JP2002238043A - User terminal and information-providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user terminal and an information-providing method with which information provided in a distribution system can be utilized effectively. SOLUTION: A viewer device 5 displays an identification mark, corresponding to relating information on a display section 53 during broadcast of digital contents distributed from a television station center 3 and stores the relating information in cross-reference with the identification mark to a storage section 55, when a user designates the identification mark. Then the user terminal displays the relating information stored in the storage section 55, in response to a request entered from the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a distribution system for distributing digital contents and the like, and more particularly to a distribution system for providing an interactive service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, digital broadcasting has been realized.
In this digital broadcasting, an interactive service that can provide information in cooperation with a program is also realized. In the interactive service, a receiving device such as an STB (set top box) displays related information of a program on a display device according to a user's remote control operation or the like during program broadcasting. For example, when a drama is being broadcast, the user performs predetermined remote control operations to obtain information on costumes worn by actors,
It is possible to acquire information on restaurants in a meal scene.

[0003]

However, in the above-described interactive service, the related information of the program can be used only during the broadcast of the program, so that it can be used even after the end of the program. Did not.

[0004] Further, the related information to be provided includes information such as a map of a shop and a prize, but in order to use such information, it is necessary for the user to take notes, which is complicated.

[0005] In the above-mentioned distribution system, there has been a demand from the industry to provide information suitable for each user.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide a user terminal and an information providing method capable of effectively using information provided in a distribution system. Another object of the present invention is to enhance the convenience of the distribution system. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to provide effective information in a distribution system.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a user terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a digital content and related information related to the digital content to each viewing device. A user terminal for a distribution system for distributing, wherein a means for receiving an input of a storage instruction for related information during broadcasting of digital content, and storing the related information having received the storage instruction in a predetermined storage unit And a means for displaying, on a predetermined display unit, related information stored and stored in the storage unit in response to a request input by a user.

According to such a configuration, in a system for providing related information relating to a program in a broadcast program or the like for distributing digital content, a user can store desired related information in a storage unit. The user can freely browse related information without being restricted by the broadcasting time frame. As a result, the information provided to the user can be effectively used, and the convenience of the system can be improved.

[0009] An input from the user may be accepted for the displayed related information, and a process regarding the related information may be requested from a predetermined computer.

[0010] During the broadcasting of the digital content, a mark corresponding to the related information may be displayed on the display unit. When the user designates the mark, the related information corresponding to the mark is stored and stored. It may be stored in a unit.

[0011] The type of related information set by the user in advance may be held, or a mark of the related information of the set type may be displayed on the display unit. This allows
Since information suitable for a user can be provided, effective information can be provided.

[0012] A list of related information identification codes for identifying related information set based on user attributes may be obtained, or the related information indicated by the list may be obtained and displayed on the display unit. Good. As a result, information suitable for the user can be provided, and effective information can be provided.

An information providing method according to a second aspect of the present invention is an information providing method for a distribution system that distributes digital content and related information related to the digital content to each viewing device. In the viewing device, during the broadcasting of the digital content, an instruction to accumulate the related information is received, and the related information having received the accumulation instruction is stored and stored in a predetermined storage device. And displaying related information stored in the storage device in response to the request.

According to such a configuration, in a system for providing related information related to a program in a broadcast program or the like for distributing digital content, a user can store desired related information in a storage unit. The user can freely browse related information without being restricted by the broadcasting time frame. As a result, the information provided to the user can be effectively used, and the convenience of the system can be improved.

[0015] The viewing device may receive an input from a user with respect to the displayed related information, and request a predetermined computer to perform a process related to the related information. Processing related to the related information may be performed according to a request.

In the viewing device, a mark corresponding to the related information may be displayed during the broadcasting of the digital content, and the related information corresponding to the mark specified by the user may be stored in the storage device. Good.

[0017] In the viewing device, the type of the related information set in advance by the user may be held, and a mark of the related information of the set type may be displayed.

