they are physically the same, they are separated as a means to realize different functions logically (for example, implementation with different IP addresses). Or, if it is implemented with a different port number), there is no effect on the operation.

【0075】

Further, for example, the communication MMC authentication server 19 may be configured completely separately in the digital broadcasting transmission station 1, or the communication MMC authentication server 19 as an independent server connected to the communication network 5 outside the digital broadcasting transmission station 1. May be configured.

【0076】

The communication MMC authentication request information storage unit 35 stores, for example, the position (address) information of the communication MMC authentication server 19 on the communication network 5.

【0077】

Next, the operation of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG.

【0078】

In FIG. 5, among the operations of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG. 4, in particular, the reproducibility determination process of the communication MMC is shown, and the operation before step 4 which is substantially the same as the broadcast transmission / reception system of the first embodiment is omitted. However, for example, in step S2, the permission information includes the address of the communication MMC authentication server 19. Further, the latter half of the reproducibility determination process (step 8 and subsequent steps) is the same as that of the first embodiment.

【0079】

The communication MMC server 3 that received the communication MMC request from the digital broadcast receiver 2 in the case of YES in step S5 inserts the communication MMC authentication request information in addition to the composite output permission information into the communication network 5 It is transmitted to the digital broadcast receiver 2 via (S21).

【0080】

The digital broadcast receiver 2 extracts the composite output permission information and the authentication request information of the communication MMC from the communication MMC received by the MMC playback unit 28 (S22). Next, the digital broadcast receiving device 2 transmits an authentication request for the address information of the communication MMC server 3 stored in the non-volatile storage unit 27 to the address of the communication MMC authentication server 19 in the authentication request information ( S23).

【0081】

The communication MMC authentication server 19 authenticates the address of the communication MMC server 3 based on the stored contents of the communication MMC authentication information storage unit 18, and transmits the authentication result to the digital broadcast receiving device 2. At that time, if there is related information added in order to determine whether or not the combined output or reproduction of the communication MMC is possible in the digital broadcast receiving device 2, the related information is also transmitted (S24). Authentication in this case is, for example, determining whether or not the communication MMC published at that address can be displayed at the same time as the digital broadcast content currently being broadcast.

【0082】

The digital broadcast receiver 2 receives the authentication result (and related information if necessary) and stores it in the non-volatile storage unit 27 (S25). In the subsequent step S8, the authentication result (and related information if necessary) is also added as the stored content for determining the extracted content. The processing after step S8 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

【0083】

Further, for example, the position (address) of the communication MMC authentication server 19 on the communication network 5 of the authentication-related information stored in advance in the operator common area in the non-volatile storage unit 27 in the digital broadcast receiver 2. It may be remembered in one of them. In this case, the communication MMC authentication request information storage unit 35 in the communication MMC server 3 is no longer necessary, and the digital broadcast receiver 2 provides additional information (address information of the communication MMC authentication server 19) from the communication MMC server 3. The process can be executed without. In that case, steps S21 and S22 in FIG. 5 are the same as steps S6 and S7 in the first embodiment of FIG.

【0084】

In addition, by describing the address information of the communication MMC authentication server 19 in the non-volatile storage unit 27, the internal information of the non-volatile storage unit 27 is information that only the broadcaster can know, so the protection against theft from the outside is strengthened. be able to.

【0085】

Further, in the authentication request from the digital broadcast receiving device 2 to the communication MMC authentication server 19 in step S23, for example, the address where the communication MMC was acquired, the permission-related information embedded in the communication MMC, the currently receiving AVC and the broadcast MMC. Transmit information generated by at least one or any combination thereof from information about (service ID, event ID, etc.), information related to the individual viewer or the receiver itself included in a limited access means (not shown), etc. This makes it possible to make more detailed and highly functional judgments. Since the information described in the non-volatile memory is information that only the broadcaster can know, it is possible to protect it against theft from the outside [0086].

