Application starting method

Abstract

To provide a digital broadcast receiver and a mobile information terminal capable of executing functions with higher added value.SOLUTION: A broadcast receiving device used includes: a broadcast receiving unit that receives a broadcast wave of a digital broadcast service; a separation unit that separates at least broadcast program information, electronic program guide information, and application-related information from the received broadcast wave and outputs each of them; an application acquisition unit that acquires a predetermined application based on location information included in the application-related information; a memory unit that caches the acquired predetermined application; and a control unit. The control unit sets an expiration date for caching the application in the memory unit based on the electronic program guide information and the application-related information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for starting an application in a broadcast receiving apparatus.

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 television receivers capable of receiving data broadcasts already exist, and a large number of technologies related to data broadcast reception, including the following Patent Document 1, 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 television 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 and 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 a digital broadcast receiver and a portable information terminal capable of executing functions with higher added value.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As a means for solving the above problems, for example, in an application startup method for starting an application for accessing broadcast resources in a broadcast receiving apparatus, a broadcast receiving step of receiving a broadcast signal, an application control information acquisition step of acquiring application control information from the broadcast signal received in the broadcast receiving step, and referring to application acquisition destination information included in the acquired application control information to acquire an application, an application acquisition step, a cache step of caching the application acquired in the application acquisition step in a memory, an application execution step of executing the application cached in the memory in the cache step, a launcher screen display step of displaying a launcher screen by an application launcher provided in the broadcast receiving apparatus on the broadcast receiving apparatus, a communication step of communicating with an external mobile terminal, and a data broadcast screen display step of setting the broadcast receiving apparatus to a data broadcast screen display state based on BML information included in the received broadcast signal. 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 application execution step includes a first application startup step of starting the broadcast managed application based on an application control code included in the acquired application control information, a second application startup step of starting the non-broadcast managed application based on a user operation via the displayed launcher screen, 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, and a fourth application startup step of starting the broadcast managed application based on a user operation in the data broadcast screen display state. The application control information isAn application profile indicating the functions of the broadcast receiving apparatus required by the broadcast managed application, wherein the first application startup step checks whether the broadcast managed application can be executed based on the application profile included in the application control information 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; in the data broadcast screen display step, when it is confirmed that the broadcast receiving apparatus can execute the broadcast managed application, controls to display an entry button for starting the broadcast managed application; and in the fourth application startup step, starts the broadcast managed application based on a user operation on the entry button displayed in the data broadcast screen display state.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] By using the technology of the present invention, a digital broadcast receiver and a portable information terminal capable of executing more highly value-added functions can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 7C

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 8C

Figure 9

Figure 10A

Figure 10B

Figure 11

Figure 12A

Figure 12B

Figure 13A

Figure 13B

Figure 13C

Figure 13D

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16A

Figure 16B

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Example

[0010] First, an example of a digital broadcast service receivable by the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

[0011] For example, in an example of BS / terrestrial digital broadcast receivable by the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment, a plurality of transport streams (TS) can be multiplexed and transmitted to one transponder (frequency channel). A TS is a continuous series of TS packets of a predetermined length obtained by dividing data sequences such as video / audio elementary streams (ES) and program specific information (PSI) / service information (SI) and adding a TS header.

[0012] PSI is a proprietary information table defined by the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-2 system standard for identifying 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 program list contained in the TS by the PID (Packet Identifier) of the PMT. PMT stipulates the PID of the constituent elements of each program, etc. CAT contains information regarding conditional reception.

[0013] Also, SI is an extension of PSI that includes program information, etc., and has information regarding 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 broadcaster identification information, network information, SI transmission information of the broadcaster, etc. 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 regarding events, such as the name, broadcast date and time, and broadcast content of each event (so-called program). TOT contains information regarding the current date and time.

[0014] In addition, the TS includes PCR (Program Clock Reference) information that serves as a reference for playback timing in the decoder, and a BML document that is subset based on the BML (Broadcast Markup Language) specification defined in ARIB STD - B24, and the like.

[0015] 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 a broadcast program, an EPG, a data broadcast screen produced using BML, and the like.

[0016] In addition, the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment coordinates functions that utilize a broadband network for digital broadcast services, and combines digital broadcast services with acquisition of additional content via the broadband network, arithmetic processing in the server device, presentation processing through cooperation with a mobile terminal device, etc. To realize the broadcast communication cooperation system, it is assumed that the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment can execute an application described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or the like. Also, 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 the application 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.

[0017] The above description is based on digital broadcast services in Japan, but it is not limited to applications only within Japan, including the broadcast communication cooperation system corresponding to the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment.

[0018] Next, a specific configuration example of the embodiment in this example will be described.

[0019] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the communication system of the present embodiment that realizes a broadcast communication cooperation system. The communication system of the present 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.

[0020] 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. Further, 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The radio tower 300t transmits broadcast waves including digital broadcast signals, AIT, control information regarding application presentation, etc. from the broadcast facilities of a broadcasting station. Note that the control information regarding application presentation is control information regarding the overlay of broadcast programs and applications on a TV 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 (video content, etc.) 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 performed through an API (Application Programming Interface) provided in the broadcasting station server 300.

[0023] The service provider server 400 is a server device prepared for a 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 TV receiver. Note that the storage, management, and distribution of the content and metadata, and the storage, management, and distribution of the applications may be performed 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 concurrently.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The mobile phone communication server 600 is connected to the Internet 200 and, on the other hand, is connected to the portable 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 portable information terminal 700, and enables data transmission / reception by communication between the portable information terminal 700 and each server device on the Internet 200. Note that the communication between the portable 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.

