JP7797340B2 - Receiving device, broadcast communication system, receiving method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a receiving device, a broadcast communication system, a receiving method, and a program.

In recent years, catch-up streaming of broadcast programs has become increasingly popular. Catch-up streaming is a service that distributes the content of a program over the Internet. Viewers who miss a program can view the content distributed via communication after the broadcast time. For example, the program guide display device described in Patent Document 1 receives program information about programs available for review viewing via broadcast waves, associates the program information with the broadcast date and time of the corresponding program that has already been broadcast, generates a program guide for programs available for review viewing, and displays the program guide on a display device.

To view content distributed via communication, it is common to first install a dedicated application program (referred to as an "application" or "app" in this application) on the receiving device and then launch the app. For example, the video display device described in Patent Document 2 has a communication interface, a display unit, a TV tuner unit, etc. The display unit has a display screen and displays the results of the executed app, television programs received by the TV tuner unit, video content received by the communication interface, etc.

JP 2016-100837 A Patent No. 6759278

Viewers may refer to a program guide to find out when catch-up streaming is available for programs they're interested in. However, individual programs are not necessarily associated with an app. To watch streamed content, viewers must find and launch the app used to watch that program's content during the streaming period, and then search for that content. Viewers may also want to stop watching a program mid-stream and watch the remaining portion using catch-up streaming. In that case, they must also find the playback point at which they want to resume watching.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one aspect of the present invention is a receiving device that includes a separation unit that separates an event information table containing program information for each program from a broadcast signal; a program information processing unit that selects one of the programs from the event information table as a candidate program; a distribution information management unit that acquires distribution information indicating whether the candidate programs are being distributed from a program information management device via communications and maintains a program information list containing distribution information for each of the candidate programs; and a content processing unit that selects one of the candidate programs that are being distributed and are indicated in the program information list as a selected program, and receives the content of the selected program via communications from a content distribution device.

Another aspect of the present invention is a receiving method for a receiving device, in which the receiving device executes the following steps: a first step of separating an event information table containing program information for each program from a broadcast signal; a second step of selecting one of the programs from the event information table as a candidate program; a third step of acquiring distribution information indicating whether the candidate program is being distributed from a program information management device via communication and retaining a program information list containing distribution information for each of the candidate programs; and a fourth step of selecting one of the candidate programs that is being distributed and is indicated in the program information list as a selected program, and receiving the content of the selected program via communication from a content distribution device.

This embodiment allows viewers to easily secure opportunities to watch content from programs that interest them.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a broadcast communication system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a receiving device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a program information table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a program guide screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of program identification information. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a program information list according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a program information list screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a content display screen according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a distribution information registration process according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a distribution process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating reservation information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of recording information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of distribution information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first example of a program information list screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second example of a program information list screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third example of a program information list screen according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an inquiry screen according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a content display screen according to the third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a distribution information registration process according to the third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a distribution process according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
First, an overview of a broadcast communication system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a broadcast communication system 1 according to this embodiment.
The broadcast communication system 1 includes a broadcast device 10, a video distribution server 20, a distribution information management server 30, and a receiving device 40.

The receiving device 40 is connected to the video distribution server 20 and the distribution information management server 30 via the network NW so that various data can be sent and received. The network NW forms a communication transmission path, allowing data to be sent and received bidirectionally between multiple connected devices. In the example of Figure 1, there are two broadcasting devices 10 and two video distribution servers 20, but there may be one or three or more. The number of receiving devices 40 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

Multiple broadcasting devices 10, video distribution servers 20, and receiving devices 40 may be identified by assigning them sub-numbers, such as broadcasting device 10-1. Items common to multiple broadcasting devices 10, video distribution servers 20, or receiving devices 40 are not distinguished by sub-numbers. Note that, in this application, the use of a broadcast transmission path BT for sending, receiving, and transmitting various data and signals may be referred to as "broadcasting." Furthermore, the use of a communication transmission path for sending, receiving, and transmitting various data and signals may be referred to as "communication."

Broadcasting device 10 transmits a broadcast signal to broadcast transmission channel BT. The broadcast signal carries multiplexed data that multiplexes program content and control information related to the reception of that program. Broadcast transmission channel BT is a transmission channel that transmits broadcast signals unidirectionally. Broadcast transmission channel BT mainly uses broadcast waves. Broadcast transmission channel BT may also include a communication network in part. Broadcasting device 10 is managed by each broadcasting station and is used to transmit broadcast signals on different broadcast channels.

The video distribution server 20 is a content distribution device that stores the content of broadcast programs. The video distribution server 20 is configured as a web server. Each video distribution server 20 may store not just one piece of content, but two or more pieces of content. The location of each piece of content is specified using an address (e.g., a URL (Uniform Resource Locator)). A URL indicating the location of content is sometimes called a "content URL." When the video distribution server 20 receives a content request from the receiving device 40, it transmits the content specified in the content request via the network NW. The video distribution server 20 is managed by a broadcaster, content creator, content distributor, or an administrator requested by any of these.

The distribution information management server 30 is a program information management device that stores a program information table. The program information table is a data table that stores distribution information for each distribution program. When the distribution information management server 30 receives a distribution information request from the receiving device 40, it transmits the distribution information of the program specified in the distribution information request to the receiving device 40 via the network NW. If the distribution information management server 30 does not have distribution information for the program specified in the distribution information request, it transmits response information indicating the absence of distribution information to the receiving device 40 via the network NW. The distribution information management server 30 may be installed for each broadcaster, or may be shared by multiple broadcasters. The distribution information is information indicating whether the content of the program is distributed via communication. If the program is distributed via communication, information indicating the reception requirements may be included in the distribution information. The reception requirements include the app used for reception (sometimes referred to as the "VOD app" in this application), the program's content URL, and the distribution period.

