JP4353306B2 - Information receiving apparatus, information receiving method, and information transmitting / receiving method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for charging a charge for a chargeable program such as a multi-channel program communication service, which performs, for example, a program request or home shopping using a bidirectional communication cable, terrestrial wave, satellite wave, telephone line or the like.

  In recent years, in addition to conventional terrestrial broadcasting that transmits program video to each home using VHF and UHF radio waves, cables such as coaxial cables and optical fibers are installed from the relay station to each home, and the cables are used. Wired broadcasting, which directly transmits program video, is spreading in various places. In particular, recently, since it has become possible to transmit programs using communication satellites, broadcast satellites, etc., many cable broadcasting companies providing multi-channel services are being established.

  In addition, with the progress of optical fiber technology, digital transmission technology, and high-efficiency coding technology, bidirectional shopping cables called home shopping and video on demand (hereinafter referred to as VOD) are used. Research on communication services such as entertainment program distribution systems that change to rental videos that allow users to view their favorite programs at their favorite times in response to program requests is underway.

  These cable broadcasting and VOD systems perform video signal transmission by wired communication using a coaxial cable or the like, and thus do not cause radio wave interference such as ghosts as seen in conventional program broadcasting using terrestrial waves. In addition to the re-transmission program of the normal program broadcast distributed on the ground wave, there is an advantage that a broadcast unique to the program distribution company can be used.

  Each viewer makes a contract with a cable broadcasting company, a service supply company such as VOD, etc., and connects the dedicated receiving terminal to a video signal display device such as their TV. As a result, it is possible to view a terrestrial broadcast retransmission program distributed by a cable broadcasting company or a service supply company without interference. In addition, cable broadcasting companies such as drama movies, various sports broadcasts, music programs, etc., can be viewed without any special equipment other than a dedicated terminal for receiving cable broadcasting. Become. Further, by connecting a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR to the dedicated terminal, it is possible to record and store the distributed program.

  On the other hand, the service supply company transmits the program video only to the viewers who have a reception contract. For this reason, it is desirable for the service supply company to be able to view the program video only for contract viewers who can collect the reception fee. That is, a system in which a non-contractor can illegally view the distribution program video of this service supply company is not preferable. However, in the conventional system, the output video signal from the dedicated receiving terminal that receives the distribution program of the service supplier is simple. In other words, a program cannot be received without a dedicated terminal, but the video output from the dedicated terminal is copied using a VTR or the like, and the copy tape is transferred to a third party, so that there is no third terminal. The user can also easily watch the distributed program. That is, it is not possible to prevent unauthorized viewing of program video for non-contractors and the like. Thus, if illegal reception by copying of the distribution program video is frequently performed, a great disadvantage is caused to the program distribution company, the copyright holder of the program, and the like.

  The present invention prevents the copyright holders' disadvantages and revenues from being illegally copied from the distribution program video as described above, and charges the paying program reception fee to contract viewers without delay. The aim is to provide a possible system.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an embodiment of the present invention may use, for example, the technical idea described in the claims.

  Furthermore, the terminal for receiving the distributed program video from the program supply company is a set of two terminals, that is, a primary terminal for performing processing for preventing illegal reception of video signals for a third party, and a video signal display device Are directly connected, and a secondary terminal that actually displays the received program on the monitor. The primary terminal uses a circuit that performs unauthorized reception prevention processing on the received video signal, and further a terminal that receives the distribution program or a circuit that multiplexes an identification number or the like that can identify the contractor into the video signal. The secondary terminal includes a circuit for confirming whether or not the viewer is charged based on an identification number or the like multiplexed at the primary terminal, a circuit for canceling the unauthorized reception prevention processing performed at the primary terminal, and a video signal display device. The program video is displayed after the above-described recognition number confirmation circuit confirms whether or not the viewer is charged.

  According to this system, after receiving the distribution program transmitted from the program distribution company by the error check circuit in the receiving terminal, it is confirmed whether there is a transmission error, and then in the reception monitoring circuit, the program reception time of the contract viewer, Check the type of received program. Based on the error information and program reception information obtained by these circuits, the charging unit charges the reception fee.

  As a result, the contract viewer who has received the distribution program can be charged for the reception time according to the reception time and the received program.