[0026] [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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 is a memory that stores basic operation programs such as an operating system and other operation programs. For example, 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. Also, the ROM 103 may not have an independent configuration as shown in FIG. 2A, and may use a partial storage area within the storage unit 110.

[0029] The storage unit 110 stores the operation programs and operation setting values of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, personal information of the users of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, etc. Also, it can store operation programs downloaded from the network and various data created by the operation programs. Further, it can store contents such as videos, still images, and audio obtained from broadcast waves or downloaded from the network. A part of the storage area of the storage unit 110 may substitute for all or part of the functions of the ROM 103. Also, 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, devices such as semiconductor element memories such as flash ROMs and SSDs (Solid State Drives), and magnetic disk drives such as HDDs (Hard Disc Drives) are used.

[0030] It is assumed that each of the operation programs stored in the ROM 103 and the storage unit 110 can be updated and functionally expanded by a download process from each server device on the Internet 200.

[0031] 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 with 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, and the like. Further, the broadcast receiving device 100 may further include other communication units such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, an NFC communication unit, and an infrared communication unit.

[0032] 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 a back program, etc., the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured to mount 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 and the like may be performed.

[0033] 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 the ES format, for example. 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The second separation unit 152 inputs the PS output from the streaming reception processing unit 151, and separates and outputs it into 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] Based on the AIT data sequence input from the first separation unit or the AIT file acquired from each server device on the Internet 200, the Application Control Unit 161 prompts 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.

[0039] The Video Overlay Unit 171 inputs the video information output from the First Video Decoder 133, the subtitle information output from the First Subtitle Decoder 135, the data broadcast screen information output from the Data Broadcast Engine 142, the video information output from the Second Video Decoder 153, the subtitle information output from the Second Subtitle Decoder 155, and the application execution screen information output from the Application Engine 162, and performs processes such as selection and / or overlay. The Video Overlay Unit 171 includes a video RAM (not shown), and the Video Display Unit 173 etc. are driven based on the video information input to the video RAM. Also, the Video Overlay Unit 171 performs scaling processing and overlay processing of EPG screen information created based on the program information data sequence output from the First Separation Unit 132 as necessary based on the control of the Main Control Unit 101.

[0040] The Audio Selection Unit 172 inputs the audio information output from the First Audio Decoder 134, the audio information output from the Second Audio Decoder 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.

[0041] 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. 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.

[0042] 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, based on, for example, PCR information.

[0043] When performing cooperation with an external mobile terminal device, the terminal cooperation control unit 191 performs management and control such as discovery and authentication of the cooperation device (mobile terminal device), connection between the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the cooperation device, and cooperation of applications.

[0044] 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 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.

[0045] The digital interface unit 125 is an interface for outputting or inputting encoded digital video data and / or digital audio data. The digital interface unit 125 is assumed to be able to directly output the TS acquired by the tuner / demodulation unit 131 or the PS acquired 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.

[0046] The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may be, in addition to a television receiver, an optical disk drive recorder such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder, a magnetic disk 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 apparatus 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 operations as those of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can be performed.

[0047] [Software Configuration of Broadcast Receiving Apparatus] FIG. 2B is a software configuration diagram of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, showing the software configurations 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.

[0048] The basic operation program 1001 stored in the ROM 103 is expanded into 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 into 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. Further, the RAM 104 is provided with a temporary storage area for temporarily holding data created when each operation program is executed as needed.

[0049] 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.

[0050] The reception function execution unit 1102 controls each operation block of the broadcast reception 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. Also, 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.

[0051] 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 product shipment, it may be acquired from other application servers 500 on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121. Also, each of the above operation programs stored in a memory card, an optical disk, etc. may be acquired via the expansion interface unit 124 or the like.

[0052] [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, and a storage unit 310, and a LAN communication unit 321.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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 outline, cast, broadcast date, etc. of each of the above broadcast programs.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] The content management / delivery execution unit 3102 manages the video content and the like 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 the like and each metadata to the service provider based on the contract. Further, when providing the video content and the like and each metadata to the service provider, the content management / delivery execution unit 3102 also performs authentication processing and the like of the service provider server 400 based on the contract as necessary.

[0058] The LAN communication unit 321 is connected to the Internet 200 and communicates with the service provider server 400 and the like on the Internet 200. The LAN communication unit 321 is assumed to include an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and the like.

[0059] [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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 applications necessary for realizing each service of the broadcast communication cooperation system for distribution in response to requests from each television receiver.

[0062] 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, content management / delivery program, and 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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. In addition, 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] [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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] The ROM 703 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 or a flash ROM is used, for example. The RAM 704 serves as a work area when executing the basic operation program and other operation programs. The ROM 703 and the RAM 704 may be integrally configured with the main control unit 701. Further, the ROM 703 may use a partial storage area in the storage unit 710 instead of having an independent configuration as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0069] 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 part of the storage area of the storage unit 710 may be used to replace all or part of the functions of the ROM 703. Further, 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.

[0070] It is assumed that each of the operation programs stored in the ROM 703 and the storage unit 710 can be updated and function-expanded by a download process from each server device on the Internet 200.

[0071] 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 to 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 through 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. Further, the communication processing unit 720 may further include other communication units such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit and an infrared communication unit.

[0072] The extended 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 external video / audio output devices, output of video signals / audio signals to external video / audio input devices, 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.