[0018] A list of related information identification codes for identifying related information set based on the attributes of the user may be supplied to each of the viewing devices, and the viewing device acquires the related information indicated by the list. May be displayed. As a result, information suitable for the user can be provided, and effective information can be provided.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
Server 1 of the program production company and server 2 of the information provider
, TV station center 3, management center 4, viewing device 5
And.

The server 1 of the program production company supplies the program contents and the program accompanying information accompanying the program to the TV station center 3. The program ancillary information is information related to the contents of the program, and includes, for example, information about stores, articles, and the like that appear in the program.

The server 2 of the information providing company supplies merchandise and service information on merchandise and services to the management center 4 and the like. The product / service information includes, for example, information of a sold product (product image, price, etc.), prize information, privilege information, and the like.

The TV station center 3 acquires program contents from the server 1 of the program production company, generates program information corresponding to the program contents (for example, information on the program content ID and broadcast time, etc.), and handles the program. The CM data (ID, insertion position in the program, etc.) is supplied to the management center 4 together with the program information and the program accompanying information. And
The predetermined identification mark information corresponding to the program or the like is stored in the management center 4
To get from. This identification mark information is a mark (identification mark) for notifying the viewer that program accompanying information and product / service information (related information) related to the broadcast content can be provided during the broadcast of the program or CM. Is displayed on the viewing device 5. The TV station center 3 distributes the identification mark information, program content, CM data, CM content, related information (program accompanying information, product / service information), and the like to each of the viewing devices 5 via a predetermined transmission path. Broadcast.

The management center 4 includes a control unit 41 and a storage unit 4
3 and a communication unit 45. The control unit 41 provides a user ID to each member who has received a predetermined member registration request.
Is given, and predetermined member information is created based on personal information and the like obtained from the user, and stored in the storage unit 43. The member information is, for example, as shown in FIG.
User ID, name, address, phone number, email address,
Includes data such as preferences (favorite genres, etc.).

Further, the control unit 41 is adapted to automatically or automatically input the program information, program accompanying information, CM data, and related information obtained from the server 2 of the information providing company according to the input operation of the person in charge. The identification mark information is created based on. The identification mark information includes an identification mark (an image such as an icon or a character string), an ID of the identification mark,
The display conditions of the identification mark (which program or which part of which CM to display) and the I of the related information (program accompanying information, product / service information) associated with the identification mark
D, etc. Then, the generated identification mark information and the product / service information acquired from the server 2 of the information providing company are supplied to the television station center 3. Note that the identification mark information may include, for example, data relating to the genre of information (program accompanying information, merchandise, service information) associated with the identification mark, and some codes of the identification mark ID indicate the genre. It may be.

Further, the control unit 41 sends the
Various requests (instructions, inquiries, etc.) are received and processed. For example, when an order request for a product is received, personal authentication is performed with reference to registration data and the like in the member database 43a, and predetermined order data is created and supplied to the server 2 of the corresponding information providing company.

The control unit 41 acquires a usage log from each viewing device 5 and stores it in the storage unit 43. Usage logs are
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a terminal ID of the viewing device 5, a user ID, a viewing history (viewing date / time, viewing channel, etc.), a response history (response history) indicating a user's response to information provided in the program, and the like. Date and time, ID of identification mark, response contents)
And other data.

The storage unit 43 has a member database 43a for storing member information (see FIG. 2) and usage logs (see FIG. 3) for each member. In addition, the storage unit 43 stores product / service information acquired from the server 2 of the information providing company, program information and program accompanying information acquired from the TV station center 3, CM data, identification mark information created for each program, and the like. Further, the storage unit 43 stores a program executed by the control unit 41 and various data necessary for processing.

The viewing device 5 is a device for a user to watch a program, and includes a transmission / reception unit 51, a display unit 53, and a storage unit 55.

The transmission / reception unit 51 is, for example, an STB (set
The display unit 53 includes a receiving terminal having a communication function such as a top box), receives program contents distributed from the television station center 3 or the like, and performs predetermined decoding processing on received data to obtain digital contents. To be displayed.