  Also, in the primary terminal of a pair of receiving terminals, the received video signal is scrambled by the unauthorized reception prevention processing circuit, and then the terminal or contractor set in advance for each terminal is specified. Possible unique identification numbers are multiplexed with the video signal and output.

  The video signal output from the primary terminal is input to the secondary terminal, and the identification number unique to the terminal or the contractor multiplexed in the primary terminal is separated. The terminal or the identification number of the contractor separated here confirms whether the receiving fee of the distribution program recipient is charged. In other words, a terminal or a unique identification number that can identify a contractor is set in advance in the primary terminal and the secondary terminal that are paired, and the primary terminal that is multiplexed on the video signal on the primary terminal side is recognized. If the number and the identification number of the secondary terminal match, it is determined that the reception fee is charged for the receiver having those terminals. When it is confirmed that the terminal at 2:00 is a terminal of the contracted subscriber, the scramble is canceled and the received program is displayed on the video display device.

  In this system, since the video signal output from the primary terminal is scrambled, it is not displayed correctly unless the scramble is canceled in the secondary terminal. Therefore, even if the video signal output from the primary terminal is copied using a VTR or the like and transferred to a third party, it cannot be viewed on a monitor to which the secondary terminal is not connected. That is, a non-contractor with a program supply company cannot view a distribution program provided by the program supply company. The video signal output from the primary terminal displays a program on the video display device after confirming whether the contractor is charged. Therefore, even when the magnetic tape or the like on which the distribution program video is recorded is transferred to a different contractor, the receiver who has not received the distribution program for the distribution program, that is, the primary terminal that has received the distribution program and the primary terminal are paired. Since the video signal is not scrambled except for a contractor having the secondary terminal, viewing of the video signal is impossible.

  As described above, this system can prevent unauthorized viewing of distributed programs for non-contractors and contractors who do not receive distribution programs themselves, that is, the program distribution company, the copyright holder of the program, etc. Profit can be prevented.

  By using the system configuration of the present invention, it is possible to confirm that the video signal transmitted from the program distribution company has been transmitted correctly at the receiving terminal of each contractor, and the transmission data has an error. If it occurs, services such as data retransmission can be provided, and if the program is received correctly on the terminal, the program name, program production company, copyright holder, etc. In addition, the charge according to the reception time can be immediately charged without delay.

  In addition, by scrambling the signal received after billing, copy of the program recording medium using a video signal recording / playback device such as a VTR, and accompanying unauthorized reception by a third party, The interests of copyright holders can be protected.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which a distribution program video transmitted by cable broadcasting is displayed using the system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, (A) and (B) are a primary terminal and a secondary terminal that make a pair, respectively. It is.

  Before describing FIG. 1, the cable broadcasting system will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, 600 is a program distribution company that produces and distributes pay programs, 610 is a communication satellite (or broadcast satellite), 620 is a cable broadcast relay station, 630 is a coaxial that directly connects the relay station and each contracted home. Cables, communication cables such as optical fibers, 641, 642, 643, and 644 are contract homes each having a dedicated terminal for receiving wired broadcasts.

  In the cable broadcasting system, the distribution program is first transmitted from the program supply company 600 or the like to the relay station 620 via the communication satellite (or broadcasting satellite) 610 or the like or using the ground wave. The relay station 620 receives a video signal transmitted from a program supply company with a high sensitivity large antenna. Since the relay station 620 uses a dedicated high-sensitivity large antenna for receiving video signals, signal deterioration such as radio wave interference does not occur greatly. The relay station 620 transmits the received video signal to the cable broadcast receiving terminal shown in FIG. 1 installed in each contracted home 641 to 644 using the cable 630.

  Here, an example of the data structure of the video signal transmitted from the relay station to each contracted home will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of digital transmission data transmitted from the relay station in this embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes program information having various types of program video information to be transmitted and necessary for decoding compressed video data. Data header parts including key signals, 211, 212, etc. are compressed video data parts, 221, 222, etc. are error check parity parts for confirming whether or not video signals have been correctly received at the destination terminal.

