JP2009021828A - Viewing restriction method, and television broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology by which setting of viewing age restriction is more simply performed in a television broadcast receiver connectable to the Internet. <P>SOLUTION: A viewing restriction control part 40 of the television broadcast receiver 10 sets age restriction in both functions of a television function part 20 and an Internet function part 30 and decides whether or not content is an object for the age restriction regarding the viewing restriction. For the purpose, the viewing restriction control part 40 is provided with: an age restriction setting part 41 which sets an age of the viewing age restriction; an age restriction information storage part 42 which stores the set information; and an age restriction decision part 43 which decides whether not only a program of television broadcast but a web page is an object for the age restriction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a viewing restriction method and a television broadcast receiver, and more particularly to a web page viewing restriction method and a television broadcast receiver having such a viewing restriction function in a television broadcast receiver connectable to the Internet.

  There are various contents on the web, and users can easily access them. Depending on the content, there are many violent scenes and some web pages do not want children to watch.

  As described above, the web browser of the personal computer can be additionally equipped with a function of blocking a web page that a child or the like does not want to view, and the user can use a predetermined setting item of the web browser to restrict viewing. Set up.

  Various techniques have been proposed in order to effectively limit viewing. For example, a technology for registering addresses such as highly probable web pages that violate public order and morals in the contract provider's database and not displaying them when a user client accesses an address registered in the database. (See Patent Document 1).

  In addition, when a user accesses a URL, the user once accesses a predetermined look-up server, and there is a technique that does not permit the user's access when the URL that the user desires to access is subject to browsing restriction ( Patent Document 2).

Also, as a publicly known technique, an identifier called PICS (Platform for Internet Content Selection) -Label indicating a viewing restriction level is previously incorporated in the header area of an HTML document for configuring a web page, and the browser side refers to the identifier. There is also a technique for restricting user browsing.
JP 2002-116958 A JP 2005-107831 A

  By the way, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the known technique, viewing restriction in a personal computer can be performed relatively effectively. However, setting up a personal computer can be very difficult for some users. Therefore, in a device in which an Internet connection function is added to a television broadcast receiver, the user does not set or forgets to set the Internet connection function even if the viewing restriction setting is set for viewing of the TV broadcast receiver. Sometimes.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a TV broadcast receiver capable of browsing a web page by connecting to the Internet, with effective viewing restrictions for both functions of the TV broadcast receiver and the web browsing function. It is to provide a technique for simple setting.

An aspect of the present invention relates to a viewing restriction method. This method is a viewing restriction method in a television broadcast receiver that can browse web pages by connecting to the Internet, and analyzes whether the content of the connection target web page is subject to viewing restriction. A determination step for determining whether or not the connection destination web page is a displayable page by comparing the analysis result of the analysis step and the viewing restriction set as a function of the television broadcast receiver; Have
Moreover, the setting of the viewing restriction regarding viewing as a function of the television broadcast receiver may be a setting regarding age of viewing target.
Moreover, the analysis step may acquire information relating to a viewing-restricted age of the connection destination web page.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a television broadcast receiver. This television broadcast receiver is a television broadcast receiver that can connect to the Internet and browse web pages, and includes a viewing restriction information storage unit that stores setting of viewing restrictions regarding viewing of the television broadcast receiver, and a web page. A page analysis unit that extracts content to be subject to viewing restriction included in the web page when connected, a viewing restriction level estimated from the content extracted by the page analysis unit, and the viewing restriction information storage unit And a determination unit that determines whether or not the web page is subject to viewing restriction, and the determination unit determines whether the web page is subject to viewing restriction. A page display unit that restricts the display of the web page when it is determined that the web page is present.

