JP4239061B2 - Content management apparatus, content management method, content management program, and content management program storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a content management apparatus, and is suitable for application to, for example, a notebook personal computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, personal computers (notebook personal computers and desktop personal computers) adapted to receive various television programs by having a television tuner have begun to spread.
[0003]
As such a personal computer, for example, a video display process for displaying a TV program video in real time on the display unit and allowing the user to view the TV program, a video recording process for recording the TV program, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide: Electric Program) Some of them are designed to execute various processes such as an EPG display process for displaying (Guide) on a display unit. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002 135700 (page 4, page 6 and page 11, FIG. 1 and FIG. 16)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in a personal computer having such a configuration, for example, when a user wants to watch a television program, a selection operation for selecting a video display process from various processes is performed via the operation input unit, and a television program to be viewed It is necessary to input information (for example, a name of a TV program, a channel number, etc.) for specifying the ID.
[0006]
As a result, there has been a problem that it takes a considerable amount of time from when the user desires to watch a television program to when the video display processing for the television program is started.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and is intended to realize a content management apparatus capable of quickly and surely starting execution of processing for content.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, a video object composed of a picture corresponding to the video of the content currently being broadcast is added. For multiple channels Display means for displaying and displaying a program activation object associated with the content processing program; A pattern updating means for sequentially updating the pattern of the video object at predetermined intervals during the broadcasting of the content based on the video of the content; That the video object and the program launch object are associated. While broadcasting content Detecting means for detecting and processing the content corresponding to the video object whose association is detected by the detecting means by the content processing program corresponding to the program activation object whose association is detected by the detecting means By doing so, the video of the content currently being broadcast is stored in a predetermined storage means. And a processing means.
[0009]
User is currently broadcasting content While watching the design of video objects for multiple channels that are updated sequentially corresponding to the video of A video object corresponding to the desired content; Store desired content Content that is currently being broadcast simply by associating the program launch object associated with the program for executing the process Out of Target desired content Record The processing can be started reliably.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
(1) Configuration of notebook personal computer
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a notebook personal computer) as a whole, and a memory 3 as a work area is provided for a control unit 2 for overall control of the notebook personal computer 1. It is connected.
[0012]
In practice, the control unit 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2A and a North Bridge 2B for controlling the CPU 2A, the memory 3, and the like.
[0013]
The control unit 2 includes an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) encoder 5, a display control unit 7 for controlling a display unit 6 including a liquid crystal display, and an IEEE (Institute of Institute), via a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 4. Electrical and Electronics Engineers) IEEE1394 interface 8 for connecting to an external device (not shown) in accordance with the 1394 specification, PC card interface 9 for inserting a PC card having a wireless communication function, and South Bridge 10 Is connected.
[0014]
A hard disk drive 11, a Bluetooth module 12 for providing a wireless communication function compliant with Bluetooth, and a memory stick (trademark of Sony Corporation) are inserted into the south bridge 10. A memory stick interface 13, a USB interface 14 for connecting to an external device not shown in conformity with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) specification, an operation input control unit 16 for controlling the operation input unit 15, the Internet or LAN ( A network interface 17 for connecting to an external network such as (Local Area Network) is connected.
[0015]
The operation input unit 15 includes a keyboard 15A, a touch pad 15B that functions as a pointing device, a left button 15C, and a right button 15D (which correspond to a left click button and a right click button in a general mouse). . The user can move a pointer (described later) displayed on the display unit 6 by moving the finger while the finger is in contact with the touch pad 15B.
[0016]
By the way, the notebook computer 1 is connected to a terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna (not shown). For example, the notebook personal computer 1 receives a television broadcast wave transmitted from a terrestrial broadcasting station (not shown) via the terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna. When it is captured inside, the captured television broadcast wave is input to each of the first television tuner 18A, the second television tuner 18B, and the third television tuner 18C.
[0017]
Each of the first TV tuner 18A, the second TV tuner 18B, and the third TV tuner 18C individually performs a predetermined channel selection process and a demodulation process for the TV broadcast wave based on an instruction given from the control unit 2 individually. To generate TV signals S1A, S1B, and S1C corresponding to the channel number based on the command, and the generated TV signals S1A, S1B, and S1C are respectively generated as the first video decoder 19A and the second video decoder 19B. And input to the third video decoder 19C.