The transmission / reception unit 51 stores an identification mark list in which the genre of the identification mark to be displayed is set for each user in a storage area (not shown). In accordance with the received identification mark information, each identification mark is displayed on the display unit 53 while selecting the identification mark to be displayed. The identification mark list is set in advance by each user using an input device (not shown) (not shown) for inputting data to the transmission / reception unit 51.

When a predetermined input operation is performed on the identification mark displayed on the screen, for example, the selection mark is selected by a remote control operation, the transmitting / receiving section 51 responds thereto.
The related information (program accompanying information, product / service information) associated with the identification mark is stored in the storage unit 55.

When a request to browse the information stored in the storage unit 55 is input, the transmission / reception unit 51 reads out the specified information from the storage unit 55 and causes the display unit 53 to display the specified information. In addition, for example, when an instruction / inquiry such as a product order or reservation is input with respect to the displayed information, various requests are transmitted to the management center 4 or the like.

The transmission / reception unit 51 generates a use log and stores it in a storage area (not shown). Then, the usage log is transmitted to the management center 4 at a predetermined timing via a predetermined network (such as the Internet).

The display unit 53 includes a monitor for displaying the program contents and the like supplied from the transmission / reception unit 51. Storage unit 5
5 includes a storage device such as a hard disk device,
Related information (program accompanying information,
(Product / service information).

Next, an example of the display screen of the viewing device 5 is shown in FIG.
Shown in For example, during the broadcast of the program, an identification mark is displayed on the screen of the viewing device 5 as shown in FIG. 4 (A), and when the viewer selects the identification mark by remote control operation or the like, the information associated with the identification mark is viewed. It is stored in the storage unit 55 of the device 5. Thereafter, at an arbitrary time, a menu screen as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed by a predetermined input operation. When “view accumulated information” is selected from the menu screen, the menu screen shown in FIG. 4C is displayed. Thus, a list of the stored information is displayed. When the user selects desired information from among these, each information is displayed on the screen in accordance with the selection. Here, when one piece of information is selected, for example, as shown in FIG. 4D, a screen for supplying more detailed information may be displayed. For example, when "reservation" is selected and input from the processing menu to reserve a restaurant, FIG.
An input screen as shown in (E) is displayed, an input relating to the reservation is accepted, the viewing device 5 communicates with the management center 4, and a reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. You may.

Next, the system operation of the distribution system according to this embodiment will be described. First, an operation when a viewer uses merchandise / service information provided during a program or program-related information will be described with reference to FIG.

The server 1 of the program production company supplies the program contents and the program accompanying information to the television station center 3 (S
1). In response, the television station center 3 supplies program information, program accompanying information, CM data, etc. corresponding to the program content to the management center 4 (S2). The server 2 of the information providing company supplies the product / service information to the management center 4 (S3).

In the management center 4, based on data obtained from the server 2 of the information providing company or the TV station center 3,
The identification mark information is created (S4) and supplied to the television station center 3 together with the product / service information (S5).

The television station center 3 distributes identification mark information, program contents, CM data, CM contents, related information (program accompanying information, merchandise / service information) and the like to each viewing device 5 (S6). The viewing device 5 displays the identification data at a predetermined location of the broadcast program according to the identification mark list and the identification mark information (S7). When the viewer performs an input operation for instructing accumulation of information associated with the identification mark while the identification mark is displayed, the viewing device 5 responds accordingly to the designated identification mark and the designated identification mark. The associated information is stored (S8). Then, for example, when the viewer inputs a request for browsing the stored information to the viewing device 5 after the end of the program, the viewing device 5
Displays the stored information, and accepts input of requests such as instructions and inquiries as necessary (S9). The viewing device 5 requests the management center 4 or the like to process the input instruction / inquiry or the like (S10).

The management center 4 authenticates the requesting viewing device 5 and the user (S11), and if the authentication result is correct, performs processing for instructions and inquiries, and data necessary for the processing (for example, Product order data, etc.)
Is generated and supplied to the server 2 of the information providing company (S
12).

