JP2002077849A - System and apparatus for intermediating information delivery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To deliver a necessary transmission channel selected for subscriber's reception terminal equipment, by eliminating a necessity of a reception contract with individual information transmitters for providing information provided with different transmission states from a plurality of information transmitters. SOLUTION: A system for intermediating information delivery comprises a plurality of the information transmitters 2, many subscriber's reception terminal equipment 3, and a delivery intermediating unit 4 for intermediating among them. In this case, the transmitter 2 provides information by a plurality of transmitting channels only for the reception contractor with different transmission state. The system also comprises the equipment 3, a receiver 11 for receiving providing information, an output unit 14, and a channel switching control unit 12. The unit 4 has a receiver 16 for receiving the providing information by all the transmission channel to be transmitted from the transmitter 2, a subscriber's information registering unit 17 for registering a delivery contract conditions or the like, and a delivery unit 8 for delivering the providing information for the equipment 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a subscriber receiving terminal device for information provided from a plurality of information transmitting devices to a receiving subscriber only by using a plurality of transmission channels in different transmission modes. The present invention relates to an information distribution mediation system and an information distribution mediation device that receive only a required transmission channel selected by the user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An information providing system is provided or planned to be provided in various forms with the improvement of transmission technology and diversification of services. For example,
As for television broadcasting, digital broadcasting has begun from conventional analog broadcasting, and programs are provided in different transmission forms such as satellite broadcasting and cable television broadcasting using communication satellites. For television broadcasting, a video-on-demand service in the form of, for example, two-way communication is also provided.

In the above-mentioned information providing system, since the information transmitting apparatus for transmitting the information differs depending on the provided information, each receiving terminal receiving the service is required to make a separate receiving contract for each information transmitting apparatus. Had been. For example, a receiver of a television broadcast, even at present, has concluded a contract for receiving a regular broadcast with the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), and optionally subscribes to a BS satellite broadcast or a cable television (CA-TV) or a satellite broadcast (CS). (Broadcast)).

[0004]

By the way, in various information providing systems including television broadcasting, music, movies, game software, electronic software, and the like have been developed with the development of a high-speed and large-capacity communication network or the development of transmission technology. Various contents such as newspapers, catalog information for selling goods, and stock price transaction information have been provided. Broadcast waves, for example, have the property of transmitting large amounts of information at a higher speed than telephone lines, and are attracting attention as communication media for constructing various information transmission networks as well as the above-described television broadcasting. ing.

[0005] When a receiver wants to receive a BS digital broadcast, a CS digital broadcast, a terrestrial digital broadcast, or the like, which is scheduled to start broadcasting in the future, or receives various contents, the broadcast is provided. It is necessary to conclude a reception contract with each party and the information provider. On the other hand, in various information providing systems, even if some of the information provided by the contractor overlap each other, an individual reception contract with each broadcast provider or information provider is required. In many cases, the receiver is given a feeling of double payment.

In the conventional information providing system, it is troublesome to select information provided in various forms, as described above, a troublesome individual contract is concluded for each provider, individual fee payment, double payment feeling, etc. As a result, the number of subscribers peaked out. In general, each information provision system generally reduces the fee for capital investment as the number of subscribers increases, so that the receiving fee gradually decreases.However, it is difficult to reduce the fee due to the peak of the number of subscribers. Had become. As a result, in each information providing system, a reception cycle becomes expensive, and the number of subscribers decreases, thereby causing a vicious cycle.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for receiving information provided from a plurality of information transmitting apparatuses to a receiving subscriber only through a plurality of transmission channels in different transmission modes with each information transmitting apparatus. The present invention has been proposed for the purpose of providing an information distribution mediation system and an information distribution mediation device for distributing a required transmission channel selected by a subscriber receiving terminal device without requiring a contract.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information distribution mediation system which achieves the above-mentioned object, comprises a plurality of information transmitting devices, a plurality of subscriber receiving terminal devices, and mediates provided information between them. And an information distribution mediation device to be performed. Each information transmitting device provides information to the receiving contractor through each transmission channel in a different transmission form. Each subscriber receiving terminal device includes a receiving unit that receives provided information transmitted from a plurality of information transmitting devices, an output unit that outputs the received provided information, and a channel switching operation unit that switches a receiving channel. The information distribution intermediary device is transmitted from each information transmitting device by a receiving unit that receives information provided by all transmission channels transmitted under a reception contract with each information transmitting device, and by each subscriber receiving terminal device. The system includes a subscriber information registration unit that makes a distribution contract for each transmission channel and registers the distribution contract conditions and the like, and a distribution unit that distributes the provided information received to the subscriber receiving terminal device.