[0018]
Each of the first video decoder 19A, the second video decoder 19B, and the third video decoder 19C performs a predetermined decoding process on the television signals S1A, S1B, and S1C based on an instruction given individually from the control unit 2. When executed, the video signals S2A, S2B, and S2C are generated.
[0019]
The control unit 2 individually controls the first video decoder 19A, the second video decoder 19B, and the third video decoder 19C, so that the first video decoder 19A, the second video decoder 19B, and the third video decoder 19C The video signals S2A, S2B, and S2C generated in each are input to the MPEG encoder 5 or the display control unit 7.
[0020]
For example, the control unit 2 inputs the three types of video signals S2A, S2B, and S2C to the display control unit 7, thereby displaying the images of the three types of television programs based on the video signals S2A, S2B, and S2C. 6 can be displayed simultaneously.
[0021]
When the control unit 2 inputs the three types of video signals S2A, S2B, and S2C to the MPEG encoder 5, the control unit 2 controls the MPEG encoder 5 to control each of the three types of video signals S2A, S2B, and S2C. The compressed video data D1A, D1B, and D1C are generated by executing compression encoding processing or the like in accordance with the MPEG system, and the generated video data D1A, D1B, and D1C are recorded in the hard disk drive 11, for example. Has been made.
[0022]
On the other hand, the hard disk drive 11 displays a basic program, a TV program on the display unit 6 in real time, a video display program for allowing the user to view the TV program, a recording program for recording the TV program, and a TV program. Still image capture program for extracting one scene at an arbitrary time as a still image from the video of the program, program information of a TV program that has been broadcast or will be broadcast in the past (for example, information on the content of the TV program, performers, etc.) Various programs such as a program information display program and a TV program management program described later are stored in advance.
[0023]
The control unit 2 appropriately reads out these various programs stored in the hard disk drive 11 via the south bridge 10 and the PCI bus 4 and develops them in the memory 3 to control each circuit unit in the notebook computer 1 to control various types of programs. It is designed to execute processing.
[0024]
For example, when the control unit 2 recognizes that a recording operation for recording a television program of a channel number desired by the user has been performed via the operation input unit 15, the control unit 2 executes a recording process for recording the television program according to the recording program. .
[0025]
In practice, at this time, the control unit 2 sequentially generates the TV signal S1A and the video signal S2A corresponding to the channel number desired by the user by controlling the first TV tuner 18A and the first video decoder 19A, for example. After the input to the MPEG encoder 5, the video data D 1 A is generated by continuously controlling the MPEG encoder 5 and recorded on the hard disk drive 11.
[0026]
When the control unit 2 recognizes through the operation input unit 15 that a still image capture operation has been performed to obtain one scene as a still image from the TV program video of the user desired channel number, the still image capture program Accordingly, still image capture processing for recording the still image of one scene on the hard disk drive 11 is executed.
[0027]
In practice, at this time, the control unit 2 controls the second TV tuner 18B and the second video decoder 19B, for example, only at the time when it is recognized that the still image capture operation has been performed, so that the channel number desired by the user can be handled. The TV signal S1B and the video signal S2B to be generated are sequentially generated only for one still image.
[0028]
Then, the control unit 2 controls the MPEG encoder 5 while inputting the video signal S2B for one still image to the MPEG encoder 5, thereby generating video data D1B for one still image. 11 is recorded.
[0029]
When the control unit 2 recognizes that the program information display operation for displaying the program information of the user-desired TV program has been performed via the operation input unit 15, the program information of the TV program according to the program information display program. Is displayed on the display unit 6.
[0030]
In practice, at this time, the control unit 2 controls, for example, the network interface 17 to connect to the Internet (not shown), and then to an EPG distribution server (not shown) for distributing EPG data via the Internet. By accessing, EPG data corresponding to the television program desired by the user is acquired, and program information of the TV program is displayed on the display unit 6 based on the acquired EPG data.
[0031]
(2) TV program management processing
By the way, the control unit 2 is configured to execute a TV program management process when a TV program management program is activated by performing a predetermined operation via the operation input unit 15. That is, the control unit 2 enters from step SP1 of the television program management processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. 2, and moves to the next step SP2.
[0032]
In step SP2, the control unit 2 displays a television program management screen 100 as shown in FIG. 3 on the display unit 6, for example, and proceeds to the next step SP3.
[0033]
On the TV program management screen 100, a grid-like thumbnail display frame 101 is displayed at the upper center of the TV program management screen 100. The thumbnail display frame 101 has a reduced video for displaying the video of the TV program in a reduced size. Display areas 101A to 101I are set.
