JP4620788B2 - Broadcast receiver, method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a broadcast receiver, method and program for both broadcast wave type broadcast and IP type broadcast.

  Currently, distribution methods such as IP broadcasting for distributing contents such as broadcast programs on the Internet, such as IP (Internet Protocol) retransmission of VOD (video on demand) and terrestrial digital television broadcasting, and Internet radio, have become widespread. . Internet radio can be viewed on a PC (personal computer) connected to the Internet using a Web browser, etc., and VOD can be viewed using a receiver such as a TV or STB (set top box) connected to the Internet. Is possible. In addition, IP retransmission of terrestrial digital television broadcasting can be viewed using an STB connected to NTT's next generation network (NGN: Next Generation Network).

  Here, when a broadcast program is distributed over the Internet, the distribution target area may be a problem. This is not a problem when content that is not restricted in the distribution area, such as Internet radio, is not a problem, but the broadcast target area is defined by law in IP retransmission of terrestrial digital television broadcasting Therefore, it cannot be distributed outside the broadcasting target area approved by the broadcasting station. Therefore, in IP retransmission of terrestrial digital television broadcasting, content is not distributed outside the broadcast target area by controlling the area to be distributed via a closed communication network called NGN, which is different from the Internet. .

  Patent Document 1 discloses a receiving apparatus that enables viewing of Internet-distributed content with regional restrictions (paragraphs 0023 and 0025 of Patent Document 1 and FIG. 1). In the receiving apparatus, the current latitude / longitude information of the receiving apparatus is acquired using GPS (Global Positioning System) (81 in FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1), and the flagged country area, that is, the user is sky perfect, etc. The country that has a reception contract with the satellite broadcast platform operator of the company is checked (82 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1), and if the current position is within the reception contract area, the content is output. (84 YES, 88 in FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 2 discloses an IP broadcast system (FIGS. 1 and 2 of Patent Document 2). According to the broadcasting system, information on the user-selected channel and the IP broadcasting terminal position is sent from the IP broadcasting terminal (set top box) to the IP broadcasting server (S23, S24 in FIG. 4 of Patent Document 2). When it is determined whether or not the position is included in the viewing area of the selected channel with reference to the operation area table (S25 and paragraph 0051 in FIG. 4 of Patent Document 2). Transmits data of the selected channel from the IP broadcast server to the IP broadcast terminal (paragraph 0051 of Patent Document 2 and S27 to S29 in FIG. 4). In the operation area table, an area where the IP broadcast terminal can operate is stored for each channel (paragraph 0047 of Patent Document 2).

  Patent Document 3 discloses a viewing terminal (mobile phone) that can receive content from both a broadcast network and a mobile communication network (FIG. 1 of Patent Document 3). When the content quality on the broadcast network side deteriorates, the viewing terminal transmits the ID of the broadcast station of the content to the viewing management server via the mobile communication network (for example, S02 and S04 in FIG. 4 of Patent Document 3). . On the other hand, the viewing management server searches the corresponding reproduction telephone number or reproduction URL with reference to the content storage information (FIG. 2 of Patent Document 3) and returns it to the viewing terminal (for example, Patent Document 3) (S05, S06 in FIG. 4). The viewing terminal accesses the returned playback telephone number or playback URL, receives the content from the simultaneous retransmission server of the access destination, and plays the content (for example, FIG. 4 of Patent Document 3). S08-S10).

  Patent Document 3 further discloses that viewing of contents distributed in a mobile communication network at a viewing terminal is restricted based on broadcast station identification information (paragraph 0005 of Patent Document 3).

JP 2008-182604 A JP 2008-288814 A JP 2005-136879 A

  For example, it is assumed that a radio broadcasting station broadcasts the same program as a program using broadcast waves in the Internet in almost real time. On the other hand, a user may move in a region while listening to a program of a radio broadcast station by using either a broadcast wave or the Internet on a vehicle-mounted radio or a portable radio for both the broadcast wave and the Internet. This regional movement may exceed the broadcasting target area specified by law for the radio broadcasting station, so it is necessary to accurately allow and prohibit the output of Internet broadcasting according to the current position of the dual-purpose radio. There is.

  The receiving apparatus of Patent Document 1 determines permission / prohibition of Internet broadcast output with reference to broadcast area information of a broadcast station, and possession of broadcast area information is indispensable for each broadcast station in the entire mobile area. As a result, when the receiving device has no broadcasting area information of the broadcasting station, moves to an area that does not have the broadcasting area information of the broadcasting station, or when the broadcasting area of the broadcasting station changes, the broadcasting area information When the update of the Internet is delayed, permission / prohibition of Internet broadcast output cannot be accurately controlled.

  In the IP broadcast system of Patent Document 2, the IP broadcast terminal transmits its position to the IP broadcast server. On the other hand, the IP broadcast server refers to the operation region table to transmit / not transmit the content to the IP broadcast terminal. I have decided to send. In the IP broadcast system, the IP broadcast terminal cannot determine permission / prohibition of frequency output by itself. If the IP broadcast terminal can independently determine whether to permit or prohibit the output of the frequency, it is essential that the IP broadcast terminal has an operation area table. However, even if the IP broadcast terminal has the operation area table, when the IP broadcast terminal moves to an area that does not have the broadcast area information of the broadcast station, or when the broadcast area of the broadcast station changes, the broadcast area When the update of information is delayed, permission / prohibition of Internet broadcast output cannot be accurately controlled.

  Although Patent Document 3 discloses that viewing of mobile communication network distribution content in a viewing terminal is restricted based on broadcast station identification information, how to specifically use the broadcast station identification information to restrict viewing. It does not mention whether.