According to the information distribution mediation system according to the present invention configured as described above, the information distribution mediation device receives all the provision information of all transmission channels transmitted from each information transmission device based on the reception contract. You. According to the information distribution mediation system, the received provided information is distributed from the information distribution mediation device to each of the subscriber receiving terminal devices that have made a distribution contract. According to the information distribution mediation system, each subscriber receiving terminal device determines whether or not reception is necessary for each transmission channel of each information transmission device, and makes a distribution contract with the information distribution mediation device. According to the information distribution mediation system, the channel switching operation is performed by the channel switching operation unit to receive the provided information, but the information permitted to be received based on the subscription conditions of the distribution contract with the information distribution mediation device Only the provision information of the specific transmission channel of the transmission device will be received. Therefore, according to the information distribution intermediary system, each subscriber receiving terminal device exchanges a distribution contract with the information distribution intermediation device, so that each information having a plurality of transmission channels including unnecessary provision information or provision information of the same content is obtained. It is not necessary to sign a reception contract with the transmission device individually, and it is possible to select only necessary information and obtain it at a reasonable and low reception fee.

[0010] Further, the information distribution mediating apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is provided by a plurality of information transmitting apparatuses provided to receiving subscribers in different transmission modes by respective transmission channels. A receiving unit for receiving information, a subscriber information registration unit for registering the conditions of a distribution contract exchanged with a plurality of subscriber receiving terminal devices, and a distribution contract condition for each of the plurality of subscriber terminal devices. And a distribution unit that distributes the provided information in response to the request. Information distribution mediation device
Distributing between a plurality of subscriber receiving terminal devices which include a channel switching operation unit for switching a receiving channel and output information provided from a plurality of information transmitting devices on a receiving channel permitted to be received based on the conditions of a distribution contract A contract is signed.

[0011] According to the information distribution mediating apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above, the provided information transmitted from the plurality of information transmitting apparatuses is received, and the received provided information is transmitted to each of the subscribers who have signed a distribution contract. To each receiving terminal device, but each subscriber receiving terminal device receives only the provided information of a specific transmission channel of each information transmitting device permitted to receive based on the subscription conditions of the distribution contract. To Therefore, according to the information distribution mediation device, it is not necessary for each subscriber receiving terminal device to individually make a reception contract with each information transmission device having a plurality of transmission channels including unnecessary provision information or provision information of the same content. And let
Only necessary provided information is selected so that it can be obtained at a reasonable and low receiving fee.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. An information distribution mediation system 1 shown in the drawings as an embodiment includes, for example, a plurality of information transmitting devices 2 (2a to 2n) that provide information for a fee.
Subscriber receiving terminal devices 3 (3a to 3m) that receive and use the provided information and the information transmitting devices 2
And an information distribution mediation device 4 that performs mediation service of the provided information between the terminal and the subscriber receiving terminal device 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution mediation system 1 provides information by concluding a reception contract between each of the information transmission devices 2 and the information distribution mediation device 4, and provides the information distribution mediation device 4 with each of the information distribution mediation devices 4. A distribution contract is concluded with the subscriber receiving terminal device 3 to perform information distribution. In addition, each subscriber receiving terminal device 3 may be provided with information by directly exchanging a receiving contract for a certain information transmitting device 2 as in the related art.

Therefore, the information distribution mediation system 1
As shown in FIG. 1, there is no need for each subscriber receiving terminal device 3 to directly conclude a direct reception contract with each information transmitting device 2. Further, in the information distribution mediation system 1, as will be described in detail later, provided information is provided from each information transmitting device 2 through a plurality of transmission channels. For each of these, the necessity of reception is individually selected, and a distribution contract with the information distribution mediation device 4 is made.

In the information distribution mediation system 1, a reception fee is paid from the information distribution mediation device 4 to each information transmission device 2 based on the payment conditions of the reception contract. In the information distribution mediation system 1, a reception fee is directly paid from the information distribution mediation device 4 to each information transmission device 2,
It is paid through the appropriate financial institution 5. In the information distribution mediation system 1, for example, even when a transmission channel selection system is adopted for a certain information transmission device 2, the information distribution mediation device 4 exchanges a reception contract to receive all transmission channels and exchanges information. Get offered.