The receiving device 40 receives the broadcast signal using the broadcast transmission path indicated by the selected broadcast channel and presents the program content carried by the broadcast signal. The receiving device 40 may be implemented in any form, such as a dedicated television receiving device, a mobile phone with broadcast receiving functionality, or a personal computer. The receiving device 40 is a device primarily used by general viewers. In this application, "viewing" refers to either or both of viewing and listening, and includes receiving the broadcast signal and presenting either or both of the video and audio transmitted by the broadcast signal to enable either or both of viewing and listening.

The receiving device 40 separates the event information table from the multiplexed data carried by the broadcast signal and selects one of the programs described in the event information table as a candidate program. The receiving device 40 sends a request for distribution information of the candidate program to the distribution information management server 30 and receives the distribution information of the candidate program in response. The receiving device 40 selects one of the candidate programs as a selected program from a program information list containing distribution information for each candidate program. The receiving device 40 references the distribution information of the selected program to determine whether the content of the selected program is being distributed via communication, the distribution period, and its location. The receiving device 40 sends a content request for the selected program whose distribution period is currently within the selected program to the video distribution server 20 where the content is located. In response to the content request, the receiving device 40 receives the content of the selected program from the video distribution server 20 via the network NW.

Next, an example of the functional configuration of the receiving device 40 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the receiving device 40 according to this embodiment.
The receiving device 40 includes a broadcast receiving unit 412 , a demodulating unit 414 , a separating unit 416 , a communication unit 422 , a control unit 430 , an input unit 450 , a display unit 460 , and a sound emitting unit 470 .
The broadcast receiving unit 412 receives a broadcast signal transmitted via the broadcast transmission path BT and outputs the received broadcast signal to the demodulating unit 414. The broadcast receiving unit 412 is, for example, a tuner and is connected to an antenna. A broadcast reception processing unit 432 of the control unit 430 instructs the broadcast receiving unit 412 to select a channel. The broadcast receiving unit 412 receives a broadcast wave of a carrier frequency corresponding to the instructed channel as a broadcast signal, down-converts the received broadcast signal, and outputs a broadcast signal of the base frequency to the demodulating unit 414.

The demodulation unit 414 demodulates the broadcast signal input from the broadcast receiving unit 412 using a predetermined demodulation method and converts it into multiplexed data. The demodulation unit 414 outputs the converted multiplexed data to the separation unit 416. The demodulation method used is a method corresponding to the modulation method used to modulate the transmitted multiplexed data (e.g., 16QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), 64QAM, etc.). The multiplexing method that can be used is, for example, the MMT-TLV (MPEG Media Transport Type Length Value) method. When the MMT-TLV method is used, the multiplexed data becomes a TLV stream. The TLV stream is a data stream containing a series of TLV packets multiplexed using the MMT-TLV method.

The separator 416 separates the multiplexed data input from the demodulator 414 into the program content provided by the broadcast service and the control information related to the reception of that program. In the MMT-TLV format, the broadcast service provided and the control information for multiplexing are described using MMT-SI. MMT-SI is composed of various information tables, messages, descriptors, etc. These information tables include the MMT Package Table (MPT). The MPT is an information table that describes the information that constitutes the content package that makes up a broadcast program. The information that constitutes the package includes a list of assets, the attributes and location of each asset, etc. The program content includes video assets and audio assets. The separator 416 references the MPT to separate the video assets and audio assets that make up the program content from the multiplexed data, and outputs the separated video assets and audio assets to the video decoding unit 442 and audio decoding unit 444 of the control unit 430, respectively.

MMT-SI includes the MH-SDT (Service Description Table) and the MH-EIT (Event Information Table). The separator 416 extracts the MH-SDT and MH-EIT from the MMT-SI and outputs them to the program information processor 434 of the controller 430.

The communication unit 422 is connected to the network NW and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices via the network NW. The communication unit 422 includes, for example, a communication interface.
The control unit 430 executes processing for realizing and controlling the functions of the receiving device 40. The control unit 430 includes a broadcast reception processing unit 432, a program information processing unit 434, a distribution information management unit 436, a content processing unit 438, a video decoding unit 442, and an audio decoding unit 444. The control unit 430 may be configured to include dedicated components or a general-purpose computer system. The computer system includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor executes processing instructed by various commands written in a predetermined program and realizes its functions in cooperation with a storage medium and other devices.

The broadcast reception processing unit 432 performs processing related to reception of broadcast signals in accordance with an operation signal input from the input unit 450. For example, the broadcast reception processing unit 432 notifies the broadcast receiving unit 412 of the organization channel designated by the operation signal (channel selection).
The content processing unit 438 constructs a display screen including the broadcast video shown in the decoded video data input from the video decoding unit 442, and outputs display screen data showing the constructed display screen to the display unit 460.
The content processing unit 438 adjusts the volume of the broadcast audio indicated in the decoded audio data input from the audio decoding unit 444 , and outputs the adjusted audio data to the sound emitting unit 470 .

The program information processing unit 434 references the MH-SDT input from the separation unit 416 to identify the organization channel or broadcaster name (broadcast station name) provided for each program. The MH-SDT is an information table that describes information about the organization service. The organization service information includes the organization channel name, the broadcaster name, etc. The organization channel is identified using a service ID (service_id, service identification).

The program information processing unit 434 references the MH-EIT input from the separation unit 416 to identify the programs to be broadcast for each organization channel, as well as the broadcast time and program name for each program. The MH-EIT is an information table that describes events, i.e., information about programs (sometimes referred to as "program information" in this application). Program information includes information such as the program name, broadcast date and time, and program content. The MH-EIT is configured for each organization channel that provides a program. The MH-EIT includes a service ID that indicates the organization channel, an event ID for each event, the program start time, broadcast time, and a descriptor area. The program start time and program length indicate the broadcast time of the program. The program name is described in the descriptor area of the MH-EIT. Individual programs can be identified using the network ID, service ID, and event ID as program identification information. In the example of Figure 5, the network ID "0x7F00" and service ID "100" indicate the broadcast transmission path (network) of broadcast station A and the organization channel, respectively. Event ID "0x0123" indicates the program "A-100" currently being received.