  Furthermore, the broadcast receivers of Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not output anything when output of Internet broadcast content is prohibited, and are not convenient. The broadcast receiver of Patent Document 3 switches to a mobile communication network and outputs the content of the mobile communication network when the content quality on the broadcast network side is low. When the broadcast wave is an analog broadcast wave, The content quality of an analog broadcast wave is usually inferior to the content quality of an Internet broadcast, and the user views a broadcast with a lower quality in preference.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a broadcast capable of accurately controlling output permission / prohibition of IP-type broadcasting without using information indicating whether or not the current position is an output permission / prohibition area of IP-type broadcasting. It is to provide a receiver, method and program.

  In this specification, the term “IP-type broadcast” includes all broadcasts that distribute contents via a network (particularly the Internet) using IP (Internet Protocol), and includes at least “Internet broadcast” and “IP Broadcast "and" IP retransmission ".

The broadcast receiver of the present invention is for both broadcast wave type broadcast and IP type broadcast,
  A broadcast output unit for outputting broadcast wave type broadcast content of a selected station or IP type broadcast content associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast; and
When the IP broadcast content of the selected station can be output, the broadcast output unit outputs the IP broadcast content of the selected station, and the IP broadcast content of the selected station cannot be output. An output control unit that causes the broadcast output unit to output broadcast wave type broadcast content of the selected station,
Is provided.

The broadcast receiver control method of the present invention is a broadcast receiver control method for both broadcast wave type broadcast and IP type broadcast.
Determining whether the selected station can output IP-type broadcast; and
If the selected station can output the IP type broadcast, the IP station broadcast content of the selected station is output. If the selected station cannot output the IP type broadcast, the selected station broadcast wave type broadcast content is output. Output step,
Have

The broadcast receiver control program of the present invention is
Determining whether the selected station can output IP-type broadcast; and
If the selected station can output the IP type broadcast, the IP station broadcast content of the selected station is output. If the selected station cannot output the IP type broadcast, the selected station broadcast wave type broadcast content is output. Output step,
Is executed on the computer.

  According to the present invention, it is determined whether the selected station is permitted or prohibited to output the IP broadcast associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast based on the signal level of the broadcast wave of the broadcast wave type broadcast. It is possible to control the permission and prohibition of the output of IP broadcasting without possessing information on the broadcasting target area of each broadcasting station. In addition, as a result of not having to hold information on the broadcasting area of each broadcasting station, even when the broadcasting receiver has moved to an area where the information is not present or the broadcasting area of each broadcasting station has changed. Even when the update of the information is delayed, accurate control can be performed.

It is a schematic block diagram of a broadcast system. It is a block diagram about the principal part of the broadcast receiver of FIG. It is a flowchart of the broadcast switching method applied with respect to the broadcast receiver of FIG. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a processing portion that allows IP broadcast output in the broadcast switching method of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a processing portion for prohibiting IP broadcast output in the broadcast switching method of FIG. 3. It is a sequence diagram of a broadcast switching method. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of table information held by the broadcast receiver of FIG. 2 in order to search for an access destination URL. FIG. 7 is a diagram in which specific data is entered in the correspondence column in the table information of FIG. 6. It is a flowchart of the broadcast switching method applied with respect to the broadcast receiver of FIG. 2, and not detecting the signal level of a broadcast wave. It is a block diagram of a broadcasting system in the case of acquiring the URL of the IP broadcast distribution source server from the outside. It is a flowchart of the broadcast switching method applied to the broadcast receiver in the broadcast system of FIG. It is a sequence diagram of the broadcast switching method of FIG. It is a flowchart of the broadcast switching method which abbreviate | omitted the authentication process in the broadcast switching method of FIG. It is a sequence diagram of the broadcast switching method of FIG. It is a flowchart of the reception level monitoring processing method implemented in the broadcast receiver of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a broadcast receiver that covers the broadcast system and the like of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart of the broadcast receiver control method applied to the broadcast receiver of FIG.

  In the following description of the embodiments, “IP broadcasting” is used in a concept including Internet broadcasting and IP retransmission. That is, all broadcasts that use IP to distribute broadcast content from a server to a broadcast receiver via a network are defined as “IP broadcasts”. 1 to 14, the case where the broadcast wave is an analog radio broadcast is described. Furthermore, “IP broadcast” in the description of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 14 is particularly assumed to be “IP retransmission”, that is, broadcast in which the same program as a broadcast program by radio broadcast waves is distributed almost simultaneously on the Internet. Yes.

  In FIG. 1, a broadcast system 10 includes a broadcast station 11, a broadcast wave / IP receiver such as a stationary broadcast receiver 12 and a mobile broadcast receiver 13, and the Internet 16 as main components. The mobile broadcast receiver 13 measures the current position using, for example, GPS radio waves from the GPS satellite 17. The broadcast station 11 broadcasts a program by broadcast waves (radio waves) from the transmission antenna 19 according to the schedule edited in the editing room 20, and broadcasts almost simultaneously via the Internet 16.

  The receiver constituting the broadcasting system 10 includes an in-vehicle type. In the broadcast system 10, only one broadcast station 11 is illustrated, but the actual broadcast system 10 includes a plurality of broadcast stations 11. Although only two receivers are shown for convenience of illustration, the actual broadcasting system 10 includes a large number of receivers. In each receiver, a desired broadcast station 11 is selected by the user, and broadcast content of the broadcast station 11 is output. Each broadcasting station 11 has its broadcasting target area defined by law.

  A dual-purpose receiver such as the stationary broadcast receiver 12 and the mobile broadcast receiver 13 receives the broadcast wave from the transmission antenna 19 and outputs the video and / or audio of the program from its own monitor or speaker. . The dual-purpose receiver also distributes the same program as the broadcast wave from the transmission antenna 19 to each broadcast station 11 via the Internet 16 by IP broadcast only when it exists within the broadcast target area. The output is allowed. The stationary broadcast receiver 12 and the mobile broadcast receiver 13 are connected to the Internet 16 by wireless or wired communication, and receive IP broadcast programs from the Internet 16 via the wireless or wired communication.