  In this embodiment, as an example, the data header portion is composed of n bytes, the compressed video data portion is composed of m bytes, and the parity portion is composed of 1 byte. Here, n, m, and l are arbitrary natural numbers. Each of n is composed of digital data of about several bytes to several tens of bytes, m is about several hundred bytes to several thousand bytes, and l is digital data of about several bytes. . In addition, in time, the data header part 200 is transmitted at the head, and thereafter, the compressed video data part and the parity part are alternately transmitted until the end of the program, that is, 211, 221, 212, 222,. If reception from the middle of the program is taken into consideration, it is desirable to insert the data header portion not only at the beginning of the video signal but at a specific time.

  In FIG. 1, 100 is a primary terminal that receives a distribution program transmitted from a relay station, 101 is an input terminal that inputs a video signal from the relay station to the primary terminal, and 102 is a program reception at the primary terminal 100. An output terminal for outputting billing information, 103 an output terminal for outputting a video signal scrambled in the primary terminal 100, 111 a demodulation circuit for digitally demodulating the video signal inputted from the input terminal 101, and 112 for demodulation A separation circuit that separates a data header including program information and the like from a video signal digitally demodulated by the circuit 111, a key signal necessary for decoding the compressed video data, and 113 is a video signal transmitted from the relay station correctly received. An error checker 114 for confirming whether or not the program information separated by the separation circuit 112 and the error checker 113 A billing device for creating billing information for the program reception fee based on the result of the communication check, 115 stores a terminal-specific identification code that can identify the primary terminal 100 or a contractor having the primary terminal 100 A memory 116 is a scrambler that superimposes and encrypts the key signal separated by the separation circuit 112 and a terminal identification code stored in the memory 115, 117 is a compressed video data output from the error checker 113, and a scrambler. This is a multiplexing circuit that time-multiplexes key information output from the bra 116.

  Reference numeral 150 denotes a secondary terminal that is paired with the primary terminal 100, 151 is an input terminal for inputting a video signal scrambled in the primary terminal, and 161 is an extraction for extracting key information from the input video signal. A circuit 162, which descrambles the key information extracted by the extraction circuit 161 and separates the superimposed decryption key and the unique terminal identification code of the primary terminal; 163, the secondary terminal 150 Paired primary terminals, that is, a memory for storing the terminal identification code of the primary terminal 100, 164 compares the terminal identification code separated by the descrambler 162 and the terminal identification code stored in the memory 163 The comparator 165 receives a decryption key output from the descrambler 162, and switches 166 to control the output in accordance with the output of the comparator 164. A decoding circuit for decoding the compressed video signal using the decoding key output from the switch 165, 167 a D / A converter for converting the decoded digital video signal into an analog signal, and 168 a program converted into the analog signal It is a monitor that displays video.

  The video signal transmitted from the relay station 620 in FIG. 6 through the cable 630 is input to the input terminal 101 of the primary terminal 100 in FIG. The video signal input to the input terminal 101 is first input to the demodulation circuit 111 and is digitally demodulated and output. The video signal output from the demodulation circuit 111 is then input to the separation circuit 112, where the data header of the video signal, that is, the data header portion 200 in FIG. 2, is separated, and the compressed video data and parity are sent to the error checker 113. The decryption key included in the header portion is output to the scrambler 116, and the program information is output to the billing device 114.

  The compressed video data and parity are then input to the error checker 113, where it is confirmed whether the compressed video data has been received correctly. In this embodiment, for example, an error check is performed using a CRC code in the parity units 221 and 222 in FIG. That is, before the video data is transmitted on the relay station side, the compressed video data is calculated using a specific arithmetic expression, and the error detection code obtained as a result is added to the compressed video data as a parity and transmitted. On the other hand, on the receiving terminal side, that is, the primary terminal 100, the received compressed video data is calculated using the same arithmetic expression as that on the transmitting side, and the result is compared with the parity. If the calculation result is equal to the parity, the compressed video data is correctly transmitted and received. The error check code necessary for the error checker 113 is not limited to the CRC code, but may be a Reed-Solomon code, a simple parity code, a BCH code, or the like. Further, by using these error correction codes, correction can be made if it is minor depending on the degree of transmission error.

