Content receiving device and its program

Abstract

To provide a content receiving device capable of associating a display function for message text according to a contract of one of digital broadcasting and network distribution.SOLUTION: A content receiving device 3 comprises: an EMM individual message processing part 330 which extracts first contract information from an EMM individual message of digital broadcasting and stores it in a storage part 331; an EMM common message processing part 32 which performs display control over message text included in an EMM common message according to whether the first contract information shows that a contract is made; and a contract information determination part 36 which determines that the contract is made when one of second contract information on network distribution and the first contract information shows that a contract is made to perform display control over the message text received through network distribution, and also updates contract information showing no contract into contract information showing that the contract is made.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a content receiving apparatus that controls display of messages to be displayed on contents of digital broadcasting or Internet distribution, and a program therefor.

Background Art

[0002] In digital broadcasting, a function is provided to display a text message (hereinafter, message text) superimposed on broadcast video according to the contract status of broadcast services and the like. This message text is used, for example, to prompt the user about the contract of broadcast services or the contact of TV installation. To realize this function, in digital broadcasting, from a transmitting apparatus, a message text to be displayed on TV video is multiplexed with video information as an EMM (Entitlement Management Message) common message, which is information common to all receiving apparatuses standardized by the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB), and transmitted. Further, the transmitting apparatus transmits an EMM individual message including contract information to each receiving apparatus (for each individual ID of the receiving apparatus). The individual ID is an individual identification assigned to each receiving apparatus and is assigned in advance by an IC card or the like. Then, each receiving apparatus accumulates the received EMM individual message as individual information. In digital broadcasting, a function to display a message text according to a contract or the like is realized by displaying a message text corresponding to the individual information accumulated by the receiving apparatus on the video.

[0003] A user who has seen this message text contacts the individual ID of the receiving apparatus by phone or the like to the service provider. Then, the service provider sends an EMM individual message including updated contract information to the receiving apparatus corresponding to the individual ID by the transmitting apparatus. Then, the receiving apparatus rewrites the contract information with the EMM individual message information. By rewriting this contract information, an operation to erase the message text can be realized (see Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] On the other hand, in internet distribution (such as simultaneous internet distribution) of digital television programs, a login ID is assigned to each user in advance, and the distribution side displays a message on the receiving side's video according to the contract status of each login ID. In this way, internet distribution realizes the function of displaying a message on the user's receiving device according to the contract status. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-071955 [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] The Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB), "Access Control System Standard for Digital Broadcasting, ARIB STD-B25 Version 6.7," revised January 21, 2019. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Conventional receiving devices, when implementing both the function to display digital broadcast messages and the function to display internet-distributed messages, operate independently of each other. Therefore, with conventional receiving devices, if a user wants to enjoy both digital broadcast and internet-distributed services, even if they are using the same service provider, they have to contact the service provider each time they want to enjoy each service for the first time to have the messages deleted, which is a troublesome process. Furthermore, conventional receiving devices have separate functions for displaying message text from digital broadcasts and message text from online streaming. This results in a problem where, even when watching the same program, message text may not be displayed on one channel while it is displayed on the other, leading to a message inconsistency.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a content receiving device and program that can link the message display function based on either a contract for digital broadcasting or internet distribution. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the aforementioned problems, the content receiving device according to the present invention is a content receiving device that receives content distributed by digital broadcasting and internet distribution, and comprises a separation unit, an individual message processing unit, a common message processing unit, and a contract information determination unit.

[0010] In this configuration, the content receiving device separates the content, a common message containing a message corresponding to the contract information, and an individual message containing the first contract information for digital broadcasting, using a separation unit to separate the broadcast stream. The content receiving device then extracts the first contract information from the individual message using the individual message processing unit and stores it in the memory unit. This means that contract information for digital broadcasting will be stored in the memory unit.

[0011] The content receiving device, through its common message processing unit, controls the display of the message text included in the common message within the digital broadcast content based on whether or not there is a contract in the first contract information stored in the memory unit. For example, if there is no contract, a message text prompting the user to sign a contract will be superimposed on the content. Furthermore, the content receiving device, through its contract information determination unit, determines that there is a contract for content viewing if either the second contract information for internet distribution or the first contract information for digital broadcasting is valid. In this case, it controls the display of message text distributed via internet distribution in the internet distribution content and updates the contract information for no contract to contract information for a contract.