  Even if the broadcast by the broadcast wave from the transmission antenna 19 is an analog broadcast, the IP broadcast via the Internet 16 is performed by digital data. Therefore, in the case of the analog broadcast, the stationary broadcast receiver 12 or the mobile broadcast receiver The output quality of the program at 13 is higher for IP broadcasts than for broadcast waves. For this reason, as will be described later, the stationary broadcast receiver 12 and the mobile broadcast receiver 13 give priority to the output of the IP broadcast over the output of the broadcast wave.

  In the case of an analog radio broadcast station, the assumed relationship between content (IP broadcast content) that the analog radio broadcast station plays by IP broadcast and content (broadcast wave content) that flows from the transmission antenna 19 using broadcast waves is as follows: It is. (A) IP broadcast content is the same as broadcast wave content. (B) In addition to broadcast wave content, IP broadcast content adds other content such as video, still images, and advertisement information. (C) IP broadcast content is completely different from broadcast wave content. The broadcasting system 10 may be any one of (a) to (c).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the main part of the broadcast receiver 21. The broadcast receiver 21 is a generic term for the stationary broadcast receiver 12 and the mobile broadcast receiver 13. The broadcast receiver 21 is installed at a predetermined place in a building such as a house like the stationary broadcast receiver 12, is carried by the user like the mobile broadcast receiver 13, and further mounted on a car. Including The broadcast receiver 21 frequently enters and exits the broadcast target area of the broadcast station 11 to be viewed, particularly when it is a portable type or a vehicle-mounted type. Only when the broadcast receiver 21 is present in the broadcast target area of the broadcast wave associated with the IP broadcast, it is desired to accurately control the broadcast wave so that it is output from the broadcast receiver 21.

  The antenna 22 captures the radio wave of the terrestrial analog radio broadcast from the transmission antenna 19 (FIG. 1), and the RF signal is sent to the tuner unit 23. The tuner unit 23 selects an RF signal having a predetermined frequency in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 24, converts it to an IF signal, and sends it to the demodulation unit 25. The demodulator 25 demodulates the IF signal to generate an audio signal and sends it to the main controller 24.

  The communication unit 27 is interposed between the Internet 16 and the main control unit 24, exchanges data with the Internet 16 (FIG. 1) via the wireless antenna 28, and communicates with the main control unit 24. Send and receive data. The data includes IP broadcast content data from the broadcast station 11. The current position detection unit 29 measures the current position based on GPS radio waves from the GPS satellite 17 (FIG. 1), and sends current position information to the main control unit 24.

  The operation unit 33 is equipped with a key or the like that accepts a user operation, and sends operation information to the main control unit 24. The display control unit 34 is supplied with a signal related to display information from the main control unit 24, and displays the display information on the display device 35. The voice control unit 36 converts the voice data from the main control unit 24 into a voice signal and sends the voice signal to the speaker 37. The speaker 37 converts the sound signal from the sound control unit 36 into sound and outputs the sound.

  A program and fixed data are recorded in the ROM 40, and the main control unit 24 can appropriately read the recorded data in the ROM 40. The RAM 41 is used by the main control unit 24 to temporarily store data during arithmetic processing.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the broadcast switching method 45, and FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a processing portion of the broadcast switching method 45 that allows IP broadcast output. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of a processing portion of the broadcast switching method 45 that prohibits IP broadcast output. The broadcast switching method 45 is applied to the broadcast receiver 21 and is started to be executed when the user turns on the power of the broadcast receiver 21 or switches the broadcast station to listen to in the operation unit 33 (FIG. 2). The When the user switches the listening broadcast station, the broadcast wave selection frequency in the broadcast receiver 21 is switched.

  A predetermined video (eg, advertisement) may be added to the sound of the radio broadcast wave in the IP broadcast content distributed by the broadcast station 11 in association with the radio broadcast wave. The broadcast receiver 21 may output an IP broadcast before the execution of the broadcast switching method 45 is started. In the broadcast switching method 45, first, the output of the broadcast video and audio received before the switching is stopped (S46, S47). At this time, if the IP broadcast is received from the broadcasting station before the switching, the network connection with the distribution source server has been established, so the network is disconnected (S48). Thereafter, the selected frequency in the tuner unit 23 is switched to the frequency of the broadcast wave of the broadcast station after switching (S49).

  Next, in order to confirm whether the reception quality of the frequency after switching is sufficiently ensured, the tuner 23 waits for the reception signal of the selected frequency to stabilize (S50), and after the stabilization, the reception signal Is obtained (S51), and it is confirmed whether or not the received signal level is a certain value (S52). If the value is greater than a certain value, the process proceeds to S53, and if the value is less than the certain value, the process proceeds to S68.

   If the signal level indicates a value greater than or equal to a certain value (S52 “YES”), it means that the broadcast receiver 21 exists in the broadcast target area of the broadcast station 11 for the broadcast wave related to the received signal. means. Therefore, it is possible to allow the broadcast station 11 to output the IP broadcast content associated with the broadcast wave from the broadcast receiver 21. In order for the broadcast receiver 21 to receive an IP broadcast from the broadcast station 11, the broadcast receiver 21 accesses the distribution server via the Internet 16. Resource Locator) must be obtained.

  FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of the table information held by the broadcast receiver 21 in order to search for an access destination URL. FIG. 7 is a diagram in which specific data is entered in the correspondence column in the table information of FIG. In the table information, since the current position is managed in units of prefectures, it is necessary to specify the current position of the broadcast receiver 21. As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the broadcast receiver 21 specifies the current position based on the GPS radio wave from the GPS satellite 17 (S53). Thereby, the latitude / longitude of the current position is acquired, and the prefecture is identified from the latitude / longitude.