[0034]
On both sides of the thumbnail display frame 101, viewing objects 102A and 102B for starting the video display program are displayed as icons. On the lower side of the TV program management screen 100, a recording object 103 for starting a recording program, a still image capture object 104 for starting a still image capture program, and a program information display for starting a program information display program are displayed. Each of the objects 105 is displayed as an icon.
[0035]
In addition, the television program management screen 100 includes a pointer 106 that is moved and displayed in accordance with the movement operation when the movement operation is performed via the touch pad 15B of the operation input unit 15. Various objects such as 102A and 102B, a recording object 103, a still image capture object 104, and a program information display object 105 are selected.
[0036]
In step SP3, the control unit 2 starts executing a drag-and-drop operation detection process, which will be described later, and also starts executing a thumbnail generation process, so that, for example, as shown in FIG. For each of 101I, video objects 107A to 107I having a scene as a picture in each video of a plurality of types of television programs currently being broadcast are displayed as icons, and the process proceeds to the next step SP4.
[0037]
In step SP4, the control unit 2 waits for an end operation to end the TV program management process. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this is indicated through the operation input unit 15. Means that the operation has been performed, and the process proceeds to the next step SP5.
[0038]
In step SP5, the control unit 2 ends the thumbnail generation process and the drag and drop operation detection process, moves to the next step SP6, and ends the television program management process.
[0039]
(2-1) Drag and drop operation detection processing
Here, first, the drag-and-drop operation detection process started in step SP3 of the television program management process procedure RT1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0040]
The control unit 2 is entered from step SP10 of the drag-and-drop operation detection processing procedure RT2, and in the next step SP11, it is determined whether or not the left button 15C in the operation input unit 15 has been pressed. If a positive result is obtained, this means that the left button 15C has been pressed, and the process proceeds to the next step SP12.
[0041]
In step SP12, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the pointer 106 on the television program management screen 100 is positioned on any of the video objects 107A to 107I when the left button 15C is pressed in step SP11. If a negative result is obtained here, the process returns to the above-described step SP11 and waits for the left button 15C to be pressed again.
[0042]
On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP12, this means that the pointer 106 on the television program management screen 100 was positioned on any of the video objects 107A to 107I. For example, when the control unit 2 recognizes that the place where the pointer 106 was located is on the video object 107A corresponding to the television program “Good morning news” of the channel number “1”, the control unit 2 proceeds to the next step SP13.
[0043]
In step SP13, the control unit 2 temporarily stores the channel number “1” corresponding to the video object 107A in the memory 3 as the first attribute information, and returns to the above-described step SP11.
[0044]
In step SP11 for the second time, the control unit 2 determines again whether or not the left button 15C has been pressed. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates whether the left button 15C has been pressed or left. This means that the pressing operation of the button 15C has ended, or the left button 15C has not been pressed yet, and the process proceeds to step SP14.
[0045]
In step SP14, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the left button 15C is continuously pressed. If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the left button 15C is continuously pressed. This means that the video object 107A is being dragged by the pointer 106, and the process proceeds to the next step SP15.
[0046]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the control unit 2 displays a situation where the video object 107 </ b> A is held by the pointer 106, thereby indicating that the video object 107 </ b> A is being dragged by the pointer 106. It is made to make it recognize.
[0047]
In step SP15, the control unit 2 continues to store the first attribute information in the memory 3 without deleting it, and returns to step SP11 described above.
[0048]
In step SP11 for the third time, the control unit 2 determines again whether or not the left button 15C has been pressed, and if a negative result is obtained here, this means that the left button 15C has been pressed continuously or left This means that the pressing operation of the button 15C has ended, or the left button 15C has not been pressed yet, and the process proceeds to step SP14.
[0049]
In step SP14 for the second time, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the left button 15C is continuously pressed. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that the left button 15C is pressed. Or the left button 15C has not been pressed yet, and the process proceeds to the next step SP16.
[0050]
In step SP16, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the pressing operation of the left button 15C has been completed. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that the left button 15C has not been pressed yet. This means that the process returns to the above-described step SP11 and waits for the pressing operation of the left button 15C.
[0051]
On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP16, this means that the pressing operation of the left button 15C has been completed, that is, the video object 107A has been dropped to an arbitrary position on the TV program management screen 100 by the pointer 106. This means that the process proceeds to the next step SP17.
