Application starting method

Abstract

To provide a digital broadcast receiver capable of executing a function of a higher added-value.SOLUTION: A broadcast receiving device capable of receiving a digital broadcast service that can execute an application in cooperation with broadcast programs includes: a separation unit for separating at least a video and electronic program guide information and application related information at least about the broadcast program from received broadcast waves; an electronic program table creation unit for creating an electronic program table screen on the basis of the electronic program guide information; an application execution unit for acquiring a predetermined application on the basis of the location information acquired with reference to the application related information and outputting an application execution image; and a display unit capable of displaying a video and the electronic program table screen about the broadcast program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an application startup method.

Background Art

[0002] One of the extended functions of digital broadcast services is data broadcast that transmits digital data by broadcast waves and displays various information such as weather forecasts, news, and recommended programs. A large number of commercially available TV receivers capable of receiving data broadcasts are already available, and a number of technologies related to data broadcast reception, including Patent Document 1 below, have been published.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As a feature of data broadcast, in a TV receiver compatible with digital broadcast services, it is possible to receive data broadcast alone and acquire / display various information. On the other hand, since data broadcast has a limited amount of data that can be transmitted due to radio wave band limitations, it is difficult to obtain high-definition screen displays or high-function effects. For this reason, there has been a problem that it is difficult to execute useful functions with high added value on current digital broadcast receivers.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an application startup method capable of executing functions with higher added value.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As a means for solving the above problems, the technology described in the claims is used.

[0007] For example, in an application startup method for starting an application for accessing broadcast resources in a broadcast receiving device, the application for accessing the broadcast resources includes a broadcast managed application activated by application control information included in a broadcast signal and a non-broadcast managed application activated by something other than the application control information included in the broadcast signal. The method includes a receiving step of receiving a broadcast signal, a first application startup step of starting the broadcast managed application based on the application control information included in the received broadcast signal, a launcher screen display step of displaying a launcher screen by an application launcher provided in the broadcast receiving device on the broadcast receiving device, a second application startup step of starting the non-broadcast managed application based on a user operation via the displayed launcher screen, a communication step of communicating with an external mobile terminal, a third application startup step of starting the non-broadcast managed application based on a startup request by a user operation via the external mobile terminal received in the communication step, a data broadcast screen display step of setting the broadcast receiving device to a data broadcast screen display state based on BML information included in the received broadcast signal, a fourth application startup step of starting the broadcast managed application based on a user operation in the data broadcast screen display state, and a data broadcast screen termination step of terminating the data broadcast screen display state when starting the broadcast managed application in the fourth application startup step. The first application startup step checks whether the broadcast managed application is executable when the application control information includes information indicating automatic startup of the broadcast managed application, and if it is executable, acquires and starts the broadcast managed application. The check of whether the broadcast managed application is executable is performed by checking the functions of the broadcast receiving device required by the broadcast managed application by referring to the application profile included in the application control information.The acquisition of the broadcast managed application uses an application startup method that acquires the broadcast managed application from a location specified by application acquisition destination information included in the application control information.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] By using the technology of the present invention, it is possible to provide an application startup method capable of executing a function with higher added value.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Example

[0011] First, an example of a digital broadcast service receivable by the broadcast receiving device of this embodiment will be described.

[0012] For example, in an example of BS / terrestrial digital broadcast receivable by the broadcast receiving device of this embodiment, a plurality of transport streams (TS) can be multiplexed and transmitted on one transponder (frequency channel). A TS is a continuous series of TS packets of a predetermined length obtained by dividing a data sequence such as a video / audio elementary stream (ES) or program specific information (PSI) / service information (SI) and adding a TS header.

[0013] PSI is a unique information table defined by the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-2 system standard to identify which program each ES contained in the TS belongs to. PSI consists of PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table), CAT (Conditional Access Table), etc. PAT defines the list of programs contained in the TS by the PID (Packet Identifier) of the PMT. PMT defines the PID of the components of each program, etc. CAT contains information related to conditional reception.

[0014] Also, SI is an extension of PSI that includes program information, etc., and has information related to the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) defined by the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) in ARIB STD-B10. SI consists of BIT (Broadcaster Information Table), SDT (Service Description Table), EIT (Event Information Table), TOT (Time Offset Table), etc. BIT contains information such as broadcaster identification information, network information, and SI transmission information of the broadcaster. SDT contains information such as the network ID for identifying the network, the TS ID for identifying the TS, and the service ID (so-called channel number) for identifying individual services (so-called channels) within the network. EIT contains the service ID for identifying individual services within the network and information related to events, such as the name, broadcast date and time, and broadcast content of each event (so-called program). TOT contains information related to the current date and time.

[0015] Further, the TS includes PCR (Program Clock Reference) information that serves as a reference for playback timing in the decoder, and BML documents subset based on the BML (Broadcast Markup Language) specifications defined in ARIB STD-B24, etc.

[0016] In the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment, by receiving and decoding the TS composed of the video / audio ES and various information, etc., it is possible to provide the user with broadcast programs, EPG, data broadcast screens produced using BML, etc.

[0017] Also, the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment coordinates functions that utilize a broadband network for digital broadcast services, and combines functions such as acquisition of additional content via the broadband network, arithmetic processing in the server device, and presentation processing through cooperation with mobile terminal devices with the digital broadcast service, and is compatible with a broadcast communication cooperation system. To realize the broadcast communication cooperation system, it is assumed that the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment can execute applications described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), etc. Further, in the broadcast communication cooperation system corresponding to this broadcast receiving apparatus, an extended BML specification, application control information (Application Information Table: AIT) in the broadcast communication cooperation system, and extended PSI / SI information necessary for transmitting applications by broadcast wave are used. Note that AIT is information for providing or notifying various information necessary for starting an application such as the acquisition destination of the application, and control information for controlling the start / end, etc. of the application.

[0018] Although the above description is based on digital broadcast services in Japan, it is not limited to application only within Japan, including the broadcast communication cooperation system corresponding to the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment.

[0019] Next, a specific configuration example of the embodiment in this example will be described.

[0020] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the communication system of this embodiment that realizes a broadcast communication cooperation system. The communication system of this embodiment includes a broadcast receiving device 100, an antenna 100a, a broadband network 200 such as the Internet and a router device 210, a radio tower 300t of a broadcasting station, a broadcasting station server 300, a service provider server 400, other application servers 500, a mobile phone communication server 600 and a base station 600b of a mobile phone communication network, and a portable information terminal 700.

[0021] The broadcast receiving device 100 is a television receiver having a function corresponding to the broadcast communication cooperation system in addition to an existing digital broadcast receiving function. The broadcast receiving device 100 receives a broadcast wave transmitted from the radio tower 300t via the antenna 100a. In addition, the broadcast receiving device 100 can be connected to the Internet 200 via the router device 210, and can transmit and receive data by communicating with each server device on the Internet 200.

[0022] The router device 210 is connected to the Internet 200 by wireless communication or wired communication, and is connected to the broadcast receiving device 100 by wireless communication or wired communication and to the portable information terminal 700 by wireless communication. Thereby, each server device on the Internet 200, the broadcast receiving device 100, and the portable information terminal 700 can mutually transmit and receive data via the router device 210. Note that the communication between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the portable information terminal 700 may be directly performed by a method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (Near Field Communication) without passing through the router device 210.

[0023] The radio tower 300t transmits broadcast waves including digital broadcast signals, AIT, control information regarding application presentation, etc. from the broadcast facilities of the broadcasting station. Note that the control information regarding application presentation is control information regarding the overlay of broadcast programs and applications on a television receiver and the availability of presenting applications. Also, it is assumed that the broadcasting station is equipped with a broadcasting station server 300. The broadcasting station server 300 stores broadcast programs (such as video content) and metadata such as the program title, program ID, program summary, cast, broadcast date and time, etc. of each broadcast program, and it is assumed that the video content and each metadata can be provided to service providers based on a contract. Note that the provision of the video content and each metadata to service providers may be carried out through the API (Application Programming Interface) provided in the broadcasting station server 300.

[0024] The service provider server 400 is a server device prepared for the service provider to provide services through the broadcast communication cooperation system. The service provider server 400 stores, manages, and distributes the video content and metadata provided from the broadcasting station server 300, as well as the content and applications produced for the broadcast communication cooperation system. It also has a function of searching for available applications and providing a list in response to inquiries from a television receiver. Note that the storage, management, and distribution of the content and metadata, and the storage, management, and distribution of the applications may be carried out by different server devices. The broadcasting station and the service provider may be the same or different operators. Multiple service provider servers 400 may be prepared for different services. Also, the functions of the service provider server 400 may be provided by the broadcasting station server 300.

[0025] The other application server 500 is a known server device that stores, manages, and distributes general applications, operation programs, content, and data other than those related to the broadcast communication cooperation system.

[0026] The mobile phone communication server 600 is connected to the Internet 200 and, on the other hand, is connected to the mobile information terminal 700 via the base station 600b. The mobile phone communication server 600 manages telephone communication (call) and data transmission / reception via the mobile phone communication network of the mobile information terminal 700, and enables data transmission / reception by communication between the mobile information terminal 700 and each server device on the Internet 200. Note that the communication between the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving device 100 may be performed via the base station 600b, the mobile phone communication server 600, the Internet 200, and the router device 210.

[0027] [Hardware Configuration of Broadcast Receiving Device] FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the broadcast receiving device 100. The broadcast receiving device 100 includes a main control unit 101, a system bus 102, a ROM 103, a RAM 104, a storage unit 110, a LAN communication unit 121, an expansion interface unit 124, a digital interface unit 125, a tuner / demodulation unit 131, a first separation unit 132, a first video decoding unit 133, a first audio decoding unit 134, a first subtitle decoding unit 135, a data broadcast reception processing unit 141, a data broadcast engine 142, a streaming reception processing unit 151, a second separation unit 152, a second video decoding unit 153, a second audio decoding unit 154, a second subtitle decoding unit 155, an application control unit 161, an application engine 162, a video superimposing unit 171, an audio selection unit 172, a video display unit 173, a speaker 174, a video output unit 175, an audio output unit 176, a presentation synchronization control unit 181, and a terminal cooperation control unit 191.

[0028] The main control unit 101 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire broadcast receiving device 100 according to a predetermined operation program. The system bus 102 is a data communication path for performing data transmission / reception between the main control unit 101 and each operation block in the broadcast receiving device 100.

[0029] The ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 is a memory that stores basic operation programs such as an operating system and other operation programs, and a rewritable ROM such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) or a flash ROM is used. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 serves as a work area when executing basic operation programs and other operation programs. The ROM 103 and the RAM 104 may be integrally configured with the main control unit 101. Further, the ROM 103 may use a partial storage area within the storage unit 110 instead of having an independent configuration as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0030] The storage unit 110 stores operation programs and operation setting values of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, personal information of users of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and the like. Further, it can store operation programs downloaded from the network and various data created by the operation programs. It can also store contents such as videos, still images, and audio obtained from a broadcast wave or downloaded from the network. A partial area of the storage unit 110 may replace all or part of the functions of the ROM 103. Further, the storage unit 110 needs to retain the stored information even when no external power is supplied to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Therefore, for example, semiconductor element memories such as flash ROMs and SSDs (Solid State Drives), HDDs (Hard Disc Drives) such as magnetic disk drives, and the like are used.

[0031] Note that the respective operation programs stored in the ROM 103 and the storage unit 110 can be updated and functionally expanded by download processing from each server device on the Internet 200.

[0032] The LAN (Local Area Network) communication unit 121 is connected to the Internet 200 via the router device 210 and transmits and receives data with each server device on the Internet 200. The connection to the router device 210 may be a wired connection or a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The LAN communication unit 121 is assumed to include an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, etc. Further, the broadcast receiving device 100 may further include other communication units such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, an NFC communication unit, an infrared communication unit, etc.

[0033] The tuner / demodulation unit 131 receives a broadcast wave from the radio tower 300t via the antenna 100a and tunes (selects a channel) to the channel of the service desired by the user based on the control of the main control unit 101. Further, the tuner / demodulation unit 131 demodulates the received broadcast signal to obtain a TS. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, a configuration in which there is one tuner / demodulation unit is illustrated, but for the purpose of simultaneous display of multiple screens, recording of off-air programs, etc., the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured to include a plurality of tuner / demodulation units. Also, based on the control of the main control unit 101, control of access restriction for the demodulated TS, etc. may be performed.

[0034] The first separation unit 132 inputs the TS output from the tuner / demodulation unit 131 and separates and outputs it into each data sequence such as a video data sequence, an audio data sequence, a subtitle data sequence, a program information data sequence, an AIT data sequence, a BML data sequence, etc. These data sequences may be in, for example, the ES format. The first video decoding unit 133 decodes the video data sequence input from the first separation unit 132 and outputs video information. The first audio decoding unit 134 decodes the audio data sequence input from the first separation unit 132 and outputs audio information. The first subtitle decoding unit 135 decodes the subtitle data sequence input from the first separation unit 132 and outputs subtitle information.

[0035] The data broadcast reception processing unit 141 decodes the BML data sequence input from the first separation unit 132 and plays back the BML document. The data broadcast engine 142 is a BML browser that executes the BML document, and executes the BML document played back by the data broadcast reception processing unit 141 to output data broadcast screen information.

[0036] Based on the control of the main control unit 101, the streaming reception processing unit 151 accesses video content and the like placed on each server device on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121, and acquires a program stream (PS) of the video content and the like. Further, based on the control of the main control unit 101, control of DRM (Digital Rights Management) processing for the acquired PS may be performed.

[0037] The second separation unit 152 inputs the PS output from the streaming reception processing unit 151, and separates and outputs each data sequence such as a video data sequence, an audio data sequence, and a subtitle data sequence. These data sequences may be in, for example, the ES format. Since the second video decoding unit 153, the second audio decoding unit 154, and the second subtitle decoding unit 155 perform the same processing as the first video decoding unit 133, the first audio decoding unit 134, and the first subtitle decoding unit 135, respectively, the description thereof is omitted.

[0038] Note that the first separation unit 132 and the second separation unit 152, the first video decoding unit 133 and the second video decoding unit 153, the first audio decoding unit 134 and the second audio decoding unit 154, and the first subtitle decoding unit 135 and the second subtitle decoding unit 155 may be used in common, respectively.

[0039] Based on the AIT data sequence input from the first separation unit or the AIT file obtained from each server device on the Internet 200, the application control unit 161 acts on the application engine 162 regarding the application created for the broadcast communication cooperation system, and controls and manages the life cycle and events of the application in units of applications. Also, depending on the state of the application and the instructions of the AIT, the control of the function constraints of the application is appropriately performed. The application engine 162 is an HTML browser that acquires and executes the application created for the broadcast communication cooperation system based on the control of the application control unit 161.

