JP7791782B2 - Video distribution system, video and audio content distribution system, and video and audio receiving terminal - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a control method for appropriately presenting content distributed via broadcast and communication, which is comprised of a server system that distributes video, a receiving terminal that receives video content both via broadcast waves and online distribution, and a server (hereinafter referred to as an intermediate server) located between the server system and the receiving terminal. Hereinafter, video content refers to moving images composed of video and audio.

In recent years, advances in networks have led to the launch of a wide range of video distribution services. In particular, large-screen television receivers can now not only receive broadcasts as before, but also connect to networks and play distributed videos, allowing viewers to enjoy higher-quality, more realistic video. This has become possible thanks to faster networks and improved processing capabilities in television receivers, and it is expected that in the future, there will be even more opportunities to display and operate a variety of video content provided over networks on television receivers.
On the other hand, reception of broadcast waves continues, and it is expected that televisions with the ability to receive both broadcasts and online streams will continue to be released in the future.

Currently, online streaming is merely a supplementary means of watching missed broadcast content online, but in the future, there is a possibility that people will switch from receiving broadcasts to online streaming in earnest, and it is thought that it will be necessary to create an environment that makes it easier to enjoy online streaming.

However, if viewers wish to receive new online content, they will need to take the time to create a new user account to obtain the right to receive it, making it difficult to enjoy online content. Furthermore, if viewers pay a reception fee to receive broadcasts, as is the case with NHK, reception via broadcast waves may become unavailable in the future due to aging UHF infrastructure, and even after switching to online reception, viewing will be limited to viewers who continue to pay the reception fee.

This invention provides a method for easily receiving online distribution on a television capable of receiving video content via broadcast waves and communications, and solves problems that arise from the complicated creation of user accounts, etc.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-045237

The present invention relates to a distribution system that can receive both video content transmitted via broadcast waves and video content distributed over a network, and that can receive online distributed content without creating a complicated user account.

To illustrate the reduced user convenience that occurs when receiving online content, an example of a conventional configuration is shown in Figure 5.

The distribution system consists of a user information database (DB) 5000 and a distribution system 5100. Video content transmitted from the distribution system 5100 is received by a television receiver 5200.

In order to receive video content on the television receiver 5200, the user must create a user account and register contract information in the user information database 5000. Here, the user creates a user ID 5002 and password 5003 and registers the necessary contract information in the user information database 5000. This registration process can be performed by connecting to the registration site using a smartphone or PC. Of course, it is also possible to register as a user by connecting to the registration site using the browser on the television receiver 5200.

When playing a video on the television receiver 5200, the video playback request unit 5201 transmits the user ID and password 5301 stored in the user information storage unit 5202, which is received by the playback request receiving unit 5101 of the distribution system. The playback request receiving unit 5101 issues a request to the contract information confirmation unit 5102 and queries the user information database 5000 to determine whether playback of the action is possible. If it is determined from the contract information 5004 that video playback is possible, the contract information confirmation unit 5102 returns a result to the result response unit 5103, and returns a response indicating that playback is possible to the playback confirmation unit 5203. The playback confirmation unit 5203 issues an instruction to the net content receiving unit 5204 and receives the video content transmitted from the net content transmission unit 5104.

The above operations make it possible to receive online streaming content, but in this case, the following problems arise:

1) Viewers are required to create and register a user ID and password, significantly reducing convenience for viewers.

2) With this method, the viewer's user ID and password must be stored on the television, and in order to determine whether video playback is possible, the user ID and password are transmitted over the network, posing a security issue. Naturally, it is possible to increase security by using encryption or other methods, but it is still undesirable for the user ID and password, which are important information for the viewer, to be transmitted over the network. Not only is this transmission required each time a video playback decision is made, but it also poses a security issue.

3) If the user ID and password are not saved on the television receiver, the user will have to log in with their user ID and password when playing video, which reduces convenience.

As mentioned above, in order to receive and watch video content via online streaming, users must create a user account and other tasks, which creates the issues described above.

The present invention is a video distribution system characterized by comprising: a television receiver capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted via broadcast waves and communications, which transmits a card number used when receiving the broadcast waves and a television ID to an intermediate server; a broadcasting system which transmits broadcast programs using the card number ; a distribution system for the video and audio content which receives the card number and sends it to the intermediate server; and the intermediate server which combines the television ID with the ID of the distribution side by comparing the card number transmitted from the television receiver with the card number transmitted from the distribution system.

The present invention is a video and audio content distribution system comprising: a television receiver capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted via broadcast waves and communications, which transmits a card number used when receiving the broadcast waves and a television ID to an intermediate server; a broadcasting system which transmits broadcast programs using the card number ; a video and audio content distribution system which receives the card number and sends it to the intermediate server; and the intermediate server which combines the television ID with the ID of the distribution side by comparing the card number transmitted from the television receiver with the card number transmitted from the distribution system, wherein, when inquiring about the existence of the right to play the video and audio content, the television receiver transmits the television ID to the intermediate server, and the intermediate server transmits the paired ID of the distribution side to the distribution system, thereby determining the existence of the right.

