Broadcast signal receiving device, broadcast signal receiving method

Abstract

To provide a broadcast signal receiving device having a function for presenting supported DRM types, and a broadcast signal receiving method.SOLUTION: A broadcast signal receiving device in this embodiment acquires an application comprising application data provided to a program existing in broadcast waves based on first information included in control signals of broadcast waves for broadcasting the program. When the acquired application acquires contents, to which security management information including at least a video is applied, by communication, security management information processing means provides a type of the supported security management information to the application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a broadcast signal receiving apparatus and a broadcast signal receiving method.

Background Art

[0002] Hybridcast, a service that integrates broadcasting and communication, was launched in 2013, and currently, multiple broadcasting stations are providing the service. By adopting HTML5, an open platform, as an application engine, Hybridcast has reduced the development costs of broadcast signal receiving apparatuses and applications that support HTML5, and has made it possible to perform complex processing in applications not only on the broadcast signal receiving apparatus side but also in cooperation with the server side. As a result, the functions of Hybridcast, a broadcast communication cooperation service, have been easily enhanced.

[0003] A major feature of HTML5 is that it has a video element for playing video and audio. This eliminates the need to incorporate plugin software (software for adding functions) with a player function, which was necessary for playing video and audio in previous HTML, into browser applications, and makes it possible to directly describe commands for playing video and audio in HTML.

[0004] As a method for distributing video and audio, HTTP streaming, which delivers video via HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) similar to accessing a web page on a web server, has become common, replacing RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol), RTMP (Real Time Messaging Protocol), and MMSP (Microsoft Media Server Protocol), which use dedicated video distribution servers. Examples of HTTP streaming include Apple HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), AdobeHDS (HTTP Dynamic Streaming), Microsoft Smooth Streaming, and MPEG-DASH. Apple HLS and MPEG-DASH can be played back by browser applications that support the HTML5 Media Source Extensions API. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Standard Specification for Media Transport Systems Using MMT in Digital Broadcasting" ARIB STD-B60 Version 1.11, Revised January 22, 2018, Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) [Non-Patent Document 2] "Standard for Multimedia Encoding Methods (2nd Generation) in Digital Broadcasting" ARIB STD-B62 Version 1.8, revised January 22, 2018, Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) [Non-Patent Document 3] "Technical Document for Operational Regulations of Advanced Broadband Satellite Digital Broadcasting," ARIB TR-B39, Version 1.6, Revised January 22, 2018, Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In the operation of services that distribute video and audio via communication in advanced BS digital broadcasting and advanced broadband CS digital broadcasting, the MPEG-DASH method and the MMT method are specified in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 3, respectively, as methods for transmission via communication.

[0007] The MPEG-DASH method requires the use of ARIB-HTML5 as the application encoding method, and the implementation of DRM (Digital Rights Management) if security is required for the transmitted video and audio content. Therefore, when security is required when distributing video and audio content, the service provider distributing the content must apply DRM to the video or audio content being distributed, and the broadcast signal receiving device must support the applied DRM.

[0008] Since there are multiple types of DRM, broadcast signal receiving devices need to receive content that uses the type of DRM that the receiving device itself supports. When the broadcast signal receiving equipment and the server distributing video and audio content are fixed, there were no operational problems as long as the content with pre-determined DRM applied was distributed to both parties.

[0009] On the other hand, the data content services described in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 3 allow the broadcast signal receiving device to newly add application functions that are attached to the broadcast program it receives. When using a data content service to distribute video and audio content using newly added application functions to a broadcast signal receiving device, the added application needs to be aware of the types of DRM supported by the broadcast signal receiving device.

[0010] However, current broadcast signal receiving devices have a problem: they lack the functionality to provide applications with information about the types of DRM they support. Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a broadcast signal receiving device, a broadcast signal receiving method, and a broadcast signal transmission and reception method that have the function of providing the types of DRMs that are supported to an application. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to one embodiment, an analysis unit analyzes the transmission control signals separated from the broadcast signal that receives the broadcast wave for broadcasting the program, and obtains control information relating to application data that will be added to the program to perform specific processing from the transmission control signals. An application control unit identifies the location of application data present in the broadcast signal based on the aforementioned control information, The application control unit includes an application data receiving processing unit that receives the application data at a location identified within the broadcast signal, The application data receiving processing unit manages an application engine consisting of application data received by the application engine, A content receiving processing unit that acquires content via communication, A security management information processing unit applies security management information that supports the type of content to the content acquired through the communication, among multiple types of security management information that support the protection of the aforementioned content according to its type. It is equipped with, The application engine provides the application with information on the types of security management information supported by the security management information processing unit. The aforementioned application contains information on the types of security management information provided by the application engine, including a type for performing the specified processing. The determination is made, If the result of the above determination indicates that the first type exists, then the first The type of security management information applied The first destination for the first content is determined, the first content is obtained from the first destination determined through the content receiving processing unit, and the first identification process is performed. , If, as a result of the above determination, a second type exists, the second distribution destination of the second content to which the security management information of the second type applies is determined, the second content is obtained from the second distribution destination determined through the content receiving processing unit, and the second identification process is performed. , Furthermore, the application determines whether the display screen has a playable resolution and distributes content with the resolution based on the determination result. The first or second content will be sent to the first or second recipient. requesting distribution, A broadcast signal receiving device is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a configuration example of an entire system including a broadcast signal transmitting device, a broadcast signal receiving device, and a service provider according to the present embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another configuration example of an entire system including a broadcast signal transmitting device, a broadcast signal receiving device, and a service provider according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the broadcast signal transmitting device shown in FIG. 1A. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the broadcast signal receiving device shown in FIG. 1A. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a configuration of a data content service of a type in which application data is transmitted by a broadcast wave. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a configuration of a data content service of a type in which application data is not transmitted by a broadcast wave. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a state in which a broadcast signal receiving device receives distribution of video or audio content when the application data is acquired by the type 2 data content service shown in FIG. 4B. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a diagram showing another example of a state in which a broadcast signal receiving device receives distribution of video or audio content when the application data is acquired by the type 2 data content service shown in FIG. 4B. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a state in which a broadcast signal receiving device receives distribution of video or audio content when the application data is acquired by the type 1 data content service shown in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5D] FIG. 5D is a diagram showing another example of a state in which a broadcast signal receiving apparatus receives distribution of video or audio content when the application data is acquired by the type 1 data content service shown in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5E] FIG. 5E is a diagram showing another example of a state in which a broadcast signal receiving apparatus receives distribution of video or audio content when the application data is acquired by the type 2 data content service shown in FIG. 4B. [Figure 5F] FIG. 5F is a diagram showing another example of a state in which a broadcast signal receiving apparatus receives distribution of video or audio content when the application data is acquired by the type 2 data content service shown in FIG. 4B. [Figure 5G] FIG. 5G is an example in which a plurality of acquired applications operate in cooperation with each other when the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 140 acquires application data by the type 2 data content service shown in FIG. 4B. [Figure 5H] FIG. 5H is a diagram showing another example of a state in which a broadcast signal receiving apparatus receives distribution of video or audio content when the application data is acquired by the type 1 data content service shown in FIG. 4A. [[ID=I5]] [Figure 5I] FIG. 5I is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a broadcast signal receiving apparatus receives distribution of video or audio content when there is no process of providing the type of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit to the application. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an example in which a Capabilities object is extended in order to provide the type of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus to the application. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow when a function is used in order to provide the type of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit shown in FIG. 6 to the application. [Figure 8A]Figure 8A is a diagram showing another example of the processing flow when the function shown in Figure 6 is used to provide the application with the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit. [Figure 8B] Figure 8B shows an example of the processing flow when application F determines the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit in the order of C1 system (DRM-3) and A1 system (DRM-1). [Figure 8C] Figure 8C is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow illustrating a specific process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1A shows an example of the overall system configuration consisting of a broadcast signal transmitting device, a broadcast signal receiving device, and a service provider according to this embodiment. 100 is a broadcast signal transmitting device A (which may also be called broadcasting station A) that broadcasts programs using broadcast signals. The broadcast signal transmitting device A100 includes a broadcast program server 101, a broadcast signal transmission basic function 102, and an application data management unit 103.

