JP4549282B2 - Search support method and content playback apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a search support method for supporting search of a plurality of contents stored in a content playback apparatus for playing back content, and a content playback apparatus used for the search support method.

  In recent years, terrestrial broadcasting, BS (Broadcasting Satellite) broadcasting, CS (Communication Satellite) broadcasting, the Internet, and the like have provided a large amount of contents such as various video data or music data. A user records content such as a program provided using a recorder or personal computer equipped with a large-capacity hard disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), Blu-ray Disc, etc., and plays back and views the recorded content later. .

When these recorded contents are video data, thumbnails are displayed in a list in the menu mode, and the selected video data can be reproduced by selecting a thumbnail that is desired to be viewed. Further, as the number of recorded contents increases, an attempt has been made to make the contents search easier by dividing the folders in the menu mode (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-348807 A

  However, the capacity of hard disks and the like is increasing year by year, and the number of contents to be recorded is enormous. As the capacity and the number of recorded contents increase, it becomes difficult to search the recorded contents.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to intuitively reach the content desired by the user by displaying the search information in a step-by-step manner according to the priority order of a plurality of attributes. It is an object of the present invention to provide a search support method and a content reproduction apparatus used for the search support method.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a search support method that allows a plurality of users to intuitively reach content desired to be reproduced by displaying a plurality of attributes and search information associated therewith in a stepwise manner. Is to provide etc.

  A search support method according to the present invention is a search support method for supporting search of content in a content playback apparatus that plays back a plurality of stored contents, wherein a plurality of attributes and search information associated with each attribute are associated with the contents. Storing in the content database; receiving the priority of the attribute from the input unit; reading out the search information associated with the input attribute having the highest priority from the content database and displaying the search information on the display unit; A selection receiving step for receiving selection of search information from the input unit, and search information associated with an attribute having a lower priority than the attribute associated with the search information received by the selection receiving step is read from the content database and displayed on the display unit Search information display step, and the search information display When the priority of the attribute attached to the search information displayed in the step is the lowest, the information display for reading the information related to the corresponding content from the content database based on the search information received by the selection receiving step and displaying it on the display unit And a step.

  A search support method according to the present invention is a search support method for supporting search of content in a content playback apparatus that plays back a plurality of stored contents, wherein a plurality of attributes and search information associated with each attribute are associated with the contents. A step of storing in the content database; a step of displaying the plurality of attributes on a display unit; a step of receiving a selection of attributes from the input unit; and retrieving search information associated with the received attributes from the content database Display on the display unit, a selection reception step for receiving selection of the displayed search information from the input unit, and attributes other than attributes associated with all search information received by the selection reception step are displayed on the display unit The attribute display step and the attributes displayed by the attribute display step exist. If not, characterized in that it comprises an information display step of displaying on the display unit reads the information about the corresponding content from the content database based on all of the search information received by the selection accepting step.

  The content playback apparatus according to the present invention is a content playback apparatus for playing back a plurality of stored contents, a means for storing a plurality of attributes and search information associated with each attribute in a content database in association with the contents, Means for receiving the priority of the input, means for reading out the search information associated with the inputted attribute having the highest priority from the content database and displaying it on the display unit, selection receiving means for receiving selection of search information, Search information associated with an attribute with a lower priority than the attribute associated with the search information received by the selection accepting means is read from the content database and displayed on the display unit, and displayed on the search information display means. When the priority of the attribute attached to the search information is the lowest, the selection accepting means Reads the information about the content corresponding from the content database based on the received search information, characterized in that it comprises an information display means for displaying on the display unit.

  The content reproduction apparatus according to the present invention is a content reproduction apparatus that reproduces a plurality of stored contents, and stores a plurality of attributes associated with the contents and search information associated with each attribute in a content database; Means for displaying the attribute of the display on the display unit, means for receiving the selection of the attribute, means for reading out the search information associated with the received attribute from the content database, and displaying the search information on the display unit, Selection accepting means for accepting selection, attribute display means for displaying on the display section attributes other than attributes associated with all search information accepted by the selection accepting means, and no attribute displayed by the attribute display means The content database based on all search information received by the selection receiving means. Wherein the reading the information about the corresponding content and an information display means for displaying on the display unit.

  The content reproduction apparatus according to the present invention further comprises means for receiving input of an attribute name and search information name, and means for storing the received attribute name and search information name in the content database.

  In the content reproduction apparatus according to the present invention, the information display unit is configured to display a thumbnail of the corresponding content from the content database or the search information based on all the search information received by the selection receiving unit. It is characterized by that.

  The content reproduction apparatus according to the present invention responds from the content database based on all the search information received by the selection receiving means when receiving the display request of the content thumbnail or search information and the display request. The apparatus further comprises means for displaying a thumbnail of content or the search information on the display unit.