  According to the present invention, in a television broadcast receiver that can browse a web page by connecting to the Internet, the viewing restriction set as the function of the television broadcast receiver is also applied to the web browsing function. Limit settings can be easily set to multiple functions.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the viewing restriction level set as a function of the television broadcast receiver in the television broadcast receiver that can connect to the Internet and display a web page is also applied to web page browsing. That is, the viewing restriction level set as a function of the television broadcast receiver is compared with the viewing restriction level of the web page estimated from the content of the selected web page, and the viewing restriction level of the web is determined by the television broadcast receiver. When the viewing restriction level set for the function is lower, the display of the web page is restricted. In the present embodiment, “age” is used as the viewing restriction level, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a level divided into predetermined groups may be used.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a television broadcast receiver 10 according to the present embodiment. The television broadcast receiver 10 includes a television function unit 20, an internet function unit 30, and an output unit 12 of the television broadcast receiver. The television broadcast receiver 10 further supervises the operations of the interface unit 14 for accepting operations on the television broadcast receiver 10 by the operation means 15 such as a remote controller, a keyboard, and a mouse, and the components of the television broadcast receiver 10. And a main control unit 13 for controlling. Each component, such as the main control unit 13 and a viewing restriction control unit 40 described later, is configured by, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a memory, and the program stored in the memory This function is realized by executing.

  The television function unit 20 includes a tuner 21, a restriction information acquisition unit 22, and a video / audio processing unit 23. The tuner 21 is connected to the antenna 11 and receives and decodes terrestrial digital broadcasting, for example.

  The restriction information acquisition unit 22 extracts a parental rate described in PSI (Program Specific Information) included in the TS packet of the decoded terrestrial digital broadcast program. The parental rate is also referred to as an age viewing restriction rate, and represents a viewing restriction level based on age.

  The video / audio processing unit 23 synchronizes the image data and the audio data decoded by the tuner 21 and outputs them to the output unit 12. Further, when outputting the image data, the video / audio processing unit 23 adds or processes the display of the contents of the data broadcast, the selected channel number, the time, etc. to the image data of the program as necessary. . The output unit 12 includes a display unit that displays image data and a speaker that outputs audio data.

  The Internet function unit 30 includes a network connection unit 31 and a web browser 35. The network connection unit 31 includes a network connection interface and connects to the Internet 50.

  The web browser 35 includes a page analysis unit 32 and a page display unit 33. When connected to a web page, the page analysis unit 32 analyzes the page according to an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) document, image data, or the like. Further, as one of the parental functions, the page analysis unit 32 extracts predetermined content that is a criterion for viewing age restriction, for example, words or image data in the text, and the number of words or the total number of words. Find the ratio to.

  The page display unit 33 finally displays characters or images by appropriately arranging them in the display area of the browser or adjusting the character format based on the analysis result of the page analysis unit 32. Acts as a renderer.

  The viewing restriction control unit 40 sets the viewing restriction for both functions of the TV function unit 20 and the Internet function unit 30 and determines whether the viewing restriction is a target of viewing restriction. For this purpose, the viewing restriction control unit 40 includes an age restriction setting unit 41, an age restriction information storage unit 42, and an age restriction determination unit 43.

  The age restriction setting unit 41 sets an age as a viewing restriction level for a program with age restriction in the television function unit 20. FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of an age limit setting screen. First, the user operates a remote controller or the like as the operation means 15 to call a menu screen and display a “viewing age setting” screen from the “digital setting” item.

  The user first inputs the age (number) for viewing restriction in the field of the first item A1. In the figure, “18 years old” or less is set to be restricted. Note that if the viewing restriction is not set, the user selects the “unlimited” button. By default, it may be set to unlimited, for example, “20 years old” may be set.

  Next, in the second item A2, the user selects whether to apply the viewing restriction set in the first item A1 to the Internet connection. In the figure, “Apply” is selected.

  Finally, in the third item A3, the user presses the “OK” button after inputting the personal identification number, thereby completing the setting of viewing age restriction.

  The age restriction information storage unit 42 stores, together with the contents set by the age restriction setting unit 41, keywords associated with connection to the Internet in association with the set viewing restriction age. As described above, the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast television broadcast program is performed by referring to the PSI parental rate included in the TS packet.

  On the other hand, regarding web pages, it is not yet widespread to use descriptors such as PICS-Label corresponding to the parental rate. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the web page and determine whether the web page is a target of viewing age restriction. Therefore, as a criterion for judgment, for example, characters and images such as “target 18 years and older” are used on the web.