[0014] 101 is a broadcast program server that stores in advance the program to be broadcast as a broadcast signal transmission device 100, the program title, program summary, cast names, broadcast date and time, and other data. 102 is a basic function of the broadcast signal transmission device A100, which encodes (also called encoding) the video and audio signals of the program to be broadcast, multiplexes them with transmission control signals, which are control information for the video and audio signals, and sends them out as a broadcast signal.

[0015] Furthermore, the broadcast signal transmitting device A100 can add a data content service that provides application functions encoded in HTML5 or the like, as described in Non-Patent Document 3, simultaneously with the broadcast program. In this case, the broadcast signal transmitting device 100 places a first designation information indicating that application functions are attached to the broadcast program into the transmission control signal and sends it out as a broadcast signal from the broadcast signal transmission basic function 102. The first designation information is, for example, an application service descriptor placed in the MPT (MMT Package Table) described in Non-Patent Document 1.

[0016] 103 is an application management unit that generates and manages application functions (application data) added to broadcast programs when data content services are attached to the broadcast program. Data content services can be provided in two ways: by broadcasting application functions (application data) to be added to broadcast programs, or by providing them via communication without broadcasting. When application functions (application data) to be added to broadcast programs are provided via communication, this is done by the service provider 120. The configuration of the data content service will be explained using Figures 4A and 4B.

[0017] There may be multiple broadcast signal transmitting devices. The example in Figure 1A shows an example where there are two broadcast signal transmitting devices: broadcast signal A100 and broadcast signal transmitting device B100-2. 120 is a service provider that, in cooperation with the broadcast signal transmission device 100, provides the broadcast signal receiving device 140 via the network 180 an application function (application data) encoded in HTML5 or the like to be added to a broadcast program when a data content service is added to a program broadcast by the broadcast signal transmission device A100.

[0018] The service provider 120 includes an application data management unit 121 and an application server 122. 121 is an application data management unit that generates and manages application functions (application data) to be added to broadcast programs, and distributes the generated application functions (application data) to the broadcast signal receiving device 140 via the network 180.

[0019] 122 is an application server that stores application functions (application data) to be added to broadcast programs, which are generated by the application data management unit 121. In response to a request from the broadcast signal receiving device 140 that has received the first designated information, the service provider 120 transmits the application functions (application data) stored in the application server 122 to the broadcast signal receiving device 140 via the network 180 using the application data management unit 121.

[0020] Service provider A120 may also store video and audio content to be distributed to the broadcast signal receiving device 140 on the application server 122. In response to a request from the broadcast signal receiving device 140, service provider 120 may distribute the video and audio content stored on the application server 122 to the broadcast signal receiving device 140 via the network 180 using the application data management unit 121.

[0021] There may be multiple service providers. The example in Figure 1A shows an example where there are two service providers: Service Provider A120 and Service Provider B120-2. 140 is a broadcast signal receiving device (which may also be called a television receiving device) that receives programs transmitted via broadcast signals. The broadcast signal receiving device 140 includes a basic broadcast signal receiving function 141, a communication control function 142, an application control function 143, and a terminal linkage function 144.

[0022] 141 is a basic function of a broadcast signal receiving device. It receives broadcast waves sent from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100, separates the encoded video signal (also called the video stream), encoded audio signal (also called the audio stream), application data, and transmission control signals contained in the broadcast wave, and decodes the video and audio signals, receives the application data, and analyzes the transmission control signals.

[0023] The broadcast signal reception basic function 141 also manages the connection and data transmission / reception with peripheral devices connected to the broadcast signal receiving device 140, such as a display unit (which may also be called a display screen) 160, a speaker 161, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 162 bound to the broadcast signal receiving device 140, and removable media 170. The display unit 160 has a built-in speaker 161 and displays the video signal decoded by the broadcast signal reception basic function 141 in the display area, and outputs the audio signal to the speaker 161. Note that the speaker 161 built into the display unit 160 may be an external speaker connected via an interface such as USB. In the example in Figure 1, the display unit 160 is shown as a separate unit from the broadcast signal receiving device 140, but it may be integrated with the broadcast signal receiving device 140 as one of its functions.

[0024] 142 is a communication control function for the broadcast signal receiving device 140 to communicate with service provider A120 via the network 180. 143 is an application control function that manages and executes applications added by the data content service. The application control function 143 also manages and executes application functions that are originally provided in the broadcast signal receiving device 140.

[0025] 144 is a mobile terminal linkage function in which the broadcast signal receiving device 140 works in conjunction with a mobile terminal 175 to provide video and audio services. The broadcast signal receiving device 140 and the mobile terminal 175 are connected by a short-range wireless system such as Bluetooth®.

[0026] Furthermore, there may be content service providers that only distribute video and audio content. Figure 1B shows another example of the overall system configuration according to this embodiment, consisting of a broadcast signal transmitting device, a broadcast signal receiving device, and a service provider. In addition to the broadcast signal transmitting device A100, broadcast signal transmitting device B100-2, service provider A120, service provider B120-2, and broadcast signal receiving device 140 shown in Figure 1A, it also includes a content service provider X127 that only distributes video and audio content. The broadcast signal receiving device 140 may request the distribution of video and audio content from the content service provider X127.

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the broadcast signal transmission device A100 shown in Figure 1A. The broadcast signal transmission basic function 102 includes a video encoder 201, an audio encoder 202, a subtitle encoder 203, an application data generation unit 204, and a control signal generation unit 205 that generates transmission control signals.