In the information distribution mediation system 1, a distribution fee is paid from each subscriber receiving terminal device 3 to the information distribution mediation device 4 based on the payment conditions of the distribution contract and the issued bill. In the information distribution mediation system 1, a distribution fee is paid directly from each subscriber receiving terminal device 3 to the information distribution mediation device 4 or through an appropriate financial institution 5. In the information distribution mediation system 1, when concluding a distribution contract, the information distribution mediation device 4 individually selects the necessity of distribution for all the information transmission devices 2 with which the reception contract has been exchanged and all the provided transmission channels. It is possible to

In the information distribution mediation system 1, the distribution fee is appropriately determined depending on, for example, the type and the number of the selected information transmitting apparatuses 2 or the combination of the number of transmission channels, the audience rating, and the like. In the information distribution mediation system 1,
Although there are a plurality of information distribution mediation devices 4, unique distribution conditions are set in each information distribution mediation device 4, and each subscriber receiving terminal device 3 can freely select.

The information distribution mediation system 1 is a television broadcast that provides different programs in transmission modes, such as terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, and cable broadcasting, and has a large number of transmission channels to provide programs for a fee. Applied to the distribution system. In this case, in the information distribution mediation system 1, in this case, each information transmitting device 2 becomes each broadcasting company or broadcasting facility, and each subscriber receiving terminal device 3 becomes a viewer or a television receiver. The information distribution mediation system 1 can be developed for various contents such as, for example, a mobile phone service, an Internet service, a music and video distribution service, a cable modem service, and the like. It becomes various information terminal devices.

Each information communication device 2 has, as shown in FIG.
The information receiving unit 6, the information editing unit 7, the information transmitting unit 8, the information transmitting control unit 9, the customer information storage unit 10, and other components are provided. Each information communication device 2 has, for example, a plurality of channels constituting a network, and the information receiving unit 6 receives information provided from each channel. Each information communication device 2 produces a broadcast program by editing information from each channel and information produced by itself in the information editing unit 7. Each information communication device 2 allocates the produced broadcast program to a transmission channel that holds the broadcast program, and transmits the broadcast program from the information transmission unit 8 to the subscriber in a predetermined transmission mode.

Each of the information communication devices 2 controls the transmission operation from the information transmission unit 8 based on the control signal output from the information transmission control unit 9 and transmits information based on each transmission channel to the subscriber. Send. Each information communication device 2 is configured to supply customer information from the customer information storage unit 10 to the information transmission control unit 9 to generate a predetermined control signal. In each of the information communication devices 2, information on a contractor who has exchanged a reception contract, contract conditions, and the like are recorded in the customer information storage unit 10, and information on payment of reception fees, information on reception results, and the like are recorded. Each information communication device 2 has
For example, it is used for program editing, guidance to receiving subscribers, or return services.

As shown in FIG. 3, each subscriber terminal device 3 includes an information receiving unit 11, a channel switching operation unit 12,
It comprises a receiving control unit 13 and each unit such as an output unit 14. Each subscriber terminal device 3 receives information distributed from the information distribution mediation device 4 by the information receiving unit 11 as described later. Each subscriber terminal device 3 selects the reception information by operating the channel switching operation unit 12.
The channel switching operation section 12 requires more channel allocation processing since the number of reception channels is larger than that of a conventional television receiver.

Each subscriber terminal 3 outputs to the output unit 14 the reception information assigned to the channel set by the channel switching operation unit 12. Each subscriber terminal device 3
In this case, the output of the reception information for which reception is not permitted is prohibited by the control signal output from the reception control unit 13 at this time. In the case where the content is, for example, an image or character information such as a television broadcast, a movie distribution, or game software, each of the subscriber terminal devices 3 is displayed on the screen of the output unit 14 including a monitor and a speaker. When the content is, for example, music information or the like, each subscriber terminal device 3 emits sound from the output unit 14 including a speaker. Each subscriber terminal device 3 displays an image on a monitor and outputs the content such as a still image and character information by a printer, for example.