[0073] 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 overlapping 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 extended 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.

[0074] 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 shall have functions such as performing format conversion, superimposing 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 into an electrical signal using an electronic device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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 of the portable information terminal 700, the ambient brightness, the proximity situation of surrounding objects, etc. Further, the portable information terminal 700 may further include other sensors such as a barometric pressure sensor.

[0077] 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 shooting videos, a portable game machine, or other portable digital devices.

[0078] 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, even if these components are not provided, the effects of this embodiment will not be impaired. Further, configurations not shown, such as a digital broadcast reception function and an electronic money settlement function, may be added.

[0079] [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 provided with a content storage area 7011 for storing contents such as videos, still images, and voices, an authentication information storage area 7012 for storing authentication information used during cooperation operations with a television receiver, etc., and various information storage areas for storing other various types of information.

[0080] The basic operation program 7001 stored in the ROM 703 is expanded into 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 respectively expanded into 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 needed.

[0081] In the following, 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] [Overview of Application Control Information (AIT)] The application control information (AIT) in this embodiment is information that aims to notify 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 to instruct 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 control signals 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 the broadcast signal for start / end, etc., and (3) other general applications whose access to broadcast resources is not permitted.

[0085] As a transmission method of AIT, either a method of transmitting AIT in section format or 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 section format or 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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, and (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.

[0088] 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 in 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 case of broadcast acquisition and the case of communication acquisition. 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 transition to prevent transition to an unexpected document due to the chain of document transitions from the entry document at the time of application startup and access to inappropriate broadcast resources, etc. Also, within the range of the document transition, the access authority to a specific broadcast resource in units of regions can be set.

[0089] The startup priority 907 defines which of the data broadcast by the broadcast service and the broadcast managed application by the HTML document should be started preferentially when they exist simultaneously. It is assumed that it is possible to unconditionally specify the data broadcast as the highest 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 reusing the application, and describes the application version, cache expiration date, etc. With this information, it becomes possible to cache the application resources assumed for reuse 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 the server where access concentrates, such as the acquisition destination of the application. The television receiver may operate to probabilistically delay the application of the application control code according to the setting of this parameter.

[0090] Hereinafter, the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0091] [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 the data broadcast by the broadcast service and the broadcast-linked application should be started preferentially when they exist simultaneously, based on the information on the PMT and the information such as the application control code 903 and the startup priority 907 of the AIT.

[0092] FIG. 7A is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of the operation sequence of the broadcast cooperation application when it is defined to start preferentially. This 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.

[0093] 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 (S101) 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 S101 (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 "automatic startup", further, the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data sequence is checked (S105). 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).

[0094] 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, performs an authentication process for 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 (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 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 (S108).

[0095] FIG. 7B is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of the operation sequence of a broadcast cooperation application when it is defined to start giving priority to data broadcast by a broadcast service. This 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.

[0096] When the tuner / demodulator 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 (S201) and checks the activation priority described in the PMT. When it is confirmed in the process of S201 that the activation priority of data broadcast by the broadcast service is high (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 data broadcast activation request using an operation terminal (such as the portable information terminal 700 or the remote controller) (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).

[0097] 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 cooperation application designated in the AIT is possible, an entry button to the executable broadcast cooperation application is displayed on the data broadcast screen. The entry button may always be displayed, and the color scheme may be changed from an inactive color to an active color only when the execution of the broadcast cooperation application is possible. The inactive state and the active state of the entry button may be switched by changing the shape.

[0098] 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).

[0099] 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 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 (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).

[0100] FIG. 7C is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of a broadcast cooperation application when no priority startup is specified. This 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.

[0101] When the tuner / demodulation unit 131 of the broadcast receiving 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 in the process of S301 that the activation priority of the broadcast cooperation application is high (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.

[0102] When the user makes a data broadcast activation request 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 in the figure). On the other hand, when the user makes a broadcast cooperation application launcher activation request 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 on the video display unit 173 as the broadcast cooperation application launcher (S309).

[0103] When the user selects a predetermined broadcast cooperation application from the broadcast cooperation app 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).

[0104] 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 device 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 device 100 starts 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 (S314).

[0105] 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 in the PMT or the like. Also, 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 a broadcast wave, the application control unit 161 reproduces an HTML document from the HTML data string transmitted in a data carousel method or the like and separated and output by the first separation unit 132, and the application engine 162 may execute the reproduced HTML document (broadcast cooperation application).

[0106] 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. 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 may be prioritized.

[0107] Also, when there is no response from the service provider server 400 for a predetermined time or more when a delivery request for the 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 stop the execution of the broadcast-linked application may be displayed.

[0108] Also, it goes without saying that the startup sequence of the broadcast-linked application is not limited to the above three patterns and may be started by a different sequence.

[0109] [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 functions 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 expansion 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.

[0110] FIG. 8A is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of the operation sequence when starting the cooperation control application 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.

[0111] 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 as a list of TV receivers on the display unit 741. If a TV receiver capable of communication cannot be found, it notifies the user to that effect 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 (such as the login name and password 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.

[0112] 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 of the cooperation control application (for example, a high-function remote control screen) 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.

[0113] FIG. 8B is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence when the cooperation control application is launched on the mobile information terminal 700. This figure shows a series of processes (after the second time) until the mobile information terminal 700 performs an authentication process with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the cooperation operation becomes possible.

[0114] When the user instructs to start the cooperation control application on the mobile information terminal 700 (S501), the cooperation control execution unit 7102 of the mobile 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 this 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).

