US20080170244A1 - Print controlling apparatus and print controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a producer of content who associates information for print control with the content such as a picture, before delivery. Specifically, a digital broadcast receiving device receives this content delivery, and the content is decoded by a data decoding unit via a broadcast receiving unit. A controlling unit judges print control information registered in association with the decoded content, performs image processing in accordance with this print control information, and transmits data for printing to a printing device. The printing device performs printing according to the received data for printing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a print control technology that is used when a viewer prints out a picture or the like from a digital broadcast. Specifically, the present invention relates to a technology that is used principally by a provider broadcasting content for the above-mentioned print control.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• In recent years, due to the launching of full-scale digital broadcasts which included an abundant variety of content and information, printers from which pictures or the like can be printed out from the digital broadcast have been suggested. Moreover, a model that is capable of printing a high-definition picture just the way it is displayed on a high-quality television has come along. Practically, copyright management cannot be achieved in this situation for a provider of broadcast content that tries to exercise copyright to recover a part of the cost that was required to create the broadcasted content.
• One of the measures to prevent such copyright infringement from happening is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent No. 2001-086452 titled “System for printing out still picture, method for printing out still picture, and information providing medium.” Using the invention of the above-mentioned reference, the provider of the broadcast content principally limits and controls picture printing performed by the viewer, by setting “a print permission flag” in header information of a TS packet defined according to the MPEG system.
• However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional method, a subject to be controlled by the print permission flag is only picture data and, in addition, it is controlled on a displayed whole-screen basis. For this reason, it is impossible to cover transmitted data contents other than pictures that are attached to digital broadcast, and to limit print performance to only one frame out of multi-channel display or to only pictures out of a mixed display of pictures and text. Especially when one screen includes both a part that needs to be limited for printing and a part that does not need to be limited for printing, print limitation should be placed on the whole screen. Such a feature would cause complaints to both the provider's side of the content and the viewer's side.
• To solve the stated problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a print controlling apparatus that allows print limitations to be placed on a part of a plurality of contents displayed on one screen.
• Moreover, it is a second object to provide a print controlling apparatus that allows print limitation to be placed on data contents interlocking with main track video.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• To achieve the stated object of the invention, the print controlling apparatus of the present invention is a print controlling apparatus that is connected to a printing device and that is provided with a receiving unit operable to receive a broadcast signal including print control information and a content file storing a content, a print instruction obtaining unit operable to obtain a print instruction to print at least a part of a received content file, and an outputting unit operable to output a subject of printing that has been instructed to print to the printing device when the print instruction is obtained and the print control information satisfies a predetermined condition.
• Moreover, the print controlling apparatus may be further connected to a displaying device, wherein the broadcast signal may further include a content control file that stores information regarding content, and wherein the print controlling apparatus may be further include a display controlling unit operable to output a signal displaying the content to the displaying device on the basis of the content control file included in the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit.
• With this, the output for printing the contents is controlled, depending on the details indicated by the print control information included in the digital broadcast signal. Thus, it becomes possible to control the output for printing of the various contents included in the digital broadcast signal. Thus, the print output control reflecting the intentions of a content producer and a content sender becomes possible.
• Here, the print control information may be associated with the content file. On account of this, the print limitation becomes possible in units of files, and the print limitation can be placed on a partial content on the screen when one display is formed by a plurality of files.
• Also, the broadcast signal may further include picture data, and the print control information may be associated with a program that is formed by a pair of the content control file and the content file. Accordingly, the print limitation becomes possible in units of programs and, for a copyrighted work that is structured by a plurality of screen designs and the like to form one piece, the print limitation can be placed in that unit (i.e., unit of data broadcast programs).
• Also, the content file may be a program interlocking content file that is related to the picture data, wherein the print controlling apparatus may be further provided with a selecting unit operable to select one broadcast signal out of a plurality of broadcast signals received by the receiving unit and extract picture data from the selected broadcast signal, wherein the print instruction obtaining unit may obtain a print instruction to set at least a part of the content file and the picture data as a subject of printing, and wherein the print control information may be associated with the picture data.
• Thus, the print limitation becomes possible in units of channels such as program-interlocking data broadcast, and a provider of the content can collectively place the print limitation on the program-interlocking content.
