JP4821177B2 - Program information display device and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program information display device and a program thereof.

Currently, BS digital broadcasting and CS digital broadcasting are performed via broadcasting satellites and communication satellites. Terrestrial digital broadcasting, which has been broadcast in some areas since December 2003, Analog broadcasting currently being broadcast is to be switched to digital broadcasting nationwide. This terrestrial digital broadcast is performed by dividing a 6 MHz band into 13 segments. Furthermore, broadcasting to mobile objects such as mobile phone devices is scheduled for one of the 13 segments.
Similar to BS digital broadcasting and CS digital broadcasting, also in this terrestrial digital broadcasting, an EPG for guiding the contents of the broadcasting is provided as a character broadcasting. The user can grasp the broadcast schedule of each television station by displaying the received EPG on the screen.
Since the EPG is transmitted at regular intervals, in order to receive the EPG at any time in the mobile terminal, a service that always provides the EPG via the network has been proposed.

In one proposal, a broadcast receiving system is provided that can know what program is broadcast even at a destination. In this broadcast receiving system, an EPG database that stores an EPG for each broadcasting station and a service area database that stores a service area for each broadcasting station are provided in the server. The receiving terminal transmits position information and information indicating a receivable broadcast type to the server. The position information is acquired by a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. The server checks broadcast stations that can be received by the receiving terminal from these pieces of information, extracts a program table of those broadcasting stations from the EPG database, creates a program list, and transmits the program list to the receiving terminal. The receiving terminal displays the transmitted program guide on the display device, and controls the broadcast receiving device so as to receive the program selected by the user. (See Patent Document 1)
In another proposal, an EPG information distribution system that easily obtains channel selection information of a destination broadcast station even if it is mobile reception is provided. In this EPG information distribution system, an EPG server receives a transmission request for EPG information sent from a mobile terminal, determines a reception area where the mobile terminal is located from position information sent simultaneously, and The receivable station is searched from the receivable station table, and the EPG generated based on the broadcast schedule of the receivable station is transmitted to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal transmits the location information to the server in response to the input of the latitude / longitude acquired by the GPS reception function, or the postal code or the area code telephone number. (See Patent Document 2)
JP 2002-101405 A JP 2003-158730 A

In the above Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, an EPG of a program that can be received at that position is distributed according to the current position of the mobile phone device or other mobile terminal, but is scheduled to be broadcast in the area where it is scheduled to move Sometimes you want to know in advance. For example, if there is a plan to move from Tokyo to Sendai tomorrow, it is conceivable to know in advance whether the program that the user wants to watch is broadcast in Sendai, and if it is not broadcast, make a recording reservation. However, in the conventional techniques including Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, only the EPG of the program that can be received at the current position can be acquired. Therefore, on the assumption that the program is moved, the destination EPG is received in advance. There was a problem that it was not possible. In addition, there is a problem in that it is impossible to immediately confirm program information in a time zone where a place is specified.
An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to immediately confirm program information in a time zone where a place is specified .

The invention of claim 1 is a program information display device that acquires and displays program information of a broadcast program, and whether or not location information is input in association with the schedule in an arbitrarily input schedule When the location information is input , and the discriminating means for discriminating the program, the program information of the broadcast program that can be received in the designated area by the designated time and the location information in the schedule is acquired, and the acquired program information is Program information storage means for storing the program information in association with the schedule , and when displaying the program information , the schedule corresponds to a time zone based on the current time, and the program information is stored in the schedule The program information display means for displaying the program information if the program information is stored is determined .

The invention of claim 2 is a program information display device for acquiring and displaying program information of a broadcast program, wherein an acquisition means for acquiring program information of a broadcast program that can be received at each location , and location information together with a schedule date and time Means for storing a schedule to which the program is input, and program guide display means for acquiring program information of a broadcast program that can be received at the current position on the basis of the current time and displaying it as a program guide when displaying program information. If a time zone in the program guide displayed by the program guide display means and an arbitrary time zone is designated, a schedule corresponding to the schedule date and time is stored in the designated time zone. And switching display means for switching to and displaying the program information of the broadcast program that can be received at the place of the place information included in the schedule .

