U.S. patent application number 12/653040 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for operation apparatus, content parental lock setting method, and electronic apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Nanami Miki.
Application Number | 20100199359 12/653040 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41718569 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100199359 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miki; Nanami |
August 5, 2010 |
Operation apparatus, content parental lock setting method, and
electronic apparatus
Abstract
An operation apparatus includes a communication section to
communicate with an electronic apparatus capable of communicating,
through a first transmission medium, with an accumulation apparatus
capable of accumulating contents, the communication section
communicating with the electronic apparatus through a second
transmission medium, a content selection section to select a
content to which a parental lock is to be set from among the
contents accumulated in the accumulation apparatus, a release key
setting section to set a key for releasing the parental lock for
the content selected, a storage section to associate identification
information of the content selected with the key set by the release
key setting section and stores the identification information and
the key associated with each other, and a parental lock
notification section to notify the accumulation apparatus in which
the content is accumulated of the identification information of the
content to which the parental lock is set.
Inventors: |
Miki; Nanami; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,;KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
41718569 |
Appl. No.: |
12/653040 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
726/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4753 20130101;
H04N 21/43615 20130101; H04L 63/10 20130101; H04N 7/17318 20130101;
H04N 21/4627 20130101; H04N 21/42204 20130101; H04N 7/163 20130101;
H04N 21/835 20130101; H04N 21/4126 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
726/30 |
International
Class: |
G06F 21/24 20060101
G06F021/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 18, 2008 |
JP |
P2008-321873 |
Claims
1. An operation apparatus, comprising: a communication section to
communicate with an electronic apparatus capable of communicating,
through a first transmission medium, with an accumulation apparatus
capable of accumulating contents, the communication section
communicating with the electronic apparatus through a second
transmission medium; a content selection section to select a
content to which a parental lock is to be set from among the
contents accumulated in the accumulation apparatus; a release key
setting section to set a key for releasing the parental lock for
the content selected; a storage section to associate identification
information of the content selected with the key set by the release
key setting section and store the identification information and
the key associated with each other; and a parental lock
notification section to notify, through the electronic apparatus by
using the communication section, the accumulation apparatus in
which the content is accumulated of the identification information
of the content to which the parental lock is set.
2. The operation apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a name list obtainment section to request to obtain a
list of names of the accumulation apparatuses connected to the
first transmission medium and obtain the list from the electronic
apparatus by using the communication section; an accumulation
apparatus selection section to cause a user to select a name from
the obtained list of the names of the accumulation apparatuses; a
content list obtainment section to request the electronic apparatus
by using the communication section to obtain a list of contents
accumulated in the accumulation apparatus corresponding to the name
selected and obtain the list of the contents; and a list display
section to display the obtained list of the contents to the user,
wherein the content selection section selects a content to which
the parental lock is to be set from the displayed list of the
contents.
3. The operation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
parental lock notification section gives the electronic apparatus a
notification including the identification information of the
content and identification information of the accumulation
apparatus that is a notification destination, to notify, through
the electronic apparatus by using the communication section, the
accumulation apparatus in which the content is accumulated of the
identification information of the content to which the parental
lock is set.
4. The operation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
content list obtainment section transmits, to the electronic
apparatus, a content list obtainment request including the
identification information of the accumulation apparatus
corresponding to the name selected, to request the electronic
apparatus by using the communication section to obtain the list of
the contents accumulated in the accumulation apparatus
corresponding to the name selected and obtain the list of the
contents.
5. The operation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first
transmission medium is a network, and wherein the second
transmission medium is a transmission medium independent of the
network.
6. The operation apparatus according to claim 5, further
comprising: a parental lock release content selection section to
select a content from which the parental lock is released; a
release key input section to cause the user to input a key for
releasing the parental lock for the content selected; and a
parental lock release notification section to notify, when the key
that is stored in the storage section with the key being associated
with the content selected and the key that is input by the release
key input section coincide, the accumulation apparatus in which the
content is accumulated of a release of the parental lock for the
content through the electronic apparatus by using the communication
section.
7. The operation apparatus according to claim 6, further
comprising: a backup processing section to transmit the
identification information of the content and the key that are
stored in the storage section with the identification information
and the key being associated with each other to at least one of the
accumulation apparatuses through the electronic apparatus by using
the communication section and cause the accumulation apparatus to
store, as a backup, the identification information and the key that
are associated.
8. The operation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
accumulation apparatus connected to the network includes a
plurality of accumulation apparatuses, the operation apparatus
further comprising: a move content selection section to select a
content that is moved among the plurality of accumulation
apparatuses; and a content move processing section to request, when
the key that is stored in the storage section with the key being
associated with the content selected and the key that is input by
the release key input section coincide, the plurality of
accumulation apparatuses to cause the content to move, through the
electronic apparatus by using the communication section.
9. The operation apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising: a parental lock resetting section to set whether the
parental lock is set to the content accumulated in the accumulation
apparatus to which the content is moved.
10. A content parental lock setting method of managing a parental
lock with respect to contents by using an operation apparatus
capable of communicating with at least one of electronic
apparatuses capable of communicating with an accumulation apparatus
capable of accumulating the contents through a first transmission
medium, the operation apparatus capable of communicating with the
at least one electronic apparatus through a second transmission
medium, the content parental lock setting method comprising:
selecting a content to which the parental lock is to be set from
among the contents accumulated in the accumulation apparatus;
setting a key for releasing the parental lock for the content
selected; associating identification information of the content
selected and the key set and storing the identification information
and the key that are associated with each other; and notifying,
through the electronic apparatus, the accumulation apparatus in
which the content is accumulated of the identification information
of the content to which the parental lock is set.
11. An electronic apparatus capable of communicating with one or
more accumulation apparatuses capable of accumulating contents
through a first transmission medium and capable of communicating
with the operation apparatus according to claim 4 through a second
transmission medium, the electronic apparatus comprising: a name
list relay section to receive, from the operation apparatus through
the second transmission medium, a request to obtain a list of names
of the accumulation apparatuses connected to the first transmission
medium, inquire of the accumulation apparatuses the names of the
accumulation apparatuses based on the request, and transmit the
list of the names of the accumulation apparatuses obtained from the
accumulation apparatuses to the operation apparatus through the
second medium; a content list relay section to receive, from the
operation apparatus through the second transmission medium, a
request to obtain a list of contents accumulated in one of the
accumulation apparatuses which corresponds to a name selected from
the list of the names, receive the list of the contents from the
accumulation apparatus based on the request, and transmit the list
of the contents to the operation apparatus through the second
transmission medium; and a content identification information relay
section to receive, from the operation apparatus through the second
transmission medium, a notification including identification
information of the contents and identification information of the
accumulation apparatus that is a notification destination and
transmit identification information of a content to which a
parental lock is set to the accumulation apparatus in which the
contents are accumulated.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. JP 2008-321873 filed in the Japanese Patent Office
on Dec. 18, 2008, the entire content of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an operation apparatus
capable of communicating, via a wireless medium, with an electronic
apparatus capable of communicating, via a network, with an
accumulation apparatus capable of accumulating contents, and to a
content parental lock setting method by the operation apparatus.
The present invention also relates to an electronic apparatus
capable of communicating, via a network, with at least one
accumulation apparatus capable of accumulating contents, and
communicating with the operation apparatus via a wireless
medium.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In recent years, based on a DLNA (digital living network
alliance), there has been structured a system that mutually
connects, for example, digital AV (audiovisual) equipment or a PC
(personal computer) with another in a home network environment as a
local area network. With this structure, a content obtained through
a broad band can be shared among family members and viewed in a
home network environment, for example. That is, contents
accumulated in various server apparatuses can be viewed by using
various client apparatuses. As a result, for example, a situation
in which a minor can easily view various contents beyond eyeshot of
a parent or guardian may occur.
[0006] In view of this, there has been developed a technique in
which a parental lock is set with respect to a content including an
inappropriate image or audio that may give a bad influence to a
minor (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2008-236153 (paragraph 0026, FIG. 2) (hereinafter, referred to as
Patent Document 1)). With the technique disclosed in Patent
Document 1, restricted information for a content as a target of a
parental lock setting is registered in a table for a parental lock,
which is stored in a server apparatus. Upon reception of a content
obtainment request from a client apparatus, the server apparatus
judges whether restricted information is set for the content
requested. When the restricted information is set for the content
requested, the server apparatus does not transfer the content to
the client apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] With the technique disclosed in Patent document 1, a table
for setting the parental lock for each server apparatus is created.
Accordingly, in a case where there are a plurality of server
apparatuses in a home network, it is necessary to set a parental
lock with respect to a content for each server apparatus. This is a
troublesome operation for a user. Further, for example, in a case
where a minor has a PC in his/her own room, it may be substantially
difficult for a parent or guardian to set a parental lock.