Further, if it is necessary to give confidentiality to the communication content here, SSL (Secure Sockets Layers) may be used to protect the communication path. In addition, in determining the permission of composite output, the command is extended to SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) standardized by W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), for example, the command <GetMMcontentspermit> <URL> <GetMMcontentspermit />. It can be implemented in the form of transmitting a character string by HTTP (Hyper Text Transport Protocol) and returning the permission judgment information as the answer.

【0087】

Further, when it is desired to further secure the legitimacy of the content of the communication MMC, the authentication information is added as the content of the communication MMC and the authentication information is stored in non-volatile memory in the same manner as the permission information described in the first embodiment of the present invention. A method of making a judgment by comparing with the authentication information stored in advance in the common area of the business operator in the department 27 may be used. In addition, a part of the authentication-related information stored in the common area of the operator, especially the one to which the format ID is assigned for discrimination and stored as arbitrary information other than the address, and the authentication information in the communication MMC or optional The calculation result with the information of the above may be transmitted to the communication MMC authentication server 19 via the communication control unit 25, and the validity of the communication MMC may be judged there.

【0088】

By using the authentication information in this way, even if the communication MMC has been reorganized, it is possible to confirm the validity of using the authentication information in the common area of the business operator, which is unknown to the person who changed the communication MMC. , The modified fact can be recognized by the digital broadcast receiving device 2.

【0089】

By the way, the digital broadcast receiving device 2 may have a storage means for limited reception (not shown). In a conventional digital broadcast receiving device, this storage means is realized by a smart card.

【0090】

For example, whether the viewer who owns the digital broadcast receiving device 2 retains the right to watch any digital broadcast content (for example, in the case of paid content, whether the viewing fee has already been paid, etc.) ) Can be judged. The smart card stores identification information for each individual viewer in order to determine the content viewing right for each viewer.

【0091】

In the digital broadcast receiving device 2 of the present embodiment, for example, the calculation result executed by using the personal identification information and the authentication information in the business operator common area stored in the non-volatile storage unit 27 is authenticated. By using the data used for judgment or a part thereof, the viewing control of the individual communication MMC of the viewer (digital broadcasting receiving device 2) can be performed by the broadcasting company (digital broadcasting transmitting station 1).

【0092】

Further, by using the authentication determination method of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform authentication across broadcasters (digital broadcasting transmission station 1) of digital broadcasting contents.

【0093】

For example, it is described that the communication MMC uses BML to acquire the authentication information in the operator common area of any operator 1 to obtain the authentication, and the digital broadcast receiver 2 is used for other operations. This is the case when the person 2 is watching the digital broadcast content.

【0094】

In this case, the communication control unit 25 of the digital broadcast receiving device 2 first confirms the validity of the communication MMC by using the method described above, and after the validity of the content is confirmed, the broadcast content being received is being received. Reads the address of the communication MMC authentication server 19 of the operator 2 stored in the operator area managed by the operator 2 that broadcasts, and authenticates to the communication MMC authentication server 19 of the operator 2 using the address of the communication MMC. ..

【0095】

For example, if the AVC being broadcast is licensed by multiple broadcasters (co-produced content, etc.) and the same communication MMC should be certified by multiple broadcasters, the carrier. The communication MMC authentication server 19 of 2 is also permitted to reproduce the MMC.

【0096】

As described above, the broadcast transmission / reception system according to the second embodiment has the communication MMC authentication server 19 in the digital broadcasting system, and is further inserted into the position (address) of the communication MMC on the communication network 5 and in the MMC. Since it can be used to judge the validity of the communication MMC by combining the authentication-related information and the authentication-related information in the common area of the business operator, the communication MMC and AVC including the sponsor have a relatively simple configuration. It is possible to more reliably cooperate with AVC, and it is possible to safely acquire a communication MMC that does not conflict with AVC on the receiving device side.

【0097】

Further, also in this embodiment, it is not necessary to send a broadcast MMC more than necessary by broadcasting, the broadcast signal band can be effectively used, and a large amount of infrastructure information accumulated on the Internet can be used, so that various and advanced information can be used. It can be provided, and new services such as viewing control for individual viewers can be provided.