• Also, the print controlling apparatus may be further provided with the displaying device. With this, it becomes possible to realize not a discrete receiver such as a Set Top Box (STB), but a print controlling apparatus as a television set that is a combination of an STB and TV.
• Also, the print controlling apparatus may be further provided with the printing device and the displaying device. Accordingly, the print controlling apparatus can be realized not as a discrete receiver such as a STB, but as a television set with a built-in printer.
• Also, the outputting unit may direct the printing device to print with degradation in picture quality when the print instruction is obtained and the print control information is a predetermined value. On account of this, even when printing is limited, a case where nothing is outputted for printing is avoided. The user can be notified clearly that there is print limitation and can be also encouraged to operate in order to remove the print limitation.
• Also, the degradation in picture quality may be a reduced resolution on a print screen. With this, it becomes possible to set the levels of print limitation in various conditions, so that highly-detailed print limitation can be performed.
• Also, the print controlling apparatus may be further provided with a reading unit operable to read individual print permission information from a storage medium, wherein the outputting unit outputs the subject of printing to the printing device when the print instruction is obtained, the print control information satisfies a first predetermined condition, and the individual print permission information satisfies a second predetermined condition.
• With this, since printing is judged whether or not to be performed based on not only the print control information but also based on the individual print permission information read out from the storage medium. For example, it becomes possible to control the print limitation for each print controlling apparatus like a case where viewing/listening permission is given for a conditional access system.
• Also, the print controlling apparatus may further include a communication controlling unit operable to receive an instruction from outside, an updating unit operable to update a detail of the individual print permission information in the storage medium in accordance with the instruction, a transmit controlling unit operable to externally transmit information, and an instruction obtaining unit operable to obtain a print instruction from a user, wherein the updating unit updates the individual print permission information of the storage medium in accordance with the print instruction.
• This configuration allows remote control of a printer, such as control of print limitation through a new contract with a broadcast station, and also allows billing to correspond to the number of times the user has given the print instruction or the like by recording the billing information into the individual print permission information.
• Moreover, the broadcast signal may further include address information indicating an address of a site selling print content on a network, and the print controlling apparatus may further include a printed matter gaining unit operable to gain a printed matter from the site selling the print content on the basis of the address information when the print instruction is obtained and the print control information indicates that printing is limited.
• Accordingly, access to the site selling the print content on the network is possible on the basis of an alternate URL even when on-air-contents cannot be directly printed out. Thus, printing desired by the user can be realized.
• It should be noted here the present invention may be realized not only as the above-stated print controlling apparatus, but as a print controlling method having steps corresponding to the characteristic units provided in the print controlling apparatus, and a program recorded on a recording medium for causing a computer, such as a personal computer, execute the above-mentioned steps. Also, it should be understood that as the recording-medium may include a DVD or a CD-ROM.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional construction of a digital broadcast printing system of a first embodiment.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an example of hierarchical table information used when the digital broadcast printing system of the first embodiment performs print control according to print control information.
• FIG. 3 illustrates an example where print control is performed in accordance with the print control information shown inFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an EIT for registering information such as a title and broadcasting data/time for each program of one channel.
• FIG. 5 illustrates printing examples resulting from a print instruction from the viewer in a case where text and a picture are displayed together on one screen.
• FIG. 6 illustrates printing examples resulting from a print instruction from the viewer in the case of multiple displays.
• FIG. 7 illustrates printing example resulting from a print instruction from the viewer to print program-interlocking content in a case where a picture is displayed on a screen.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a BML example in a case where printing is restricted for the entire screen.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a BML example in a case where print control is performed for a part of content.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a BML example in a case where print control is performed for each file in a body part of a top page.
• FIG. 11 illustrates an example in a case where an operation of a browser is controlled according to print control information defined by the BML of the top page.
• FIG. 12 illustrates an example in a case where the operation of the browser is controlled according to print control information defined by the body part of the top page.
• FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the entire digital broadcast printing system of the first embodiment.
• FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a functional construction of a digital broadcast printing system of a second embodiment.
• FIG. 15 illustrates an example in a case where print control is performed according to individual print permission information.
• FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the entire digital broadcast printing system of the second embodiment.