[0028] 201 is a video encoder that encodes the video of program A, which has been read from the broadcast program server 101 as a program to be broadcast. The codec type of video encoder 201 may be any of MPEG-2, H.264 (AVC: Advanced Video Coding), or H.265 (HEVC: High Efficiency Video Coding). However, the codec type is not limited to these.

[0029] 202 is an audio encoder that encodes the audio of program A, which is read from the broadcast program server 101 as a program to be broadcast. 203 is a subtitle encoder that encodes the subtitles for program A, which is read from the broadcast program server 101 as a program to be broadcast.

[0030] 204 is an application data generation unit that, when adding a service to provide application functions (application data) such as HTML5 to program A read from the broadcast program server 101 as a program to be broadcast, reads application functions (application data) managed by the application data management unit 103 and generates application data so that it can be transmitted as a broadcast wave.

[0031] 205 is a control signal generation unit that generates transmission control signals, which are control information related to broadcast signals that constitute a program, such as video streams and audio streams that make up a program broadcast by the broadcast signal transmission device A100, as well as control information related to the content of the program, such as the program name and broadcast time of the program to be broadcast.

[0032] The control signal generation unit 205 also generates transmission control signals related to application functions to be added to the program generated by the application data generation unit 204. 207 is a multiplexing unit that multiplexes video data output by the video encoder 201, audio data output by the audio encoder 202, subtitle data output by the subtitle encoder 203, application data output by the application generation unit 204, and transmission control signals output by the control signal generation unit 205. The multiplexing method used by the multiplexing unit 207 is the MMT (Mpeg Media Transport) method described in Non-Patent Literature 1.

[0033] 208 is a scrambler that scrambles the multiplexed stream input from the multiplexing unit 207. The multiplexing unit 207 transmits the scrambled multiplexed stream to the transmitter 209. Unit 209 is a transmitter that receives a multiplexed stream and transmits it from the antenna via broadcast waves.

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 shown in Figure 1. The broadcast signal receiving device 140 includes a basic broadcast signal receiving function 141, a communication control function 142, an application control function 143, and a terminal linkage function 144. The broadcast signal receiving device 140 is also connected to a display unit 160 and a speaker 161.

[0035] The basic broadcast signal reception function 141 includes a broadcast tuner 301, a descrambler 302, a demultiplexer A303, a video decoder A305, an audio decoder A306, a subtitle decoder A307, an application data reception processing unit A308, and a control signal analysis unit 309.

[0036] 301 is a broadcast tuner that demodulates the stream (broadcast signal) transmitted via broadcast waves. The broadcast tuner 301 inputs the demodulated stream (broadcast signal) to the descrambler 302. 302 is a descrambler that descrambles the multiplexed stream input from the broadcast tuner 301. The descrambler 304 inputs the descrambled stream to the demultiplexer A303.

[0037] 303 is a demultiplexer that separates the stream input from the descrambler 302 into a video stream, an audio stream, a subtitle stream, application data, and a transmission control signal. Demultiplexer A303 inputs the video stream to video decoder A305, the audio stream to audio decoder A306, the subtitle stream to subtitle decoder A307, the application data to application data reception processing unit A308, and the transmission control signal to control signal analysis unit 309.

[0038] 305 is a video decoder A that decodes the video data sent from the demultiplexer A303. 306 is an audio decoder A that decodes the audio data sent from the demultiplexer A303. 307 is subtitle decoder A, which decodes the subtitle data sent from demultiplexer A303.

[0039] 308 is application data receiving processing unit A, which processes application data sent from demultiplexer A303. 309 is a control signal analysis unit that processes transmission control signals sent from the demultiplexer A303. The control signal analysis unit 309 sends the MH-AIT (MH-Application Information Table), which is control information related to application data extracted from the analyzed transmission control signals, to the application control unit 320.

[0040] The decoded video data and subtitles are combined by the synthesizer 310 and output to the display 160. The decoded audio data is output to the speaker 161. The codec type of the video decoder 306 is H.265, but it is not limited to this; it may be MPEG-2 or H.264. Furthermore, the codec type is not limited to these.

[0041] The communication control function 142 includes a communication interface 330 which is an interface with the network 180, a content receiving processing unit 331 for receiving video or audio content distributed from service provider A120, service provider B120-2, or content service provider X127, a demultiplexer B332, a security management information processing unit 333 for processing content protection such as DRM (Digital Rights Management) applied to the distributed video or audio content, a video decoder B334, an audio decoder B335, a subtitle decoder B336, and an application data receiving processing unit B337.

[0042] 330 is a communication interface that connects the broadcast signal receiving device 140 to the network 180 when communication is performed. The broadcast signal receiving device 140 transmits and receives content and data to and from service provider A120, service provider B120-2, or content service provider X127 via the communication interface 330.

[0043] 331 is a content receiving processing unit for the broadcast signal receiving device 140 to receive video or audio content distributed from service provider A120, service provider B120-2, or content service provider X127. The transmission method used when content is distributed from service provider A120, service provider B120-2, or content service provider X127 can be any method as long as it is HTTP streaming, such as MPEG-DASH or Apple HLS.

[0044] 332 is a demultiplexer B that separates the stream of delivered content into a video stream, an audio stream, and a subtitle stream. Demultiplexer B332 inputs the separated video stream to video decoder B334, the audio stream to audio decoder B335, and the subtitle stream to subtitle decoder B336.

[0045] 333 is a security management information processing unit that processes security management information applied to video or audio content acquired via the network 180, enabling video to be displayed on the display unit 160 connected to the broadcast signal receiving device 140, or audio to be output from the speaker 161. The security management information is, for example, DRM. The security management processing unit 333 may, if necessary, communicate with a security information server (not shown) connected via the network through the communication interface 330.

[0046] Since the content transmitted via the network 180 is subject to security management information, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can only play back content to which the type of security management information supported by the security management information processing unit is applied.

[0047] 334 is video decoder B, which decodes the video data sent from demultiplexer B332. 335 is an audio decoder B that decodes the audio data sent from the demultiplexer B332. 336 is subtitle decoder B, which decodes the subtitle data sent from demultiplexer B332.

[0048] 336 is subtitle decoder B, which decodes the subtitle data sent from demultiplexer B332. 337 is the application data receiving processing unit B, which processes application data sent from the communication interface 330. The application control function 143 includes an application control unit 320 and an application engine 321.

[0049] 320 is an application control unit that manages and controls control information related to application data such as MH-AIT extracted by the control signal analysis unit 309 from the transmission control signals sent via broadcast signals. 321 is an application engine that works with various applications installed in the broadcast signal receiving device 140 and manages the operation of each application. The application engine 321 also manages the operation of application data added by the data content service. Furthermore, the application engine 321 has the function of providing applications with the types of security management information supported by the security management information processing unit 333.