【0098】

Embodiment 3. In the digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the digital broadcast receiver 2 directly authenticates to the communication MMC authentication server 19 in the digital broadcast transmission station 1, but communication is performed. The MMC authentication server 19 is not always directly operated by one digital broadcasting transmission station (broadcasting company). For example, when one operator acts on behalf of the operation of the communication MMC authentication server 19 of a plurality of broadcasters, or when the address (location: URL) on the communication network 5 of the communication MMC authentication server 19 moves the server. It may not be operated directly, such as when moving due to changes.

【0099】

In such a case, for example, the operation described in the second embodiment is performed by frequently rewriting the position information stored in the operator common area in the non-volatile storage unit 27 of the digital broadcast receiving device 2. It will be. However, when this non-volatile storage is configured by using NVRAM as in the current digital broadcast receiving device, the frequency of rewriting is limited and the degree of freedom in carrying out is reduced. In general, NVRAM often reaches the end of its life after thousands to tens of thousands of times.

【0100】

In the third embodiment shown below, even if the communication MMC authentication server 19 is not directly operated by one digital broadcasting transmission station (broadcasting company), the address of the communication MMC authentication server 19 that may be changed is set. Communication MMC authentication that is not frequently rewritten instead of being stored directly in NVRAM By interposing a means (server) that provides address (location) information of the server 19, communication MMC can be authenticated with a high degree of freedom. Will be described.

【0101】

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

【0102】

The digital broadcast transmission / reception system of the present embodiment differs from the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in that the digital broadcast transmission / reception system of the present embodiment has a location information server 4 connected to the communication network 5. ..

【0103】

The location information server 4 is a position for storing the communication control unit 41, which is connected to the communication network 5 and controls the transmission and reception of various information and data, and the address (location) information on the communication network 5 of the communication MMC authentication server 19. The address (location) information of the information storage unit 42 and the communication MMC authentication server 19 received from the digital broadcasting transmission station 1 is stored in the location information storage unit 42, and when the communication MMC authentication request is received, the address information is stored. It has a position information server control unit 43 that reads out and sends the data to the digital broadcast receiving device.

【0104】

In FIG. 6, the communication control unit 16 in the digital broadcasting transmission station 1 is included in the communication MMC authentication server 19, and the location information server 4 is described as having a different configuration from the digital broadcasting transmission station 1, for example. The communication control unit 16 and the communication MMC authentication server 19 may be physically separated, and conversely, if they are logically separated by different means due to, for example, different IP addresses or different port numbers, they are physically separated. The same device may be used.

【0105】

Next, the operation of the broadcast transmission / reception system according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG.

【0106】

FIG. 7 shows, among the operations of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG. 6, the reproducibility determination process of the communication MMC, and the operation after step 8 which is substantially the same as the broadcast transmission / reception system of the second embodiment is omitted. ing.

【0107】

First, as a preliminary work, instead of step PS1 of the first embodiment, the address of the location information server in addition to the address in the communication network 5 of the communication MMC server 3 is transmitted to the digital broadcasting transmission station 1 via the communication network 5. Notify in advance (PS2). Each of these addresses is stored in the composite output permission information / address storage unit 15 in the digital broadcasting transmission station 1. Further, the address of the communication MMC server 3 and the address of the communication MMC authentication server 19 are notified to the location information server 4 in advance via the communication network 5 (PS3). The location information server 4 that has received the notification stores each received address in the location information storage unit 42 in advance (PS4).

【0108】

Since steps S1 and S2 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

【0109】

In the digital broadcast transmission station 1, the broadcast MMC generation unit 14 inserts the address of the location information server into the broadcast MMC in addition to the composite output permission information and the address read from the composite output permission information / address storage unit 15, and multiplexes / The transmission unit 13 transmits a broadcast signal in which AVC and broadcast MMC are multiplexed from the transmission antenna 17 (S31).