• FIG. 17 is an example of hierarchical table information used when a digital broadcast printing system of a third embodiment performs print control according to print control information and an alternate URL.
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of a controlling unit in a case where a user performs printing of desired contents via a network.
• FIG. 19A is a screen example displayed on a displaying device that shows printing cannot be performed for the contents specified by the user in the third embodiment.
• FIG. 19B is a screen example displayed on the displaying device that shows the alternate URL specified by the user has been registered to a bookmark in the third embodiment.
• FIG. 19C is a screen example displayed on the displaying device to receive an instruction from the user in regards to whether or not the screen may be switched to a communication system screen in the third embodiment.
• FIG. 19D is a screen example displayed on the displaying device to receive a print instruction from the user when access to a site selling print content is established in the third embodiment.
• FIG. 20 is a screen example of a bookmark screen in the third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the functional construction of a digitalbroadcast printing system10 of the present embodiment. Thepresent system10 is a system that receives digital broadcast and reproduces pictures and audio, and also performs print control according to print control information transmitted in association with broadcast content, when receiving an instruction from a viewer (i.e., “user”) to print the broadcast content. This digitalbroadcast printing system10 is composed of a digitalbroadcast receiving device20, aprinting device30, a displayingdevice40, aremote controller50, and a receivingantenna60. It should be noted that the digitalbroadcast receiving device20, theprinting device30, and the displayingdevice40 can be realized as an all-in-one television receiver with a printing capability that is enclosed in one package or as a unit-type system to which each device is connected via its dedicated cable.
• The digitalbroadcast receiving device20 is a tuner device, such as a set top box (STB), made for digital broadcast, which decodes visual signals, audio signals and so forth from airwaves etc. received via the receivingantenna60 or the like, and then outputs the received signals to the displayingdevice40. The digitalbroadcast receiving device20 also generates image data, text data, etc. based on instructions from theremote controller50, operation buttons (not shown), and so forth, then outputs to the data theprinting device30. This digitalbroadcast receiving device20 is composed of abroadcast receiving unit21, adata decoding unit22, amemory unit23, a remotecontroller receiving unit24, a printer I/F (interface)unit25, and a controllingunit26.
• Thebroadcast receiving unit21 selects an aimed carrier wave from the received airwaves and decodes the selected wave to reconstruct a TS (Transport Stream). Thebroadcast receiving unit21 then transmits the reconstructed TS to thedata decoding unit22.
• After decoding and descrambling the TS received from thebroadcast receiving unit21, thedata decoding unit22 separates it into images, audio, and data contents.
• Thememory unit23 is provided with a frame buffer or the like to hold the image data and data for printing in frames to be outputted to the displayingdevice40 and theprinting device30. Moreover, thememory unit23 is provided with a hard disc, a DVD-RAM, etc. for accumulating the contents output from thedata decoding unit22.
• The remotecontroller receiving unit24 receives an infrared signal from theremote controller50 and transmits the received signal to the controllingunit26.
• The printer I/F unit25 is an interface circuit or the like that is capable of USB, IEEE 1394 bus, etc. communications for connecting the digitalbroadcast receiving device20 to theprinting device30.
• The controllingunit26 is a microprocessor or the like for controlling the entire digitalbroadcast receiving device20, and is provided with a ROM for storing dedicated control programs, a RAM, and so forth.
• Theprinting device30 performs printing according to the data for printing received via the printer I/F unit25.
• The displayingdevice40 is composed of a display controlling circuit for generating a picture signal and a TV receiving circuit. It displays pictures and the like of the digital broadcast and also reproduces audio.
• FIG. 2 explains the general outlines in a case where the present digitalbroadcast printing system10 performs print control according to the print control information.
• For the digital broadcast, various kinds of table information is prepared for selecting one program from one channel stored in the TS. By using these sets of table information, it becomes possible to identify the program contents of the channel that is selected by the user (or, the channel that is preset). By employing a system like this, a program lineup can be freely modified, allowing the data related to the program to be multiplexed with flexibility. Examples of these sets of table information are as follows, PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table), and EIT (Event Information Table). In addition, under the PMT, DII (Download Info Indication) and DDB (Download Data Block) are defined hierarchically. These sets of information are stored in the TS in the form of sections.
• PAT is a table in which the number of PTMs, described later, is registered in association with each location of PTMs (that is, PID (Packet Identifier) of a packet which stores the PTM).
• PMT is a table that shows a component construction (pictures, audio, data, etc.) of one channel (channel), and is used for specifying a PID or the like of each component. This PMT is prepared, corresponding to each channel.
• DDI is a message that describes directory information of DDB, each DDB being a small block divided from actual data of contents that make up one program of data broadcast.
• As shown inFIG. 2, PMT_PID202 (=0x31) and service_id203 (=0x101) indicating the storage location of the PMT of the channel “BS1” are defined in aPAT201. Similarly, PMT_PID204 (=0x32) and service_id205 (=0x102) indicating the storage location of the PMT of the channel “BS2” are defined.
• Accordingly, service_id213 (=0x101) that is the same as the stated service_id203 is defined in thePMT211 of thechannel BS1. In addition, “0” is defined asprint control information214 for theentire channel BS1. It should be noted that the print control information is also defined in thePMT212 in the same way for thechannel BS2.