[0008] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, it is
desirable to provide an operation apparatus capable of
communicating, via a wireless medium, with an electronic apparatus
capable of communicating, via a network, with an accumulation
apparatus capable of accumulating contents, and a parental lock
setting method for contents by the operation apparatus. It is also
desirable to provide an electronic apparatus capable of
communicating, via a network, with at least one accumulation
apparatus capable of accumulating contents and communicating, via a
wireless medium, with the operation apparatus.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided an operation apparatus including a communication
section, a content selection section, a release key setting
section, a storage section, and a parental lock notification
section. The communication section communicates with an electronic
apparatus capable of communicating, through a first transmission
medium, with an accumulation apparatus capable of accumulating
contents, the communication section communicating with the
electronic apparatus through a second transmission medium. The
content selection section selects a content to which a parental
lock is to be set from among the contents accumulated in the
accumulation apparatus. The release key setting section sets a key
for releasing the parental lock for the content selected. The
storage section associates identification information of the
content selected with the key set by the release key setting
section and stores the identification information and the key
associated with each other. The parental lock notification section
notifies, through the electronic apparatus by using the
communication section, the accumulation apparatus in which the
content is accumulated of the identification information of the
content to which the parental lock is set.
[0010] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the
storage section of the operation apparatus associates the
identification information of the content with the key for
releasing the parental lock for the content and stores the
identification information and the key associated with each other.
As a result, it becomes possible for the operation apparatus to
unify and manage the data related to the plurality of accumulation
apparatuses.
[0011] In the embodiment, the operation apparatus further includes
a name list obtainment section, an accumulation apparatus selection
section, a content list obtainment section, and a list display
section. The name list obtainment section requests to obtain a list
of names of the accumulation apparatuses connected to the first
transmission medium and obtains the list from the electronic
apparatus by using the communication section. The accumulation
apparatus selection section causes a user to select a name from the
obtained list of the names of the accumulation apparatuses. The
content list obtainment section requests the electronic apparatus
by using the communication section to obtain a list of contents
accumulated in the accumulation apparatus corresponding to the name
selected and obtains the list of the contents. The list display
section displays the obtained list of the contents to the user. The
content selection section selects a content to which the parental
lock is to be set from the displayed list of the contents.
[0012] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the
user can obtain the list of the contents of each of the plurality
of accumulation apparatuses connected to the network not from each
of the plurality of accumulation apparatuses but from one operation
apparatus.
[0013] In the embodiment, the parental lock notification section
gives the electronic apparatus a notification including the
identification information of the content and identification
information of the accumulation apparatus that is a notification
destination, to notify, through the electronic apparatus by using
the communication section, the accumulation apparatus in which the
content is accumulated of the identification information of the
content to which the parental lock is set.
[0014] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is
possible to transmit the identification information of the content
to any accumulation apparatus by using the one operation
apparatus.
[0015] In the embodiment, the content list obtainment section
transmits, to the electronic apparatus, a content list obtainment
request including the identification information of the
accumulation apparatus corresponding to the name selected, to
request the electronic apparatus by using the communication section
to obtain the list of the contents accumulated in the accumulation
apparatus corresponding to the name selected and obtain the list of
the contents.
[0016] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is
possible to obtain the list of the contents of any accumulation
apparatus by using the one operation apparatus.
[0017] In the embodiment, the first transmission medium is a
network, and the second transmission medium is a transmission
medium independent of the network.
[0018] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the
two-way communication is realized not between the operation
apparatus and one accumulation apparatus but between the operation
apparatus and the network.
[0019] In the embodiment, the operation apparatus further includes
a parental lock release content selection section, a release key
input section, and a parental lock release notification section.
The parental lock release content selection section selects a
content from which the parental lock is released. The release key
input section causes the user to input a key for releasing the
parental lock for the content selected. The parental lock release
notification section notifies, when the key that is stored in the
storage section with the key being associated with the content
selected and the key that is input by the release key input section
coincide, the accumulation apparatus in which the content is
accumulated of a release of the parental lock for the content
through the electronic apparatus by using the communication
section.
[0020] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is
possible for the operation apparatus to unify and manage the
release of the parental lock for the plurality of accumulation
apparatuses.
[0021] In the embodiment, the operation apparatus further includes
a backup processing section. The backup processing section
transmits the identification information of the content and the key
that are stored in the storage section with the identification
information and the key being associated with each other to at
least one of the accumulation apparatuses through the electronic
apparatus by using the communication section and causes the
accumulation apparatus to store, as a backup, the identification
information and the key that are associated.
[0022] According to the embodiment of the present invention, even
if the key for releasing the parental lock of the content which is
stored in the operation apparatus is lost, the key is backed up by
the accumulation apparatus, and therefore the safety is
upgraded.
[0023] In the embodiment, the accumulation apparatus connected to
the network includes a plurality of accumulation apparatuses. The
operation apparatus further includes a move content selection
section and a content move processing section. The move content
selection section selects a content that is moved among the
plurality of accumulation apparatuses. The content move processing
section requests, when the key that is stored in the storage
section with the key being associated with the content selected and
the key that is input by the release key input section coincide,
the plurality of accumulation apparatuses to cause the content to
move, through the electronic apparatus by using the communication
section.
[0024] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is
possible for the one operation apparatus to perform the move
operation of the content from one accumulation apparatus to another
accumulation apparatus.
[0025] In the embodiment, the operation apparatus further includes
a parental lock resetting section. The parental lock resetting
section sets whether the parental lock is set to the content
accumulated in the accumulation apparatus to which the content is
moved.
[0026] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is
possible for the one operation apparatus to perform the operation
of setting whether the parental lock is set with respect to the
content as the move destination.
[0027] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a content parental lock setting method of
managing a parental lock with respect to contents by using an
operation apparatus capable of communicating with at least one of
electronic apparatuses capable of communicating with an
accumulation apparatus capable of accumulating the contents through
a first transmission medium, the operation apparatus capable of
communicating with the at least one electronic apparatus through a
second transmission medium. The content parental lock setting
method includes selecting a content to which the parental lock is
to be set from among the contents accumulated in the accumulation
apparatus, setting a key for releasing the parental lock for the
content selected, associating identification information of the
content selected and the key set and storing the identification
information and the key that are associated with each other, and
notifying, through the electronic apparatus, the accumulation
apparatus in which the content is accumulated of the identification
information of the content to which the parental lock is set.
[0028] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the
operation apparatus associates the identification information of
the content and the key for releasing the parental lock for the
content and stores the identification information and the key
associated with each other. As a result, it is possible for the
operation apparatus to unify and manage the information relating to
the plurality of accumulation apparatuses.
[0029] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided an electronic apparatus capable of communicating
with one or more accumulation apparatuses capable of accumulating
contents through a first transmission medium and capable of
communicating with the operation apparatus through a second
transmission medium. The electronic apparatus includes a name list
relay section, a content list relay section, and a content
identification information relay section. The name list relay
section receives, from the operation apparatus through the second
transmission medium, a request to obtain a list of names of the
accumulation apparatuses connected to the first transmission
medium, inquires of the accumulation apparatuses the names of the
accumulation apparatuses based on the request, and transmits the
list of the names of the accumulation apparatuses obtained from the
accumulation apparatuses to the operation apparatus through the
second medium. The content list relay section receives, from the
operation apparatus through the second transmission medium, a
request to obtain a list of contents accumulated in one of the
accumulation apparatuses which corresponds to a name selected from
the list of the names, receives the list of the contents from the
accumulation apparatus based on the request, and transmits the list
of the contents to the operation apparatus through the second
transmission medium. The content identification information relay
section receives, from the operation apparatus through the second
transmission medium, a notification including identification
information of the contents and identification information of the
accumulation apparatus that is a notification destination and
transmits identification information of a content to which a
parental lock is set to the accumulation apparatus in which the
contents are accumulated.
[0030] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the
electronic apparatus includes the relay section between the
operation apparatus and the accumulation apparatuses, and therefore
the two-way communication is realized not between the operation
apparatus and one accumulation apparatus but between the operation
apparatus and the network.
[0031] As described above, according to the operation apparatus and
the content parental lock setting method of the embodiments of the
present invention, it is possible to communicate, through the
wireless medium, with the electronic apparatus capable of
communicating, through the network, with the accumulation
apparatuses capable of accumulating the contents, with the result
that the parental lock can be easily and reliably set. According to
the electronic apparatus of the embodiment of the present
invention, it is possible to communicate, through the network, with
the one or more accumulation apparatuses capable of accumulating
the contents, and it is possible to communicate with the operation
apparatus through the wireless medium. As a result, the two-way
communication is realized not between the operation apparatus and
the one accumulation apparatus but between the operation apparatus
and the network.
[0032] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent in light of the
following detailed description of best mode embodiments thereof, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall structure of a
content management system according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of a
client apparatus;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of a
server apparatus;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of a
remote controller;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a software structure of the
client apparatus;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a software structure of the
server apparatus;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a software structure of the
remote controller;
[0040] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of setting a
parental lock by the content management system;
[0041] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing sets of apparatus IDs and server
names predetermined;
[0042] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a server list table;
[0043] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a server selection screen;
[0044] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a content list table;
[0045] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a content management table;
[0046] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a content selection screen;
[0047] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a menu screen;
[0048] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a parental unlock code input
screen;
[0049] FIG. 17 is another diagram showing the content management
table;
[0050] FIG. 18 is another diagram showing the content list
table;
[0051] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a user interface that indicates
completion of the setting of the parental lock;
[0052] FIG. 20 is another diagram showing the content list
table;
[0053] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a setting release operation
of the parental lock by the content management system;
[0054] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a move operation of a content
by the content management system;
[0055] FIG. 23 is another diagram showing the content management
table;
[0056] FIG. 24 is another diagram showing the content management
table;
[0057] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a dialog screen; and
[0058] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation of a
content by the content management system.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0059] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings.