[0050] As described in Non-Patent Document 3, there are two types of data content services. The first type transmits application data via broadcast waves. The second type does not transmit application data via broadcast waves. The two types of data content services will be explained using Figures 4A and 4B. Furthermore, the data processing flow shown in Figure 4 will be explained using the functions of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 shown in Figure 3.

[0051] Figure 4A shows the configuration of a data content service that transmits application data via broadcast waves (also called a Type 1 data content service). The data contained within the area enclosed by the dotted line 420 constitutes the data set that makes up the data content service.

[0052] The video component 401 represents the transmission path for video signals, the audio component 402 represents the transmission path for audio signals, and the subtitle component 403 represents the transmission path for subtitle signals. Additionally, the MMT-SI 404 represents the transmission path for transmission control signals, and data component 1 (405) and data component 2 (406) represent the transmission paths for application data.

[0053] The video signal transmitted by the video component 401, the audio signal transmitted by the audio component 402, and the subtitle data transmitted by the subtitle component 403 are decoded by the video decoder A305, audio decoder A306, and subtitle decoder 307, respectively, in Figure 3, and then displayed as a program on the display unit 160 or output from the speaker 161.

[0054] Furthermore, the transmission control signals transmitted by the MMT-SI404 are analyzed by the control signal analysis unit 309 in Figure 3. Of the transmission control signals analyzed by the control signal analysis unit 309, the control information necessary for acquiring application data, such as the application service descriptors and MH-AIT (MH-Application Information Table) located on the MPT, are sent to the application control unit 320 for further analysis.

[0055] Furthermore, application data 410 and application data 411 transmitted by data component 1 (405) and data component 2 (406) are received by the application data receiving processing unit 308 in Figure 3. This application data 410 and application data 411 is data that realizes application functions added to a broadcast program consisting of video signals and audio signals transmitted by video component 401 and audio component 402. The application data 410 and application data 411 transmitted by data component 1 (405) and data component 2 (406) are identified by analyzing the application service descriptor, MH-AIT, DDMT (Data Directory Management Table), and DAMT (Data Asset Management Table) included in the transmission control signal transmitted by MMT-SI 404.

[0056] The application service descriptor located within the MPT holds reference information for accessing MH-AIT, DDMT, DAMT, and DCCT (Data Content Configuration Table), which are necessary for acquiring application data. Based on this reference information, the application control unit 320 in Figure 3 accesses the MH-AIT, DDMT, and DAMT information necessary for acquiring application data. By further analyzing these MH-AIT, DDMT, and DAMT data, it can determine the location of application data 410 and application data 411, which are sent by data component 1 or data component 2, within the broadcast wave.

[0057] The application data 410 and application data 411, whose locations have been identified, are received by the application data receiving processing unit A308. The application consisting of the received application data 410 and application data 411 is sent to the application engine 321, and by working together with the application engine 321, it performs its function as an application.

[0058] Applications acquired through Type 1 data content services can be obtained not only from the data component, which is a broadcast wave, but also by identifying the location of application data 412 and application data 413 on the network 180 based on the information described in MH-AIT, and acquiring the application data via communication over the network 180. Furthermore, applications acquired through data content services can be partially acquired from the data component and the remaining parts acquired via the network 180.

[0059] Figure 4B shows the configuration of a data content service that does not transmit application data via broadcast waves (also called a Type 2 data content service). The data contained within the area enclosed by the dotted line 430 constitutes the data set that makes up the data content service.

[0060] The application service descriptor located within the MPT holds reference information for accessing the MH-AIT necessary for retrieving application data. Based on this reference information, the application control unit 320 in Figure 3 accesses the MH-AIT information necessary for retrieving application data, and further analyzes the MH-AIT to identify the location where application data 412 or application data 413 resides via the network 180.

[0061] The application data 412 or application data 413 whose location has been identified is received by the application data receiving processing unit B337. The application consisting of the received application data 412 or application data 413 is sent to the application engine 321 and operates together with the application engine 321 to perform its function as an application.

[0062] In order to perform data content services in this manner, it is necessary that an application service descriptor is included in the MPT sent as MMT-SI404. By analyzing this application service descriptor, the location of the application sent as a data content service can be identified.

[0063] The types of data content services, Type 1 and Type 2, are indicated by the DT_message_flag in the application service descriptor. When service provider A120, service provider B120-2, or content service provider X127 distributes video and audio content to the broadcast signal receiving device 140, that content must be subject to security management information. Security management information is, for example, DRM. The following explanation will use DRM as an example of security management information.

[0064] As described above, when a new application function is added to the broadcast signal receiving device 140 by a data content service, it is desirable that the added application function be able to operate based on information about the types of DRM supported by the broadcast signal receiving device 140.

[0065] Therefore, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 of this embodiment has a function to present the supported DRM types to the application. The following describes the overall processing flow of content distribution in the broadcast signal transmitting device A100, which sends broadcast signals, the service provider A120, which distributes content, and the broadcast signal receiving device 140, which receives broadcast signals, from the perspective of the types of DRM supported by the application functions added by the data content service, the types of DRM supported by the broadcast signal receiving device 140, and the types of DRM applied to the video or audio content distributed to the broadcast signal receiving device 140.

[0066] Furthermore, broadcast signal receiving device 140 is assumed to support three types of DRM: DRM-1, DRM-2, and DRM-3, while broadcast signal receiving device 140-2 is assumed to support DRM-0. In addition, service provider A120 is assumed to be able to distribute video or audio content with DRM-1 applied, service provider B120-2 is assumed to be able to distribute video or audio content with DRM-4 applied, and content service provider X127 is assumed to be able to distribute video or audio content with DRM-2 applied.

[0067] Figure 5A shows an example of how the broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives video or audio content when it acquires application data using the Type 2 data content service shown in Figure 4B. Note that DRM-1, DRM-2, and DRM-3, as indicated in the broadcast signal receiving device 140 in Figure 5A, represent the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 shown in Figure 3. DRM-1, as indicated in service provider A120, represents the type of DRM applied to content distributed by service provider A120. DRM-4, as indicated in service provider B120-2, represents the type of DRM applied to content distributed by service provider B120-2. DRM-2, as indicated in content service provider X127, represents the type of DRM applied to content distributed by content service provider X127. Application A (DRM-1) indicates that application A performs a specific process if DRM-1 exists among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 obtained from the application engine 321. The same content is described in Figures 5B to 5H.

[0068] The broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives application service descriptors and MMT-SI such as MH-AIT, which are application control information sent from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100 as a data content service (S501). After analyzing the received control information, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 obtains the application data for application A (DRM-1) from the service provider A120 via communication over the network 180 (S502-2). The broadcast signal receiving device 140 operates application A (DRM-1), acquired in S502-2, together with the application engine 321 shown in Figure 3. During its operation, application A (DRM-1) acquires information from the application engine 321 regarding the types of DRM (DRM-1, DRM-2, DRM-3) supported by the security management information processing unit 333 shown in Figure 3. Application A (DRM-1) determines whether a DRM type for specific processing exists among the acquired information, and if so, performs the specific processing.