  In addition, when a specific word included in the web page, for example, a word often associated with a violent scene such as “war” or “gun” is included, the viewing age is restricted. Although not shown, image data and audio data may also be included as judgment elements for viewing age restriction. In this case, the page analysis unit 32 determines whether the target is a viewing age restriction target using, for example, a known matching method.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a setting table related to the setting information stored in the age restriction information storage unit 42. This table indicates that “age 18 or younger” is selected as the target of viewing age restriction in the age restriction setting unit 41 and that the viewing age restriction is also applied to the Internet connection. .

  For example, in the row where the age is “20 years old”, “−” is described in both items of the television broadcast receiver and the Internet, indicating that the age is not subject to viewing age restriction. On the other hand, in the row where the age is “18 years old”, “◯” is written in both items of the television broadcast receiver and the Internet, indicating that the age is restricted. Since the target of viewing age restriction is “18 years old or younger”, “◯” is stored for all items younger than 18 years old and younger than 17 years old.

  Further, in the Internet column, a “keyword” column is provided as a sub-item. In this keyword column, words that are included in the web page and are used as criteria for determining the target of viewing age restriction are described. For example, in the case of “18 years old”, three words “war”, “gun”, and “violence” are described. When these words are included in the web page, the web page is determined to be a target page for viewing age restriction. It should be noted that when at least one word listed as a keyword is included, it may be determined as a target for viewing age restriction, or when a predetermined number, for example, five or more words are included, You may judge it as an object. In addition, instead of the predetermined number, the ratio of keywords in all words included in the web page may be used as a criterion for determination. For example, when the ratio of keywords is 5% or more, to decide.

  As a keyword of the setting table, a predetermined word is registered by default for each age. Then, the viewing restriction control unit 40 may access the server 51 via the network connection unit 31 and update the keyword from a predetermined database stored in the server 51 to the latest keyword. Further, the user may be able to make additional settings, or the user may set all keywords.

  Then, for the television function unit 20, the age restriction determination unit 43 compares the PSI parental rate acquired by the restriction information acquisition unit 22 with the setting table stored in the age restriction information storage unit 42. The program selected by the user by switching channels, or a new program that starts on the same channel, is determined whether or not the program is subject to viewing age restriction, and a warning screen is displayed if the program is subject to viewing age restriction. Or display. For the Internet function unit 30, the age restriction determination unit 43 compares the analysis result of the page analysis unit 32 with the setting table stored in the age restriction information storage unit 42, and the web selected by the user on the browser screen. It is determined whether the page is subject to viewing age restriction.

  The operation related to viewing age restriction in the Internet function unit 30 of the television broadcast receiver 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the user activates the web browser 35 and the web page browsing process starts (S10), the age restriction determination unit 43 refers to the age restriction information storage unit 42 and the viewing age restriction is set in the television function unit 20. (S12).

  When the viewing age limit is not set in the TV function unit 20 (N in S12), the age limit determination unit 43 determines that the web page specified by the user can be browsed (S14), and receives the result, the Internet The page display unit 33 of the function unit 30 displays the web page on the output unit 12 (S16).

  In the process of S12, when it is determined that the viewing age limit is set in the TV function unit 20 (Y in S12), the page analysis unit 32 analyzes the information on the web page specified by the user (S18). That is, as described above, the page analysis unit 32 includes, for example, a notation related to the age for limiting the access target, for example, a notation such as “prohibition under 18 years old” or a setting table of the age restriction information storage unit 42. The keyword memorize | stored in is extracted.

  Then, the age restriction determination unit 43 determines the browsing target age of the web page designated by the user (S20), refers to the age restriction information storage unit 42, and acquires the viewing age restriction set in the television function unit 20 Then, the target age of the viewing age restriction set in the television function unit 20 is compared with the browsing target age of the web page determined in the process of S20 (S24).

  Therefore, when the browsing age of the web page is lower than the viewing age restriction target age set in the TV function unit 20 (Y in S26), the age restriction determination unit 43 determines that the web page specified by the user can be browsed. The page display unit 33 displays the web page on the output unit 12 (S16).