[0040] The video superimposing unit 171 inputs the video information output from the first video decoding unit 133, the subtitle information output from the first subtitle decoding unit 135, the data broadcast screen information output from the data broadcast engine 142, the video information output from the second video decoding unit 153, the subtitle information output from the second subtitle decoding unit 155, and the application execution screen information output from the application engine 162, and performs processes such as selection and / or superimposition. The video superimposing unit 171 includes a video RAM (not shown), and the video display unit 173 and the like are driven based on the video information input to the video RAM. Also, based on the control of the main control unit 101, the video superimposing unit 171 performs, as necessary, scaling processing and superimposing processing of the EPG screen information created based on the program information data sequence output from the first separation unit 132.

[0041] The audio selection unit 172 inputs the audio information output from the first audio decoding unit 134, the audio information output from the second audio decoding unit 154, and the application execution audio information output from the application engine 162, and appropriately selects and outputs the audio information according to the control of the main control unit 101.

[0042] The video display unit 173 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and provides the video information that has been subjected to selection and / or superimposition processing by the video superimposition unit 171 to the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. The speaker 174 provides the audio information output from the audio selection unit 172 to the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. The video output unit 175 is a video output interface that outputs the video information that has been subjected to selection and / or superimposition processing by the video superimposition unit 171. The audio output unit 176 is an audio output interface that outputs the audio information output from the audio selection unit 172. Note that, as described above, when the broadcast display apparatus 100 is a television receiver or the like, the video output unit 175 and the audio output unit 176 are not essential components of the present invention.

[0043] The presentation synchronization control unit 181 controls the presentation synchronization of video information, audio information, etc. obtained by decoding the TS acquired from the broadcast wave, video information, audio information, etc. obtained by decoding the PS acquired from each server device on the Internet 200, and application execution screen information and application execution audio information output from the application engine 162 on the video display unit 173 and the speaker 174, or on the video output unit 175 and the audio output unit 176, for example, based on PCR information or the like.

[0044] When performing cooperation with an external portable terminal device, the terminal cooperation control unit 191 performs management and control such as discovery and authentication of the cooperation device (portable terminal device), connection between the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the cooperation device, and application cooperation.

[0045] The extended interface unit 124 is a group of interfaces for extending the functions of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. In this embodiment, it is assumed to be composed of an analog video / audio interface, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a memory interface, and the like. The analog video / audio interface performs functions such as input of analog video signals / audio signals from external video / audio output devices, output of analog video signals / audio signals to external video / audio input devices, and the like. The USB interface connects to a PC or the like to perform data transmission and reception. An HDD may be connected to record broadcast programs and contents. Also, a keyboard or other USB devices may be connected. The memory interface connects a memory card or other memory media to perform data transmission and reception.

[0046] The digital interface unit 125 is an interface for outputting or inputting encoded digital video data and / or digital audio data. It is assumed that the digital interface unit 125 can directly output the TS obtained by the tuner / demodulation unit 131 or the PS obtained by the streaming reception processing unit 151. Also, it may be controlled to input the TS or PS input from the digital interface unit 125 to the first separation unit 132 or the second separation unit 152. Output of digital contents stored in the storage unit 110, or storage of digital contents in the storage unit 110, may be performed via the digital interface unit 125. The digital interface unit 125 may be a DVI terminal, an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal, or the like, and data output or input may be performed in a format compliant with the DVI specification, the HDMI specification, or the like. Output or input may also be performed in the form of serial data compliant with the IEEE1394 specification or the like.

[0047] The broadcast receiving device 100 may be, in addition to a television receiver, an optical disc drive recorder such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder, a magnetic disc drive recorder such as an HDD recorder, an STB (Set Top Box), or the like. It may also be a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a game machine, or the like having a digital broadcast receiving function and a broadcast communication cooperation function. When the broadcast receiving device 100 is a DVD recorder, an HDD recorder, an STB, or the like, the video display unit 173 and the speaker 174 may not be provided. By connecting an external monitor and an external speaker to the video output unit 175 and the audio output unit 176, the same operation as that of the broadcast receiving device 100 of the present embodiment becomes possible.

[0048] [Software Configuration of Broadcast Receiving Device] FIG. 2B is a software configuration diagram of the broadcast receiving device 100 of the present embodiment, showing the software configuration in the ROM 103, the RAM 104, and the storage unit 110. In the present embodiment, the basic operation program 1001 and other operation programs are stored in the ROM 103, and the receiver function program 1002, the BML browser program 1003, the HTML browser program 1004, and other operation programs are stored in the storage unit 110. Further, the storage unit 110 is assumed to include a content storage area 1011 for storing contents such as moving images, still images, and audio, an authentication information storage area 1012 for storing authentication information and the like used when cooperating with an external portable terminal device, and other various information storage areas for storing various other information.

[0049] The basic operation program 1001 stored in the ROM 103 is expanded in the RAM 104, and further, the main control unit 101 executes the expanded basic operation program, thereby constituting the basic operation execution unit 1101. Also, the reception function program 1002, the BML browser program 1003, and the HTML browser program 1004 stored in the storage unit 110 are each expanded in the RAM 104, and further, the main control unit 101 executes each of the expanded operation programs, thereby constituting the reception function execution unit 1102, the BML browser engine 1103, and the HTML browser engine 1104. Also, the RAM 104 is provided with a temporary storage area for temporarily holding data created during the execution of each operation program as needed.

[0050] In the following, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the process of controlling each operation block by the main control unit 101 expanding and executing the basic operation program 1001 stored in the ROM 103 in the RAM 104 will be described as if the basic operation execution unit 1101 controls each operation block. The same description will be made for other operation programs.

[0051] The reception function execution unit 1102 controls each operation block of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in order to realize a broadcast reception function and a broadcast communication cooperation function. In particular, the broadcast program playback unit 1102a mainly controls the tuner / demodulation unit 131, the first separation unit 132, the first video decoding unit 133, the first audio decoding unit 134, the first subtitle decoding unit 135, the data broadcast reception processing unit 141, and the data broadcast engine 142. Note that the data broadcast engine 142 may be replaced by the BML browser engine 1103 deployed on the RAM 104. Further, the communication content playback unit 1102b mainly controls the streaming reception processing unit 151, the second separation unit 152, the second video decoding unit 153, the second audio decoding unit 154, and the second subtitle decoding unit 155. The cooperation application control unit 1102c mainly controls the application control unit 161 and the application engine 162. Note that the application engine 162 may be replaced by the HTML browser engine 1104 deployed on the RAM 104. The terminal cooperation management unit 1102d mainly controls the terminal cooperation control unit 191.

[0052] Each of the above operation programs may be stored in the ROM 103 and / or the storage unit 110 in advance at the time of product shipment. After the product is shipped, it may be acquired from another application server 500 or the like on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121. Further, each of the above operation programs stored in a memory card, an optical disk, or the like may be acquired via the expansion interface unit 124 or the like.

[0053] [Configuration of Broadcast Station Server] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the broadcast station server 300. The broadcast station server 300 includes a main control unit 301, a system bus 302, a RAM 304, a storage unit 310, and a LAN communication unit 321.

[0054] The main control unit 301 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire broadcast station server 300 according to a predetermined operation program. The system bus 302 is a data communication path for performing data transmission and reception between the main control unit 301 and each operation block in the broadcast station server 300. The RAM 304 serves as a work area when each operation program is executed.

[0055] The storage unit 310 stores the basic operation program 3001 and the content management / delivery program 3002, and further includes a video content storage area 3011 and a metadata storage area 3012. The video content storage area 3011 stores video content and the like of each broadcast program broadcast by the broadcast station. The metadata storage area 3012 stores metadata such as the program title, program ID, program summary, cast, broadcast date, etc. of each of the above broadcast programs.

[0056] Also, the basic operation program 3001 and the content management / delivery program 3002 stored in the storage unit 310 are respectively expanded into the RAM 304, and further, by the main control unit 301 executing the expanded basic operation program and content management / delivery program, a basic operation execution unit 3101 and a content management / delivery execution unit 3102 are configured.

[0057] In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the process of the main control unit 301 expanding and executing the basic operation program 3001 stored in the storage unit 310 in the RAM 304 to control each operation block will be described as the basic operation execution unit 3101 performing the control of each operation block. The same description will be made for other operation programs.

[0058] The content management / delivery execution unit 3102 manages the video content and other data and each metadata stored in the video content storage area 3011 and the metadata storage area 3012, and controls the provision of the video content and other data and each metadata to the service provider based on the contract. Further, when providing the video content and other data and each metadata to the service provider, the content management / delivery execution unit 3102 also performs authentication processing of the service provider server 400 based on the contract as necessary.

[0059] The LAN communication unit 321 is connected to the Internet 200 and communicates with the service provider server 400 and others on the Internet 200. The LAN communication unit 321 is assumed to include an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and the like.

[0060] [Configuration of Service Provider Server] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the service provider server 400. The service provider server 400 includes a main control unit 401, a system bus 402, a RAM 404, and a storage unit 410, and a LAN communication unit 421.

[0061] The main control unit 401 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire service provider server 400 according to a predetermined operation program. The system bus 402 is a data communication path for performing data transmission and reception between the main control unit 401 and each operation block in the service provider server 400. The RAM 404 serves as a work area when each operation program is executed.

[0062] The storage unit 410 stores the basic operation program 4001, the content management / delivery program 4002, and the application management / distribution program 4003, and further includes a video content storage area 4011, a metadata storage area 4012, and an application storage area 4013. The video content storage area 4011 and the metadata storage area 4012 store the video content and the like provided from the broadcasting station server 300, each metadata, the content produced by the service provider, and the metadata related to the content. The application storage area 4013 stores the applications required for realizing each service of the broadcast communication cooperation system for distribution in response to requests from each television receiver.

[0063] Also, the basic operation program 4001, the content management / delivery program 4002, and the application management / distribution program 4003 stored in the storage unit 410 are respectively expanded in the RAM 404, and further, the main control unit 401 executes the expanded basic operation program, the content management / delivery program, and the application management / distribution program, thereby constituting a basic operation execution unit 4101, a content management / delivery execution unit 4102, and an application management / distribution execution unit 4103.

[0064] In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the process in which the main control unit 401 expands and executes the basic operation program 4001 stored in the storage unit 410 in the RAM 404 to control each operation block is described as if the basic operation execution unit 4101 controls each operation block. The same description is made for other operation programs.

[0065] The content management / delivery execution unit 4102 acquires video content and the like and each metadata from the broadcasting station server 300, manages the video content and the like and each metadata stored in the video content storage area 4011 and the metadata storage area 4012, and controls the distribution of the video content and the like and each metadata to each television receiver. Further, the application management / distribution execution unit 4103 manages each application stored in the application storage area 4013, and controls the distribution of each application in response to requests from each television receiver. Furthermore, when the application management / distribution execution unit 4103 distributes each application to each television receiver, it also performs authentication processing and the like of each television receiver as necessary.

[0066] The LAN communication unit 421 is connected to the Internet 200 and communicates with the broadcasting station server 300 on the Internet 200, the broadcasting reception device 100, and the portable information terminal 700 via the router device 210. The LAN communication unit 421 is assumed to include an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and the like.

[0067] [Hardware Configuration of Portable Information Terminal] FIG. 5A is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the portable information terminal 700. The portable information terminal 700 includes a main control unit 701, a system bus 702, a ROM 703, a RAM 704, a storage unit 710, a communication processing unit 720, an expansion interface unit 724, an operation unit 730, an image processing unit 740, an audio processing unit 750, and a sensor unit 760.

[0068] The main control unit 701 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire portable information terminal 700. The system bus 702 is a data communication path for performing data transmission and reception between the main control unit 701 and each operation block in the portable information terminal 700.

[0069] The ROM 703 is a memory that stores basic operation programs such as an operating system and other operation programs. A rewritable ROM such as an EEPROM or a flash ROM is used, for example. The RAM 704 serves as a work area when executing basic operation programs and other operation programs. The ROM 703 and the RAM 704 may be integrally configured with the main control unit 701. Also, the ROM 703 may use a partial storage area within the storage unit 710 instead of having an independent configuration as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0070] The storage unit 710 stores the operation programs and operation setting values of the portable information terminal 700, personal information of the user of the portable information terminal 700, and the like. It can also store operation programs downloaded from the network and various data created by the operation programs. It can also store contents such as videos, still images, and audio downloaded from the network. A partial area of the storage unit 710 may be used to replace all or part of the functions of the ROM 703. Also, the storage unit 710 needs to retain the stored information even when no external power is supplied to the portable information terminal 700. Therefore, devices such as flash ROMs, SSDs, and HDDs are used, for example.

[0071] It is assumed that the respective operation programs stored in the ROM 703 and the storage unit 710 can be updated and functionally expanded by a download process from each server device on the Internet 200.

[0072] The communication processing unit 720 is composed of a LAN communication unit 721, a mobile phone network communication unit 722, and an NFC communication unit 723. The LAN communication unit 721 is connected to the Internet 200 via a router device 210 and transmits and receives data with each server device on the Internet 200. Assume that the connection with the router device 210 is made by wireless connection such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The mobile phone network communication unit 722 performs telephone communication (call) and data transmission and reception by wireless communication with a base station 600b of a mobile phone communication network. The NFC communication unit 723 performs wireless communication when in proximity to a corresponding reader / writer. The LAN communication unit 721, the mobile phone network communication unit 722, and the NFC communication unit 723 are each assumed to be equipped with a coding circuit, a decoding circuit, an antenna, etc. Also, the communication processing unit 720 may further include other communication units such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit and an infrared communication unit.

[0073] The expansion interface unit 724 is a group of interfaces for expanding the functions of the mobile information terminal 700. In this embodiment, it is assumed to be composed of a video / audio interface, a USB interface, a memory interface, etc. The video / audio interface performs input of video signals / audio signals from an external video / audio output device, output of video signals / audio signals to an external video / audio input device, etc. The USB interface connects to a PC or the like to transmit and receive data. Also, a keyboard or other USB devices may be connected. The memory interface connects a memory card or other memory media to transmit and receive data.

[0074] The operation unit 730 is an instruction input unit for inputting operation instructions to the mobile information terminal 700. In this embodiment, it is assumed to be composed of a touch panel 730t arranged over the display unit 741 and operation keys 730k arranged with button switches. Only one of them may be used. The operation of the mobile information terminal 700 may be performed using a keyboard or the like connected to the expansion interface unit 724. The operation of the mobile information terminal 700 may be performed using a separate mobile terminal device connected by wired communication or wireless communication. Also, the touch panel function may be provided by the display unit 741.

