JP5600933B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an information processing system, and in particular, for example, in a TV (television receiver) that displays content such as a television broadcast program recorded on a recording medium. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an information processing system that can easily limit content viewing.

  Among contents such as television programs provided from broadcast stations or servers on the Internet, there are contents that are undesirable for minors such as children, including violent scenes and sexual scenes, for example. May be included.

  In view of this, there has been proposed a technology for restricting viewing of content in an output device that outputs content, that is, for example, a TV (television receiver) that displays content images and outputs audio of the content (for example). Patent Documents 1, 2, 3).

JP 2007-295287 A JP 2007-074036 JP 2009-147721 JP

  By the way, existing technologies such as UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) (trademark) as a technology for sharing contents in an AV (Audio Visual) device such as a TV and a PC (Persona Computer) constituting a home network system, for example. DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) (registered trademark) that employs technology is spreading.

  By connecting a server that records content in addition to a TV to the home network system, each TV accesses the server and outputs the content recorded on that server (displays an image of the content). Output audio).

  Therefore, the user can view the content recorded on the server by any of the TVs installed in each room of the user's house (user's house), for example.

  By the way, in the home network system as described above, when content viewing is not restricted, minors such as children may view undesirable content.

  Therefore, for restricted content that should be restricted by minors, the title of the restricted content is displayed in the content list recorded on the server, and the restricted content (image and sound) is output. There is a viewing restriction method that uniformly limits what is done on TV.

  In this case, viewing restrictions on restricted content can be lifted by entering a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to the TV, and therefore a non-minor relative adult can enter the PIN. , Limited content can be viewed.

  However, in this case, an adult must enter a PIN each time he / she wants to view restricted content, and in order to restrict the viewing of restricted content by minors, Will be forced to operate.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. For example, it is possible to easily limit viewing of content without forcing a complicated operation to a user such as an adult. is there.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, or the program, if the PIN matches, an output device capable of setting the device rating, from the output device for outputting the content, via a network, the a rating that represents the level to restrict the viewing of content using the output device, a device rating acquiring means for acquiring the device rating set in the output device itself, the AV data including image data or audio data of the content Content rating acquisition means for acquiring the content rating out of the metadata of the content data including at least content rating, which is a rating representing a level for limiting content viewing, and the device Leyte Based on the ring and said content rating information processing apparatus and a viewing restriction section for restricting at the output device, the viewing of the content, or, as an information processing apparatus, a program for causing a computer to function.

An information processing method of the present invention, an information processing apparatus, if the PIN matches, an output device capable of setting the device rating, from the output device for outputting the content, via a network, a rating that represents the level to restrict the viewing of the content using the output device, and acquires the device rating set in the output device itself, the AV data including image data or audio data of the content, viewing of content The content rating of the content data having at least content rating, which is a rating representing a level that restricts the content, is acquired, and based on the device rating and the content rating Before the output device An information processing method comprising the step of limiting the viewing of content.

An information processing system according to an aspect of the present invention is a storage unit that stores a device rating set in the output device itself, which is a rating that represents a level for restricting viewing of the content using an output device that outputs the content; in response to a request from an information processing apparatus for limiting the viewing of content, possess a device rating providing means for providing the device rating, if the PIN matches, said output device capable of setting the device rating, Device rating acquisition means for acquiring the device rating from the output device via a network, AV data including image data or audio data of the content, and content rating that is a rating representing a level for limiting content viewing. At least content Of the metadata of the content data having metadata, content rating acquisition means for acquiring the content rating, and viewing of the content on the output device based on the device rating and the content rating. An information processing system comprising the information processing apparatus including a viewing restriction unit for restricting.

In one aspect as described above, in the information processing apparatus, if the PIN matches, an output device capable of setting the device rating, from the output device for outputting the content, via a network, said output device a rating that represents the level to restrict the viewing of content using, together with the device rating set in the output device itself is acquired, the AV data including image data or audio data of the content, the viewing of content The content rating of the content data having content metadata including at least content rating that is a rating representing a level to be limited is acquired, and based on the device rating and the content rating, The output In location, view of the content is restricted.

  Note that the information processing apparatus may be an independent apparatus or may be an internal block constituting one apparatus.

  The program can be provided by being transmitted via a transmission medium or by being recorded on a recording medium.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, viewing of content can be restricted. In particular, content viewing can be easily restricted without forcing the user to perform complicated operations.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of one Embodiment of the home network system to which this invention is applied. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a server 11. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a TV 12. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a TV 13. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the device description as device information. It is a flowchart explaining the setting process of device rating. It is a figure explaining the process performed by the server 11 and TV12 when the viewing restrictions by the 1st viewing restriction method are performed. It is a flowchart explaining viewing restriction processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a content directory. It is a figure which shows the example of a reproduction list. It is a figure explaining the process performed by the server 11 and TV12 when the viewing restrictions by the 2nd viewing restriction method are performed. It is a figure which shows the structural example of other embodiment of the home network system to which this invention is applied. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a server 71. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a mobile terminal 72. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process performed with the portable terminal 72 in case viewing restriction is performed by the 1st viewing restriction method. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the mobile terminal 72 when viewing restriction is performed by the second viewing restriction method. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of one Embodiment of the computer to which this invention is applied.

  [One embodiment of home network system to which the present invention is applied]

  FIG. 1 shows a home network system to which the present invention is applied (a system is a logical collection of a plurality of devices, regardless of whether the devices of each configuration are in the same housing). It is a figure which shows the structural example of one Embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the home network system includes a server 11, TVs 12 and 13, and each of the servers 11, TVs 12 and 13 is connected to the network 10.

  The network 10 is, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN, and the server 11 and the TVs 12 and 13 can communicate with each other via the network 10.

  The server 11 is, for example, an HD (Hard Disk) recorder or a PC having a recording / playback function for recording and playing back content, for example, a function as a DLNA (registered trademark) DMS (Digital Media Server). Have

  The server 11 receives content such as a television broadcast program transmitted from a server on the Internet via terrestrial, satellite line, CATV (Cable Television), etc., and records it as necessary ( Recording).

  Further, the server 11 can reproduce the recorded content and transmit it to the TV 12 or 13 via the network 10. That is, the server 11 as the DMS functions as an information providing apparatus that provides recorded content.

  As with the server 11, the TVs 12 and 13 can receive content, and can output the content, that is, display an image of the content and output the audio of the content.

  The TVs 12 and 13 have, for example, a function as a DMP (Digital Media Player) of DLNA (registered trademark), and output devices that acquire and output content from the server 11 as a DMS via the network 10. Function as.

  In FIG. 1, the TV 12 is installed in a room A such as a living room of a user's house, for example, and the TV 13 is installed in a room B such as a parent bedroom that is different from the room A, for example. The server 11 is installed in the room A or B or a room other than the rooms A and B.

  In the home network system configured as described above, the TV 12 as the DMP detects (discovers) the server 11 as the DMS connected to the network 10, accesses the server 11, and is recorded on the server 11. For example, a playback list that is a list of titles or the like is displayed.

  When the user selects a predetermined content from the playlist, the TV 12 as the DMP requests the server 11 as the DMS to acquire and output the content selected by the user (displays an image of the content). , Output content audio).

  The TV 13 can perform the same processing as the TV 12.

  In FIG. 1, the server 11 as one information providing device and the TVs 12 and 13 as two output devices are connected to the network 10, but the information providing device connected to the network 10 and the output The number of devices is not limited to this.

  Here, in DLNA (registered trademark), the content data (content data) recorded in the server 11 as the DMS is one or both of content image (still image, moving image) data and audio data. AV data included and content metadata.

  In DLNA (registered trademark), the content metadata can include a content rating, which is a rating representing a level that restricts viewing of the content, in addition to the title of the content.

  That is, in DLNA (registered trademark), there is a field (content) in which content rating is described in the metadata of content, and in this field, the age of the user who restricts viewing of the content (for example, 18 etc.), etc. Can be described as content rating.

  In this embodiment, description of content rating can be omitted (the content metadata may not include content rating). In this case, content rating is: The values that can be taken as content ratings, for example, are treated as the minimum value.