【0110】

In the digital broadcast receiving device 2, when the receiving antenna 20 receives the broadcast signal, the receiving / demodulating unit 21 demodulates the signal, the decoding unit 22 decodes the AVC and the broadcast MMC, and the AVC is sent to the AVC playback unit 23. , Broadcast MMC is sent to MMC playback unit 28. The MMC playback unit 28 analyzes the contents of the received broadcast MMC, extracts the composite output permission information, the address, and the address of the location information server, and stores them in the non-volatile storage unit 27 (S32).

【0111】

The next step 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the next steps S21 and S22 are the same as those of the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

【0112】

The digital broadcast receiving device 2 reads the address of the location information server extracted from the broadcast MMC from the non-volatile storage unit 27, and requests the location information server 4 for the address of the communication MMC server 19 (S33).

【0113】

The location information server 4 reads the requested address of the communication MMC server 19 from the location information storage unit 42 and sends it to the digital broadcast receiving device 2 (S34).

【0114】

In step S33, the digital broadcast receiving device 2 has the address where the communication MMC was acquired, the composite output permission information embedded in the communication MMC, the information about the broadcast MMC currently being received (service ID, event ID, etc.), At least one piece of information related to the individual viewer or the receiving device itself included in the limited receiving means (not shown), or information generated by any combination of these pieces of information is transmitted to the location information server 4. In step S23, as a result, it is possible to be notified of the address of the communication MMC authentication server 19 of the broadcasting company (digital broadcasting transmitting station 1) capable of performing appropriate permission judgment work. As a result, the optimum location information of the communication MMC authentication server 19 can be obtained.

【0115】

The next steps S23 to S25 are the same as those in the second embodiment, and the steps 8 and subsequent steps are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

【0116】

Further, by describing the address information of the location information server in addition to the composite output permission information and the address in the non-volatile storage unit 27, the internal information of the non-volatile storage unit 27 is information that only the broadcaster can know, so from the outside. The protection against theft etc. can be strengthened. For example, when requesting the address of the communication MMC authentication server 19 from the location information server 4, the address and the like are not described in a readable state in the request message, and are treated only as data that is instantaneously used during communication. It is possible to increase the degree of safety.

【0117】

As described above, in the configuration of the present embodiment, for example, even if a plurality of broadcasters (digital broadcast transmission station 1) move, integrate, or separate the communication MMC authentication server 19 at an arbitrary time, they communicate with each other. The operation can be performed without difficulty simply by updating the data between the MMC authentication server 19 and the location information server 4. Therefore, as a matter of course, even if the address of the communication MMC authentication server 19 or the like is changed, the information for each communication MMC authentication server 19 stored in the location information server 4 can be updated to update the information for each communication MMC authentication server 19 on the digital broadcast receiving device 2 side. Operation can be continued without affecting.

【0118】

As described above, in the broadcast transmission / reception system according to the third embodiment, the position resolution server is provided in the digital broadcast transmission / reception system, and the position resolution server is located in the operator common area in the non-volatile storage unit 27 of the digital broadcast receiver 2. Since the address is stored, it is possible to easily respond to infrastructure changes.

【0119】

Further, also in the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, since the communication MMC authentication server 19 is provided in the digital broadcasting system, the position (address) of the communication MMC on the communication network 5 and the communication MMC are in progress. Since the authentication-related information embedded in the server and the authentication-related information in the common area of the operator can be combined and used to judge the validity of the communication MMC, communication including the sponsor is performed with a relatively simple configuration. The cooperation between MMC and AVC can be taken more reliably, and the communication MMC that does not conflict with AVC can be safely acquired on the receiving device side.

【0120】

Further, also in this embodiment, it is not necessary to send a broadcast MMC more than necessary by broadcasting, the broadcast signal band can be effectively used, and a large amount of infrastructure information accumulated on the Internet can be used, so that various and advanced information can be used. It can be provided, and new services such as viewing control for individual viewers can be provided.