[0052]
In step SP17, when the pressing operation of the left button 15C is completed, the control unit 2 positions the pointer 106 on any of the viewing objects 102A and 102B, the recording object 103, the still image capture object 104, and the program information display object 105. For example, the place where the pointer 106 was located was on the program information display object 105. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. If it is determined that it has been dropped on the program information display object 105 (a state where the video object 107A and the program information display object 105 are overlapped), the process proceeds to the next step SP18.
[0053]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step SP17 that the pointer 106 is not positioned on any of the viewing objects 102A and 102B, the recording object 103, the still image capture object 104, and the program information display object 105, the control unit 2 moves to step SP19.
[0054]
In step SP18, the control unit 2 temporarily stores the program name “program information display program” of the program corresponding to the program information display object 105 (that is, the program information display program) in the memory 3 as the second attribute information. The subroutine SRT1 is entered to start execution of the startup process.
[0055]
In this way, the control unit 2 performs the drag operation and the drop operation (that is, the drag and drop operation) via the operation input unit 15, thereby displaying the video object 107 </ b> A corresponding to the channel number “1” and the program information display. When recognizing that the object 105 is associated, the attribute information of the video object 107A (that is, the channel number “1”) is temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the first attribute information, and the attribute information of the program information display object 105 is displayed. (That is, the program name “program information display program”) is temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the second attribute information.
[0056]
Here, the control unit 2 enters from the step SP20 of the activation processing procedure SRT1 shown in FIG. 6, and proceeds to the next step SP21.
[0057]
In step SP21, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the program name temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the second attribute information is “video display program”. If “is not a“ video display program ”but a“ program information display program ”, the process proceeds to the next step SP22.
[0058]
Incidentally, in step SP21, for example, if the program name temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the second attribute information is “video display program”, the control unit 2 proceeds to the next step SP23. In step SP23, the control unit 2 performs video display processing of the television program “Good Morning News” corresponding to the channel number “1” temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the first attribute information according to the video display program, for example. As shown in FIG. 9, the video of the television program “Good morning news” is displayed on the viewing object 102A in real time.
[0059]
In step SP22, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the program name temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the second attribute information is “recording program”. If it is not a “recording program” but a “program information display program”, the process proceeds to the next step SP24.
[0060]
In step SP22, for example, if the program name temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the second attribute information is “recording program”, the control unit 2 proceeds to the next step SP25. In step SP25, the control unit 2 records the television program “Good morning news” corresponding to the channel number “1” temporarily stored in the memory as the first attribute information in accordance with the recording program.
[0061]
In step SP24, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the program name temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the second attribute information is “still image capture program”, and temporarily stores the program name. If the program name is “program information display program” instead of “still image capture program”, the process proceeds to the next step SP26.
[0062]
By the way, in step SP24, for example, if the program name temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the second attribute information is “still image capture program”, the control unit 2 proceeds to the next step SP27. In step SP27, the control unit 2 performs still image capture processing on the TV program “Good morning news” corresponding to the channel number “1” temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the first attribute information in accordance with the still image capture program. One scene of the television program “Good morning news” is recorded on the hard disk drive 11 as a still image.
[0063]
In step SP26, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the program name temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the second attribute information is “program information display program”, and temporarily stores the program name. If the program name is “program information display program”, the process proceeds to the next step SP28.
[0064]
In step SP28, in accordance with the program information display program, the control unit 2 performs program information display processing for the TV program “Good Morning News” corresponding to the channel number “1” temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the first attribute information. For example, a program information sub-screen 120 describing the program information of the TV program “Good morning news” as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 6, and then the process proceeds to the next step SP 29 to end the activation process, and drag and The process returns to step SP19 of the drop operation detection processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 5).
[0065]
In step SP19, the control unit 2 erases the first and second attribute information temporarily stored in the memory 3 and moves to the above-described step SP11 to wait for a new pressing operation of the left button 15C. Has been made.
[0066]
As described above, when the channel number “1” and the program name “program information display program” are temporarily stored in the memory 3 as the first attribute information and the second attribute information, the control unit 2 stores the channel number “1”. The TV program “Good morning news” corresponding to “” is subjected to program information display processing according to the program information display program.