[0012] As a result, if the content receiving device has a contract (registration) either for digital broadcasting or for Internet distribution, it can present the user with both digital broadcast and Internet-distributed content with the message hidden. Note that the content receiving device can be operated by a program for causing a computer to function as each of the above-described units.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the display function of the message text can be made interlocking between digital broadcasting and Internet distribution. As a result, the present invention can eliminate the discrepancy in the message text between digital broadcasting and Internet distribution, and can save the user the trouble of double registration for digital broadcasting and Internet distribution.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the message display control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block configuration diagram showing the configuration of a broadcast content distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a data configuration diagram showing an example of an EMM common message. [Figure 4] It is a data configuration diagram showing an example of an EMM individual message. [Figure 5] It is a block configuration diagram showing the configuration of a content distribution server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a block configuration diagram showing the configuration of a content receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the operation of message control in digital broadcasting. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing the operation of message control in Internet distribution before authentication. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the operation of message control in Internet distribution after authentication. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the contract information matching process of FIG. 9.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Overview of Message Display Control System] First, referring to FIG. 1, an overview of a message display control system S using a content receiving device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0016] The message display control system S controls the display / non-display of a message sentence M according to the contract content in a content receiving device 3 that displays content when a service provider such as a broadcasting company provides content (broadcast program) by digital broadcast and network distribution. The message display control system S is composed of a broadcast content distribution device 1 owned by a service provider, a content distribution server 2, and a content receiving device 3 installed in each home or the like. Note that the broadcast wave W may be wireless or wired, such as terrestrial digital broadcast, satellite broadcast, cable broadcast, etc. Also, the communication line N may be wireless or wired, such as optical communication, 4G / 5G, etc.

[0017] The broadcast content distribution device 1 distributes content such as video by the broadcast wave W of digital broadcast. The broadcast content distribution device 1 multiplexes contract information on the broadcast wave W and distributes it for each individual content receiving device 3 according to the standards of ARIB.

[0018] The content distribution server 2 distributes (network distributes) the content distributed by digital broadcast via the communication line N. The content distribution server 2 performs user authentication (login authentication) with the content receiving device 3 and transmits the user's contract information to the content receiving device 3 via the communication line N.

[0019] The content receiving device 3 receives content distributed via digital broadcasting and internet distribution and presents it to the user. The content receiving device 3 controls whether or not to display message text M on the display screen according to the contract information for digital broadcasting and internet distribution provided by the service provider. This content receiving device 3 displays message M if both the digital broadcasting contract information and the internet distribution contract information indicate that there is no contract. Furthermore, the content receiving device 3 hides the message M if either the digital broadcasting contract information or the internet distribution contract information indicates that a contract exists. As a result, the message display control system S can synchronize its message display function based on either a contract (registration) for digital broadcasting or internet distribution, eliminating the hassle of user registration and preventing message inconsistencies. The following describes the various components of the message display control system S.

[0020] [Configuration of broadcast content distribution equipment] First, with reference to Figure 2, the configuration of the broadcast content distribution device 1 will be explained. The broadcast content distribution device 1 comprises a content distribution unit 10, an EMM common message generation unit 11, an EMM individual message generation unit 12, and a multiplexing unit 13.

[0021] The content distribution unit 10 distributes content to the content receiving device 3. This content distribution unit 10 encodes the video signals, audio signals, etc. that make up the input content and outputs them to the multiplexing unit 13. For example, the content distribution unit 10 encodes the content using MPEG-2 or similar. Furthermore, the content distribution unit 10 may encrypt and distribute the content using a limited access method, which involves scrambling the content with a scrambling key and transmitting it along with the associated information of the scrambled key, in order to restrict access to the content.