【0121】

Embodiment 4. In the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, between the live broadcast AVC and broadcast MMC received from the digital broadcast transmission station 1 and the communication MMC acquired from the communication MMC server 3 via the communication network 5. We were able to cooperate and safely acquire communication MMCs without any inconsistencies on the receiving device side. For example, live broadcast AVC and broadcast MMC are temporarily stored in a recording / playback means such as a video recorder and played back. When trying to acquire the communication MMC, the composite output permission information in the broadcast MMC may not be linked with the composite output permission information in the communication MMC due to the passage of time, data replacement, revision, update, etc.

【0122】

In addition, while watching live broadcast AVC and broadcast MMC, it is possible that playback of the accumulated AVC / broadcast MMC is selected, and in that case, the combined output permission information of both may not be linked.

【0123】

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment shown below, (a) the composite output permission information of the AVC and the broadcast MMC during the live broadcast and the composite output permission information of the AVC and the broadcast MMC once stored in the recording / playback means and being played back. In the case of cooperation, (b) the composite output permission information of the AVC and the broadcast MMC once stored in the recording / playback means and being played back, and the composite output permission information in the communication MMC obtained at the time of the playback. The case of coordinating with each other will be described.

【0124】

The overall system of the present embodiment is based on the second embodiment, and the parts different from the second embodiment will be mainly described. Further, the configuration may be such that the location information server 4 as shown in the third embodiment is used so that the advantages of the third embodiment can be enjoyed [0125].

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

【0126】

The difference between the digital broadcast transmission / reception system of the present embodiment and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is that in the present embodiment, the AVC before reproduction and the AVC output from the decoding unit 22 in the digital broadcast receiver 2 are used. The point is that it has a recording / reproducing unit 26 that can record (store) the broadcast MMC and reproduce it after an arbitrary time.

【0127】

Under the control of the reception control unit 29, the recording / playback unit 26 records (stores) the pre-playback AVC and broadcast MMC output from the decoding unit 22, and records the pre-playback AVC and broadcast MMC after an arbitrary time. Each can be output to the AVC playback unit 23 or the MMC playback unit 28. Further, although not shown in FIG. 8, the communication MMC before reproduction input from the communication control unit 25 may be configured to be recorded and reproduced.

【0128】

That is, the digital broadcast receiving device 2 of the present embodiment can not only time-shift the live broadcast AVC and the broadcast MMC and view the contents after the end of the live broadcast time, but also, for example, a certain digital broadcast content. After the end of the live broadcast, the communication MMC information related to the content, for example, the information describing only the desired corner or part of the content, can be used to enable viewing of only a part of the live broadcast, or after accumulation. For digital broadcast content that has passed a long time (period) from the time of broadcasting, the viewing fee can be changed (reduced), and operations and services that were not possible in the past can be provided.

【0129】

In such a digital broadcast transmission / reception system, in order to enable cooperative operation between various digital broadcast contents, each broadcaster performs the cooperative operation such as simultaneous playback and composite output between each content. It is important to decide whether to allow it.

【0130】

(a) First, the operation of linking the live broadcast digital broadcast content and the stored digital broadcast content will be described.

【0131】

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of linking the live broadcast and the stored digital broadcast contents in the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG.

【0132】

FIG. 9 shows, among the operations of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG. 8, the process of determining whether or not to reproduce the content accumulated during the reception of the live broadcast content and to simultaneously output the content.

【0133】

First, the digital broadcast receiving device 2 determines whether or not the live digital broadcast content (AVC and broadcast MMC) is received and output to the display device 6 (S41). When the live broadcast is being output (S41: YES), the composite output permission information from the received broadcast MMC, the address of the communication MMC server, and the location information server if the system has a location information server. The address is extracted and stored in the non-volatile storage unit 27 (S42). The process of step S42 is the same as step S4 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment or step S32 of the third embodiment.

【0134】

Next, the digital broadcast receiving device 2 determines whether or not the playback output of the digital broadcast content (AVC and broadcast MMC) of the past broadcast stored in the recording / playback unit 26 is selected by an input means (not shown). (S43). When playback of the stored digital broadcast content is selected (S43: YES), it is further determined whether or not the digital broadcast content is stored in the recording / playback unit 26 (S44).