[0067]
(2-2) Thumbnail generation processing
Next, the thumbnail generation process started to be executed together with the above-described drag and drop operation detection process in step SP3 of the television program management process procedure RT1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0068]
That is, the control unit 2 enters from the step SP30 of the thumbnail generation processing procedure RT3 shown in FIG. 11, moves to the next subroutine SRT2, and executes a channel initial setting process. That is, the control unit 2 enters from step SP40 of the channel initial setting processing procedure SRT2 shown in FIG. 12, and moves to the next step SP41.
[0069]
In step SP41, the control unit 2 increments the channel number counter I (where I is a variable), for example, where “0” is preset as an initial setting value, thereby increasing the channel number counter I to “1”. Is set, and the process proceeds to the next step SP42.
[0070]
In step SP42, the control unit 2 controls any one of the first TV tuner 18A, the second TV tuner 18B, and the third TV tuner 18C to set the channel number “1” corresponding to the set value “1” of the channel number counter I. By executing the channel selection process and the demodulation process, it is determined whether or not a television signal can be detected in the channel number “1”. If a negative result is obtained here, this means that the channel number counter This means that the TV program is not broadcast on the channel number “1” corresponding to the set value “1” of I, and the process proceeds to step SP44.
[0071]
On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP42, this means that, for example, the television program “Good morning news” is broadcast on the channel number “1” corresponding to the set value “1” of the channel number counter I. In this case, the control unit 2 moves to the next step SP43.
[0072]
In step SP43, the control unit 2 confirms, for example, the reduced video display area 101A among the reduced video display areas 101A to 101I on the TV program management screen 100 (FIG. 3) and the channel number “hayo news” broadcasted. 1 ”is generated, the generated information is written in the thumbnail generation definition file, and the process proceeds to the next step SP44.
[0073]
Here, the thumbnail generation definition file is, for example, a text format file stored and saved in the hard disk drive 11, and each of the channel numbers of a plurality of channels for which the broadcast of the TV program has been confirmed and the reduced video display area 101A. Information for associating each of ~ 101I with one to one is written.
[0074]
In step SP44, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the set value of the channel number counter I is “62”. If a negative result is obtained here, this is the case for all 62 channel numbers. This means that it has not been confirmed whether or not the TV program is being broadcasted. At this time, the process proceeds to step SP41 and the above processing is repeated, so that the TV program for all 62 channel numbers is obtained. Check whether or not is being broadcast.
[0075]
On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP44, this confirms whether or not the TV program is being broadcast to all 62 channel numbers, and as a result, the broadcast of the TV program is confirmed. This means that the information on the one-to-one correspondence between each of the plurality of channel numbers and each of the reduced video display areas 101A to 101I has been recorded in the thumbnail generation definition file. The process proceeds to step SP45 to end the channel initial setting process procedure SRT2, and returns to step SP31 of the thumbnail generation process procedure RT2 (FIG. 11).
[0076]
In step SP31, the control unit 2 refers to the thumbnail generation definition file, and selects, for example, one channel number “1” arbitrarily from among a plurality of channel numbers recorded in the thumbnail generation definition file. It recognizes as an object display target, and moves to the next subroutine SRT3 to execute a video object display process. That is, the control unit 2 enters from step SP50 of the video object display processing procedure SRT3 shown in FIG. 13, and proceeds to the next step SP51.
[0077]
In step SP51, the control unit 2 controls the first television tuner 18A, the first video decoder 19A, and the MPEG encoder 5, for example, so as to correspond to the channel number “1” recognized as the video object display target in step SP31 described above. One scene at the present time is obtained as a still image from the video of the TV program “Good morning news”, and the process proceeds to the next step SP52.
[0078]
In step SP52, the control unit 2 applies a predetermined image processing process to the still image of the television program “Good morning news” corresponding to the channel number “1”, so that the user can recognize the channel number “1”. The video object 107A is generated with the still image as illustrated in FIG. 14, for example, by synthesizing the mark MK1 with the still image and performing a predetermined object generation process on the combined still image. Then, the process proceeds to the next step SP53.
[0079]
In step SP53, the control unit 2 recognizes the reduced video display area 101A associated with the channel number “1” by referring to the thumbnail generation definition file, and then executes the TV program “Good morning” on the reduced video display area 101A. The video object 107A of “News” is displayed, the process proceeds to the next step SP54, the video object display process procedure SRT3 is terminated, and the process returns to step SP32 of the thumbnail generation process procedure RT3.
[0080]
In step SP32, the control unit 2 determines whether or not all the channel numbers described in the thumbnail generation definition file have been recognized as video object display targets. If a negative result is obtained, This means that not all channel numbers described in the thumbnail generation definition file have been recognized as video object display targets. At this time, the process returns to step SP31 to repeat the above-described processing.