[0022] The EMM common message generation unit (common message generation unit) 11 generates information (common message) that is not limited to individual content receiving devices 3, but is common to all content receiving devices 3. Here, the EMM common message generation unit 11 generates a common message that includes a common message text to be displayed on the content receiving device 3. The EMM common message generation unit 11 receives message text from an external source and generates a common message. The message text is a string of characters (code sequence) representing the message. This message text is the text information displayed on the content receiving device 3, and is, for example, "A contract is required" which is displayed when there is no contract.

[0023] Specifically, the EMM common message generation unit 11 generates a common message as an EMM common message defined in ARIB STD-B25. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the EMM common message generation unit 11 generates an EMM common message M1 by placing a message text identifier in the header section and the message text and display position in the payload section. Here, the display position is information indicating where on the display screen the message text should be displayed, and is information that indicates the horizontal position (left, center, right) and vertical position (top, center, bottom) of the screen using predetermined bit values. Note that the display position is not essential information. Also, the EMM common message M1 in Figure 3 contains only information related to the present invention. The EMM common message generation unit 11 outputs the generated EMM common message to the multiplexing unit 13.

[0024] The EMM individual message generation unit (individual message generation unit) 12 generates information (individual messages) to be individually transmitted to each content receiving device 3. Here, the EMM individual message generation unit 12 generates an individual message that includes contract information specifying the message text to be displayed on the individual content receiving device 3 within the message text distributed as a common message (EMM common message). The EMM individual message generation unit 12 receives individual IDs and contract information from an external source and generates individual messages.

[0025] The individual ID is an identifier that identifies the content receiving device 3, and is, for example, the number of the IC card (IC card number) that has been pre-distributed to the content receiving device 3. Contract information is information that indicates the details of a contract for digital broadcasting provided by a service provider. For example, contract information is a predetermined number depending on whether or not there is a contract, with a value of "1" indicating a contract and a value of "2" indicating no contract.

[0026] Specifically, the EMM individual message generation unit 12 generates individual messages as EMM individual messages defined in ARIB STD-B25. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the EMM individual message generation unit 12 generates an EMM individual message M2 by placing an individual ID in the header and contract information in the payload. The value "1" for contracted and the value "2" for uncontracted in this contract information correspond to the message text identifier shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the individual EMM messages in Figure 4 contain only information relevant to the present invention. The EMM individual message generation unit 12 outputs the generated EMM individual messages to the multiplexing unit 13.

[0027] The multiplexing unit 13 multiplexes the content distributed by the content distribution unit 10, the EMM common message generated by the EMM common message generation unit 11, and the EMM individual message generated by the EMM individual message generation unit 12 as they are input, and transmits them as a broadcast stream.

[0028] Here, the multiplexing unit 13 multiplexes each input piece of information into the TS (Transport Stream) format (MPEG-2 TS) as defined by MPEG-2 Systems. The broadcast stream thus multiplexed is then distributed to the content receiving device 3 via the broadcast wave W. Although the broadcast stream is distributed via the broadcast wave W in this example, it may also be distributed via a communication line N. With the configuration described above, the broadcast content distribution device 1 can control the display of message text according to the contract to the content receiving device 3.

[0029] [Content distribution server configuration] Next, we will explain the configuration of the content distribution server 2 with reference to Figure 5. The content distribution server 2 comprises a content distribution unit 20, a communication message generation unit 21, an EMM individual message generation unit 22, a storage unit 23, a personal authentication unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

[0030] The content distribution unit 20 distributes the content requested by the content receiving device 3 to the content receiving device 3 via the communication unit 25. This content is, for example, content distributed by the broadcast content distribution device 1, or content currently being distributed, stored in an external storage device (not shown in the diagram). The content distribution unit 20 encodes the content using MPEG-2 or the like, and transmits it to the requested content receiving device 3 via the communication unit 25.

[0031] The communication message generation unit 21 generates a message to be displayed on the content receiving device 3 according to the contract status as a communication message. This message is a string of characters (code sequence) similar to the message used by the EMM common message generation unit 11 (see Figure 2), and is, for example, "A contract is required" which is displayed when there is no contract. This communication message may also include the display position of the message. The communication message generation unit 21 transmits the generated communication message to the content receiving device 3 that requested the connection, via the communication unit 25.