As described above, when providing information related to a program in a broadcast program or the like, a predetermined mark is displayed, and corresponding information is provided to the viewing device 5 or the like in accordance with designation of the mark by the viewer. By accumulating the information and allowing the viewer to refer to and use the accumulated information later, the information can be freely provided without being restricted by the broadcast time frame. As a result, the information can be effectively used, and the convenience of the system can be improved. In addition, information on the genre of the content suitable for the user is registered in advance, and a mark or the like corresponding to the registered genre is selected and displayed on the viewing device 5, thereby providing information suitable for the user. It becomes possible, and effective information can be provided.

Note that, for example, the information terminal (including a mobile phone, a personal computer, a PDA, etc.) may be made to be able to refer to and use each piece of information that the viewer has instructed to store. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, an information terminal such as a mobile phone connects to the management center 4 according to a user's input operation (S21), and transmits a user ID and the like.
Authentication by the management center 4 is received (S22).

The management center 4 has a member database 43a.
The user searches for the ID of the identification mark stored in the viewing device 5 with reference to the usage log stored in
23). Then, when the ID of the corresponding identification mark is specified, the related information associated with the identification mark is supplied to the requesting information terminal and displayed (S24). At this time, it is converted into the most suitable information for the information terminal (eg, HTML or description language for mobile phones (eg, CHTML, etc.)) or supplied with information unique to the information terminal (for example, a destination telephone number, etc.). Is also good. On the other hand, in the information terminal, when the user inputs an instruction / inquiry of the displayed information, for example, a product order or a reservation, a request for a corresponding process is transmitted to the management center 4 or the like. (S2
5). The management center 4 performs processing in response to instructions and inquiries from the information terminal, and supplies data necessary for the processing (eg, product ordering data) to the server 2 of the information providing company (S26).

As described above, even if the information terminal is used, the viewer can use the information accumulated in the viewing device 5. When searching for a usage log, a search condition such as a channel, a category, or a keyword may be received from the information terminal, and information corresponding to the search condition may be searched and supplied to the information terminal.

Further, the present system may further include a function of providing each viewing device 5 with digital contents suitable for the user. The operation of this system in this case will be described with reference to FIG. The server 2 of the information providing company supplies the product / service information to the management center 4 (S31). Using the product / service information acquired from the server 2 of the information providing company, the management center 4 generates recommendation information indicating the ID of the product / service information to be received by the viewing device 5 for each viewing device 5 (S32). ).

In the generation of the recommendation information, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, based on a reception condition list or the like indicating the condition of the recipient of each product / service information, the user corresponding to the recipient condition is registered in the member database 43a. Search from member information etc. registered in. Then, when a user corresponding to the receiver condition is detected, the recommendation information corresponding to the viewing apparatus 5 of the user includes the I / O of the corresponding product / service information in the recommendation information.
Record D. Note that the reception condition list may be provided from the server 2 of the information providing company, or may be subjected to a predetermined analysis (how to use) with reference to the member information and usage log of each user registered in the storage unit 43. What kind of product /
(E.g., whether service information is used) or the like, and may be created based on the analysis result. The viewing device 5 acquires and stores the recommendation information of the viewing device 5 from the management center 4 at a predetermined timing (every predetermined time, at the time of a request from the viewing device 5, etc.) (S33).

The product / service information is supplied from the information providing company server 2 to the television station center 3 via the management center 4 or directly, and is distributed from the television station center 3 to each of the viewing devices 5 (S34). ). Then, the viewing device 5 acquires the product / service information indicated by the recommendation information from the information distributed from the television station center 3, and causes the display unit 53 to display the product / service information (S35).

The viewing device 5 sends various requests to the management center 4 or the like when the displayed information is input, for example, by a remote control operation or the like, such as an order or reservation of a product. It is transmitted (S36). The management center 4 performs a process in response to an inquiry or the like from the information terminal and supplies data necessary for the process (for example, product order data) to the server 2 of the information providing company (S3).
7). As a result, information suitable for the user can be provided, so that effective information can be provided.