According to the present invention, it is possible to immediately confirm program information in a time zone in which a place is specified.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a program information receiving apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, taking a portable television receiving apparatus for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting as an example.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a television receiver in the embodiment. This television receiver is composed of a reception block for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting and a control block. First, the configuration of the reception block will be described. The tuner unit 1 selects a carrier wave of one broadcasting station from the radio waves of each broadcasting station received from the antenna in accordance with a channel selection command, extracts a high frequency received signal from the carrier wave, and outputs it. The demodulating unit 2 demodulates the received signal output from the tuner unit 1, and PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) of each content, that is, video PES, audio PES, subtitled PES, and data that are compressed and encoded data The TS (Transport Stream) that carries the ES is output. The TS decoder unit 3 performs descrambling operation using key packet extraction and encryption key data from the control block, demultiplexes (separates) the TS, and each content of the video PES, audio PES, subtitle PES, and data PES Are output separately.

  The video decoder unit 4 decodes the video PES output from the TS decoder unit 3 and outputs a video signal. The audio decoder unit 5 decodes the audio PES output from the TS decoder unit 3 and outputs an audio signal. The display control unit 6 develops the video signal output from the video decoder unit 4 into a bitmap image and displays it on the screen of the display unit 7. The audio control unit 8 converts the audio signal output from the audio decoder unit 5 from digital to analog and causes the speaker of the audio input / output device 9 to generate sound. Note that caption PES and data PES are sent to the control block for processing. An STC (System Time Clock) unit 10 generates a clock signal for synchronizing with each content and control block.

  Next, the configuration of the control block will be described. The system bus of the main control unit 11 is connected to the TS decoder unit 3 of the reception block, the STC unit 10 and the like, as well as the program storage unit 12 in the control block, the WORK RAM 13, the data storage unit 14, the external input / output An I / F (interface) 15, a remote control receiving unit 16, an input control unit 17, an IC card I / F 18, and a network I / F 19 are connected. The main control unit 11 exchanges data and commands with these units via the system bus and controls the entire television receiver.

  The program storage unit 12 stores a PSI (Program Specific Information) / SI (Service Information service information) analysis program, an EPG program, a network control program, a scheduler program, a regional information database, and other programs. . The WORK RAM 13 temporarily stores various data processed by the main control unit 11. The data storage unit 14 stores program information data acquired from the PSI, program information data acquired from the network, user registration schedule data, and other data. The external input / output I / F 15 transmits / receives data to / from an external device such as a personal computer. The remote control receiving unit 16 receives an infrared signal from a remote control (not shown) and inputs it to the main control unit 11. The input control unit 17 relays data and commands input from the input device 20 such as a switch to the main control unit 11. The IC card I / F 18 stores encryption key data when the TS decoder unit 3 performs a descrambling operation. The network I / F 19 is connected to a program information providing server (not shown) via a network such as the Internet, receives program information data, and stores it in the data storage unit 14.

  Next, schedule data registration processing in the embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when the user registers the schedule data, the location information of the schedule can be input by a zip code or a place name. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the schedule data registration control process of the main control unit 11. First, a storage destination is searched for storing registration data of a schedule input by a user (step S101). Then, it is determined whether or not location data is input to the input schedule data (step S102). If location data has been input, the regional information database stored in the television receiver is searched to identify a broadcast region that matches the regional information corresponding to the input location data (step S103). Note that the regional information database is not necessarily provided in the television receiver. It may be held on the network side (server side).

  Next, network connection processing is performed via the network I / F 19 to prepare for acquiring broadcast program data from the network (step S104). Then, it is determined whether or not the connection is normally completed (OK) (step S105). When the connection is normally completed, a program information acquisition request is transmitted to the program information providing server, and the program at the specified time in the specified area is transmitted. A process of acquiring information is performed (step S106). When the acquisition is completed, a network disconnection process is performed (step S107). Next, a schedule data registration process is performed in a state where it is linked with the acquired program information and can be read out by the EPG program (step S108). On the other hand, if no location data is entered in the schedule data in step S102, only the schedule data is registered in step S108. After the schedule data is registered in step S108, it is determined whether or not there is program information in the schedule data (step S109). If there is program information, the program information is stored (step S110). If the connection is not normally completed in step S105, a delayed call reservation is set (step S111), and only the schedule data is registered in step S108. After the delayed call reservation is set, the program information acquired from the program information providing server when the connection is normally completed is added to the schedule data and stored.