  The result of error checking using a CRC code or the like is output from the error checker 113 and input to the billing device 114 together with the program information output from the separation circuit 112. Based on the error information output from the error checker 113 and the program information added to the received video signal, the billing unit 114 creates billing information for the reception fee for the contractor. For example, by including the program name, program genre, production company name, copyright holder name, etc. in the program information, the reception fee varies depending on the genre of the program such as news, movies, etc. It is possible to smoothly receive the reception fee and the service fee from the creator to the production company and the copyright holder. On the other hand, if error information is used, depending on the state of the communication path, for example, if there are many transmission errors that hinder program viewing, the receiving fee is discounted or not charged at all. It is possible to provide services according to your needs. For example, when a transmission error occurs, the error information can be transmitted to the relay station to prompt retransmission of the video signal in the error part. Needless to say, the error checker 113 is unnecessary when using a communication path that is error-free, that is, does not cause a data transmission error.

  The billing information created by the billing device 114 is output from the output terminal 102 and transmitted to a relay station or a cable broadcasting company through a telephone line, another dedicated line, or a cable. Furthermore, if the video signal receiving transmission cable connected to the input terminal 101 of the primary terminal 100 is a cable capable of bidirectional communication, it can be shared for charging information transmission. In this case, the input terminal 101 may be changed to an input / output shared terminal, and the output of the charging device 114 may be output from the input / output terminal. In this case, not only the number of communication cables connecting the relay station and each contracted home can be reduced, but also a two-way communication service represented by a program request such as a VOD system can be easily handled. In addition, an accurate audience survey can be performed by checking the reception of the program.

  While the charging information is generated by the charging device 114, the key signal for decoding the video signal output from the separation circuit 112 is input to the scrambler 116. The scrambler 116 scrambles the input key signal, and further multiplexes a terminal identification code unique to the primary terminal 100 stored in the memory 115. Here, the terminal identification code may be a binary number, for example. In this case, it is most preferable to assign different numerical values to all existing terminals, but in practice, it is possible to substantially prevent duplication of terminal identification numbers with binary numbers of about 10 to 20 bits.

  The key information scrambled by the scrambler 116 and superimposed on the terminal identification code is input to the multiplexing circuit 117 together with the compressed video data. Here, the compressed video data and key information are time-axis multiplexed and output from the output terminal 103.

  FIG. 3 shows a simple configuration example of a signal obtained by time-multiplexing key information and compressed video data. In the figure, 301 indicates key information, and 311, 312, 313 and the like indicate compressed video signals. In consideration of the fact that the configuration example shown in FIG. 3 is recorded on a recording medium such as a VTR and started to be played back in the middle of a program on a magnetic tape, specifically at least once every 5 minutes, If possible, the key information 301 is inserted more frequently. In this way, even if playback is started from the middle of the compressed video data 312 on a magnetic tape, for example, the compressed video data 312 cannot be decoded because there is no key information, but the video signal is decoded from the compressed video data 313. be able to. If the video signal recording / playback device used is a video signal storage device that can be accessed randomly, such as a laser disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a hard disk, the key information 301 can be played back from the middle of the program at only one location. Become. However, in this case as well, considering that an error occurs on the recording medium, it is desirable to record the key information 301 in at least two places.

  The signal output from the output terminal 103 of the primary terminal 100 in FIG. 1A is directly or via a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR, and the input terminal 151 of the secondary terminal 150 in FIG. Is input. The input compressed video data and key information multiplexed signal are separated by the extraction circuit 161 from the compressed video data and the key signal. The key signal is then descrambled by the primary terminal in the descrambler 162. The decryption key is output to the switch 165, and the terminal identification code added at the primary terminal is output to the comparator 164, respectively.

  The other input terminal of the comparator 164 receives a terminal identification code preset in the secondary terminal stored in the memory 163 and compares the contents. As described above, this terminal identification code is unique to each pair of terminals, and the paired primary terminal and secondary terminal have the same code. Therefore, the comparator 164 compares the terminal identification code transmitted from the primary side with the terminal identification code on the secondary side, so that the compressed video data input to the input terminal 151 is connected to the secondary terminal 150. It is possible to determine whether the data is received by the primary terminal that makes a pair, that is, the primary terminal 100.

  The comparison result of the terminal identification code in the comparator 164 is output to the switch 165. The key signal for decoding the compressed video signal output from the descrambler 162 is controlled by the switch 165 according to the output result of the comparator 164. That is, the switch 165 outputs the decryption key to the decryption circuit 166 when the terminal identification code matches as a result of the comparison by the comparator 164, and does not output it when they do not match.

