Broadcast receiving apparatus and server

• US 20070016934A1
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aruze Corp. (Universal Entertainment Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aruze Corp. (Universal Entertainment Corporation)
• Inventors: Okada, Kazuo, Fujimoto, Jun
• Application Number:
  US11/481,900
• Publication Number:
  US 20070016934A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/100
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/16 on playing information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/21 Billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/85 which are mobile communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/1739 the upstream communication being transmitted via a separate link, e.g. telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

To provide a broadcast receiving apparatus which enables an enjoyment of a meticulous service when changing subscription contract details for a paid broadcast, even though a two-direction communication function is not furnished. A broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a broadcast receiver which receives limit broadcast data of a broadcast related to a program to a viewing of which a limit has been applied from a broadcasting station; a descrambler which enables the viewing of the program; and a transmitter which transmits code information, obtained by encoding limit release information for enabling the limit broadcast data received by the broadcast receiver to be made viewable by the descrambler, to a display.

Claims

1. A broadcast receiving apparatus comprising:

a broadcast receiver which receives limit broadcast data of a broadcast related to a program to a viewing of which a limit has been applied, from a broadcasting station;

a descrambler which enables the viewing of the program; and

a transmitter which transmits code information, obtained by encoding limit release information for enabling the limit broadcast data received by the broadcast receiver to be made viewable by the descrambler, to a display.

2. A broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

a memory storing ID data which identifies the broadcast receiving apparatus;

a program identification data receiver which receives program identification data identifying the program to the viewing of which the limit has been applied, from the broadcasting station; and

a generator which generates code information obtained by encoding the limit release information, including the ID data stored in the memory and the program identification data received by the program identification data receiver, wherein

the transmitter transmits the code information generated by the generator to the display.

3. A broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2, comprising

a settlement data receiver which receives settlement data used in a settlement of a viewing fee of the program to the viewing of which the limit has been applied, from the broadcasting station, wherein

the generator generates code information obtained by encoding the limit release information, including the settlement data received by the settlement data receiver.

4. A server comprising:

a limit release information receiver which receives limit release information from a user'"'"'s portable terminal which generates the limit release information based on image data obtained by photographing code information, obtained by encoding the limit release information for releasing a limit of a program to a viewing of which the limit has been applied, with a photographic section furnished on the portable terminal; and

a limit release signal transmitter which transmits a limit release signal which releases the limit of the program to the viewing of which the limit has been applied, based on the limit release information received by the limit release information receiver.

5. A server according to claim 4, wherein

the limit release information receiver receives the limit release information, including ID data which identifies a broadcast receiving apparatus and program identification data which identifies the program to the viewing of which the limit has been applied, and

the limit release signal transmitter transmits the limit release signal for enabling the viewing of the program related to the received program identification data to the broadcast receiving apparatus corresponding to the received ID data.

6. A server according to claim 5, comprising

a settlement process execution section which executes a process related to a settlement of a viewing fee, wherein

the limit release information receiver receives the limit release information including settlement data related to the settlement of the broadcast viewing fee,

the settlement process execution section carries out the process related to the settlement of the viewing fee based on the settlement data included in the limit release information received by the limit release information receiver, and

the limit release signal transmitter transmits the limit release signal after the settlement process execution section finishes the process related to the settlement of the viewing fee.