[0069] Specifically, application A (DRM-1) determines whether DRM-1, which is the type of DRM required for specific processing, exists among the types of DRM supported by the acquired security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-1 exists among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application A (DRM-1) accesses service provider A120, which distributes content with DRM of type DRM-1 applied, as the specific processing, and acquires the content (S503-2).

[0070] Figure 5B shows another example of how the broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives video or audio content when it acquires application data through the Type 2 data content service shown in Figure 4B. The difference from Figure 5A is that there are multiple additional applications, and these additional applications acquire content from a content service provider X127, which is different from the application provider service provider A.

[0071] The broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives application service descriptors and MMT-SI such as MH-AIT, which are application control information sent from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100 as a data content service (S511). After analyzing the received control information, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 obtains the application data for application B-1 (DRM-2) from service provider A120 via communication over the network 180 (S512-21), and obtains the application data for application B-2 (DRM-4) from service provider B120-2 via communication over the network 180 (S512-22).

[0072] The broadcast signal receiving device 140 operates application B-1 (DRM-2) acquired in S512-21 and application B-2 (DRM-4) acquired in S512-22 together with the application engine 321 shown in Figure 3. During their operation, applications B-1 (DRM-2) and B-2 (DRM-4) acquire information from the application engine 321 regarding the types of DRM (DRM-1, DRM-2, DRM-3) supported by the security management information processing unit 333 shown in Figure 3. Applications B-1 (DRM-2) and B-2 (DRM-4) determine whether the acquired information contains a type of DRM necessary for specific processing, and if so, they perform the specific processing.

[0073] Specifically, application B-1 (DRM-2) determines whether DRM-2, which is the type of DRM required for specific processing, exists among the types of DRM supported by the acquired security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-2 exists among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application B-1 (DRM-2) accesses content service provider X127, which distributes content with DRM of type DRM-2 applied, as the specific processing, and acquires the content (S513-4).

[0074] Similarly, application B-2 (DRM-2) determines whether DRM-4, which is the type of DRM required for specific processing, exists among the types of DRM supported by the acquired security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-4 does not exist among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application B-2 (DRM-4) does not perform the specific processing.

[0075] In this way, applications added to the broadcast signal receiving device 140 by the data content service can determine their operation based on information about the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333. For example, they can receive video or audio content from service provider A120, or receive content from content service provider X127, which is different from service provider A120 that acquired the application data.

[0076] Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can acquire multiple applications as data content services by analyzing the MMT-SI received from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100. In this case, each application may determine the type of DRM when performing specific processing. Even in such cases, each application can determine its operation based on the information of the DRM types supported by the security management information processing unit 333, thus effectively utilizing the capabilities of the added applications and leading to an optimal improvement in the overall functionality of the broadcast signal receiving device 140, including the added applications.

[0077] Figure 5C shows an example of how the broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives video or audio content when it acquires application data using the Type 1 data content service shown in Figure 4A. The broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives application service descriptors, MH-AIT, DDMT, DAMT, and other MMT-SI, which are application control information sent from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100 as a data content service (S521). After analyzing the received control information, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 acquires data for application C (DRM-1) from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100 via the broadcast wave (S522-1). The broadcast signal receiving device 140 operates application C (DRM-1), acquired in S522-1, together with the application engine 321 shown in Figure 3. During its operation, application C (DRM-1) acquires information from the application engine 321 regarding the types of DRM (DRM-1, DRM-2, DRM-3) supported by the security management information processing unit 333 shown in Figure 3. Application C (DRM-1) determines whether a DRM type for specific processing exists among the acquired information, and if so, performs the specific processing.

[0078] Specifically, application C(DRM-1) determines whether DRM-1, which is the type of DRM required for specific processing, exists among the types of DRM supported by the acquired security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-1 exists among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application C(DRM-1) accesses service provider A120, which distributes content with DRM of type DRM-1 applied, as the specific processing, and acquires the content (S523-2).

[0079] Furthermore, there may be multiple applications transmitted via broadcast waves. In this case, the type of DRM that each application determines when performing a specific process may be different, as shown in Figure 5B for application B-1 (DRM-2) and application B-2 (DRM-4).

[0080] Figure 5D shows another example of how a broadcast signal receiving device receives video or audio content when it acquires application data using the Type 1 data content service shown in Figure 4A. The difference from Figure 5C is that among the multiple broadcast signal receiving devices 140 and 140-2, there are broadcast signal receiving devices whose security management information processing unit supports different types of DRM. The security management information processing unit of broadcast signal receiving device 140-2 is assumed to support DRM-0 type DRM.

[0081] Both broadcast signal receiving devices 140 and 140-2 receive application service descriptors, MH-AIT, DDMT, DAMT, and other MMT-SI, which are application control information sent from broadcast signal transmitting device A100 as a data content service (S531). After analyzing the received control information, broadcast signal receiving devices 140 and 140-2 acquire data for application D (DRM-1) from broadcast signal transmitting device A100 via broadcast waves (S532-1). The broadcast signal receiving device 140 operates application D (DRM-1), acquired in S532-1, together with the application engine 321 shown in Figure 3. During its operation, application D (DRM-1) acquires information from the application engine 321 regarding the types of DRM (DRM-1, DRM-2, DRM-3) supported by the security management information processing unit 333 shown in Figure 3. Application D (DRM-1) determines whether a DRM type for specific processing exists among the acquired information, and if so, performs the specific processing.

[0082] Specifically, application D(DRM-1) determines whether DRM-1, which is the type of DRM required for specific processing, exists among the types of DRM supported by the acquired security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-1 exists among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application D(DRM-1) accesses service provider A120, which distributes content with DRM of type DRM-1 applied, as the specific processing, and acquires the content (S533-2).

[0083] Similarly, the broadcast signal receiving device 140-2 operates application D (DRM-1), acquired in S532-1, together with the application engine 321 in Figure 3. During its operation, application D (DRM-1) acquires information on the types of DRM (DRM-0) supported by the security management information processing unit 333 in Figure 3. Application D determines whether a type of DRM for specific processing exists among the acquired information, and if so, performs the specific processing. Specifically, application D (DRM-1) determines whether DRM-1, which is the type of DRM for specific processing, exists among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-1 does not exist among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application D (DRM-1) does not perform the specific processing.