[0081]
On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP32, this means that, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, a plurality of types of video objects 107A to 107I corresponding to all channel numbers described in the thumbnail generation definition file are displayed. This indicates that the display on the TV program management screen 100 has been completed. At this time, the process proceeds to step SP33.
[0082]
In this way, the control unit 2 displays a plurality of types of video objects 107A to 107I each having a pattern corresponding to each video of a plurality of types of television programs currently being broadcast on the display unit 6 so that the user can be notified. Therefore, the contents of multiple types of TV programs can be easily examined.
[0083]
In step SP33, the control unit 2 determines whether or not a thumbnail batch update operation for batch updating all the video objects 107A to 107I in the thumbnail display frame 101 has been performed via the operation input unit 15. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this means that a thumbnail batch update operation has been performed, and the process proceeds to step SP31 described above. Then, the control unit 2 repeatedly executes the processing of step SP31-subroutine SRT3-step SP32 based on the information described in the thumbnail generation definition file, so that all the video objects 107A to 107I in the thumbnail display frame 101 are displayed. The design is made to correspond to the latest video of multiple types of TV programs.
[0084]
On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP33, this means that the thumbnail batch update operation has not been performed, and at this time, the control unit 2 moves to the next step SP34.
[0085]
In step SP34, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the video display process is being executed according to the video display program. If a negative result is obtained here, the process returns to the above-described step SP33.
[0086]
On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP34, this means that some TV program (for example, the TV program “Good morning news” corresponding to the channel number “1”) is viewed object 102A or 102B (for example, viewing object 102A). ), And the control unit 2 moves to the next step SP35.
[0087]
In step SP35, the control unit 2 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed after starting to display the video object 107A of the television program “Good morning news” on the thumbnail display frame 101. If a result is obtained, it will move to above-mentioned step SP33.
[0088]
On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP35, this means that a predetermined period of time has passed, so that the current scene of the television program “Good Morning News” displayed in real time on the viewing object 102A and the video object 107A are displayed. This means that there is a high possibility that the picture does not correspond significantly in the contents. At this time, the control unit 2 moves to the subroutine SRT4, and the video object display processing (FIG. 13) in the subroutine SRT3 described above. A similar process is executed.
[0089]
That is, in the subroutine SRT4, the control unit 2 executes a video object display process to generate a new video object 107 with a still image of the latest scene of the television program “Good morning news” corresponding to the channel number “1” as a picture. After that, the generated new video object 107 is displayed by replacing it with the previous video object 107, and the process returns to step SP33 described above.
[0090]
In this way, the control unit 2 can always allow the user to recognize that the television program “Good morning news” displayed in real time on the viewing object 102A corresponds to the video object 107. Yes.
[0091]
(3) Operation and effect
In the above configuration, when the TV program management program is activated by performing a predetermined operation via the operation input unit 15, the control unit 2 has a picture corresponding to a plurality of types of TV program images currently broadcast. Are displayed on the display unit 6 and the viewing objects 102A and 102B and the recording objects associated with the video display program, the recording program, the still image capture program, and the program information display program, respectively. 103, the still image capture object 104 and the program information display object 105 are displayed on the display unit 6.
[0092]
Thus, the user can easily identify the video object 107A of the television program (for example, the television program “Good Morning News” corresponding to the channel number “1”) to be viewed by visually recognizing the picture of the video objects 107A to 107I. Can do.
[0093]
When the control unit 2 recognizes that, for example, the video object 107A and the viewing object 102A are associated with each other by performing a drag-and-drop operation via the operation input unit 15, the television program “ By performing video display processing of “Good morning news” according to the video display program associated with the viewing object 102, the video of the television program “Good morning news” is displayed on the display unit 6 in real time.
[0094]
In this way, the user can surely perform video display processing of the television program “Good Morning News” he / she wants to watch by simply performing an operation of associating the video object 107A with the viewing object 102A.
[0095]
According to the above configuration, the user can easily identify a video object corresponding to a desired television program by visually recognizing each of the images of the plurality of types of video objects 107A to 107I. By simply performing an operation for associating an object with an object (in this case, the viewing object 102A) associated with a program (in this case, a video display program) for executing a desired process (for example, a video display process), It is possible to reliably start execution of a desired process for such a desired television program. As a result, it is possible to quickly start execution of a desired process for a desired television program.
