JP2001358683A - User identification method, broadcasting receiver, and program recording medium for user identification - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely verify a correct viewer (user) at a server side, when the viewer who detects a password that is transmitted from a radio station receives a service that is limited to the viewer on a network. SOLUTION: A broadcasting receiver 2 confines a password A for identifying broadcasting details which are viewed by the viewer and identification characteristic of to a user to generate a password B, and sends it to a server 3. the server 3 restores the password A and the identification characteristic of the user from the received password B, verifies a broadcasting program being viewed by the password A, and at the same time, verifies the user using the identification characteristics of the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television and Internet user who confirms access to one medium with a password and uses the confirmed password as a "key" for accessing the other medium. The present invention relates to a method of providing a service as composite media by providing a relationship between two media by using the media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method for identifying a user of a television and a network represented by the Internet, a password is uttered or displayed on a television, and only a person who answers the password correctly views the television program. For example, when a viewer applies for a prize by a sponsor of the television program as a postcard, writing the password on the postcard as a condition for winning is considered.

[0003]

However, in the conventional method, if the password transmitted on the television is known on an Internet homepage, an e-mail, a magazine, or the like, even a person who is not watching the program can receive the password. Can later know and apply for sweepstakes as if they watched the program, so the benefits originally intended only for those who watched the program spread, and as a result There was a risk that the profits of the provider, such as the sponsor of the program, would be lost.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, to prevent the above-mentioned misappropriation such as diversion of a password, and to automate a password analysis process.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a password displayed on a television is set to be different for each television apparatus, thereby preventing unauthorized use such as diversion of a password and analyzing a password. The above-mentioned problem is solved by using features such as the Internet that can automate the above.

More specifically, according to the present invention, means for transmitting a password A from a broadcasting station, means for a television apparatus to receive the password A, means for storing the password A, and a unique ID number (use Means for storing a password B from the password A and the user unique ID, means for displaying the password B by overlapping it on the screen of the broadcast video, and a server on a network such as the Internet. A means for receiving the password B, a means for disassembling the password B to restore the password A and the user unique ID, a means for storing the scheduled password A2 (not limited to one), and the means for storing the passwords A and A2. Means for determining whether they match (or whether A is in the list of A2).

[0007] Instead of the means for displaying the password B on the screen, means for directly transmitting the password B to a server on a network such as the Internet may be provided. Also, the user unique ID
May be provided later instead of the initial value of the device.

As a method of synthesizing the password B, a method of encrypting the password A and the user unique ID after shuffling the password A can be used. Various other methods can be adopted. Generally, password B = f (password A, user unique ID) password A = g1 (password B) user unique ID = g2 (password B) Functions of f, g1, g2 that are easy to calculate can be used for that purpose. As a typical method of this, for example, <user unique ID><separator><passwordA>
Is converted as a password B using a Caesar cipher (character replacement).

[0009] The usage of the password A and the user unique ID decomposed by a server such as the Internet is arbitrary depending on the application. The password A is used to specify a broadcasted program (or one scene in the program), and the user unique ID is used as a method of specifying a person who has viewed the program. There is a method in which the server determines whether or not the server has already been registered, or a method in which it is not determined.

There are at least the following two methods for associating a user unique ID with a person who has viewed the user ID. one,
The user unique ID is assigned to the device from the beginning, for example, a CPU of Intel Corporation of the United States known as Pentium III, and is automatically or manually uploaded to the Internet when registering for a service. After that, when the user unique ID is analyzed, it is treated as a registered user. Another method is that the device does not initially have a user unique ID or is not used, and is used for some services. This is a method in which data automatically downloaded from the Internet side at the time of user registration is stored in a television device and used as a user unique ID.

A program for realizing each of the above-described processing means by a computer can be stored in a suitable storage medium such as a computer-readable portable medium memory, a semiconductor memory, and a hard disk.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, an outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, 1 is a broadcast station, 2 is a broadcast receiving device such as a television device, 3 is a server for identifying a user who has viewed a broadcast, and 4 is a broadcast program or a broadcast content such as one scene in a broadcast program. Password A (broadcast identification information), 5 is a user unique ID (user identification information) for identifying a user, and 6 is a network such as the Internet.