  The decryption circuit 166 receives the compressed video data separated from the key information by the separation circuit 161. In the decryption circuit 166, the compressed video signal is decrypted using the decryption key input from the switch 165. However, if the comparison result of the terminal identification code in the comparator 164 does not match, the decryption key is not output from the switch 165, so that the decryption circuit 166 does not decrypt the compressed video data. In other words, the decoding circuit 166 cannot decode the compressed data other than the video signal received by the primary terminal 100 paired with the secondary terminal 150.

  The decoded video signal output from the decoding circuit 166 is then converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 167, and the video is displayed on the monitor 168. The video signal that could not be decoded by the decoding circuit 166 cannot be displayed correctly on the monitor 168, so that the program video cannot be viewed.

  As described above, by using the system of the present invention as a pay broadcast receiving terminal, it is possible to immediately charge a pay program reception fee to a viewer, and to prevent unauthorized reception for other viewers. Can be planned.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a primary terminal having a configuration different from that of the primary terminal 100 in the present invention shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, 400 is a primary terminal body, 401 is an input terminal for inputting a video signal transmitted from a relay station, 402 is an output terminal for outputting billing information, and 403 is an image signal subjected to unauthorized reception prevention processing. Output terminal 411 is a demodulating circuit for demodulating the video signal input from the input terminal 401, 412 is a separating circuit for separating a header portion of program information and the like from the demodulated video signal, and 413 is transmitted from the relay station An error checker 414 for confirming whether or not the incoming video data has been received correctly, 414 is a billing unit for creating billing information according to the reception status confirmed by the error checker and the program information output from the separation circuit, and 415 received An encoding circuit that compresses and encodes a video signal, and 416 stores a unique terminal identification code that can identify a terminal or a contractor having the terminal. Scrambles the key signal necessary for decoding, which is output from the encoding circuit 415, and is superimposed on the terminal identification code. 418 is the compressed video data and scrambler 417 output from the encoding circuit 415. Is a multiplexing circuit that time-multiplexes the key information output from.

  A primary terminal 400 in FIG. 4 is a configuration example of a primary terminal in a case where a video signal transmitted from a relay station performs processing on a video signal that has not been subjected to processing such as compression coding. In this case as well, program information for billing the contract viewer, error check signals, etc. are required, but these information may be inserted with a dedicated time space. In this case, it may be inserted in the horizontal or vertical scanning period of the video signal.

  In FIG. 4, the video signal transmitted from the relay station is input from the input terminal 401, and the separation circuit 411 separates the program information inserted in the vertical scanning period, the video signal is sent to the error checker 413, and the program information is Each is output to the billing device 414. The error checker 413 checks whether there is an error in the received video signal and outputs the result to the billing device 414. In this error check, for example, a specific signal is inserted every horizontal scanning period or vertical scanning period, a known specific signal is detected by the error checker 413, and the presence or absence of the specific signal is confirmed, or a parity is detected in the horizontal scanning period. Is inserted, etc.

  The billing device 414 creates billing information in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and outputs it from the output terminal 402 to a relay station or the like. On the other hand, the video signal is input to the encoding circuit 415 and subjected to compression encoding. Thereafter, the compressed video data is output to the multiplexing circuit, and the key signal required for decoding the compressed video data is output to the scrambler 417. The scrambler 417 receives the decoding key from the encoding circuit 415 and the terminal identification code from the memory 416, and scrambles both signals superimposed. The terminal identification code used here is the same as that described in the first embodiment. Further, in the multiplexing circuit 418, the compressed video data output from the encoding circuit 415 and the key information output from the scrambler 417 are time-axis multiplexed and output from the output terminal 403. Since the configuration and function on the secondary terminal side are the same as those in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  By adopting the configuration described in the above second embodiment, even if the video signal transmitted from the relay station is not compression-coded, it is possible to charge the contractor and prevent unauthorized reception to the third party. It becomes possible. Even if the video signal transmitted from the relay station is an analog signal, a tuner is provided immediately before the demodulation circuit 411, and an A / D converter is provided immediately after the demodulation circuit 411 or immediately before the encoding circuit 415. It is possible.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 5, 550 is a secondary terminal body in the present invention, 551 is an input terminal to which the output of the primary terminal is directly input or a signal is input via a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR, and 552 is a decoded program video. Is output to the monitor, 561 is an extraction circuit for extracting key information from the input video signal, 562 is a scrambler for the key information extracted by the extraction circuit 561, and a compressed video signal decoding key signal and terminal A descrambler that separates the identification code, 563 is a memory that stores the terminal identification code in advance, 564 is a comparison that compares the terminal identification code separated by the descrambler 562 and the terminal identification code stored in the memory 563 And 565 are switches for inputting a decryption key from descrambler 562 and controlling the output in accordance with the output of comparator 564. Reference numeral 566 denotes a decoding circuit for decoding the compressed video signal using the decoding key output from the switch 565, reference numeral 567 denotes a D / A converter, and reference numeral 568 denotes a VTR for the video signal output from the output terminal 552. A copy guard circuit 570 for performing signal processing that cannot be recorded in the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus is a monitor that displays a video signal output from the secondary terminal 550.