[0096]
(4) Other embodiments
In the above-described embodiment, for example, when a video object 107A of the television program “Good Morning News” is dragged by a drag-and-drop operation, the video object 107A is dropped on the viewing object 102A. However, the video display processing of the television program “Good Morning News” has been described as an opportunity. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after the viewing object 102A is dragged, the viewing object 102A is displayed on the television program “Good Morning News”. When the video object is dropped on the video object 107A, the television program “Good morning news” may be subjected to video display processing. As described above, when any of the viewing objects 102A and 102B, the recording object 103, the still image capture object 104, and the program information display object 105 is dragged and then dropped onto any of the video objects 107A to 107I, A television program corresponding to the drop-destination video object may be processed by a program corresponding to the dragged object.
[0097]
In the above-described embodiment, when the thumbnail batch update operation is performed (step SP33 (FIG. 11)), all the video objects 107A to 107I in the thumbnail display frame 101 are updated in a batch (step SP31-subroutine SRT3- Although the present invention is not limited to this, the present invention is not limited to this, and automatically updates all the video objects 107A to 107I in the thumbnail display frame 101 at once after a predetermined period of time (step SP31-subroutine SRT3). -Repeating step SP32) If the video objects 107A to 107I are sequentially updated in this manner, the user can appropriately view the latest videos of a plurality of types of television programs currently being broadcast. Can be That.
[0098]
At this time, even if the control unit 2 occupies and uses the first TV tuner 18A and the first video decoder to automatically update the video objects 107A to 107I in the thumbnail display frame 101, the remaining second TV tuner 18B and By using the second video decoder, the third TV tuner 18C, and the third video decoder, various other processes using the TV tuner, such as a video display process and a recording process, can be executed simultaneously.
[0099]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, after the video object 107A of the television program “Good morning news” is dragged, for example, by performing a drag and drop operation, the control unit 2 moves the video object 107A onto the viewing object 102A. In the above description, the video object 107A and the viewing object 102A are recognized in association with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the video object 107A of the television program “Good Morning News” is clicked (ie, If the viewing object 102A is clicked after the designation), the video object 107A and the viewing object 102A may be associated with each other and recognized.
[0100]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the video object having the picture of the currently broadcast television program as a picture is displayed on the display unit 6 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, by the notebook personal computer 1. Display video objects with pictures of various contents such as recorded TV programs, contents recorded on DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or video tape, contents distributed via the Internet, etc. A video display process, a still image capture process, and the like may be executed on the various contents displayed on the unit 6 and corresponding to the video object.
[0101]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, for example, an operation for associating the video object 107A with the viewing object 102A (ie, drag-and-drop) via the operation input unit 15 including the keyboard 15A, the touch pad 15B, the left button 15C, and the right button 15D. Although the case where the drop operation is performed has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the video object 107A and the viewing object 102A are associated with each other via various other devices such as a touch screen, for example. An operation may be performed.
[0102]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the notebook personal computer 1 serving as a content management apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a desktop personal computer, a video tape recorder, CS (Communications) (Satellite) The present invention may be applied to various content management devices other than executing processing related to content such as a tuner device or a television.
[0103]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the viewing objects 102A and 102B, the recording object 103, and the still image capture object associated with the content processing program such as the video display program, the recording program, the still image capture program, and the program information display program. Although the case where the display unit 6 formed of a liquid crystal display is applied as display means for displaying program activation objects such as the program information display object 104 and the program information display object 105 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and is not limited to this. Tube) A display or the like may be applied as a display means.
[0104]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the control unit 2 or the like that executes the TV program management program is applied as detection means for detecting that the video object and the program activation object are associated has been described. For example, an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) or the like may be applied as the detection unit.
[0105]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a television set is used as a processing unit that processes content corresponding to the video object whose association is detected by the detection unit using a content processing program corresponding to the program activation object whose association is detected by the detection unit. Although the case where the control unit 2 or the like for executing the program management program is applied has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, an MPU or the like may be applied as the processing means.
[0106]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the control unit 2 or the like that executes the TV program management program is applied as the pattern update unit that sequentially updates the pattern of the video object based on the content video has been described. For example, an MPU or the like may be applied as the pattern update means.
[0107]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the display control unit 7 is applied as the display control means for displaying on the display means in a state where the video object and the program activation object are overlaid has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a video card or the like may be applied as the display control means.