【0135】

If playback of the stored content is not selected (S43: NO), the output processing of the original live digital broadcast content (AVC and broadcast MMC) continues (S51). Even if playback of the stored content is selected (S43: YES), if the digital broadcast content is not stored in the recording / playback unit 26 in the next step S44 (S44: NO), After all, the output processing of the original live digital broadcast content (AVC and broadcast MMC) is continued (S51).

【0136】

When the selected digital broadcast content is stored in the recording / playback unit 26 (S44: YES), the composite output permission information, recorded date / time information, etc. are read from the stored content, and the communication MMC authentication server 19 Send to (S45). In this case, the content selected from the stored contents is not the communication MMC, but the processing is performed by regarding it as the communication MMC in terms of processing. In addition, the communication MMC authentication server 19 stores the communication MMC authentication information related to the live broadcast digital broadcast content for a predetermined period of time.

【0137】

The communication MMC authentication server 19 confirms and authenticates whether there is any discrepancy with the digital broadcast content currently being broadcast from the received composite output permission information, recorded date and time information, etc., and digitally if necessary. The broadcast receiver 2 additionally transmits useful information for judging the combined output of the communication MMC (S46).

【0138】

The next step S47 in the digital broadcast receiving device 2 is the same as the step S25 of the second embodiment, and receives the authentication result and the related information as needed and stores them in the non-volatile storage unit 27.

【0139】

Next, in the digital broadcast receiving device 2, the permission information regarding the digital broadcast content currently being broadcast live from the stored content of the non-volatile storage unit 27, and the authentication result and related information regarding the stored content received from the communication MMC authentication server are used as necessary. After some calculation is performed, it is judged whether or not the composite output can be permitted (S48).

【0140】

If the judgment result allows the combined output, the MMC playback unit 28 and the reception control unit 29 may output the stored digital broadcast content and AVC or broadcast MMC at the same time. Since it is permitted, the stored contents are reproduced, and the output synthesizer 24 synthesizes the stored contents with AVC or / and the broadcast MMC and outputs the stored contents to the display device 6 (S52).

【0141】

Conversely, if the judgment result does not allow composite output (S48: NO), then only the selected stored contents are played back and output, or only the original AVC and broadcast MMC are output. Determine if to do (S49). When outputting only the selected stored contents (S49: YES), the process of playing and synthesizing the original AVC and the broadcast MMC is stopped, and only the selected stored contents are played and output to the display device 6. (S50). When only the original AVC and the broadcast MMC are output (S9: NO), the output process of reproducing and synthesizing the original AVC and the broadcast MMC and sending them to the display device 6 is continued (S51).

【0142】

As described above, in the present embodiment, in order to authenticate the accumulated contents to the business operator currently broadcasting live, the business operator currently broadcasting live is at the address specified in the common area of the business operator. It is necessary to request authentication from the communication MMC authentication server 19, and at this time, information on the broadcast date and time of the stored broadcast content, service ID, event ID, and whether it is AVC or MMC is transmitted and a judgment is asked.

【0143】

(b) Next, the case of authenticating the stored broadcast contents and the communication MMC will be described.

【0144】

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of linking the stored digital broadcast contents and the communication MMC in the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG.

【0145】

FIG. 10 also shows, among the operations of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG. 8, the process of determining whether or not the content accumulated during the reception of the live broadcast content can be reproduced and simultaneously output.

【0146】

First, the digital broadcast receiving device 2 determines whether or not the stored digital broadcast contents (AVC and broadcast MMC) are reproduced and output to the display device 6 (S61). When the stored contents are being played back (S61: YES), the composite output permission information from the played broadcast MMC, the address of the communication MMC server, and the location information server if it is in the system The address of the location information server is extracted and stored in the non-volatile storage unit 27 (S62).