[0032] The EMM individual message generation unit (individual message generation unit) 22 generates information (individual messages) to be individually transmitted to each content receiving device 3. When the EMM individual message generation unit 22 receives a request for contract information managed by the content distribution server 2 from a content receiving device 3 (individual ID) of a user (user ID) authenticated by the personal authentication unit 24, the EMM individual message generation unit 22 reads the user's contract information from the storage unit 23. The EMM individual message generation unit 22 then generates an individual message from the read contract information. This individual message will have the same format as the EMM individual message (see Figure 4) generated by the EMM individual message generation unit 12 (see Figure 2). This allows the content receiving device 3 to obtain contract information from the broadcast content distribution device 1 and the content distribution server 2 as EMM individual messages in the same format.

[0033] The memory unit 23 stores authentication information and contract information for users who view content via communication, associated with their user ID. Authentication information is information used to authenticate the user using the content receiving device 3, and includes, for example, a user ID and password. Contract information is information that indicates the details of the contract for online distribution provided by the service provider. For example, contract information is a predetermined number depending on whether or not there is a contract, and is the same as the contract information in broadcast content distribution device 1.

[0034] The personal authentication unit 24 authenticates the user using the content receiving device 3. The personal authentication unit 24 obtains user login information, including user ID, password, and individual ID, from the content receiving device 3 via the communication unit 25, and performs authentication based on whether or not it matches the user ID and password stored in the storage unit 23. If authentication is successful, the personal authentication unit 24 associates an individual ID with the user ID in the storage unit 23. Furthermore, the personal authentication unit 24 determines whether the user has already entered into a contract based on the contract information stored in the storage unit 23, and if the user has already entered into a contract, it transmits that contract information to the content receiving device 3 via the communication unit 25. Furthermore, when contract information is uploaded from the content receiving device 3, the personal authentication unit 24 stores the uploaded contract information in the storage unit 23, associating it with the user ID.

[0035] The communication unit 25 transmits and receives communication data to and from the content receiving device 3 via the communication line N. With the configuration described above, the content distribution server 2 can send and receive contract information with the content receiving device 3, and one contract can hide the display of messages from the other.

[0036] [Content receiving device configuration] Next, the configuration of the content receiving device 3 will be described with reference to Figure 6. The content receiving device 3 comprises a separation unit 30, a broadcast content decoding unit 31, an EMM common message processing unit 32, a security module 33, a communication unit 34, a personal authentication unit 35, a contract information determination unit 36, a communication content decoding unit 37, and a message display unit 38.

[0037] The separation unit 30 separates the broadcast stream (MPEG-2 TS) distributed from the broadcast content distribution device 1. Here, the separation unit 30 separates the broadcast stream, which is multiplexed with content, a common message (EMM common message) containing a message sentence corresponding to contract information, and an individual message (EMM individual message) containing digital broadcast contract information (first contract information). The separation unit 30 outputs the separated content to the broadcast content decoding unit 31. The separation unit 30 also outputs the separated EMM common message to the EMM common message processing unit 32. The separation unit 30 also outputs the separated EMM individual message to the EMM individual message processing unit 330 of the security module 33.

[0038] The broadcast content decoding unit 31 decodes the content separated by the separation unit 30. In this case, the broadcast content decoding unit 31 decodes content encoded in MPEG-2 or the like. When receiving content using a restricted access method, the diagram and explanation are omitted, but the broadcast content decoding unit 31 obtains a scrambling key from the security module 33 and descrambles the content. The broadcast content decoding unit 31 outputs the decoded content to the message display unit 38.

[0039] The EMM common message processing unit 32 controls the display of message text included in the common message (EMM common message) in digital broadcast content based on whether or not there is a contract for the contract information (first contract information) N1 stored in the storage unit 331. Here, the EMM common message processing unit 32 extracts message text corresponding to the contract status from the common message (EMM common message) separated by the separation unit 30. Then, the EMM common message processing unit 32 refers to the contract information N1 stored in the storage unit 331 within the security module 33 and extracts message statements corresponding to the contract status values, such as "contract exists" or "contract does not exist," from the message statements included in the EMM common message.