  In the present invention, a plurality of attributes and search information associated with each attribute are stored in the content database in association with the content. Prior to content search, the priority order of the attributes is received from the input unit. Then, the search information associated with the input attribute having the highest priority is read from the content database and displayed on the display unit. From the search information displayed on the display unit, selection of search information desired to be searched is received from the input unit by the selection receiving unit. The search information associated with the attribute having a lower priority than the attribute associated with the search information received by the selection receiving means is read from the content database and displayed on the display unit.

  When the priority of the attribute attached to the displayed search information is the lowest, information related to the corresponding content is read from the content database based on all the search information received by the selection receiving means and displayed on the display unit. Since the search information is displayed along with the attribute according to the priority order and the selection is accepted in this way, the user can display the search information step by step according to the desired priority order, and only select this. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily search for a desired content.

  In the present invention, a plurality of attributes and search information associated with each attribute are stored in the content database in association with the content. The content reproduction apparatus displays a plurality of attributes on the display unit, and accepts selection of these attributes from the input unit from the user. Next, the content reproduction apparatus reads the search information associated with the accepted attribute from the content database and displays it on the display unit. Selection of the displayed search information is received by the selection receiving means, and attributes other than the attributes associated with all the received search information are displayed on the display unit. Narrowing is performed by performing such processing and visually guiding the search information according to the attribute to the user.

  As a result, when there are no more attributes to be displayed, it is configured to read out information related to the corresponding content from the content database based on all the search information received by the selection receiving means and display it on the display unit. Search information is displayed step by step according to the attribute, and the search can be performed according to this display, and the desired content can be searched more intuitively.

  In the present invention, input of the attribute name and search information name is received from the input unit, and the received attribute name and search information name are stored in the content database. Then, by enabling the search including the input attribute and search information, the user can perform a more advanced search.

  In the present invention, the thumbnail of the corresponding content or the search information is displayed as the search result from the content database based on all the search information received by the selection receiving means, so that the search target content can be easily selected. It becomes possible.

  In the present invention, when a request for displaying a thumbnail of content or search information is received from the user during the search, the content reproduction apparatus accepts the display request. When the display request is received, the thumbnail or search information of the corresponding content from the content database is displayed on the display unit based on all the search information received by the selection receiving unit. In this way, since the thumbnail or search information of the content is displayed in response to the request even during the search, the user can easily browse the thumbnail or the search information of the content to be searched even when the search is narrowed down to some extent. Is possible.

  In the present invention, the search information is displayed step by step in association with the attribute according to the priority order, and the search is narrowed down by accepting the selection, so that the user can step by step according to the desired priority order. Since it is only necessary to select the search information to be displayed, the desired content can be searched intuitively.

  In the present invention, content desired intuitively is displayed by displaying a plurality of attributes, receiving selection of attributes desired by the user, displaying the received search information, and repeatedly executing these displays and selections. Can be searched.

  In the present invention, input of the attribute name and search information name is received from the input unit, and the received attribute name and search information name are stored in the content database. By enabling the search including the input attribute and search information, the user can perform an advanced search in a more customized state.

  In the present invention, the thumbnail of the corresponding content or the search information is displayed as the search result from the content database based on all the search information received by the selection receiving means, so that the search target content can be easily selected. The present invention has excellent effects such as being possible.

  In the present invention, when there is a request for displaying a thumbnail of the content or search information in the middle of the search, the request is received and displayed. In other words, at the stage where the user narrows down the search to some extent, the search is performed. Even before the attribute with the lowest advance priority or before the attribute does not exist, the user can easily browse the thumbnail or search information of the content to be searched.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a content reproduction apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a content reproduction apparatus, which is connected to a monitor 14 serving as a display unit. In the present embodiment, the content playback apparatus 1 is described as a recording / playback deck provided with a hard disk and a digital tuner. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it implement | achieve the function of. Hereinafter, the content will be described as video data, and the content reproduction apparatus 1 will be described as the video reproduction apparatus 1. The content is not limited to video data but may be audio data or the like.

  As the monitor 14, for example, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display is used. The video playback apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, an input unit 13, a reader / writer 110, a tuner 16, a storage unit 15, a playback processing unit 18, and an output unit 19. Consists of including.

  The CPU 11 is connected to each hardware unit of the video reproduction apparatus 1 via the bus 17 and controls them, and executes various software functions according to a control program stored in a memory (not shown).