【0147】

Next, in the digital broadcast receiving device 2, it is determined whether or not the communication MMC is selected by an input means (not shown) (S63). When the communication MMC is selected (S63: YES), the communication MMC server 3 is requested to send the communication MMC.

【0148】

If the communication MMC is not selected (S63: NO), the output processing of the original stored digital broadcast content (AVC and broadcast MMC) is continued (S72).

【0149】

The digital broadcast receiver 2 extracts the composite output permission information and the address of the communication MMC authentication server from the communication MMC received from the communication MMC server 3 and stores them in the non-volatile storage unit 27 (S65). Next, the synthetic output permission information, date and time information, and the like related to the accumulated digital broadcast contents are read from the non-volatile storage unit 27 and transmitted to the communication MMC authentication server 19 (S66).

【0150】

In this case as well, the communication MMC authentication server 19 stores the communication MMC authentication information related to the live broadcast digital broadcast content for a predetermined period of time.

【0151】

The communication MMC authentication server 19 confirms that there is no discrepancy with the communication MMC from the received composite output permission information, the recorded date and time information, etc., and authenticates the communication MMC. Additional information useful for determining the composite output of the communication MMC is transmitted (S67).

【0152】

The next step S68 in the digital broadcast receiving device 2 is the same as the step S25 of the second embodiment, and receives the authentication result and the related information as needed and stores them in the non-volatile storage unit 27.

【0153】

Next, in the digital broadcast receiving device 2, it is necessary from the permission information regarding the digital broadcast content in which the stored content is reproduced from the stored content of the non-volatile storage unit 27, and the authentication result and related information regarding the stored content received from the communication MMC authentication server. It is determined whether or not the composite output can be permitted after some calculation is performed according to (S69).

【0154】

The MMC playback unit 28 and the reception control unit 29 are allowed to output the stored digital broadcast content and the communication MMC at the same time when the judgment result allows the combined output (S69: YES). Therefore, the communication MMC is reproduced, and the output synthesizer 24 synthesizes the AVC or / and the broadcast MMC and the communication MMC and outputs them to the display device 6 (S73).

【0155】

On the contrary, when the judgment result does not allow the composite output (S69: NO), further, only the selected communication MMC is reproduced and output, or the original accumulated and reproduced AVC. And determine whether to output only the broadcast MMC (S70). When outputting only the selected communication MMC (S70: YES), the process of playing back and synthesizing the original stored AVC and broadcast MMC is stopped, and only the received communication MMC is played back and displayed on the display device. Output to 6 (S71). When playing back and outputting only the original stored AVC and broadcast MMC (S70: NO), the output process of playing back and synthesizing the original stored AVC and broadcast MMC and sending them to the display device 6. (S72).

【0156】

In this way, in order to authenticate the stored broadcast content and the communication MMC, the communication MMC authentication server 19 at the address specified by the broadcaster of the stored broadcast content in the common area of the operator is used. For example, as described in the second or third embodiment, the broadcast date / time, service ID, and event ID information of the stored broadcast content is transmitted, and the combined output (reproduction) of the communication MMC for this content is authenticated.

【0157】

In the above-described embodiment, the stored digital broadcast content is received as a broadcast signal, but the present invention described above can also be applied to, for example, digital broadcast content transmitted via a communication path. Is.

【0158】

In this case, when the content is actually stored in the recording / playback unit 26 in the digital broadcast receiving device 2, the license-related information unique to the broadcaster is saved as the related information.

【0159】

The permission-related information is transmitted from the digital broadcasting transmission station 1 to the communication MMC playback unit 33 in the communication MMC server 3, and is transmitted as content-related information via the communication network 5.

【0160】

This content-related information can be described in XML (eXtended Markup Language) as metadata, for example. As a more specific example, a business ID (equivalent to a service ID in broadcasting) and a content ID are assigned to the XML tag <ComMMcontents> tag as attributes. Then, in the communication MMC authentication server 19, authentication can be determined using these IDs as keywords.