[0075] The image processing unit 740 is composed of a display unit 741, an image signal processing unit 742, a first image input unit 743, and a second image input unit 744. The display unit 741 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, etc., and provides the image data processed by the image signal processing unit 742 to the user of the portable information terminal 700. The image signal processing unit 742 includes a video RAM (not shown), and the display unit 741 is driven based on the image data input to the video RAM. Further, the image signal processing unit 742 is assumed to have functions such as format conversion, and superimposing processing of menus and other OSD (On Screen Display) signals as necessary. The first image input unit 743 and the second image input unit 744 are camera units that input image data of the surroundings or an object by converting the light input from a lens using an electronic device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor into an electrical signal.

[0076] The audio processing unit 750 is composed of an audio output unit 751, an audio signal processing unit 752, and an audio input unit 753. The audio output unit 751 is a speaker, and provides the audio signal processed by the audio signal processing unit 752 to the user of the portable information terminal 700. The audio input unit 753 is a microphone, and converts the user's voice, etc. into audio data and inputs it.

[0077] The sensor unit 760 is a group of sensors for detecting the state of the portable information terminal 700. In this embodiment, it is composed of a GPS receiver 761, a gyro sensor 762, a geomagnetic sensor 763, an acceleration sensor 764, an illuminance sensor 765, and a proximity sensor 766. With these sensor groups, it becomes possible to detect the position, inclination, azimuth, movement, and ambient brightness of the portable information terminal 700, the proximity situation of surrounding objects, etc. Further, the portable information terminal 700 may further include other sensors such as a barometric pressure sensor.

[0078] The mobile information terminal 700 may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. It may also be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or a notebook PC. Further, it may be a digital still camera, a video camera capable of video shooting, a portable game machine, or other portable digital devices.

[0079] Note that the configuration example of the mobile information terminal 700 shown in FIG. 5A includes many components that are not essential to this embodiment, such as the sensor unit 760. However, the effects of this embodiment will not be impaired even if these components are not provided. Further, configurations not shown, such as a digital broadcast reception function and an electronic money settlement function, may be further added.

[0080] [Software Configuration of Mobile Information Terminal] FIG. 5B is a software configuration diagram of the mobile information terminal 700 of this embodiment, showing the software configurations in the ROM 703, the RAM 704, and the storage unit 710. In this embodiment, the basic operation program 7001 and other operation programs are stored in the ROM 703, and the cooperation control program 7002, the HTML browser program 7003, and other operation programs are stored in the storage unit 710. Further, the storage unit 710 is assumed to include a content storage area 7011 for storing contents such as videos, still images, and audio, an authentication information storage area 7012 for storing authentication information used during cooperation operations with a television receiver, and other various information storage areas for storing various other information.

[0081] The basic operation program 7001 stored in the ROM 703 is expanded in the RAM 704, and further, the main control unit 701 executes the expanded basic operation program, thereby constituting the basic operation execution unit 7101. Also, the cooperation control program 7002 and the HTML browser program 7003 stored in the storage unit 710 are each expanded in the RAM 704, and further, the main control unit 701 executes each of the expanded operation programs, thereby constituting the cooperation control execution unit 7102 and the HTML browser engine 7103. Further, the RAM 704 is provided with a temporary storage area for temporarily holding data created when each operation program is executed, as necessary.

[0082] Note that hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the process of controlling each operation block by the main control unit 701 expanding and executing the basic operation program 7001 stored in the ROM 703 in the RAM 704 will be described as being performed by the basic operation execution unit 7101 for controlling each operation block. The same description will be made for other operation programs.

[0083] The cooperation control execution unit 7102 manages device authentication and connection, transmission and reception of each data, etc. when the mobile information terminal 700 performs a cooperation operation with the television receiver. The HTML browser engine 7103 is an HTML browser that executes an application created for the broadcast communication cooperation system on the mobile information terminal 700.

[0084] Each of the above operation programs may be stored in the ROM 703 and / or the storage unit 710 in advance at the time of product shipment. After product shipment, it may be acquired from other application servers 500 on the Internet 200 etc. via the LAN communication unit 721 or the mobile phone network communication unit 722. Also, each of the above operation programs stored in a memory card, an optical disk, etc. may be acquired via the expansion interface unit 724 etc.

[0085] [Overview of Application Control Information (AIT)] The application control information (AIT) in this embodiment is information for notifying the existence of an application (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a broadcast cooperation application) that cooperates with a broadcast service to a television receiver or the like (in this embodiment, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100) in the broadcast communication cooperation function supported by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and for instructing its control. Note that the broadcast cooperation application may be classified into (1) a broadcast managed application that operates only in a broadcast reception state based on a control signal such as start / end included in a broadcast signal and whose access to broadcast resources is permitted based on the control signal, (2) a non-broadcast managed application whose access to broadcast resources is permitted based on means such as application authentication in an operation mode not controlled by a broadcast signal for start / end, etc., and (3) other general applications whose access to broadcast resources is not permitted.

[0086] As a transmission method of AIT, either a method of transmitting AIT in a section format or an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format by a broadcast wave using a data carousel (DC) method or the like, or a method of distributing the AIT file in the section format or the XML format from a server device on the Internet 200 by http (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or https (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) or the like may be used. Other methods may also be adopted.

[0087] FIG. 6 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of the data configuration of AIT. AIT mainly includes various information such as an application type 901, an application identifier 902, an application control code 903, an application profile 904, application acquisition destination information 905, an application boundary and access right setting 906, a start priority 907, cache information 908, a server access dispersion parameter 909, etc. Further, other information may be included.

[0088] The application type 901 defines the description method of the application. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the description method of the application is HTML. The application identifier 902 is identification information composed of an organization identifier that identifies the operator and an application identifier numbered for each operator to identify the application unit. Note that the application unit is a set of an HTML document and its reference resources, with the HTML document existing at the location specified by the application acquisition destination information 905 as the entry document. The application control code 903 defines the operation control for the target application, and one of (1) automatic startup, (2) operable, (3) termination, (4) prefetch is described. The application profile 904 is a value indicating the functions of the TV receiver required by the application, and is shown by combining the functions that the TV receiver has as options. By referring to this value, it is determined whether the application can be used.

[0089] The application acquisition destination information 905 is information for specifying the acquisition destination of the application, and is location information for acquiring the HTML document that is first referenced when the application is started. Since the application is assumed to be transmitted by broadcast and placed on a server device on the communication network, the location information specified by the application acquisition destination information 905 is also defined to correspond to both the broadcast acquisition and the communication acquisition cases. The application boundary and access restriction setting 906 is information indicating the operable range as a broadcast managed application as a set of one or more regions (URL: Uniform Resource Locator). Also, the access restriction to the broadcast resources for each region is set in units of functions. The application boundary and access restriction setting 906 specifies the range of document transitions to prevent transitions to unexpected documents due to the chain of document transitions from the entry document at the time of application startup and access to inappropriate broadcast resources. Also, within the range of the document transition, the access authority to a specific broadcast resource in units of regions can be set.

[0090] The startup priority 907 defines which of data broadcasting by a broadcast service and a broadcast managed application by an HTML document should be started preferentially when they coexist. It is assumed that it is possible to unconditionally specify data broadcasting as the top priority on the PMT, to specify the startup priority order of a specific application type on the PMT, and to specify the startup priority of the target application with the startup priority 907. The cache information 908 is information used for cache control when holding application resources in preparation for reuse of the application. With this information, it becomes possible to cache application resources assumed to be reused even after the application ends. The server access dispersion parameter 909 is a parameter set for dispersing access for the purpose of reducing the load on a server where access concentrates, such as the acquisition destination of an application. The television receiver may operate to probabilistically delay the application of the application control code according to the setting of this parameter.

[0091] Hereinafter, the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0092] [Operation sequence at application startup] First, the startup process of the broadcast-linked application based on the AIT transmitted by the broadcast wave in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described. In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to define which of data broadcasting by a broadcast service and a broadcast-linked application should be started preferentially when they coexist, based on the information on the PMT and the application control code 903, startup priority 907, etc. of the AIT.

[0093] FIG. 7A is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of the operation sequence of the broadcast-linked application when it is defined that the broadcast-linked application is started preferentially. The figure shows a series of processes until the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 appropriately checks the PMT and AIT and starts a predetermined broadcast-linked application.

[0094] When the tuner / demodulation unit 131 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 performs a channel selection process for a channel desired by the user to acquire a TS, next, the main control unit 101 acquires the PMT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S101), and checks the activation priority described in the PMT. When it is confirmed in the process of S101 that the activation priority of the broadcast cooperation application is high (S102), the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S103), and checks the application control code 903 of the acquired AIT data sequence (S104). In the process of S104, when the application control code 903 is "auto-start", further, the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data sequence is checked (S105), and when it is confirmed that the execution of the broadcast cooperation application designated in the AIT is possible, based on the information described in the application acquisition destination information 905, a transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application is transmitted to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 (S106).

[0095] The service provider server 400 that has received the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application, based on the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, after performing an authentication process for the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 as necessary, distributes a predetermined broadcast cooperation application stored in the application storage area 4013 via the LAN communication unit 421 (S107). Note that a known method may be used for the authentication process, and a detailed description thereof is omitted. Next, the application engine 162 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 activates the predetermined broadcast cooperation application distributed from the service provider server 400 received via the LAN communication unit 121 based on the control of the application control unit 161 (S108).

[0096] FIG. 7B is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of a broadcast cooperation application when it is defined to start with priority given to data broadcast by a broadcast service. The figure shows a series of flows until the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 appropriately checks the PMT and AIT and activates a predetermined broadcast cooperation application.

[0097] When the tuner / demodulation unit 131 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 performs a channel selection process for a channel desired by the user to acquire a TS, next, the main control unit 101 acquires the PMT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S201), and checks the activation priority described in the PMT. When it is confirmed that the activation priority of data broadcast by the broadcast service is high in the process of S201 (S202), the data broadcast reception processing unit 141 acquires the BML data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 and reproduces the BML document (S203). When automatic activation of data broadcast is set by the BML document, and when the user makes a start request for data broadcast using an operation terminal (such as the portable information terminal 700, remote control, etc.) (S204), the data broadcast engine 142 generates data broadcast screen information by executing the reproduced BML document and displays it on the video display unit 173 (S205).

[0098] After the process of S205, or simultaneously with the process of S205, the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S206), and checks the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data sequence (S207). When it is confirmed in the process of S207 that the execution of the broadcast-linked application specified in the AIT is possible, an entry button to the executable broadcast-linked application is displayed on the data broadcast screen. The entry button may be always displayed, and the color scheme may be changed from an inactive color to an active color only when the execution of the broadcast-linked application is possible. By changing the shape, the inactive state and the active state of the entry button may be switched.

[0099] When the user selects the entry button using the operation terminal (S208), the data broadcast engine 142 ends the process of executing the BML document to generate data broadcast screen information (S209). Subsequently, the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S210), and checks the application acquisition destination information 905 of the acquired AIT data sequence. Further, based on the information described in the application acquisition destination information 905 confirmed in S210, a transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application is transmitted to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 (S211).

[0100] Upon receiving the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application, the service provider server 400 performs authentication processing for the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 as necessary under the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, and then distributes a predetermined broadcast cooperation application stored in the application storage area 4013 via the LAN communication unit 421 (S212). Next, the application engine 162 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 starts the predetermined broadcast cooperation application distributed from the service provider server 400 received via the LAN communication unit 121 under the control of the application control unit 161 (S213).

[0101] FIG. 7C is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of a broadcast cooperation application when no priority activation is defined. The figure shows a series of processes until the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 appropriately checks the PMT and AIT and starts a predetermined broadcast cooperation application.

[0102] When the tuner / demodulation unit 131 of the broadcast reception device 100 performs a channel selection process for a channel desired by the user to acquire a TS, next, the main control unit 101 acquires the PMT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S301) and checks the activation priority described in the PMT. When it is confirmed that the activation priority of the broadcast cooperation application is high in the process of S301 (S302), the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S303) and checks the application control code 903 of the acquired AIT data sequence (S304). In the process of S304, if the application control code 903 is "activatable" instead of "automatic startup", neither the data broadcast by the broadcast service nor the broadcast cooperation application is started, and the display of the broadcast program is continued.

[0103] When the user makes a startup request for data broadcast using the operation terminal in the state after the process of S304 (S305), similar to the processes after S205 in FIG. 7B, acquisition of the BML data sequence, reproduction of the BML document, generation of data broadcast screen information, etc. are performed (however, not shown). On the other hand, when the user makes a startup request for the broadcast cooperation application launcher using the operation terminal in the state after the process of S304 (S306), the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S307) and checks the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data sequence (S308). Further, the application control unit 161 displays a list of executable broadcast cooperation applications as the broadcast cooperation application launcher on the video display unit 173 (S309).

[0104] When the user selects a predetermined broadcast cooperation application from the broadcast cooperation application launcher displayed in S309 using the operation terminal (S310), the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S311), and checks the application acquisition destination information 905 of the acquired AIT data string. Further, based on the information described in the application acquisition destination information 905 confirmed in S311, a transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application is transmitted to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 (S312).

[0105] Upon receiving the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application, the service provider server 400, based on the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, performs authentication processing of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 as necessary, and then distributes a predetermined broadcast cooperation application stored in the application storage area 4013 via the LAN communication unit 421 (S313). Next, the application engine 162 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 starts the predetermined broadcast cooperation application distributed from the service provider server 400 received via the LAN communication unit 121 under the control of the application control unit 161 (S314).

[0106] In the startup sequence of the broadcast cooperation application described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C, examples of acquiring AIT from the broadcast wave are all described. However, the AIT file may be acquired from a predetermined server device specified by information description such as PMT. Further, the acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application may be performed from the broadcast wave instead of from a server device (service provider server 400) on the network. That is, when the location information described in the application acquisition destination information 905 of AIT indicates the broadcast wave, the application control unit 161 regenerates an HTML document from the HTML data string transmitted by the data carousel method or the like and separated and output by the first separation unit 132, and the application engine 162 may execute the regenerated HTML document (broadcast cooperation application).