For example, a different password is added to each television program, and the password is presented to the viewer by characters or other means in the television program, and the viewer is placed at a predetermined position on a specific page screen on the Internet. If the password is entered correctly, the user is identified as a viewer of the program, and when considering a service that links television and the Internet to provide a certain service, only those who actually watched the program There is a need for a mechanism that allows users to enjoy services.

In the present invention, a password displayed on a television is set to be different for each television to prevent improper use due to the diversion of the password. This is realized by, for example, the following means.

A broadcast receiving device 2 such as a television device includes:
The broadcast from the broadcast station 1 is received, and the password A4 is extracted from the received signal. Alternatively, the password A4 is generated from the channel information and the time information at that time. Password B
The combining unit 22 combines the password A4 and the unique user unique ID 5 assigned to the broadcast receiving device 2 using a predetermined encryption technique, and generates the password B. The password B, directly or indirectly through another device,
The data is transmitted to the server 3 connected to the network 6.

In the server 3, when the password B is received by the password B receiving unit 31, the password B is decrypted by the password B decrypting unit 32 and the original password A and the unique ID are restored from the password B. The password A check unit 33 specifies a broadcast program viewed from the password A or one scene in the program, and the like.
The user authentication unit 34 authenticates the user who has viewed the broadcast from the user unique ID obtained from the password B.

As a result, in server B, password A
It is possible to correctly confirm the user who actually viewed the broadcast related to. Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the entire system. The television device 20 shown in FIG.
The personal computer (PC) 21 corresponds to the broadcast receiving device 2 shown in FIG. Television device 20
If a computer having an access function to the network 6 is incorporated in the personal computer, the personal computer 21 is unnecessary. A broadcasting station 1, a server 3 for identifying a user who has viewed a broadcast, and a personal computer 21 (or a television device 20) are connected to a network such as the Internet.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the device configuration of the broadcasting station 1. The device of the broadcasting station 1 holds a password A that can specify the content of the broadcast, and when broadcasting, combines the broadcast video 11 and the password A by the video compositing unit 12 and
3 through a wireless or wired broadcast. On the other hand, the password A is transmitted from the password A transmitting unit 14 to the server 3 in advance or at the time of broadcasting together with detailed information of the broadcast program if necessary.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the television device 20. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a television device for receiving a broadcast,
22 is a password B combining unit, 23 is a television broadcast receiving unit, 24 is a password A storage unit, and 25 is a user-specific I
D is a unique ID storage unit, 26 is a screen display unit, 27
Represents a password B transmission unit.

In the broadcasting station 1, the password A corresponding to the program
Is broadcasted as a digital signal together with the video of the program. In the television device 20, a television broadcast receiving unit 23
Receives the password A, sends the normal video to the screen display unit 26, and stores the password A in the password A storage unit 2.
4 is stored. This password A is stored in the unique ID storage unit 2
5 together with the user unique ID stored in
The combining unit 22 combines the password B with the password B, and the combined password B is displayed on the screen display unit 26 so as to overlap the video.

The viewer who has watched the password B on the screen display inputs the password B from the personal computer 21 shown in FIG. When the personal computer 21 inputs the password B, the password B transmitting unit 27 transmits the password B to the server 3 via the network 6. In the case where the television device 20 has the password B transmission unit 27, the television device 20 can directly transmit the password B to the server 3.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the server 3. In the figure,
1 correspond to those shown in FIG. 1; 35 is a password A receiving unit; 36 is a password A storing unit;
Denotes a reference password storage unit, and 38 denotes a customer database (DB) for storing a user unique ID and user registration information such as a user name for each user.

When the server 3 receives the password A corresponding to the broadcast program from the broadcast station 1, the received password A
Is stored in the reference password storage unit 37 by the password A storage unit 36. In this example, the information stored in the reference password storage unit 37 is received from the broadcast station 1, but not from the broadcast station 1, but from another device (not shown) having a program management function. Is also good.

The viewer's personal computer 2
When the password B is transmitted from the device 1 or the like, in the server 3, the password B receiving unit 31 receives the password B and sends it to the password B decrypting unit 32, and the password B decrypting unit 32 decrypts the password B. I do. Thus, the password A and the user unique ID are restored from the password B.