  As a method of specifying the prefecture from the latitude and longitude, when the receiver has a function corresponding to car navigation, the prefecture can be specified from the latitude and longitude by using the function. If the receiver does not have such a function, there is a known server on the Internet 16 that has the function of specifying the prefecture from the latitude and longitude. By making an inquiry, the prefecture can be obtained. A specific method of acquiring the URL by the inquiry will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, although the access destination for accessing the distribution server (corresponding to the distribution server 74 in FIG. 9 described later) in the Internet 16 is the URL, this is not limited to the URL, and the server Other means such as the IP address may be used. The database (table information in FIGS. 6 and 7) in the broadcast receiver 21 is searched based on the prefecture obtained by these methods and the current selected frequency, and the broadcast station that is the transmission source of the broadcast wave of the selected frequency Is identified (S54), and the URL that is the access destination is acquired based on the identified broadcast station. The case of the table information in FIG. 6 will be described as a specific example. When the current position is Tokyo and the current selected frequency is 81.5 [MHz], the radio broadcast station is CCC_FM and the URL is “http: // www .ccc.co.jp / contents.htm "

  6 and 7, the broadcast target area of each radio broadcast is managed in units of prefectures, but may be managed in units of combinations of prefectures and municipalities in more detail. In the database structure, one frequency is associated with one radio broadcast station. However, since the radio broadcast station may transmit broadcast waves from a plurality of relay stations, one radio broadcast A plurality of frequencies can be associated with a station. Further, in the database structure, one radio broadcast station holds a plurality of URLs. When one radio broadcast station distributes a plurality of broadcasts, it is possible to access each URL. This is because switching between broadcasts and programs to be viewed is considered, and when only one broadcast is distributed, only one URL needs to be associated with the broadcast station.

  If no URL is stored in this database (in the case of S55 “NO”), the radio broadcast station does not carry out IP broadcast, so the process proceeds to S68.

  When the URL is stored in this database (S55 “YES”), the broadcast receiver 21 establishes communication with the distribution server indicated by the URL in order to access the acquired URL (S60). After the communication is established (S61 “YES”), authentication is performed between the distribution servers indicated by the URL (S62). This means that broadcasts distributed over the Internet are accessed based on URLs, but when distributed over the Internet, once the URL is known, the broadcasts can be transmitted from any region using a personal computer. It becomes possible to receive. This leads to the distribution of broadcasts to any region far beyond the broadcast target region authorized as a broadcaster, so use specific authentication devices such as user authentication and device authentication. The purpose is to limit the viewing so that it can only be viewed on the Internet.

  Returning to FIG. 3, if the authentication is successful (S63 “YES”), the IP broadcast can be received, so that the reproduction of the received IP broadcast video and audio is started (S64), and the reproduced audio is reproduced. Is switched to the IP broadcast decoding side (S65), and then the video and audio mute is released (S66, S67). If the authentication fails (S63 “NO”), the process proceeds to S68.

  The operation when the reception signal level is below a certain value when the frequency is changed and the reception quality cannot be sufficiently secured will be described (FIG. 5). If the received signal level is below a certain value when the frequency is changed (in the case of S52 “NO” in FIG. 3), the broadcast cannot be received sufficiently, so that the broadcast wave is in the broadcast target area. It is impossible to determine whether the broadcast station 11 is from the station. Even if the broadcast station 11 distributes the IP broadcast, the broadcast receiver 21 does not receive the IP broadcast distribution by accessing the distribution server. Therefore, in that case, the process proceeds to S68 so as to view the broadcast wave unconditionally.

  In S68, the main control unit 24 switches the audio output to the broadcast wave decoding side, that is, switches to the audio signal related to the demodulated signal from the demodulation unit 25, and then cancels the audio mute in S69.

  In the flowcharts and sequence diagrams of FIGS. 3 to 5, as is understood from the presence of S46, S47, S66, and S67, the IP broadcast content is assumed to be both video and audio. Regardless of whether the broadcast wave associated with is a radio broadcast or a television broadcast, the content of the IP broadcast can be audio-only content, audio + video content, or video-only content.

  A supplementary description will be given of the case where “the signal level is less than a certain value” in S52NO described above. If the constant value is set low, the process proceeds to S68 and S69 in S52 NO, and the audio output is switched to the broadcast wave decoding side. At this time, there are two types: (a) when only noise can be heard, and (b) when the noise ratio is high but can be heard somehow. In the case of analog broadcasting, it is usually (b). Depending on the user, the reception sensitivity is poor, but there are times when it is desired to listen. S68 and S69 deal with such a user, and at least output sound from a broadcast wave even in a situation where the signal level is below a certain value and the Internet broadcast cannot be viewed. Also, depending on the user, there are many noises, so the channel may be switched immediately. In place of S68 and S69, a process of notifying the user by voice output and / or visual display that the current location is a region where IP broadcast output is prohibited may be performed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another broadcast switching method 71. In the broadcast switching method 71, the same steps as those of the broadcast switching method 45 in FIG.

In the broadcasting system 10 of FIG. 1, when the frequency is changed, the received signal level is below a certain value, and when the reception quality cannot be sufficiently secured, the broadcast distributed via the Internet 16 is not received, Broadcasts distributed by waves are output. On the other hand, in the broadcast system according to the broadcast switching method 71 of FIG. 8, even if the broadcast wave cannot be received, the current position of the receiver can be specified by the information acquired from the GPS radio wave from the GPS satellite 17. Since it is possible to determine from the current position whether or not the broadcast wave that cannot be received is within the broadcast target area, it is determined based on the current position whether or not the broadcast distributed via the Internet 16 can be viewed.