• Moreover, PID is defined for each program in thePMT211 of thechannel BS1. According to the PID, it becomes possible to identify its subordinate DII and DDB in association with each other, and also possible to individually define the print control information. For example, the print control information is defined as “3” for theentire program1 in theDII221 of theprogram1, and also the print control information is defined as “3” in theDDB233 of themodule1 of theprogram1.
• Here, DDB is composed of two types of content files (for example, a content file of top page described in BML (top_page.bml) and a content file of JPEG image or the like). In more detail, DDB is formed by slicing the content file groups, every given number of bytes, arranged at a broadcast station. On the above-mentioned top page (top_page.bml), how to display the JPEG images and the like is described by the producer of the content. A STB performs print control for the content file according to the description on the top page (top_page.bml). Note that a more detailed explanation will be given below with reference toFIGS. 8 to 12.
• FIG. 3 is an example of print control information that is shown inFIG. 2. This print control information is explained using the example ofFIG. 2. In thePMT211, for instance, the print control information for thechannel BS1 is defined as “0” and, therefore, “freely printable” in principle in regard toBS1. However, theprint control information224 is defined as “3” in theDII221 for theprogram1 of thechannel BS1, meaning that “no printing.”
• FIG. 4 is an example of an EIT for registering information such as a title and broadcasting data/time for each program of one channel. As shown inFIG. 4, the EIT defines the print control information for each program of channel1 (the storage location of data related to the program can be specified by event_id) by quoting theservice_id402 that has the same value as the service_id213 (=0x101) of the PMT shown inFIG. 2.
• Next, an explanation is given for specific examples where printing is executed using the digitalbroadcast printing system10 having the construction described above.
• FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates a screen display example and a printing example resulting from a print instruction from the viewer in a case where text and a picture are displayed together on one screen. As shown inFIG. 5A, atext52 and apicture53 related to this are displayed on ascreen51. In this state, when an instruction to “print” is received from the viewer using theremote controller50 or the like, the controllingunit26 refers to the above-mentioned DII or DDB, via thedata decoding unit22, by which thetext52 and thepicture53 are defined, then reads out the details of each corresponding print control information. If the print control information corresponding to thepicture53 is “3,” an “X”mark56 indicating that printing is restricted would be printed on a part corresponding to thepicture53 in aprinting result54 as shown inFIG. 5B.
• It should be noted that not only the indication that printing is inhibited is given in theprinting result54, but also the user is notified in advance according to the user's instruction or on a mandatory basis to acknowledge that printing is restricted (for example, the “X” mark indicating No Printing may be displayed on a print preview screen). For instance, when an instruction to show the “print preview” is received by the user on the screen shown inFIG. 5A, the screen is switched to the print preview screen and the screen shown inFIG. 5B is displayed. When an instruction only to “print” is given by the user and the screen includes a part that is restricted from printing, the screen is forcefully switched to the “print preview screen” and the screen shown inFIG. 5B is displayed to notify the user that the screen includes the part that is restricted from printing.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a screen display example and printing example resulting from a print instruction given by the viewer in a case where a multi-display is shown. InFIG. 6A, apicture61 from a movie is displayed on the left half of thescreen51 and apicture62 from a weather forecast is displayed on the right half. In this state, when an instruction to “print” is received from the user as is the case withFIG. 5, the controllingunit26 as is expected refers to the above-mentioned DII or DDB by which thepicture61 from the movie and thepicture62 from the weather forecast are defined, then reads out the details of each corresponding print control information. If the print control information corresponding to thepicture61 from the movie is “3,” printing is not executed regarding thepicture61 from the movie and an “X”mark64 is printed as aprinting result63 as shown inFIG. 6B.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a screen display example and a printing example resulting from a print instruction from the viewer to print program-interlocking contents when a picture is displayed on the screen.FIG. 7A is a picture example of one scene from a movie. In this case, abromide print button71 is displayed at the lower left of thescreen51, meaning that it is possible to execute a bromide printing of an actress displayed on thescreen51 as program-interlocking content. In this state, when an instruction to “print” is received from the user, the controllingunit26 refers to the DII or DDB by which the program-interlocking content is defined, and then reads out the details of the corresponding print control information. If the print control information corresponding to this bromide is “2,” aprinting result72 is generated in which apart73 at a normal resolution and apart74 at a low resolution are mixed in stripes as theprinting result72, as shown inFIG. 7B.
• The following is a specific explanation about a case where print control is performed by defining the print control information <print_ctrl> on the top page <top_page.bml> of the DDB.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a BML example in a case where printing is restricted for the entire screen. As shown inFIG. 8A, the print control information corresponding to the content represented by the top page <top_page.bml> is defined using <print_ctrl> as a new tag for a header part between <head> and </head> of the top page <top_page.bml>. In the case of the example shown inFIG. 8A, No Printing is specified by copy=“never (=3)”. In a case where BML is defined as inFIG. 8A, even if the user issues a print instruction, the printer or the STB controls to print out the “X” mark indicating that printing is restricted as the printing result.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a BML example in a case where print control is performed for a part of the content. In the case ofFIG. 9A, No Printing is specified by copy=“never” for the JPEG file (image/jpeg). Therefore, even if the user issues a print instruction, the printer or the STB controls to print out the “X” mark indicating that printing is restricted as a printed image of the JPEG picture part as shown inFIG. 9C (or, the STB's side displays “No Printing” on the screen to notify the user of it).