The recommended information is stored in an information terminal (including a mobile phone, a personal computer, a PDA, etc.).
You may make it available from. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, an information terminal such as a mobile phone connects to the management center 4 in accordance with a user's input operation (S41).
The user ID and the like are transmitted, and authentication by the management center 4 is performed (S42). The management center 4 refers to the storage unit 43 to search for recommendation information of the viewing device 5 corresponding to the request source (S43). When the corresponding recommendation information is detected, the product / service information indicated by the recommendation information is supplied to the requesting information terminal and displayed (S4).
4).

In the information terminal, for the displayed information,
For example, when an instruction / inquiry of a product order or reservation is input by the user, a request for processing corresponding to the input is transmitted to the management center 4 or the like (S45). The management center 4 performs processing for instructions and inquiries from the information terminal, and supplies data necessary for the processing (for example, product ordering data) to the server 2 of the information providing company (S4).
6). In this way, even if an information terminal is used, the recommendation information set for each viewing device 5 can be used.

In the above description, when the viewer selects the identification mark, the related information associated with the identification mark is stored in the storage unit of the viewing device 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. The related information associated with the selected identification mark may be stored and managed by the management center 4. Regarding the system operation in this case,
This will be described with reference to FIG.

Identification mark information is generated by the management center 4, and program contents and the like are distributed from the television station center 3 to each of the viewing devices 5. The processing up to the display of the identification mark is the same as in the above embodiment (S1 to S7 in FIG. 5).

When the viewer performs an input operation for instructing storage of information associated with the identification mark while the identification mark is displayed on the viewing device 5, the viewing device 5
The management center 4 sends the identification mark ID of the specified identification mark.
(S51). In response, the management center 4
Registers the specified identification mark ID for each viewing device 5 (or each member) (S52).

For example, after the program ends, the viewing device 5 requests the list of stored information from the management center 4 in accordance with the input operation of the viewer, and A request for browsing related information is made (S53). The management center 4 supplies the requested related information to the viewing device 5 and causes the viewing device 5 to display it (S5).
4). The viewing device 5 requests the management center 4 or the like to process the instruction / inquiry when the request for the instruction / inquiry is input by the viewer for the displayed information (S55).

The management center 4 authenticates the requesting viewing device 5 and the user (S56), and if the authentication result is correct, performs processing for instructions and inquiries, etc., and performs data necessary for the processing (for example, Product order data, etc.)
Is supplied to the server 2 of the information providing company (S57). In this case, since the viewing device 5 does not need to internally hold the information associated with the identification mark, the storage unit 55
May not be provided. In addition, I of the selected identification mark
The timing of notifying D to the management center 4 is arbitrary,
For example, the IDs of the selected identification marks are accumulated and stored (for example, temporarily stored in a non-volatile memory), and are collectively collected at a predetermined timing such as at the end of a program or at a predetermined time interval. 4 may be notified.

In the case where information suitable for the user is provided using the recommendation information, only the product / service information indicated by the recommendation information among the product / service information distributed from the television station center 3 is described above. Is received by the viewing device 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the viewing device 5 requests the management center 4 for the product / service information indicated in the recommendation information and acquires the product / service information from the management center 4. It may be. In this case, the viewing device 5
Since it is not necessary to internally store the product / service information indicated by the recommendation information, the storage unit 55 may not be provided.

The means for supplying each data from the program production company or the information providing company to the management center 4 is not limited to communication, but is optional, and a medium storing each data is sent to an organization which manages the management center 4. And so on.

The data transmission path to each viewing device 5 includes, for example, various networks such as a satellite network, a cable television network, the Internet, and a terrestrial radio network.

The means for receiving the member registration request is arbitrary, and the application may be received at a postcard or at a store, or may be received at a predetermined site on the Internet. Further, the management center 4 may receive the information from the viewing device 5.