[0040] The EMM common message processing unit 32 outputs an instruction to the message display unit 38 to synthesize the extracted message text. Furthermore, if a contract exists, the EMM common message processing unit 32 instructs the message display unit 38 to display a message corresponding to the existence of a contract (for example, "You have a contract") for a predetermined time, or outputs an instruction to the message display unit 38 to hide the message.

[0041] The security module 33 controls the output of message text based on contract information. Since contract information is sensitive information, the security module 33 is composed of an IC card or similar device. The security module 33 comprises an EMM individual message processing unit 330 and a storage unit 331.

[0042] The EMM individual message processing unit 330 extracts contract information from individual messages (EMM individual messages) and stores it in the storage unit 331. Here, the EMM individual message processing unit 330 extracts contract information N1 or N2 (first contract information or second contract information) from the individual messages (EMM individual messages) separated by the separation unit 30 or received by the communication unit 34 described later. The EMM individual message processing unit 330 then stores the extracted contract information in the storage unit 331. In other words, the EMM individual message processing unit 330 extracts contract information (first contract information) N1 from the EMM individual messages distributed via digital broadcasting and stores it in the storage unit 331. Furthermore, the EMM individual message processing unit 330 extracts contract information (second contract information) N2 from the EMM individual messages distributed via network distribution and stores it in the storage unit 331 as contract information (first contract information) N1. The memory unit 331 stores the contract information extracted by the EMM individual message processing unit 330 and is composed of a general storage medium such as semiconductor memory.

[0043] The communication unit 34 transmits and receives communication data to and from the content distribution server 2 via the communication line N. The communication unit 34 outputs authentication information to the personal authentication unit 35. The communication unit 34 also outputs the received EMM individual message to the EMM individual message processing unit 330 of the security module 33. The communication unit 34 also outputs the received communication message (message text, contract information) to the contract information determination unit 36. The communication unit 34 also outputs the received content to the communication content decoding unit 37.

[0044] The personal authentication unit 35 authenticates the user in relation to the content distribution server 2. The personal authentication unit 35 transmits user authentication information (user ID, password, individual ID) to the content distribution server 2 via the communication unit 34 to perform user authentication.

[0045] The contract information determination unit 36 ​​determines that there is a contract for content viewing if either the contract information for digital broadcasting (first contract information) N1 or the contract information for internet distribution (second contract information) N2 is in the contract. In this unit, it controls the display of message text distributed via internet distribution in the internet distribution content and updates the contract information for no contract to the contract information for a contract. The contract information determination unit 36 ​​retrieves the message text from the content distribution server 2 before performing personal authentication. The contract information determination unit 36 ​​then refers to the contract information N1 stored in the storage unit 331 within the security module 33, and if a contract exists, it instructs the message display unit 38 to hide the message text. On the other hand, if there is no contract, the contract information determination unit 36 ​​outputs the message text to the message display unit 38.

[0046] Furthermore, after performing personal authentication, the contract information determination unit 36 ​​obtains contract information N2 from the communication unit 34. The contract information determination unit 36 ​​then refers to the contract information N1 stored in the storage unit 331 within the security module 33 and the obtained contract information N2, and if either one indicates that there is a contract, it instructs the message display unit 38 to hide the message text. On the other hand, if neither contract information indicates that there is no contract, the contract information determination unit 36 ​​outputs the message text to the message display unit 38.

[0047] If contract information N1 and contract information N2 do not match, the contract information determination unit 36 ​​matches the contract information for digital broadcasting and internet distribution. Specifically, if only contract information N2 (network distribution) is in contract, the contract information determination unit 36 ​​requests contract information from the content distribution server 2 (source of network distribution). As a result, the content distribution server 2 distributes the contract information to the content receiving device 3 via an EMM individual message, and the contract information for which a contract exists is stored in the storage unit 331. In this case, the contract information determination unit 36 ​​may store the contract information N2 in the storage unit 331, but it is preferable to do so through the service provider so that the service provider can grasp the contract status.