[0115] 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 mobile information terminal 700 is authenticated (S505). The mobile 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 mobile information terminal 700 becomes possible.

[0116] 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.

[0117] FIG. 8C is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence when the cooperation control application is launched 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 broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that executes the startup sequence of the broadcast cooperation application requests the startup of the cooperation control application on the portable information terminal 700.

[0118] 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 startup priority described in the PMT. When it is confirmed that the startup priority of the broadcast cooperation application is high in the process of S601 (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 startup", 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 designated 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 startup request to the selected portable information terminal 700 (S606).

[0119] 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.

[0120] Furthermore, in the process of S606, if a mobile terminal device to which the cooperative control application start request should be sent cannot be found, a message indicating this may be displayed on the video display unit 173. Alternatively, in this case, a message inquiring the user about stopping the execution of the broadcast cooperative application may be displayed.

[0121] The main control unit 701 of the mobile information terminal 700 launches the collaborative control app (collaborative control execution unit 7102) in response to the collaborative control app launch request received via the LAN communication unit 721 (S607), and the collaborative control execution unit 7102 then reads out the authentication information of the broadcast receiving device 100 from the authentication information storage area 7012 and transmits it to the broadcast receiving device 100 (S608).

[0122] 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 processing of S609 confirms that the received authentication information is correct, it authenticates the mobile information terminal 700 (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). Through the above processing, cooperation between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 becomes possible.

[0123] Note that, if the broadcast cooperative app is executed on both the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 following the above-described processing, the processing shown in Fig. 9 may be performed. Fig. 9 is an operational sequence diagram showing an example of a start-up sequence of the broadcast cooperative app on the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700.

[0124] 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).

[0125] Upon receiving the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application (TV side), the service provider server 400, based on the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, performs an authentication process for the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 as necessary, 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).

[0126] 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 mobile information terminal 700, which is acquired from the AIT or the broadcast cooperation application (TV side) executed in S615, to the mobile information terminal 700 (S616). The cooperation control execution unit 7102 of the mobile 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 based on the acquisition destination URL information, etc. of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) received via the LAN communication unit 721 (S617).

[0127] Upon receiving the transmission request from the broadcast cooperation app (on the terminal side), the service provider server 400 performs the authentication process for the mobile information terminal 700 as necessary under the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, and then distributes the predetermined broadcast cooperation app (on the 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 app (on the terminal side) distributed from the service provider server 400 received via the LAN communication unit 721 (S619).

[0128] Note that the ability to obtain the AIT file from a predetermined server device, the ability to obtain the broadcast cooperation app from a broadcast wave rather than 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 app from a broadcast wave, the broadcast receiving device 100 may obtain the broadcast cooperation app (on the terminal side) to be executed by the mobile information terminal 700 from the broadcast wave and transfer the obtained broadcast cooperation app (on the terminal side) to the mobile information terminal 700 via the communication unit 121. Alternatively, the broadcast receiving device 100 may obtain the broadcast cooperation app (on the 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 app (on the TV side) from the broadcast wave, and the mobile information terminal 700 may obtain the broadcast cooperation app (on the terminal side) from a server device on the network. The acquisition of the broadcast cooperation app (on the terminal side) may be directly performed from the broadcast wave using the digital broadcast receiving function of the mobile information terminal 700.

[0129] Also, the operation sequences in FIGS. 7A to 7C, FIGS. 8A to 8C, and FIG. 9 can be partially combined as appropriate. Furthermore, some operation steps can be appropriately reordered or performed simultaneously with other operation steps.

[0130] [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 processing of S407 in FIG. 8A, the processing of S506 in FIG. 8B, the processing of S611 in FIG. 8C, etc. In the present embodiment, the basic screen 741a of the linkage control app is assumed to have a function as a high - performance remote control corresponding to the broadcast receiving device 100.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 10A, the basic screen 741a of the linkage control app is composed of a power key 741a1, network selection keys (terrestrial digital, BS, CS) 741a2, numeric keys (1 to 12) 741a3, volume UP / DOWN keys 741a4, channel UP / DOWN keys 741a5, input switching key 741a6, program guide key 741a7, data key 741a8, linkage app key 741a9, menu key 741aa, back key 741ab, cursor keys (up, down, left, right) 741ac, enter key 741ad, color keys (blue, red, green, yellow) 741ae. Other operation keys may be further displayed.

[0132] It is convenient to use if each of the above - mentioned operation keys has the same key arrangement / operation as the dedicated remote control attached to the broadcast receiving device 100. Also, the power key 741a1, network selection key 741a2, 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 the present embodiment.

[0133] Note that in the processing 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 processing 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 enter key 741ad. Also, in the processing 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.

[0134] If the linkage application key 741a9 or other operation keys having a similar function are provided on the basic screen 741a of the linkage control application, each broadcast linkage application used in the broadcast linkage system of this embodiment can be easily selected / activated. Further, the linkage application key 741a9 or other operation keys having a similar function may be provided on a dedicated remote controller attached to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

[0135] FIG. 10B is a screen display diagram showing an example of the basic screen of the linkage 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.