• FIG. 10 illustrates a BML example in a case where print control is performed for each file in a body part of the top page. In the example ofFIG. 10A, No Printing is defined by copy=“never” for the individual JPEG files. With this, even if the user issues a print instruction, the printer or the STB controls to print out the “X” mark indicating that printing is restricted for the JPEG picture “1.jpeg” whose <print_ctrl> is “never” as shown inFIG. 10C.
• FIG. 11 illustrates an example in a case where an operation of the browser is controlled according to the print control information defined by the BML of the top page. As shown inFIG. 11A, the print control information corresponding to the content represented by the top page <top_page.bml> is written using the print permission information tag <print_ctrl> for a header part between <head> and </head> of the top page <top_page.bml>. In the case ofFIG. 11A, No Printing is specified by copy=“never”. By defining in this way, a print button (one of the operation buttons of the BML browser) is controlled to grayout (=indicating it is in an inactive state) on the screen so as to notify the user that printing is restricted. It should be noted here that in a case where “No Printing” is specified for the entire channel or program, the print button is also switched to the grayout display.
• FIG. 12 illustrates an example in a case where the operation of the browser is controlled according to the print control information defined by the body part of the top page. As shown inFIG. 12A, No Printing is specified by copy=“never” for the individual JPEG files. With this, when the cursor on the screen moves, by the user operation, to a position of the JPEG picture for which printing is restricted, the print button is controlled to grayout so as to notify the user that the printing is restricted.
• FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the entire digitalbroadcast printing system10 constructed as described so far.
• First, when receiving a “print” instruction from the viewer (S801), the controllingunit26 checks on the structure of the currently-displayed screen at that point in time, and verifies whether the number of subjects for printing is one or more (S802), whether there is program-interlocking content (S803), whether more than one channel is displayed (S805), whether more than one program is displayed (S806), and so on. Here, regarding whether the number of subjects for printing is one or more and whether there is program-interlocking content, the verification is performed according to the DII, for example. Also, regarding whether more than one channel is displayed and whether more than one program is displayed, the verification is performed according to the PAT, for example.
• Next, the controllingunit26 checks the corresponding print control information for each picture displayed on the screen (S810), and then transmits data for printing to theprinting device30 to perform printing appropriate to each set of print control information (S811).
• When receiving the data for printing from the digitalbroadcast receiving device20, theprinting device30 performs printing according to the received data (S812).
• Accordingly, in the digitalbroadcast printing system10, the provider of the broadcast content previously transmits the print control information in association with the content, and the receiver's side of the content performs printing according to this print control information. Thus, it becomes possible for the provider's side of the broadcast content to principally control print-outs of pictures by the user.
Second Embodiment
• FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the functional construction of a digitalbroadcast printing system100 of the present embodiment. This digitalbroadcast printing system100 receives digital broadcast and reproduces pictures and audio. When receiving an instruction from a viewer to print the pictures, it controls printing performances according to the print control information and individual print permission information in an IC card. Moreover, thepresent system100 is a system that can control printing in accordance with the details of a contract etc. made in real time using a communication line or the like. This digitalbroadcast printing system100 is composed of a digitalbroadcast receiving device200, a displayingdevice40, aremote controller50, aprinting device210, and a receivingantenna60. It should be noted that the digitalbroadcast receiving device200, the displayingdevice40, and theprinting device210 can be realized as an all-in-one television receiver with a printing capability that is enclosed in one package or as a unit-type system to which each device is connected via its dedicated cable.
• Hereafter, the explanation is given with emphasis on components which are different from those of the digitalbroadcast printing system10 of the stated first embodiment. The same numerals are given to the common components, and an explanation for them is omitted.
• The digitalbroadcast receiving device200 is a tuner device, such as a set top box (Set Top Box) for example, made for digital broadcast, and is provided with the function of the digitalbroadcast printing system10 of the stated first embodiment. Also, it controls picture printing using the individual print permission information registered in the IC card for the viewer who holds a conditional access contract. This digitalbroadcast receiving device200 is composed of abroadcast receiving unit21, adata decoding unit22, amemory unit204, a remotecontroller receiving unit24, a printer I/F unit201, a data communication I/F202, an IC card I/F unit203, and a controllingunit205.
• The printer I/F unit201 is an interface circuit or the like that is capable of USB, IEEE 1394 bus, etc. communication for connecting this digitalbroadcast receiving device200 to theprinting device210.