The program information processing unit 434 assigns program names to display areas corresponding to the station names and broadcast times identified for each program, and constructs a program guide screen. The program information processing unit 434 outputs display data showing the constructed program guide screen to the display unit 460. The program guide screen is displayed on the display unit 460. Figure 4 shows an example of a program guide screen. The illustrated program guide screen shows broadcast stations in each column and time in the vertical direction. Rectangular areas show the broadcast times of each program, and characters such as "A-100" show the program names.

Returning to FIG. 2, the program information processing unit 434 selects, from among the programs displayed on the program guide screen, a program designated by an operation signal input from the input unit 450 as a candidate program for catch-up streaming. The program information processing unit 434 sends a streaming information request for the candidate program to the streaming information management server 30 using the communication unit 422. The streaming information request includes program identification information indicating the selected candidate program. In response to the streaming information request, the program information processing unit 434 receives streaming information for the candidate program from the streaming information management server 30.

When the distribution presence/absence information included in the distribution information indicates that distribution via communication is available, the program information processing unit 434 outputs the distribution information to the distribution information management unit 436 .
When the distribution presence/absence information included in the distribution information indicates that there will be no distribution via communication, program information processing unit 434 generates a display screen indicating that there will be no distribution via communication, and outputs display screen data indicating the generated display screen to display unit 460. Display unit 460 displays the display screen indicating that there will be no distribution.
When receiving response information indicating that no distribution information exists from distribution information management server 30, program information processing unit 434 generates a display screen indicating that no distribution information exists for the candidate program, and outputs display screen data indicating the generated display screen to display unit 460. Display unit 460 displays the display screen indicating that no distribution information exists.

The distribution information management unit 436 accumulates the distribution information input from the program information processing unit 434 for each candidate program and generates a program information list. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a program information list. The program information list shown in Figure 6 has distribution information for three candidate programs. All three candidate programs are scheduled to be distributed via communication. The distribution information management unit 436 references the distribution period for each candidate program and determines the distribution status. If the current time is after the distribution end time, the distribution information management unit 436 determines that distribution has ended. If the current time is after the distribution start time and before the distribution end time, the distribution information management unit 436 determines that distribution is in progress. If the current time is before the distribution start time, the distribution information management unit 436 determines that distribution is not yet in progress.

The distribution information management unit 436 generates a program information list screen for each candidate program, including the program name, playback time, and distribution status as listing items (see Figure 7). For candidate programs whose distribution status is currently being distributed, the distribution information management unit 436 assigns the distribution end time as a further associated listing item to the program information list screen. For candidate programs whose distribution status is not yet being distributed, the distribution information management unit 436 assigns the distribution start time as a further associated listing item to the program information list screen. The distribution information management unit 436 outputs display screen data showing the generated program information list screen to the display unit 460. The program information list screen is displayed on the display unit 460.

The content processing unit 438 performs processing for presenting content transmitted by broadcast or communication.
The content processing unit 438 selects, as a selected program, a program whose broadcast status is currently being broadcast and whose listed item is designated by an operation signal input from the input unit 450 from among the candidate programs listed on the program information list screen. In the example of FIG. 7 , of the candidate programs "A-100,""C-100," and "D-100," the candidate program "C-100" whose broadcast status is currently being broadcast is selectable. The content processing unit 438 may display information related to the candidate programs in different manners depending on the broadcast status. In the example of FIG. 7 , the broadcast status is "Currently Broadcasting,""Not Yet Broadcasting," and "Broadcast Ended" in that order, with the background brightness decreasing and the contrast with the text displayed in that area decreasing. Information related to a candidate program whose broadcast status is "Currently Broadcasting" stands out more than information related to candidate programs with other broadcast statuses. This encourages the selection of a candidate program whose broadcast status is "Currently Broadcasting."

Returning to Figure 2, the content processing unit 438 references the program information list generated by the distribution information management unit 436 and identifies the VOD application and content URL related to the selected program. The content processing unit 438 starts executing the identified VOD application and performs processing related to presenting the content related to the selected program. Here, the content processing unit 438 receives the content specified by the identified content URL using the communication unit 422.

The content processing unit 438 causes the display unit 460 and sound output unit 470 to play the received content of the selected program. Here, the content processing unit 438 separates the video data and audio data from the received content and outputs them to the video decoding unit 442 and audio decoding unit 444, respectively. The content processing unit 438 constructs a content display screen including the video shown in the video data decoded by the video decoding unit 442, and outputs content display data showing the constructed content display screen to the display unit 460. The content display screen is displayed on the display unit 460. The content processing unit 438 adjusts the volume of the audio data decoded by the audio decoding unit 444, and outputs the adjusted audio data to the sound output unit 470. The audio of the selected program is output from the sound output unit 470.

Figure 8 shows an example of a content display screen. The illustrated content display screen displays video of program "C-100" using the VOD app "VOD-B." The video occupies most of the content display screen. A slider bar is displayed along the bottom of the content display screen. A slider is displayed over the slider bar, and the position of the slider indicates the playback point of the content. The content processing unit 438 can change the playback point corresponding to that position by pressing and moving the slider while indicating the position in response to an operation (cue).

The video decoding unit 442 is equipped with a decoder that decodes video data input to it. The decoding method used to decode the video data may be any decoding method that corresponds to the video encoding method used to encode the input video data. When a video asset is input to the video decoding unit 442 from the separation unit 416, the video decoding unit 442 outputs the decoded video data to the broadcast reception processing unit 432. When video data is input to the video decoding unit 442 from the content processing unit 438, the video decoding unit 442 returns the decoded video data to the content processing unit 438.