[0136] The basic screen 741b of the linkage control application is composed of a linkage control message 741b1 and a linkage control application operation screen 741b2. Other objects may be further displayed. The linkage control message 741b1 is a message display for allowing the user to recognize that the portable information terminal 700 is operating in cooperation with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. The linkage control application operation screen 741b2 is an area where arbitrary screen displays are performed by the linkage control application, and detailed description is omitted in this embodiment. For example, the configuration within the linkage control application operation screen 741b2 may be the same as the configuration of the basic screen 741a of the aforementioned linkage control application. A sub-screen of the broadcast program displayed on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may be displayed.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 10B, by displaying the linkage control message 741b1, the user of the portable information terminal 700 can easily grasp that the portable information terminal 700 is operating in cooperation with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Note that the linkage control message 741b1 is not limited to character display, and may be symbol display, graphic display, etc. A difference in background color or the like may be used as an alternative to the linkage control message 741b1.

[0138] [Data broadcast screen of 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 this embodiment, it is assumed that three broadcast-linked applications, i.e., linked application A, linked application B, and linked application C, can be executed on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 based on 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.

[0139] 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 decision key 741ad on the basic screen 741a of the link control application, the display of the data broadcast screen 173a ends, 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.

[0140] Note that when displaying the data broadcast screen 173a, the frame color, internal color, shape, font, size, blinking state, 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 not necessarily determined to be 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.

[0141] In addition, according to the functions and genres of the broadcast cooperation applications, or according to the expiration date of 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.

[0142] In this way, the user of the broadcast receiving device 100 can easily grasp the types and security status, etc. of the broadcast cooperation applications executable on the broadcast receiving device 100.

[0143] [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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] Note that the display position of the icon 173b0 may be any position on the screen, but it is preferably placed where it 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.

[0146] 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 executable on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the description of AIT. 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.

[0147] When, in a state where the broadcast cooperation app launcher 173b1 as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed, 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.

[0148] 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 of FIG. 11.

[0149] Also, when there is no broadcast cooperation app that can be executed by 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.

[0150] [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 of this embodiment has graphics performance and effect performance by HTML description, etc., and it is assumed that it can be overlaid and displayed with 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 17,3c 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.

[0151] 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 assumed that the execution of the broadcast cooperation app can be terminated and the data broadcast screen can be switched to. Also, by selecting the cooperation app key 741a9 on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control app, it is assumed that the execution of the broadcast cooperation app can be terminated and the display can be returned to only the broadcast program screen 173c. The above processing may be realized by different operation keys.

[0152] 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 assumed that the transparency of the broadcast cooperation app section 173c1 can be changed. The transparency change process may be performed for the entire broadcast cooperation app section 173c1 all at once, or may be performed separately 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).

[0153] 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 changed from the main video to a CM video and control to set the entire broadcast cooperation application unit 173c1 to a transmittance of 100% (or a transmittance at which the video of the broadcast program can be clearly confirmed).

[0154] 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 is possible to check the broadcast program screen without terminating the broadcast cooperation application.

[0155] 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 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.

[0156] Each of the recommended program information may be information of a program recommended in relation to the currently displayed broadcast program (broadcast program screen 173c), information of a program recommended based on the viewing history of the user, or 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 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 on a server apparatus on the Internet 200.

[0157] 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.

[0158] FIG. 13C is a screen display diagram showing an example when a program video recommended by the broadcast cooperation app section 173c6 for introducing recommended programs is displayed. For example, when the first recommended program information 173c7 of the broadcast cooperation app section 173c6 is selected using the cursor key 741ac and the decision 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 section 173. The program video 173ca may be capable of pause, time-specified jump, etc. 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.

[0159] 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 section 173c6 is displayed at an arbitrary position on the screen, the convenience for the user can be improved. Also, needless to say, in the broadcast cooperation app execution screen shown in FIG. 13B, the transparency of the broadcast cooperation app section 173c6 may be changed in the same manner as described above.

[0160] 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 the 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.

[0161] In a state where the broadcast cooperation application section 173cc is 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, and the Internet phone function, are enabled. Thereby, it becomes possible to enjoy the currently displayed broadcast program (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 voice input for chatting or writing on the bulletin board.

[0162] In addition to the above examples, as a broadcast cooperation application executable on the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, 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.

[0163] [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.

[0164] 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 result of checking the application profile 904, is displayed in the error message 173d1. For example, if, as a result of checking the application profile 904, a predetermined optional function is lacking on the television receiver side, that fact is displayed in the error message 173d1. It may also display an error code and a guide (URL, etc.) to the homepage of the television 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 improper connection of the LAN cable or the like, that fact is displayed in the error message 173d1. Also, even if the network connection is established but the acquisition of the broadcast cooperation application cannot be correctly performed because the error situation is poor, the error message 173d1 may be displayed. The error message 173d1 may also 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. Further, even 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 midway, 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.

[0165] Also, as a result of checking the application profile 904, when a predetermined optional function is lacking on the TV receiver side, a message to recommend checking or updating the latest firmware for the TV receiver may be displayed in the error message 173d1. 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.

[0166] [Broadcast Cooperation Application Execution Screen of Mobile Information Terminal] FIG. 15 is a screen display diagram showing an example of the execution screen of the 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 is composed of a main window 741c1, a sub-window 741c2, a selection marker 741c3, cursor keys 741c4 and 741c5, an explanation display section 741c6, and an end button 741c7. Other objects may be further added.

[0167] 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 device 100. Also, the same video as the broadcast program screen displayed on the broadcast receiving device 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 and comments posted by other users regarding the broadcast program. The end button 741c7 is a button for ending the operation of the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side).

[0168] 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 through the cooperation operation between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700.

[0169] [EPG Screen of Broadcast Receiving Device] FIG. 16A is a screen display diagram showing an example of an electronic program guide (EPG) display screen in the broadcast receiving device 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 guide key 741a7 on the basic screen 741a of the cooperation control application.