  The difference between the broadcast switching method 71 and the broadcast switching method 45 of FIG. 3 is that in the broadcast switching method 71, S52 of the broadcast switching method 45 is omitted. In S54 of the broadcast switching method 71, similarly to S54 of the broadcast switching method 45, the table information (database) in FIG. 7 is used to specify the URL corresponding to the current location and the frequency of the selected broadcast wave. To do. In the table information of FIG. 7, since the URL specified from the current position is the URL of the IP broadcast of the broadcasting station 11 whose current position is the broadcast target area, in the broadcast switching method 71, the broadcast wave signal of the IP broadcast Although the level is not detected, the content output of the IP broadcast from the broadcast receiver 21 can be limited only when the broadcast receiver exists in the broadcast target area of the broadcast wave associated with the IP broadcast.

  The entire broadcast switching method 71 will be described. When the viewer switches the broadcast station to receive, the output of the broadcast video and audio received before switching is stopped (S46, S47). At this time, if the received broadcast is a broadcast distributed via the Internet 16, since the connection with the network has been established, the network is disconnected (S48). After performing these procedures, the reception frequency is switched to the target frequency (S49). After waiting for the reception state to stabilize (S50), the latitude and longitude are acquired from the GPS (S53), and the URL corresponding to the current position and the current frequency is acquired as shown in the above-described embodiment (S54). If stored, the broadcast distributed via the Internet 16 is viewed (S55, S60 to S67).

  In terrestrial analog radio broadcasting, there are difficult viewing areas in places where receivers are installed due to insufficient broadcast waves. In the broadcast switching method 71, when it is possible to connect to the Internet 16 even in a difficult viewing area, a broadcast distributed via the Internet 16 can be received, so that it is possible to take countermeasures for the difficult viewing area.

  FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the broadcasting system 73 when the broadcast receiver 21 obtains the URL of the IP broadcast distribution source server from the outside. In the broadcasting system 73, the same elements as those of the broadcasting system 10 in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the elements of the broadcasting system 10, description thereof is omitted, and only the main points are described. .

  The broadcasting station 11 is equipped with a distribution server 74 and an authentication server 75, and the URL management center 76 is equipped with a URL management server 77. The distribution server 74, the authentication server 75, and the URL management server 77 are connected to the Internet 16. The broadcast receiver 21 of the broadcast system 10 has the table information of FIG. 7, but the broadcast receiver 21 of the broadcast system 73 does not have the information. In the broadcast system 73, the table information of FIG. 7 is installed in the URL management server 77 of the URL management center 76, and the broadcast receiver 21 sends the URL of the broadcast station 11 of the currently selected frequency to the URL via the Internet 16. The management server 77 is inquired and informed from the URL management server 77.

  In the broadcast system 73, even if the URL of the IP broadcast distribution server 74 of the broadcast station 11 is changed, it is only necessary to change the data of the URL management server 77 that centrally manages the URL. Compared with the case of changing the table information of FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a broadcast switching method 80 applied to the broadcast receiver 21 in the broadcast system 73 of FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of the broadcast switching method 80 of FIG. In the broadcast switching method 80, the same steps as those of the broadcast switching method 45 in FIG.

  In the broadcast switching method 80, S81 to S83 are inserted between S53 and S60 instead of S54 and S55 of the broadcast switching method 45 of FIG. In S <b> 81, the broadcast receiver 21 establishes a connection with the URL management server 77 via the Internet 16. In S 82, the current position and the set frequency (selected frequency) are transmitted to the URL management server 77.

  The URL management server 77 searches for the URL associated with the current position and set frequency received from the broadcast receiver 21 in the database (table information in FIG. 7) held by itself and broadcasts the search result. Return to the receiver 21. If there is a corresponding URL, the broadcast receiver 21 can know from the received information of the search result from the URL management server 77. In S83, it is determined whether the URL has been successfully acquired. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to S60, and if not, the process proceeds to S68.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a broadcast switching method 85 in which the authentication process is omitted in the broadcast switching method 45 of FIG. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of the broadcast switching method 85 of FIG. In the broadcast switching method 85, the same steps as the steps of the broadcast switching method 45 in FIG. 3 are assigned the same numbers as the steps given in the broadcast switching method 45, and the description thereof is omitted. Explaining only the difference, in the broadcast switching method 85, S62 and S63 of the broadcast switching method 45 of FIG. 3 are omitted.

  When the broadcast receiver 21 holds the URL of the distribution server 74 in its own machine or acquires it from a specific server, it is considered that there is little possibility that the URL leaks to the outside. Since it cannot be received by any device such as a PC (Personal Computer) unless it leaks to the outside, there is no need to limit the devices that can receive it. In such cases, user authentication and device authentication are performed. There is no need to do. In addition, since the video and audio received earlier can be output by omitting the authentication procedure, the switching time can be shortened when the frequency is switched (switching the receiving broadcast station). It can be provided to viewers earlier. The broadcast switching method 85 in FIG. 12 contributes to improving the convenience of the broadcast receiver 21 in a situation where there is no external leakage of URL.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the reception level monitoring processing method 100 implemented in the broadcast receiver 21 of FIG. The reception level monitoring processing method 100 is activated at regular time intervals while the broadcast receiver 21 is in operation. Then, the signal level of the broadcast wave of the selected station during the operation of the broadcast receiver 21 is monitored, and when the signal level falls from a certain value to less than a certain value, or conversely, from a certain value to a certain value or more. The output switching from the IP broadcast to the broadcast wave or vice versa is performed. In the reception level monitoring processing method 100, the same steps as the steps of the broadcast switching method 45 in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same numbers as the steps assigned to the steps of the broadcast switching method 45, and the description thereof is omitted. Only will be described.