If the password B is incorrect due to forgery or the like, it is determined that the password is a fake password, and neither the password A nor the user-specific ID is restored. When the password B is properly decrypted and decomposed, the restored password A is sent to the password A check unit 33, and the user unique ID is sent to the user authentication unit 3
4

In the password A check section 33, the password A is compared with the password stored in the reference password storage section 37, and when the password A matches (or in a case where there are a plurality of reference passwords, these passwords are referred to). In the case where the password A matches the password A), it is determined that the user who transmitted the password B is actually the user who has viewed the program indicated by the password A. In addition, the user authentication unit 34 compares the user unique ID restored from the password B with the user unique ID in the customer DB 38, and specifies the user who has viewed the program. The authentication result can be used arbitrarily by the application of the server 3 or another device according to the service content. However, the method of using the authenticated user unique ID is not the gist of the present invention. Detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart of the television device 20 according to the first embodiment.

The television set 20 receives the broadcast from the broadcast station 1 (step S1) and determines whether or not the broadcast signal contains the password A (step S1).
2). If the password A is not included, step S
Proceed to 7. If the password A is included, the password A is extracted from the broadcast signal (step S3). Further, the user unique ID is read from the unique ID storage unit 25 (step S4), and the second password B is synthesized from the password A and the user unique ID using Caesar encryption or the like (step S5). Password B obtained by this
Is superimposed on the broadcast video and synthesized (step S6). Alternatively, when the television device 20 has a function of connecting to the network 6, the server 3 directly on the network 6
To the password B. In step S7, the broadcast video is displayed on the screen. The power of the television device 20 is O
The above steps S1 to S7 are repeated until the FF is reached, and the process ends when the power is turned off (step S8).

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, the password A corresponding to the broadcast program is transmitted to the broadcast station 1
Was transmitted together with the broadcast video, but in the second embodiment, the television device 20 internally generates the password A. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the broadcast station 1
Need not have a function of transmitting the password A, but only have a broadcasting function similar to the conventional one.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a television apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment. The television device 20 according to the second embodiment has a timer 29 synchronized with the broadcast station 1 or the server 3 side.
A password A for identifying a program is generated from a pair of the information of the channel that the user is watching and the time acquired from the timer 29. The electronic program guide (EPG: El
The password A may be generated using information obtained from an ectronic programming guide).

The password B synthesizing unit 6 synthesizes the password B from the generated password A and the user unique ID stored in the unique ID storage unit 25. Password B
Is displayed on the screen display unit 26 so as to overlap with the video, and is transmitted from the password B transmission unit 27 to the server 3 via the network 6 when the password B is input to the personal computer 21. Alternatively, when the television device 20 has a configuration in which the password B transmission unit 27 is provided, the password B is transmitted from the television device 20 directly to the server 3.

The configuration of the main part of the server 3 in the second embodiment is almost the same as that of FIG. 5, but in the case of the second embodiment, the server 3 comprises a password A receiving unit 35 shown in FIG. , Password A storage unit 36 and reference password storage unit 37 are not required. Password A check unit 33
Is the password A obtained by decrypting the password B
, The information of the channel and the information of the broadcast time are obtained, and the broadcast program at that time is recognized. The user authentication in the user authentication unit 34 is the same as in the first embodiment. Also,
The server 3 does not authenticate the user immediately upon receiving the password B, but uses the user unique ID and the program identification information such as the channel and viewing time as the viewing history for each user unique ID. Alternatively, the information may be stored in the customer database 38 and the stored information may be used by another user.

FIG. 8 is a processing flowchart of the television device 20 according to the second embodiment.

The television device 20 receives a broadcast from the broadcast station 1 (step S10). If it is necessary to generate the password A due to an instruction from the viewer or the like, the process proceeds to step S12. If there is no instruction to generate the password A, the process proceeds to step S18. When the password A is generated, the channel information at that time is obtained from the television broadcast receiver 23 (step S12). Also,
The current time is obtained from the timer 29 (step S13). A password A for identifying a broadcast program is generated from the channel information and the current time information (step S14). The password A may be obtained by simply coding and arranging the channel information and the current time. Next, replace the user unique ID with the unique ID.
The password is read from the storage unit 25 (step S15), and the second password B is synthesized from the password A and the user ID using Caesar encryption or the like (step S16). The password B is superimposed on the broadcast video and synthesized (step S17). Alternatively, when the television device 20 has a function of connecting to the network 6, the password B is directly transmitted to the server 3 on the network 6. In step S18, the broadcast video is displayed on the screen. The above steps S until the power of the television device 20 is turned off.
Steps S10 to S18 are repeated, and the process ends when the power is turned off (step S19).