  Since the circuits 561 to 567 in the figure operate in the same manner as the circuits 161 to 167 in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the compressed video data and key information output from the one-time terminal as shown in FIG. 1A or the block diagram of FIG. 4 are time-axis multiplexed on the input terminal 551 of the secondary terminal 550. The received signal is input directly or via a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR. Input signals are processed in the extraction circuit 561, the descrambler 562, the memory 563, the comparator 564, the switch 565, the decoding circuit 566, and the D / A converter 567, respectively, in the same manner as the circuits 161 to 167 in FIG. The terminal identification code on the primary terminal side is confirmed, the compressed video data is decoded, converted into an analog signal, etc., and output. The analog video signal output from the D / A converter 567 is then input to the copy guard circuit 568. In this copy guard circuit, the synchronization signal portion of the video signal is processed and output from the output terminal 552. That is, the secondary terminal having the circuit configuration shown in the present embodiment has a commercially available monitor as an apparatus for displaying the program video. For this reason, signal processing for preventing unauthorized reception is required between the output terminal 552 of the secondary terminal and the monitor 570. Here, since it is not necessary to record in a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR, the copy guard circuit 568 can display by a monitor, but the process that makes recording to a VTR or the like impossible, that is, a monitor. The synchronized part of the video signal is changed so that it is synchronized but not synchronized with the VTR or the like.

  With the circuit configuration described in the present embodiment, not only the same effects as in the above-described embodiments can be obtained, but also an existing device such as a TV monitor can be used as a program video display device.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration example in the case where the dedicated receiving terminal is not divided into the primary side and the secondary side, but one unit. In the figure, 700 is a dedicated terminal for receiving a distributed program transmitted from the relay station, 701 is an input terminal for inputting a video signal from the relay station, and 702 outputs billing information for program reception fee in the dedicated terminal 700. An output terminal, 703 is an output terminal for outputting a scrambled video signal to a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR, and 704 is an input terminal for inputting a scrambled video signal from a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR; Reference numeral 705 denotes an output terminal for outputting a program video to a display device such as a monitor, 711 denotes a demodulation circuit for digitally demodulating a video signal inputted from the input terminal 701, and 712 denotes program information from the video signal digitally demodulated by the demodulation circuit 711. Including a data header including a key, a separation circuit for separating a key signal necessary for decoding the compressed video data, and 713 is transmitted from the relay station. An error checker 714 for confirming whether or not the received video signal has been correctly received, 714 is a program information charge information based on the program information separated by the separation circuit 712 and the reception check result by the error checker 713 A charging device to be created; 715, a memory for storing a terminal-specific identification code that can identify the dedicated terminal 700 or a contractor having the dedicated terminal 700; 716, a key signal and memory 715 separated by the separation circuit 712 A scrambler that superimposes and encrypts the terminal identification code stored in the scrambler, and 717 is a time-division multiplexing of the compressed video data output from the error checker 713 and the key information output from the scrambler 716. 721 is an extraction circuit for extracting key information from the video signal input from the input terminal 704, and 722 is an extraction circuit. A descrambler 723 for releasing the scramble of the key information extracted in the path 721 and separating the compressed video signal decoding key signal and the terminal identification code is stored in the memory 715 and the terminal identification code separated by the descrambler 722. 724 is a switch that inputs a decryption key from the descrambler 722 and controls the output according to the output of the comparator 723, and 725 is a compressed video output from the error checker 713 A first selector for inputting data and the compressed video data output from the extraction circuit 721 and selecting and outputting one of them, 726 receives a decryption key output from the separation circuit 712 and a decryption key output from the switch 724. A second selector that inputs and selectively outputs one of them, and 727 uses the decryption key output from the second selector 726. A decoding circuit that decodes the compressed video data output from the first selector, 728 a D / A converter, and 729 a video signal recording / reproducing such as a VTR with respect to the video signal output from the output terminal 705. A copy guard circuit that performs signal processing that cannot be recorded in the apparatus, 750 is a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus capable of storing video signals such as a VTR, a magneto-optical disk, and a hard disk, and 760 is a video signal output from the dedicated terminal 700. It is a monitor to display. In the figure, 711 to 717 are circuits that perform the same operations as 111 to 117 in FIG. 1, and 721 to 724 and 727 to 729 are the same as 561, 562, and 564 to 568 in FIG.