  For content rating (content rating) handled by DLNA (registered trademark) (UPnP (registered trademark)), ContentDirectory: 1, Service Template Version 1.01, For Universal Plug and Play Version 1.0, Status: Standardized DCP, Date: It is specified in June 25, 2002.

  For devices that support DLNA (registered trademark) (devices that comply with DLNA (registered trademark) guidelines), for example, devices that function as DMS, DMP, etc. By operating the device, the PIN is input, and the PIN is transmitted from the device as the DMP to the device as the DMS and stored, so that the content with the content rating described in the metadata can be viewed. It becomes possible to restrict.

  In other words, when a device as a DMP accesses a device as a DMS, when the content that the device as a DMP tries to access is a content in which content rating is described in the metadata, the device as the DMS , Request PIN input, and if there is a PIN input that matches the PIN stored in the device as DMS, the content is provided from the device as DMS to the device as DMP, while the device as DMS If there is no PIN input that matches the PIN stored in, the content is not provided from the device as the DMS to the device as the DMP, thereby restricting the viewing of the content whose content rating is described in the metadata. be able to.

  However, in this case, the device as the DMP is turned on, and the device as the DMP accesses the device as the DMS and displays the content playlist including the content whose content rating is described in the metadata. Each time a parent or other user who does not need to restrict viewing needs to perform an operation of inputting a PIN, the user is forced to perform a complicated operation.

  On the other hand, if the device as the DMS provides content to the device as the DMP without requesting the input of the PIN, the user does not need to perform a complicated operation of inputting the PIN. It is not possible to restrict minors such as children from viewing content whose content rating is described in the metadata.

  Therefore, in the home network system of FIG. 1, device ratings, which are ratings representing a level for restricting viewing of content using the TV, are set for each of the TVs 12 and 13 that are TVs as DMPs.

  Then, the server 11 as the DMS acquires the device rating set for the TV from the TV as the DMP via the network 10, and for content with a content rating larger than the device rating of the TV, Limit the provision, thereby limiting the viewing of content.

  Therefore, for example, the TV 12 installed in the room A, which is a living room, which is likely to be used by children for viewing content, has a small value such as 0 (for example, a child that may use the TV 12). A device rating of a value corresponding to age) is set, and the TV 13 installed in the parent B's room B, which is likely to be used only by the parent to view the content, has a large value such as 20 By setting a device rating of a value (a value corresponding to the age of a parent who is highly likely to use the TV 13), it is possible to easily limit the viewing of content without forcing the user such as the parent to perform a complicated operation. it can.

  In other words, in this case, it is possible to restrict a child from watching content intended for an adult who has a large content rating on the TV 12 in which a small device rating is set.

  On the other hand, in the TV 13 in which the device rating of a large value is set, the parent can watch any content including content for adults who has a large content rating, particularly without performing an operation of inputting a PIN. .

  [Configuration Example of Server 11]

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the server 11 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the server 11 includes a recording / playback function unit 20, a device rating acquisition unit 23, a content rating acquisition unit 24, a content directory creation unit 25, an AV data provision unit 26, a communication unit 27, a viewing restriction unit 28, and a control. It has a section 29 and functions as an information providing apparatus that provides content.

  The recording / playback function unit 20 performs recording (recording) and playback of content.

  That is, the recording / reproducing function unit 20 includes a recording medium 21 and a recording / reproducing control unit 22.

  The recording medium 21 is a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. Content data is recorded on the recording medium 21 under the control of the recording / reproducing control unit 22.

  Here, the content data recorded on the recording medium 21 includes AV data and metadata as described with reference to FIG.

  The recording / playback control unit 22 controls recording (recording) and playback of content data on the recording medium 21. The recording / playback control unit 22 supplies the content data played back from the recording medium 21 to the content rating acquisition unit 24, the content directory creation unit 25, and the AV data providing unit 26.

  The device rating acquisition unit 23 acquires device ratings from the TVs 12 and 13 as DMP on the network 10 via the communication unit 27 and the network 10, and supplies them to the viewing restriction unit 28.

  The content rating acquisition unit 24 acquires the content rating included in the metadata of the content from the recording medium 21 via the recording / playback control unit 22 and supplies the content rating to the viewing restriction unit 28.

  The content directory creation unit 25 acquires content metadata from the recording medium 21 via the recording / playback control unit 22, and plays back the content list in which the content data is recorded on the recording medium 21 from the metadata. A content directory (Content Directory) as content information including metadata necessary for displaying the list is created and provided to the TV 12 and the TV 13 as the DMP on the network 10.

  That is, the content directory created by the content directory 25 is supplied to the viewing restriction unit 28 and further provided to the TV 12 and the TV 13 as DMP on the network 10 via the communication unit 27 and the network 10.

  Here, the content directory created by the content directory creation unit 25 includes content rating. Therefore, the content rating acquisition unit 24 can acquire the content rating from the recording medium 21 via the recording / playback control unit 22 and also from the content directory created by the content directory creation unit 25.

  The AV data providing unit 26 acquires AV data of content from the recording medium 21 via the recording / playback control unit 22 in response to a request for AV data from the TV 12 or the TV 13 as DMP on the network 10, and AV The data is provided to the TV 12 or TV 13 that has requested the data.

  That is, the AV data acquired by the AV data providing unit 26 is supplied to the viewing restriction unit 28 and further provided to the TV 12 and the TV 13 as the DMP on the network 10 via the communication unit 27 and the network 10.

  The communication unit 27 functions as a communication I / F (interface) that controls communication via the network 10. For example, a content directory supplied from the content directory creation unit 25 via the viewing restriction unit 28, an AV AV data supplied from the data providing unit 26 via the viewing restriction unit 28 is transmitted to the TV 12 and the TV 13 as DMP on the network 10.

  Further, the communication unit 27 receives, for example, device ratings transmitted from the TV 12 or the TV 13 as DMP on the network 10 and supplies the device ratings to the device rating acquisition unit 23.

  Based on the device rating from the device rating acquisition unit 23 and the content rating from the content rating acquisition unit 24, the viewing restriction unit 28 stores content data on the recording medium 21 in the TV 12 or TV 13 as the DMP on the network 10. Restricts viewing of recorded content.

  The control unit 29 controls each block constituting the server 11.

  Here, there are two methods by which the viewing restriction unit 28 restricts the viewing of content: a first viewing restriction method and a second viewing restriction method.

  In the first viewing restriction method, the viewing restriction unit 28 stores content on the recording medium 21 based on the device rating of the TV 12 (or TV 13) from the device rating acquisition unit 23 and the content rating from the content rating acquisition unit 24. It is determined whether each content in which data is recorded is a viewing-restricted content whose viewing on the TV 12 (or TV 13) should be restricted.

  The viewing restriction unit 28 deletes the metadata of the viewing restricted content from the content directory as the content information for the viewing restricted content, thereby restricting the viewing of the viewing restricted content on the TV 12.

  That is, the viewing restriction unit 28 deletes the metadata of the viewing restricted content from the content directory from the content directory creation unit 25. Then, the content directory after deletion of the metadata of the viewing restricted content is transmitted from the communication unit 27 to the TV 12 via the network 10.

  On the TV 12, a reproduction list that is a list of content titles and the like is generated and displayed from the content directory transmitted as described above.

  Therefore, when the metadata of viewing-restricted content is deleted from the content directory, the playback list displayed on the TV 12 does not include the viewing-restricted content (its title), so let's view the content on the TV 12. The user who is not able to recognize the presence of the viewing-restricted content.

  As a result, viewing of the viewing restricted content on the TV 12 can be restricted.

  In the second viewing restriction method, the viewing restriction unit 28 is based on the device rating of the TV 12 (or TV 13) from the device rating acquisition unit 23 and the content rating from the content rating acquisition unit 24. Determines whether or not the content to be played, which is content that is intended to provide AV data to the TV 12 (or TV 13), is a view-restricted content that should be restricted from being viewed on the TV 12 (or TV 13).