(Structure of Content Management System 100)
[0060] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall structure of a
content management system 100 according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0061] The content management system 100 includes at least one
client apparatus 500 and a plurality of server apparatuses 600
(600a, 600b). The client apparatus 500 and each of the plurality of
server apparatuses are connected with each other via a home network
200 serving as a local area network so as to communicate with each
other.
[0062] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the plurality of
server apparatuses are referred to as the server apparatus 600 when
collectively treated with no distinction or referred to as the
server apparatus 600a or 600b when individually treated.
[0063] A remote controller 400 can perform two-way communication
with at least the client apparatus 500 out of the client apparatus
500 and the server apparatus 600.
[0064] The server apparatus 600 of this embodiment can record and
reproduce content data of programs momentarily broadcasted by
broadcast stations, such as terrestrial digital broadcasting, CS
digital broadcasting, and BS digital broadcasting. The server
apparatus 600 can deliver content data to the client apparatus 500
via the home network 200.
[0065] The client apparatus 500 includes a display screen and a
speaker. Therefore, when receiving content data delivered from the
server apparatus 600 via the home network 200, the client apparatus
500 can display an image of the data on the display screen or
output audio of the data from the speaker.
(Hardware Structure of Client Apparatus 500)
[0066] A description will be given on the client apparatus 500.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of the
client apparatus 500.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, to a CPU (central processing unit) 501,
a ROM (read only memory) 503, a RAM (random access memory) 504, an
input operation section 505, and a display section 506 are
connected via a system bus 502. Further, an audio output section
507, a network connection section 508, a decode section 509, a
broadcast reception section 510, and an optical communication
section 511 are connected to the CPU 501 via the system bus
502.
[0068] The input operation section 505 includes various keys or the
like. A user processes inputs of various commands or data with the
input operation section 505. The commands input by the user with
the input operation section 505 are supplied to the CPU 501 via the
system bus 502 with an input interface section (not shown).
[0069] The display section 506 is constituted of a display device
including a display screen such as an LCD (liquid crystal display)
and a display control circuit that drives the display device, for
example. The audio output section 507 is constituted of a circuit
that converts a digital audio signal to an analog audio signal, a
speaker, and the like.
[0070] The network connection section 508 processes wire or
wireless connection with the home network 200. To the home network
200, the server apparatus 600 is linked through wire or wireless
connection.
[0071] The broadcast reception section 510 receives broadcast waves
of the terrestrial digital broadcasting, CS digital broadcasting,
BS digital broadcasting, or the like, which are delivered from each
broadcast station 300, and demodulates a video signal and an audio
signal, for example.
[0072] The decode section 509 decodes content data read from a
storage section 512 and recovers digital video data and digital
audio data. The recovered digital video data is supplied to the
display section 506 via the system bus 502 and displayed. The
recovered digital audio data is supplied to the audio output
section 507 via the system bus 502 and output as audio from the
speaker.
[0073] The optical communication section 511 is an interface for
processing the two-way communication with the remote controller
400. Specifically, the optical communication section 511
communicates with an external apparatus by using light such as an
infrared ray as a wireless medium. In addition to light, another
wireless medium such as a radio wave, a sound wave, and an
electromagnetic wave may be used.
[0074] The ROM 503 is a read-only memory that permanently stores
programs or data for software processing to be executed by the
client apparatus 500. It is to be noted that the program may be
stored in the storage section 512. The ROM 504 is a writable
volatile memory used for loading a program code executed by the CPU
501 or writing work data of the program. The CPU 501 performs
overall control on the respective sections mentioned above and
controls exchange of data between the sections. In addition, in
order to execute the software processing to be executed by the
client apparatus 500, the CPU 501 loads the program from the
storage section 512 or the ROM 503 to the RAM 504 and interprets
and executes the program.
(Hardware Structure of Server Apparatus 600)
[0075] Next, a description will be given on the server apparatus
600. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of the
server apparatus 600.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 3, to a CPU 601, a ROM 603, a RAM 604, an
input operation section 605, and a display section 607, a network
connection section 608, and a decode section 609 are connected via
a system bus 602. Further, a broadcast reception section 611, a
storage section 613 formed of an HDD (hard disk drive) or the like,
and a media interface section 614 are connected to the CPU 601 via
the system bus 602.
[0077] The input operation section 605 includes various keys or the
like and processes inputs of various commands for record and
reproduction from the user. The commands input with the input
operation section 605 are transmitted to the CPU 601 via the system
bus 602 with an input interface section (not shown).
[0078] The display section 607 is constituted of a display device
including a display screen such as an LCD and a display control
circuit that drives the display device, for example. The display
section 607 displays confirmation of the commands or data input by
the user or various statuses, for example.
[0079] The broadcast reception section 611 receives broadcast waves
of the terrestrial digital broadcasting, CS digital broadcasting,
BS digital broadcasting, or the like, which are delivered from each
broadcast station 300 and demodulates a video signal and an audio
signal, for example.
[0080] The network connection section 608 processes connection with
the home network 200. The network connection section 608 processes
inputs or outputs of the video signal and the audio signal between
the network connection section 608 and the client apparatus 500
connected to the server apparatuses 600 via the home network
200.
[0081] The decode section 609 decodes content data read from the
storage section 613 and recovers video data and audio data. The
recovered digital video data is supplied to the network connection
section 608 via the system bus 602 and output to the client
apparatus 500 connected to the network connection section 608.
[0082] The storage section 613 is formed of the HDD or the like.
The content data of a broadcast program or the like that is encoded
by an encode section 610, a content management table (described
below), and the like are recorded on the storage section 613.
[0083] To the media interface section 614, a removable medium 2
such as an optical disc can be loaded. The content data of the
broadcast program or the like can be recorded on the removable
medium 2. Examples of the removable medium 2 include a recordable
or rewritable DVD (digital versatile disc) and a Blu-ray.
[0084] In the ROM 603, a program or the like for software
processing to be executed by the server apparatus 600 is stored.
The ROM 604 is a writable volatile memory used for loading a
program code executed by the CPU 601 or for writing work data of
the program. In addition, in order to execute the software
processing to be executed by the server apparatus 600, the CPU 601
loads the program from the ROM 603 to the RAM 604 and interprets
and executes the program.
(Hardware Structure of Remote Controller 400)
[0085] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a hardware structure of the
remote controller 400 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram
showing the hardware structure of the remote controller 400.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 4, the remote controller 400 is constituted
of a CPU 401, an optical communication section 402, a storage
section 403, a display section 404, and an input operation section
405.
[0087] The optical communication section 402 is an interface that
selectively performs two-way optical communication with the client
apparatus 500. More specifically, in a case where there are a
plurality of client apparatuses 500, the optical communication
section 402 selects a communication target from among the client
apparatuses 500, and the optical communication section 402 can
input various operation signals for remote control to the selected
client apparatus 500 and receive various data from the selected
apparatus. In addition to light, another wireless medium such as a
radio wave, a sound wave, and an electromagnetic wave may be
used.
[0088] The display section 404 displays an operation method of the
input operation section 405 for performing remote control on the
client apparatus 500 and displays to the user a list of apparatuses
600 and a list of contents that can be obtained from the individual
server apparatuses 600.
[0089] The input operation section 405 has a plurality of keys, and
serves as a user interface that receives an input of, for example,
various operation signals and selection from the list by the user
and notifies the CPU 401 of the input. It should be noted that the
keys of the input operation section 405 may be touch-sensitive keys
displayed on a screen of the display section 404.
[0090] The storage section 403 stores various tables and the like
created based on information obtained from the respective server
apparatuses through the client apparatus 500.
(Software Structure of Client Apparatus 500)
[0091] Next, a software structure of the client apparatus 500 will
be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing
the software structure of the client apparatus 500.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 5, the client apparatus 500 includes a
content data obtainment section 524, a content reproduction section
526, a server list processing section 541, and a list relay section
543.
[0093] The content data obtainment section 524 selectively obtains
content data sent from the server apparatus 600 via the home
network 200 or content data such as the broadcast programs received
at the broadcast reception section 510 of the client apparatus 500,
and supplies the obtained data to the content reproduction section
526.
[0094] The content reproduction section 526 decodes the content
data supplied from the content data obtainment section 524 by using
the decode section 509 and recovers the digital video data and the
digital audio data. The content reproduction section 526 outputs
the recovered digital video data to the display section 506 to
cause the display section 506 to display the digital video data,
and outputs the digital audio data to the audio output section 507
to cause the audio output section 507 to output the digital audio
data.
[0095] The server list processing section 541 transmits a request
Cl of inquiring a server name to the server apparatuses 600
connected to the home network 200 via the home network 200.
Further, the server list processing section 541 receives a request
R1 (described below) from the remote controller 400 and transmits,
to the remote controller 400, a response C5 including a server list
in which apparatus IDs previously assigned to each server apparatus
600 and server names predetermined are put together.
[0096] The list relay section 543 receives a content list
obtainment request R6 from the remote controller 400 and transmits,
to the server apparatus 600, a content list obtainment request C6
via the home network 200.