The present invention is a video and audio receiving terminal that is capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted via broadcast waves and communications, and that transmits a card number used when receiving broadcast waves and a television ID to an intermediate server. When a broadcast program is transmitted using the card number , the intermediate server receives the card number and sends it to the intermediate server. The intermediate server compares the card number transmitted from the video and audio receiving terminal with the card number transmitted from the video and audio content distribution system, thereby linking the television ID with the ID of the distribution side. When the video and audio receiving terminal inquires about the existence of the right to play the video and audio content, the video and audio receiving terminal transmits the television ID to the intermediate server, and the intermediate server transmits the paired ID of the distribution side to the distribution system, thereby determining whether or not the right exists.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first embodiment based on the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of ID combination according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a user information DB according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a second user information DB based on the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an example of a conventional distribution system. FIG. 6 shows an example of a conventional broadcasting system. FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of a television receiver according to the present invention. FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of an internet distribution server according to the present invention. FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of an intermediate server according to the present invention.

This invention solves the three problems above by installing an intermediate server between the distribution server that transmits video content and the television receiver that receives it, and by using the functions of the intermediate server to simplify the process of creating user accounts and provide a method that does not send user IDs and passwords over the network, which poses a security risk. Below, we will explain in detail the embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
Prior to describing the first embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment of a conventional broadcasting system will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The system is composed of a broadcasting station 6000, a television receiver 6100, and a broadcasting card 6101. The broadcasting station 6000 scrambles the video signal of broadcast program content 6001 using a scramble 6002 and transmits the scrambled signal. A multiplexing unit 6003 multiplexes and transmits a scrambling key 6004, a card number 6005, and contract information 6006. Here, the scrambling key 6004, the card number 6005, and the contract information 6006 are encrypted using a device key Kd 6007.

In the television receiver 6100, the separator 6103 separates the scrambled video signal from the scramble key 6004, card number 6005, and contract information 6006, and stores them on a designated card by matching the card number 6005 with the card number 6015 held by the broadcast card 6101. The stored scramble key 6004 and contract information 6006 are decrypted using the device key Kd 6107 of the broadcast card. The decrypted scramble key 6004 is sent to the descramble 6102, which restores the scrambled video signal and plays it back as broadcast program content 6001. In current broadcasts, broadcast program content is broadcast using the above scrambling method. This explanation omits some details necessary for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. It comprises a user information database 1000, a distribution system 1100, an intermediate server 1300, a broadcast system 1200, and a broadcast card 1406. The difference from the conventional embodiment shown in Figure 5 is that a broadcast system 1200, a broadcast program receiving unit 1405, an intermediate server 1300, and a broadcast card 1406 have been added.

When the television receiver 1400 plays back video content distributed over the Internet, the playback request unit 1401 first sends the television ID 1302 to the intermediate server 1300. The television ID 1302 is stored in advance in the television ID generation unit 1402 and is assigned a number that is unique for all television receivers. The television ID 1302 is paired with a distribution ID 1303 stored in the ID combination database 1301, and the intermediate server sends the corresponding distribution ID 1303 to the distribution system 1100. The distribution system 1100 receives the distribution ID via the playback request receiving unit 1101 and sends it to the contract information confirmation unit 1102. The contract information confirmation unit 1102 queries the user information database 1000, compares the distribution ID 1303 with the distribution ID 1001 stored in the database, and confirms the contract information 1002. The system determines whether or not the right to play the video exists, and the result is sent by the result response unit 1103 to the playback confirmation unit 1403 of the television receiver 1400. When the playback confirmation unit 1403 confirms the right to play the video, it issues an instruction to the online content receiving unit 1404, which then issues a video playback request to the online content sending unit 1104 of the distribution system 1100, and plays the video. Here, only the television ID and distribution ID are leaked onto the network; unlike conventional examples, the user ID and password are not leaked. Furthermore, just like conventional examples, the video content is played only after determining whether or not the right to play the video exists.

Next, we will explain how to create a pair of television ID 1302 and distribution ID 1303 in intermediate server 1300. In Figure 1, broadcast system 1200 is connected to distribution system 1100, and in television receiver 1400, broadcast program receiving unit 1405 is connected to playback request unit 1401. Broadcast system 1200 has all of the functions of the conventional broadcast station 6000 in Figure 6.

Here, the broadcast program transmitting unit 1201 transmits the broadcast card number to the distribution system 1100. Meanwhile, the broadcast program receiving unit 1405 of the television receiver 1400 acquires the card number of the broadcast card 1406 and transmits it to the playback request unit 1401. The playback request receiving unit 1101 of the distribution system 1100 transmits the distribution ID and card number to the intermediate server. Meanwhile, the playback request unit 1401 of the television receiver 1400 transmits the card number and television ID to the intermediate server. The intermediate server 1300 receives these from both parties, compares the card numbers, creates a pair of the broadcast ID and television ID, and stores them in the ID combination database 1301.

The above joining process is explained in detail in Figure 2.

Broadcasting system 1200 has the same functions as broadcasting station 6000 shown in Figure 6. That is, broadcast program content 2201 is scrambled using scramble 2202 with scramble key 2204. The scrambled video signal is multiplexed with encrypted scramble key 2204, card number 2205, and contract information 2206 in multiplexing section 2203 and transmitted.