  Then, when the reproduction target content is the viewing restricted content, the viewing restriction unit 28 restricts the provision of the AV data of the reproduction target content to the TV 12 from the AV data providing unit 26, thereby The viewing of the playback target content that is the viewing restricted content is restricted.

  That is, in this case, the AV data of the reproduction target content is not transmitted from the server 11 to the TV 12, so that viewing of the reproduction target content on the TV 12 can be restricted.

  [Configuration example of TVs 12 and 13]

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the TV 12 of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the TV 12 includes a TV function unit 30, a device information setting unit 34, a device information storage unit 35, a device rating providing unit 36, a data acquisition unit 37, a communication unit 38, a control unit 39, and an operation unit 40. Then, it functions as an output device that outputs content (displays an image of the content and outputs audio of the content).

  The TV function unit 30 is a block for causing the TV 12 to function as a TV, and includes a tuner 31, a display control unit 32, and a display unit 33.

  The tuner 31 demodulates a television signal broadcast on a channel selected by operating the operation unit 40 by the user into AV data, and supplies the AV data to the display control unit 32.

  In addition to the AV data supplied from the tuner 31, AV data and the like are supplied from the data acquisition unit 37 to the display control unit 32.

  The display control unit 32 performs control to supply the image data of the AV data supplied thereto to the display unit 33 and display the corresponding image, and to display the audio data of the AV data. Control is performed to supply to a speaker (not shown) and output the corresponding sound.

  Hereinafter, description of audio output will be omitted.

  The display unit 33 is configured by, for example, liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like, and displays an image according to the control of the display control unit 32.

  The device information setting unit 34 performs control to store device information, which is information related to the TV 12, in the device information storage unit 35 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 40 (sets device information).

  The device information storage unit 35 stores device information under the control of the device information setting unit 34.

  In response to a request from the server 11 as a DMS on the network 10, the device rating providing unit 36 performs device rating out of the device information stored in the device information storage unit 35 via the communication unit 38 and the network 10. And provided to the server 11 as a DMS.

  That is, the device information stored in the device information storage unit 35 includes device rating, and the device rating providing unit 36 provides the device rating to the server 11.

  The data acquisition unit 37 acquires AV data and the like of content from the server 11 as a DMS on the network 10 via the network 10 and the communication unit 38 and supplies the AV data and the like to the display control unit 32.

  The communication unit 38 functions as a communication I / F that controls communication via the network 10. For example, the communication unit 38 transmits the device rating supplied from the device rating providing unit 36 to the server 11 as a DMS on the network 10. .

  Further, the communication unit 38 receives, for example, AV data transmitted from the server 11 as the DMS on the network 10 and supplies the AV data or the like to the data acquisition unit 37.

  The control unit 39 controls each block constituting the TV 12.

  The operation unit 40 supplies an operation signal according to a user operation to a necessary block.

  The operation unit 40 includes a remote commander for remotely controlling the TV 12 in addition to buttons provided on the housing of the TV 12.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the TV 13 of FIG.

  4, the TV 13 includes a tuner 51, a display control unit 52, a TV function unit 50 having a display unit 53, a device information setting unit 54, a device information storage unit 55, a device rating providing unit 56, a data acquisition unit 57, A communication unit 58, a control unit 59, and an operation unit 60 are included.

  Since the tuner 51 to the operation unit 60 are configured in the same manner as the tuner 31 to the operation unit 40 of FIG. 3, description thereof is omitted.

  [Example of device information]

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating examples of device information stored in the device information storage unit 35 of FIG. 3 and the device information storage unit 55 of FIG.

  That is, FIG. 5 shows 3. XML Device Description of Basic: 1.0 Device Definition Version 1.0, For UPnP Version 1.0, Status: Template Design Complete, Date: 2002-12-12 (hereinafter also simply referred to as BasicDevice-1.0). It shows device information using the specified device description (Device Description).

  For example, if the device information in FIG. 5 is device information set in the TV 12 that is a living room, in the device information in FIG. 5, for example, in the field L1 surrounded by <friendlyName> and </ friendlyName> tags Describes the name given to the TV 12 by the user.

  In the device information of FIG. 5, for example, the name of the manufacturer of the TV 12 is described in a field L2 surrounded by <manufacturer> and </ manufacturer> tags.

  Further, in the device information of FIG. 5, for example, a field L3 surrounded by <UDN> and </ UDN> tags describes, for example, uuid (Universally Unique IDentifier) as specific information for specifying the TV 12.

  In the device information of FIG. 5, the field L4 surrounded by the <rating> and </ rating> tags immediately after the field L3 surrounded by the <UDN> and </ UDN> tags is defined in BasicDevice-1.0. There is no new field, and device rating of the TV 12 is described in this field L4.

  That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, <rating> and </ rating> tags, which are new tags for describing device ratings, are defined and surrounded by the <rating> and </ rating> tags. Device rating is described.

  As described above, the TV 12 installed in the room A, which is a living room, which is likely to be used by children to view content, for example, <rating> 0 </ rating> For example, <rating> 20 </ rating> is set in the TV 13 installed in the parent bedroom, room B, which has a small device rating and is likely to be used only by the parent to view the content. Thus, a device rating of a large value such as 20 is set.

  Note that the description of the <rating> and </ rating> tags can be omitted in the device description as device information. In this case, the device rating is treated as a predetermined value such as a minimum value or a maximum value that can be taken as the device rating.

  In FIG. 5, the part written in italics is rewritten for each device such as the TV 12.

  [Device rating processing]

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining device rating setting processing performed by the TV 12 of FIG.

  Note that device rating is also set in the TV 13 of FIG.

  In the TV 12 (FIG. 3), for example, when the user operates the operation unit 40 so as to set the device rating, in step S11, the display control unit 32 displays a PIN input screen for requesting a PIN input on the display unit. 33 is displayed.

  Note that the PIN to be input on the PIN input screen is already stored in a memory (not shown) built in the control unit 39.

  The control unit 39 waits for the user to input the PIN on the PIN input screen by operating the operation unit 40, and the process proceeds from step S11 to step S12. It is determined whether or not a PIN input by operating the operation unit 40 (hereinafter also referred to as an input PIN) matches a PIN stored in a built-in memory (hereinafter also referred to as a stored PIN).

  If it is determined in step S12 that the input PIN and the stored PIN do not match, the process proceeds to step S13, and the display control unit 32 causes the display unit 33 to display an error message indicating that the PIN does not match, The process ends.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the input PIN matches the stored PIN, the process proceeds to step S14, and the display control unit 32 displays a device rating input screen that requests input of device rating of the TV 12. This is displayed on the unit 33.

  The device information setting unit 34 waits for the user to input the device rating on the device rating input screen by operating the operation unit 40, and the process proceeds from step S14 to step S15, and the device information setting unit 34 The unit 34 updates the device information stored in the device information storage unit 35 by storing (overwriting) the device rating input by the user operating the operation unit 40 in the device information storage unit 35. The process ends.

  Therefore, for example, by setting the storage PIN so that the parent does not know the child, only the parent can set the device rating.

  [Processing of server 11 and TV 12 when viewing restriction is performed by the first viewing restriction method]

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating processing performed by the server 11 and the TV 12 when viewing restriction is performed by the first viewing restriction method.

  Note that the TV 13 performs the same processing as the TV 12.

  In the server 11 (FIG. 2), in step S <b> 21, the device rating acquisition unit 23 requests the device description (FIG. 5) as device information from the TV 12 via the communication unit 27 and the network 10.

  In the TV 12 (FIG. 3), the device rating providing unit 36 receives a device description request from the server 11 (the device rating acquiring unit 23) via the communication unit 38.

  In the TV 12, in step S31, the device rating providing unit 36 reads the device description as the device information stored in the device information storage unit 35 in response to the request for the device description, and the communication unit 38 and the network 10 To the server 11.

  In the server 11 (FIG. 2), the device rating acquisition unit 23 receives a device description as device information from the TV 12 (the device rating providing unit 36) via the communication unit 27.

  In the server 11, in step S <b> 22, the device rating acquisition unit 23 acquires (extracts) the device rating of the TV 12 from the device description as device information from the TV 12.