[0170] 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.

[0171] In the title area 173e2, the program title of each broadcast program and symbols indicating the attributes of each broadcast program are displayed. The symbols indicating the attributes of each broadcast program are, for example, a symbolized mark of "New" which means a new program, a symbolized mark of "Replay" which means a rebroadcast program, and the like. Alternatively, it may be a symbolized mark of "data" which means corresponding to data broadcast 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.

[0172] 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 confirmation of 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 in addition to the symbolized mark of "Linkage".

[0173] Note that whether the symbolized mark of "Linkage" or the symbolized mark of "Mobile" is displayed or not is controlled by obtaining information such as whether 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 pre-described in the EIT information including the detailed information of each broadcast program, and whether the executable broadcast cooperation application can perform a cooperation operation with a mobile 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 sequence obtained from the broadcast wave of the digital broadcast service.

[0174] 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 a cooperation operation with a mobile 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. By changing the background color of the detailed information 173e1 of each broadcast program, the correspondence status of each broadcast program to the broadcast communication cooperation service may be indicated. Further, the symbolized mark of "Linkage", the symbolized mark of "Mobile", and the like are usually not 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.

[0175] 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.

[0176] 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 on the acquisition destination of the broadcast cooperation application prepared for each broadcast program 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.

[0177] 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 cooperative 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 by the same processing as described above. Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, a two-dimensional barcode 173e5 or the like indicating the information on 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.

[0178] In this way, if the broadcast receiving apparatus 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 broadcast start time of the broadcast program, it is possible to disperse the load on the service provider server 400 that stores the broadcast cooperation application. Further, 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.

[0179] 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 an EPG display screen 173e.

[0180] During viewing of a digital broadcast service, the main control unit 101 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 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 associated with the broadcast program for which the viewing reservation and / or the recording reservation has been made (S706).

[0181] After the process of S706, based on the confirmed URL, the application control unit 161 transmits a distribution request for the broadcast cooperation application to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 (S707). The service provider server 400 that has received the distribution request for the broadcast cooperation application, based on the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, after performing the authentication process of the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary, 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), and sets the expiration date of the cache of the broadcast cooperation application (S710).

[0182] According to the broadcast receiving device 100 of the present embodiment described above, functions with higher added value can be executed.

Example

[0183] Hereinafter, Example 2 of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. in this example are the same as those in Example 1 unless otherwise specified. For this reason, hereinafter, the differences between this example and Example 1 will be mainly described, and the description of the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

[0184] This example is an example of the activation sequence of the broadcast cooperation application corresponding to the case where the broadcast cooperation application is pre-cached by reservation of viewing and / or recording of the broadcast program described in FIG. 17.

[0185] FIG. 18 is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of the operation sequence of the broadcast cooperation application when the broadcast cooperation application is defined to be started preferentially. The figure shows a series of processes until the broadcast receiving device 100 appropriately checks the PMT and AIT and starts a predetermined broadcast cooperation application.

[0186] When the tuner / demodulation unit 131 of the broadcast reception device 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 (S801), 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 S801 (S802), the application control unit 161 acquires the AIT data sequence separated by the first separation unit 132 (S803), and checks the application control code 903 of the acquired AIT data sequence (S804). In the process of S804, when the application control code 903 is "automatic startup", further, the application profile 904 of the acquired AIT data sequence is checked (S805). When it is confirmed that the execution of the broadcast cooperation application specified in the AIT is possible, it is checked whether the broadcast cooperation application is cached in the RAM 104 or the storage 110 and whether it is the latest version (S806), and a branch process (S807) is performed according to the confirmed result.

[0187] In the branch process S807, when the broadcast cooperation application is cached and is the latest version (Yes), the broadcast cooperation application is started (S812).

[0188] In the branch process S807, when it is not cached or is not the latest version (No), based on the information described in the application acquisition destination information 905, a distribution request for the broadcast cooperation application is transmitted to the predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 (S808).

[0189] Upon receiving the distribution request for the broadcast cooperation app, the service provider server 400 performs the authentication process of the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary under the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, and then distributes a predetermined broadcast cooperation app stored in the application storage area 4013 via the LAN communication unit 421 (S809). Note that a known method may be used for the authentication process, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Subsequently, the application control unit 161 performs cache writing of the predetermined broadcast cooperation app distributed from the service provider server 400 received via the LAN communication unit 121 to the RAM 104 or the storage 110 (S810), and sets the expiration date of the cache of the broadcast cooperation app (S811). Next, the application engine 162 of the broadcast receiving device 100 starts the cached broadcast cooperation app under the control of the application control unit 161 (S812).

[0190] FIG. 19 shows an example of a flowchart of the cache expiration date setting process S811.

[0191] In FIG. 19, first, the cache control information 908 of the application control information AIT is confirmed and a branch process is performed (S901). When an expiration date is described in the cache control information 908, the expiration date of the cache of the broadcast cooperation app is set based on the expiration date information described in the cache control information 908 (S902), and the process ends. On the other hand, when there is no cache control information 908 or when no expiration date is described in the cache control information 908, based on the EPG information, the broadcast end time of the program with which the broadcast cooperation app is associated is set as the expiration date of the cache of the broadcast cooperation app (903), and the process ends.

[0192] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a broadcast program, channel selection in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, caching of the broadcast cooperation application, and the execution state of the broadcast cooperation application. Here, the cache control information 908 is not described in the application control information AIT of the broadcast cooperation application A0 and the broadcast cooperation application B0, and it is assumed that the expiration date of the cache of the broadcast cooperation application A0 is set to the time t3 when the program A0 ends.