[0097] It should be noted that in this embodiment, a television or
a personal computer is considered as an example of the client
apparatus 500, but the client apparatus 500 of this embodiment of
the present invention is not limited to those apparatuses and may
have any form as long as it includes the elements shown in FIGS. 2
and 5.
(Software Structure of Server Apparatus 600)
[0098] Next, a software structure of the server apparatus 600 will
be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing
the software structure of the server apparatus 600.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 6, the server apparatus 600 includes a
content data obtainment section 623, a content data storage section
624, a reproduction processing section 626, a server name response
section 630, a content list processing section 631, a content list
storage section 632, and a parental lock processing section 633.
The server apparatus 600 further includes a move processing section
634. Here, the content data storage section 624 and the content
list storage section 632 are set in the storage section 613 or the
removable medium 2 or the like loaded to the media interface
section 614.
[0100] The content data obtainment section 623 selectively receives
content data of a broadcast program or the like that is broadcasted
from the broadcast station 300 and registers the received content
data in the content data storage section.
[0101] The reproduction processing section 626 performs a
processing so that corresponding content data is read from the
content data storage section 624, the content data is decoded by
the decode section 609, and the recovered digital video data and
digital audio data are supplied to the network connection section
608.
[0102] Upon reception on the request Cl from the client apparatus
500, the server name response section 630 creates a set of an
apparatus ID previously assigned to the server apparatus to which
the server name response section 630 belongs (which will be
referred to as the server apparatus itself) and a server name
predetermined, and transmits a response S1 including the set to the
client apparatus 500.
[0103] The content list processing section 631 receives the content
list obtainment request C6 from the client apparatus 500, reads
sets of content IDs and titles of programs from the content data
storage section 624, and creates a content list table including the
sets. The content list processing section 631 transmits a response
S2 including the content list including the sets of the content IDs
and the titles of programs to the client apparatus 500 via the home
network 200.
[0104] The parental lock processing section 633 receives a parental
lock setting request C8 including sets with content IDs and titles
of programs from the client apparatus 500, creates a parental lock
list table, and stores the created parental lock list table in the
content list storage section 632. Further, the parental lock
processing section 633 transmits a parental lock setting completion
notification S3 to the client apparatus 500 via the home network
200.
[0105] The move processing section 634 receives a move request C12
from the client apparatus 500 via the home network 200. The move
processing section 634 performs a predetermined operation for
moving a content from the apparatus itself to another server
apparatus 600. When the move operation is over, the move processing
operation 634 sends a move completion notification to the content
list processing section 631 and sends the move completion
notification to the server apparatus 600.
(Software Structure of Remote Controller 400)
[0106] Next, a software structure of the remote controller 400 will
be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing
the software structure of the remote controller 400.
[0107] The remote controller 400 includes a server list processing
section 410, a server list storage section 411, a UI (user
interface) processing section 412, a content list processing
section 413, a content list storage section 414, a parental lock
processing section 415, and a move processing section 416. Here,
the server list storage section 411 and the content list storage
section 414 are set to the storage section 403.
[0108] The server list processing section 410 transmits, to the
client apparatus 500, the request R1 including a list of the
apparatus IDs and the server names, and receives the response C5
including a server list of the apparatus IDs and the server names
from the client apparatus 500.
[0109] The UI processing section 412 supplies various display
requests (described below) to the display section 404 and causes
the display device to display various display screens corresponding
to the display requests.
[0110] The content list processing section 413 transmits to the
content list obtainment request R6 to the client apparatus 500 and
receives a response C7 including a content list in which sets of
content IDs and titles of programs are put together. Based on the
content IDs and the titles of the programs that are included in the
response C7 received, the content list processing section 413
registers them in the content management table stored in the
content list storage section 414.
[0111] The parental lock processing section 415 receives a parental
lock setting completion notification C9 from the client apparatus
500 and outputs a parental lock setting completion notification R18
to the UI processing section 412. In addition, the parental lock
processing section 415 creates a set of a parental lock, a content
ID, and an apparatus ID, with respect to which the parental lock is
set, and transmits a parental lock setting notification R17
including the set created to the client apparatus 500, for
example.
[0112] The move processing section 416 is used when the content is
moved between the server apparatuses 600. The move processing
section 416 receives a move destination notification R28 from the
UI processing section 412 and transmits a move request R29 to the
client apparatus 500.
[0113] It should be noted that a remote controller for home
electronics, which is capable of performing the two-way
communication, is considered as an example of the remote controller
400 of this embodiment, but the remote controller 400 of this
embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example
and may have any form as long as it includes the elements shown in
FIGS. 4 and 7. For example, the remote controller 400 may be a
cellular phone capable of performing two-way infrared
communication.
(Setting Operation of Parental Lock by Content Management System
100)
[0114] Next, a description will be given on a setting operation of
the parental lock by the content management system 100 with
reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of
setting the parental lock by the content management system 100.
[0115] As shown in FIG. 8, when the user performs an operation on
the client apparatus 500 for starting up the client apparatus 500,
the client apparatus 500 is started up (Step S101). Further, when
the user performs an operation on the server apparatus 600 for
starting up the server apparatus 600, each of the server apparatus
600 is started up (Step S102).
[0116] When started up, the client apparatus 500 causes the server
list processing section 541 to start up. The server list processing
section 541 transmits, via the home network 200, the request Cl of
inquiring a server name to each of the server apparatuses 600
connected to the home network 200 (Step S103).
[0117] On the other hand, when started up, the server apparatuses
600 connected to the home network 200 cause the server name
response sections 630 to start up, respectively. Upon reception of
the request Cl from the server list processing section 541 of the
client apparatus 500, the server name response sections 630 of the
respective server apparatuses 600 each create a set of an apparatus
ID 701 previously assigned to each of the server apparatuses
themselves and a server name 702 predetermined (shown in FIG. 9).
The server name response sections 630 of the server apparatuses 600
each transmit, to the client apparatus 500 via the home network
200, the response S1 including the set of the apparatus ID 701 and
the server name 702 that are created (Step S104).
[0118] The server list processing section 541 of the client
apparatus 500 receives the response S1 including the set of the
apparatus ID 701 previously assigned to each of the apparatuses and
the server name 702 predetermined from each of the server
apparatuses 600 via the home network 200 (Step S105). Next, the
server list processing section 541 creates a server list of the
sets included in each of the responses S1 received from the server
apparatuses 600 (Step S106).
[0119] On the other hand, the server list processing section 410 of
the remote controller 400 transmits the request R1 including the
sets of the apparatus IDs 701 and the server names 702 to the
client apparatus 500 by using the optical communication section 402
(Step S107).
[0120] The server list processing section 541 of the client
apparatus 500 receives the request R1 including the sets of the
apparatus IDs 701 and the server names 702 from the server list
processing section 410 of the remote controller 400 by using the
optical communication section 511. The server list processing
section 541 that has received the request R1 including the sets of
the apparatus IDs 701 and the server names 702 transmits the
response C5 including the server list in which the apparatus IDs
701 and the server names 702 are put together to the remote
controller 400 by using the optical communication section 511 (Step
S108).
[0121] The server list processing section 410 of the remote
controller 400 receives the response C5 including the server list
of the apparatus IDs 701 and the server names 702 from the server
list processing section 541 of the client apparatus 500 (Step
S109). Upon reception of the response C5 including the server list
of the apparatus IDs 701 and the server names 702, the server list
processing section 410 creates a server list table 710 based on the
obtained server list and stores the server list table 710 in the
server list storage section 411 (Step S110).
[0122] As shown in FIG. 10, the server list table 710 is a table
having an apparatus ID field 711 and a server name field 712. For
each record of the server list table 710, the apparatus ID 701 is
registered in the apparatus ID field 711, and the server name 702
is registered in the server name field 712. The apparatus IDs 701
and the server names 702 are associated with each other.
[0123] On the other hand, the UI processing section 412 reads the
server name 702 registered in the server list table 710 from the
server list table 710 stored in the server list table storage
section 411. The UI processing section 412 creates a server
selection screen 800 (shown in FIG. 11) that indicates a list of
the server names 702 based on the read server names 702. The UI
processing section 412 supplies, to the display section 404, a
display request R4 including display data of the server selection
screen 800 that indicates the list of the server names 702 (Step
S111).
[0124] As shown in FIG. 11, the server selection screen 800 serves
as a user interface for displaying the list of the server names 702
and causing the user to select any one from the server apparatuses
600. In the example of FIG. 11, the list of the names of the server
apparatuses 600 such as "Living Room 1", "Network HDD", and "Juke
Box" is displayed on the server selection screen 800.
[0125] The display section 404 receives the display request R4
including display data of the server selection screen 800 from the
UI processing section 412 and displays the server selection screen
800 on the display screen thereof. The user references the server
names of the server selection screen 800 displayed on the display
section 404 and selects one (server apparatus 600a) from among the
server apparatuses 600 by using the input operation section 405.
The input operation section 405 supplies, to the UI processing
section 412, a server selection request R5 including selection
information of the server name selected by the user. Upon reception
of the server selection request R5, the UI processing section 412
supplies the server selection request R5 to the content list
processing section 413 (Step S112).
