An apparatus and method is disclosed for preventing a viewer from switching from a channel when an advertisement is being displayed on the channel. The apparatus and method comprises an advertisement controller in a video playback device that (1) prevents a viewer of a direct (non-recorded) broadcast from switching channels when an advertisement is displayed, and (2) prevents a viewer of a recorded program from fast forwarding the recorded program in order to skip past advertisements that were recorded with the program. A viewer may either watch the advertisements or pay a fee in order to be able to change channels or fast forward when the advertisements are being displayed.

A management apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to broadcast an activation request to a plurality of information processing devices having a reception period during which the activation request is received. The reception period occurs in a predetermined cycle. The processor is configured to receive a confirmation response from first information processing devices among the plurality of information processing devices. The first information processing devices receive the activation request. The processor is configured to issue an activation instruction to a predetermined number of second information processing devices among the first information processing devices. The activation instruction instructs to activate the second information processing devices. The processor is configured to issue, to the first information processing devices other than the second information processing devices, an activation prohibition instruction to prohibit activation.

A management apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to broadcast an activation request to a plurality of information processing devices having a reception period during which the activation request is received. The reception period occurs in a predetermined cycle. The processor is configured to receive a confirmation response from first information processing devices among the plurality of information processing devices. The first information processing devices receive the activation request. The processor is configured to issue an activation instruction to a predetermined number of second information processing devices among the first information processing devices. The activation instruction instructs to activate the second information processing devices. The processor is configured to issue, to the first information processing devices other than the second information processing devices, an activation prohibition instruction to prohibit activation.

A configuration in which a reception device can determine whether or not data reception via a network is permitted on the basis of signaling data is implemented. A class identifier indicating a group of reception devices or users that are permitted to perform data reception via a network is recorded in signaling data transmitted from a transmission device to a reception device. A reception device determines whether or not a class identifier is identical to a class identifier set to a reception device or a user and performs data reception via a network when the class identifiers are identical to each other. A URL base pattern applied to data reception via a broadcast wave or a network is recorded in signaling data, and a reception device performs data acquisition to which the URL base pattern is applied.

A configuration in which a reception device can determine whether or not data reception via a network is permitted on the basis of signaling data is implemented. A class identifier indicating a group of reception devices or users that are permitted to perform data reception via a network is recorded in signaling data transmitted from a transmission device to a reception device. A reception device determines whether or not a class identifier is identical to a class identifier set to a reception device or a user and performs data reception via a network when the class identifiers are identical to each other. A URL base pattern applied to data reception via a broadcast wave or a network is recorded in signaling data, and a reception device performs data acquisition to which the URL base pattern is applied.

A digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of executing a function with a higher added value is provided. A broadcast receiving apparatus configured to receive broadcasting data on digital broadcasting is used. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a broadcast receiving unit configured to receive broadcasting data containing coded video data regarding a broadcasting program of the digital broadcasting and control information for the broadcasting program; a video decoding unit configured to decode the coded video data received by the broadcast receiving unit to reproduce program video information; a display unit configured to display the program video information reproduced by the video decoding unit; a communication unit configured to transmit viewing permission request data to a predetermined portable information terminal in a case where a broadcasting program that a user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view is a program on which viewing limit is to be imposed, the communication unit being configured to receive response data from the portable information terminal, the response data responding to the viewing permission request data; an authentication information storing unit configured to store terminal identification information and authentication information, the predetermined portable information terminal being allowed to be identified by the terminal identification information; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: control the video decoding unit or the display unit so as not to limit viewing of the broadcasting program that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view in a case where the response data received by the communication unit indicates a display permission response and both of terminal identification information and authentication information contained in the display permission response respectively coincide with the terminal identification information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storing unit; and control the video decoding unit or the display unit so as to limit the viewing of the broadcasting program that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view in a case where any of the terminal identification information and the authentication information contained in the display permission response does not coincide with corresponding one of the terminal identification information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storing unit even though the response data received by the communication unit indicates the display permission response.

A system and method of controlling a digital radio broadcast receiver in a vehicle includes: detecting an instruction to activate the digital radio broadcast receiver; accessing a software application at the vehicle in response to the instruction; and activating the digital radio broadcast receiver in the vehicle at the direction of the software application.

A system and method of controlling a digital radio broadcast receiver in a vehicle includes: detecting an instruction to activate the digital radio broadcast receiver; accessing a software application at the vehicle in response to the instruction; and activating the digital radio broadcast receiver in the vehicle at the direction of the software application.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods for use in playing back content. Some of these methods access a content package comprising media content to be locally played back; detect, as defined by the content package, whether a remote secondary device is available with which a connection can be established; determine whether an authorization to establish the connection has been confirmed; establish, when the authorization is confirmed, a communication connection; determine, as instructed by the content package and when the communication with the secondary device is established, whether one or more commands are received from the secondary device; and implement, as instructed by the content package and when it is determined that the one or more commands are received from the secondary device, the one or more commands in controlling playback experience of the media content.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods for use in playing back content. Some of these methods access a content package comprising media content to be locally played back; detect, as defined by the content package, whether a remote secondary device is available with which a connection can be established; determine whether an authorization to establish the connection has been confirmed; establish, when the authorization is confirmed, a communication connection; determine, as instructed by the content package and when the communication with the secondary device is established, whether one or more commands are received from the secondary device; and implement, as instructed by the content package and when it is determined that the one or more commands are received from the secondary device, the one or more commands in controlling playback experience of the media content.