[0048] On the other hand, if only contract information N1 (digital broadcasting) is found to be in contract, the contract information determination unit 36 ​​uploads contract information N1 to the content distribution server 2 (the source of the online distribution). As a result, the content distribution server 2 also stores the contract information for which a contract exists.

[0049] The communication content decoding unit 37 decodes the content received via the communication unit 34. In this case, the communication content decoding unit 37 decodes content encoded in MPEG-2 or the like. The communication content decoding unit 37 outputs the decoded content to the message display unit 38.

[0050] The message display unit 38 synthesizes a message text according to the contract with the content and displays it. In this case, the message display unit 38 switches between digital broadcasting and internet distribution to display either the digital broadcasting or the internet distribution content. If both digital broadcasting and internet distribution content are to be displayed on multiple screens (multi-window), two message display units 38 are sufficient, one for digital broadcasting and one for internet distribution.

[0051] The message display unit 38 combines the content input from the broadcast content decoding unit 31 with the message text input from the EMM common message processing unit 32. However, if the EMM common message processing unit 32 instructs the message display unit 38 to hide the message text, the message display unit 38 will not perform the message text combination. Furthermore, the message display unit 38 combines the content input from the communication content decoding unit 37 with the message text input from the contract information determination unit 36. However, if the contract information determination unit 36 ​​instructs that the message text be hidden, the message display unit 38 will not perform the message text combination.

[0052] With the configuration described above, the content receiving device 3 can present content to the user via digital broadcasting and internet distribution with a contract for either digital broadcasting or internet distribution. This eliminates the need for users to go through the registration process. Furthermore, the content receiving device 3 can match the message text displayed for digital broadcasting and internet distribution based on the contract.

[0053] Furthermore, the content receiving device 3 can be operated using a content receiving program that causes a computer (not shown in the diagram) to function as one of the aforementioned components. This content receiving program can also be run on a PC (personal computer), for example.

[0054] [Operation of the message display control system] Next, with reference to Figures 7 to 10, the operation of the message display control system S using the content receiving device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the content transmission and reception operations are general operations and will therefore not be explained here; instead, the message text display control operation will be described.

[0055] (Digital broadcasting) First, referring to Figure 7 (and Figures 2 and 6 as appropriate for the configuration), we will explain the message display control operation when viewing digital broadcast content.

[0056] In step S1, the broadcast content distribution device 1 generates an EMM individual message containing contract information using the EMM individual message generation unit 12. In step S2, the broadcast content distribution device 1 uses the multiplexing unit 13 to multiplex the EMM individual messages generated in step S1 into a broadcast stream and transmit them to the content receiving device 3.

[0057] In step S3, the content receiving device 3 separates individual EMM messages from the broadcast stream using the separation unit 30. In step S4, the content receiving device 3 extracts contract information from the EMM individual messages separated in step S3 using the EMM individual message processing unit 330 of the security module 33, and stores it in the storage unit 331.

[0058] In step S5, the broadcast content distribution device 1 uses the EMM common message generation unit 11 to generate an EMM common message that includes a common message to be displayed on the content receiving device 3, according to the contract information. In step S6, the broadcast content distribution device 1 uses the multiplexing unit 13 to multiplex the EMM common message generated in step S5 into the broadcast stream and transmit it to the content receiving device 3.

[0059] In step S7, the content receiving device 3 separates the EMM common message from the broadcast stream using the separation unit 30. In step S8, the content receiving device 3, using the EMM common message processing unit 32, refers to the storage unit 331 and determines whether or not a contract exists. If a contract exists (checked as "yes" in step S8), in step S9, the content receiving device 3 instructs the message display unit 38 to hide the message text via the EMM common message processing unit 32, and terminates its operation with the message text hidden.

[0060] On the other hand, if there is no contract (selected as "none" in step S8), in step S10, the content receiving device 3 extracts a message corresponding to no contract from the EMM common message using the EMM common message processing unit 32. Then, in step S11, the content receiving device 3 displays the message extracted in step S10 and terminates its operation.