• The data communication I/F unit202 is a telephone modem or the like used for bidirectionally exchanging data between the digitalbroadcast receiving device20 and a digital broadcast sending device via a communication network (both not shown).
• The IC card I/F unit203 is a reader/writer or the like made for reading/writing to/from an IC card. The IC card I/F unit203 reads/writes data related to the contract, security, billing, and so forth regarding the conditional access from/to anIC card220 that is used when the digital broadcast is employed according to the conditional access system (Conditional Access System: CAS). Note that theIC card220 holds unique identification information (card ID) and watched-program history information in an internal memory and is provided with a circuit or the like to securely hold these sets of information. When theIC card220 is inserted into the IC card I/F unit203, the card ID is transmitted to the digitalbroadcast receiving device200 and is used as the user information for identifying the user of the digitalbroadcast receiving device200.
• Thememory unit204 is provided with a frame buffer or the like to hold a picture signal and image data in frames to be outputted to theprinting device210 and the displayingdevice40. Moreover, thememory unit204 is provided with a hard disc, a DVD-RAM, etc. for accumulating the contents outputted from thedata decoding unit22.
• The controllingunit205 is a microprocessor or the like for controlling the entire digitalbroadcast receiving device200, and is provided with a ROM for storing dedicated control program, a RAM, and so forth.
• Theprinting device210 performs printing of pictures etc. according to the data for printing and individual print permission information received via the printer I/F unit25. Theprinting device210 is composed of aprint controlling unit211, a printpicture processing unit212, and aprint engine unit213.
• Theprint controlling unit211 is a microcomputer or the like that is provided with a ROM, a RAM, etc. to control theentire printing device210.
• The printpicture processing unit212 performs conversion, processing, etc. on the data for printing according to the data for printing and the individual print permission information received via theprint controlling unit211. For example, a part of print area is shown by “X” as shown inFIG. 5B of the stated first embodiment and, similarly, a part of the area is shown at a low resolution as shown inFIG. 7B (there are methods achieved by focusing on one pixel value, then changing surrounding pixel values into that focused value, and by changing surrounding pixels into white or black).
• Note that although the printpicture processing unit212 performs conversion, processing, etc. on the data for printing in the present embodiment, the digitalbroadcast receiving device200 may be provided with this function.
• Theprint engine unit213 is a printer engine employing the ink jet system or the like and prints color or monochrome pictures on plain paper etc. in accordance with the data transmitted from the printpicture processing unit212.
• FIG. 15 illustrates an example in a case where print control is performed according to the individual print permission information. Here, “Pay per Print” refers to a printing system with which every time a picture or image is printed out, appropriate billing processing is performed. For example, inFIG. 7 of the stated first embodiment, when the viewer individually makes a contract to have a normal printing, but not printing in stripes, printing in a high resolution becomes possible.
• FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the entire digitalbroadcast printing system100 constructed as described so far.
• First, when receiving a “print” instruction from the viewer (S801), the controllingunit205 verifies at that point in time via the IC card I/F unit203 whether the individual print permission information is stored in the IC card220 (S1101).
• If the individual print permission information is stored (S1101: Yes), a new print condition is set in consideration of the print control information of the stated first embodiment (S1102). Thereafter, the same judgments are made as is the case with the stated first embodiment according to the newly set print condition (S802 to S810).
• Next, the controllingunit205 provides a display to have the viewer confirm the printing or to notify the viewer that the printing is restricted under the present circumstances (S1103). With this, when receiving an instruction of “Pay per Print” from the viewer, the controllingunit205 conducts the billing processing (or contract processing etc.) that makes “Pay per Print” possible with a broadcasting business company or the like via the data communication I/F unit202 (S1105).
• Finally, the controllingunit205 transmits the individual print permission information and the data for printing to theprinting device210 via the printer I/F201. When receiving the data for printing, theprinting device210 performs image processing on the data for printing according to the individual print permission information and then executes printing in accordance with the data on which the image processing has been performed (S1107).
• Accordingly, when the viewer holds the conditional access contract, the digitalbroadcast printing system100 performs the print control for the viewer according to the individual print permission information in consideration of the stated print control information. Also, it performs the print control corresponding to the contract made in real time. Thus, it becomes possible to provide a printing system that has a high convenience for both the provider and viewer, with copyright of the broadcast contents being protected.
Third Embodiment
• In the first and second embodiments described above, the explanation has been given for the digital broadcast printing system that controls printing of broadcast content according to the print control information and individual print permission information in the IC card. In the present embodiment, an explanation will be given for a digital broadcast printing system that realizes printing desired by the user via a network such as the Internet even when broadcast content cannot be printed out. Note that, hereinafter, the same functional components as those in the above-described first and second embodiments are given the same numerals, and an explanation thereof is omitted.