The audio decoding unit 444 is equipped with a decoder that decodes audio data input to it. The decoding method used to decode the audio data may be any decoding method that corresponds to the audio encoding method used to encode the input audio data. When an audio asset is input to the audio decoding unit 444 from the separation unit 416, the audio decoding unit 444 outputs the decoded audio data to the broadcast reception processing unit 432. When audio data is input to the audio decoding unit 444 from the content processing unit 438, the audio decoding unit 444 returns the decoded audio data to the content processing unit 438.

The input unit 450 accepts user operations and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the accepted operation to the control unit 430. The input unit 450 may include, for example, a general-purpose component such as a mouse or touch panel, or may include a dedicated component such as a button, lever, or knob. The input unit 450 may also include an operation signal sensor that detects an operation signal from another device (for example, a remote control device (remote controller), smartphone, etc.). The operation signal sensor outputs the detected operation signal to the control unit 430.

The display unit 460 displays a display screen based on various display screen data input from the control unit 430. The display unit 460 is, for example, a display. The display unit 460 may be any type of display device, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The display constituting the display unit 460 may be integrated with the touch sensor constituting the input unit 450 so as to overlap with it, and configured as a touch panel.
The sound emitting unit 470 emits sounds based on various types of audio data input from the control unit 430. The sound emitting unit 470 is, for example, a speaker.

Next, an example of a program information table according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a program information table according to this embodiment. The program information table includes broadcast-related information and distribution information for each program, and is configured by associating these. In the example of Figure 3, each program is represented using a common ID (identifier). A different integer value is assigned to each program as the common ID. The broadcast-related information indicates the program name, program identification information, and broadcast period. The program information list illustrated in Figure 6 also includes the same items as the items in the program information table.

The program name is the title of the program. The program identification information includes a network ID (network_id), a service ID (service_id), and an event ID (event_id). The network ID is identification information that indicates the network of the broadcasting station that provides the program, i.e., the broadcast transmission path. The network ID is set to a value equal to the set value of the original network ID (original_network_id) included in the MH-EIT. The service ID is identification information that indicates the service of the broadcasting station that provides the program. The service ID is set to a value equal to the set value of the service ID included in the MH-EIT. The set value of the service ID can be a value equal to the set value of the network ID. In other words, the service ID can also be considered as information that indicates the organization channel related to the provision of the program.
The event ID is identification information for each individual program. The event ID can be set to a value equal to the set value of the event ID included in the MH-EIT. The broadcast period is expressed using the broadcast start time and broadcast duration. The broadcast end time corresponds to the time after the broadcast start time has elapsed. The broadcast duration is expressed in seconds.

The distribution information indicates distribution availability information (distribution availability), VOD application information, content URL, and distribution period. Catch-up distribution is distribution via communication during the period after broadcast. The distribution availability information is an information flag indicating whether catch-up distribution is available. The distribution availability information can be expressed as a 1-bit value. Availability and absence of catch-up distribution are expressed as 1 and 0, respectively, as the setting values of the distribution availability information.
A VOD (Video On Demand) app is an app used to play distributed content. The distribution period is expressed using a distribution start time and a distribution end time. The distribution start time and distribution end time indicate the start time and end time of catch-up distribution, respectively.

Of these items, the program name, network ID, service ID, event ID, broadcast start time, and broadcast duration are also included in the MH-EIT, and the same setting values are set for them. However, the program name that constitutes the distribution information may be different from the program name set in the MH-EIT. The set of network ID, service ID, and event ID is used for searches as program-specific identification information. Note that with some broadcasting services, such as terrestrial broadcasting, the service ID setting value may be set to a value equal to the network ID setting value. In such cases, one of the network ID and service ID may be omitted.

Next, an example of the distribution information registration process according to this embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
(Step S102) The program information processing unit 434 of the receiving device 40 uses the MH-SDT and MH-EIT to display a program guide screen on the display unit 460. The program information processing unit 434 selects, as a candidate program, a program designated by a user operation from the programs displayed on the program guide screen.
(Step S104) The program information processing unit 434 refers to the MH-SDT and MH-EIT, identifies the program identification information of the selected candidate program, and transmits a request for distribution information of the candidate program to the distribution information management server 30.

(Step S106) The distribution information management server 30 waits for a distribution information request from the receiving device 40. The distribution information management server 30 searches for distribution information of the candidate programs specified in the received distribution information request. Here, the distribution information management server 30 determines whether or not there is distribution information stored in association with program identification information that is equal to the program identification information included in the distribution information request. If there is distribution information of the candidate programs (step S106 YES), the distribution information management server 30 transmits the distribution information of the candidate programs to the receiving device 40 that sent the distribution information request in response to the distribution information request, and proceeds to processing of step S108. If there is no distribution information of the candidate programs (step S106 NO), proceeds to processing of step S116.

(Step S108) The program information processing unit 434 of the receiving device 40 receives the distribution information of the candidate programs from the distribution information management server 30.
(Step S110) The program information processing unit 434 references distribution availability information included in the received distribution information and determines whether distribution is available via communication (e.g., catch-up distribution). If it is determined that distribution is available (step S110, YES), the program information processing unit 434 outputs the received distribution information to the distribution information management unit 436 and proceeds to processing in step S112. If it is determined that distribution is not available (step S110, NO), it proceeds to processing in step S114.