[0107] In addition, when there is no information specifying the startup priority in the case where data broadcasting by a broadcast service and a broadcast-linked application coexist on the PMT, the startup priority may be confirmed based only on information such as the application control code 903 and startup priority 907 of the AIT. Similarly, when the acquisition of the information on the PMT fails, the startup priority may be confirmed based only on information such as the application control code 903 and startup priority 907 of the AIT. That is, regardless of the information on the PMT, the AIT is periodically confirmed. When there is a broadcast-linked application specified as "automatic startup" in the application control code 903 of the AIT, the startup of the broadcast-linked application is prioritized, and when there is no broadcast-linked application specified as "automatic startup" in the application control code 903 of the AIT, the startup of data broadcasting by the broadcast service is prioritized.

[0108] Also, when there is no response from the service provider server 400 for a predetermined time or more when a delivery request for a broadcast-linked application is made in S106, S211, and S312, a message such as "Please wait a moment" may be displayed on the video display unit 173. Alternatively, in this case, a message asking the user to confirm the termination of the execution of the broadcast-linked application may be displayed.

[0109] Also, it goes without saying that the startup sequence of the broadcast-linked application is not limited to the above three patterns, and it may be started by a different sequence.

[0110] [Operation Sequence at the Time of Linking with a Portable Information Terminal] In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is assumed that the function of the broadcast communication cooperation service can be extended by the cooperation operation between the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the portable information terminal 700. For example, by installing an application (cooperation control application) prepared by a TV receiver manufacturer, the portable information terminal 700 can be used as a high-function remote control of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Also, a broadcast cooperation application can be executed on the portable information terminal 700, and for example, a service linked to the broadcast program being displayed on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can also be displayed on the portable information terminal 700. Note that in order to perform function extension by the cooperation operation between the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the portable information terminal 700, it is desirable that the cooperation control application is started on the portable information terminal 700, and the broadcast cooperation application operating on the portable information terminal 700 is controlled by the cooperation control application and operates accordingly.

[0111] FIG. 8A is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence when the cooperation control application is started on the portable information terminal 700. This figure shows a series of processes (first time) until the portable information terminal 700 performs an authentication process with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the cooperation operation becomes possible. Note that the cooperation control application is installed in advance in the storage unit 710 of the portable information terminal 700 as the cooperation control program 7002.

[0112] When the user instructs to start the cooperation control application on the portable information terminal 700 (S401), the cooperation control execution unit 7102 of the portable information terminal 700 searches for a TV receiver capable of communication (cooperation operation) on the network (S402), and displays the search result on the display unit 741 as a list of TV receivers. If a communicable TV receiver cannot be found, it notifies the user of this and ends the process. When the user selects an arbitrary TV receiver (the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment) from the list of TV receivers, the cooperation control execution unit 7102 displays a login screen for connecting to the broadcast receiving device 100 on the display unit 741. When the user inputs authentication information (login name and password, etc. specified by the broadcast receiving device 100) into the login screen via the operation unit 730 (S403), the cooperation control execution unit 7102 stores the input authentication information in the authentication information storage area 7012 and simultaneously transmits it to the broadcast receiving device 100 (S404). Note that the process of transmitting the authentication information to the broadcast receiving device 100 may be performed via the LAN communication unit 721 and the router device 210, or may be directly performed on the broadcast receiving device 100 via the NFC communication unit 723.

[0113] The terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving device 100 that has received the authentication information via the LAN communication unit 121 refers to the authentication information storage area 1012 to confirm whether the received authentication information is correct (S405). If it is confirmed by the process of S405 that the received authentication information is correct, the information of the portable information terminal 700 is stored in the authentication information storage area 1012, and the portable information terminal 700 is authenticated (S406). The portable information terminal 700 that has obtained the authentication of the broadcast receiving device 100 displays the basic screen (for example, a high-function remote control screen) of the cooperation control application on the display unit 741 (S407). If it is not confirmed in S405 that the received authentication information is correct, the terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving device 100 returns an error to the portable information terminal 700. Through the above process, the cooperation operation between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the portable information terminal 700 becomes possible.

[0114] FIG. 8B is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of the operation sequence when the cooperation control application is started on the portable information terminal 700. This figure shows a series of processes (after the second time) until the portable information terminal 700 performs an authentication process with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the cooperation operation becomes possible.

[0115] When the user instructs to start the cooperation control application on the portable information terminal 700 (S501), the cooperation control execution unit 7102 of the portable information terminal 700 searches for a communicable television receiver on the network, and displays the search results on the display unit 741 as a list of television receivers. If a communicable television receiver cannot be found, it displays to that effect and ends the process. When the user selects an arbitrary television receiver (the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment) from the list of television receivers (S502), and the selected broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is a device that has been connected (cooperated) in the past, the cooperation control execution unit 7102 reads the authentication information of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 from the authentication information storage area 7012 and transmits it to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S503).

[0116] The terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that has received the authentication information via the LAN communication unit 121 refers to the authentication information storage area 1012 to confirm whether the received authentication information is correct (S504). If it is confirmed by the process of S504 that the received authentication information is correct, the portable information terminal 700 is authenticated (S505). The portable information terminal 700 that has obtained the authentication of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 displays the basic screen of the cooperation control application on the display unit 741 (S506). Through the above processes, the cooperation operation between the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the portable information terminal 700 becomes possible.

[0117] Note that following the processes of FIGS. 8A to 8B, when starting the broadcast cooperation application in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, the processes of FIGS. 7A to 7C may be performed after the processes of FIGS. 8A to 8B.

[0118] FIG. 8C is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence when the cooperation control application is started on the portable information terminal 700. This figure shows a series of processes (after the second time) until the portable information terminal 700 performs an authentication process with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the cooperation operation becomes possible. However, in this figure, it is an example in the case where the start of the cooperation control application on the portable information terminal 700 is requested by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that executes the start sequence of the broadcast cooperation application.

[0119] When the tuner / demodulation unit 131 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 performs a channel selection process for a channel desired by the user and acquires a TS, next, the main control unit 101 acquires the PMT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S601), and confirms the activation priority described in the PMT. When it is confirmed in the process of S601 that the activation priority of the broadcast cooperation application is high (S602), the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S603), and confirms the application control code 903 of the acquired AIT data sequence (S604). In the process of S604, when the application control code 903 is "automatic start", further, the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data sequence is confirmed (S605). In the process of S605, when it is confirmed that the execution of the broadcast cooperation application specified in the AIT is possible and it is determined that cooperation control of the portable terminal device is necessary, the terminal cooperation control unit 191 refers to the authentication information storage area 1012, selects the portable information terminal 700 as the portable terminal device, and transmits a cooperation control application start request to the selected portable information terminal 700 (S606).

[0120] Note that the selection of the portable information terminal 700 by referring to the authentication information storage area 1012 may be made based on the latest information in the authentication information storage area 1012 or based on the information with the highest usage frequency in the authentication information storage area 1012.

[0121] Furthermore, in the process of S606, if a mobile terminal device to which a cooperative control application start request should be transmitted cannot be found, a message indicating that fact may be displayed on the video display unit 173. Alternatively, in this case, a message inquiring the user about stopping execution of the broadcast cooperative application may be displayed.

[0122] The main control unit 701 of the portable information terminal 700 receives the communication via the LAN communication unit 721. In response to a request to start the cooperative control application, the cooperative control application (the cooperative control execution unit 7102) is started ( S607), and further, the cooperative control execution unit 7102 receives broadcast information from the authentication information storage area 7012. The authentication information of the device 100 is read out and transmitted to the broadcast receiving device 100 (S608).

[0123] The terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving device 100, which has received the authentication information via the LAN communication unit 121, checks whether the received authentication information is correct by referring to the authentication information storage area 1012 (S609). If the received authentication information is confirmed to be correct by the processing of S609, the mobile information terminal 700 is authenticated (S610). The mobile information terminal 700, which has been authenticated by the broadcast receiving device 100, displays the basic screen of the cooperation control app on the display unit 741 (S611). By the above processing, cooperation between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 becomes possible.

[0124] In addition, when the broadcast cooperative app is executed in both the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 following the above-mentioned processing, the processing shown in Fig. 9 may be performed. Fig. 9 is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of a start-up sequence of the broadcast cooperative app in the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700.

[0125] That is, after the processes of S601 to S611 in FIG. 8C, the application control unit 161 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 acquires the AIT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S612), and checks the application acquisition destination information 905 of the acquired AIT data sequence. Further, based on the information described in the application acquisition destination information 905 checked in S612, a transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application (TV side) is transmitted to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 (S613).

[0126] Upon receiving the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application (TV side), the service provider server 400 performs an authentication process on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 as necessary based on the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, and then distributes a predetermined broadcast cooperation application (TV side) stored in the application storage area 4013 via the LAN communication unit 421 (S614). The application engine 162 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 activates the predetermined broadcast cooperation application (TV side) distributed from the service provider server 400 received via the LAN communication unit 121 based on the control of the application control unit 161 (S615).

[0127] Next, the terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 transmits the acquisition destination URL information, etc. of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) to be executed on the portable information terminal 700, which is acquired from the AIT or the broadcast cooperation application (TV side) executed in S615, to the portable information terminal 700 (S616). Based on the acquisition destination URL information, etc. of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) received via the LAN communication unit 721, the cooperation control execution unit 7102 of the portable information terminal 700 transmits a transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 721 (S617).

[0128] After receiving the transmission request of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side), the service provider server 400 performs the authentication process of the mobile information terminal 700 as necessary based on the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, and then distributes the predetermined broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) stored in the application storage area 4013 via the LAN communication unit 421 (S618). The HTML browser engine 7103 of the mobile information terminal 700 activates the predetermined broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) distributed from the service provider server 400 received via the LAN communication unit 721 (S619).

[0129] Note that the ability to obtain the AIT file from a predetermined server device, the ability to obtain the broadcast cooperation application from a broadcast wave instead of from a server device on the network, etc. are the same as the operation sequences in FIGS. 7A to 7C. When obtaining the broadcast cooperation application from a broadcast wave, the broadcast receiving device 100 may obtain the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) to be executed by the mobile information terminal 700 from the broadcast wave and transfer the obtained broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) to the mobile information terminal 700 via the communication unit 121. Alternatively, the broadcast receiving device 100 may obtain the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) to be executed by the mobile information terminal 700 from the broadcast wave and store it in the storage unit 110, and in the process of S616 in FIG. 9, the location information of the storage unit 110 of the broadcast receiving device 100 may be transmitted as the URL information to be transmitted to the mobile information terminal 700. The broadcast receiving device 100 may obtain the broadcast cooperation application (TV side) from the broadcast wave, and the mobile information terminal 700 may obtain the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) from a server device on the network. The acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) may be directly performed from the broadcast wave using the digital broadcast receiving function of the mobile information terminal 700.

[0130] Also, the operation sequences in FIGS. 7A to 7C, FIGS. 8A to 8C, and FIG. 9 can be partially combined as appropriate, and furthermore, some operation steps can be appropriately reordered, operated simultaneously, etc. with other operation steps.

[0131] [Basic Screen of the Linkage Control App for Mobile Information Terminals] FIG. 10A is a screen display diagram showing an example of the basic screen of the linkage control app displayed by the processes of S407 in FIG. 8A, S506 in FIG. 8B, S611 in FIG. 8C, etc. In this embodiment, the basic screen 741a of the linkage control app is assumed to have a function as a high-function remote control corresponding to the broadcast receiving device 100.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 10A, the basic screen 741a of the linkage control app is composed of a power key 741a1, a network selection key (terrestrial digital, BS, CS) 741a2, numeric keys (1 to 12) 741a3, a volume UP / DOWN key 741a4, a channel UP / DOWN key 741a5, an input switching key 741a6, a program guide key 741a7, a data key 741a8, a linkage app key 741a9, a menu key 741aa, a back key 741ab, cursor keys (up, down, left, right) 741ac, a decision key 741ad, and color keys (blue, red, green, yellow) 741ae. Other operation keys may be further displayed.

[0133] It is convenient to use if each of the above operation keys has the same key layout / operation as the dedicated remote control attached to the broadcast receiving device 100. Also, the power key 741a1, the network selection key 741a2, the numeric keys 741a3, etc. have the same functions as the respective operation keys of a known TV remote control, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The linkage app key 741a9 is an operation key prepared for the broadcast linkage communication function of this embodiment.

[0134] Note that in the processes of S204 in FIG. 7B and S305 in FIG. 7C, it is assumed that the data broadcast can be started / ended by selecting the data key 741a8. Also, in the processes of S208 in FIG. 7B and S310 in FIG. 7C, it is assumed that the executable broadcast linkage app can be selected by operating the cursor keys 741ac and the decision key 741ad. Also, in the process of S306 in FIG. 7C, it is assumed that a startup request for the broadcast linkage app launcher can be made by selecting the linkage app key 741a9.

[0135] If the cooperation application key 741a9 or other operation keys having a similar function are provided on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application, each broadcast cooperation application used in the broadcast cooperation system of this embodiment can be easily selected / activated. Also, the cooperation application key 741a9 or other operation keys having a similar function may be provided on a dedicated remote control attached to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

[0136] FIG. 10B is a screen display diagram showing an example of the basic screen of the cooperation control application displayed by the processes of S407 in FIG. 8A, S506 in FIG. 8B, S611 in FIG. 8C, etc., and is an example different from FIG. 10A.

[0137] The basic screen 741b of the cooperation control application is composed of a cooperation control in - progress message 741b1 and a cooperation control application operation screen 741b2. Other objects may be further displayed. The cooperation control in - progress message 741b1 is a message display for allowing the user of the portable information terminal 700 to recognize that the portable information terminal 700 is in cooperation operation with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. The cooperation control application operation screen 741b2 is an area where arbitrary screen displays are performed by the cooperation control application, and in this embodiment, a detailed description thereof is omitted. For example, the configuration within the cooperation control application operation screen 741b2 may be the same as the configuration of the basic screen 741a of the aforementioned cooperation control application. A sub - screen of the broadcast program being displayed on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may also be displayed.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 10B, by displaying the cooperation control in - progress message 741b1, the user of the portable information terminal 700 can easily grasp that the portable information terminal 700 is in cooperation operation with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Note that the cooperation control in - progress message 741b1 is not limited to character display, and may be symbol display, graphic display, etc. It may also be used as an alternative to the cooperation control in - progress message 741b1 due to differences in background color, etc.

[0139] [Data broadcast screen of the broadcast receiving apparatus] FIG. 11 is a screen display diagram showing an example of a data broadcast screen displayed by the process of S205 in FIG. 7B. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that three broadcast-linked applications, namely, linked application A, linked application B, and linked application C, are in a state where they can be executed on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 by the description of AIT or the like. In this case, an entry button 173a2 for linked application A, an entry button 173a3 for linked application B, and an entry button 173a4 for linked application C are displayed at arbitrary positions on the data broadcast screen 173a.