[0126] Upon reception of the server selection request R5 from the
UI processing section 412, the content list processing section 413
reads an apparatus ID of the server apparatus 600a corresponding to
the server name from the server list table 710 based on the
selection information of the server name included in the server
selection request R5. The content list processing section 413
transmits the content list obtainment request R6 including the read
apparatus ID 701 to the client apparatus 500 by using the optical
communication section 511 (Step S113).
[0127] The list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500
receives the content list obtainment request R6 from the content
list processing section 413 of the remote controller 400 (Step
S114). The list relay section 543 transmits, via the home network
200, the content list obtainment request C6 to the server apparatus
600a to which the apparatus ID included in the content list
obtainment request R6 is previously assigned (Step S115).
[0128] The content list processing section 631 of the server
apparatus 600a receives the content list obtainment request C6 from
the list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500 via the home
network 200. Upon reception of the content list obtainment request
C6, the content list processing section 631 sets a content list
table to the content list storage section 632. The content list
processing section 631 extracts the content IDs and the titles of
the programs of all the contents stored in the content data storage
section 624 from SI (service information) information. The content
list processing section 631 registers the extracted information in
a content list table 720 provided for the content list storage
section 632 (Step S116).
[0129] As shown in FIG. 12, the content list table 720 is
constituted of a content ID field 721, a program title field 722,
and a parental lock flag field 733. Information items registered in
those fields 721, 722, and 733 are information for each server
apparatus and associated with each other. The parental lock flag
refers to a flag for setting of whether parental lock is set for a
content. An initial value of the parental lock flag is "without
parental lock". It should be noted that the SI information is
information periodically distributed by a content distributor via a
network, and the server apparatuses 600 each receive the SI
information and always have latest SI information. The SI
information includes various information items relating to the
content, such as a content ID, a title of a program, a distribution
time, and details of a program.
[0130] Next, the content list processing section 631 of the server
apparatus 600a creates a content list including the content IDs and
the titles of the programs of all the contents in the content list
table 720. The content list processing section 631 of the server
apparatus 600a transmits the response S2 including the created
content list to the client apparatus 500 via the home network 200
(Step S117).
[0131] The list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500
receives the response S2 including the content list from the server
apparatus 600a via the home network 200 (Step S118). The list relay
section 543 transmits, to the remote controller 400 by using the
optical communication section 511, the response S2 including the
content list received from the server apparatus 600a as the
response C7 (Step S119).
[0132] The content list processing section 413 of the remote
controller 400 receives the response C7 including the content list
from the list relay section 543 of the client apparatus by using
the optical communication section 402 (Step S120). The content list
processing section 413 sets a content management table 730 to the
content list storage section 414 and registers, in the content
management table 730, the content IDs and the titles of the
programs in the content list included in the response C7 received
from the client apparatus 500 (Step S121).
[0133] As shown in FIG. 13, the content management table 730 is
constituted of a content ID field 731, a program title field 732, a
parental lock flag field 733, a parental unlock code field 734, and
an apparatus ID filed 736.
[0134] The UI processing section 412 of the remote controller 400
reads all the program titles registered in the content management
table 730 from the content list storage section 414 (R8). The UI
processing section 412 creates display data of a content selection
screen 810 including the content list of all the program titles
read and supplies a display request R9 including the display data
of the content selection screen 810 to the display section 404
(Step S122). As a result, the content selection screen 810 is
displayed on the screen of the display section 404.
[0135] As shown in FIG. 14, the content selection screen 810 serves
as a user interface for displaying a list of the program titles of
all the contents accumulated in the server apparatus selected by
the user and causing the user to select any one from the
contents.
[0136] The user uses the input operation section 405 to select a
content with respect to which the user wants to perform
reproduction or set the parental lock from among the program titles
displayed on the content selection screen 810. The input operation
section 405 supplies selection information R10 of the program title
to the UI processing section 412 (Step S123).
[0137] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the content
selection screen 810 or various screens (described below) are
displayed on the display screen of the remote controller 400, but
where to display those screens is not limited to this case. Those
screens may be displayed on the display device of the display
section 506 of the client apparatus 500.
[0138] Upon reception of the selection information R10 from the
input operation section 405, the UI processing section 412 creates
display data of a menu screen 801 (shown in FIG. 15) as a list of
processings that can be performed on the content of the program
title selected. Further, the UI processing section 412 supplies a
display request R11 including the display data of the menu screen
801 to the display section 404 (Step S124). As a result, the menu
screen 801 is displayed on the screen of the display section
404.
[0139] As shown in FIG. 15, the menu screen 801 serves as a user
interface for displaying a list of processing commands that can be
executed with respect to the selected content and causing the user
to select a processing command that has to be executed with respect
to the selected content. On the menu screen 801, character strings
that indicate the processing commands to be executed with respect
to the content, such as "reproduction", "parental lock", and
"move", are displayed. The "reproduction" refers to a processing of
reproducing data of the content held by the server apparatus 600 by
the client apparatus 500, and the "parental lock" refers to a
processing of setting the parental lock with respect to the
content. The "move" refers to a processing of moving the content
from one server apparatus 600 to another.
[0140] A description will be given on a case where the execution of
the processing of the "parental lock" is specified to the menu
screen 801 by the user by using the input operation section 405. In
this case, the input operation section 405 supplies selection
information R12 of the processing of the "parental lock" to the UI
processing section 412 (Step S125).
[0141] Upon reception of the selection information R12 of the
processing of the "parental lock" from the input operation section
405, the UI processing section 412 subsequently creates display
data of a parental unlock code input screen 802 (shown in FIG. 16)
and supplies a display request R13 including the display data to
the display section 404. As a result, the parental unlock code
input screen 802 is displayed on the screen of the display section
404.
[0142] As shown in FIG. 16, the parental unlock code input screen
802 serves as a user interface for causing the user to input a code
necessary for releasing the parental lock that is set to the
content. On the parental unlock code input screen 802, a message
for guiding the user, e.g., "input parental unlock code", input
boxes of, e.g., a four-digit parental unlock code, and the like are
displayed.
[0143] The user references the parental unlock code input screen
802 displayed on the display section 404 and inputs the parental
unlock code by using the input operation section 405. The input
operation section 405 supplies a parental unlock code R14 input by
the user to the UI processing section 412.
[0144] Upon reception of the parental unlock code R14 from the
input operation section 405, the UI processing section 412 causes
the parental unlock code to be displayed on the parental unlock
code input screen 802 of the display section 404 (Step S126).
[0145] Further, the UI processing section 412 supplies a parental
lock setting request including the parental unlock code to the
parental lock processing section 415. Upon reception of the
parental lock setting request from the UI processing section 412,
the parental lock processing section 415 performs registration in
the content management table 730 stored in the content list storage
section 414 as follows.
[0146] For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the parental lock
processing section 415 sets a value corresponding to "with parental
lock" as the parental lock flag to the parental lock flag field 733
that belongs to a record 735 in the content management table 730,
and registers a parental unlock code in the parental unlock code
field 734 that also belongs to the record 735 (Step S127).
[0147] When the registration in the content management table 730 is
over, the parental lock processing section 415 transmits, to the
client apparatus 500 by using the optical communication section
402, the parental lock setting notification R17 including the set
of the apparatus ID and the content ID to which the parental lock
is set (Step S128).
[0148] The list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500
receives the parental lock setting notification R17 including the
set of the apparatus ID and the content ID to which the parental
lock is set from the remote controller 400 by using the optical
communication section 511 (Step S129). Upon reception of the
parental lock setting notification R17, the list relay section 543
transmits the parental lock setting request C8 including the
content ID included in the parental lock setting notification R17
to the server apparatus 600a corresponding to the apparatus ID
included in the parental lock setting notification R17 (Step
S130).
[0149] Upon reception of the parental lock setting request C8 from
the client apparatus 500, the parental lock processing section 633
of the server apparatus 600a updates the content list table 720
stored in the content list storage section 632 based on the
parental lock setting request C8 (Step S131).
[0150] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, into the parental lock
flag field 733 corresponding to the content ID included in the
parental lock setting request C8, a value corresponding to "with
parental lock" is set as the parental lock flag.
[0151] After that, the parental lock processing section 633
transmits the parental lock setting completion notification S3 to
the client apparatus 500 via the home network 200 (Step S132).
[0152] Upon reception of the parental lock setting completion
notification S3 from the server apparatus 600a (Step S133), the
list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500 transmits the
parental lock setting completion notification C9 to the remote
controller 400 by using the optical communication section 511 (Step
S134).
[0153] Upon reception of the parental lock setting completion
notification C9 from the client apparatus 500 (Step S135), the
parental lock processing section 415 of the remote controller 400
outputs the parental lock setting completion notification R18 to
the UI processing section 412.
[0154] The UI processing section 412 receives the parental lock
setting completion notification R18 from the parental lock
processing section 415. The UI processing section 412 creates
display data of the content corresponding to the content ID
included in the parental lock setting completion notification R18
and supplies the display data to the display section 404 (Step
S136). It should be noted that in the display data, a graphic
symbol indicating that the parental lock is already set is added to
the column in which the program title is displayed on the content
selection screen 810. As a result, the content selection screen 810
displayed on the display section 404 is updated as shown in FIG.