【0161】

As a result, the stored digital TV content can be controlled by using the BML control command transmitted along with the broadcast AVC, and the live content and the stored content can be freely switched and played back at the same time. High-performance services can be realized safely and as intended by broadcasters.

【0162】

As described above, in the broadcast transmission / reception system according to the fourth embodiment, even when the digital broadcast reception device in the digital broadcast transmission / reception system is provided with the recording / playback unit of digital contents, the communication MMC authentication server is provided and the operator is provided. The address of the communication MMC authentication server is stored in the common area, various information at the time of broadcasting the stored broadcast content, the position (address) of the communication MMC on the communication network, and the authentication-related information embedded in the MMC. , And authentication-related information in the common area of business operators are combined, so it is possible to judge the possibility of composite output of live digital broadcast content and stored content, or composite output of stored content and its communication MMC. Can accurately judge the possibility of.

【0163】

Further, also in the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, since the communication MMC authentication server 19 is provided in the digital broadcasting system, the position (address) of the communication MMC on the communication network 5 and the communication MMC are in progress. Since the authentication-related information embedded in the server and the authentication-related information in the common area of the operator can be combined and used to judge the validity of the communication MMC, communication including the sponsor is performed with a relatively simple configuration. The cooperation between MMC and AVC can be taken more reliably, and the communication MMC that does not conflict with AVC can be safely acquired on the receiving device side.

【0164】

Further, also in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to send the broadcast MMC more than necessary by broadcasting, the broadcast signal band can be effectively utilized, and the communication MMC is acquired from the past broadcast contents by using the storage means. And because a large amount of infrastructure information stored on the Internet can be used, it is possible to provide diverse and advanced information, and it is possible to provide new services such as viewing control for individual viewers. ..

【0165】

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where NVRAM is used as the non-volatile storage unit 27 in the digital broadcast receiving device 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other non-volatile storage elements are used. Alternatively, any storage means whose stored contents are backed up when the power is turned off may be used.

【0166】

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the wireless system has been described as the broadcasting system, but the present invention can also be applied to wired broadcasting, and the communication network can be other than the Internet. Communication means may be used.

【0167】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, the composite output permission information is transmitted and held in the non-volatile storage unit in the digital broadcast receiver by inserting the composite output permission information into the broadcast MMC in advance and broadcasting the information. Since the content is used to determine the permission to synthesize and output the communication MMC, it is possible to link the communication MMC and AVC including the sponsor with a relatively simple configuration, and there is no discrepancy with the AVC on the receiving device side. Communication MMC can be acquired, broadcast signal band can be effectively used without the need to send broadcast MMC more than necessary by broadcasting, and a large amount of infrastructure information accumulated on the Internet can be used, so it is diverse. Can provide advanced information.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of a business operator common area in NVRAM according to the first embodiment.

3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of linking live broadcasting and stored digital broadcasting contents in the broadcasting transmission / reception system of FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing an operation of linking the stored digital broadcast content and the communication MMC in the broadcast transmission / reception system of FIG. 8. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Digital broadcast transmitter, 2 Digital broadcast receiver, 3 Communication MMC server, 4 Location information server, 5 Communication network (Internet), 6 Display, 11 Broadcast control, 12 AVC generator, 13 Multiplex / transmitter, 14 Broadcast MMC generator, 15 Synthetic output permission information / address storage unit, 16 Communication control unit, 17 Transmission antenna, 18 Communication MMC authentication information storage unit, 19 Communication MMC authentication server, 20 Receiving antenna, 21 Reception / demodulation unit, 22 Decoding unit, 23 AVC playback unit, 24 output synthesis unit, 25 communication control unit, 26 recording / playback unit, 27 non-volatile storage unit, 28 MMC playback unit, 29 reception control unit, 31 communication control unit, 32 information insertion unit, 33 Communication MMC generation unit, 34 Synthetic output permission information storage unit, 35 Communication MMC authentication request information storage unit, 36 Content server control unit, 41 Communication control unit, 42 Location information storage unit, 43 Location information server control unit.