[0140] In the data broadcast screen 173a as shown in FIG. 11, when the entry buttons 173a2, 173a3, 173a4, etc. are selected using the cursor key 741ac and the enter key 741ad of the basic screen 741a of the link control application, the display of the data broadcast screen 173a is terminated, and linked application A, linked application B, linked application C, etc. are started under the control of the application control unit 161 and the application engine 162.

[0141] Note that when displaying the data broadcast screen 173a, the frame color, internal color, shape, font, size, blinking status, etc. of each entry button may be appropriately changed according to the type of the broadcast-linked application, the security status, etc. For example, when the linked application A is a broadcast-managed application, the frame color of the entry button 173a2 is set to blue; when the linked application B is an out-of-broadcast-managed application, the frame color of the entry button 173a3 is set to yellow; when the linked application C is a general application, the frame color of the entry button 173a4 is set to red, and so on. Alternatively, when the linked application A is determined to be trustworthy in terms of security, the frame color of the entry button 173a2 is set to blue; when the linked application B is determined not to be necessarily trustworthy in terms of security, the frame color of the entry button 173a3 is set to yellow; when the linked application C is determined to be dangerous in terms of security, the frame color of the entry button 173a4 is set to red, and so on.

[0142] In addition, according to the functions and genres of the broadcast cooperation applications, or according to the expiration dates of the use of each broadcast cooperation application, etc., the frame color, internal color, shape, font, size, blinking status, etc. of each entry button may be appropriately changed. According to whether the broadcast cooperation application has been acquired from the network or not, etc., the frame color, internal color, shape, font, size, blinking status, etc. of each entry button may be appropriately changed. For example, when the cooperation application A has already been acquired from the network (cached in the RAM 104 or the storage 110), the frame color of the entry button 173a2 is set to blue; when the cooperation application B is being acquired, the frame color of the entry button 173a3 is set to yellow; when the cooperation application C has not been acquired, the frame color of the entry button 173a4 is set to red, etc.

[0143] In this way, the user of the broadcast receiving device 100 can easily grasp the types and security statuses, etc. of the broadcast cooperation applications executable on the broadcast receiving device 100.

[0144] [Broadcast Cooperation Application Launcher Screen of Broadcast Receiving Device] FIG. 12A is a screen display diagram showing an example of a notification screen for making the user recognize that there are executable broadcast cooperation applications in the broadcast receiving device 100 of the present embodiment.

[0145] For example, in the operation sequence shown in FIG. 7C, after the process of S304, without starting either the data broadcast by the broadcast service or the broadcast cooperation application, the display of the broadcast program is continued. On the other hand, in this case, in order to make the user recognize that there are executable broadcast cooperation applications, if an icon 173b0 as shown in FIG. 12A is displayed, the usability of the broadcast receiving device 100 is improved. That is, by displaying the icon 173b0, it is possible to prevent the user from overlooking the existence of the executable broadcast cooperation applications.

[0146] Note that the display position of the icon 173b0 may be any position on the screen, but it is preferably placed in a location that does not interfere with the viewing of the broadcast program. For example, it can be at the four corners of the screen. Also, the icon 173b0 may be a text display as shown in FIG. 12A, or it may be a symbol, a figure, etc. Further, the icon 173b0 may be always displayed, or it may be displayed for a predetermined time after the power is turned on or after channel switching. Alternatively, it may be displayed simultaneously when program information, channel numbers, etc. are displayed.

[0147] FIG. 12B is a screen display diagram showing an example of a broadcast cooperation app launcher displayed by the process of S306 in FIG. 7C. In this embodiment, it is assumed that three broadcast cooperation apps, namely cooperation app A, cooperation app B, and cooperation app C, are in a state where they can be executed on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 due to the description of AIT, etc. In this case, the broadcast cooperation app launcher 173b1 is displayed at an arbitrary position on the broadcast program screen 173b, and further, an entry button 173b2 for cooperation app A, an entry button 173b3 for cooperation app B, an entry button 173b4 for cooperation app C, and a return button 173b5 are displayed within the broadcast cooperation app launcher 173b1.

[0148] In a state where the broadcast cooperation app launcher 173b1 as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed, when the entry button 173b2, the entry button 173b3, the entry button 173b4, etc. are selected using the cursor key 741ac and the decision key 741ad on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control app, the cooperation app A, the cooperation app B, the cooperation app C, etc. are launched under the control of the application control unit 161 and the application engine 162. When the return button 173b5 is selected, the display of the broadcast cooperation app launcher 173b1 ends.

[0149] When displaying the broadcast cooperation app launcher 173b1 on the broadcast program screen 173b, depending on the type and security status of the broadcast cooperation app, the functions and genres of the broadcast cooperation app, the acquisition status of the broadcast app from the network, etc., it is possible to appropriately change the frame color, internal color, shape, font, size, blinking status, etc. of each entry button, which is the same as the case of displaying the entry buttons of each broadcast cooperation app on the data broadcast screen 173a in FIG. 11.

[0150] Also, when there is no broadcast cooperation app executable on the broadcast receiving device 100, the broadcast cooperation app launcher 173b1 may not be displayed. Or, in this case, a message such as 'There is no available application' may be displayed inside the broadcast cooperation app launcher 173b1.

[0151] [Broadcast Cooperation App Execution Screen of Broadcast Receiving Device] FIG. 13A is a screen display diagram showing an example of the broadcast cooperation app execution screen displayed in the processes of S108 in FIG. 7A, S213 in FIG. 7B, S314 in FIG. 7C, S615 in FIG. 9, etc. The broadcast cooperation app in this embodiment has graphics performance and effect performance by HTML description, and it is assumed that it can be overlaid on the broadcast program screen on the video display unit 173. For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, a broadcast cooperation app unit 173c1 that displays information such as weather forecasts and news at an arbitrary position on the broadcast program screen 173c is overlaid and displayed. The broadcast cooperation app unit 173c1 is composed of a first main object 173c2, a second main object 173c3, a third main object 173c4, a background object 173c5, etc. Other objects may be further displayed.

[0152] When the broadcast cooperation app section 173c1 is overlaid and displayed on the broadcast program screen 173c, by selecting the data key 741a8 on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control app, it is possible to end the execution of the broadcast cooperation app and shift to the data broadcast screen. Also, by selecting the cooperation app key 741a9 on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control app, it is possible to end the execution of the broadcast cooperation app and return to the display of only the broadcast program screen 173c. The above processing may be realized by different operation keys.

[0153] Also, when the broadcast cooperation app section 173c1 is overlaid and displayed on the broadcast program screen 173c, by operating each operation key on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control app, it is possible to change the transparency of the broadcast cooperation app section 173c1. The transparency change processing may be performed collectively for the entire broadcast cooperation app section 173c1, or may be performed individually for the first main object 173c2, the second main object 173c3, the third main object 173c4, and the background object 173c5. It may also be performed for each predetermined group (for example, a plurality of objects existing in the same graphics layer).

[0154] When performing the transmittance change process, for example, an object is selected using the cursor key 741ac on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application, and the transmittance of the object is increased using the "blue" key of the color key 741ae and decreased using the "yellow" key. The transmittance change process may be performed using different operation keys. If the entire broadcast cooperation application unit 173c1 is set to a transmittance of 100%, the broadcast cooperation application unit 173c1 can be temporarily hidden. For example, when an emergency broadcast is distributed via a broadcast wave, it is also possible to set the entire broadcast cooperation application unit to a transmittance of 100% and display only the broadcast program screen of the emergency broadcast on the video display unit 173. Alternatively, a CM detection unit (not shown) may detect that the broadcast program has become a CM video from the main video and control the entire broadcast cooperation application unit 173c1 to have a transmittance of 100% (or a transmittance that allows clear confirmation of the broadcast program video).

[0155] By performing the above-described process, when it is desired to check the broadcast program screen in the background during the execution of the broadcast cooperation application, it becomes possible to check the broadcast program screen without terminating the broadcast cooperation application.

[0156] FIG. 13B is a screen display diagram showing an example different from the above of the broadcast cooperation application execution screen displayed in the processes of S108 in FIG. 7A, S213 in FIG. 7B, S314 in FIG. 7C, S615 in FIG. 9, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 13B, a broadcast cooperation application unit 173c6 for introducing recommended programs is overlaid and displayed at an arbitrary position on the broadcast program screen 173c. The broadcast cooperation application unit 173c6 displays first recommended program information 173c7, second recommended program information 173c8, third recommended program information 173c9, etc. Even more recommended program information may be displayed by scrolling, page switching, etc.

[0157] Each of the recommended program information may be information of a program recommended in relation to the broadcast program being displayed (the broadcast program screen 173c), may be information of a program recommended based on the viewing history of the user, or may be information of a program that is a topic on the Internet or the like. It may also be information of a recommended program sent by a friend of the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 to the user. Further, the recommended program may be a program transmitted by a broadcast wave of a digital broadcast service, or may be a VOD (Video On Demand) program or the like distributed from each server apparatus on the Internet 200. It may also be an information screen such as a homepage prepared in a server apparatus on the Internet 200.

[0158] With the broadcast cooperation application unit 173c6 being overlaid and displayed on the broadcast program screen 173c, by using the cursor key 741ac and the decision key 741ad of the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application, the first recommended program information 173c7, the second recommended program information 173c8, the third recommended program information 173c9, etc. are selected, and each program video recommended by the first recommended program information 173c7, the second recommended program information 173c8, the third recommended program information 173c9, etc. is displayed on the display unit 173.

[0159] FIG. 13C is a screen display diagram showing an example when a program video recommended by the broadcast cooperation app unit 173c6 that introduces recommended programs is displayed. For example, when the first recommended program information 173c7 of the broadcast cooperation app unit 173c6 is selected using the cursor key 741ac and the enter key 741ad on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control app, the program video 173ca of the program recommended by the first recommended program information 173c7 is displayed on the display unit 173. The program video 173ca may be pausable or time-specified jumpable by the operation of the user's operation terminal. Also, when displaying the program video 173ca, the original broadcast program screen 173c may be displayed at an arbitrary position in the PIP (Picture In Picture) format. In this case, by the operation on the user's operation terminal, it may be possible to change which of the program video 173ca of the recommended program and the original broadcast program screen 173c is the main screen. By the operation on the user's operation terminal, the size of the window of the original broadcast program screen 173c may be adjustable.

[0160] Also, if an icon display 173cb indicating that the program video 173ca of the recommended program is a video displayed by selecting any of the recommended program information displayed on the broadcast cooperation app unit 173c6 is displayed at an arbitrary position on the screen, the convenience for the user can be improved. Also, needless to say, on the broadcast cooperation app execution screen shown in FIG. 13B, the transparency of the broadcast cooperation app unit 173c6 may be changeable in the same manner as described above.

[0161] FIG. 13D is a screen display diagram showing a different example of the broadcast cooperation application execution screen displayed in the process of S108 in FIG. 7A, the process of S213 in FIG. 7B, the process of S314 in FIG. 7C, the process of S615 in FIG. 9, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 13D, a broadcast cooperation application section 173cc serving as a portal for an SNS (Social Networking Service) service is overlaid and displayed at an arbitrary position on the broadcast program screen 173c. On the broadcast cooperation application section 173cc, an entry button 173cd for the first SNS service, an entry button 173ce for the second SNS service, an entry button 173cf for the third SNS service, etc. are displayed. More entry buttons for SNS services may be displayed by scrolling, page switching, etc.

[0162] With the broadcast cooperation application section 173cc overlaid and displayed on the broadcast program screen 173c, by using the cursor key 741ac and the enter key 741ad on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application, the entry button 173cd for the first SNS service, the entry button 173ce for the second SNS service, the entry button 173cf for the third SNS service, etc. are selected, and the functions assigned to each entry button such as the chat function, the bulletin board function, the Internet phone function, etc. are enabled. Thereby, it becomes possible to enjoy the currently displayed broadcast program (the broadcast program screen 173c) while exchanging information with others. Also, at the same time, the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application on the mobile information terminal 700 may be changed to a character input screen such as a software keyboard or a voice input screen for performing chat or bulletin board writing by voice input.

[0163] In addition to the above example, as a broadcast cooperation application executable on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, by using the cooperation function between the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the portable information terminal 700, a related CM application may be presented to both the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the portable information terminal 700 in synchronization with the broadcast timing of the CM. Alternatively, in a paid service available on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, the broadcast cooperation application may check whether the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 has subscribed to the paid service, and change the display of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and / or the portable information terminal 700 according to the result. In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, regardless of which broadcast cooperation application is executed, the effects described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B can be enjoyed.

[0164] [Error display screen of broadcast receiving apparatus] FIG. 14 is a screen display diagram showing an example of an error display screen when it is determined that the execution of the broadcast cooperation application is not possible by checking the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data sequence in the processes of S105 in FIG. 7A, S207 in FIG. 7B, S308 in FIG. 7C, S605 in FIG. 8C, etc., when there is a shortage in the description of the AIT, or when the acquisition of the AIT fails.

[0165] In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when it is determined that the execution of the broadcast cooperation application is not possible, the reason why the execution of the broadcast cooperation application, such as the confirmation result of the application profile 904, is displayed in the error message 173d1. For example, if, as a result of the confirmation of the application profile 904, a predetermined optional function is lacking on the TV receiver side, that fact is displayed in the error message 173d1. It may also display an error code and a guidance (URL, etc.) of the homepage of the TV receiver manufacturer that describes the explanation of the error code. Alternatively, when acquiring the broadcast cooperation application from the network, it is natural to check the network connection status in advance. At this time, for example, if the acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application is not possible due to a lack of connection of the LAN cable or the like, that fact is displayed in the error message 173d1. Also, if the network connection is established but the acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application cannot be performed correctly because the communication status is poor, the error message 173d1 may be displayed. The error message 173d1 may be displayed when the acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application is being executed and the broadcast cooperation application has not yet reached a state where it can be executed. Also, when the reception status of the broadcast wave is not stable and, although information such as AIT could be received initially, the reception of information such as AIT becomes impossible halfway through, the error message 173d1 may be displayed. In such a case, if the broadcast cooperation application acquired from each server device is cached as it is, it can be used as it is after the reception status of the broadcast wave is restored.

[0166] Also, as a result of checking the application profile 904, when a predetermined optional function is lacking on the TV receiver side, a message 173d1 may be displayed to recommend checking or updating the latest firmware for the TV receiver. Alternatively, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may automatically check or update the latest firmware. Alternatively, when the broadcast cooperation application can be executed by adding paid optional hardware or optional software to the TV receiver, a guidance for the paid optional hardware or optional software may be displayed. Note that the error message 173d1 may be displayed not on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 but on the mobile information terminal 700.