19, for example. In this way, a graphic symbol 811 indicating that
the parental lock is already set is added to the column of
displaying the program titles corresponding to the content to which
the parental lock is set. The above is the description on the
parental lock setting with respect to the specific content.
[0155] In a case where the parental lock is subsequently set with
respect to another server apparatus 600b, the process of Steps S112
to S136 only has to be performed again.
[0156] That is, the user references the server selection screen 800
displayed on the display section 404 and selects the server
apparatus 600b by using the input operation section 405. For
example, in a case where the user selects a server name "Living
Room 1" by using the input operation section 405, the input
operation section 405 supplies the server selection request R5
including selection information of a processing for the server name
"Living Room 1" selected by the user to the UI processing section
412. Upon reception of the server selection request R5 from the
input operation section 405, the UI processing section 412 supplies
the server selection request R5 to the content list processing
section 413 (Step S112).
[0157] Upon reception of the server selection request R5 from the
UI processing section 412, the content list processing section 413
reads an apparatus ID of the server apparatus 600b corresponding to
the server name from the server list table 710 based on the
selection information of the server name included in the server
selection request R5. The content list processing section 413
transmits the content list obtainment request R6 including the read
apparatus ID 701 to the client apparatus 500 by using the optical
communication section 511 (Step S113).
[0158] The list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500
receives the content list obtainment request R6 from the content
list processing section 413 of the remote controller 400 (Step
S114). The list relay section 543 transmits, via the home network
200, the content list obtainment request C6 to the server apparatus
600b to which the apparatus ID included in the content list
obtainment request R6 is previously assigned (Step S115).
[0159] The content list processing section 631 of the server
apparatus 600b receives the content list obtainment request C6 from
the list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500 via the home
network 200. Subsequent operations are the same as those of Steps
S116 to S136 described above.
[0160] By the setting operation of the parental lock described
above, the content list storage section 414 of the remote
controller 400 holds the content management table 730 in which the
information (such as the program titles) on the contents
accumulated in each of the server apparatuses 600, the parental
lock flag indicating whether the parental lock is set, and the code
for releasing the parental lock are registered. That is, it is
possible to unify and manage the information relating to the
parental lock setting with respect to the contents accumulated in
the server apparatuses 600 by the remote controller 400, with the
result that convenience for the user is improved. In addition, in a
case where a minor has the server apparatus 600 in his/her own
room, it is also possible to remotely set the parental lock by a
parent or guardian by using the remote controller 400, for
example.
[0161] It should be noted that in this embodiment, only the content
list storage section 414 of the remote controller 400 holds the
content management table 730 in which the parental unlock code is
registered. On the other hand, in the content list table 720 stored
in the content list storage section 632 of the server apparatus
600, the parental unlock code is not registered, and a flag
indicating whether the parental lock is set is only set. However,
the present invention is not limited to this example. Another
content list table 720 may be created, and the parental unlock code
may be corresponded to a flag and registered in the content list
table 720. In this case, the user of the server apparatus 600 is
not allowed to access the parental unlock code registered in the
content list table 720 created.
[0162] FIG. 20 shows a structure of the content list table 720 used
in this case. As shown in FIG. 20, the content list table 720 has a
structure that includes the parental unlock field 734 in addition
to the content ID field 721, the program title field 722, and the
parental lock flag field 733.
[0163] In Step S128, when the registration in the content
management table 730 is over, the parental lock processing section
415 transmits the parental lock setting notification R17 including
the set of the apparatus ID, the content ID, with/without the
parental lock, and the parental unlock code, as the information
newly registered in the content management table 730.
[0164] In Step S129, the list relay section 543 of the client
apparatus 500 receives the parental lock setting notification R17
including the set from the parental lock processing section 415 of
the remote controller 400.
[0165] In Step S130, the list relay section 543 transmits the
parental lock setting request C8 including the set of the content
ID, the parental lock, and the parental unlock code that are
included in the parental lock setting notification R17 to the
server apparatus 600a corresponding to the apparatus ID included in
the parental lock setting notification R17 received.
[0166] As described above, by registering the parental unlock code
in the content list table 720 stored in the content list storage
section 632 of the server apparatus 600, the server apparatus 600
can hold the parental unlock code for backup. Accordingly, it is
possible not only to unify and manage the data relating to the
parental lock setting or the like in the plurality of server
apparatuses 600 by using the remote controller 400, but also to
prevent the parental unlock code from being lost because of losing
the remote controller 400.
[0167] The backup parental unlock code held in the server apparatus
600 is read from the content list table 720 by inputting a command
and a password for referencing the parental unlock code to the
server apparatus 600 or the client apparatus 500 by the user, for
example. The parental unlock code read is displayed on the display
section 506 of the client apparatus 500 or the display section 607
of the server apparatus 600. By referencing the parental unlock
code displayed, the user can reregister the parental unlock code to
the remote controller 400.
[0168] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the example in
which one remote controller 400 is used is described, but the
present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of remote
controllers (400a, 400b) that respectively perform the two-way
communication with a plurality of client apparatuses 500 connected
to the home network 200 may be provided. In this case, the details
of the update of the content management table 730 of the remote
controller 400a may be transmitted to the remote controller 400b
through the client apparatus 500 and reflected to the content
management table 730 of the remote controller 400b.
[0169] Thus, for example, when the parental lock setting operation
is performed by using the remote controller 400a of the parent or
guardian, the parental lock information can be promptly set to the
remote controller 400b of the minor, which improves the convenience
for the user.
[0170] In addition, one of the remote controllers (400a or 400b)
holds a backup parental unlock code of the other remote controller
(400a or 400b), which is useful as a prevention measure of losing
the parental unlock code due to losing of one of the remote
controllers (400a or 400b).
(Setting Release Operation with Respect to Content to which
Parental Lock is Set)
[0171] Next, a setting release operation of the parental lock will
be described with reference to FIG. 21. FIG. 21 is a flowchart
showing the setting release operation of the parental lock by the
content management system 100.
[0172] As shown in FIG. 21, the operations of Steps S101 to S124
are performed. Let us assume that in Step S124, the user selects
the execution of the processing of the "parental lock" by using the
input operation section 405 on the menu screen 801 displayed on the
screen of the display section 404 of the remote controller 400. The
input operation section 405 supplies, to the UI processing section
412, the selection information R12 of the processing of the
"parental lock" selected by the user (Step S201).
[0173] Upon reception of the selection information R12 of the
"parental lock" processing from the input operation section 405,
the UI processing section 412 creates the display data of the
parental unlock code input screen 802 (shown in FIG. 16) based on
the selection information R12 and supplies the display request R13
including the display data to the display section 404. As a result,
the parental unlock code input screen 802 is displayed on the
screen of the display section 404.
[0174] The user references the parental unlock code input screen
802 displayed on the display section 404 and inputs the parental
unlock code by using the input operation section 405. The input
operation section 405 supplies the parental unlock code R14 input
by the user to the UI processing section 412.
[0175] Upon reception of the parental unlock code R14 from the
input operation section 405, the UI processing section 412 causes
the input parental unlock code to be displayed for confirmation on
the parental unlock code input screen 802 of the display section
404. The user confirms whether the parental unlock code displayed
is correct. When the parental unlock code is correct, the user
presses a specific key of the input operation section 405 and
inputs the fact that the parental unlock code to be input is
decided (Step S202).
[0176] The input operation section 405 notifies the UI processing
section 412 of the decision. In response to this notification, the
UI processing section 412 supplies, to the parental lock processing
section 415, a parental lock release request R15 including the
input parental unlock code and the content ID corresponding to the
content on which the release of the parental lock is decided to be
performed by the user in Step S123. Upon reception of the parental
lock release request R15, the parental lock processing section 415
reads the parental unlock code registered in the parental unlock
code field 734 (see, FIG. 17) in the corresponding record from the
content management table 730 based on the content ID included in
the parental lock release request R15. Then, the parental lock
processing section 415 compares the parental unlock code included
in the input parental lock release request R15 with the parental
unlock code read from the parental unlock code field 734 of the
content management table 730 (Step S203).
[0177] When it is judged that both the parental unlock codes
coincide (Yes in Step S204), the parental lock processing section
415 updates the value of the parental lock flag set in the parental
lock flag field 733 in the corresponding record from "with parental
lock" to "without parental lock". In addition, the parental lock
processing section 415 deletes the parental unlock code
corresponded to the parental lock flag (Step S205).
[0178] When the setting of the parental lock is released as
described above, the parental lock processing section 415 supplies,
to the UI processing section 412, a parental lock release
completion notification R21 including the content ID of the content
that has been subjected to the release of the parental lock. Upon
reception of the parental lock release completion notification R21
from the parental lock processing section 415, the UI processing
section 412 supplies, to the display section 404, a parental lock
release display request R22 including the content ID that has been
subjected to the release of the parental lock setting. Upon
reception of the parental lock release display request R22 from the
UI processing section 412, the display section 404 deletes the
graphic symbol 811 indicating that the parental lock is already set
on the display list of the program title corresponding to the
content that has been subjected to the release of the parental lock
setting (Step S206).