[0193] In FIG. 20, until time t0, channel A is selected, and the broadcast cooperation application A0 linked to the program A0 is being executed.

[0194] At time t0, when the program A0 on channel A becomes a commercial, channel B is selected and the broadcast cooperation application linked to the program A0 is terminated. On the other hand, for the broadcast cooperation application linked to the program B0 on channel B, from time t0 to t1, the process from S801 to S811 in FIG. 18 is performed to write to the cache of the broadcast cooperation application linked to the program B0, and at time t1, the broadcast cooperation application linked to the program B0 is started.

[0195] At time t2, when the program B0 on channel B becomes a commercial, channel A is selected and the broadcast cooperation application linked to the program B0 is terminated. On the other hand, for the application linked to the program A0 on channel A, the process from S801 to S812 in FIG. 18 is performed to execute the application linked to the program A0.

[0196] At time t3, since the program A0 ends, the broadcast cooperation application linked to the program A0 is terminated. Also, the cache of the broadcast cooperation application linked to the program A0 whose cache expiration date is set to the program end time t3 is cleared.

[0197] At time t4, the program A1 starts, and from time t4 to t5, the process from S801 to S811 in FIG. 18 is performed to write to the cache of the broadcast cooperation application linked to the program A1, and at time t5, the broadcast cooperation application linked to the program A1 is started.

[0198] By the above processing, even when switching to another channel only during a commercial break in the middle of a program, for example, when switching back to the original channel, since the broadcast cooperation application associated with the program of the original channel is cached in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, it is possible to promptly start the application associated with the program of the original channel. Further, at the time when the program ends, by clearing the cache of the broadcast cooperation application associated with the ended program, the free capacity of the RAM 104 or the storage 110 for use as the cache of the application associated with the next program can be increased, and it becomes possible to perform caching efficiently.

Example

[0199] Hereinafter, Example 3 of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. in this example are the same as those in Example 2 unless otherwise specified. For this reason, hereinafter, the differences between this example and Example 2 will be mainly described, and the description of the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

[0200] In this example, the case where the broadcast cooperation application is executed on both the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the portable information terminal 700 will be described.

[0201] FIG. 21 is an operation sequence diagram showing an example of the start sequence of the broadcast cooperation application of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the portable information terminal 700.

[0202] That is, after the processing of S601 to S611 in FIG. 8C, the application control unit 161 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 acquires the AIT data string separated by the first separation unit 132 (S620), and when it is confirmed that the execution of the broadcast cooperation application specified in the AIT is possible, it is confirmed whether the broadcast cooperation application is cached in the RAM 104 or the storage 110 and whether it is the latest version (S621), and branch processing (S622) is performed according to the confirmed result.

[0203] In the branching process S622, if the broadcast cooperation application is cached and is the latest version (Yes), the broadcast cooperation application is launched (S627).

[0204] In the branching process S622, if it is not cached or is not the latest version (No), based on the information described in the application acquisition destination information 905, a distribution request for the broadcast cooperation application is transmitted to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 121 (S623).

[0205] The service provider server 400 that has received the distribution request for the broadcast cooperation application, based on the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, after performing the authentication process of the broadcast receiving device 100 as necessary, distributes a predetermined broadcast cooperation application stored in the application storage area 4013 via the LAN communication unit 421 (S624). Note that a known method may be used for the authentication process, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Subsequently, the application control unit 161 performs cache writing of the broadcast cooperation application distributed from the service provider server 400 received via the LAN communication unit 121 to the RAM 104 or the storage 110 (S625), and sets the expiration date of the cache of the broadcast cooperation application (S626). Next, the application engine 162 of the broadcast receiving device 100 launches the cached broadcast cooperation application based on the control of the application control unit 161 (S627).

[0206] Next, the terminal cooperation control unit 191 of the broadcast receiving device 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 broadcast cooperation application (TV side) executed in AIT or S627, to the portable information terminal 700 (S628). The cooperation control execution unit 7102 of the portable information terminal 700 checks whether the broadcast cooperation application (terminal side) is cached in the RAM 704 or the storage 710 and is the latest version (S629), and performs a branching process (S630) according to the checked result.

[0207] In the branching process S630, if the broadcast cooperation application is cached and is the latest version (Yes), the broadcast cooperation application (on the terminal side) is launched (S635).

[0208] In the branching process S630, if it is not cached or is not the latest version (No), based on the acquisition destination URL information, etc. of the broadcast cooperation application (on the terminal side) received via the LAN communication unit 721, a transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application (on the terminal side) is sent to a predetermined service provider server 400 via the LAN communication unit 721 (S631).

[0209] The service provider server 400 that has received the transmission request for the broadcast cooperation application (on the terminal side), based on the control of the application management / distribution execution unit 4103, after performing the authentication process of the mobile information terminal 700 as necessary, distributes a predetermined broadcast cooperation application (on the terminal side) stored in the application storage area 4013 via the LAN communication unit 421 (S632). The HTML browser engine 7103 of the mobile information terminal 700 performs cache writing of the broadcast cooperation application distributed from the service provider server 400 received via the LAN communication unit 121 to the RAM 704 or the storage 710 (S633), and sets the expiration date of the cache of the broadcast cooperation application (S634). Next, the cached broadcast cooperation application (on the terminal side) is launched (S635).