The separation unit 2401 of the television receiver's broadcast receiving unit 2404 separates the scrambling key 2411 and contract information 2413, decrypts them, and stores them in the broadcast card 2410. The stored scrambling key 2411 is used to restore the video signal by descrambling 2402, and the broadcast program content 2403 is played back.

Here, the card number 2205 of the broadcasting system 1200 is sent to the playback request receiving unit 2100. The playback request receiving unit 2100 has the same function as the playback request receiving unit 1101 in Figure 1. The playback request receiving unit 2100 sends the card number 2101 and the distribution ID 2102 generated by the distribution ID generation unit 2013 to the intermediate server 1300.

Meanwhile, the television receiver transmits the card number 2412 of the broadcast card 2410 to the playback request unit 1401. The playback request unit 1401 transmits the card number 2406 and the television ID 2407 generated by the television ID generation unit 2408 to the intermediate server 1300. The television ID generation unit 2408 has the same function as the television ID generation unit 1402 in Figure 1.

The intermediate server 1300 receives the card number 2101 and distribution ID 2102 sent from the playback request receiving unit 2100, and the card number 2406 and television ID 2407 sent from the playback request unit 1401, and by comparing the card number 2101 with the card number 2406, combines the distribution ID 2102 and television ID 2407 to create a pair.

The above operations build the ID combination database 1301 on the intermediate server 1300.

Figure 3 shows an explanatory diagram of the user information database 1000 of the first embodiment based on the present invention. The user enters the card number 3201 and internet contract information 3202 inserted in their television receiver as user information 3200. This operation can be easily performed using an internet registration site. The distribution system 3100 (1100 in Figure 1) receives the user information 3200 and verifies it with the card number 3101 used for broadcast transmission and reception in the card number verification unit 3104. Here, the distribution system 3100 creates a pair of the distribution ID 3102 generated by the distribution ID generation unit 3103 and the card number 3101, thereby creating a pair of the distribution ID 3002 and the internet contract information 3202 included in the user information 3200, and stores this information in the user information database 3000. The user information database 3000 can create a pair of the distribution ID 3002 and the internet contract information 3001, making it possible to respond to the right to play the video.

The above operation eliminates the need for users to create a user account using a user ID and password; they can register video playback rights using only their own card number, eliminating the loss of convenience for viewers as was the case with previous methods.

Figure 4 shows an example of creating a user account using a conventional user ID and password. When entering user account information 4210, the user can create a user account by entering card number 4211 and password 4212. On the other hand, if a user wants to set a user ID, they can create a user account with a standard user ID and password by setting card number 4201, user ID 4203, and password 4202, as shown in user account information 4200, while maintaining compatibility with the past. In either case, card number matching 4104 performs matching based on the distribution ID 4402 and card number 4401 generated by distribution ID generation 4403, and creates a pair of distribution ID and contract information 4004. In this case, the generated user ID 4002 and password 4003 can be simultaneously saved in the user information database 4000. In this way, a user account can be created using a user ID and password, but even in this case, only the TV ID and distribution ID are transmitted over the network when determining whether to play a video, so important information such as the user ID and password does not leak over the network.

1100...Distribution system, 1200...Broadcast system, 1300...Intermediate server, 6005...Card number, 6100...Television receiver.

Claims (3)

a television receiver capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves and communication, and transmitting a card number used when receiving the broadcast waves and a television ID to an intermediate server;
a broadcasting system that transmits a broadcast program using the card number ;
a video and audio content distribution system that receives the card number and sends it to the intermediate server;
the intermediate server that collates the card number transmitted from the television receiver with the card number transmitted from the distribution system to link the television ID with a distribution side ID;
A video distribution system comprising: a television receiver capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves and communication, and transmitting a card number used when receiving the broadcast waves and a television ID to an intermediate server;
a broadcasting system that transmits a broadcast program using the card number ;
a video and audio content distribution system that receives the card number and sends it to the intermediate server;
the intermediate server that collates the card number transmitted from the television receiver with the card number transmitted from the distribution system to link the television ID with a distribution side ID;
Equipped with
When inquiring about the right to play the video and audio content, the television receiver sends the television ID to the intermediate server, and the intermediate server sends the ID of the distribution side that is paired with the television ID to the distribution system, thereby determining whether or not the right exists.
Audiovisual content distribution system. A video and audio receiving terminal capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves and communication, and transmitting a card number used when receiving the broadcast waves and a television ID to an intermediate server,
When transmitting a broadcast program using the card number , the intermediate server:
a card number transmitted from a distribution system of the video and audio content, which receives the card number and transmits it to the intermediate server, is compared with the card number transmitted from the video and audio receiving terminal, thereby combining the television ID with the ID of the distribution side;
The video and audio receiving terminal,
When inquiring about the right to play the video and audio content, the TV ID is sent to the intermediate server, and the intermediate server transmits the ID of the distributor that is paired with the TV ID to the distribution system, thereby determining whether the right exists.
Video and audio receiving terminal.