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the user unique ID stored in the unique ID storage unit 25
Can be rewritten by an external input. The other parts of the configuration of the television apparatus 20 are the same as those of the first embodiment or the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.
In the figure, the illustration of that part is omitted.

The input device 201 is an input device such as an IC card reader and reads a user unique ID given to an individual user from the IC card 200 in which the user unique ID is recorded. The ID rewrite unit 202
The user unique ID input from 1 is stored in the unique ID storage unit 25.
To record. The IC rewriting unit 202 stores the IC card 200
By providing a means for checking whether or not the ID is legitimate, only the legitimate user can check the unique ID storage unit 25.
Can be updated. In addition, user-specific I
D may be input not by the IC card 200 but by a magnetic card or other means, or may be input from an external device via a network.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the means shown in FIG. 10 is added to the first embodiment or the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.

In the fourth embodiment, for example, when the Internet server 3 implements online shopping, voting, or other services that require the identification of an actor, only the user unique ID is used for user authentication. Rather than using it, it allows the user to use the user's real name information (user registration information) such as the user's real name and address, and to use the user's real name information in order for the user to use services on the network. When registered in the server 3, the server 3 assigns a user unique ID.

The television apparatus 20 inputs necessary user real name information such as a real name, an address and a telephone number from an input device 211 such as a keyboard. The input unit 21 transmits the input user real name information to the real name transmitting unit 212.
The real name transmitting unit 212 transmits the user real name information to the server 3 via the network 6.

In the server 3, when the user's real name information is received by the real name receiving unit 301, the unique ID assigning unit 302 assigns a user's unique ID such as a sequence number that can uniquely correspond to the user's real name information. I do. The assigned user unique ID is transmitted from the ID transmission unit 304 to the television device 20 that has transmitted the user real name information. Further, the ID / real name storage unit 303 stores the pair information of the assigned user unique ID and the received user real name information in the customer DB 38.

In the television device 20, the user unique ID sent from the server 3 is received by the ID receiving unit 213,
The ID receiving unit 213 stores the user unique ID in the unique ID storage unit 2
5 is stored. As a result, in the server 3, the user authentication information 34 described with reference to FIG. Can be.

It should be noted that the functions of the input unit 211, the real name transmitting unit 212 and the ID receiving unit 213 are
Instead, the present invention can be realized using another device such as the personal computer 21 shown in FIG.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the server 3 stores the user unique ID and the user real name information in the customer DB 38, and the user authentication unit 34 refers to the customer DB 38. In this way, user real name information can be obtained. The difference from the fourth embodiment is that in the fourth embodiment, the server 3 assigns a user unique ID, while in the fifth embodiment, the user unique ID is assigned to the television device 20 in advance. This is the configuration that holds.

The television device 20 inputs necessary user real name information such as a real name, an address and a telephone number from an input unit 221 from an input device 220 such as a keyboard. The input unit 221 sends the input user real name information to the ID / real name transmitting unit 222, and the ID / real name transmitting unit 222
The user unique ID and user real name information read from the storage unit 25 are paired and transmitted to the server 3 via the network 6.

In the server 3, when the ID / real name receiving unit 311 receives the information in which the user unique ID and the user real name information are paired, the ID / real name storage unit 312 stores the user unique ID and the user real name. The information pair information is stored in the customer DB 38.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a viewer who views the password uses a password transmitted from a broadcasting station and enjoys a service limited to viewers on a network such as the Internet, the server does not use the password and the server does not use the password. There is an effect that the user who has correctly listened to the broadcast can be identified. In addition, since the Internet server can acquire an ID unique to each broadcast receiving device, the user (broadcast receiving device) can be authenticated, and online shopping, voting, and other services that require identification of the actor Can be reliably performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the entire system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device configuration of a broadcasting station.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a television device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a server.

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart of the television device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a television device.