  After the program information for the specified time in the specified area is stored in the data storage unit 14 together with the schedule data, display processing is performed by the EPG program executed by the main control unit 11. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the EPG display process in the embodiment. This process is executed when a user's EPG display request command is input from the input device 20. First, the current time is acquired and the time for starting display is determined (step S201). Next, the program information data accumulated in the current viewing area is read from the broadcast wave EIT (Event Information Table) stored in the data storage unit 14, that is, the program information such as the program name, broadcast date and time, and description of the contents ( Step S202) and schedule data are read (Step S203). And it is discriminate | determined whether the data and program information applicable to the time slot | zone in a display area exist in the schedule data (step S204).

  If the corresponding data exists and the program information acquired from the network exists, a process for synthesizing the program information of the current viewing area and the program information acquired from the network is performed (step S205). After this synthesizing process, a process for creating display data of the synthesized program information is performed (step S206), and the program information obtained from the network, that is, the program information linked with the schedule data, and the program information of the current viewing area are obtained. Display processing is performed (step S207). If there is no corresponding data in step S204, a process for creating display data of program information in the current viewing area is performed in step S206, and a display process with program information is performed in step S207.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schedule registration screen in the embodiment. As shown in this figure, the schedule data to be registered includes items of location data in addition to items of date data, time data, and content data. When inputting location data, a region name may be input as in the example of FIG. 4, or a postal code or a long-distance telephone number may be input. Furthermore, it is also possible to display a map on the sub screen and select a region on the map. By inputting the location data, the program information of the destination area can be acquired in advance from the program information providing server connected via the network.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the EPG in the embodiment. FIG. 5A shows an EPG in the current viewing area, and FIG. 5B shows an EPG in the destination area. In FIG. 5, the thick frame image is a cursor, and moves according to the operation of the direction key of the input device 20. When schedule data is registered, the display color of the EPG time zone linked to the schedule data changes. In the example of FIG. 5, the display colors of the dotted line frames 301 and 302 change. As shown in FIG. 4, since the schedule is the destination of travel from 13:00 to 16:00, the cursor positioned in the range from 11:00 to 13:00 in the EPG shown in FIG. When moved to the range from 13:00 to 14:00, the display is switched to the EPG display shown in FIG.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the main control unit 11 transmits the area data, the period data, and the program guide information request command for the broadcast program input from the input device 20 from the network. The program guide information in the region and period is received from the network, and the received program guide information is displayed on the display unit 7.
Therefore, it is possible to receive the destination EPG in advance on the premise of moving.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the EPG in the first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 6A shows an EPG in the current viewing area, and FIG. 6B shows an EPG in the destination area. In the case of the first modification, the program guide information of the current viewing area and the program guide information of the movement destination are switched every predetermined time (for example, about 2 seconds) and alternately displayed on the display unit 7.
Also in the first modification, it is possible to receive the EPG of the movement destination in advance on the assumption that the movement is performed.
Note that in FIG. 5 in the above embodiment and FIG. 6 of the first modification, some information is hidden because the program display breaks are forcibly matched at the schedule change point (13:00 in FIGS. 5 and 6). . However, some users may feel uncomfortable that the display interval of the program is shifted from the time display on the left side. Therefore, an icon for changing the display may be displayed on the screen to display a state of moving the program display break. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the EPG in the second modification of the embodiment, and displays an icon at a program display break. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, by clicking the icon, it is possible to display program information in a range exceeding the time zone on the left side.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the EPG in the third modification of the embodiment. In the case of the third modification, program information linked to schedule data is simultaneously displayed on the display unit 7.
Therefore, also in this modified example 1, it is possible to receive the destination EPG in advance and to easily grasp the relationship between the schedule and the program information on the premise of moving.

In the embodiment and the modification, the schedule data is directly input to the television receiver. However, the schedule data produced by an external device may be taken into the television receiver and used.
In the above embodiment and the modification, the program information receiving apparatus according to the present invention has been described by taking a portable television receiving apparatus that receives terrestrial digital broadcasting as an example. However, as the program information receiving apparatus according to the present invention, a mobile phone is used. It may be a device or a stationary television receiver. Alternatively, the present invention can also be applied to an information terminal that can receive an EPG from a network such as the Internet, as long as the broadcast schedule in an area other than the current position can be grasped even if it does not have a TV broadcast reception function. .