[0084] Thus, the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit of the broadcast signal receiving device may differ from one broadcast signal receiving device to another, such as broadcast signal receiving device 140 and broadcast signal receiving device 140-2. On the other hand, when application data is added to the broadcast signal receiving device 140 via broadcast waves, the application will be the same for all broadcast signal receiving devices 140, regardless of the type of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit of the broadcast signal receiving device 140. For this reason, providing the application with the type of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 is a very effective process for fully utilizing the capabilities of the application.

[0085] Figure 5E shows another example of how the broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives video or audio content when it acquires application data using the Type 2 data content service shown in Figure 4B. The difference from Figure 5A is that the security management information processing unit 333 shown in Figure 3 does not support the types of DRM that the added application can perform specific processing on.

[0086] The broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives application service descriptors and MMT-SI such as MH-AIT, which are application control information sent from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100 as a data content service (S541). After analyzing the received control information, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 obtains the application data for application E (DRM-4) from the service provider A120 via communication over the network 180 (S542-2). The broadcast signal receiving device 140 operates application E (DRM-4), acquired in S542-2, together with the application engine 321 shown in Figure 3. During its operation, application E (DRM-4) acquires information from the application engine 321 regarding the types of DRM (DRM-1, DRM-2, DRM-3) supported by the security management information processing unit 333 shown in Figure 3. Application E (DRM-4) determines whether a DRM type for specific processing exists among the acquired information, and if so, performs the specific processing.

[0087] Specifically, application E(DRM-4) determines whether DRM-4, the type of DRM required for specific processing, exists among the types of DRM supported by the acquired security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-4 does not exist among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application E(DRM-4) does not perform the specific processing. As a result, application E(DRM-4) is unable to receive content. Application E(DRM-4) may also notify the application engine 321 that the type of DRM required for specific processing does not exist among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333.

[0088] If the application engine 321 in Figure 3 receives a determination result from application E (DRM-4) indicating that the type of DRM required for specific processing is not among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, it may instruct the display unit 160 to display a notification such as "cannot be displayed" as shown in 160-1. In this way, viewers of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can recognize that the added application E cannot receive video or audio content.

[0089] Figure 5F shows another example of how the broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives video or audio content when it acquires application data using the Type 2 data content service shown in Figure 4B. The difference from Figure 5A is that the added application has multiple types of DRM for performing specific processing. Application F (DRM-1, DRM-3) is assumed to have DRM-1 and DRM-3 as the types of DRM for performing processing.

[0090] The broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives application service descriptors and MMT-SI such as MH-AIT, which are application control information sent from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100 as a data content service (S551). After analyzing the received control information, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 obtains the application data for application F (DRM-1, DRM-3) from the service provider A120 via communication over the network 180 (S552-2). The broadcast signal receiving device 140 operates application F (DRM-1, DRM-3), acquired in S552-2, together with the application engine 321 shown in Figure 3. During its operation, application F (DRM-1, DRM-3) acquires information from the application engine 321 regarding the types of DRM (DRM-1, DRM-2, DRM-3) supported by the security management information processing unit 333 shown in Figure 3. Application F (DRM-1, DRM-3) determines whether a DRM type for specific processing exists among the acquired information, and if so, performs the specific processing.

[0091] Specifically, application F (DRM-1, DRM-3) determines whether DRM-1 and DRM-3, which are the types of DRM to be used for specific processing, exist among the types of DRM supported by the acquired security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-1 and DRM-3 exist among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application F (DRM-1, DRM-3) may perform processing based on the type of DRM-1 as the specific processing. Specifically, application F (DRM-1, DRM-3) may access service provider A120, which distributes content with DRM of type DRM-1 applied, and acquire the content (S553-2). Alternatively, application F (DRM-1, DRM-3) may perform processing based on the type of DRM-3. Specifically, application F (DRM-1, DRM-3) may access service provider C (not shown), which distributes content with DRM of type DRM-3 applied, and acquire the content.

[0092] In this way, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 provides the application with information on the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333. As a result, applications such as application F (DRM-1, DRM-3), which have specific DRM types for performing particular processing, can freely decide how to prioritize the processing of the acquired information. This increases the processing flexibility of the application and allows it to fully demonstrate its capabilities.

[0093] The example in Figure 5F shows an application with multiple types of DRM for performing specific processing, which is sent from service provider A120, but it could also be sent from broadcast signal transmission device A100. Applications delivered as data content services may consist of multiple applications working in conjunction with each other. For example, application G-1 may determine whether a specific type of DRM exists for a particular process, and if it does, it may call application G-2 or application G-3 to perform the specific operation, depending on the type of DRM present.

[0094] Figure 5G shows an example of how multiple applications that have acquired application data can work in cooperation with each other, when the broadcast signal receiving device 140 acquires application data using the Type 2 data content service shown in Figure 4B. The broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives application service descriptors and MMT-SI such as MH-AIT, which are application control information sent from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100 as a data content service (S561). After analyzing the received control information, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 obtains three application data sets, application G-1, application G-2 (DRM-1), and application G-3 (DRM-2), from the service provider A120 via communication over the network 180 (S562-21)(S562-22)(S562-23).

[0095] The broadcast signal receiving device 140 operates application G-1, acquired in S562-21, together with the application engine 321 shown in Figure 3. During its operation, application G-1 acquires information from the application engine 321 regarding the types of DRM (DRM-1, DRM-2, DRM-3) supported by the security management information processing unit 333 shown in Figure 3. Application G-1 determines whether a DRM type for specific processing exists among the acquired information, and if so, it calls the application that performs the corresponding specific processing.

[0096] Specifically, application G-1 determines whether DRM-1 and DRM-2, which are the types of DRM to be used for specific processing, exist among the types of DRM supported by the acquired security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-1 and DRM-2 exist among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application G-1 may perform processing based on the type of DRM-1 as the specific processing. Specifically, application G-1 calls application G-2 (DRM-1) to perform specific processing based on the type of DRM-1 and operates it together with the application engine 321 in Figure 3. Application G-2 (DRM-2) may, for example, access service provider A120 that distributes content with DRM of type DRM-1 applied and acquire the content (S563-2). Alternatively, application G-1 may perform specific processing based on the type of DRM-2. In this case, application G-1 should call application G-2 (DRM-2) to perform specific processing based on the type of DRM-2, and operate it together with application engine 321 in Figure 3.

[0097] Figure 5H shows another example of how the broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives video or audio content when it acquires application data using the Type 1 data content service shown in Figure 4A. The difference from Figure 5C is that it acquires the application corresponding to each control information based on the application control information sent from multiple broadcast signal receiving devices.

[0098] The broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives application service descriptors, MH-AIT, DDMT, DAMT, and other MMT-SI, which are application control information sent from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100 as a data content service (S571), and also receives application service descriptors, MH-AIT, DDMT, DAMT, and other MMT-SI, which are application control information sent from the broadcast signal transmitting device B100-2 as a data content service (S576). After analyzing the received control information, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 obtains application data for application H-1 (DRM-1) from the broadcast signal transmitting device A100 via broadcast waves, corresponding to the MMT-SI obtained in S571 (S572-1), and obtains application data for application H-2 (DRM-4) from the broadcast signal transmitting device B100-2 via broadcast waves, corresponding to the MMT-SI obtained in S576 (S577-1).