FIG. 8 is a processing flowchart of the television device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Broadcasting station 2 Broadcast receiving device 3 Server 4 Password A (broadcast identification information) 5 User unique ID (user identification information) 6 Network 22 Password B synthesis unit 31 Password B reception unit 32 Password B decryption unit 33 Password A check unit 34 User Authentication Department

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/08 H04N 7/173 630 7/081 H04L 9/00 673C 7/173 610 673E 630 673A H04N 7 / 08 Z (72) Inventor Masafumi Shibasaki 2-1-1, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo NTT Advanced Technology Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B085 AE02 AE03 AE23 BE07 5C025 BA25 BA27 BA30 CA09 DA05 DA10 5C063 AB03 AB05 AC10 CA23 5C064 BA07 BB10 BC16 BC20 BD03 BD09 5J104 AA07 KA01 KA04 KA07 NA05 NA35 NA36 PA05

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A method for identifying a user who has viewed a broadcast, comprising combining broadcast identification information for identifying broadcast content and user identification information for identifying a user in a broadcast receiving device. Authentication information is generated, and the authentication information is transmitted from the broadcast receiving device or another device to a server on the network, and the server that has received the authentication information transmits the broadcast identification information and the user identification from the received authentication information. A user identification method characterized by identifying a user who has viewed a broadcast by restoring information. 2. The broadcast identification information is a first password sent as a digital signal from a broadcast station to a broadcast receiving device together with the broadcast content, and the user identification information is unique to each broadcast receiving device. Assigned user-specific I
D, the broadcast receiving apparatus creates a second password by combining the first password and the user unique ID as the authentication information, and the server on the network transmits the second password Decrypting the first password and the user unique ID, and identifying the viewed broadcast program and the user, or storing the extracted information or storing the information of the identification result. The user identification method according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The broadcast identification information is a first password generated internally by the broadcast receiving device according to the broadcast content or broadcast time, and the user identification information is unique to each broadcast receiving device. The broadcast receiving apparatus as the authentication information.
A second password is created by synthesizing the password and the user unique ID, and the server on the network
The input second password is decrypted, the first password and the user unique ID are extracted, and the broadcast program and the user viewed are identified, or the information of the extracted information is stored or the identification result is obtained. 2. The user identification method according to claim 1, wherein information is stored. 4. When transmitting the second password to a server on a network, the second password is transmitted directly from the broadcast receiving device to the server on the network, or the second password is displayed on a screen of the broadcast receiving device. 4. The user identification method according to claim 2, wherein the information is displayed and transmitted to the server via another device connected to a network. 5. The user identification method according to claim 2, wherein the user unique ID is writable or rewritable in the broadcast receiving device. 6. The broadcast receiving device inputs user registration information, transmits the user registration information to a server on the network, and the server receiving the user registration information assigns a user unique ID to the broadcast receiving device. And the broadcast receiver stores the correspondence information between the user unique ID and the user registration information, and the broadcast receiving device transmits the user unique ID transmitted by the server.
6. The user identification method according to claim 5, further comprising: 7. The broadcast receiving apparatus inputs user registration information, transmits the user unique ID stored in the apparatus and the input user registration information to a server on the network, and 6. The user identification method according to claim 2, wherein the stored information stores the correspondence information between the received user unique ID and the user registration information. 8. A broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving and displaying a broadcast, comprising: means for storing a user unique ID uniquely assigned to each broadcast receiving apparatus; and a first means for identifying the content of the received broadcast. Means for generating a password in the own device or extracting the password from received information, and combining the first password and the user unique ID by a method which can be restored by a server on a network to form a second password A broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: means for creating; and means for displaying the created second password on a screen so as to enable transmission to a server on a network, or for directly transmitting the created second password to a server on a network. . 9. A recording medium storing a program for enabling a server on a network to identify a user who has viewed a broadcast by a computer provided in a broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving and displaying the broadcast, A process for generating a first password capable of identifying the content of a received broadcast in the own device or extracting the first password from received information, and a user unique ID uniquely assigned to each broadcast receiving device
And a process of synthesizing the first password and the first password by a method that can be restored by a server on the network to create a second password, and transmitting the created second password to a server on the network. A program recording medium for user identification, characterized by recording a program for causing a computer to execute a process for displaying on a screen or transmitting directly to a server on a network.