  The storage unit 15 is composed of, for example, a hard disk, and stores therein a video database 151 as a content database for storing video data. The input unit 13 receives various processes such as reproduction, recording, editing, and search from the viewer. The input unit 13 is provided with an infrared receiving unit (not shown) that receives an instruction from a remote control (not shown), and receives information input from the remote control in addition to the input from the input unit 13. A signal input from the input unit 13 is output to the CPU 11. The reader / writer 110 reads and writes data recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD. The tuner 16 receives video data such as television broadcasts and movies and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data distributed via satellite or cable. In the present embodiment, the video data to be distributed is described as data that conforms to the MPEG (Moving Picture coding Experts Group) -2 standard, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  The reproduction processing unit 18 includes a demultiplexer, a system controller, an STC (System Time Clock), a video buffer, an audio buffer, a video decoder, an audio decoder, and the like (not shown). The video data read from the video database 151 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 11 is output to the reproduction processing unit 18. Video data composed of a program stream is divided into video data and audio data by a demultiplexer, decoded by a video decoder and an audio decoder, and then a decoded signal is output to the output unit 19. The output unit 19 includes an external connection terminal and is connected to the monitor 14 via a video cable and an audio cable, and a signal from the output unit 19 is output to the monitor 14.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of the video database 151. The video database 151 stores video data received from the tuner 16 in association with a plurality of attributes and search information associated with each attribute. The video database 151 includes a recording start date / time field, a channel field, a title field, a genre field, a family folder field, and a path field. In the path field, an address storing the received video file is stored for each video file. The CPU 11 refers to the address in this path field, reads the video data stored in the video database, and outputs it to the reproduction processing unit 18.

  Attributes indicating the characteristics of each video data are stored in the video database 151 and include, for example, recording start date / time, end date / time, channel, title, genre, and family folder. In the present embodiment, the recording start date and time, channel, title, genre, and family folder are exemplified as attributes. Each attribute is accompanied by search information, and search information such as “news” is stored in each attribute field. These attributes and search information can be acquired from the distributed EPG according to instructions from the CPU 11, and the user can also appropriately input the attribute name and search information name from the input unit 13.

  For example, in the video data of the broadcast at 11:00 on October 3, “channel” is acquired as one of the attributes, and “C broadcast” is acquired as search information from the EPG according to an instruction from the CPU 11. Further, search information “flash news” is stored in association with the attribute “title”, and search information “news” is stored in association with the attribute “genre”. In the attribute “recording start date and time”, search information “10/3 11:00 last week” is stored, and it can be seen that the recording start date and time is October 3, 11:00 am. Of the search information, “last week” is added with the search information “last week” by the CPU 11 referring to a clock unit (not shown). For example, the broadcast data of 1:20 on October 11 stores the search information “10/11 1:20 this week” accompanying the attribute “recording start date and time”. Note that these attributes and search information are examples of data acquired from the EPG, and other attributes and search information may be added.

  In the attribute “channel”, broadcast station names “A general”, “B education”, “C broadcast”, “D broadcast”, “E broadcast”, etc. that distribute video data as search information are stored. . The attribute “title” stores the title of the video data to be distributed (program name), “train”, “flash news”, “cooking show”, “good morning D”, “kids animation”, etc. ing. In the attribute “genre”, the types of video data distributed as search information are stored as “drama”, “news”, “anime”, “variety”, and so on. Such information can be acquired from EPG data distributed together with video data.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of the menu screen. In addition to the attribute and search information acquired from the EPG, the user can give a new attribute name and search information name to facilitate the search. The CPU 11 reads out and displays the menu screen shown in FIG. 3 from the storage unit 15 according to the instruction received from the input unit 13 of the user. As shown in FIG. 3, in the menu screen, thumbnails of video data are read from the video database 151 and displayed, and attributes and search information acquired from the EPG are displayed. In FIG. 3, attributes “recording start date and time”, “channel”, “title”, and the like are displayed together with search information “10/3 11:00 last week”, “C broadcast”, and “flash news”.

  When the user newly creates an attribute name and a search information name, the new attribute creation button 31 is operated through the input unit 13. The CPU 11 receives the input of the new attribute creation button 31 and reads the attribute name box 33 and the search information name box 34 from the storage unit 15 and displays them in order to prompt the input of the new attribute name and the search information name. The user inputs an attribute name in the attribute name box 33 from the input unit 13 and similarly inputs a search information name in the search information name box 34. In the example of FIG. 3, “family folder” is input as the attribute name, and “dad” is input as the search information name. When confirming the input, the user operates the determination button 35 through the input unit 13.