[0167] [Broadcast Cooperation Application Execution Screen of Mobile Information Terminal] FIG. 15 is a screen display diagram showing an example of an execution screen of a broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) displayed in the process of S619 in FIG. 9. The broadcast cooperation application execution screen 741c shown in FIG. 15 includes a main window 741c1, a sub-window 741c2, a selection marker 741c3, cursor keys 741c4, 741c5, an explanation display section 741c6, and an end button 741c7. Other objects may be further added.

[0168] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) executed on the mobile information terminal 700 is an application for checking the details of the broadcast program being displayed on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Also, the same video as the broadcast program screen being displayed on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is displayed on the main window 741c1, and an enlarged video of the position designated by the selection marker 741c3 is displayed on the sub-window 741c2. It is assumed that the position of the selection marker 741c3 can be changed by selecting the cursor keys 741c4 and 741c5. It is assumed that the commentary display section 714c6 displays commentary subtitle text regarding the broadcast program being displayed on the main window 741c1, comments posted by other users regarding the broadcast program, and the like. The end button 741c7 is a button for ending the operation of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side).

[0169] By operating the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) on the mobile information terminal 700, it becomes possible to expand the functions of the broadcast communication cooperation service by the cooperation operation between the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the mobile information terminal 700.

[0170] [EPG Screen of Broadcast Receiver] FIG. 16A is a screen display diagram showing an example of an electronic program guide (EPG) display screen in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment. The EPG display screen 173e is a broadcast program delivery schedule in the digital broadcast service of this embodiment created by the main control unit 101 based on the program information data string output from the first separation unit 132. It is assumed that the EPG display screen 173e is displayed on the video display unit 173 by selecting the program table key 741a7 on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application.

[0171] In this embodiment, the EPG display screen 173e has a matrix shape with the vertical axis representing time display and the horizontal axis representing service ID (channel) display, and displays detailed information of each broadcast program broadcast on each channel in each time slot. As shown in FIG. 16A, the detailed information 173e1 of each broadcast program mainly consists of a title area 173e2 and a detailed explanation area 173e3.

[0172] In the title area 173e2, the program title of each broadcast program and symbols representing the attributes of each broadcast program are displayed. The symbols representing the attributes of each broadcast program are, for example, a symbolized mark of "New" meaning a new program, a symbolized mark of "Replay" meaning a rebroadcast program, and the like. Alternatively, it may be a symbolized mark of "data" meaning corresponding to data broadcasting by a broadcast service. Further, in the case of a broadcast program for which a broadcast cooperation application executable on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is prepared, it may be a symbolized mark of "Linkage" indicating that fact. The detailed explanation area 173e3 displays related information such as the program content and performers of each broadcast program, and the URL of the homepage introducing each broadcast program.

[0173] Note that the symbolized mark of "Linkage" or the like displayed in the title area 173e2 may not be displayed even when a broadcast cooperation application is prepared for the broadcast program if, as a result of checking the application profile 904, execution on the information display apparatus 100 is not possible. Further, the symbolized mark of "Linkage" indicating that the broadcast program for which the executable broadcast cooperation application is prepared is displayed in the title area 173e2 may further change its color, shape, font, etc. depending on whether or not a cooperation operation with a portable terminal device is possible. When a cooperation operation with a portable terminal device is possible, a symbolized mark of "Mobile" may be displayed together with the symbolized mark of "Linkage".

[0174] Note that whether or not the symbolized mark of “Linkage” and the symbolized mark of “Mobile” are displayed is controlled by acquiring information such as whether or not the broadcast program is a broadcast program for which a broadcast cooperation application executable on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is prepared, which is described in advance in the EIT information including the detailed information of each broadcast program, and whether or not the executable broadcast cooperation application can cooperate with the portable terminal device. Alternatively, the information obtained from the program distribution information of the digital broadcast program prepared in a predetermined server device on the Internet 200 may be added to the electronic program guide created based on the program information data string obtained from the broadcast wave of the digital broadcast service.

[0175] As described above, by displaying on the EPG display screen 173e a symbolized mark of “Linkage” indicating that the broadcast program is a broadcast program for which an executable broadcast cooperation application is prepared and a symbolized mark of “Mobile” indicating that cooperation with the portable terminal device is possible, the user can easily grasp the correspondence status of each broadcast program in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 to the broadcast communication cooperation service. Needless to say, the symbolized mark of a predetermined character representing the attribute of each broadcast program may be substituted for the character itself, a sentence, or the like. The correspondence status of each broadcast program to the broadcast communication cooperation service may be indicated by changing the background color of the detailed information 173e1 of each broadcast program. Further, the symbolized mark of “Linkage”, the symbolized mark of “Mobile”, etc. may not be normally displayed in the title area 173e2 and may be pop-up displayed only when each broadcast program is selected by the program selection cursor 173e4.

[0176] The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has a function of making a viewing reservation and / or a recording reservation for each broadcast program from the EPG display screen 173e. For example, in a state where the EPG display screen 173e is displayed, the program selection cursor 173e4 on the EPG display screen 173e is moved using the cursor key 741ac on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application, and an arbitrary broadcast program is selected by the decision key 741ad, thereby making a viewing reservation and / or a recording reservation for the selected broadcast program.

[0177] In the above processing, when the broadcast program for which the viewing reservation and / or recording reservation has been made is a broadcast program corresponding to the broadcast communication cooperation service, upon triggering by the fact that the viewing reservation and / or recording reservation has been made, without waiting for the broadcast start time of the broadcast program, the acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application prepared for the broadcast program may be started. That is, information (location information such as a URL) specifying the acquisition destination of the broadcast cooperation application is described in the EIT information including the detailed information of each broadcast program. In this way, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can grasp the information of the acquisition destination of the broadcast cooperation application prepared for each broadcast program at the time when the broadcast program is selected by the program selection cursor 173e4. Therefore, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can start the acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application before the broadcast start time of the broadcast program.

[0178] In addition, when the broadcast program for which the viewing reservation and / or recording reservation has been made is a broadcast program corresponding to the broadcast communication cooperation service and is also a broadcast program capable of a cooperation operation with a portable terminal device, the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) prepared for the portable terminal device may also be started for acquisition before the broadcast start time of the broadcast program in the same processing as described above. Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, a two-dimensional barcode 173e5 or the like indicating the information of the acquisition destination (location information such as a URL) of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) prepared for the portable terminal device may be displayed on the EPG display screen 173e to prompt the user to download the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) prepared for the portable terminal device.

[0179] In this way, if the broadcast receiver 100 refers to the acquisition destination information of the broadcast cooperation application included in the EPG information and starts acquiring the broadcast cooperation application before the start time of the broadcast of the broadcast program, it is possible to disperse the load on the service provider server 400 that stores the broadcast cooperation application. Also, even when the communication speed of the network between the service provider server 400 and the information display terminal 100 is insufficient, the broadcast cooperation application can be effectively utilized immediately after the start of the broadcast of the broadcast program.

[0180] FIG. 17 is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an acquisition sequence of a broadcast cooperation application when a viewing reservation and / or a recording reservation of a broadcast program is made from the EPG display screen 173e.

[0181] During the viewing of a digital broadcast service, the main control unit 101 of the broadcast receiver 100 acquires the program information data string output from the first separation unit 132 (S701). When the user makes a request to start the EPG screen using the operation terminal (S702), the EPG display screen 173e is displayed on the video display unit 173 (S703). When the user selects an arbitrary broadcast program using the operation terminal on the EPG display screen 173e to make a viewing reservation and / or a recording reservation of the broadcast program (S704), the main control unit 101 checks the program information data string acquired from the first separation unit 132 (S705), and further checks the location of the acquisition destination of the broadcast cooperation application linked to the broadcast program for which the viewing reservation and / or the recording reservation has been made (S706).

[0182] After the process of S706, the application control unit 161 transmits a transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 based on the confirmed URL (S707). The service provider server 400 that has received the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application performs authentication processing for the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary based on the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, and then distributes a predetermined broadcast cooperation application stored in the application storage area 4013 via the LAN communication unit 421 (S708). Subsequently, the application control unit 161 caches the predetermined broadcast cooperation application distributed from the service provider server 400 received via the LAN communication unit 121 in the RAM 104 or the storage 110 (S709).

[0183] According to the transmitting and receiving device 100 of the present embodiment described above, functions with higher added value can be executed.

Embodiment

[0184] Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. in this embodiment are the same as those in Embodiment 1 unless otherwise specified. For this reason, hereinafter, the differences between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

[0185] Although the implementation mode in the case of performing mobile information terminal cooperation processing (hereinafter referred to as terminal cooperation) was also described in Embodiment 1, a more detailed implementation mode will be described.

[0186] When performing mobile information terminal cooperation, there may be a case where the use of terminal cooperation is restricted only to the mobile information terminal 700 in the same house as the broadcast receiving device 100 (hereinafter this restriction is referred to as the same-house restriction). For example, in an application for using broadcast cooperation (hereinafter referred to as a broadcast cooperation application), when the display screen of the broadcast receiving device 100 and the display screen of the mobile information terminal 700 are closely related, or when it is desired to ensure that the user of the mobile information terminal 700 views the advertisement video displayed on the broadcast receiving device 100, etc.

[0187] Note that as a procedure, it is necessary to consider whether the target broadcast cooperation application imposes the same-household restriction. If it is assumed that all broadcast cooperation applications are subject to the same-household restriction, this judgment is unnecessary. However, if there are cases where there is no restriction, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 needs to acquire control information regarding the presence or absence of the same-household restriction and change the operation procedure. This control information regarding the presence or absence of the restriction may be acquired from the broadcast signal (for example, described as an item of AIT), or may be acquired from a server designated by the broadcast station.

[0188] Including the above procedures, in this embodiment, a procedure for ensuring that the portable information terminal 700 exists in the same house as the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 will be described.

[0189] Normally, devices existing in the same house exist on the local network connected to the same router device 210. Therefore, by determining that the portable information terminal 700 is connected to the same local network as the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, it can be determined that they exist in the same house. Note that a known method may be used to determine whether the target device is connected to the local network, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0190] Also, even if the portable information terminal 700 is not on the local network, by directly communicating with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 via NFC, Bluetooth, infrared communication, etc., it can also be determined that it exists in the same house. In this case, the communication for acquiring the broadcast cooperation application or the like may be the above direct communication or may be by mobile phone communication.

[0191] As described above, there are multiple methods for confirming the existence in the same house, but which method to use is, for example, described in AIT and read by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

[0192] Furthermore, once it is confirmed that the portable information terminal 700 exists within the same house, it may be regarded as existing within the same house until the program ends, or a certain effective time (for example, 10 minutes) may be set, and it is regarded as existing within the same house within the effective time. However, if the effective time has passed, it may not be regarded as existing within the same house unless newly confirmed. This effective time may be described in, for example, the AIT and read by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

[0193] Furthermore, for example, at an arbitrary point during program progress, an event signal may be set in the broadcast signal, and each time this event signal is received, it may be confirmed that the portable information terminal 700 exists within the same house.

[0194] Furthermore, it is also possible to use a combination of the above two methods.

[0195] Next, the specific procedure for permitting terminal cooperation only for the portable information terminal 700 existing within the same house will be described. In this embodiment, when the portable information terminal 700 acquires the broadcast cooperation application or acquires the information used in the broadcast cooperation application, restrictions are provided (hereinafter, the broadcast cooperation application and the information used in the broadcast cooperation application, specifically HTML documents, streaming videos, etc. are collectively referred to as broadcast cooperation information). There are two types of methods for acquiring broadcast cooperation information: communication acquisition from the broadcast station server 300 or the operator server 400, and broadcast acquisition from the broadcast wave. In the case of communication acquisition, there are two types of methods: acquisition after the start of broadcast reception and acquisition in advance before the start of broadcast reception. Furthermore, in the case of communication acquisition, there are cases where the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 acquires it once and the portable information terminal 700 acquires it from the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and cases where the portable information terminal 700 directly acquires it from the broadcast station server 300 or the operator server 400. Although there are various methods, from the perspective of the portable information terminal 700, it can be roughly classified into two cases: acquisition from the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and acquisition from the broadcast station server 300 or the operator server 400.

[0196] In this embodiment, the case where the portable information terminal 700 acquires broadcast cooperation information from the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 will be described. The case where the information is acquired from a server will be described in the following embodiment.

[0197] Fig. 18A shows the procedure of this embodiment.

[0198] First, before performing terminal cooperation, on each of the portable information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, a cooperation control application that controls terminal cooperation is started (S10001, S10002). In this state, a terminal cooperation request is sent from the portable information terminal 700 to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S10003). Next, the AIT is acquired from the broadcast signal (S10004). From the information of this AIT, it is determined whether the application for the target portable information terminal has a same-household restriction (S10006). If there is a restriction, the process proceeds to the procedure of S10008. At the first stage when there is a terminal cooperation request, the process proceeds to step S10009 to determine whether the portable information terminal 700 that has made the terminal cooperation request is in the same household as the broadcast receiver 100 (S10009). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that they are not in the same household, a non-permission response for cooperation is sent to the cooperation control application on the portable information terminal side, and the process ends (S10011).

[0199] Here, originally, if it is assumed that all terminal cooperation applications have a same-household restriction, the determination of S10006 is not performed and is skipped. The determination of S10006 is performed when there may be both an application with a same-household restriction and an application without such a restriction.

[0200] If it is determined that the mobile information terminal 700 is in the same house, or in the case of an application without in-house restrictions, the process proceeds to S10012 to perform a broadcast cooperation application-related service. In this service (S10012), a broadcast cooperation information distribution request (S10013) from the mobile information terminal 700 is processed, and broadcast cooperation information is distributed to the mobile information terminal 700 (S10018). This broadcast cooperation information includes information received by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 from the distribution server (S10014, S10015, S10016), information acquired from the broadcast signal (S10017), information stored in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and the like. The reception (S10016, S10017) of the broadcast cooperation information by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is not limited to the case of a broadcast cooperation information distribution request (S10013) from the mobile information terminal 700, and may also be autonomously acquired by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 or acquired based on the occurrence of an event from the broadcast signal. Also, the distribution (S10018) of the broadcast cooperation information to the mobile information terminal 700 may be spontaneous from the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 side.

[0201] After the processing of receiving (acquiring) and distributing a series of broadcast-related information is completed, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 determines whether it is continuing to watch the same program (S10019). If not, it responds with non-permission of cooperation to the cooperation control application on the mobile information terminal side and ends the process (S10020).