Each subscriber terminal device 3 downloads control software from, for example, the information distribution mediating device 4 to the reception control unit 13 and scrambles the received information that is not permitted by a control signal output by the control software. May be applied. The content of the control software is appropriately determined based on the contract conditions of the distribution contract, and the software modified by the contract change is downloaded again.

Each subscriber terminal device 3 may be provided with, for example, an information reception control device 15 as shown by a chain line in FIG. 3 to control output of received information. The information reception control device 15 is provided from the information distribution mediation device 4 by exchanging a distribution contract. Each subscriber terminal device 3
In this case, since there is no need to particularly provide the reception control unit 13 inside, the conventional television receiver can be used as it is. For example, when bidirectional transmission and reception of information is performed, a set-top box or the like is connected to each of the subscriber terminal devices 3 when a television receiver is used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the information distribution mediating device 4 is provided with various components such as an information receiving unit 16, a subscriber information registering unit 17, an information distributing unit 18, and a billing unit 19. The information distribution mediation device 4 receives in the information receiving unit 16 all the provided information transmitted from each information communication device 2 based on each transmission channel based on the reception contract. The information distribution mediating device 4 controls the distribution operation from the information distribution unit 18 by a control signal output from the subscriber information registration unit 17 and transmits information based on each transmission channel to the distribution contractor.

The information distribution mediating device 4 records information on the subscriber terminal device 3 with which the distribution contract has been exchanged in the subscriber information registration unit 17 and contract conditions, and stores information on distribution fee payment information and reception results. Record. The information distribution mediation device 4 uses the reception result information for, for example, guidance to the subscriber terminal device 3 or a return service. The information distribution mediation device 4 supplies the reception result information from the subscriber information registration unit 17 to the accounting processing unit 19, and the accounting processing unit 19 creates accounting information for each subscriber terminal device 3. The information distribution mediation device 4 charges each subscriber terminal device 3 for a distribution fee based on the billing information.

As described above, the information distribution mediation system 1 is provided with the information distribution mediation device 4 having the information receiving unit 16 for receiving the provided information transmitted from each information communication device 2 based on the respective transmission channel. Although it has a system configuration, it does not need to be actually equipped with such receiving equipment. In the information distribution mediation system 1, provided information is directly transmitted from each information communication device 2 to each subscriber terminal device 3, and each subscriber terminal device is controlled based on control software provided from the information distribution mediation device 4 side. The output control at 3 may be performed.

In the information distribution mediation system 1, the information transmission device 2, the subscriber receiving terminal device 3, and the information distribution mediation device 4 are not limited to the above-described configuration. Each device is appropriately configured according to the target content.

The operation of the information distribution mediation system 1 described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the information distribution mediation system 1, an application for reception is made from the information distribution mediation device 4 to each information communication device 2 (s-1). This reception application is intended for reception of all transmission channels held by each information communication device 2 as described above. In the information distribution mediation system 1, each information communication device 2 examines and approves the reception application of the information distribution mediation device 4 (s-2). Each information communication device 2 stores information of the information distribution mediation device 4 that has made a contract in the customer information storage unit 10.

In the information distribution mediation system 1, a reception contract is exchanged between each information communication device 2 and the information distribution mediation device 4 (s-3). In the information distribution mediation system 1, each information communication device 2
, The provision information based on all transmission channels is transmitted (s-4). In the information distribution mediation system 1, a reception fee is paid from the information distribution mediation device 4 to each information communication device 2 based on the reception contract (s-5). In the information distribution mediation system 1, the performance information and the like in the information distribution mediation device 4 are fed back to each information communication device 2 as described above.

In the information distribution mediation system 1, an application for information distribution is made from the subscriber receiving terminal device 3 to the information distribution mediation device 4 (s-6). In the information distribution mediation system 1, when the application is received in the information distribution mediation device 4 (s-7), the subscriber receiving terminal device 3
Then, guidance regarding details such as a list of return providing information is sent to (s-8). In the information distribution mediation system 1, the subscriber receiving terminal device 3 selects necessary information from the provided information list (s-9) and performs a regular distribution application procedure (s-10). In the distribution application, for example, payment conditions and the like are described together with the selected provided information.

In the information distribution mediation system 1, the information distribution mediation device 4 examines and approves the regular distribution application submitted from the subscriber receiving terminal device 3, and the subscriber information registration unit 17 receives the subscriber reception information. A registration procedure for registering predetermined information on the terminal device 3 is performed (s-
11). In the information distribution mediation system 1, a distribution contract is exchanged between the subscriber receiving terminal device 3 and the information distribution mediation device 4 (s-12). The above-described series of procedures may be performed not only through document exchange but also through a communication network or the like.