  Based on the input information, the CPU 11 creates a “family folder” field as a new attribute in the video database 151 and stores “dad” as new search information in association with the corresponding video data. When editing attributes and search information, an attribute editing button 32 shown in FIG. The user can call the already registered attribute and change the attribute name or input new search information. In the example of FIG. 2, search information “mother” and “for children” are further stored in addition to the search information “dad” of the attribute “family folder”. In this way, attributes and search information can be added / changed as appropriate.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an image when inputting the priority order of attributes. In order to facilitate search guidance, the user inputs attribute priorities from the input unit 13. When receiving an instruction to input the attribute priority order from the input unit 13, the CPU 11 reads out the priority order mode screen shown in FIG. The CPU 11 reads the attribute stored from the video database 151 on the display screen and displays it as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, “recording start date / time”, “channel”, “title”, “genre”, and “family folder” are listed as attributes, and a priority order input box for inputting a priority order next to each attribute. 41 is also written.

  The user inputs the priority order of the attribute from the input unit 13 to the priority order input box 41. This priority order is stored as a default by the user, and the order that the user considers most efficient or the order of preference is appropriately input. In the example of FIG. 4, the attribute “family folder” → “channel” → “genre” → “recording start date / time” is input according to the priority order. In the present embodiment, for ease of explanation, the priority order is not input for the attribute “title”. Of course, the priority order may be input and used for the search. Thus, the priority order of attributes input from the input unit 13 is received by the CPU 11 and stored in the storage unit 15.

  The priority order of these attributes can be appropriately changed later from the input unit 13. Prior to the input of the priority order, user identification information, for example, biometric information such as an ID, a name, a personal identification number, and a voiceprint is received from the input unit 13, and the received identification information is associated with the priority order information. May be stored in the storage unit 15. In this case, the priority order is stored in the storage unit 15 for each piece of identification information. When a plurality of video playback apparatuses 1 are used, each user can perform a favorite search by giving priority information by identification information.

  5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams showing images of search navigation. When searching for video data desired by the user, the CPU 11 reads the screens shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 from the storage unit 15 and displays them. First, the CPU 11 reads the priority order stored in the storage unit 15 and stores it in the RAM 12. In this embodiment, since the priority “1” is a family folder, the CPU 11 creates an SQL (Structured Query Language) command and searches the video database 151 for the search information “dad” and “mother” associated with the attribute “family folder”. And “for children” is read and displayed on the monitor 14 as shown in FIG. Further, the CPU 11 detects the number of video data corresponding to each search information and displays it together with the search information. In FIG. 5A, the search information associated with the attribute “family folder” and the number of corresponding video data are displayed as “dad 12”, “mother 5”, and “children 4”. With this configuration, the number of video data existing in the lower layer can be easily grasped.

  The user selects search information desired to be searched from the input unit 13. The CPU 11 accepts selection of search information through the input unit 13. In this embodiment, the search information “dad” is selected. Subsequently, the CPU 11 refers to the priority stored in the storage unit 15 again, and retrieves the search information of the attribute “channel” having a lower priority than the attribute “family folder” associated with the selected search information “dad”. Then, it is read from the video database 151 and displayed on the monitor 14 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, the search information and the number of video data associated with the attribute “channel” “A total 2”, “B education 0”, “C broadcast 2”, “D broadcast 7”, “E broadcast 0”. “F broadcast 0”, “G broadcast 0”, and “H broadcast 1” are displayed. As shown in FIG. 5A, an attribute having a lower priority than the attribute “family folder” may be displayed as “next channel”. As the number of video data, the number satisfying the AND condition in a plurality of search information is displayed. That is, in “A total 2”, the CPU 11 detects the number of video data “2” satisfying the search information “dad” & the search information “A total”.

  As for “B education 0”, the CPU 11 determines that there is no video data satisfying the search information “dad” & “B education” in the video database 151, and outputs “0” to the monitor 14. In this embodiment, search information (for example, B education or G broadcast) with the number of video data “0” is also displayed as a list. May omit the display. The user selects search information desired to be searched from the input unit 13. In the present embodiment, the search information “D broadcast 7” is selected.

  In FIG. 5C, search information of the attribute “genre” having a lower priority than the attribute “channel” is displayed in the same manner. The CPU 11 detects the number of video data satisfying all of the search information input from the input unit 13 with AND conditions (“Dad” & “D Broadcast” & “News”, etc.), and the search information “News 5”, “Drama” “1” and “Sport 1” are displayed.

  The user selects search information desired to be searched from the input unit 13. In the present embodiment, the search information “News 5” is selected. In FIG. 6D, search information of the attribute “recording start date” having a lower priority than the attribute “genre” is displayed in the same manner. The CPU 11 detects the number of video data satisfying all of the search information input from the input unit 13 with the AND condition (“dad” & “D broadcast” & “news” & “this week” etc.)], and the search information “this week 4 "And" Last week 1 ".