[0179] On the other hand, in Step S204, if it is judged that the
parental unlock codes do not coincide (No in Step S204), the
parental lock processing section 415 supplies a code mismatch
notification R23 to the UI processing section 412. Upon reception
of the code mismatch notification R23 from the parental lock
processing section 415, the UI processing section 412 performs an
error processing so that the fact that an input error of the
parental unlock code occurs is indicated for the user through the
display section 404. After that, the UI processing section 412
causes the menu screen 801 to be displayed again on the display
section 404, thereby urging the user to perform a subsequent
operation (Step S124).
[0180] The description will be return to the case where the
parental lock setting is released. After the process of Step S206,
the parental lock processing section 415 of the remote controller
400 performs the processing as follows. The parental lock
processing section 415 transmits, to the client apparatus 500 by
using the optical communication section 402, a parental lock
release notification R24 including the content ID of the content
that has been subjected to the release of the parental lock and the
apparatus ID of the server apparatus 600a in which the data of the
content is accumulated (Step S207).
[0181] The list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500
receives the parental lock release notification R24 from the remote
controller 400 by using the optical communication section 511 (Step
S208). The list relay section 543 transmits a parental lock release
notification C10 including the content ID included in the parental
lock release notification R24 to the server apparatus 600a
corresponding to the apparatus ID included in the received parental
lock release notification R24 via the home network 200 (Step
S209).
[0182] Upon reception of the parental lock release notification C10
from the client apparatus 500, the parental lock processing section
633 of the server apparatus 600a performs the processing as
follows. Based on the content ID included in the parental lock
release notification C10, the parental lock processing section 633
updates the value of the parental lock flag set to the
corresponding content in the content list table 720 from "with
parental lock" to "without parental lock" (Step S210).
[0183] Next, the parental lock processing section 633 transmits an
update completion notification S3 including the apparatus ID and
the content ID included in the parental lock release notification
R24 to the client apparatus 500 via the home network 200 (Step
S211).
[0184] Upon reception of the update completion notification S3
(Step S212), the list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500
transmits an update completion notification C16 including the
apparatus ID and the content ID included in the update completion
notification S3 to the remote controller 400 by using the optical
communication section 511 (Step S213).
[0185] The parental lock processing section 415 of the remote
controller 400 receives the update completion notification C16 from
the client apparatus 500 (Step S214).
[0186] Even in a case where the parental lock settings for the
plurality of server apparatuses 600 are released, by performing the
setting release operation of the parental lock as described above,
the parental lock settings can be unified and managed by the remote
controller 400, with the result that the convenience for the user
is improved.
(Reproduction Operation of Content to which Parental Lock is
set)
[0187] Next, a reproduction operation of the content to which the
parental lock is set will be described with reference to FIG. 26.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the reproduction operation of the
content to which the parental lock is set by the content management
system 100.
[0188] As shown in FIG. 26, the operations of Steps S101 to S124
are performed. Let as assume that in Step S124, the execution of a
"reproduction" processing is selected by the user by using the
input operation section 405 on the menu screen 801 displayed on the
screen of the display section 404 of the remote controller 400. The
input operation section 405 supplies the selection information R12
of the "reproduction" processing selected by the user to the UI
processing section 412 (Step S401).
[0189] Upon reception of the selection information R12 of the
"reproduction" processing from the input operation section 405, the
UI processing section 412 creates display data of the parental
unlock code input screen 802 (shown in FIG. 16) based on the
selection information R12 and supplies the display request R13
including the display data to the display section 404. As a result,
the parental unlock code input screen 802 is displayed on the
screen of the display section 404.
[0190] The user references the parental unlock code input screen
802 displayed on the display section 404 and inputs the parental
unlock code by using the input operation section 405. The input
operation section 405 supplies the parental unlock code R14 input
by the user to the UI processing section 412.
[0191] Upon reception of the parental unlock code R14 from the
input operation section 405, the UI processing section 412 causes
the input parental unlock code to be displayed for conformation on
the parental unlock code input screen 802 of the display section
404. The user confirms whether the parental unlock code displayed
is correct. When the parental unlock code is correct, the user
presses a specific key of the input operation section 405 and
inputs the fact that the parental unlock code to be input is
decided (Step S402).
[0192] The input operation section 405 notifies the UI processing
section 412 of the decision. In response to this notification, the
UI processing section 412 supplies, to the parental lock processing
section 415, the parental lock release request R15 including the
input parental unlock code and the content ID corresponding to the
content that the user decides to reproduce in Step S123. Upon
reception of the parental lock release request R15, the parental
lock processing section 415 reads the parental unlock code
registered in the parental unlock code field 734 (see, FIG. 17) in
the corresponding record from the content management table 730
based on the content ID included in the parental lock release
request R15. Then, the parental lock processing section 415
compares the parental unlock code included in the input parental
lock release request R15 with the parental unlock code that is read
from the parental unlock code field 734 of the content management
table 730 (Step S403).
[0193] When it is judged that both the parental unlock codes
coincide (Yes in Step S404), the parental lock processing section
415 performs the following processing. That is, the parental lock
processing section 415 transmits, to the client apparatus 500 by
using the optical communication section 402, a reproduction request
R25 including the apparatus ID and the content ID corresponded to
the content selected by the user (Step S405).
[0194] The list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500
receives the reproduction request R25 from the remote controller
400 by using the optical communication section 511 (Step S406). The
list relay section 543 transmits a content reproduction request C11
including the content ID included in the reproduction request R25
to the server apparatus 600a corresponding to the apparatus ID
included in the received reproduction request R25 via the home
network 200 (Step S407).
[0195] The reproduction processing section 626 of the server
apparatus 600a receives the content reproduction request C11 from
the client apparatus 500 via the home network 200. Upon reception
of the content reproduction request C11, the reproduction
processing section 626 performs a reproduction processing with
respect to the content based on the content ID included in the
content reproduction request C11 (Step S408).
[0196] On the other hand, in Step S404, if it is judged that the
parental unlock codes do not coincide (No in Step S404), the
parental lock processing section 415 supplies the code mismatch
notification R23 to the UI processing section 412. Upon reception
of the code mismatch notification R23 from the parental lock
processing section 415, the UI processing section 412 performs an
error processing so that the fact that the input error of the
parental unlock code occurs is indicated for the user through the
display section 404. After that, the UI processing section 412
causes the menu screen 801 to be displayed again on the display
section 404, thereby urging the user to perform a subsequent
operation (Step S124).
(Move Operation of Content to which Parental Lock is Set)
[0197] Next, a move operation of the content to which the parental
lock is set will be described with reference to FIG. 22. FIG. 22 is
a flowchart showing the move operation of the content to which the
parental lock is set by the content management system 100.
[0198] As shown in FIG. 22, the operations of Steps S101 to S124
are performed. In Step S124, the user selects the execution of a
"move" processing by using the input operation section 405 on the
menu screen 801 displayed on the screen of the display section 404
of the remote controller 400. The input operation section 405
supplies, to the UI processing section 412, the selection
information R12 of the "move" processing selected by the user (Step
S301).
[0199] Upon reception of the selection information R12 of the
"move" processing from the input operation section 405, the UI
processing section 412 creates the display data of the parental
unlock code input screen 802 (shown in FIG. 16) based on the
selection information R12 and supplies the display request R13
including the display data to the display section 404. As a result,
the parental unlock code input screen 802 (shown in FIG. 16) is
displayed on the screen of the display section 404.
[0200] The user references the parental unlock code input screen
802 displayed on the display section 404 and inputs the parental
unlock code by using the input operation section 405. The input
operation section 405 supplies a parental unlock code R20 input by
the user to the UI processing section 412.
[0201] Upon reception of the parental unlock code R20 input from
the input operation section 405, the UI processing section 412
causes the input parental unlock code to be displayed for
confirmation on the parental unlock code input screen 802 of the
display section 404. The user confirms whether the parental unlock
code displayed is correct. When the parental unlock code is
correct, the user presses a specific key of the input operation
section 405 and inputs the fact that the parental unlock code to be
input is decided (Step S302).
[0202] The input operation section 405 notifies the UI processing
section 412 of the decision. In response to this notification, the
UI processing section 412 supplies, to the parental lock processing
section 415, a move authorization request R31 including the input
parental unlock code and the content ID corresponding to the
content that the user has decided to move in Step S123. Upon
reception of the move authorization request R31, the parental lock
processing section 415 reads the parental unlock code registered in
the parental unlock code field 734 (shown in FIG. 17) in the
corresponding record from the content management table 730 based on
the content ID included in the move authorization request R31.
Then, the parental lock processing section 415 compares the
parental unlock code included in the move authorization request R31
with the parental unlock code read from the parental unlock code
field 734 of the content management table 730 (Step S303).
[0203] In Step S304, if it is judged that the parental unlock codes
do not coincide (No in Step S304), the parental lock processing
section 415 supplies the code mismatch notification R23 to the UI
processing section 412. Upon reception of the code mismatch
notification R23 from the parental lock processing section 415, the
UI processing section 412 performs an error processing so that the
fact that an input error of the parental unlock code occurs is
indicated for the user through the display section 404. After that,
the UI processing section 412 causes the menu screen 801 to be
displayed again on the display section 404, thereby urging the user
to perform a subsequent operation (Step S124).
[0204] When it is judged that both the parental unlock codes
coincide (Yes in Step S304), the parental lock processing section
415 performs the operation as follows. The parental lock processing
section 415 gives an instruction to the UI processing section 412
to perform a processing so that the user selects one from among the
server apparatuses 600 as a move destination.