  Further, in the server 11, in step S 23, the content directory creation unit 25 displays a reproduction list that is a list of content data recorded on the recording medium 21 from the metadata of the content recorded on the recording medium 21. A content directory as content information including necessary metadata is created and supplied to the viewing restriction unit 28.

  Thereafter, in the TV 12 (FIG. 3), for example, when the user operates the operation unit 40 so as to display a reproduction list in order to search for content in which content data is recorded on the recording medium 21 (FIG. 2), In step S <b> 32, the data acquisition unit 37 transmits a request for browsing the content directory to the server 11 via the communication unit 38 and the network 10.

  In the server 11 (FIG. 2), the viewing restriction unit 28 receives a request for browsing the content directory from the TV 12 via the communication unit 27, and in step S24, in response to the browsing request, the first viewing Perform viewing restriction processing by the restriction method.

  In other words, the viewing restriction unit 28 stores content on the recording medium 21 based on the device rating of the TV 12 acquired by the device rating acquisition unit 23 in step S22 and the content rating of each content whose content data is recorded on the recording medium 21. It is determined whether each content in which data is recorded is a viewing-restricted content for which viewing on the TV 12 should be restricted.

  The viewing restriction unit 28 deletes the metadata from the content directory supplied from the content directory creation unit 25 in step S23 for the viewing restriction content, and supplies the content directory after the deletion to the communication unit 27. .

  In step S <b> 25, the communication unit 27 transmits the content directory from the viewing restriction unit 28 to the TV 12 via the network 10.

  In the TV 12 (FIG. 3), the data acquisition unit 37 that has requested browsing of the content directory receives the content directory from the server 11 via the communication unit 38.

  In the TV 12, in step S <b> 33, the data acquisition unit 37 generates a playlist from the content directory from the server 11 and supplies the playlist to the display unit 33 via the display control unit 32. It is displayed on the display unit 33.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the viewing restriction process by the first viewing restriction method performed by the viewing restriction unit 28 of the server 11 in step S24 of FIG.

  In the server 11 (FIG. 2), in step S41, the viewing restriction unit 28 acquires the device rating Rd of the TV 12 (or TV 13) that has requested browsing of the content directory from the device rating acquisition unit 23. Proceed to S42.

  In step S42, the viewing restricting unit 28 sets 1 as an initial value to the variable n for counting the content whose content data is recorded on the recording medium 21, and the process proceeds to step S43.

In step S43, the viewing restriction unit 28 acquires the content rating R _n of the nth content among the content data recorded on the recording medium 21 from the content rating acquisition unit 24. Proceed to step S44.

In step S44, the viewing restriction unit 28 determines the nth content based on the device rating Rd of the TV 12 from the device rating acquisition unit 23 and the content rating Rn of the _nth content from the content rating acquisition unit 24. It is determined whether or not the n-th content is a viewing-restricted content whose viewing on the TV 12 should be restricted depending on whether or not the content rating R _n is larger than the device rating Rd of the TV 12.

When it is determined in step S44 that the n-th content is a view-restricted content that should be restricted from being viewed on the TV 12, that is, the content rating R _n of the n-th content is greater than the device rating Rd of the TV 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S45, where the viewing restriction unit 28 deletes the metadata of the nth content from the content directory from the content directory creation unit 25, thereby allowing the TV 12 to view the nth content. Restricting, the process proceeds to step S46.

If it is determined in step S44 that the n-th content is not a viewing-restricted content that should be restricted from being viewed on the TV 12, that is, the content rating R _n of the n-th content is less than or equal to the device rating Rd of the TV 12. If there is, the process skips step S45, and the process proceeds to step S46.

  Therefore, in this case, since the metadata of the nth content is not deleted from the content directory, viewing of the nth content on the TV 12 is not restricted.

  In step S46, the viewing restriction unit 28 increments the variable n by 1, and the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S <b> 47, the viewing restriction unit 28 determines whether or not the variable n is equal to or less than the total number N of contents recorded with content data on the recording medium 21.

  If it is determined in step S47 that the variable n is equal to or less than the total number N of contents, the process returns to step S43, and the same process is repeated thereafter.

  If it is determined in step S47 that the variable n is not less than or equal to the total number N of contents, that is, the viewing on the TV 12 should be restricted for all N pieces of content data recorded on the recording medium 21. If it is determined whether the content is restricted content, the process returns.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content directory.

  That is, FIG. 9A shows the content directory (hereinafter also referred to as the original content directory) created by the content directory creation unit 25 before the viewing restriction process by the viewing restriction unit 28 is performed.

  In the content directory of FIG. 9A, there are four video items (video items) # 1, # 2, # 3, and # 4 as content in the root directory.

  Further, in FIG. 9A, the content ratings of video items # 1, # 3, and # 4 among video items # 1 to # 4 as content are the minimum values (of values that can be taken as content ratings) (for example, 0) and content rating of video item # 2 is set to 20.

  FIG. 9B shows a viewing restriction unit for the original content directory of FIG. 9A when the device rating of the TV 12 is set to a minimum value (for example, 0) (for example, a value that can be taken as device rating). The content directory after the viewing restriction process provided to the TV 12 obtained by performing the viewing restriction process at 28 is shown.

  As described above, the content ratings of video items # 1, # 3, and # 4 are set to the minimum value, and the content rating of video item # 2 is set to 20.

  Therefore, in the viewing restriction process by the viewing restriction unit 28, for the content directory provided to the TV 12, the video item whose content rating is a value 20 greater than the value 0, which is the device rating of the TV 12, from the original content directory. # 2 metadata is deleted.

  As a result, the content directory after the viewing restriction process provided to the TV 12 is the root directory, and the video item # 1 as three contents in which the content rating has a value 0 that is equal to or less than the value 0 that is the device rating of the TV 12. , # 3, # 4 exist, and thus the viewing of the video item # 2 on the TV 12 is restricted.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a playlist that is generated from the content directory and displayed on the display unit 33 when the server 12 provides the content directory after the viewing restriction process of FIG. 9B on the TV 12 (FIG. 3). FIG.

  In the TV 12, the playlist generated from the content directory after the viewing restriction process of FIG. 9B includes the title “Let's go to XX” of the video item # 1 and the title “Professional Baseball Δ △-□□” ”And the title of the content“ Video News # 4 ”“ News ”, the title of the video item # 2 is not displayed.

  In the TV 12 (and the TV 13) as the DMP, when the user selects a title displayed in the playlist, the data acquisition unit 37 (FIG. 3) converts the AV data of the content (video item) of the title into the communication unit 38. And requests to the server 11 via the network 10.

  Further, the data acquisition unit 37 acquires (receives) AV data transmitted from the server 11 via the network 10 via the communication unit 38 in response to a request for AV data, and via the display control unit 32. To the display unit 33.

  As a result, the display unit 33 displays an image of content for which the user has selected a title from the reproduction list.

  Therefore, the user cannot select the title of the video item # 2 from the playlist in which the title of the video item # 2 is not displayed. As a result, the user cannot select the title of the video item # 2 on the TV 12 installed in the room A which is the living room. Viewing of video item # 2 is restricted.

  For example, when the device rating of the TV 13 is 20, the server 11 provides the TV 13 with the original content directory of FIG. 9A.

  In this case, the title of each of the four video items # 1 to # 4 is displayed in the reproduction list on the TV 13, and the user can select the title of the video item # 2 whose viewing is restricted on the TV 12.

  Therefore, the video item # 2 can be viewed on the TV 13 installed in the room B which is the parent bedroom.

  [Processing of Server 11 and TV 12 when Viewing Restriction is Performed by Second Viewing Restriction Method]

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating processing performed by the server 11 and the TV 12 when viewing restriction is performed by the second viewing restriction method.

  Note that the TV 13 performs the same processing as the TV 12.

  Here, as described above, in the TV 12 (and the TV 13), when the user selects a title displayed in the reproduction list, the data acquisition unit 37 (FIG. 3) displays the AV data of the content (video item) of the title. Is acquired from the server 11 in response to the request, and the image corresponding to the AV data is displayed on the display unit 33.