  In the state of FIG. 6D, the CPU 11 determines that the priority of the attribute “recording start date” is the lowest, and when the search information “this week 4” is selected, the search condition “dad” & Video data satisfying “D broadcast” & “news” & “this week” is read from the video database 151. The CPU 11 creates thumbnails of four corresponding video data and stores them in the RAM 12. The selected search information is read out and stored in the RAM 12. After that, as shown in FIG. 6E, the CPU 11 lists the information “10/11 7:00 This week D broadcast news Dad Good morning D” belonging to the video data including the selected search information from the RAM 12 together with the corresponding thumbnails. indicate. Note that it is not always necessary to display all the search information displayed as a list in FIG. 6E, and may be omitted as appropriate according to the display space of the monitor 14.

  The user selects from the input unit 13 video data desired to be viewed from the input unit 13. The CPU 11 reads the selected video data from the video database 151 and outputs it to the reproduction processing unit 18.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for storing attributes and search information. CPU11 acquires EPG data delivered with video data, when there is a recording reservation or when recording is started (step S71). When the recording time is reached, the CPU 11 receives the video data from the tuner 16 and stores the received video data in the video database 151 (step S72). The CPU 11 stores a plurality of attributes related to the acquired EPG data and search information associated therewith in the video database 151 in association with the video data (step S73).

  After storing the video data, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a new registration of the attribute name and the search information name (step S74). That is, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the new attribute creation button 31 has been operated on the menu screen shown in FIG. When it is determined that there is a new registration (YES in step S74), that is, when the input of the new attribute creation button 31 is received from the input unit 13, the CPU 11 receives the attribute name and the search information name from the input unit 13 (step S75). . When the CPU 11 receives the input of the attribute name and the search information name from the attribute name box 33 and the search information name box 34, respectively, the newly received attribute name and search information name are associated with the video data as in step S73. Is stored in the video database 151 (step S76). In this embodiment, the new registration of the attribute name and the search information name is performed after the video data is stored, but it may be performed at the time of reservation before the video data storage or after the reservation. The registered attribute name and search information name can be edited at an arbitrary timing.

  If it is determined in step S74 that there is no new registration of the attribute name and the search information name (NO in step S74), the processes in steps S75 and S76 are skipped. Subsequently, the CPU 11 displays a priority order input screen shown in FIG. A plurality of attributes stored in the video database 151 are read and displayed on the input screen. The CPU 11 further displays priority order input boxes 41, 41,... For inputting the priority order corresponding to each attribute. The CPU 11 receives the priority order of attributes input from the input unit 13 (step S77), and stores the received priority order of attributes in the storage unit 15 (step S78).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the search process. When the search is executed according to an instruction from the user input unit 13, the CPU 11 outputs the search screen shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 from the storage unit 15 to the monitor 14. The CPU 11 refers to the storage unit 15 and reads search information associated with the attribute having the highest priority from the video database 151 (step S81). As shown in FIG. 5A, the CPU 11 displays search information “dad”, “mother”, and “for children” associated with the attribute “family folder” (step S82). At this time, as described above, the number of video data matching the search information may be detected by the CPU 11 and displayed in association with each search information. The user selects search information desired to be searched from the input unit 13. The CPU 11 receives selection of search information from the input unit 13 (step S83).

  Next, the CPU 11 reads search information associated with an attribute having a lower priority than the attribute read in step S81 (step S84). Then, the retrieved search information is displayed on the monitor 14 together with the attributes (step S85). The user selects search information desired to be searched from the input unit 13. The CPU 11 receives selection of search information from the input unit 13 (step S86). The CPU 11 determines whether or not the attribute has the lowest priority (step S87). If the attribute priority is not the lowest (NO in step S87), the process proceeds to step S84 and the above processing is repeated to narrow down the search target. In addition to the display of the search information as described above, the number of video data that satisfies the search information received in step S83 and step S86 under the AND condition may be displayed.

  When the CPU 11 determines that the attribute priority is the lowest compared to the priority stored in the storage unit 15 (YES in step S87), the video satisfies the search information received in step S83 and step S86 with the AND condition. Data is specified from the video database 151 (step S88). Specifically, the CPU 11 reads the target video data path from the path field and stores it in the RAM 12. Then, the CPU 11 reads out the search information used for the search of the video data and stores it in the RAM 12, and refers to the path stored in the RAM 12, reads out the thumbnail image from the video database 151, and stores it in the RAM 12 (step S89).

  The CPU 11 displays the search information and thumbnails stored in the RAM 12 on the monitor 14 (step S810). The search information does not necessarily display all information associated with the video data. Only one of the search information and the thumbnail may be displayed, or both may be displayed. The user selects video data desired to be viewed from the input unit 13. The CPU 11 accepts selection of video data output from the input unit 13 (step S811). The CPU 11 accesses the RAM 12 to acquire the selected video data path, reads the video data existing in the path from the video database 151, and outputs it to the reproduction processing unit 18 (step S812).