[0202] If it is continuing to watch, the process returns to the procedure of S10005. In the case of in-house restrictions, it is confirmed whether the mobile information terminal 700 is in the same house (S10009). However, it is determined whether the preset valid time has elapsed since the previous confirmation, or whether a confirmation request (S10007) has occurred from the broadcast signal or the distribution server after the previous confirmation (S10008). If neither condition is satisfied, the confirmation of whether it is in the same house (S10009) is not performed, and the process moves on to the execution of the next broadcast cooperation application-related service (S10012) via S10010. Here, although it is described that the confirmation request from the broadcast signal (S10008) is acquired from the broadcast cooperation information, here it is described that the event message is also included in the broadcast cooperation information. Further, this confirmation request may be described in the AIT.

[0203] Note that the procedure described above is a loop processing procedure for the broadcast signal, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, the portable information terminal 700, and the entire distribution server in the section indicated by the arrow of S10022. The confirmation request of S10007 may be at any timing within the loop.

[0204] Furthermore, the authentication information described in AIT may be incorporated into the authentication key used for authentication (S10015) in the distribution server. Thereby, it can be confirmed that the authentication request is legitimate. Also, if the authentication information described in AIT is changed as the program progresses and the authentication server does not perform authentication unless the authentication key incorporates information synchronized with the progress of the program, it can be confirmed that the same program is being continuously viewed. In this case, the information of AIT shall be appropriately read and updated (S10021). Note that, in addition to being described in AIT, the authentication information incorporated into the broadcast signal may also be incorporated as broadcast cooperation information. Furthermore, as a method that will substantially change the authentication information, a method of changing the URL of the distribution server itself according to the progress of the program can also be used.

[0205] In this way, while executing the broadcast cooperation application related service (S10012), every preset effective time, or every time there is a confirmation request from the broadcast signal or the distribution server, the portable information terminal 700 checks whether it is in the same house as the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, whereby the execution of the broadcast related application with an appropriate in-house restriction can be performed. Furthermore, by using the authentication information incorporated into the broadcast signal for authentication in the distribution server, the legitimacy of the distribution request can be ensured, and if the authentication information of the broadcast signal is appropriately changed, it is also possible to confirm that the same program is being continuously viewed.

[0206] According to the portable information terminal cooperation technology according to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to realize an in-house restriction for the portable information terminal that cooperates with the broadcast receiving apparatus.

Embodiment

[0207] In this embodiment, the case where the mobile information terminal 700 acquires broadcast cooperation information from the distribution server will be described.

[0208] Fig. 18B shows the procedure of this embodiment.

[0209] First, before performing terminal cooperation, on each of the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving device 100, start a cooperation control application, which is an application for controlling terminal cooperation (S10101, S10102). In this state, the mobile information terminal 700 makes a terminal cooperation request to the broadcast receiving device 100 (S10103). Next, acquire the AIT from the broadcast signal (S10104). From the information of this AIT, acquire information such as the URL related to the distribution server, and transmit the information to the mobile information terminal 700 (S10105). Next, the broadcast receiving device 100 sends a time confirmation request to the distribution server (S10106), and based on this request, the distribution server transmits time information to the broadcast receiving device 100 (S10107). Thereby, it is possible to perform the subsequent authentication key issuance (S10115) in accordance with the time of the distribution server, but if the time deviation is not a problem, it may be omitted.

[0210] Thereafter, enter the loop control indicated by the arrow of S10127.

[0211] First, the mobile information terminal 700 sends an authentication key issuance request or a broadcast cooperation information distribution request to the broadcast receiving device 100 (S10109). The authentication key is used in the broadcast cooperation information distribution request to the distribution server in the subsequent stage (S10125). The broadcast cooperation distribution request in S10109 is a distribution request for the information acquired from the broadcast signal, and corresponds to the procedure of S10126 in the subsequent stage.

[0212] In any case, when a request from S10109 is issued from the mobile information terminal, it is determined whether it is a broadcast cooperation application with an in-house restriction (S10111). If there is a restriction, the process proceeds to the next step S10112. Otherwise, the procedure of S10112 is skipped and the process proceeds to S10114. If all broadcast cooperation applications have an in-house restriction, the determination of S10111 is not performed and the process proceeds to S10112. In S10112, it is determined whether the mobile information terminal that issued the request is in the same house. If not, the terminal cooperation is terminated (S10113). If it is in the same house, the requested procedure, acquisition of broadcast cooperation information from the distribution server (S10125) or acquisition of broadcast cooperation information from the broadcast signal (S10126) is performed. Since acquisition from the broadcast signal may be performed in addition to acquisition from the distribution server, the procedure of S10126 is also described.

[0213] First, the procedure for acquiring broadcast cooperation information from the distribution server (S10125) will be described.

[0214] First, the broadcast receiver 100 issues an authentication key requested by the information cooperation terminal 700. At this time, it is assumed that the authentication key is valid only within a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) including the time information at the time of issuance. The distribution server also checks the authentication information including whether the authentication key is within the valid time. If the authentication is OK, the distribution of the broadcast cooperation information is permitted. Thereafter, if it is within the valid time, the distribution of the information is permitted, but the distribution is stopped when the valid time has passed. For example, when the streaming video passes the valid time, it can no longer be viewed.

[0215] The preset valid time may be held by the distribution server, or the broadcast receiving device 100 may acquire it from the broadcast signal (for example, AIT) and incorporate the valid time information into the authentication key. The mobile information terminal 700 is notified of the valid time information in advance, and a request for issuance of the authentication key is made before the valid time expires. Alternatively, the valid time may be managed by the broadcast receiving device 100, and before the valid time expires, after confirming that the mobile information terminal 700 is in the same house, the broadcast receiving device 100 may automatically issue an authentication key to the mobile information terminal 700.

[0216] The valid time may be the same within one program, or it may be changed according to the progress of the program. Also, if there is no setting for the valid time, it may be handled such that once authentication is performed, the authentication remains valid during program viewing.

[0217] Furthermore, the authentication information described in the AIT may be incorporated into the authentication key used for authentication (S10117) in the distribution server. This enables confirmation that it is a legitimate authentication request. Also, if the authentication information described in the AIT is changed as the program progresses and the authentication server is made to perform authentication only if the authentication key incorporates information synchronized with the progress of the program, it is possible to confirm that the same program is being continuously viewed. In this case, the information in the AIT shall be read and updated as appropriate (S10124). Note that, in addition to being described in the AIT, the authentication information may also be incorporated as broadcast cooperation information. Furthermore, as a method that would substantially change the authentication information, it is also possible to use the method of changing the URL of the distribution server itself according to the progress of the program. Note that in this case, the URL change means that the distribution server is the same but the entry point is different, but it is also possible to change to a new distribution server due to a change in the broadcast cooperation application or the like. In this case, each time a change is made, the procedures of distribution server information transmission (S10105), time confirmation request (S10106), and time information transmission (S10107) are performed.

[0218] Next, the procedure (S10126) for acquiring broadcast cooperation information from the broadcast signal will be described.

[0219] In this case, after it is confirmed that the portable information terminal 700 is in the same household, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 acquires the broadcast cooperation information from the broadcast signal (S10119), and subsequently distributes that information to the portable information terminal 700 (S10120).

[0220] In addition, when changing the broadcast cooperation information as the program progresses, a change notification may be sent from the broadcast signal (S10110), and based on this notification, the broadcast cooperation information may be acquired. In that case, if it is acquired from the distribution server, an authentication key is issued from the broadcast receiving device 100 to the portable information terminal (S10115), and it is notified that there has been a change notification. If it is within the valid time, the issuance of the authentication key may be omitted, and only the notification of the change notification may be sufficient. In the case of acquisition from the broadcast signal, the broadcast receiving device 100 acquires the information (S10120) and distributes it to the portable information terminal (S10120). Note that in the case of acquisition from the broadcast signal, the portable information terminal 700 may confirm that it is in the same household for each change notification, or as in the second embodiment, the confirmation may be omitted if it is within the valid time. Here, although the change notification (S10110) from the broadcast signal is described as being acquired from the broadcast cooperation information, here it is described that the event message is also included in the broadcast cooperation information. Furthermore, this change notification may be described in the AIT.

[0221] After the series of processes of receiving (acquiring) and distributing the broadcast-related information is completed, the broadcast receiving device 100 determines whether it is continuing to watch the same program (S10121). If not, it responds with a non-permission to cooperate to the cooperation control application on the portable information terminal side and ends the process (S10123). If it is continuing to watch, it returns to S10108 and continues the loop process S10127.

[0222] In this way, by including time information in the authentication key used for authentication of the distribution server and managing the valid time, it is possible to periodically confirm that the portable information terminal 700 is in the same household as the broadcast receiving device 100, and appropriately execute the broadcast-related application with the same household restriction. Furthermore, by using the authentication information incorporated in the broadcast signal for authentication on the distribution server, the legitimacy of the distribution request can be ensured, and if the authentication information of the broadcast signal is appropriately changed, it is also possible to confirm that the same program is being continuously watched.

[0223] According to the mobile information terminal cooperation technology related to the present embodiment described above, even when the mobile information terminal that cooperates with the broadcast receiving device acquires broadcast cooperation information from the distribution server, it is possible to realize the same-household restriction.

Embodiment

[0224] In the second and third embodiments, the procedure for realizing the same-household restriction in terminal cooperation has been described. However, depending on the broadcast cooperation application, use from outside the house may also be permitted. This embodiment will describe such a case. For example, when the program itself, such as a TV shopping program, is for publicity and promotion, it is desirable for the broadcaster that the broadcast cooperation application can be used regardless of whether it is inside or outside the house. In the case of such a program, once registered in the broadcast receiving device 100, the use of the broadcast cooperation application may be permitted regardless of whether the mobile information terminal 700 is inside the house. In this case, the convenience is further enhanced if there is a broadcast cooperation application that converts the broadcast video itself into streaming data and distributes it from the broadcast receiving device 100 to the mobile information terminal 700 via the Internet. The streaming data may be encrypted by the broadcast receiving device 100 for copyright protection. Whether the broadcast cooperation application permits use from outside the house, including the distribution of broadcast video outside the house, shall be described in the data (such as AIT) in the broadcast signal.

[0225] The specific procedure is shown in FIG. 18C. Since some of the procedures are common to those in Embodiments 2 and 3, the description of the overlapping parts with Embodiments 2 and 3 will be omitted. When there is a terminal cooperation request (S10203) from outside the house, if it is an application permitted for outside-house use, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 checks whether the requester is a registered portable information terminal (S10205) and then permits the cooperation. Here, if necessary, for copyright protection of the broadcast video and broadcast cooperation information, authentication may be performed between the portable information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S10207). In that case, the authentication may be authentication by an authentication server (S10207). Information on whether copyright protection is required and information on the copyright protection authentication method are acquired from a broadcast signal (for example, the one described in AIT), and control is performed accordingly. If these pieces of information are not stored in the broadcast signal, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 follows a predetermined method. For example, a predetermined copyright protection process may be performed. Also, if these pieces of information are not stored in the broadcast signal, it may be predetermined that the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 does not perform copyright protection processing.

[0226] Specific examples (1) to (4) of authentication for copyright protection are shown below. Each of the following authentications may be performed alone. Or, a combination of a plurality of authentications exemplified below may be performed. Also, a combination of the authentications exemplified below and other authentication processes not exemplified below may be performed.

[0227] (1) Authentication by ID and password When registering the portable information terminal 700 with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, an ID and a password are issued, and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 permits the cooperation by confirming this ID and password.

[0228] (2) Use of an encryption key In addition to the authentication by the above ID and password, an encryption key for decrypting encrypted video data and the like is transmitted from the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 to the portable information terminal. This encryption key may also be acquired from a broadcast signal (for example, described in AIT).

[0229] (3) Use of the authentication server A method of issuing an encryption key for decrypting encrypted video data or the like from an authentication server. The mobile information terminal 700 transmits an ID and a password to the authentication server and obtains the encryption key. In this case, the location information (specifically, the URL) of the authentication server is obtained from a broadcast signal (for example, described in AIT), and this location information is transmitted from the broadcast receiving device 100 to the mobile information terminal 700, thereby enhancing security. Since the mobile information terminal 700 cannot decrypt video or the like without obtaining the encryption key, authentication on the authentication server may be requested from the broadcast receiving device 100 as copyright protection authentication, or authentication may be completed by notifying the broadcast receiving device 100 from the mobile information terminal 700 that the encryption key has been obtained. Note that charging by the authentication server may be performed.

[0230] (4) Mutual authentication of encryption keys The encryption keys respectively held by the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 are mutually authenticated and confirmed as copyright protection authentication.

[0231] When the information stored in the broadcast signal indicates that copyright protection by a predetermined method is required, if copyright protection authentication cannot be performed by the predetermined method, terminal cooperation is not permitted. Also, even when there is no specification in the broadcast signal and authentication is performed by the default method of the broadcast receiver 100, if copyright protection authentication cannot be performed by the default method, terminal cooperation is not permitted.

[0232] When terminal connection is permitted, hereafter, it is not checked whether the mobile information terminal 700 exists within the same house, and in accordance with a request from the mobile information terminal 700 (S10211), autonomous control of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and a request from the broadcast signal (S10210), distribution of broadcast cooperation information (S10217) to the mobile information terminal 700 and issuance of an authentication key for the distribution server (S10212) are performed. In this case, control for setting a valid time does not have to be performed. The mobile information terminal 700 outside the house acquires broadcast cooperation information from the distribution server using the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 or the issued authentication key (S10215). Further, if authentication information (for example, assumed to be described in AIT) acquired from the broadcast signal is incorporated into the authentication key issued by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the distribution server permits access if the authentication key incorporates the authentication information acquired from the broadcast signal, optimization of use outside the house can be achieved more effectively.

[0233] Furthermore, there may be cases where it is better not to permit unrestricted use of the broadcast cooperation application, such as when giving a discount as a premiere for program viewing. In such cases, a method of performing authentication once with the mobile information terminal present within the same house and then permitting use of the distribution server even when not within the same house is preferable. In this case, the mobile information terminal 700 does not have to be registered with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

[0234] The specific procedure in this case is shown in FIG. 18D. Since some of the procedures are common to FIG. 18C above, the description of the overlapping parts will be omitted. First, in a state where the portable information terminal 700 is in the same house as the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, a terminal cooperation request is made from the portable information terminal 700 to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 permits cooperation after confirming that the portable information terminal 700 is in the same house (S10305). Here, if necessary, authentication may be performed between the portable information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 for copyright protection of the broadcast video and the broadcast cooperation information (S10307). At that time, the authentication may be authentication by an external authentication server. Information on whether copyright protection is required and information on the copyright protection authentication method are obtained from a broadcast signal (for example, assume it is described in AIT), and control is performed accordingly. If these pieces of information are not stored in the broadcast signal, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 follows a predetermined method. For example, a predetermined copyright protection process may be performed. Also, if these pieces of information are not stored in the broadcast signal, it may be predetermined that the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 does not perform copyright protection processing.