(Step S112) The distribution information management unit 436 adds to the program information list the distribution information input from the program information processing unit 434. Thereafter, the processing in FIG. 9 ends.
(Step S114) Distribution information management unit 436 generates a message screen indicating that there is no distribution schedule, and displays it on display unit 460. Thereafter, the processing in FIG. 9 ends.
(Step S116) Distribution information management server 30 transmits response information notifying that distribution information of the candidate program is not available to receiving device 40, which is the transmission source, as a response to the distribution information request.
(Step S118) When receiving response information indicating that there is no distribution information from distribution information management server 30, program information processing unit 434 of receiving device 40 generates a message screen indicating that there is no distribution information data for the candidate program, and displays it on display unit 460. Thereafter, the processing in FIG. 9 ends.

Next, an example of the distribution process according to this embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
(Step S202) When an operation signal instructing display of a program information list screen is input from input unit 450, distribution information management unit 436 starts generating a program information list screen.
The distribution information management unit 436 repeats the processes of steps S204 to S212 for each candidate program whose distribution information is stored in the program information list.

(Step S204) The distribution information management unit 436 identifies the distribution start time indicated in the distribution information of the target candidate program to be processed, and determines whether the current time is after the distribution start time. If it is after the distribution start time (YES in step S204), the process proceeds to step S206. If it is earlier than the distribution start time (NO in step S204), the process proceeds to step S212.
(Step S206) The distribution information management unit 436 identifies the distribution end time indicated in the distribution information of the target candidate program and determines whether the current time is before the distribution start time. If it is before the distribution start time (YES in step S206), the process proceeds to step S208. If it is after the distribution start time (NO in step S206), the process proceeds to step S210.

(Step S208) The distribution information management unit 436 determines that the distribution status of the target candidate program is currently being distributed, and places the determined distribution status on the program information list screen as a listing item along with the program name, playback time, and distribution end time identified from the distribution information of the target candidate program.
(Step S210) The distribution information management unit 436 determines that the distribution status of the target candidate program has ended, and places the determined distribution status on the program information list screen as a listing item along with the program name and playback time identified from the distribution information of the target candidate program.
(Step S212) The distribution information management unit 436 determines that the distribution status of the target candidate program is before distribution, and places the determined distribution status on the program information list screen as a listing item along with the program name, playback time, and distribution start time identified from the distribution information of the target candidate program.
When there are no more unprocessed candidate programs among the candidate programs whose distribution information is stored in the program information list, the distribution information management unit 436 ends the processing of steps S204 to S212 and proceeds to processing of step S214.

(Step S214) The distribution information management unit 436 displays the program information list screen on the display unit 460 and waits for an instruction to select a posting item for a candidate program whose distribution status is currently being distributed. If an instruction to select a posting item for any candidate program is received (YES in step S214), the process proceeds to step S216. If an instruction to select a posting item for any candidate program is not received (NO in step S214), the process of FIG. 10 ends.
(Step S216) The content processing unit 438 identifies the candidate program for which the listing item is specified as the selected program, and identifies the VOD application and content URL by referring to the distribution information of the identified selected program. The content processing unit 438 launches the identified VOD application and receives the content of the selected program from the video distribution server 20 specified by the content URL. The content processing unit 438 starts playing the received content. Thereafter, the processing of FIG. 10 ends.

Second Embodiment
Next, a broadcast communication system 1 according to a second embodiment will be described, focusing on differences from the above-described embodiment. Common reference numerals are used for common features with the above-described embodiment, and the same explanations will be used unless otherwise specified.
The control unit 430 of the receiving device 40 according to this embodiment has a recording function. The program information processing unit 434 displays a program guide screen on the display unit 460, and selects a program to be recorded by an operation signal input from the input unit 450 by a user operation.
The program information processing unit 434 makes recording reservations for programs whose broadcast start time is earlier than the current time, and generates a reservation list.
The program information processing unit 434 records programs whose current time is after the broadcast start time and before the broadcast end time, and generates a recording list after the recording is completed.

The program information processing unit 434 displays either or both of the reservation list and recording list on the display unit 460 in accordance with user operations. The reservation list displays the program name and recording completion time as reservation information for each program scheduled for recording. The recording completion time corresponds to the time after the broadcast start time has elapsed, i.e., the broadcast end time. The recording list displays the program name and recording time as recording information for recorded programs that have been recorded. The recording time corresponds, for example, to the reception time of the recorded program, i.e., the time from the specified recording start time or broadcast start time to the specified recording end time or broadcast end time.

The distribution information management unit 436 may configure a program information list screen including the contents of the reservation list for a candidate program whose distribution status is before distribution starts. The configured program information list screen may be expressed as a reservation list screen.
The distribution information management unit 436 extracts the program name and the recording completion time from the recording reservation information (see FIG. 11) generated at the time of recording reservation for each program, and assigns them to the program information list. At the recording completion time, the content of the program that was scheduled to be recorded becomes available to the user.
The distribution information management unit 436 extracts the program name and distribution start time as publication items from the distribution information for each candidate program before distribution starts (see FIG. 13), and assigns them to the program information list screen.
Fig. 14 shows a first example of a program information list screen according to this embodiment. The program information list screen shown in Fig. 14 is displayed as a reservation list screen. The screen shows the recording completion time of the reserved program "Recording E-110" shown in Fig. 11 and the distribution start time of the candidate program "D-106" shown in Fig. 13.

The distribution information management unit 436 may construct a program information list screen including the contents of the recording list for a candidate program whose distribution status is currently being distributed. The constructed program information list screen may be expressed as a recording list screen.
The distribution information management unit 436 extracts the "program name" and "recording time" from the recording information generated for the recorded program (see FIG. 12) as listing items and assigns them to the program information list screen. However, the "recording time" is used as the "playback time."