Embodiment 2
The second embodiment relates to processing for changing the selection of a desired attribute in accordance with a user's instruction sequentially, rather than predetermining the priority order. 9 to 11 are explanatory diagrams showing images of search navigation. The user inputs information to search from the input unit 13. In response to this, the CPU 11 reads a plurality of attributes from the video database 151 and outputs them to the monitor 14. FIG. 9A shows an example in which the attributes “channel”, “recording start date / time”, and “genre” are read from the video database 151 and displayed in a pull-down format. In the present embodiment, the three attributes used for the search are displayed for simplification of explanation, but all the attributes may be displayed.

  The user selects one attribute desired to be searched from the input unit 13. In the example of FIG. 9A, the attribute “channel” is selected. Based on the attribute selected from the input unit 13, the CPU 11 reads the search information associated with the attribute from the video database 151 and displays it on the monitor 14 as shown in FIG. As described in the first embodiment, the number of video data associated with each search information is also displayed at the same time. The user selects search information desired to be searched from the input unit 13. In the example of FIG. 9B, the search information “D broadcast” is selected.

  The CPU 11 stores the search information selected through the input unit 13 in the RAM 12 and displays other attributes on the monitor 14 except for attributes associated with the search information. In this embodiment, other attributes “genre” and “recording start date / time” excluding the attribute “channel” associated with the search information “D broadcast” are displayed as shown in FIG. The user selects one attribute desired to be searched from the input unit 13. In the example of FIG. 9C, the attribute “genre” is selected. Based on the attribute selected from the input unit 13, the CPU 11 reads the search information associated with the attribute from the video database 151 and displays it on the monitor 14 as shown in FIG.

  The user selects search information desired to be searched from the input unit 13. In the example of FIG. 10D, the search information “news” is selected. The CPU 11 stores the search information selected through the input unit 13 in the RAM 12, and displays other attributes on the monitor 14 except for attributes associated with all the search information stored in the RAM 12. In this embodiment, other attributes “recording start date / time” excluding the attributes “channel” and “genre” associated with the search information “D broadcast” and “news” are displayed as shown in FIG. The user selects one attribute desired to be searched from the input unit 13.

  The user selects an attribute to be searched from the input unit 13. In the example of FIG. 10E, there is only room for selection of the attribute “recording start date”, and the attribute “recording start date” is selected. Based on the attribute selected from the input unit 13, the CPU 11 reads the search information associated with the attribute from the video database 151 and displays it on the monitor 14 as shown in FIG. As described in the first embodiment, the number of video data satisfying the selected search information with the AND condition is also displayed. The user selects search information desired to be searched from the input unit 13. In the example of FIG. 10F, the search information “this week” is selected.

  The CPU 11 stores the search information selected through the input unit 13 in the RAM 12. The CPU 11 determines whether there are other attributes excluding attributes associated with the search information stored in the RAM 12. In this example, the CPU 11 has no other attributes except the attributes “channel”, “genre”, and “recording start date / time” associated with the search information “D broadcast”, “news”, and “this week” stored in the RAM 12. Judge.

  When the search information “this week 4” is selected in the state of FIG. 10F, the CPU 11 determines that no other attribute exists, and sets all search information stored in the RAM 12 to the AND condition “D broadcast” & Video data satisfying “news” & “this week” is read from the video database 151. The CPU 11 creates thumbnails of four corresponding video data and stores them in the RAM 12. After that, as shown in FIG. 11G, the CPU 11 lists information “10/11 7:00 This week D broadcast news Dad Good morning D” belonging to the video data including the selected search information from the RAM 12 together with the corresponding thumbnails. indicate. In the example of FIG. 11G, thumbnails of four corresponding video data and corresponding search information are listed.

  The user selects from the input unit 13 video data desired to be viewed from the input unit 13. The CPU 11 reads the selected video data from the video database 151 and outputs it to the reproduction processing unit 18.

  12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the search process according to the second embodiment. When the CPU 11 receives a search start request from the input unit 13, the CPU 11 reads a plurality of attributes from the video database 151 and displays the read plurality of attributes on the monitor 14 (step S121). The user selects an attribute desired to be searched through the input unit 13 from among the plurality of displayed attributes. The CPU 11 accepts attribute selection (step S122), and reads search information associated with the accepted attribute from the video database 151 (step S123). The CPU 11 stores the read search information in the RAM 12 and displays the read search information on the monitor 14 as shown in FIG. 9B (step S124).

  The user selects search information to be searched through the input unit 13. The CPU 11 receives the search information selected from the input unit 13 (step S125). The CPU 11 displays on the monitor 14 all attributes other than the attributes associated with all the received search information (step S126). The user selects an attribute desired to be searched from the attributes displayed on the monitor 14 through the input unit 13. The CPU 11 accepts the selected attribute (step S127). The CPU 11 reads search information associated with the received attribute from the video database 151 (step S128). The CPU 11 stores the read search information in the RAM 12 and displays the read search information on the monitor 14 (step S129).