[0061] Through the above operations, the content receiving device 3 can display the content while hiding the message text only if "contract exists" is registered as contract information in the storage unit 331.

[0062] (Online streaming: Before authentication) Next, referring to Figure 8 (and Figures 5 and 6 as appropriate for the configuration), we will explain the message display control operation before authentication (before login) in network distribution.

[0063] In step S20, the content receiving device 3, in response to a user's instruction to switch to viewing via network distribution, requests a connection to the content distribution server 2 via the communication unit 34. In step S21, the content distribution server 2 generates a message to be displayed according to the contract status as a communication message using the communication message generation unit 21. In step S22, the content distribution server 2 transmits the communication message generated in step S21 to the content receiving device 3 via the communication unit 25.

[0064] In step S23, the content receiving device 3 receives the communication message (message text) transmitted in step S22 via the communication unit 34. In step S24, the content receiving device 3 uses the contract information determination unit 36 ​​to refer to the storage unit 331 and determine whether or not there is a contract. If a contract exists (checked as "yes" in step S24), in step S25, the content receiving device 3 instructs the message display unit 38 to hide the message text via the contract information determination unit 36, and terminates its operation with the message text hidden.

[0065] On the other hand, if there is no contract (selected as "none" in step S24), in step S26, the content receiving device 3 displays the message received in step S23 using the message display unit 38 and terminates its operation.

[0066] Through the above operations, the content receiving device 3 can control the display of message text based on whether or not the user has a digital broadcasting contract, even before user authentication, without determining whether or not the user has a contract.

[0067] (Online streaming: After authentication) Next, referring to Figure 9 (and Figures 5 and 6 as appropriate for the configuration), we will explain the message display control operation after authentication (after login) in network delivery.

[0068] Following the connection described in step S20 in Figure 8, the content receiving device 3 performs authentication with the content distribution server 2 at any time using the personal authentication unit 35 (steps S30A, 30B). Here, authentication is performed by the user entering their user ID and password. At this time, the personal authentication unit 35 transmits the user ID, password, and the individual ID of the content receiving device 3 to the content distribution server 2. If the content distribution server 2 successfully authenticates the user, the personal authentication unit 24 associates the individual ID with the contract information corresponding to the user stored in the storage unit 23, and then transmits the contract information to the content receiving device 3.

[0069] In step S31, the content receiving device 3 uses a contract information determination unit 36 ​​to determine whether or not a contract exists based on either the contract information N1 stored in the storage unit 331 or the contract information N2 transmitted from the content distribution server 2 in steps S30A and B. If a contract exists (checked as "yes" in step S31), in step S32, the content receiving device 3 instructs the message display unit 38 to hide the message text via the contract information determination unit 36, thereby hiding the message text and proceeding to step S34. On the other hand, if there is no contract (selected as "none" in step S31), in step S33, the content receiving device 3 displays the message received in step S23 (Figure 8) using the message display unit 38 and terminates its operation.

[0070] In step S34, the content receiving device 3 uses a contract information determination unit 36 ​​to determine whether the contract information N1 stored in the storage unit 331 and the contract information N2 transmitted from the content distribution server 2 in steps S30A and B are inconsistent. If the contract information matches ("match" in step S34), the content receiving device 3 terminates its operation.

[0071] On the other hand, if the contract information does not match (indicated as "mismatch" in step S34), the content receiving device 3 performs a contract information matching process (steps S35A, 35B) and then terminates its operation. This contract information matching process will be described later with reference to Figure 10. This contract information matching process may be performed before step S31.

[0072] (Contract information matching process) Next, referring to Figure 10 (and Figures 5 and 6 as appropriate for the configuration), the contract information matching process (S35A, S35B) in Figure 9 will be explained.

[0073] In step S40, the content receiving device 3 uses the contract information determination unit 36 ​​to determine whether or not there is a contract for the contract information N1 stored in the storage unit 331. If a contract exists (step S40 "Yes"), the content receiving device 3 proceeds to step S47. On the other hand, if there is no contract (none in step S40), in step S41, the content receiving device 3, via the communication unit 34, sends a request for contract information (contract information request) to the content distribution server 2 through the contract information determination unit 36.