[0235] Specific examples (5) to (7) of authentication for copyright protection are shown below. Each of the following authentications may be performed alone. Or, a combination of a plurality of authentications exemplified below may be performed. Also, a combination of the authentication exemplified below and other authentication processes not exemplified below may be performed.

[0236] (5) Use of encryption key When the mobile information terminal 700 is in the same household, the encryption key for decrypting encrypted video data and the like is transmitted from the broadcast receiving device 100 to the mobile information terminal. This encryption key may also be obtained from a broadcast signal (for example, described in AIT). Authentication is made by passing this encryption key within the same household. Furthermore, if the encryption key cannot be obtained from the broadcast signal unless it is a certain point in the program, and the transfer of the encryption key to the mobile information terminal 700 is limited to within the same household, a restriction can be set that one must be within the same household at that time, and this can also be used for granting a premium for viewing.

[0237] (6) Use of an authentication server A method of issuing an encryption key for decrypting encrypted video data and the like from an authentication server. The mobile information terminal 700 transmits an ID and a password to the authentication server to obtain the encryption key. In this case, the location information of the authentication server (specifically, the URL) is obtained from a broadcast signal (for example, described in AIT), and by transmitting this location information from the broadcast receiving device 100 to the mobile information terminal 700, the security is enhanced. Since the mobile information terminal 700 cannot decrypt video and the like unless it can obtain the encryption key, requesting authentication from the authentication server from the broadcast receiving device 100 can also be used as authentication for copyright protection, or authentication may be completed by notifying the broadcast receiving device 100 from the mobile information terminal 700 that the encryption key has been obtained. Access to the authentication server may be performed either inside or outside the house, but if the location information of the authentication server cannot be obtained from the broadcast signal unless it is a certain point in the program, and the transfer of the location information to the mobile information terminal 700 is limited to within the same household, a restriction can be set that one must be within the same household at that time, and this can also be used for granting a premium for viewing. Note that charging by the authentication server may also be performed.

[0238] (7) Mutual authentication of encryption keys The encryption keys respectively held by the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 are mutually authenticated and confirmed to serve as authentication for copyright protection. This authentication may be performed either inside or outside the house.

[0239] When the information stored in the broadcast signal indicates that copyright protection is required in a predetermined manner, if the copyright protection cannot be authenticated by the predetermined method, terminal cooperation is not permitted. Also, even when there is no designation in the broadcast signal and authentication is performed by the default method of the broadcast receiver 100, if the copyright protection cannot be authenticated by the default method, terminal cooperation is not permitted. Since the procedures after permitting terminal cooperation are common to the procedures in FIG. 18C, the description thereof is omitted.

[0240] According to the mobile information terminal cooperation technology according to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to realize the use from outside the home while paying attention to copyright protection for the mobile information terminal that cooperates with the broadcast receiving device.

Embodiment

[0241] In actual usage, it is more desirable to easily know whether there is a terminal cooperation app for a program and which terminal cooperation app is available. In this embodiment, a method for displaying the availability status of the terminal cooperation app will be described.

[0242] FIG. 19A is an example of a launcher screen (173b11) of a broadcast cooperation app when there is a terminal cooperation app. The broadcast cooperation app is displayed as an icon with framed text. Broadcast cooperation apps (173b12 to 173b14) for the broadcast receiver 100 and broadcast cooperation apps (173b15 to 173b17) for the mobile information terminal that are linked to the program being viewed are displayed. In the case of this example, the status of the app is indicated by the thickness of the frame line surrounding the character string and the color inside the frame. The main body apps A and B (173b12, 173b13) and the terminal apps A and B (173b15, 173b16) are in an available state, and the main body app C (173b14) and the terminal app (173b17) are in an unavailable state. The state where the terminal app is unavailable means that among the mobile information terminals 700 that are in a state where they can communicate with the broadcast receiver 100, there is no device having a function to execute the app.

[0243] Figure 19B shows the screen after selecting the terminal app A in Figure 19A. It shows the status of each mobile information terminal 700 related to the terminal app A. The mobile information terminals displayed on this screen are terminals that have been in cooperation with or registered with the broadcast receiving device 100 in the past.

[0244] The mobile terminal 1 (173b22) and the mobile terminal 2 (173b23) with solid frame lines of the icons are in a state where they can communicate with the broadcast receiving device 100, and the mobile terminal 3 (173b24) and the mobile terminal 4 (173b25) with dotted frame lines indicate that they are not in a state where they can communicate with the broadcast receiving device 100. Also, the mobile terminal 1 (173b22) and the mobile terminal 3 (173b24) with white inside the icon frame have the function of executing the terminal app A, and the mobile terminal 2 (173b23) and the mobile terminal 4 (173b25) with gray inside the frame indicate that they do not have the function of executing the terminal app A. Furthermore, when an app is already running on the terminal, an icon of a design indicating that can be used.

[0245] Also, since icons are easier to visually understand when using patterns, an example is shown below.

[0246] Figure 19C is an example of a launcher screen (173b31) showing a list of broadcast cooperation apps. Icons are shown according to the types of the mobile information terminals 700 in addition to the broadcast receiving device 100. 173b32 and 173b33 are icons indicating the broadcast receiving device 100, 173b34 and 173b35 are icons indicating the smartphone type of the mobile information terminal 700, and 173b36 is an icon indicating the head-mounted display type of the mobile information terminal 700. Each app is for the device indicated by the icon.

[0247] In FIG. 19C, when the application cannot be used, a mark indicating non-availability (in this case, a slanted line in a circle) is displayed overlaid on the device's pattern. Also, for the broadcast receiving device 100, if the application is already running, a mark indicating that (in this case, a dot in a circle) may be displayed overlaid. By this display, it is possible to prevent a wasteful operation of proceeding with the launcher procedure even though the application is already running. In the case of the mobile information terminal 700, it is also possible to display a mark indicating that it is running when the application is running on all terminals that are in a state capable of communicating with the broadcast receiving device and for which the application is executable.

[0248] FIG. 19D is a screen (173b41) after selecting application C (173b34) in FIG. 19C. The state of the mobile information terminal 700 of the type corresponding to application C is shown. In this screen, when the mobile information terminal 700 does not have the execution function of the broadcast cooperation application, when it is not in a state capable of communicating with the broadcast receiving device 100, or when the broadcast cooperation application is already running, marks indicating those situations are displayed overlaid on the icon. In this example, a slanted line in a circle (173b44, 173b46) is displayed when it does not have the execution function, a mark of an exclamation mark in a triangle (173b45, 173b46) is displayed when it is not in a communicable state, and a dot in a circle (173b43) is displayed when it is already running.

[0249] Furthermore, it is desirable to have a display method that allows the broadcast cooperation application to be known when the situation changes without having to start the launcher each time. For example, when the power is turned on, when the channel is changed, at the beginning of a program, when there is a change in the broadcast cooperation application even during the program, when there is a change in the communication state between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700, or when the execution status of the application changes, the icon is displayed for a predetermined time to indicate the state at that time.

[0250] Fig. 19E shows an example in that case. When icons indicating the type of each device are displayed, it indicates that there is a broadcast cooperation app corresponding to the device of that type. In this case, the circled and hatched mark represents that there is no app that can be executed on the device of that type in the available state. The circled dot mark indicates that the app is being executed on all devices of that type in the available state.

[0251] Fig. 19F is the display screen (10401) on the mobile information terminal 700. When requesting terminal cooperation from the mobile information terminal 700, it is more convenient to know in a list which broadcast cooperation app is available on which broadcast receiving device 100. Fig. 19F shows an example of such a list (10402). This table shows which broadcast cooperation app corresponding to the program to be investigated is available on which broadcast receiving device 100 in the house. Also, if the status of each broadcast receiving device 100 is also displayed, the convenience is further enhanced, especially when using from outside the house. In this example, display examples such as receiving the program, receiving another program, vacant, having a reservation for another program (when recording another program is reserved from the middle of the program) are shown. Here, when there are multiple tuners in the broadcast receiving device 100, the convenience is different if the status is displayed for each tuner. In Table 10202, the branch numbers indicate the distinction of the tuners in the same device. For example, receiving device B-1 and receiving device B-2 are tuners in the same broadcast receiving device 100. In the case of terminal cooperation, if the distribution of broadcast video and audio can be received as streaming data, there is no need to use the video unit of the broadcast receiving device 100, and the use of the broadcast is possible if the tuner in the broadcast receiving device 100 can be used. Therefore, it is convenient to know the usage status of each tuner.

[0252] In addition, in order to perform the display described in this embodiment, for each broadcast cooperation application, information indicating whether it is an application corresponding to the broadcast receiving device 100 or an application corresponding to what type of portable information terminal 700 must be available. Also, information for executing the corresponding application is required in the broadcast receiving device 100 and the portable information terminal 700. Such information can be obtained by the information receiving device 100, for example, by being described in the AIT.

[0253] According to the portable information terminal cooperation technology according to the present embodiment described above, by displaying information regarding the broadcast cooperation application, the broadcast receiving device 100, and the portable information terminal 700, it becomes possible to use a more convenient broadcast cooperation service.

[0254] As described above, the examples of the embodiments of the present invention have been described using Examples 1 to 5. Needless to say, the configuration for realizing the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and various modifications are conceivable. For example, a part of the configuration of one example can be replaced with the configuration of another example, and the configuration of another example can be added to the configuration of one example. All of these belong to the scope of the present invention. Also, the numerical values, messages, etc. appearing in the text and the drawings are merely examples, and using different ones will not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0255] The functions, etc. of the present invention described above may be realized in hardware, for example, by designing a part or all of them with an integrated circuit. Also, they may be realized in software by a microprocessor unit or the like interpreting and executing an operation program for realizing each function, etc. Hardware and software may be used in combination.

[0256] Note that the software for controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may be stored in advance in the ROM 103 and / or the storage unit 110 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 at the time of product shipment. It may also be acquired from other application servers 500 on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121 after product shipment. Further, the software stored in a memory card, an optical disk, or the like may be acquired via the expansion interface unit 124 or the like. Similarly, the software for controlling the portable information terminal 700 may be stored in advance in the ROM 703 and / or the storage unit 710 of the portable information terminal 700 at the time of product shipment. It may also be acquired from other application servers 500 on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 721 or the mobile phone network communication unit 722 after product shipment. Further, the software stored in a memory card, an optical disk, or the like may be acquired via the expansion interface unit 724 or the like.

[0257] In addition, the control lines and information lines shown in the figure indicate those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all the control lines and information lines on the product. In practice, it may be considered that almost all components are interconnected.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0258] 100: Broadcast receiving device, 100a: Antenna, 101: Main control unit, 102: System bus, 103: ROM, 104: RAM, 110: Storage unit, 121: LAN communication unit, 124: Expansion interface unit, 125: Digital interface unit, 131: Tuner / demodulation unit, 132: First separation unit, 133: First video decoding unit, 134: First audio decoding unit, 135: First subtitle decoding unit, 141: Data broadcast reception processing unit, 142: Data broadcast engine, 151: Streaming reception processing unit, 152: Second separation unit, 153: Second video decoding unit, 154: Second audio decoding unit, 155: Second subtitle decoding unit, 161: Application control unit, 162: Application engine, 171: Video overlay unit, 172: Audio selection unit, 173: Video display unit, 174: Speaker, 175: Video output unit, 176: Audio output unit, 181: Presentation synchronization control unit, 191 Terminal cooperation control unit, 200: Internet, 210: Router device, 300t: Radio tower, 300: Broadcast station server, 301: Main control unit, 302: System bus, 304: RAM, 310: Storage unit, 321: LAN communication unit, 400: Service provider server, 401: Main control unit, 402: System bus, 404: RAM, 410: Storage unit, 421: LAN communication unit, 500: Other application servers, 600: Mobile phone communication server, 600b: Base station, 700: Portable information terminal, 701: Main control unit, 702: System bus, 703: ROM, 704: RAM, 710: Storage unit, 720: Communication processing unit, 721: LAN communication unit, 722: Mobile phone network communication unit, 723: NFC communication unit, 724: Expansion interface unit, 730: Operation unit, 740: Image processing unit, 741: Display unit, 742: Image signal processing unit, 743: First image input unit, 744: Second image input unit, 750: Audio processing unit, 751: Audio output unit, 752: Audio signal processing unit, 753: Audio input unit, 760: Sensor unit, 761: GPS receiver, 762: Gyro sensor, 763: Geomagnetic sensor, 764: Acceleration sensor, 765: Illuminance sensor, 766: Proximity sensor

Claims

【Claim 1】 In an application startup method for starting an application for accessing broadcast resources in a broadcast receiving device, the application for accessing the broadcast resources includes a broadcast managed application activated by application control information included in a broadcast signal and a non-broadcast managed application activated by something other than the application control information included in the broadcast signal, a receiving step of receiving a broadcast signal, a first application startup step of starting the broadcast managed application based on the application control information included in the received broadcast signal, a launcher screen display step of displaying a launcher screen by an application launcher provided in the broadcast receiving device on the broadcast receiving device, a second application startup step of starting the non-broadcast managed application based on a user operation via the displayed launcher screen, a communication step of communicating with an external mobile terminal, a third application startup step of starting the non-broadcast managed application based on a startup request by a user operation via the external mobile terminal received in the communication step, a data broadcast screen display step of setting the broadcast receiving device to a data broadcast screen display state based on the BML information included in the received broadcast signal, a fourth application startup step of starting the broadcast managed application based on a user operation in the data broadcast screen display state, a data broadcast screen termination step of ending the data broadcast screen display state when starting the broadcast managed application in the fourth application startup step, comprising, the first application startup step checks whether the broadcast managed application is executable when the application control information includes information indicating automatic startup of the broadcast managed application, and if it is executable, acquires and starts the broadcast managed application, the check of whether the broadcast managed application is executable is performed by checking the functions of the broadcast receiving device required by the broadcast managed application by referring to the application profile included in the application control information, The acquisition of the broadcast managed application is to acquire the broadcast managed application from a location specified by application acquisition destination information included in the application control information. Application startup method.

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