  In the figure, the video signal transmitted from the relay station 620 of FIG. 6 via the cable 630 is input from the input terminal 701 of the dedicated receiving terminal 700, and the demodulation circuit 711, the separation circuit 712, the error checker 713, and the billing device 714. , Digital demodulation, separation of program information and decryption key, confirmation of transmission error, and creation of reception fee billing information are performed. Since the processing here is the same as the processing in the circuit with the corresponding number in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, detailed description is omitted.

  The compressed video data output from the error checker 713 is output to the multiplexing circuit 717 and the first selector 725, and the decryption key output from the separation circuit 712 is output to the scrambler 716 and the second selector 726, respectively. Is done.

  The decryption key input to the scrambler 716 and the compressed video data input to the multiplexing circuit 717 are stored in the scrambler 716 and the multiplexing circuit 717 between the terminal identification number and the decryption key stored in the memory 715. Multiplexing and further time axis multiplexing with compressed video data are performed. Since the processing in the scrambler 716 and the multiplexing circuit 717 is the same as that in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted. The above-described compressed video data multiplexed with decoding information is output from the output terminal 703 and input to the video signal recording / reproducing device 750, where the video signal can be recorded and stored in the storage medium.

  The signal output from the video signal recording / reproducing device 750 is input from the input terminal 704. First, key information is extracted by the extraction circuit 721 and output to the descrambler 722, and the compressed video data is output to the first selector 725. . The key information input to the descrambler 722 is separated from the decryption key and the terminal identification code after descrambling, as described in FIG. 5, and the terminal identification code is stored in the memory 715 in the comparator 723. To be compared. On the other hand, the decryption key is input to the switch 724, the output is controlled by the output of the comparator 723, and the output is input to the second selector 726.

  The first selector 725 and the second selector 726 are always interlocked. That is, when the first selector 725 selects and outputs the output of the error checker 713, the second selector 726 selects and outputs the decryption key output from the separation circuit 712. On the contrary, when the output of the extraction circuit 721 is selected and output in the first selector, the second selector 726 selects and outputs the decryption key output from the switch 724. In other words, the two selectors 725 and 726 are respectively connected when a video signal recording / reproducing device is connected to the outside of the dedicated receiving terminal 700 and video signal data is input from the input terminal 704. Compressed video data reproduced from an external video signal recording / reproducing device and a decoding key are selectively output. In other cases, the two selectors 725 and 726 select and output the compressed video data and the decryption key output from the error checker 713 and the separation circuit 712, respectively.

  The compressed video data output from the first selector 725 is decrypted by the decryption circuit 727 using the decryption key output from the second selector 726. Further, processing is performed in the D / A converter 728 and the copy guard circuit 729, but the processing here is the same as the processing in FIG.

  Even if the receiving terminal is configured using the above-described embodiment, the same effects as those of the other embodiments described above, that is, charging of the reception fee according to the program reception status for the contractor, and prevention of unauthorized reception for the third party Is possible. Furthermore, with the configuration of this embodiment, only one memory for storing the terminal identification code prepared in the receiving terminal is required. Further, it is not necessary to divide the receiving terminal into a primary terminal and a secondary terminal, and space saving such as an installation place can be achieved. In particular, a contractor who does not use a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR has an advantage that wiring between the primary and secondary terminals and a cable are not required.