[0099] The broadcast signal receiving device 140 operates application H-1 (DRM-1) acquired in S572-1 and application H-2 (DRM-2) acquired in S577-1 together with the application engine 321 shown in Figure 3. During their operation, applications H-1 (DRM-1) and H-2 (DRM-2) acquire information on the types of DRM (DRM-1, DRM-2, DRM-3) supported by the security management information processing unit 333 shown in Figure 3. Applications H-1 (DRM-1) and H-2 (DRM-2) determine whether the acquired information contains a type of DRM for which specific processing is required, and if so, they perform the specific processing.

[0100] Specifically, application H-1 (DRM-1) determines whether DRM-1, which is the type of DRM required for specific processing, exists among the types of DRM supported by the acquired security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-1 exists among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application H-1 (DRM-1) accesses service provider A120, which distributes content with DRM of type DRM-1 applied, as the specific processing, and acquires the content (S573-2).

[0101] Similarly, application H-2(DRM-2) determines whether DRM-2, which is the type of DRM required for specific processing, exists among the types of DRM supported by the acquired security management information processing unit 333. Since DRM-2 exists among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333, application H-2(DRM-2) accesses content service provider X127, which distributes content with DRM of type DRM-2 applied, as the specific processing, and acquires the content (S578-4).

[0102] The example sequence in Figure 5H assumes, for example, that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 is receiving multiple programs using multiple tuners. In this way, the process by which the security management information processing unit 333 of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 provides the application with the types of DRM it supports, even if there are multiple applications operating with the application engine 321, and it is possible to provide each application with the types of DRM it supports.

[0103] Figure 5I shows an example of how the broadcast signal receiving device 140 receives video or audio content when there is no process to provide the application with the type of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333. In this case, application I is pre-installed in the broadcast signal receiving device 140, for example.

[0104] Application I accesses a predetermined service provider that distributes content with DRM of a type supported by the security management information processing unit 333, and acquires video or audio content. Figure 5I shows an example where Application I, pre-installed on the broadcast signal receiving device 140, accesses a predetermined service provider A120 and acquires content with DRM of type DRM-1 (S583-2).

[0105] The broadcast signal receiving device of this embodiment has a terminal linkage function 144. In the example shown in Figure 5E, since the security management information processing unit 333 does not support DRM-4, which is necessary for receiving content from service provider B120-2, application E (DRM-4) cannot receive content from service provider B120-2. However, if the broadcast signal receiving device 140 of this embodiment does not support the type of DRM necessary for receiving content, it can link with a mobile terminal that supports the type of DRM necessary for receiving content using the terminal linkage function, and transmit the distributed content to the linked mobile terminal, making it playable. In this way, the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can play distributed content by using the terminal linkage function and utilizing the range of DRM types supported by the connected mobile terminal.

[0106] The function of providing the application with the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 may be configured, for example, by extending the Capabilities object specified in Non-Patent Documents 2 and 3. Figure 6 shows an example of extending the Capabilities object to configure a function that provides the application with the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 of the broadcast signal receiving device 140.

[0107] For example, by adding Content Protection to parm1 of query=Video Element, a function is added to provide the types of security management information supported by the broadcast signal receiving device 140. pram2 represents the type of security management information, and param3 represents the version of the security management information shown in pram2. In this way, by arbitrarily adding combinations of param2, which is the type of security management information, and pram3, which is the version of param2, it is possible to extend the function of providing the security management information supported by the broadcast signal receiving device 140.

[0108] Figure 7 shows an example of a processing flow when using the function shown in Figure 6, which provides the security management information processing unit 333 with the types of DRM it supports to the application. It shows the processing flow when application E, shown in Figure 5E, obtains the types of DRM that the security management information processing unit 333 supports.

[0109] Application E starts the support type acquisition process E to obtain the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 (S700). Application E determines whether the security management information processing unit 333 supports the D1 system (S701). Specifically, Application E makes the determination by calling the hasCapability method of the Capabilities object, setting Video Element in the query, Content Protection in parm1, D1 in parm2, and D2 in parm3, and then looking at the return value.

[0110] If the determination result indicates support (S701 is Yes, return value is true), application E recognizes that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 supports the D1 system (DRM-4) (S702). Application E executes specific process E (S703). Specific process E may be, for example, a process of accessing service provider B120-2 that distributes content with DRM of type DRM-4 applied and retrieving the content.

[0111] If the determination result indicates that it is not supported (S701 is No, the return value is false), application E recognizes that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 does not support the D1 system (DRM-4) (S705). Application E may also instruct the application engine 321 to display on the display screen 160 that "the receiving device does not support the services of application E" because the type of DRM required for the specific processing is not among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 (S706).

[0112] In the broadcast signal receiving device 140 shown in Figure 5E, application E determines "No" in the determination process of S701, so the processes of S705 and S706 are performed as subsequent processes, and the support type acquisition process E is terminated (S704). Figure 8A shows another example of the processing flow when the function shown in Figure 6 is used to provide the application with the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333. It shows the processing flow when application F, shown in Figure 5F, obtains the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333.

[0113] Application F starts the support type acquisition process F-1 (S800) to obtain the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333. Application F determines whether the security management information processing unit 333 supports the A1 system. Specifically, Application F makes the determination by calling the hasCapability method of the Capabilities object, setting Video Element in the query, Content Protection in parm1, A1 in parm2, and A2 in parm3, and then examining the return value.

[0114] If the determination result indicates support (S801 is Yes, return value is true), application F recognizes that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 supports the A1 system (DRM-1) (S802). Application F executes specific process F-1 (S803). Specific process F-1 may be, for example, a process of accessing service provider A120-1 that distributes content with DRM of type DRM-1 applied and obtaining the content.

[0115] If the result of the check is that it is not supported (No in S801, the return value is false), application F further checks whether the security management information processing unit 333 supports the C1 system (S805). Specifically, application F makes the check by calling the hasCapability query of the Capabilities object with Video Element, parm1 set to Content Protection, and parm2 set to C1, and then checking the return value.

[0116] If the determination result indicates support (S805 is Yes, return value is true), application F recognizes that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 supports the C1 system (DRM-3) (S806). Application F executes specific process F-2 (S807). Specific process F-2 may be, for example, a process of accessing a service provider C (not shown) that distributes content with DRM of type DRM-3 applied, and obtaining the content.

[0117] If the determination result indicates that it is not supported (S805 is No, return value is false), application F recognizes that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 does not support the A1 system (DRM-1) and the C1 system (DRM-3) (S808). Application F may also instruct the application engine 321 to display on the display screen 160 that "the receiving device does not support the services of application F" because the type of DRM required for the specific processing is not among the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 (S809).