The distribution information management unit 436 extracts the "program name,""broadcasttime," and "distribution end time" from the distribution information for each candidate program currently being distributed (see FIG. 13) as listing items and assigns them to the program information list. However, the "broadcast time" is allocated as the "playback time."
FIG. 15 shows a second example of a program information list screen according to this embodiment. The program information list screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed as a recording list screen. The recording duration and recording start time of the recorded program "Recording E-120" shown in FIG. 12, as well as the broadcast duration and distribution end time of the candidate program "A-100" (not shown), are displayed. Since no particular deadline has been set for "Recording E-120,""HDDRecording" is displayed in the distribution end time column. This display indicates that the recording data is stored on the HDD, which is the storage medium of the device itself.

The content of both the candidate programs and recorded programs illustrated in FIG. 15 can be distributed at that time. The content processing unit 438 executes the same procedure as in the above embodiment to obtain and present the content of the selected program indicated by an operation signal from among the candidate programs illustrated in FIG. 15. The content processing unit 438 can read the content of the selected program indicated by an operation signal from among the recorded programs from the storage medium and present it.

Third Embodiment
Next, a broadcast communication system 1 according to a third embodiment will be described, focusing on differences from the above-described embodiments. Common reference numerals are used for common features with the above-described embodiments, and the same description will be used unless otherwise specified.
In the above embodiment, the program information processing unit 434 mainly displays a program guide screen and selects a program to be targeted for catch-up distribution in response to a user operation. The program information processing unit 434 of the receiving device 40 according to this embodiment receives a program currently being broadcast on the selected channel. When a post-viewing instruction is issued in response to an operation, the program information processing unit 434 selects the currently being received program as a candidate program. The program information processing unit 434 can detect a post-viewing instruction, for example, by detecting the selection of a post-viewing menu from a menu screen displayed on the display unit 460 (not shown). The post-viewing menu displays a character string indicating whether or not post-viewing is required, such as "Watch later on VOD." When the program information processing unit 434 detects a post-viewing instruction, it saves a viewing history indicating the viewing of the program and the time of the viewing as the viewing time. At this time, the program information processing unit 434 may stop receiving the program and then shut down (power down).

As described above, the program information processing unit 434 sends a distribution information request for the selected candidate program to the distribution information management server 30 and receives distribution information in response. The distribution information management unit 436 accumulates viewing history presence/absence information indicating a viewing history in the received distribution information and extended distribution information including the saved viewing history for each candidate program to create a program information list. For candidate programs selected using the program guide screen, the distribution information management unit 436 does not save a viewing history, and therefore creates extended distribution information including viewing history presence/absence information indicating no viewing history.

For candidate programs whose extended distribution information includes viewing history information indicating that a viewing history exists, the distribution information management unit 436 may generate a program information list screen that includes a viewing time item. The viewing time corresponds to the elapsed time from the broadcast start time to the viewing time at which post-viewing is instructed, that is, the playback point of the program content at the time post-viewing is instructed. The distribution information management unit 436 can identify the viewing time indicated in the viewing history included in the extended distribution information for the candidate program, and set the difference between the identified viewing time and the broadcast start time as the playback point. In the program information list screen illustrated in FIG. 16, the viewing time for candidate program "C-100" is set to 10 minutes, and the viewing time for candidate program "D-106" is set to 15 minutes.

For a selected program whose viewing history information indicates that it has been viewed, the content processing unit 438 generates an inquiry screen to inquire about whether viewing is required after the viewing time, and outputs display screen data showing the generated inquiry screen to the display unit 460. The inquiry screen is displayed on the display unit 460. A message is displayed on the inquiry screen to inquire about whether to select the broadcast start time or the viewing time as the playback point from which to start presenting the content.

The inquiry screen illustrated in FIG. 17 displays a message consisting of the text "Would you like to continue watching program C-100?" along with answer button 1 displaying the text "Continue watching" and answer button 2 displaying the text "Watch from the beginning." Answer button 1 is a button for pressing to instruct playback of content from the playback point corresponding to the viewing time onwards. Answer button 2 is a button for pressing to instruct playback of content from the start point corresponding to the program start time onwards. An operation signal input from input unit 450 in response to a user operation instructs playback from either the playback point corresponding to the viewing time onwards or the start point onwards.

When playback from the playback point corresponding to the viewing time onward is instructed, the content processing unit 438 launches the VOD application corresponding to the selected program and plays the received content of the selected program from the playback point. The content display screen illustrated in Figure 18 displays a slider bar indicating a point approximately midway through the playback time as the playback point corresponding to the viewing time. This eliminates the need for the viewer to perform operations to search for unviewed portions of the content of the selected program.
When playback from the playback point onwards is instructed, the content processing unit 438 plays back the received content of the selected program from the playback point onwards.

Next, an example of distribution information registration processing according to this embodiment will be described, focusing on differences from the distribution information registration processing exemplified in Fig. 9. Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of distribution information registration processing according to this embodiment.
The process of Fig. 19 includes steps S122 and S124 instead of steps S102 and S104 of the process exemplified in Fig. 9. The process of Fig. 19 is started while a program is being broadcast, that is, while a broadcast signal is being received.
(Step S122) The program information processing unit 434 of the receiving device 40 waits for an operation signal input from the input unit 450 in response to a user operation, and detects an operation signal indicating post-viewing. The program information processing unit 434 selects the program being received as a candidate program.
(Step S124) The program information processing unit 434 refers to the MH-EIT, identifies the program identification information of the program being received, and transmits a distribution information request specifying the program being received as a candidate program to the distribution information management server 30. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S106.

Next, an example of distribution processing according to this embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the distribution processing illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of distribution processing according to this embodiment. In addition to the processing illustrated in FIG. 10, the processing in FIG. 20 includes steps S226, S228, S230, and S232. The processing in step S226 is initiated when a listing item for any of the candidate programs currently being distributed is specified in the processing in step S214 (step S214 YES). When a listing item for any of the candidate programs is not specified in the processing in step S214 (step S214 NO), the processing in FIG. 20 ends.