  If the determination in S52 is positive, that is, if the broadcast receiver 21 enters the broadcast target area of the broadcast wave associated with the currently output IP broadcast, the process proceeds to S101. If the determination in S52 is negative, that is, if the broadcast receiver 21 is outside the broadcast target area of the broadcast wave associated with the currently output IP broadcast, the process proceeds to S111.

  In S101, it is determined whether or not the user of the broadcast receiver 21 is viewing an IP broadcast, that is, whether or not the output of the broadcast receiver 21 is an IP broadcast. If the monitoring processing method 100 ends, if not, the process proceeds to S102. The processing contents of S101 and S102 are the same as S55 and S61 of the broadcast switching method 45 in FIG. 3, but if the determination destination is a positive destination in S101, the process proceeds to S102, or no. If so, the reception level monitoring processing method 100 ends. In S102, if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to S46, and if not, the reception level monitoring processing method 100 is terminated. Thus, as soon as the broadcast receiver 21 enters the broadcast target area of the broadcast wave associated with the currently output IP broadcast, the user can view the IP broadcast.

  In S111, as in S101, it is determined whether the user of the broadcast receiver 21 is watching the IP broadcast, that is, whether the output of the broadcast receiver 21 is an IP broadcast. If there is, the process proceeds to S46, and if not, the reception level monitoring processing method 100 is terminated. S115 and S116 are inserted between S47 and S68. In S115, the reproduction of the IP broadcast is stopped, and in S116, the communication with the IP broadcast distribution server is disconnected. After S116, S68 and S69 are performed. Thus, when the broadcast receiver 21 is outside the broadcast wave broadcast target area associated with the currently output IP broadcast, the broadcast wave content is output instead of the IP broadcast from the broadcast receiver 21. The

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 14, when the broadcast receiver 21 outputs an IP broadcast, the broadcast receiver 21 is set as a legal broadcast target area of the broadcast wave broadcast associated with the IP broadcast. It is limited to the case where it exists strictly in the prefecture area. However, such a strictness may be relaxed and the broadcast receiver 21 may be operated. At present, broadcast waves spill over from the prefectural area as a broadcasting target area according to the law and reach the adjacent prefectural area where they can be viewed. Based on this situation, even when the broadcast receiver 21 is in an adjacent prefecture, especially when the broadcast receiver 21 is in an area close to the prefectural border, the IP broadcast output is sent to the broadcast receiver 21. Allow it. Correspondingly, the prefectural area shown in Fig. 6 is not limited to the prefectural area subject to broadcast wave laws and regulations, but the prefectural area including the neighboring prefectures, or the prefectural boundaries that divide the broadcast wave legal target areas. Or make it a prefectural area with a predetermined distance.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the broadcast receiver 160. The aforementioned broadcast receiver 21 is an example of the broadcast receiver 160. The broadcast receiver 160 is for both broadcast wave type broadcasting and IP type broadcasting. As described above, in this specification, the term “IP broadcast” includes “Internet broadcast”, “IP broadcast”, and “IP retransmission”. The broadcast receiver 160 includes broadcast output means 161, signal level detection means 162, and output control means 163. The broadcast receiver 160 may further include a current position detection unit 166, a frequency detection unit 167, a server search unit 168, and an access unit 169.

  The broadcast output means 161 outputs the broadcast wave type broadcast content of the selected station or the IP type broadcast content associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast. The signal level detection means 162 detects the signal level of the broadcast wave of the selected station. The output control means 163 permits the output of the IP broadcast content of the selected station from the broadcast output means 161 when the detected signal level is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, and prohibits when the detected signal level is lower than the predetermined value. .

  Broadcast wave type broadcasting and IP type broadcasting are not limited to radio broadcasting. It may be a television broadcast. Typically, the selected station is an analog broadcast station, particularly an analog radio broadcast station (AM or FM radio broadcast station), but the selected station may be a digital broadcast station. The analog broadcast wave does not include the broadcast station ID, and it is difficult to identify the broadcast station from the broadcast wave itself.

  The broadcast wave type broadcast of the selected station and the IP type broadcast associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast typically broadcast the same content almost simultaneously. However, the broadcast wave type broadcast content of the selected station and the IP type broadcast content associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast are not limited to the same content. When the selected station is an analog radio broadcast station, the content of broadcast wave type broadcast is only audio, whereas the content of IP type broadcast can add the audio and video information related to the audio. In addition, although the selected station permits the output of the IP broadcast content to be limited to the broadcast target area for the broadcast wave broadcast, the content distributed by the IP broadcast is completely different from the broadcast wave broadcast content. It may be different.

  The broadcast receiver 160 permits or prohibits the output of the IP broadcast when the own broadcaster is present in the broadcast target area and when it is not present in the broadcast wave broadcast associated with the IP broadcast. Since the determination is based on the signal level of the broadcast wave, it is possible to control each point without having information on whether or not it is a broadcast wave type broadcast target area associated with the IP type broadcast. it can. As a result, even when the broadcast receiver 160 moves to an area that does not have the information, or when the broadcast target area has been changed but the information has not been updated, the content output of the IP-type broadcast is Permits and prohibitions can be precisely controlled.

  When the “broadcast target area” is described with respect to the broadcast receiver 160, the broadcast target area is not limited to the prefectures that are defined as legal broadcast target areas for broadcast waves. Currently, broadcast waves reach the neighboring prefectures by building over the prefectures that are defined as legal broadcasting target areas, and watching them, especially among the neighboring prefectures, the prefectural borders with the broadcasting target areas. In some cases, viewing in a region is possible, and it may be desired to ensure output of IP broadcasting in such a region.

  In the case where the broadcast receiver 160 is of a type installed at a predetermined location in the building, the current position of the broadcast receiver 160 is almost fixed, so that the broadcast receiver 160 moves beyond the broadcast target area. When moving to a special case such as moving, the effect of content output when moving to an area that does not have broadcast area information of the broadcasting station is not fully demonstrated, but the broadcast area has changed When the information has not been updated, a sufficient effect can be exhibited.