  Then, in the first viewing restriction method, the server 11 (FIG. 2) deletes the metadata of the viewing restricted content from the original content directory created by the content directory creation unit 25 in the viewing restriction unit 28 and reproduces it. In the list, viewing of the viewing restricted content on the TV 12 is restricted by preventing the title of the viewing restricted content from being displayed.

  On the other hand, in the second viewing restriction method, metadata of viewing restricted content is not deleted from the original content directory created by the content directory creating unit 25. For this reason, the title of the viewing restricted content is displayed in the reproduction list.

  Therefore, the user can select the title of the viewing-restricted content from the reproduction list. In this case, in the TV 12, the data acquisition unit 37 (FIG. 3) sends the AV data of the viewing-restricted content to the server 11. In the second viewing restriction method, the server 11 restricts the provision of the AV data when the viewing restriction unit 28 requests the AV data of the viewing restricted content. Limit viewing of viewing-restricted content.

  That is, now, on the TV 12 (FIG. 3), if a play list is displayed on the display unit 33 and the user operates the operation unit 40 so as to select a title of a certain content displayed on the play list, In S <b> 61, the data acquisition unit 37 requests the server 11 via the communication unit 38 and the network 10 for AV data of content for which the user has selected a title from the reproduction list.

  In the server 11 (FIG. 2), the AV data providing unit 26 receives the AV data request from the TV 12 via the communication unit 27 and the viewing restriction unit 28, and the requested AV data is recorded on the recording medium 21. Then, it is obtained (read) through the recording / playback control unit 22 and supplied to the viewing restriction unit 28.

  Further, in the server 11, when AV data is requested, in step S 51, the device rating acquisition unit 23 acquires the device rating of the TV 12 that has requested AV data, for example, in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. And supplied to the viewing restriction unit 28.

  In the server 11, in step S <b> 52, the content rating acquisition unit 24 sends the content rating of the content requested for AV data (hereinafter also referred to as playback target content) from the recording medium 21 to the recording / playback control unit 22. (Or from the content directory created by the content directory creation unit 25) and supplied to the viewing restriction unit 28.

  Thereafter, in the server 11, in step S <b> 53, the viewing restriction unit 28 determines the playback target content based on the device rating of the TV 12 from the device rating acquisition unit 23 and the content rating of the playback target content from the content rating acquisition unit 24. Is higher than the device rating of the TV 12 that has requested the AV data of the reproduction target content, it is determined whether or not the reproduction target content is a viewing-restricted content whose viewing on the TV 12 should be restricted.

  In the server 11, in step S <b> 54, the viewing restriction unit 28 converts the AV data of the content to be reproduced from the data acquisition unit 37 through the communication unit 38 and the network 10 based on the determination result in step S <b> 53. (Provide) or restrict the transmission.

  That is, when it is determined that the playback target content is the viewing-restricted content, that is, when the content rating of the playback target content is larger than the device rating of the TV 12, the viewing-limiting unit 28 receives the playback target from the data acquisition unit 37. The transmission of content AV data to the TV 12 is restricted.

  Therefore, in this case, viewing of the content to be played on the TV 12 is limited.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the playback target content is not the viewing-restricted content, that is, when the content rating of the playback target content is equal to or lower than the device rating of the TV 12, the viewing limiting unit 28 receives the playback target from the data acquisition unit 37. The content AV data is transmitted to the TV 12.

  Therefore, in this case, viewing of the content to be played on the TV 12 is not limited.

  That is, in the TV 12 (FIG. 4), the data acquisition unit 37 receives the AV data of the reproduction target content transmitted from the server 11 via the communication unit 38, and in step S62, the AV data is subjected to display control. The data is supplied to the display unit 33 via the unit 32.

  As a result, the display unit 33 displays an image of the content to be played back for which the user has selected a title from the play list.

  As described above, in the server 11 (FIG. 2), the device rating acquisition unit 23 represents a level at which viewing of content using the TV 12 or TV 13 is restricted via the network 10 from the TV 12 or TV 13 that outputs the content. The device rating set for the TV 12 or TV 13 itself, which is the rating, is acquired, the content rating acquiring unit 24 acquires the content rating of the content data recorded on the recording medium 21, and the viewing restriction unit 28 Based on the device rating and content rating, viewing of the content data recorded on the recording medium 21 on the TV 12 or TV 13 is restricted, so that the adult user such as a parent can connect the TV 12 and 13 to the TV 12 and 13. 13 who uses each (age) Therefore, it is possible to give the age limit of the content that can be viewed on the output device to the output device such as the TV 12 or TV 13 simply by setting the device rating. The content viewing can be restricted in room units such as the room A and the room B in which the TV 12 and the TV 13 are installed without performing complicated operations such as the above.

  That is, for example, for the TV 12 installed in the room A, which is a living room, which is likely to be used by a child to view content, by setting a device rating with a small value in consideration of the age of the child, the TV 12 In this case, it is possible to restrict a child from watching content for adults who have a large content rating.

  On the other hand, for example, for the TV 13 installed in the room B which is the parent bedroom, which is likely to be used only by the parent to view the content, by setting a large device rating in consideration of the age of the parent, The parent can view any content including content for adults who has a large content rating without performing a complicated operation.

  In the server 11 (FIG. 2), the viewing restriction unit 28 uniformly restricts viewing of content with a content rating larger than the device rating of the TV 12 (or TV 13) on the TV 12, but the TV 12 (or The restriction on viewing on the TV 12 of content with a content rating larger than the device rating of the TV 13) can be released in a fixed case.

  In other words, the content metadata includes, for example, uuid (FIG. 5) as the specific information for specifying the output device that outputs the content, such as the TV 12 or the TV 13, and the output device that releases the restriction on viewing the content. Is included as the release specifying information, and the viewing restriction unit 28 includes the uuid of the output device X in the metadata of the content C even if the content C has a content rating larger than the device rating of the output device X. Is included as release specific information, the restriction on viewing of content C of content rating larger than the device rating of the output device X on the output device X is released (content C on the output device X). Can't restrict viewing).

  In this case, for example, the child can view content for an adult who wants the child to view the content.

  That is, in order to uniformly limit the viewing of content with a content rating larger than the device rating, as described above, the TV 13 installed in the parent bedroom, room B, with a large device rating set. , Parents can watch content for adults with high content rating, but on TV12 with small value device rating installed in room A which is a living room, children are adults Can't watch content for.

  However, a parent may want to watch content for adults and have the child watch the content.

  In this case, the parent accesses the server 11 by operating the TV 12 or TV 13 and, for example, for adults who want to have a child view by entering a PIN, as in the case of setting device ratings. In the content metadata, the uuid of the TV 12 installed in the room A which is a living room can be set as the release specifying information.

  In this way, by setting the release specifying information, the parent causes the child to view the content that the parent wants the child to view even if the content rating is larger than the device rating of the TV 12. be able to.

  [Another embodiment of home network system to which the present invention is applied]

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration example of another embodiment of a home network system to which the present invention is applied.

  In the figure, portions corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, the home network system of FIG. 12 is common to the case of FIG. 1 in that the TVs 12 and 13 are provided.

  However, the home network system of FIG. 12 is different from the case of FIG. 1 in that a server 71 is provided instead of the server 11 and a portable terminal 72 is newly provided.

  The home network system in FIG. 1 is a system called DLNA (registered trademark) 2box, whereas the home network system in FIG. 12 is a system called DLNA (registered trademark) 3box.

  Similar to the server 11 of FIG. 1, the server 71 has a function as a DNA of DLNA (registered trademark) and functions as an information providing apparatus that provides content.

  However, unlike the server 11, the server 71 does not have a function of restricting content viewing (content viewing restriction processing is not performed).

  The portable terminal 72 has a function as a DLNA (registered trademark) controller (Digital Media Controller). For example, in accordance with a user operation or the like, the server 71 which is a DMS and a DLNA (registered) as will be described later. An output device such as a TV 12 or a TV 13 as a trademark (Renderer) of the trademark is functioned as a remote control device that remotely controls the communication device via the network 10.