(Step S226) The content processing unit 438 identifies the candidate program whose listing item is specified by user operation on the program information list screen as the selected program. The content processing unit 438 references the program information list and determines whether the viewing information presence/absence information for the selected program includes a viewing history. If a viewing history exists (YES in step S226), the process proceeds to step S228. If a viewing history does not exist, the process proceeds to step S216.
(Step S228) Content processing unit 438 generates an inquiry screen for inquiring whether playback after the viewing time is required, and causes display unit 460 to display the inquiry screen.

(Step S230) The content processing unit 438 waits for an operation signal to be input from the input unit 450 by user operation, and determines whether playback from the viewing time onwards has been selected based on whether an operation signal indicating playback from the viewing time onwards has been input. If playback from the viewing time onwards has been selected (step S230 YES), the process proceeds to step S232. If playback from the viewing time onwards has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S216.

(Step S232) The content processing unit 438 references the distribution information of the selected program and identifies the VOD application, content URL, as well as the broadcast start time and viewing time. The content processing unit 438 subtracts the broadcast start time from the viewing time to determine the playback point of the selected program. The content processing unit 438 launches the identified VOD application and receives the content of the selected program from the video distribution server 20 specified by the content URL. The content processing unit 438 begins playback of the received content from the determined playback point. The processing of FIG. 20 then ends.

As described above, the receiving device 40 according to this embodiment includes a separation unit 416 that separates an event information table (e.g., MH-EIT) having program information for each program from the broadcast signal, and a program information processing unit 434 that selects one of the programs from the event information table as a candidate program. The receiving device 40 also includes a distribution information management unit 436 that acquires distribution information indicating whether or not the candidate programs are being distributed from a program information management device via communications and holds a program information list having distribution information for each candidate program, and a content processing unit 438 that selects one of the distributed candidate programs indicated in the program information list as a selected program and receives the content of the selected program via communications from a content distribution device.
According to this configuration, distribution information for candidate programs selected from the programs transmitted in the event information table is acquired, and the content of a selected program selected from the candidate programs whose distribution information indicates whether or not it is being distributed can be received via communication. After checking whether or not the content of a program in which the user is interested is being distributed, the user can receive the program content without being bound by broadcast times.

The distribution information indicates the distribution period of the content of the candidate program, and the distribution information management unit 436 may output to the display unit 460 a program information list of candidate programs whose distribution period is at least the current time.
According to this configuration, a program information list of candidate programs currently being distributed is displayed on the display unit 460. Therefore, the user can receive content of a program in which the user is interested from the candidate programs available at that time.

The distribution information management unit 436 may determine the distribution status at the current time based on the distribution period for each candidate program, and output the distribution status to the display unit 460 in association with the candidate program.
According to this configuration, the user can determine whether or not to receive the content of a candidate program in which the user is interested, based on the distribution status of each candidate program.

The program information processing unit 434 may generate a program guide showing program information for each program based on the event information table, output the program guide to the display unit 460, and determine as candidate programs programs those programs related to the program information indicated in response to an operation from the program guide.
According to this configuration, the user can select candidate programs that interest him/her after checking the broadcast time and programming channel for each program.

The distribution information management unit 436 may output a program list showing at least candidate programs whose distribution status is currently being distributed and recorded programs to the display unit.
According to this configuration, a program list showing candidate programs and recorded programs from which content can be received is displayed. Since candidate programs and recorded programs from which content can be acquired can be selected in a unified manner, convenience for the user is improved.

When a post-viewing instruction is given for a program currently being received, the program information processing unit 434 may select the program currently being received as a candidate program.
According to this configuration, distribution information of candidate programs for which post-viewing is instructed is acquired, and the user is notified of whether content is available for distribution via communication. Therefore, even if viewing of a program currently being received is interrupted, the user can be informed of the possibility of obtaining content via communication.

When a candidate program is selected as the selected program, the content processing unit 438 may output the content of the selected program from the playback point at the time when the instruction for post-viewing is given.
According to this configuration, the content is played back from the playback point designated for post-viewing, which eliminates the need for the user to search for the playback point at the time the post-viewing instruction was issued as the playback point the user desires to view.

The event information table may have program identification information for each program, and the distribution information management unit 436 may transmit a request for distribution information of a candidate program to the program information management device in association with the program identification information, and may receive distribution information corresponding to the program identification information from the program information management device.
According to this configuration, each program is identified using the program identification information transmitted in the existing event information table, and the program is identified using the identification information without defining new identification information.

The distribution information indicates an application program (for example, a VOD application) that presents the content of the candidate program, and the content processing unit executes processing instructed by the application program when the candidate program is selected as a selected program.
This configuration eliminates the need for a user operation to select an application program to be used to present the content of the selected program, thereby improving the convenience of receiving and playing the content of the selected program.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configurations are not limited to the above-described embodiments and include designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. The configurations described in the above-described embodiments can be combined in any manner.

For example, some or all of the input unit 450, display unit 460, and sound emission unit 470 of the receiving device 40 do not necessarily have to be configured integrally with other parts of the receiving device 40, and may be separate units as long as they are capable of transmitting and receiving various types of data via wired or wireless communication.

In the above example, the program guide screen is configured across multiple broadcast stations, but this is not limited to this. The program information processing unit 434 may configure the program guide screen to include at least program information for programs broadcast on the currently receiving channel. If only program information for programs broadcast on the currently receiving channel is included and there is a certain relationship between the network ID and the service ID, the program information processing unit 434 does not need to refer to the MH-SDT when generating the program guide screen or, ultimately, when identifying candidate programs.