  Preferably, the output control means 163 causes the broadcast output means 161 to output the IP broadcast content of the selected station when the detection signal level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value and the selected station is carrying out the IP broadcast. . In particular, when the selected station is an analog broadcast station, the content distributed from the IP broadcast has higher reception quality than the broadcast wave content. Therefore, the output of the IP broadcast content of the selected station allows the user to view high-quality content (“viewing” in the broadcast receiver 160 includes only “listening”). Can do.

  Preferably, the output control means 163 is a broadcast output means when the detection signal level is less than a predetermined value or when the broadcast wave selection station on which the detection signal level is based does not carry out IP-type broadcasting. 161 causes the selected station to output broadcast wave type broadcast content. In this way, the user can view the content of the broadcast wave although the signal level is low and the output quality is low with respect to the desired broadcast wave. Note that the output control unit 163 can stop the output from the broadcast output unit 161 or output alternative content when the detection signal level is less than a predetermined value.

  When the broadcast receiver 160 is not a type that is installed in a house, but is a vehicle-mounted type or a portable type, the current position of the broadcast receiver 160 is dynamic, and the broadcast receiver 160 can be broadcasted even during its operation. Entering and exiting each broadcast target area occurs. In response to this, preferably, the output control unit 163 outputs the content of the IP broadcast of the selected station when the broadcast output unit 161 outputs the content of the IP broadcast of the selected station. The output is switched to the broadcast wave type broadcast of the selected station. Further, when the broadcast output unit 161 outputs the broadcast wave type broadcast content of the selected station, the output control unit 163 outputs the output of the broadcast output unit 161 to the selected station when the detected signal level exceeds a predetermined value. Switch to IP broadcasting.

  Since the broadcast receiver 160 moves during its operation and enters and exits the broadcast target area of each selected station, a specific example of the output switching of the broadcast wave type broadcast and the IP type broadcast in the broadcast receiver 160 associated therewith is as follows. It is the reception level monitoring processing method 100 of FIG. In this way, when the broadcast receiver 160 outputs the content of the selected station's IP broadcast or broadcast wave type broadcast, it is possible to prevent the selected station from entering and exiting the broadcast target area due to the movement of the broadcast receiver 160. Thus, the IP broadcast output limited to the broadcast target area of the selected station can be performed accurately.

  The current position detection means 166 detects the current position. The frequency detection means 167 detects the frequency of the broadcast wave of the selected station. The server search means 168 searches for the IP type broadcast distribution server 174 associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast based on the detected current position and the detected frequency. If the detection signal level is equal to or higher than the predetermined value and the search target distribution server 174 exists, the access unit 169 accesses the distribution server 174 and supplies the distribution content of the IP broadcast from the selected station to the broadcast output unit 161. To do.

  The broadcast receiver 160 is equipped with the current position detection unit 166, the frequency detection unit 167, the server search unit 168, and the access unit 169, so that the broadcast server 160 can smoothly access the distribution server 174 and receive content distribution therefrom. it can. Note that the current position detection by the current position detection unit 166 is not limited to GPS radio waves. Detects the transmission / reception frequency of the mobile phone base station at the relevant point, or detects all broadcast frequencies that can be received at a certain signal level or higher at the relevant point, and receives all the detected frequencies for each region. It can collate with the frequency information of a broadcasting station, and can detect based on the collation result.

  The broadcast receiver 160 uses the external URL management server 176 even if it does not own the URL information of the IP type broadcast distribution server 174 associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast of the frequency of the broadcast wave. Thus, the corresponding URL can be obtained. In that case, detection of the current position can be omitted. For example, in Japan, broadcast waves having the same frequency are rarely allocated to different broadcast stations. Even if there are, the locations of these stations are far enough apart. The moving distance of the user of the broadcast receiver 160 rarely extends across the country, and is limited to, for example, the Kanto area or the Kansai area. Furthermore, if there are a plurality of broadcast waves that can be received at the current position of the broadcast receiver 160, the region where all the frequencies of the plurality of broadcast waves are all very limited. Therefore, the current position of the broadcast receiver 160 can be specified from information on only the frequency of the broadcast wave.

  In the broadcast receiver 160 that copes with such circumstances, the server search means 168 transmits information on the detected frequency to the URL management server 176 via the Internet, and the broadcast wave type of the detected frequency from the URL management server 176. The URL information of the distribution server 174 of the IP type broadcast associated with the broadcast is received. Further, when the detection signal level is equal to or higher than the predetermined value and the URL of the distribution server is found, the access unit 169 accesses the distribution server 174 based on the URL and distributes the IP broadcast content from the selected station. Is supplied to the broadcast output means 161.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a broadcast receiver control method 180 applied to the broadcast receiver 160. In S181, the signal level of the broadcast wave of the selected station is detected. In S182, it is determined whether or not the detection signal level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to S183, and if not, the process proceeds to S184. In S183, output of the IP broadcast content of the selected station is permitted. In S184, the output of the IP broadcast content of the selected station is prohibited.

  The processing of S181 corresponds to the function of the signal level detection means 162 of the broadcast receiver 160. The processing of S182 to S184 corresponds to the function of the output control means 163 of the broadcast receiver 160. The specific mode described above with respect to the functions of the signal level detection unit 162 and the output control unit 163 can be applied as a specific mode of processing of the corresponding step.

  The broadcast receiver control method 180 may include processing steps associated with the functions of the current position detection unit 166, the frequency detection unit 167, the server search unit 168, and the access unit 169 of the broadcast receiver 160. These additional steps are added after S183.

  The program to which the present invention is applied causes a computer to function as each means of the broadcast receiver 160. Another program to which the present invention is applied causes a computer to execute each step of the broadcast receiver control method 180.