  The user selects search information to be searched through the input unit 13. The CPU 11 receives the search information selected from the input unit 13 (step S1210). The CPU 11 determines whether or not there is an attribute other than the attribute associated with all received search information (step S1211). That is, the CPU 11 searches the video database 151 based on all the search information stored in the RAM 12 and determines whether or not the video database 151 has attributes other than the attributes associated with all the search information. If there is an attribute other than the attribute attached to all the search information (YES in step S1211), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S126 and narrows down the search target by repeating the above processing.

  If the CPU 11 determines that there are no more attributes excluding attributes associated with all search information (NO in step S1211), the video database stores video data that satisfies the search information received in step S125 and step S1210 under the AND condition. 151 is specified (step S1212). Specifically, the CPU 11 reads the target video data path from the path field and stores it in the RAM 12. Then, the CPU 11 reads out the search information used for searching the video data and stores it in the RAM 12, refers to the path stored in the RAM 12, reads out the thumbnail image from the video database 151 (step S 1213), and stores it in the RAM 12. .

  The CPU 11 displays the search information and thumbnails stored in the RAM 12 on the monitor 14 (step S1214). The search information does not necessarily display all information associated with the video data. Only one of the search information and the thumbnail may be displayed. The user selects video data desired to be viewed from the input unit 13. The CPU 11 accepts selection of video data output from the input unit 13 (step S1215). The CPU 11 acquires the path of the selected video data by accessing the RAM 12, reads out the video data existing in the path from the video database 151, and outputs it to the playback processing unit 18 (step S131). As described above, by allowing the selection of attributes according to the user's wishes in stages, an intuitive search according to the user's preferences can be performed.

  The second embodiment is configured as described above, and the other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Embodiment 3
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an image when a display request for thumbnails or search information is received. During the search in the first and second embodiments, a video data thumbnail or search information display request may be received. FIG. 14A shows a state where the search information “dad” is selected in the attribute “family folder” and the search information “D broadcast” is selected in the attribute “channel” in the first embodiment. In FIG. 14A, the result of the search with the search information “dad” and “D broadcast” is displayed.

  The monitor 14 displays a “display all video data” button 141 for accepting a display request for thumbnails of video data or search information. If the “all video data display” button 141 is selected from the input unit 13, the CPU 11 accepts the selection. Then, the thumbnail of the corresponding video data or the search information is displayed on the monitor 14 from the video database 151 based on all the received search information.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a thumbnail of video data as a search result or a list of search information. The CPU 11 reads out from the video database 151 video data that satisfies all the received search information “dad” and “D broadcast” under the AND condition, and displays them in FIG. FIG. 15 displays thumbnails and search information of corresponding video data. As shown in FIG. 15, in addition to the four video data shown in the first embodiment, thumbnails and search information relating to the three video data are displayed. In FIG. 15, the thumbnails and search information of seven video data are displayed in a list for explanation, but may be scroll-displayed in consideration of the display area of the monitor 14.

  Similarly, in the second embodiment, thumbnails of video data and search information may be displayed during the search. FIGS. 14B and 14C show a state where the search information “D broadcast” is selected in the attribute “channel” in the second embodiment. FIG. 14B shows attributes “genre” and “recording start date and time” that can be selected next, and FIG. 14C shows a state where the attribute “genre” is further selected. ing. On the monitor 14, a “display data for all videos” button 141 for accepting a display request for thumbnails of video data or search information is displayed in FIGS. 14B and 14C, respectively. If the “all video data display” button 141 is selected from the input unit 13, the CPU 11 accepts the selection. Then, the thumbnail of the corresponding video data or the search information is displayed on the monitor 14 from the video database 151 based on all the received search information.

  The display result is as shown in FIG. The CPU 11 reads out the video data satisfying the AND condition from the video database 151 based on all the received search information “D broadcast” and when there are a plurality of search information, and displays them in FIG. FIG. 15 displays thumbnails and search information of corresponding video data.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of search processing according to the third embodiment. Similar to the processing in step S85 in the first embodiment or step S129 in the second embodiment, the CPU 11 displays the search information on the monitor 14 (step S161). Further, the CPU 11 displays on the monitor 14 information for accepting a display request for thumbnails of video data or search information (step S162). In this embodiment, the CPU 11 reads the “display all video data” button 141 from the storage unit 15. indicate. This display may be performed together with the attribute display in step S126.