The distribution information management unit 436 may generate a distribution end notification screen showing a distribution end notification for a candidate program whose remaining time until the distribution end time is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit of the remaining time (for example, one hour to one day), and output display screen data showing the generated distribution end notification screen to the display unit 460. Viewers who see the distribution end notification screen displayed on the display unit 460 can be guided to candidate programs whose distribution end time is approaching, and are encouraged to watch those programs.
Furthermore, the distribution information management unit 436 may delete the distribution information of a candidate program whose current time has passed the distribution end time or a candidate program whose current time has passed a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 to 7 days) since the distribution end time. As a result, the candidate program whose distribution has ended is deleted from the program information list screen.

Note that changes may occur in the broadcast schedule of a program. Changes include changes to broadcast times and the loss of a broadcast schedule. The program information processing unit 434 may generate a change notification screen showing a broadcast schedule change notification for a moved program, which is a program whose broadcast schedule has been changed, and output display screen data showing the generated change notification screen to the display unit 460. The change notification screen displays the lost or changed broadcast time as a change in the broadcast schedule, as well as viewing instructions via communication. When the program information processing unit 434 detects an instruction to a moved program displayed on the change notification screen by an operation signal input from the input unit 450 for a program displayed on the change notification screen, the program information processing unit 434 may select the moved program as a candidate program for catch-up streaming. This ensures an opportunity to view the program content via communication.

The program information processing unit 434 refers to the latest MH-EIT and determines whether the broadcast time of a program identical to a program detected in the previous MH-EIT has changed. The program information processing unit 434 may determine that a program that shares at least one of the service ID and event ID pair or program name with a program identified in the previously detected MH-EIT is the same program. If the program information processing unit 434 does not detect in the latest MH-EIT a program identical to a program described in the previously detected MH-EIT whose current time is within the broadcast time or before the broadcast start time, it may determine that the broadcast schedule for that program has been lost.

Furthermore, a program for implementing some or all of the functions of the broadcasting device 10, video distribution server 20, distribution information management server 30, or receiving device 40, for example, the control unit 430, may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed to implement the functions of the control unit 430. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as a processor, memory, and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network, including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, or other communication line. The program for implementing the functions of the control unit 430 may also be a browser. Some or all of the program content may be configured as a markup document written in a markup language. The control unit 430 may implement the functions of one or both of the broadcast reception processing unit 432 and the content processing unit 438 by analyzing the description in the markup document and executing the processing specified by the commands written in the markup document.

In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Thus, recording media storing a program may be non-transitory recording media such as CD-ROMs. Recording media also include internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code in a format executable on a terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server is not important, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable on a terminal device.

The program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then integrated on a terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (e.g., RAM) within a computer system that acts as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be a program that realizes some of the functions described above. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

1...Broadcast communication system, 10 (10-1, 10-2)...Broadcast device, 20 (20-1, 20-2)...Video distribution server, 30...Distribution information management server, 40 (40-1, 40-2)...Receiving device, 412...Broadcast receiving unit, 414...Demodulation unit, 416...Separation unit, 422...Communication unit, 430...Control unit, 432...Broadcast reception processing unit, 434...Program information processing unit, 436...Distribution information management unit, 438...Content processing unit, 442...Video decoding unit, 444...Audio decoding unit, 450...Input unit, 460...Display unit, 470...Sound emission unit

Claims (12)

a separation unit that separates an event information table having program information for each program from the broadcast signal;
a program information processing unit that selects any one of the programs from the event information table as a candidate program;
obtaining distribution information indicating whether or not the candidate program is being distributed from a program information management device via communication;
a distribution information management unit that holds a program information list having distribution information for each of the candidate programs;
Selecting one of the candidate programs available for distribution shown in the program information list as a selected program;
a content processing unit that receives the content of the selected program from a content distribution device via communication; the distribution information indicates a distribution period of the content of the candidate program;
The distribution information management unit
The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein a program information list of candidate programs whose distribution period is currently within the current time is output to a display unit. The distribution information management unit
determining a current distribution status for each candidate program based on the distribution period;
The receiving device according to claim 2 , wherein the distribution status is output to the display unit in association with the candidate program. The program information processing unit
generating a program guide showing program information for each program based on the event information table, and outputting the program guide to the display unit;
The receiving device according to claim 2 , wherein a program related to program information designated in response to an operation from the program guide is determined as the candidate program. The distribution information management unit
The receiving device according to claim 3 , wherein a program list showing at least the candidate programs whose distribution status is currently being distributed and recorded programs is output to a display unit. The program information processing unit
The receiving device according to claim 1 , wherein when a post-viewing instruction is given for a program currently being received, the receiving device selects the program currently being received as the candidate program. The receiving device according to claim 5 , wherein when the candidate program is selected as the selected program, the content processing unit outputs the content of the selected program from a playback point at the time when the instruction for post-viewing is given. the event information table has program identification information for each program,
The distribution information management unit
a request for distribution information of the candidate program in association with program identification information and transmitted to the program information management device;
The receiving device according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving device receives distribution information corresponding to the program identification information from the program information control device. the distribution information indicates an application program that causes content of the candidate program to be presented;
The receiving device according to claim 8 , wherein the content processing unit executes a process instructed by the application program when the candidate program is selected as the selected program. A program for causing a computer to function as the receiving device according to claim 1. a broadcasting device that transmits a broadcast signal including the event information table;
the program information management device;
A broadcasting communication system comprising: the receiving device according to claim 1 . A receiving method in a receiving device,
The receiving device:
a first step of separating an event information table having program information for each program from a broadcast signal;
a second step of selecting any one of the programs as a candidate program from the event information table;
obtaining distribution information indicating whether or not the candidate program is being distributed from a program information management device via communication;
a third step of retaining a program information list having distribution information for each of the candidate programs;
Selecting one of the candidate programs available for distribution shown in the program information list as a selected program;
a fourth step of receiving the content of the selected program from a content distribution device via communication.