[0074] In step S42, the content distribution server 2 receives a contract information request from the communication unit 25. In step S43, the content distribution server 2, in response to the contract information request received in step S42, uses the EMM individual message generation unit 22 to read the contract information from the storage unit 23 and generate an EMM individual message. In step S44, the content distribution server 2 transmits the EMM individual message generated in step S43 to the content receiving device 3 that requested the contract information, via the communication unit 25.

[0075] In step S45, the content receiving device 3 receives the EMM individual message transmitted in step S44 via the communication unit 34. In step S46, the content receiving device 3 extracts contract information from the EMM individual message received in step S45 using the EMM individual message processing unit 330 of the security module 33, and stores it in the storage unit 331. As a result, the storage unit 331 stores the contract information for internet distribution.

[0076] In step S47, the content receiving device 3 uses the contract information determination unit 36 ​​to determine whether or not there is a contract for the contract information N2 transmitted from the content distribution server 2 in steps S30A,B (Figure 9). If a contract exists (step S47 "Yes"), the content receiving device 3 terminates its operation. On the other hand, if there is no contract ("none" in step S47), in step S48, the content receiving device 3 terminates its operation by having the contract information determination unit 36 ​​transmit (upload) the contract information N1 stored in the storage unit 331 to the content distribution server 2 via the communication unit 34.

[0077] In step S49, the content distribution server 2 receives the contract information uploaded in step S48 via the communication unit 25. In step S50, the content distribution server 2, using the personal authentication unit 24, stores the contract information received in step S49 in the storage unit 23 and terminates its operation. As a result, the storage unit 23 stores the contract information for digital broadcasting. The above steps will result in a state where the digital broadcasting contract and the internet streaming contract are synchronized. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] S Message Display Control System 1. Broadcast content distribution device 10. Content Distribution Department 11. EMM Common Message Generation Unit (Common Message Generation Unit) 12 EMM Individual Message Generation Unit 13 Multiplexer 2. Content distribution server 20 Content Distribution Department 21 Communication message generation unit 22 EMM Individual Message Generation Unit (Individual Message Generation Unit) 23 Memory section 24 Personal Authentication Department 25 Communications Department 3. Content receiving device 30 Separation part 31 Broadcast Content Decoding Unit 32 EMM Common Message Processing Unit (Common Message Processing Unit) 33 Security Modules 330 EMM Individual Message Processing Unit (Individual Message Processing Unit) 331 Storage section 34 Communications Department 35 Personal Authentication Department 36 Contract Information Determination Unit 37 Communication Content Decoding Unit 38 Message display section

Claims

1. A content receiving device that receives content distributed via digital broadcasting and internet streaming, A separation unit separates a broadcast stream in which content, a common message containing a message corresponding to contract information, and an individual message containing the first contract information for the digital broadcast are multiplexed. An individual message processing unit that extracts the first contract information from the individual message and stores it in a storage unit, A common message processing unit controls the display of message text included in the common message in the digital broadcast content based on whether or not there is a contract for the first contract information stored in the memory unit, If either the second contract information for the aforementioned online distribution or the first contract information indicates that a contract exists, the contract information determination unit determines that there is a contract for viewing the content, controls the display of the message text distributed via the online distribution in the online distribution content, and updates the contract information for no contract to contract information for a contract. A content receiving device characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The content receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contract information determination unit uploads the first contract information to the source of the online distribution if the first contract information indicates that there is a contract and the second contract information indicates that there is no contract.

3. The contract information determination unit, if the first contract information indicates no contract and the second contract information indicates a contract, sends a request to the network distribution source to distribute the second contract information via a communication line as an individual message. The content receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual message processing unit extracts the second contract information from the individual message received via the communication line, and updates the first contract information in the storage unit with the contents of the second contract information.

4. It includes a personal authentication unit that authenticates the source of the aforementioned online distribution, The content receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the pre-authentication state, the contract information determination unit controls the display of the message text received via network distribution in accordance with the first contract information.

5. A content receiving program for causing a computer to function as a content receiving device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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