  The CPU 11 determines whether this display request has been accepted (step S163). Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the “display all video data” button 141 is operated from the input unit 13. If the CPU 11 determines not to accept the display request (NO in step S163), the process ends, and the process proceeds to step S86, step S127, or step S1210. If the CPU 11 determines that a display request has been received (YES in step S163), the CPU 11 identifies video data satisfying the AND condition in step S83 and step S86 or step S125 and step S1210 from the video database 151 ( Step S164). Specifically, the CPU 11 reads the target video data path from the path field and stores it in the RAM 12. Then, the CPU 11 reads out the search information used for searching the video data and stores it in the RAM 12, refers to the path stored in the RAM 12, reads out the thumbnail image from the video database 151 (step S 165), and stores it in the RAM 12. . The CPU 11 displays the search information and thumbnails stored in the RAM 12 on the monitor 14 (step S166). Subsequent processing is the same as step S811 and step S812 or step S1215 and step S131, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The third embodiment is configured as described above, and the other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments. Therefore, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the record layout of a video database. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image of a menu screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image at the time of inputting the priority of an attribute. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image of search navigation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image of search navigation. It is a flowchart which shows the storage processing procedure of an attribute and search information. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a search process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image of search navigation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image of search navigation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image of search navigation. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of search processing according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of search processing according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image at the time of receiving the display request of a thumbnail or search information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the thumbnail of the video data which is a search result, or the list of search information. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of search processing according to Embodiment 3.

Explanation of symbols

1. Video playback device (content playback device)
11 CPU (control unit)
15 storage unit 12 RAM
13 Input unit 14 Monitor (display unit)
18 Playback processing section 19 Output section 16 Tuner 151 Video database (content database)

Claims (7)

In a search support method for supporting search of content in a content playback device that plays back a plurality of stored content,
Storing a plurality of attributes associated with the content and search information associated with each attribute in the content database;
Receiving the priority order of the attributes from the input unit;
Retrieving the search information associated with the input highest priority attribute from the content database and displaying it on the display unit;
A selection acceptance step for accepting selection of search information from the input unit;
A search information display step of reading search information associated with an attribute having a lower priority than an attribute associated with the search information received by the selection reception step from the content database and displaying the search information on the display unit;
When the priority of the attribute attached to the search information displayed in the search information display step is the lowest, information on the corresponding content is read from the content database based on the search information received in the selection reception step, and is displayed in the display unit. A search support method comprising: an information display step for displaying. In a search support method for supporting search of content in a content playback device that plays back a plurality of stored content,
Storing a plurality of attributes associated with the content and search information associated with each attribute in the content database;
Displaying the plurality of attributes on a display unit;
Receiving an attribute selection from the input unit;
Retrieving the search information associated with the received attribute from the content database and displaying it on the display unit;
A selection accepting step for accepting selection of the displayed search information from the input unit;
An attribute display step for displaying on the display unit attributes other than attributes associated with all search information received by the selection receiving step;
An information display step of reading information about the corresponding content from the content database based on all the search information received by the selection reception step and displaying the information on the display unit when there is no attribute displayed by the attribute display step. A search support method characterized by comprising: In a content reproduction apparatus for reproducing a plurality of stored contents,
Means for storing a plurality of attributes associated with the content and search information associated with each attribute in the content database;
Means for receiving the priority order of the attributes;
Means for reading search information associated with the inputted attribute having the highest priority from the content database and displaying it on a display unit;
Selection accepting means for accepting selection of search information;
Search information display means for reading search information associated with an attribute having a lower priority than attributes associated with the search information received by the selection receiving means from the content database and displaying it on the display unit;
When the priority of the attribute attached to the search information displayed by the search information display means is the lowest, information related to the corresponding content is read from the content database based on the search information received by the selection receiving means and is displayed in the display unit. An information display device for displaying the content. In a content reproduction apparatus for reproducing a plurality of stored contents,
Means for storing a plurality of attributes associated with the content and search information associated with each attribute in the content database;
Means for displaying the plurality of attributes on a display unit;
Means for accepting a selection of attributes;
Means for reading search information associated with the received attribute from the content database and displaying the retrieved information on the display unit;
Selection accepting means for accepting selection of the displayed search information;
Attribute display means for displaying on the display section attributes other than attributes associated with all search information received by the selection receiving means;
An information display means for reading out information related to the corresponding content from the content database based on all the search information received by the selection receiving means and displaying the information on the display section when there is no attribute displayed by the attribute display means; A content playback apparatus comprising: Means for receiving input of attribute name and search information name;
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: means for storing the received attribute name and search information name in the content database. The information display unit is configured to display a thumbnail of the corresponding content from the content database or the search information based on all the search information received by the selection receiving unit. The content reproduction device according to any one of 5. Means for accepting a request to display a thumbnail of content or search information;
When the display request is received, further comprising means for displaying a thumbnail of the corresponding content from the content database or the search information on the display unit based on all the search information received by the selection receiving unit. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 6.

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