• A digital broadcast printing system300 (not shown) of the present embodiment has basically the same functional construction as the digitalbroadcast printing system100 of the stated second embodiment. It is composed of a digital broadcast receiving device400 (not shown), aprinting device210, a displayingdevice40, aremote controller50, and anantenna60, and anIC card220. The difference between the digitalbroadcast receiving device200 and the digital broadcast receiving device400 is that the digital broadcast receiving device400 is provided with a controlling unit405 (not shown) replacing the controllingunit205 of the digitalbroadcast receiving device200.
• The controllingunit405 is a microprocessor or the like for controlling the entire digital broadcast receiving device400, and is provided with a ROM for storing dedicated control programs, a RAM, and so forth. Moreover, the controllingunit405 performs control to allow getting the printing of content desired by the user by accessing to a print content selling site via a network such as the Internet under the user's direction even when the broadcast content cannot be printed out. Furthermore, the controllingunit405 interprets the print control information stored in the hierarchical table of the received broadcast content and the individual print permission information stored in theIC card220. Based on these details, the controllingunit405 makes a judgment of whether or not the broadcast content can be printed and a judgment of the printing style, and performs control to gain a printed matter via a network such as the Internet.
• FIG. 17 is an example of hierarchical table information used when the digital broadcast printing system300 of the present embodiment performs print control according to the print control information etc. As shown inFIG. 17, in the DDI, that is, directory information defined for each content forming theprogram1, “www.pcs.com/midght (in this case “HTTP://” is omitted) that is an alternate URL (namely, URL indicating the address of the print contents selling site on the Internet) is defined for the user who wishes to print out with respect to the contents of theprogram1. The controllingunit405 performs control to gain the printed matter by accessing to the site selling the print content that is indicated by this alternate URL under the user's direction when Internet access is possible. Note that, as shown inFIG. 17, when analternate URL1702 “www.pcs.com/midght/s_—1.htm” is defined in a DDB231 (for example, one scene in the program1) that is directory information of asubordinate module1 of theDII221, the controllingunit405 may perform control to gain the printed matter of one scene of theprogram1 according to this alternate URL as in the above case.
• The following is an explanation of a practical example in a case where the user performs printing of the desired contents via a network in the present embodiment, with reference toFIGS. 18 to 20.
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the controllingunit405 in a case where the user performs printing of the desired contents via a network even when the broadcast contents cannot be printed out.FIGS. 19A to 19D andFIG. 20 are screen examples displayed on the displayingdevice40 in the present embodiment.
• As shown inFIG. 18, when firstly receiving a depression of a print button from the user (S1801: Yes), the controllingunit405 checks whether the value of the print control information is “No Printing” (S1802). When the printing is possible (S1802: No), it performs printing based on the value of the print control information (S1803). Meanwhile, when the value of the print control information is “No Printing”, the controllingunit405 confirms whether or not access to the site selling the print content on the Internet is possible (that is, whether a function for access to the Internet is provided) (S1804). When the stated access is impossible, it directs the displayingdevice40 to display that the printing of the contents specified by the user cannot be performed (for a display example, “No printing” as shown inFIG. 19A) (S1805).
• Moreover, the controllingunit405 verifies whether or not the alternate URL is defined in the DDI (or DDB) (S1806), and when the alternate URL is not defined (S1806), it directs the displayingdevice40 to display that the printing cannot be performed as in the stated case (S1807). If the alternate URL is defined (S1806: Yes) and there is a bookmark function (S1808: Yes), the controllingunit405 registers the alternate URL to the bookmark and directs the displayingdevice40 to display so (for example, “URL of the selling site has been registered to the bookmark” as shown inFIG. 19B). If there is not a bookmark function (S1808: No) and an instruction to switch to a communication system screen is received from the user on the screen to confirm whether or not to switch to the communication system screen (a display as shown inFIG. 19C for example) (that is, when  button is pressed), the controllingunit405 switches to the communication system screen and performs control to print the contents (S1812). Meanwhile, when the user directs not to switch to the communication system screen (that is, when ▴ button is pressed), the controllingunit405 instructs the displayingdevice40 to display that the printing cannot be performed as in the above case (S1811).
• Moreover, when the program ends (S1812: Yes), the controllingunit405 switches the screen to the bookmark screen and performs control to gain the printed matter under the user's direction (S1814).
• FIG. 20 is an example of the bookmark screen. On abookmark screen2001 inFIG. 20, a site sellingprint content2003 related to the alternate URL registered by the user is displayed and, in this example, the date and time when the alternate URL was registered and a related program title are being displayed when acursor2002 is moved to a position of the “selling print content” through an operation by the user.
• As described above, using the digital broadcast printing system of the present embodiment, access to the site selling the print content on the network is possible according to the alternate URL even when on-air-content cannot be directly printed out. Thus, printing desired by the user can be realized via the network such as the Internet.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
• As described above, the print controlling apparatus and the print controlling method of the present invention are useful to a printing system in which a provider side of the broadcast content performs control including whether or not to allow printing of the content. In particular, they are useful to a printing system that allows printing desired by the user to be realized using a network such as the Internet in a case where printing is limited for the digital broadcast.