  In each of the above embodiments, the invention of the program information receiving apparatus in which the main control unit 11 executes a program stored in advance in the program storage unit 12, that is, the invention of the product has been described. A configuration in which a program downloaded from a network is installed in the program storage unit 12 and executed by the main control unit 11 is also possible. In this case, the invention of the program and the invention of the storage medium storing the program can be configured.

That is, the program of the present invention is
Step A for inputting a command and data input from the operating means, and a request command for program information for the area data, period data, and broadcast program input by the step A are transmitted from the network. A step B for receiving program guide information from the network for a period and a step C for displaying program guide information received in the step B on a display means are executed by a computer.

The step C is characterized in that the program guide information in the region and period related to the input in the step A and the program guide information at the current position are displayed on the display means.
The step C is characterized in that the program guide information in the region and period and the program guide information at the current position are switched at regular intervals and alternately displayed on the display means.
In the step C, when schedule data of region and date / time is input from the step A, program guide information linked to the schedule data is simultaneously displayed on the display means together with the schedule data.

1 is a block diagram of a portable television receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart of schedule data registration processing according to the embodiment. The flowchart of the EPG display process in embodiment. The figure which shows the registration screen of schedule data. The figure which shows the example of the display screen of EPG in embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the display screen of EPG in the modification 1 of embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the display screen of EPG in the modification 2 of embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the display screen of EPG in the modification 3 of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tuner part 2 Demodulation part 3 TS decoder part 4 Video decoder part 5 Audio | voice decoder part 6 Display control part 7 Display part 8 Audio | voice control part 9 Audio | voice input / output device 10 STC part 11 Main control part 12 Program memory | storage part 13 WORK RAM
14 Data storage 15 External input / output I / F
16 Remote control receiver 17 Input controller 18 IC card I / F
19 Network I / F
20 input devices

Claims (4)

A program information display device for acquiring and displaying program information of a broadcast program,
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not location information is input in association with the schedule in an arbitrarily input schedule ,
When the location information is input, the program information of the broadcast program that can be received in the designated area according to the schedule information and the location information is acquired, and the acquired program information is stored in association with the schedule. Program information storage means;
When displaying the program information, it is determined whether the schedule time corresponds to the time zone based on the current time, and the program information is stored in the schedule, and the program information is stored. if, and program information display means for displaying the program information,
A program information display device comprising: A program information display device for acquiring and displaying program information of a broadcast program,
Acquisition means for acquiring program information of broadcast programs that can be received at each location ;
Storage means for storing a schedule in which location information is input together with the schedule date and time ;
When displaying program information, program guide display means for acquiring program information of a broadcast program that can be received at the current position on the basis of the current time and displaying it as a program guide;
When an arbitrary time zone is specified in the program schedule displayed by the program guide display means, if a schedule corresponding to the schedule date and time is stored in the designated time zone, Switching display means for switching and displaying the program information of a broadcast program that can be received at the location information location included in the schedule ;
A program information display device comprising: A program for controlling a computer of a program information display device that acquires and displays program information of a broadcast program,
The computer,
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not location information is input in association with the schedule in an arbitrarily input schedule ,
When the location information is input, the program information of the broadcast program that can be received in the designated area according to the schedule information and the location information is acquired, and the acquired program information is stored in association with the schedule. Program information storage means,
When displaying the program information, it is determined whether the schedule time corresponds to the time zone based on the current time, and the program information is stored in the schedule, and the program information is stored. if, program information display means for displaying the program information,
A computer-readable program designed to function as a computer. A program for controlling a computer of a program information display device that acquires and displays program information of a broadcast program,
The computer,
Acquisition means for acquiring program information of broadcast programs that can be received at each place ;
Storage means for storing a schedule in which location information is input together with the schedule date and time ;
When displaying the program information, a program guide display means for acquiring program information of a broadcast program that can be received at the current position on the basis of the current time and displaying it as a program guide;
When an arbitrary time zone is specified in the program schedule displayed by the program guide display means, if a schedule corresponding to the schedule date and time is stored in the designated time zone, Switching display means for switching to and displaying program information of broadcast programs that can be received at the location information location included in the schedule ;
A computer-readable program designed to function as a computer.

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