  In the home network system of FIG. 12, as described above, the server 71 does not have a function of restricting the viewing of content, but the mobile terminal 72 as a controller is similar to the server 11 of FIG. And has a function of restricting the viewing of content.

  In 3box, the TVs 12 and 13 have a function as a DLNA (registered trademark) renderer.

  In the home network system configured as described above, the portable terminal 72 as the controller conforms to the DLNA (registered trademark) guidelines for the TV 12 and TV 13 as the renderers connected to the network 10 and the server 71 as the DMS. A compliant device (DLNA device) is detected (discovered), the server 71 on which the content is recorded is accessed via the network 10, and a reproduction list of the content recorded on the server 71 is displayed.

  Then, when the user operates the mobile terminal 72 to select the control target TV to be remotely controlled from the TV 12 and the TV 13 as the renderer, and selects a predetermined content from the reproduction list, the mobile terminal 72 is Then, a playback instruction command for instructing playback of the content selected by the user is transmitted to the control target TV among the TV 12 and the TV 13 as the renderers via the network 10.

  The control target TV requests and acquires the content selected by the user from the server 71 in accordance with the playback instruction command from the mobile terminal 72. Then, on the control target TV, the content acquired from the server 71 is displayed.

  [Configuration Example of Server 71]

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the server 71 of FIG.

  In the figure, portions corresponding to the server 11 in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted below as appropriate.

  That is, the server 71 in FIG. 13 is provided with a recording / playback function unit 20 having a recording medium 21 and a recording / playback control unit 22, a content directory creation unit 25, an AV data providing unit 26, a communication unit 27, and a control unit 29. 2 is different from the server 11 of FIG. 2 in that the device rating acquisition unit 23, the content rating acquisition unit 24, and the viewing restriction unit 28 are not provided in common with the server 11 of FIG.

  As described above, the server 71 does not include the device rating acquisition unit 23, the content rating acquisition unit 24, and the viewing restriction unit 28 related to content viewing restriction processing. Does not have.

  [Configuration example of portable terminal 72]

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the mobile terminal 72 of FIG.

  14, the mobile terminal 72 includes a communication unit 81, a device rating acquisition unit 82, a content rating acquisition unit 83, a content directory acquisition unit 84, a command issue unit 85, a viewing restriction unit 86, a display control unit 87, a display unit 88, It has a control unit 89 and an operation unit 90 and functions as a remote control device that remotely controls the server 71 and the TVs 12 and 13.

  The communication unit 81 functions as a communication I / F that controls communication via the network 10. For example, the communication unit 81 receives device ratings transmitted from the TV 12 and the TV 13 on the network 10 and supplies them to the device rating acquisition unit 82. To do.

  Further, the communication unit 81 receives, for example, the content rating and the content directory transmitted from the server 71 on the network 10 and supplies them to the content rating acquisition unit 83 and the content directory acquisition unit 84, respectively.

  Further, the communication unit 81 transmits, for example, a command issued by the command issuing unit 85 to the server 71 on the network 10, the TV 12, and the TV 13.

  The device rating acquisition unit 82 acquires device ratings from the TVs 12 and 13 on the network 10 via the communication unit 81 and the network 10, and supplies them to the viewing restriction unit 86.

  The content rating acquisition unit 83 acquires the content rating included in the metadata of the content from the recording medium 21 (FIG. 13) of the server 71 via the communication unit 81 and the network 10, and via the viewing restriction unit 86, To supply.

  The content directory acquisition unit 84 acquires a content directory as content information from the content directory creation unit 25 of the server 71 via the communication unit 81 and the network 10. The content directory acquired by the content directory acquisition unit 84 is supplied to the display control unit 87 via the viewing control unit 86.

  As described with reference to FIG. 2, since content rating is included in the content directory, the content rating acquisition unit 83 acquires the content rating from the recording medium 21 of the server 71, and the content directory acquisition unit 84 It can be acquired from the acquired content directory.

  The command issuing unit 85 issues commands for performing various instructions, and transmits the commands to the server 71 on the network 10, the TV 12, and the TV 13 via the communication unit 81.

  For example, the command issuing unit 85 uses the operation unit 90 by the user from the content in which the content data is recorded on the recording medium 21 of the server 71 (FIG. 13), that is, the content whose title is displayed in the reproduction list, for example. A playback instruction command for instructing playback of the playback target content, which is the content selected according to the operation, is issued and transmitted to the control target TV among the TVs 12 and 13 on the network 10 via the communication unit 81.

  Based on the device rating from the device rating acquisition unit 82 and the content rating from the content rating acquisition unit 83, the viewing restriction unit 86 records the recording medium of the server 71 (FIG. 13) on the TV 12 and TV 13 on the network 10. 21 restricts viewing of content recorded with content data.

  The display control unit 87 performs display control for displaying an image on the display unit 88.

  That is, for example, the display control unit 87 generates a playlist from the content directory supplied from the content directory acquisition unit 84 via the viewing restriction unit 86 and supplies the playlist to the display unit 88, thereby displaying the playlist. This is displayed on the part 88.

  The display unit 88 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal, an organic EL, or the like, and displays an image according to the control of the display control unit 87.

  The control unit 89 controls each block constituting the mobile terminal 72.

  The operation unit 90 supplies an operation signal according to a user operation to a necessary block.

  Here, similarly to the viewing restriction unit 28 of the server 11, the viewing restriction unit 86 can restrict the viewing of content by any of the first and second viewing restriction methods.

  When the viewing restriction unit 86 restricts content viewing by the first viewing restriction method, the viewing restriction unit 86 performs device rating of the control target TV from the device rating acquisition unit 82 and the content rating acquisition unit 83. Based on the content rating from the above, it is determined whether or not each content whose content data is recorded on the recording medium 21 is a viewing-restricted content whose viewing on the control target TV should be restricted.

  The viewing restriction unit 86 deletes the metadata of the viewing restricted content from the content directory as the content information obtained by the content directory obtaining unit 84 with respect to the viewing restricted content, thereby allowing viewing on the control target TV. Restrict viewing of restricted content.

  That is, the viewing restriction unit 86 deletes the metadata of the viewing restricted content from the content directory from the content directory acquisition unit 84. Then, the viewing restriction unit 86 supplies the content directory after deletion of the metadata of the viewing restricted content to the display control unit 87.

  In the display control unit 87, a reproduction list is generated from the content directory supplied from the viewing restriction unit 86 as described above and displayed on the display unit 88.

  Therefore, when the metadata of the view restriction content is deleted from the content directory, the play list displayed on the display unit 88 does not include the view restriction content (its title). A user who wants to view the content cannot recognize the presence of the view-restricted content.

  As a result, it is possible to restrict viewing of the viewing-restricted content on the restricted TV.

  When the viewing restriction unit 86 restricts content viewing by the second viewing restriction method, the viewing restriction unit 86 includes the device rating of the control target TV supplied from the device rating acquisition unit 82 and the content. Based on the content rating from the rating acquisition unit 83, the playback target content that is the content selected by the user from the playback list displayed on the display unit 88 is the viewing-restricted content that should be restricted from being viewed on the control target TV. Determine if it exists.

  Then, the viewing restriction unit 86 restricts the issue of a reproduction instruction command (including transmission of a reproduction instruction command) for instructing reproduction of the reproduction target content by the command issuing unit 85 when the reproduction target content is the viewing restricted content. As a result, the viewing of the playback target content, which is the viewing restricted content, on the control target TV is restricted.

  That is, in this case, since the playback instruction command for instructing playback of the playback target content is not transmitted to the control target TV, viewing of the playback target content on the control target TV can be restricted.

  [Processing of portable terminal 72 when viewing restriction is performed by the first viewing restriction method]

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the mobile terminal 72 in FIG. 14 when viewing restriction is performed by the first viewing restriction method.

  In the portable terminal 72 (FIG. 14), the control unit 89 communicates with a device connected to the network 10 via the communication unit 81 in step S101, so that the TV 12 as a renderer connected to the network 10 and 13 and the server 72 as the DMS is detected (discovered), and the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, for example, the device rating acquisition unit 82 waits for the user to select the control target TV from the TVs 12 and 13 as the renderer by operating the operation unit 90, and from the control target TV, The device rating of the control target TV is acquired.