[0210] Here, the cache expiration date setting processes S626 and S634 are performed in the same manner as the cache expiration date setting process shown in FIG. 19. Note that in the mobile information terminal 700, the acquisition of the cache control information 908 and the program broadcast end time information may be performed by transmitting the AIT (or the cache control information 908) and the EPG information in the process S628, or by acquiring the AIT file and the EPG information from a predetermined server device.

[0211] With the above processing, even when switching to another channel only during the commercial break in the middle of a program, for example, when switching back to the original channel, since the broadcast cooperation app linked to the program of the original channel is cached in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the portable information terminal 700, it is possible to quickly start the broadcast cooperation app linked to the program of the original channel. Also, at the time when the program ends, by clearing the cache of the broadcast cooperation app linked to the ended program, it is possible to increase the free capacity of the RAM 104 or the storage 110, the RAM 704 or the storage 710 for use as the cache next, and it becomes possible to perform caching efficiently.

[0212] In the above example, the operation sequence of the broadcast cooperation app when it is defined that the broadcast cooperation app is preferentially automatically started has been described. However, when it is defined to start giving priority to data broadcast by the broadcast service, or even in the case of the broadcast cooperation app when no priority start is defined, the expiration date of the cache may be set in the same way.

[0213] Also, although the case of acquiring the broadcast cooperation app from the service provider server 400 has been described, even when acquiring and executing the broadcast cooperation app described by BML or the like from the broadcast signal like data broadcast, the expiration date of the cache may be set in the same way.

[0214] Note that since it is no longer necessary to cache the broadcast cooperation app when the program corresponding to the broadcast cooperation app ends, in the cache expiration date setting process S811 shown in FIG. 19, even when there is cache control information, the broadcast end time of the program linked by the broadcast cooperation app may be set as the expiration date of the cache based on the EPG information.

[0215] Also, in Example 2 and Example 3, when the program ends, the cache of the broadcast cooperation application linked to the ended program is cleared. However, if the free capacity of the RAM 104 or storage 110, RAM 704 or storage 710 used as the cache is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity, it is not necessary to clear it immediately at the end of the program. It is sufficient to clear the cache at least after the end time of the program set as the cache expiration date. Further, when the free capacity of the RAM 104 or storage 110, RAM 704 or storage 710 used as the cache becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity, it may be cleared in order from the one with the shorter set expiration date (the one closer to the end time of the program). By retaining the cache of the broadcast cooperation application until at least the end time of the broadcast of the program with which the broadcast cooperation application is linked, it becomes possible to quickly start the application linked to the program of the original channel even when the channel is temporarily switched due to a commercial or the like.

[0216] As described above, examples of the embodiments of the present invention have been described using Examples 1 to 3. Needless to say, the configuration for realizing the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and various modifications can be considered. 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 also 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 drawings are merely examples, and using different ones will not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0217] The functions, etc. of the present invention described above may be realized in hardware by designing part or all of them, for example, with an integrated circuit. Alternatively, they may be realized in software by a microprocessor unit or the like interpreting and executing an operation program for realizing each function, etc. A combination of hardware and software may also be used.

[0218] Note that the software for controlling the broadcast receiver 100 may be stored in advance in the ROM 103 and / or the storage unit 110, etc. of the broadcast receiver 100 at the time of product shipment. It may also be acquired from other application servers 500, etc. on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121 after product shipment. Further, the software stored in a memory card, an optical disk, etc. may be acquired via the expansion interface unit 124, etc. 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, etc. of the portable information terminal 700 at the time of product shipment. It may also be acquired from other application servers 500, etc. on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 721 or the mobile phone network communication unit 722, etc. after product shipment. Further, the software stored in a memory card, an optical disk, etc. may be acquired via the expansion interface unit 724, etc.

[0219] Also, 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 reality, it may be considered that almost all components are interconnected.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0220] 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 apparatus, a broadcast receiving step of receiving a broadcast signal; an application acquisition step of acquiring application control information from the broadcast signal received in the broadcast receiving step and acquiring an application by referring to application acquisition destination information included in the acquired application control information; a cache step of caching the application acquired in the application acquisition step in a memory; an application execution step of executing the application cached in the memory in the cache step; a launcher screen display step of displaying a launcher screen by an application launcher provided in the broadcast receiving apparatus on the broadcast receiving apparatus; a communication step of communicating with an external portable terminal; a data broadcast screen display step of setting the broadcast receiving apparatus to a data broadcast screen display state based on BML information included in the received broadcast signal; comprising: 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 information other than the application control information included in the broadcast signal; The application execution step a first application startup step of starting the broadcast managed application based on an application control code included in the acquired application control information; a second application startup step of starting the non-broadcast managed application based on a user operation via the displayed launcher screen; a third application startup step of starting the non-broadcast managed application based on a startup request by a user operation via the external portable terminal received in the communication step; a fourth application startup step of starting the broadcast managed application based on a user operation in the data broadcast screen display state, and the application control information includes an application profile indicating functions of the broadcast receiving apparatus required by the broadcast managed application. The first application startup step is to check whether the broadcast managed application can be executed based on the application profile included in the application control information when the application control information includes information indicating automatic startup of the broadcast managed application. If it is executable, the broadcast managed application is acquired and started. In the data broadcast screen display step, when it is confirmed that the broadcast receiving device can execute the broadcast managed application, it is controlled to display an entry button for starting the broadcast managed application. In the fourth application startup step, the broadcast managed application is started based on a user operation on the entry button displayed in the data broadcast screen display state. Application startup method.

Images