  On the other hand, when the browsing age of the web page is equal to or higher than the viewing age restriction target age set in the TV function unit 20 (N in S26), the age restriction determination unit 43 views the web page designated by the user. The page display unit 33 determines that the page is a restriction target page (S28), and does not display the web page on the output unit 12. For example, as shown in FIG. A warning screen requesting input of a password for cancellation is displayed (S30).

  In the screen shown in FIG. 5, when the passwords entered by the user match (Y in S32), the age restriction determination unit 43 determines that the web page specified by the user can be browsed (S14), and the page display unit 33 Displays the web page on the output unit 12 (S16).

  If the passwords entered by the user do not match or there is no user operation for a predetermined period (N in S32), the age restriction determination unit 43 finally determines that the web page specified by the user is not viewable, and the Internet function unit 30 notifies that effect. The page display unit 33 displays the previous web page without displaying the web page designated by the user (S34). Then, the web browser 35 continuously executes the processes after S18 according to this flow during activation.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the viewing age limit set in the TV function unit 20 of the TV broadcast receiver 10 can be used in conjunction with the Internet function unit 30, the user can set the TV function unit with a single setting. A viewing age limit can be set for both the Internet function unit 30 and the Internet function unit 30. Generally, since it is often troublesome to set the viewing age limit in the web browser 35, the setting may not be performed properly or may be forgotten. However, according to the present embodiment, It is possible to prevent erroneous setting or non-setting.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, when the TV function unit 20 is set to restrict viewing of a PPV (Pay Per View) program, for example, even if the viewing age restriction is not set, for example, the age restriction determination unit 43 May determine whether the web page specified by the user is subject to viewing age restriction. In addition, when PPV program viewing restrictions are set, the web page viewing restriction target may be a page with a high probability of paying a fee, such as a mail order page.

  In the embodiment, the age restriction determination unit 43 determines whether the page is a target page for viewing age restriction by analyzing the web page selected by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the web page linked from the web page already displayed is analyzed in advance and selected as a target for viewing age restriction, the page display unit 33 The link to the web page may not be activated, that is, it may not be selected.

It is a functional block diagram of the television broadcast receiver which can set viewing age restrictions based on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the setting screen of the age of viewing age restrictions displayed on the television broadcast receiver based on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the setting table regarding the setting information memorize | stored in the age restriction information storage part of the television broadcast receiver based on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding viewing age restriction | limiting in the internet function part of the television broadcast receiver based on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the warning screen displayed when accessing the web page of the target of viewing age restrictions based on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Television broadcast receiver 11 Antenna 12 Output part 13 Main control part 14 Interface part 15 Operation means 20 Television function part 21 Tuner 22 Restriction information acquisition part 23 Video / audio processing part 30 Internet function part 31 Network connection part 32 Page analysis part 33 Page display unit 35 Web browser 40 Viewing restriction control unit 41 Age restriction setting unit 42 Age restriction information storage unit 43 Age restriction determination unit 50 Internet 51 server

Claims (4)

A method of restricting viewing in a television broadcast receiver that can connect to the Internet and browse web pages,
An analysis process that analyzes whether the connected web page contains content subject to viewing restrictions;
A determination step of comparing whether the analysis result of the analysis step and the viewing restriction set as a function of releasing the television broadcast receiver, and determining whether the connection destination web page is a displayable page;
A viewing restriction method characterized by comprising:   2. The viewing restriction method according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the viewing restriction regarding viewing as a function of the television broadcast receiver is a setting concerning age of viewing target.   3. The viewing restriction method according to claim 1, wherein the analysis step acquires information related to a view restriction age of the connection destination web page. A TV broadcast receiver that can be connected to the Internet and browse web pages,
A viewing restriction information storage unit that stores setting of viewing restrictions regarding viewing of the television broadcast receiver;
A page analysis unit that extracts content to be subject to viewing restriction included in the web page when connected to the web page;
The viewing restriction level estimated from the content extracted in the page analysis unit is compared with the viewing restriction level stored in the viewing restriction information storage unit, and the web page is subject to viewing restriction. A determination unit for determining whether or not
A page display unit that restricts display of the web page when the determination unit determines that the web page is subject to viewing restriction;
A television broadcast receiver comprising:

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