  That is, the device rating acquisition unit 82 requests a device description (FIG. 5) as device information from the control target TV via the communication unit 81 and the network 10, and responds to the request from the control target TV to the network. 10 receives the device description transmitted via the communication unit 81.

  Further, the device rating acquisition unit 82 acquires (extracts) the device rating of the control target TV from the device description of the control target TV.

  Thereafter, for example, waiting for the user to operate the operation unit 90 to display the reproduction list, the process proceeds from step S102 to step S103, and the content directory acquisition unit 84 includes the communication unit 81 and the network 10. From the server 71, a content directory as content information is acquired.

  That is, the content directory acquisition unit 84 requests a content directory from the server 71 via the communication unit 81 and the network 10, and receives the content directory transmitted from the server 71 via the network 10 in response to the request. And received via the communication unit 81.

  The content directory acquisition unit 84 supplies the content directory acquired from the server 71 to the viewing restriction unit 86, and the process proceeds from step S103 to step S104.

  In step S104, the viewing restriction unit 86 performs a viewing restriction process by the first viewing restriction method similar to that described in FIG.

  That is, the viewing restriction unit 86 acquires the device rating of the control target TV acquired by the device rating acquisition unit 82, and the content data is recorded on the recording medium 21 of the server 71 (FIG. 13) in the content rating acquisition unit 83. The content rating of each content is acquired.

  Further, the viewing restriction unit 86 is based on the device rating of the control target TV and the content rating of each content in which the content data is recorded on the recording medium 21, which is acquired by the content rating acquisition unit 83. Similarly to (FIG. 2), it is determined whether each content whose content data is recorded on the recording medium 21 is a viewing-restricted content whose viewing on the control target TV should be restricted.

  The viewing restriction unit 86 deletes the metadata from the content directory from the content directory acquisition unit 84 for the viewing restricted content, and supplies the deleted content directory to the display control unit 87.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds from step S104 to step S105. The display control unit 87 generates a playlist from the content directory from the viewing restriction unit 86 and supplies the playlist to the display unit 88, whereby the playlist is displayed on the display unit. The process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the control unit 89 determines whether any content whose title is displayed in the playlist is selected by operating the operation unit 90, and the content is selected from the playlist. If it is determined that there is not, the process returns to step S106.

  If it is determined in step S106 that content has been selected from the reproduction list, the process proceeds to step S107, and the command issuing unit 85 reproduces the content to be reproduced (AV data of the content selected by the user from the reproduction list). ) On the network, for example, a playback instruction command for instructing playback of the playback target content including URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is issued, and the control target TV is transmitted via the communication unit 81 and the network 10. The process ends.

  For example, in the TV 12 (or TV 13) that is the control target TV, the data acquisition unit 37 (FIG. 3) follows the playback instruction command from the mobile terminal 72 and the AV data specified by the URL included in the playback instruction command. (From the server 71), acquired via the network 10, and supplied to the display unit 33 via the display control unit 32 (FIG. 3).

  As a result, on the display unit 33 of the TV 12 that is the control target TV, an image of the playback target content for which the user has selected a title from the playback list is displayed.

  As described above, in the portable terminal 72 (FIG. 14), the metadata of the viewing-restricted content is deleted from the content directory supplied from the viewing restriction unit 86 to the display control unit 87. Restricted content (title) is not displayed. Therefore, viewing of the viewing-restricted content on the control target TV can be restricted.

  [Processing of portable terminal 72 when viewing restriction is performed by second viewing restriction method]

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the mobile terminal 72 in FIG. 14 when viewing restriction is performed by the second viewing restriction method.

  In the portable terminal 72 (FIG. 14), in steps S111 to S113, the same processing as that in steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 15 is performed, whereby the device rating acquisition unit 82 acquires the device rating of the control target TV. At the same time, the content directory acquisition unit 84 acquires the content directory.

  Then, the content directory acquisition unit 84 bypasses the viewing restriction unit 86 and supplies the content directory to the display control unit 87, and the process proceeds from step S113 to step S114.

  Therefore, the content directory (the original content directory in FIG. 9A) created by the content directory creation unit 25 of the server 71 (FIG. 13) is supplied to the display control unit 87 as it is.

  In step S114, the display control unit 87 generates a playlist from the content directory supplied from the content directory acquisition unit 84, bypassing the viewing restriction unit 86, and supplies the playlist to the display unit 88. , The process proceeds to step S115.

  In step S115, the control unit 89 determines whether any content whose title is displayed in the play list is selected by operating the operation unit 90 by the user, and the content is selected from the play list. If it is determined that there is not, the process returns to step S115.

  If it is determined in step S115 that content has been selected from the playlist, the process proceeds to step S116, and the viewing restriction unit 86 causes the content rating acquisition unit 83 to select the content selected by the user from the playlist. The content rating of the content to be played back is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S117.

  In step S117, the viewing restriction unit 86, based on the device rating of the control target TV acquired by the device rating acquisition unit 82 and the content rating of the reproduction target content acquired by the content rating acquisition unit 83, in step S53 of FIG. In the same manner as described above, it is determined whether or not the content to be played is a view-restricted content that should be restricted from being viewed on the control-target TV.

  If it is determined in step S117 that the content to be played is the viewing-restricted content, the process proceeds to step S118, where the viewing-restricting unit 86 restricts the issue of the playback instruction command by the command issuing unit 85 and plays back the content. By controlling the display control unit 87, a display restriction message indicating that the target content is a view restriction content is displayed on the display unit 88, and the process ends.

  Therefore, in this case, since the playback instruction command is not transmitted to the control target TV, viewing of the playback target content on the control target TV is limited.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S117 that the content to be reproduced is not the viewing restricted content, the viewing restriction unit 86 does not restrict the issue of the reproduction instruction command by the command issuing unit 85, and the process proceeds to step S119. .

  In step S119, in response to the user selecting the reproduction target content from the reproduction list, the command issuing unit 85 reproduces the reproduction target content including the URL specifying the position of the reproduction target content on the network. A reproduction instruction command to be instructed is issued and transmitted to the control target TV via the communication unit 81 and the network 10, and the process ends.

  In the control target TV, in accordance with the playback instruction command from the portable terminal 72, AV data of the playback target content specified by the URL included in the playback instruction command is acquired from the server 71 via the network 10 and displayed. .

  As described above, also in the mobile terminal 72 (FIG. 14), as in the server 11 of FIG. 1, the device rating acquisition unit 82 transmits the content from the TV 12 or TV 13 as the control target TV via the network 10. A device rating set for the TV 12 or TV 13 itself, which is a rating representing a level for restricting viewing of content using the TV 12 or TV 13, is acquired, and a content rating acquisition unit 83 records content data on the recording medium 21. The content restriction of the content is acquired, and the viewing restriction unit 86 restricts the viewing of the content with the content data recorded on the recording medium 21 on the TV 12 or TV 13 based on the device rating and the content rating. The adult user of TV Considering the age of each of the TVs 12 and 13, giving the age limit of the content that can be viewed on the output device to the output device such as the TV 12 or TV 13 simply by setting the device rating. After that, you can easily limit the viewing of content in room units such as Room A and Room B where the TV 12 and TV 13 are installed without having to perform complicated operations such as entering a PIN. can do.

  Even in the portable terminal 72, as in the case of the server 11 (FIG. 1), even in the content restriction content 86 larger than the device rating of a certain output device X in the viewing restriction unit 86, the metadata of the content C If the uuid of the output device X is included as release specifying information, the restriction on viewing the content C of the content rating larger than the device rating of the output device X on the output device X is canceled ( Viewing of content C on the output device X can be performed).

  [Description of Computer to which the Present Invention is Applied]

  Next, the series of processes described above can be performed by hardware or software. When a series of processing is performed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in a general-purpose computer or the like.

  FIG. 17 shows a configuration example of an embodiment of a computer in which a program for executing the series of processes described above is installed.