Claims (28)

1. A print controlling apparatus for use with a printing device, said print controlling apparatus comprising:

a receiving unit operable to receive a broadcast signal including (i) print control information and (ii) a content file including content, wherein the print control information identifies a portion of the content to be reduced in resolution;

a print instruction obtaining unit operable to obtain a print instruction which is an instruction to print at least a part of the content; and

an outputting unit operable to instruct the printing device to reduce a resolution of the portion of the content identified to be reduced in resolution by the print control information and operable to instruct the printing device to print the part of the content instructed to be printed by the print instruction when the print instruction is obtained and the print control information satisfies a predetermined condition,

wherein the part of the content instructed to be printed by the print instruction includes a combination of a portion of the content identified to retain an ordinary resolution and the portion of the content identified to be reduced in resolution.

2. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 1, for use with a displaying device, wherein:

the broadcast signal further includes a content control file including information regarding the content; and

said print controlling apparatus further comprises a display controlling unit operable to output, to the displaying device, an instruction to display the content according to the information regarding the content of the content control file included in the broadcast signal received by said receiving unit.

3. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the print control information is associated with the content file.

4. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein:

the broadcast signal further includes picture data; and

the print control information is associated with a program formed by a pair of the content control file and the content file.

5. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein:

the content file is a program interlocking content file related to the picture data; and

said print controlling apparatus further comprises a selecting unit operable to select one broadcast signal from a plurality of broadcast signals received by said receiving unit and extract the picture data from the selected broadcast signal, wherein:

said print instruction obtaining unit obtains an instruction to print at least a part of the content file and the picture data; and

the print control information is associated with the picture data.

6. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising the displaying device.

7. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising the printing device and the displaying device.

8. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 7,

wherein said outputting unit is operable to instruct the printing device to create a striped image, with portions thereof having a reduced picture quality, by instructing the printing device to combine a portion of the content identified to retain an ordinary resolution by the print control information and the portion of the content identified to be reduced in resolution by the print control information and operable to instruct the printing device to print the striped image when the print instruction is obtained and the print control information is a predetermined value.

9. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein the reduced picture quality is a reduced resolution on a print screen.

10. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein the reduced picture quality is achieved by one of superimposing the print screen upon another screen, and a change in color information of the print screen.

11. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a reading unit operable to read individual print permission information from a storage medium,

wherein said outputting unit is operable to output an instruction to print to the printing device when the print instruction is obtained, the print control information satisfies a first predetermined condition, and the individual print permission information satisfies a second predetermined condition.

12. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 11, further comprising:

a communication controlling unit operable to receive an instruction;

an updating unit operable to update a detail of the individual print permission information in the storage medium according to the instruction received by said communication controlling unit;

a transmit controlling unit operable to externally transmit information; and

an instruction obtaining unit operable to obtain a print instruction from a user,

wherein said updating unit is operable to update the individual print permission information in the storage medium according to the print instruction.

13. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the print control information is described in the content file.

14. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 13, wherein the content file is described in a BML format.

15. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 13, wherein the content file in which the print control information is described is a top page of the content.

16. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a display changing unit operable to change a display of an instruction button provided for a user when the print control information satisfies a predetermined condition.

17. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein:

the broadcast signal further includes address information indicating an address of a site selling print content on a network; and

said print controlling apparatus further comprises a printed matter gaining unit operable to gain a printed matter from the site selling the print content according to the address information when the print instruction is obtained and the print control information indicates that printing is restricted.

18. A method for using a print controlling apparatus with a printing device, said method comprising:

receiving a broadcast signal including (i) print control information and (ii) a content file including content, wherein the print control information identifies a portion of the content to be reduced in resolution;

obtaining a print instruction which is an instruction to print at least a part of the content; and

outputting an instruction to the printing device to reduce a resolution of the portion of the content identified to be reduced in resolution by the print control information and outputting an instruction to the printing device to print the part of the content instructed to be printed by the print instruction when the print instruction is obtained and the print control information satisfies a predetermined condition,

wherein the part of the content instructed to be printed by the print instruction includes a combination of a portion of the content identified to retain an ordinary resolution and the portion of the content identified to be reduced in resolution.

19. The print controlling method according toclaim 18, further comprising reading individual print permission information from a storage medium, wherein, said outputting of the instruction to the printing device occurs when the print instruction is obtained, the print control information satisfies a first predetermined condition, and the individual print permission information satisfies a second predetermined condition.

20. The print controlling method according toclaim 18, wherein:

the broadcast signal further includes address information indicating an address of a site selling print content on a network; and

said print controlling method further comprises gaining a printed matter from the site selling the print content according to the address information when the print instruction is obtained and the print control information indicates that printing is restricted.

21. A program for using a print controlling apparatus with a printing device, said program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and said program causing a computer to perform a method comprising:

receiving a broadcast signal including (i) print control information and (ii) a content file including a content, wherein the print control information identifies a portion of the content to be reduced in resolution;

obtaining a print instruction which is an instruction to print at least a part of the content; and

outputting an instruction to the printing device to reduce a resolution of the portion of the content identified to be reduced in resolution by the print control information and outputting an instruction to the printing device to print the part of the content instructed to be printed by the print instruction when the print instruction is obtained and the print control information satisfies a predetermined condition,

wherein the part of the content instructed to be printed by the print instruction includes a combination of a portion of the content identified to retain an ordinary resolution and the portion of the content identified to be reduced in resolution.

22. The program according toclaim 21, further causing the computer to perform reading individual print permission information from a storage medium, wherein said outputting of the instruction to the printing device occurs when the print instruction is obtained, the print control information satisfies a first predetermined condition, and the individual print permission information satisfies a second predetermined condition.

23. The program according toclaim 21, wherein:

the broadcast signal further includes address information indicating an address of a site selling print content on a network; and

said program further causes the computer to perform gaining a printed matter from the site selling the print content according to the address information when the print instruction is obtained and the print control information indicates that printing is restricted.

24. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the print control information is associated with the content file.

25. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein:

the broadcast signal further includes picture data; and

the print control information is associated with a program formed by a pair of the content control file and the content file.

26. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 2, further comprising the displaying device.

27. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 2, further comprising the printing device and the displaying device.

28. The print controlling apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the print control information is described in the content file.

Images