  This specification discloses various ranges and levels of the invention. In addition to various devices and methods of various technical scopes and specific levels described in the present specification, the present invention has operations and effects independent of each device and each method within the scope of expansion or generalization. Extracting one or more elements, changing one or more elements within the scope of expansion or generalization, and combining one or more elements between devices and methods Includes replacements.

160: broadcast receiver, 161: broadcast output means, 162: signal level detection means, 163: output control means, 166: current position detection means, 167: frequency detection means, 168: server search means, 169: access means, 174 : Distribution server, 176 :: URL management server, 180: Broadcast receiver control method.

Claims (16)

A broadcast receiver for both broadcast wave type broadcast and IP type broadcast,
  A broadcast output unit for outputting broadcast wave type broadcast content of a selected station or IP type broadcast content associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast; and
When the IP broadcast content of the selected station can be output, the broadcast output unit outputs the IP broadcast content of the selected station, and the IP broadcast content of the selected station cannot be output. An output control unit that causes the broadcast output unit to output broadcast wave type broadcast content of the selected station,
A broadcast receiver comprising: 2. The broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit determines that the selected station does not perform IP broadcasting as a case where the IP broadcasting content of the selected station cannot be output. . The output control unit determines that the case where the selected station is carrying out the IP-type broadcast and can receive the IP-type broadcast is the case where the IP-type broadcast content of the selected station can be output. The broadcast receiver according to claim 1 or 2. A signal level detection unit for detecting the signal level of the broadcast wave of the selected station;
The output control unit determines whether the selected station performs IP type broadcasting, and if the detected signal level determined by the signal level detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, The broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast receiver is determined as a case where content can be output. A signal level detection unit for detecting the signal level of the broadcast wave of the selected station;
The output control unit determines that the case where the detected signal level determined by the signal level detection unit is less than a predetermined value is a case where the content of the IP broadcast of the selected station cannot be output. The broadcast receiver according to any one of 1 to 4. A communication unit that inquires of the management server whether or not the selected station performs IP broadcasting;
The broadcast receiver according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the output control unit determines whether or not the selected station performs IP broadcast based on a response from the management server. A server search unit for inquiring information for specifying the distribution server of the selected station with respect to a management server that stores the broadcast station and information for specifying the distribution server of the IP broadcast in association with each other;
When the information specifying the delivery server of the selected station is returned from the management server, the selected station is accessed by accessing the delivery server of the selected station based on the returned information specifying the delivery server of the selected station. An access unit for acquiring the contents of the IP broadcast of
6. The output control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the access unit acquires the IP broadcast content of the selected station, the output control unit causes the broadcast output unit to output the IP broadcast content of the selected station. The broadcast receiver according to any one of the above. A frequency detector for detecting the frequency of the broadcast wave of the selected station;
  A server search unit that transmits information on a detected frequency to the management server and receives information specifying an IP type broadcast distribution server associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast of the detected frequency from the management server; and
An access unit that accesses the distribution server based on the information for specifying the distribution server when the information for specifying the distribution server is found, and acquires the IP broadcast content of the selected station;
6. The output control unit, when the access unit acquires IP broadcast content of the selected station, causes the broadcast output unit to output the IP broadcast content of the selected station. The broadcast receiver according to any one of the above. It has a current position detector that detects the current position,
  The server search unit transmits the detected current position and the detected frequency to the management server, and the IP associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast of the detected current position and the detected frequency from the management server. 9. The broadcast receiver according to claim 8, wherein the broadcast receiver receives information for specifying a distribution server for type broadcasting. A current position detector for detecting the current position;
  A frequency detector for detecting the frequency of the broadcast wave of the selected station; and
  A server search unit for searching for information for specifying a distribution server of the IP type broadcast associated with the broadcast wave type broadcast of the broadcast wave based on the detected current position and frequency; and
The output control unit, when information specifying a distribution server corresponding to the detected current position and frequency is found, accesses the distribution server based on the information specifying the distribution server, and selects the IP type of the selected station An access unit for acquiring broadcast distribution content,
6. The output control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the access unit acquires the IP broadcast content, the output control unit causes the broadcast output unit to output the IP broadcast content of the selected station. The broadcast receiver according to item 1. A storage unit that stores the selected station and information for specifying a distribution server that distributes the IP-type broadcast distribution content of the selected station in association with each other;
6. The output control unit according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the output control unit determines whether or not the information specifying the distribution server of the selected station is stored in the storage unit and determines whether or not the selected station performs IP broadcasting. The broadcast receiver according to claim 1. A signal level detection unit for detecting the signal level of the broadcast wave of the selected station;
  The output control unit, when the broadcast output unit outputs IP-type broadcast content of the selected station, outputs the output of the broadcast output unit to the selected station when the detection signal level is less than the predetermined value. The broadcast receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the broadcast receiver is switched to a broadcast wave type broadcast. A signal level detection unit for detecting the signal level of the broadcast wave of the selected station;
  The output control unit selects the output of the broadcast output unit when the detection signal level is equal to or higher than the predetermined value when the broadcast output unit outputs the content of the broadcast wave type broadcast of the selected station. The broadcast receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the broadcast receiver is switched to IP type broadcasting. 14. The broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the selected station is an analog radio broadcast station. A broadcast receiver control method for both broadcast wave type broadcast and IP type broadcast.
Determining whether the selected station can output IP-type broadcast; and
If the selected station can output the IP type broadcast, the IP station broadcast content of the selected station is output. If the selected station cannot output the IP type broadcast, the selected station broadcast wave type broadcast content is output. Output step,
A broadcast receiver control method comprising: A broadcast receiver control program for causing a computer to execute the broadcast receiver control method according to claim 15.

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