[0108]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the display unit 6 is applied as video display means for displaying content video and accompanying information display means for displaying content accompanying information (that is, program information) has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and a television or the like may be applied as the video display means and the accompanying information display means.
[0109]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the hard disk drive 11 is applied as the storage unit for storing the content video has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a semiconductor memory, a video tape, or the like is applied as the storage unit. You may do it.
[0110]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the television program management program as the content management program is installed in advance in the hard disk drive 11 of the notebook computer 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the television program management program is provided. For example, a TV program management program is installed by playing a program storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or a DVD-ROM (Digital Video Disc Read Only Memory). Alternatively, the television program management program may be installed by reproducing a program storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a magneto-optical disk in which the television program management program is temporarily or permanently stored.
[0111]
As a means for storing the TV program management program in the program storage medium as the content management program storage medium, a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network or digital satellite broadcasting may be used. You may make it store via various communication interfaces.
[0112]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the user can view the content currently being broadcast. While watching the design of video objects for multiple channels that are updated sequentially corresponding to the video of A video object corresponding to the desired content; Store desired content Content that is currently being broadcast simply by associating the program launch object associated with the program for executing the process Out of Target desired content Record The process can be surely started to be executed, whereby the desired process for the desired content can be started quickly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a notebook personal computer according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a television program management processing procedure.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a television program management screen (1).
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a television program management screen (2).
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting a drag-and-drop operation.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an activation processing procedure.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a television program management screen (3).
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a television program management screen (4).
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a television program management screen (5).
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a television program management screen (6).
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a thumbnail generation processing procedure.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a channel initial setting processing procedure;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a video object display processing procedure.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a video object.
[Explanation of symbols]
1... Notebook PC, 2.

Claims (5)

Display means for displaying a video object consisting of a plurality of channels corresponding to a picture of content currently being broadcast, and displaying a program activation object associated with the content processing program;
Picture updating means for sequentially updating the picture of the video object at predetermined intervals during the broadcasting of the content based on the video of the content;
Detecting means for detecting that the video object and the program activation object are associated with each other during the broadcasting of the content ;
By processing the content corresponding to the video object whose association has been detected by the detection means with the content processing program corresponding to the program activation object whose association has been detected by the detection means, the content currently being broadcast is processed. Turkey content management device comprises a processing means for storing video content in a predetermined storage means. When it is detected that the video object and the above-mentioned program start object is associated with the detection means, Ru comprises a display control means for displaying to said display means in a state of superposition of the video object and program startup object content management apparatus according to 請 Motomeko 1. A display step of displaying a video object composed of a picture corresponding to a video of content currently being broadcast for a plurality of channels on a predetermined display means, and displaying a program activation object associated with the content processing program;
A pattern updating step of sequentially updating the pattern of the video object based on the video of the content every predetermined period during the broadcasting of the content;
A detection step of detecting during the broadcasting of the content that the video object and the program activation object are associated;
By processing the content corresponding to the video object whose association has been detected by the detection step with the content processing program corresponding to the program activation object whose association has been detected by the detection step, the content currently being broadcast is processed. Turkey content management method comprises a storage step of storing video content in a predetermined storage means. In the content management device,
A display step of displaying a video object composed of a picture corresponding to a video of content currently being broadcast for a plurality of channels on a predetermined display means, and displaying a program activation object associated with the content processing program;
A pattern updating step of sequentially updating the pattern of the video object based on the video of the content every predetermined period during the broadcasting of the content;
A detection step of detecting during the broadcasting of the content that the video object and the program activation object are associated;
By processing the content corresponding to the video object whose association has been detected by the detection step with the content processing program corresponding to the program activation object whose association has been detected by the detection step, the content currently being broadcast is processed. A content management program for executing a storage step of storing content video in a predetermined storage means . In the content management device,
A display step of displaying a video object composed of a picture corresponding to a video of content currently being broadcast for a plurality of channels on a predetermined display means, and displaying a program activation object associated with the content processing program;
A pattern updating step of sequentially updating the pattern of the video object based on the video of the content every predetermined period during the broadcasting of the content;
A detection step of detecting during the broadcasting of the content that the video object and the program activation object are associated;
By processing the content corresponding to the video object whose association has been detected by the detection step with the content processing program corresponding to the program activation object whose association has been detected by the detection step, the content currently being broadcast is processed. content management program storage medium for executing a benzalkonium content management program comprising a storage step for storing video content in a predetermined storage means.

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