In the information distribution mediation system 1, the information distribution mediation device 4 distributes the provided information to the subscriber receiving terminal device 3 based on the establishment of the distribution contract (s).
-13). Upon receiving the provided information delivered by the information receiving unit 11, the subscriber receiving terminal device 3 performs a channel operation of the channel switching operation unit 12 to specify a transmission channel of the provided provided information (s-14). The subscriber receiving terminal device 3 performs reception control by the control signal from the reception control unit 13, selects only the provided information permitted (s-15), and outputs from the output unit 14 in an appropriate output form. (S-16). In the information distribution mediation system 1, a distribution fee is paid from the subscriber receiving terminal device 3 to the information distribution mediation device 4 based on the distribution contract (s-17). In the information distribution mediation system 1, the result information and the like in the subscriber receiving terminal device 3 are fed back to the information distribution mediation device 4 as described above.

It should be noted that the information distribution mediation system 1 is not limited to the operation flow described above.

[0034]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, each subscriber receiving terminal makes a distribution contract with the distribution mediation device for each transmission channel through which necessary information is transmitted. Therefore, an information transmission apparatus having a transmission channel including unnecessary provision information such as being rarely used or not interested in, or each information transmission apparatus having a plurality of transmission channels including provision information having the same content across It is no longer necessary to conclude a reception contract with each of them, and only the necessary transmission channels can be rationally selected for distribution, which reduces the complexity of receiving multiple reception contracts and payment of reception fees and receiving The fee is reduced, and the provided information can be used effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information distribution mediation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information transmission device configuring the information distribution mediation system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a subscriber receiving terminal device constituting the information distribution mediation system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a distribution mediation device configuring the information distribution mediation system.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of information transmission by the information distribution mediation system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 information distribution mediation system, 2 information transmission device, 3 subscriber receiving terminal device, 4 distribution mediation device, 5 financial institution, 6
Information receiving unit, 7 Information editing unit, 8 Information transmitting unit, 9
Information transmission control unit, 10 customer information storage unit, 11 information reception unit, 12 channel switching operation unit, 13 reception control unit,
14 output unit, 15 information reception control device, 16 information reception unit, 17 subscriber information registration unit, 18 information distribution unit, 1
9 Accounting section

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of information transmitting apparatuses for providing provided information to receiving subscribers by respective transmission channels in different transmission modes, and provided information transmitted from the plurality of information transmitting apparatuses. A plurality of subscriber receiving terminal devices including a receiving unit for receiving, an output unit for outputting the received provided information, and a channel switching operation unit for switching a receiving channel, and a reception contract with each of the information transmitting devices. A receiving unit that receives information provided by all transmission channels to be transmitted, and a transmission contract for each transmission channel transmitted from each of the information transmission devices, and a distribution contract condition for each of the subscriber reception terminal devices. A subscriber information registration unit for registering
And a distribution unit that distributes the provided information received to the subscriber receiving terminal device, wherein the subscriber receiving terminal device is permitted to receive based on the distribution contract conditions. An information distribution mediation system characterized in that output information provided from each of the information transmission devices distributed from the information distribution mediation device can be output only for the received channel. 2. The information distribution mediation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a charging processing unit configured to perform a charging process on each of the subscriber receiving terminal devices based on the distribution contract subscription condition. Information distribution mediation system. 3. A receiving section for receiving provided information provided by a plurality of information transmitting apparatuses to a receiving subscriber by respective transmission channels in different transmission modes, and receiving information transmitted from each of the information transmitting apparatuses. A channel switching operation unit for switching a receiving channel for each transmission channel, and outputting information provided from the plurality of information transmitting apparatuses for a receiving channel permitted to receive based on the conditions of the distribution contract. A subscriber information registration unit for exchanging with a plurality of subscriber receiving terminal devices and registering the conditions of the distribution contract; and providing the provided information to the plurality of subscriber terminal devices in accordance with the distribution contract conditions. And a distribution unit for distributing the information. 4. The information distribution mediation apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a charging processing unit that performs a charging process on the subscriber receiving terminal device based on subscription conditions of the distribution contract.