  In the above embodiments, the case where the distribution program from the relay station is transmitted using a wired communication cable has been described. However, the present invention is applicable to other cables such as a telephone line, terrestrial broadcasting, and satellite broadcasting. Needless to say, the present invention is applicable regardless of analog transmission or digital transmission.

  Further, the data structure of the video signal shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and there is no problem even if it has a form other than these structures. However, in the video signal transmitted from the relay station, a data header part and a parity part indicating program information are necessary, but the parity part may not be provided in an error-free transmission path. Further, if attention is paid only to prevention of unauthorized reception without considering the charge of the reception fee, it is possible to cope with the signal configuration of the current broadcast. The data structure between the primary and secondary terminals shown in FIG. 3 is not limited as long as key information is appropriately inserted between the compressed video data. The video data between the primary and secondary is not necessarily compressed data. If data compression is not used, the video data is scrambled in any way other than data compression to prevent unauthorized reception. There is a need.

1 is a block diagram of a video signal receiving terminal for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a figure which shows one example of the data structure of the video signal transmitted from the program relay station in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows one example of the data structure of the video signal transmitted between the primary and secondary terminals in the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of a primary terminal for demonstrating the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of a secondary terminal for demonstrating the 3rd Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the system of cable broadcasting. It is a block diagram of the terminal for video signal reception explaining the 4th example of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Primary terminal, 112 ... Separation circuit, 113 ... Error checker, 114 ... Charger, 115, 163 ... Memory, 116 ... Scrambler, 117 ... Multiplexing circuit, 150 ... Secondary terminal, 161 ... Extraction circuit, 162 ... descran

Claims (5)

In an information receiving apparatus for receiving pay program information , recording it on a recording medium, and reproducing it from the recording medium,
A separating means for separating the information relating to billing with the video signal from the pay program information,
Charging processing means for outputting information related to the charging;
Storage means for storing a device-specific identification code for identifying the device;
A reproducing unit operable to record the video signal on a recording medium in a state associated with the identification code, reproduces the video signal from said recording medium,
And line intends decrypt means decrypt the reproduced said video signal when the video signal reproduced is associated with the identification code and the same identification code stored in said storage means by said reproducing means ,
An information receiving apparatus comprising: output means for performing a copy guard process on the video signal decoded by the decoding means and outputting the result. In an information receiving method for receiving pay program information , recording it on a recording medium, and reproducing it from the recording medium,
Separating the information relating to billing with the video signal from the pay program information,
Output information about the billing,
Wherein recorded on the recording medium in a state associated with al the video signal to the device-specific identification code, and reproduces the video signal from said recording medium,
Decoding the video signal reproduced when reproduced the video signal is associated with the same identification code and the identification code,
An information receiving method, wherein a decoded video signal is subjected to a copy guard process and output. Sends a pay program information including the information about the billing with the video signal,
Receiving the pay program information ;
And information on the accounting and the video signal separated from the received the pay program information,
Output information about the billing,
Wherein recorded on the recording medium in a state associated with al the video signal to the device-specific identification code, and reproduces the video signal from said recording medium,
Decoding the video signal when the reproduced video signal is associated with the same identification code as the identification code;
An information transmission / reception method, wherein the decoded video signal is subjected to copy guard processing and output.   In an information receiving method for receiving pay program information, recording it on a recording medium, and reproducing it from the recording medium,
  Separating video signal and billing information from the pay program information,
  Output information about the billing,
  The video signal is recorded on a recording medium in a state associated with a device-specific identification code,
  When the recorded digital video signal is associated with the same identification code as the identification code, the digital video signal is reproduced and decoded from the recording medium,
  An information receiving method, wherein a decoded video signal is subjected to a copy guard process and output.   Send paid program information including video signal and billing information,
  Receiving the pay program information;
  Separating the video signal and the billing information from the received pay program information;
  Output information about the billing,
  The video signal is recorded on a recording medium in a state associated with a device-specific identification code,
  When the recorded digital video signal is associated with the same identification code as the identification code, the digital video signal is reproduced and decoded from the recording medium,
  An information transmission / reception method, wherein the decoded video signal is subjected to copy guard processing and output.

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