  The program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk 105 or a ROM 103 as a recording medium built in the computer.

  Alternatively, the program can be stored (recorded) in the removable recording medium 111. Such a removable recording medium 111 can be provided as so-called package software. Here, examples of the removable recording medium 111 include a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto Optical) disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory.

  In addition to installing the program from the removable recording medium 111 as described above, the program can be downloaded to the computer via a communication network or a broadcast network, and can be installed in the built-in hard disk 105. That is, for example, the program is wirelessly transferred from a download site to a computer via a digital satellite broadcasting artificial satellite, or wired to a computer via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. be able to.

  The computer incorporates a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, and an input / output interface 110 is connected to the CPU 102 via a bus 101.

  The CPU 102 executes a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 according to a command input by the user by operating the input unit 107 or the like via the input / output interface 110. . Alternatively, the CPU 102 loads a program stored in the hard disk 105 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 and executes it.

  Thus, the CPU 102 performs processing according to the above-described flowchart or processing performed by the configuration of the above-described block diagram. Then, the CPU 102 outputs the processing result as necessary, for example, via the input / output interface 110, from the output unit 106, transmitted from the communication unit 108, and further recorded in the hard disk 105.

  The input unit 107 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and the like. The output unit 106 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a speaker, and the like.

  Here, in the present specification, the processing performed by the computer according to the program does not necessarily have to be performed in time series in the order described as the flowchart. That is, the processing performed by the computer according to the program includes processing executed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processing or object processing).

  Further, the program may be processed by one computer (processor) or may be distributedly processed by a plurality of computers. Furthermore, the program may be transferred to a remote computer and executed.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  That is, the TV 11 or TV 12 serving as an output device that outputs content acquires (downloads, downloads) content from a server on the Internet in addition to the server 11 (FIG. 1) and the server 71 (FIG. 12) constituting the home network system. Or streaming).

  In the present embodiment, the server 11, TVs 12 and 13, the server 71, and the mobile terminal 72 are DLNA devices. However, the present invention can also be applied to devices that are not DLNA devices.

  10 network, 11 server, 12, 13 TV, 20 recording / playback function section, 21 recording medium, 22 recording / playback control section, 23 device rating acquisition section, 24 content rating acquisition section, 25 content directory creation section, 26 AV data provision section , 27 communication unit, 28 viewing restriction unit, 29 control unit, 30 TV function unit, 31 tuner, 32 display control unit, 33 display unit, 34 device information setting unit, 35 device information storage unit, 36 device rating providing unit, 37 Data acquisition unit, 38 communication unit, 39 control unit, 40 operation unit, 50 TV function unit, 51 tuner, 52 display control unit, 53 display unit, 54 device information setting unit, 55 device information storage unit, 56 device rating providing unit , 5 Data acquisition unit, 58 communication unit, 59 control unit, 60 operation unit, 71 server, 72 portable terminal, 81 communication unit, 82 device rating acquisition unit, 83 content rating acquisition unit, 84 content directory acquisition unit, 85 command issue unit, 86 viewing restriction unit, 87 display control unit, 88 display unit, 101 bus, 102 CPU, 103 ROM, 104 RAM, 105 hard disk, 106 output unit, 107 input unit, 108 communication unit, 109 drive, 110 input / output interface, 111 Removable recording medium

Claims (10)

If the PIN matches, an output device capable of setting the device rating, from the output device for outputting the content, indicative of the level via the network, to limit the view of the content using the output device rating a device rating acquiring means for acquiring the device rating is, set in the output device itself is,
AV data including content image data or audio data;
Content rating acquisition means for acquiring the content rating out of the metadata of the content data including at least content rating, which is a rating representing a level that restricts content viewing, and
An information processing apparatus comprising: viewing restriction means for restricting viewing of the content on the output device based on the device rating and the content rating. The content data is recorded on a recording medium,
The content rating acquisition means acquires the content rating of the metadata recorded on the recording medium,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the viewing restriction unit restricts viewing of content in which content data is recorded on the recording medium in the output device. The content metadata further includes release specifying information that is specific information of the output device that releases the restriction on viewing of the content among the specific information specifying the output device,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the viewing restriction unit removes restriction on viewing of the content in the output device of specific information that matches the release specific information included in the metadata of the content. The information processing apparatus includes:
An information providing device for providing content data recorded in the recording medium;
Further comprising creation means for creating content information including metadata necessary for displaying a play list that is a list of content data recorded on the recording medium and providing the content information to the output device;
The viewing restriction means includes
Based on the device rating and the content rating, it is determined whether or not the content in which the content data is recorded on the recording medium is a viewing restriction content that should be restricted from being viewed on the output device,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein viewing of the viewing restricted content on the output device is restricted by deleting metadata of the viewing restricted content from the content information. The information processing apparatus includes:
An information providing device for providing content data recorded in the recording medium;
AV data providing means for providing AV data of the content recorded on the recording medium in response to a request from the output device,
The viewing restriction means includes
Based on the device rating and the content rating, a determination is made as to whether or not the content to be played, which is a content for which AV data has been requested from the output device, is a view-restricted content that should be restricted from being viewed on the output device. And
The information processing according to claim 2, wherein when the playback target content is a viewing-restricted content, the viewing of the playback target content on the output device is limited by limiting the provision of AV data of the playback target content. apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes:
A remote control device for remotely controlling the output device;
Acquisition means for acquiring content information including metadata necessary for display of a play list, which is a list of contents having content data recorded on the recording medium, from an information providing apparatus that provides content data recorded on the recording medium When,
Display control means for displaying the playlist based on the content information, and
The viewing restriction means includes
Based on the device rating and the content rating, it is determined whether or not the content in which the content data is recorded on the recording medium is a viewing restriction content that should be restricted from being viewed on the output device,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein viewing of the viewing restricted content on the output device is restricted by deleting metadata of the viewing restricted content from the content information. The information processing apparatus includes:
A remote control device for remotely controlling the output device;
Issuing a command to issue a playback instruction command for instructing playback of a content to be played, which is content selected in accordance with a user operation, from content whose content data is recorded on the recording medium, and sending the command to the output device Further comprising means,
The viewing restriction means includes
Based on the device rating and the content rating, it is determined whether the content to be played is a viewing-restricted content that should be restricted from being viewed on the output device,
The information according to claim 2, wherein, when the playback target content is a viewing-restricted content, the viewing of the playback target content on the output device is limited by limiting issue of a playback instruction command for the playback target content. Processing equipment. Information processing device
If the PIN matches, an output device capable of setting the device rating, from the output device for outputting the content, indicative of the level via the network, to limit the view of the content using the output device rating in it, it acquires the device rating set in the output device itself,
AV data including content image data or audio data;
Obtaining the content rating of the metadata of the content data including at least content rating, which is a rating representing a level that restricts viewing of the content,
An information processing method including a step of restricting viewing of the content in the output device based on the device rating and the content rating. If PIN match, an output device capable of setting the device rating, from the output device for outputting the content, indicative of the level via the network, to limit the view of the content using the output device rating a device rating acquiring means for acquiring the device rating is, set in the output device itself is,
AV data including content image data or audio data;
Content rating acquisition means for acquiring the content rating out of the metadata of the content data including at least content rating, which is a rating representing a level that restricts content viewing, and
A program for causing a computer to function as viewing restriction means for restricting viewing of the content on the output device based on the device rating and the content rating. Storage means for storing a device rating set in the output device itself, which is a rating representing a level for restricting viewing of the content using the output device that outputs the content;
In response to a request from an information processing apparatus for limiting the viewing of content, possess a device rating providing means for providing the device rating, if the PIN matches, the said device rating settings possible the output device ,
Device rating acquisition means for acquiring the device rating from the output device via a network;
AV data including content image data or audio data;
Content rating acquisition means for acquiring the content rating out of the metadata of the content data including at least content rating, which is a rating representing a level that restricts content viewing, and
An information processing system comprising: the information processing apparatus including: viewing restriction means for restricting viewing of the content on the output device based on the device rating and the content rating.

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