[0118] In the broadcast signal receiving device 140 shown in Figure 5F, application F determines "Yes" in the determination process of S801, so it proceeds to the processes of S802 and S803, and then terminates the support type acquisition process F (S804). The example of processing shown in Figure 8A is when application F determines the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 in the order of A1 system (DRM-1) and C1 system (DRM-3). However, application F can arbitrarily change the order of determination.

[0119] Figure 8B shows an example of a processing flow when application F determines the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 in the order of C1 system (DRM-3) and A1 system (DRM-1). The only difference from Figure 8A is that the order in which the types of DRM supported by the security management information processing unit 333 are determined has been changed.

[0120] In this way, the order in which the security management information processing unit 333 determines the types of DRM it supports can be freely changed by the application creator, which increases the flexibility of the application's processing and allows the application to fully demonstrate its capabilities.

[0121] Figure 8C is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow illustrating a specific process. It shows the processing flow of specific process F-1 of application F shown in Figure 8A. Application F starts specific process F-1 in the process of S803 in Figure 8A (S840). Application F determines whether the display screen 160 of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 is capable of playing content at 8K resolution, 4K resolution, or 2K resolution.

[0122] Application F first determines whether content with 8K resolution can be played on the display screen 160 of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 (S841). The determination of whether content with 8K resolution can be played on the display screen 160 of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can also be made by calling the hasCapability method of the Capabilities object, setting Video Element to the query, MPEG-DASH to parm1, and 8K to parm2, and then checking the return value.

[0123] If the result of the determination is that playback is possible (Yes in S841, return value is true), application F recognizes that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can play content with 8K resolution and requests service provider A120 to deliver content with 8K resolution that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can play (S846).

[0124] If the result of the determination is that playback is not possible (No in S841, the return value is false), application F determines whether content with 4K resolution can be played on the display screen 160 of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 (S843). The determination of whether content with 4K resolution can be played on the display screen 160 of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can also be made, for example, by calling the hasCapability method of the Capabilities object with Video Element set in the query, MPEG-DASH in parm1, and 4K in parm2, and then checking the return value.

[0125] If the determination is that playback is possible (Yes in S843, return value is true), application F recognizes that the display screen 160 of the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can play content with 4K resolution and requests service provider A120 to deliver content with 4K resolution that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can play (S846).

[0126] If the result of the judgment cannot be displayed (S843 No., return value is false), the application Application F recognizes that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 is capable of playing content with a resolution of 2K, and requests service provider A120 to deliver content with a resolution of 2K that the broadcast signal receiving device 140 can play (S846).

[0127] This allows application F to acquire content that has a resolution that can be displayed on the broadcast signal receiving device 140, among the content to which the DRM type supported by the security management information processing unit 333 is applied. While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, even if each component of a claim is expressed by dividing it, by combining multiple components, or by combining them, it remains within the scope of the present invention. Multiple embodiments may also be combined, and embodiments composed of such combinations also fall within the scope of the invention.

[0128] Furthermore, while drawings may be schematic in order to clarify the explanation, they are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention. In addition, in this specification and each figure, components that perform the same or similar functions as those described above with respect to previously shown figures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant detailed explanations may be omitted as appropriate. Moreover, the apparatus of the present invention is applied whether the claims are expressed as control logic, as a program including instructions for a computer to execute, or as a computer-readable recording medium on which such instructions are written. Furthermore, the names and terms used are not limited, and other expressions are included in the present invention if they are substantially the same in content and spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0129] 100...Broadcast signal transmission device A, 101...Broadcast program server, 102...Basic broadcast signal transmission function, 103...Application data management unit, 120...Service provider A, 140...Broadcast signal receiving device, 141...Basic broadcast signal reception function, 142...Communication control function, 143...Application control function, 144...Terminal linkage function, 321...Application engine, 333...Security management information processing unit.

Claims

1. An analysis unit analyzes the transmission control signals separated from the broadcast signal that receives the broadcast wave for broadcasting the program, and obtains control information from the transmission control signals that relates to application data which will be added to the program to perform specific processing. An application control unit identifies the location of application data present in the broadcast signal based on the aforementioned control information, The application control unit includes an application data receiving processing unit that receives the application data at a location identified within the broadcast signal, The application data receiving processing unit consists of the application data received by the application data A An application engine that manages applications, A content receiving processing unit that acquires content via communication, A security management information processing unit applies security management information that supports the type of content to the content acquired through the communication, among multiple types of security management information that support the protection of the aforementioned content according to its type. It is equipped with, The application engine provides the application with information on the types of security management information supported by the security management information processing unit. The application determines whether there is a type of security management information provided by the application engine that is necessary for performing the specific processing. If, as a result of the above determination, the first type exists, the first distribution destination of the first content to which the security management information of the first type applies is determined, the first content is obtained from the first distribution destination determined through the content receiving processing unit, and the first identification process is performed. If, as a result of the above determination, a second type exists, the second distribution destination of the second content to which the security management information of the second type applies is determined, the second content is obtained from the second distribution destination determined through the content receiving processing unit, and the second identification process is performed. Furthermore, the application determines the resolution at which the display screen can play content, and requests the first or second distribution destination, which distributes content at the resolution determined by the determination result, to distribute the first or second content. Broadcast signal receiving device.

2. The analysis unit analyzes the transmission control signals separated from the broadcast signal that receives the broadcast wave for broadcasting the program, and obtains control information from the transmission control signals that relates to application data which will be added to the program to perform specific processing. The application control unit identifies the location of the application data present in the recorded broadcast signal based on the control information. The application data receiving processing unit receives the application data at the location identified by the application control unit within the broadcast signal. The application engine manages the application consisting of the application data received by the application data receiving processing unit. The content receiving processing unit acquires the content via communication. The security management information processing unit applies, from among multiple types of security management information that support the protection of the content according to its type, the security management information that supports the type of content to the content acquired through the communication. The application engine provides the application with information on the types of security management information supported by the security management information processing unit. The application determines whether there is a type of security management information provided by the application engine that is necessary for performing the specific processing. If, as a result of the above determination, the first type exists, the first distribution destination of the first content to which the security management information of the first type applies is determined, the first content is obtained from the first distribution destination determined through the content receiving processing unit, and the first identification process is performed. If, as a result of the above determination, a second type exists, the second distribution destination of the second content to which the security management information of the second type applies is determined, the second content is obtained from the second distribution destination determined through the content receiving processing unit, and the second identification process is performed. Furthermore, the application determines the resolution at which the display screen can reproduce content, and requests the first or second distribution destination, which distributes content at the resolution determined by the determination result, to distribute the first or second content, a broadcast signal reception method.

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