[0205] Upon reception of the instruction from the parental lock
processing section 415, the UI processing section 412 reads the
server name 702 from the server list table 710, creates display
data of the server selection screen 800 (shown in FIG. 11)
including the list of the server names 702, and supplies the
display request R4 including the display data to the display
section 404. The user references the server selection screen 800
and selects the server apparatus 600 as the move destination of the
content by using the input operation section 405. Herein, let as
assume that the server apparatus 600b is selected (Step S305).
[0206] The input operation section 405 supplies, to the UI
processing section 412, the move destination notification R28
including the apparatus ID of the server apparatus 600b selected as
the move destination by the user. Upon reception of the move
destination notification R28, the UI processing section 412
supplies, to the move processing section 416, the apparatus ID of
the server apparatus 600b as the move destination, which is
included in the move destination notification R28. Further, the UI
processing section 412 supplies, to the move processing section
416, the content ID included in the selection information R10
received in Step S123 and the apparatus ID of the server apparatus
600a as a move source, which is included in the server selection
request R5 received in Step S112.
[0207] Upon reception of those information items from the UI
processing section 412, the move processing section 416 transmits
the move request R29 including those information items to the
client apparatus 500 by using the optical communication section 402
(Step S306).
[0208] The list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500
receives the move request R29 from the remote controller 400 by
using the optical communication section 511 (Step S307). Based on
the apparatus ID of the server apparatus as the move source
included in the move request R29, the list relay section 543
transmits, to the corresponding server apparatus 600a, the move
request C12 including the apparatus ID of the server apparatus 600b
as the move destination and the content ID included in the move
request R29 (Step S308).
[0209] The move processing section 634 of the server apparatus 600a
as the move source receives the move request C12 from the client
apparatus 500 via the home network 200. The move processing section
634 reads data of the content corresponding to the content ID
included in the move request C12 from the content data storage
section 624. Subsequently, the move processing section 634
transmits the read content data to the corresponding server
apparatus 600b via the home network 200 based on the apparatus ID
of the server apparatus as the move destination, which is included
in the move request C12 (Step S309).
[0210] Upon completion of the transmission of the content data, the
move processing section 634 deletes the content data from the
content data storage section 624 (Step S310). The move processing
section 634 supplies a record deletion request to the content list
processing section 631 of the apparatus to which the move
processing section 634 itself belongs. Upon reception of the record
deletion request, the content list processing section 631 deletes
the information (record) as to the content moved in Step S310 from
the content list table 720 stored in the content list storage
section 632 (Step S311).
[0211] On the other hand, the server apparatus 600b as the move
destination performs the following processing. That is, the move
processing section 634 of the server apparatus 600b receives, via
the home network 200, data of the content transmitted in Step S310
from the server apparatus 600a as the move source (Step S312). The
move processing section 634 writes the data of the content received
in the content data storage section 624 thereof (Step S313).
Further, the move processing section 634 registers as a new record,
in the content list table 720 thereof, the content ID, the program
title, and the value of the parental lock flag that are the
information on the currently received content (Step S314).
[0212] The description will be returned to the operation of the
server apparatus 600a as the move source. Upon completion of the
move as described above, the content list processing section 631 of
the server apparatus 600a as the move source performs the following
processing. The content list processing section 631 transmits, to
the client apparatus 500 via the home network 200, a move
completion notification S4 including the information on the content
that have been moved, the apparatus ID thereof as the move source,
and the apparatus ID of the apparatus as the move destination (Step
S315).
[0213] Upon reception of the move completion notification S4 from
the server apparatus 600a via the home network 200 (Step S316), the
list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500 transmits a move
completion notification C13 to the remote controller 400 by using
the optical communication section 511 (Step S317). The move
completion notification C13 includes the information on the
content, the apparatus ID thereof as the move source, and the
apparatus ID of the apparatus as the move destination.
[0214] The parental lock processing section 415 of the remote
controller 400 receives the move completion notification C13 from
the client apparatus 500 (Step S318). Upon reception of the move
completion notification C13, the parental lock processing section
415 updates the content management table 730 stored in the content
list storage section 414 based on the information included in the
move completion notification C13 (Step S319). That is, the parental
lock processing section 415 deletes the information (record) as to
the already moved content of the server apparatus 600a as the move
source from the content management table 730 stored in the content
list storage section 414. In addition, the parental lock processing
section 415 adds the information (record) as to the already moved
content of the server apparatus 600b as the move destination to the
content management table 730. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an
example of the update of the content management table 730 because
of the move. In this example, described is a case where data of a
content whose content ID is "Program 2" stored in a server
apparatus whose apparatus ID is "Server 2" is moved to a server
apparatus whose apparatus ID is "Server 1". In the case of the
move, when the parental unlock code is included in the record of
the information on the content as the move source, the parental
lock processing section 415 performs the following processing
before the information on the content as the move source is
deleted. That is, the parental lock processing section 415 moves
the parental unlock code to the record of the information on the
content as the move destination on the content management table
730.
[0215] When the content management table 730 is updated, the
parental lock processing section 415 supplies an update completion
response R27 of the content management table 730 to the UI
processing section 412. Upon reception of the update completion
response R27, the UI processing section 412 creates display data of
a dialog screen 803 for causing the user to determine whether the
parental lock is set with respect to the moved content as shown in
FIG. 25, for example. Then, the UI processing section 412 supplies
the display request R4 including the display data of the created
dialog screen 803 to the display section 404.
[0216] Based on the display request R4 supplied from the UI
processing section 412, the display section 404 displays the dialog
screen 803 on the display screen thereof (Step S320). The user
references the dialog screen 803 displayed on the display section
404 and determines whether the parental lock is set or not by using
the input operation section 405. Herein, if the user performs the
input operation so that the parental lock is set by using the input
operation section 405 (Yes in Step S321), the process of the
flowchart is terminated with the parental lock being set with
respect to the content moved to the server apparatus 600b.
[0217] On the other hand, if the user performs the input operation
so that the parental lock is not set by using the input operation
section 405 (No in Step S321), the UI processing section 412
supplies a parental lock release request R30 to the parental lock
processing section 415. Upon reception of the parental lock release
request R30, the parental lock processing section 415 updates the
content management table 730 stored in the content list storage
section 414 (Step S322). That is, as shown in FIG. 24, the parental
lock processing section 415 updates the value of the parental lock
flag corresponding to the already moved content of the server
apparatus 600b as the move destination, which is added to the
content management table 730 in Step S319, from "with parental
lock" to "without parental lock", for example. Further, the
parental lock processing section 415 deletes the parental lock
management code that is associated with the content and registered
in the content management table 730.
[0218] Upon completion of the update of the content management
table 730, the parental lock processing section 415 performs the
following processing. That is, the parental lock processing section
415 transmits a parental lock release notification R32 including
the content ID of the content and the apparatus ID of the server
apparatus 600b as the move destination to the client apparatus 500
by using the optical communication section 402 (Step S323).
[0219] The list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500
receives the parental lock release notification R32 including the
set of the content ID of the content that is desired to be
subjected to the release of the parental lock and the apparatus ID
of the server apparatus 600b from the remote controller 400 by
using the optical communication section 511 (Step S324). Upon
reception of the parental lock release notification R32, the list
relay section 543 transmits a parental lock release request C14
including the content ID included in the parental lock release
notification R32 to the server apparatus 600b corresponding to the
apparatus ID included in the parental lock release notification R32
(Step S325).
[0220] The parental lock processing section 633 of the server
apparatus 600b receives the parental lock release request C14 from
the client apparatus 500 via the home network 200 (Step S326). Upon
reception of the parental lock release request C14, the parental
lock processing section 633 of the server apparatus 600b updates
the content list table 720 stored in the content list storage
section 632 thereof based on the parental lock release request C14
(Step S327). That is, based on the content ID included in the
parental lock release request C14, the parental lock processing
section 633 retrieves the corresponding record on the content list
table 720 and updates the value of the parental lock flag in the
record from "with parental lock" to "without parental lock".
[0221] Upon completion of the update of the content list table 720,
the parental lock processing section 633 of the server apparatus
600b transmits a parental lock release completion notification S5
to the client apparatus 500 via the home network 200 (Step
S328).
[0222] The list relay section 543 of the client apparatus 500
receives the parental lock release completion notification S5 from
the server apparatus 600b via the home network 200 (Step S329).
Upon reception of the parental lock release completion notification
S5, the list relay section 543 transmits a parental lock release
completion notification C15 to the remote controller 400 by using
the optical communication section 511 (Step S330).
[0223] The parental lock processing section 415 of the remote
controller 400 receives the parental lock release completion
notification C15 from the client apparatus 500 by using the optical
communication section 402 (Step S331). In this way, the parental
lock is set with respect to the content that has been moved.
[0224] With the parental lock setting operation described above,
even in a case where the minor wants to move the content with
his/her own server apparatus 600, the move operation without the
use of the remote controller 400 is not allowed. As a result, the
parent or guardian can remotely set the parental lock by using the
remote controller 400, which improves the convenience for the
user.
[0225] The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to
the above embodiment and can be variously modified without
departing from the gist of the present invention.
* * * * *