Note that, for example, a control unit, a storage unit, an input unit,
When the viewing device 5 is configured by a computer (including a personal computer) including a communication unit, a display unit, and the like, the transmission / reception unit 51 is realized by a control unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, and an input unit, and the display unit performs the above-described operation. The display unit 53 may be realized, and the storage unit 55 may be realized by a storage unit.

The system of the present invention can be realized by using a general computer system without using a dedicated system. For example, a computer readable recording medium (F
D, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.) and distributes the program, and by installing the program on a computer, a server 1 of a program production company, a server 2 of an information provider, a television station center 3, The management center 4, the viewing device 5, and the like may be configured. Alternatively, the program may be stored in a disk device of a server device on a network such as the Internet, and may be superimposed on a carrier wave and downloaded to a computer. In the case where the above-described functions are realized by the OS sharing or the OS and the application being jointly used, only the part other than the OS may be stored in the medium and distributed. You may download it.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the user can freely browse the related information without being limited by time, the related information can be effectively used and the convenience of the system can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining member information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a usage log.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the viewing device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a system operation when a user uses merchandise / service information provided during a program;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a system operation when each piece of information for which a user instructs storage is used from an information terminal.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a system operation when providing digital contents having contents suitable for a user.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a reception condition list.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a system operation when recommendation information is used from an information terminal.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a system operation in a case where information associated with an identification mark selected by a user is stored and managed by a management center.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 server of program production company 2 server of information providing company 3 television station center 4 management center 41 control unit 43 storage unit 43a member database 45 communication unit 5 viewing device 51 transmission / reception unit 53 display unit 55 storage unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04H 1/00 H04H 1/00 B H04N 5/44 H04N 5/44 Z 5/765 5/91 L (72 ) Inventor Toru Yamashita 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo NTT Data Corporation (72) Inventor Hironobu Fukunaga 3-3-1 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo NTT Corporation F-term (reference) in TT data 5C025 BA30 CA02 CB10 DA04 DA10 5C053 FA07 FA20 FA21 FA23 JA21 LA07 LA11 LA14 5C064 BA07 BB10 BC18 BC23 BC25 BD02 BD08

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A user terminal for a distribution system for distributing digital content and related information related to the digital content to each of the viewing devices, wherein a storage instruction of the related information is provided during broadcasting of the digital content. Means for receiving the input of the storage instruction, means for storing and storing the related information having received the storage instruction in a predetermined storage storage unit, and the related information stored and stored in the storage storage unit in response to a request input from a user. A user terminal for displaying information on a predetermined display unit. 2. The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein an input from the user is received with respect to the displayed related information, and a process regarding the related information is requested to a predetermined computer. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a mark corresponding to the related information is displayed on the display unit while the digital content is being broadcast, and the related information corresponding to the mark specified by the user is stored in the storage unit. The user terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The use according to claim 3, wherein a type of the related information set in advance by a user is held, and a mark of the related information of the set type is displayed on the display unit. Terminal. 5. Acquiring a list of related information identification codes for identifying related information set based on an attribute of a user, acquiring related information indicated by the list, and displaying the acquired information on the display unit. The user terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. An information providing method for a distribution system for distributing digital content and related information related to the digital content to each of the viewing devices, wherein the viewing device performs a process of broadcasting the digital content, A storage instruction of the related information is received, the related information having received the storage instruction is stored and stored in a predetermined storage device, and the viewing device is stored and stored in the storage device in response to a request input from a user. And displaying related information. 7. The viewing device accepts an input from a user with respect to the displayed related information, and requests a predetermined computer to perform a process related to the related information. 7. The information providing method according to claim 6, wherein a process related to the related information is performed in response to the request. 8. The viewing device, wherein a mark corresponding to the related information is displayed during the broadcasting of the digital content, and the related information corresponding to the mark specified by the user is stored in the storage device. The information providing method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the viewing device holds a type of related information set by a user in advance, and displays a mark of the related information of the set type. Information provision method. 10. A list of related information identification codes for identifying related information, which is set based on an attribute of a user, is supplied to each viewing device, and the viewing device acquires the related information indicated by the list. The information providing method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the information is displayed.