JP4948769B2 - Electronic program guide information acquisition device, electronic program guide information acquisition method, electronic program guide information acquisition control program, recording medium recorded therewith, and digital television broadcast receiver provided with electronic program guide information acquisition device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital television broadcast receiving apparatus, and more particularly, to an information acquisition method for an electronic program guide for providing program information to a user.

  The remarkable progress of information and communication technology in recent years has greatly affected not only the industrial world but also the familiar living environment. Not only rapid digitization in the communication field such as the Internet, but also in the broadcasting field, television broadcasting, which can be said to be most closely related to our life as an information source, is about to change drastically.

  There are various benefits brought about by digital broadcasting. Among them, the electronic program guide (EPG) is most relevant to user convenience.

  The electronic program guide is created based on program-related information transmitted from each broadcasting station. This program-related information can be obtained by the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus selecting the broadcasting station that is transmitting the program-related information, as in the case of video information and audio information. Minute program information can be acquired. Based on the acquired program information, the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus displays the program information in an electronic list like a program column of a television broadcast that is currently seen in newspapers. By using this electronic program guide, the user can easily view the program information, and can select a program that he / she wants to watch, or can make a viewing reservation or a recording reservation.

  Furthermore, information on programs that always require the latest information, particularly information on programs that are currently being broadcast and programs that are scheduled to be broadcast next to the programs (hereinafter referred to as current programs) are listed in the electronic program guide. The digital TV broadcast receiver selects the channel at the necessary timing (automatically or manually by the user) and acquires the information so that the information on the electronic program guide is maintained. Can be realized.

  In addition, since the electronic program guide can be displayed superimposed on the video signal or displayed simultaneously with the video signal by two-screen display, the electronic program guide can be displayed while viewing a certain program. It is also possible to browse program information other than programs.

  However, in a digital television broadcast receiving apparatus that receives program information of a plurality of different broadcast networks, when these pieces of program information are combined and displayed as an electronic program guide, from such an electronic program guide, It is not easy to provide a comfortable viewing environment in which the user browses the latest information and selects a program that the user wants to view for each program that the user wants to watch or for each service (channel). This is because of the following reasons, and there are technologies and functions for solving these problems.

  First, digital television broadcasting consists of a plurality of different networks. In digital television broadcasting, each satellite has a network, such as CS digital broadcasting, or each broadcasting company, such as BS digital broadcasting or terrestrial digital broadcasting. Identified by ID.

  When the latest information on programs on different networks is acquired or viewed, the network must be switched. However, network switching is a concept that is not found in conventional analog television broadcasting, and it is difficult for the user side to recognize the difference even though the device side is identified by the network ID. In particular, in terrestrial digital broadcasting, since the network is different for each broadcaster, it is necessary to be aware of network switching every time the service (channel) is switched. Such a network switching operation is cumbersome for the user and is not particularly practical in viewing digital terrestrial broadcasting.

  In order to reduce such a burden of switching the network of the user, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that reads network information from a storage unit that stores network information for receivable networks and displays a list thereof. . The user simply selects a network from the list and performs a channel selection operation.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a system in which a device recognizes a corresponding network number from a service number input by a user and a stored service correspondence table (created by OtherNIT) and automatically selects a channel. ing. The user switches the service without being aware of the network and views the target event (program).

  Secondly, when the user browses the program information, unless the service is always selected, the latest information on the service cannot be acquired. That is, the information of the electronic program guide other than the currently selected service is not updated as it was when the service was last selected. As described above, in the current standard, the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus can store program information for eight days including the day of broadcasting. However, depending on the circumstances, for example, sports broadcasting, Immediately before and during the broadcast, information changes such as extended broadcast time are performed. Then, until the service is selected, the change is not reflected and the user cannot obtain the latest information.

As a function for solving this problem, there is a digital television broadcast receiving apparatus equipped with a function for displaying a list of currently broadcast programs for each service and allowing a user to select a service by moving a cursor in the table. In such a function, channel selection is performed for each service at the timing of cursor movement, so that the user can always obtain the latest information about the service.
JP 2004-015499 A (released on January 15, 2004) JP 2001-203948 (released July 27, 2001)

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, the network switching must be performed by the user. Therefore, even if a list of programs on different networks is displayed as a single electronic program guide, the usability improvement effect can be achieved. The problem is small.

  In addition, OtherNIT is incomplete to obtain the latest information on the program, and for this purpose, tuning to a desired service is still necessary. In the method of Patent Document 2 above, even when the user's purpose is only to view the latest information on the program, the channel selection is the same as the channel selection for viewing purposes (that is, the channel selection is performed after the service number is input by the user). It is necessary to select a channel only after video and audio data are acquired. In this case, the user is not released from the manual operation for channel selection, and if only the latest information of the program is browsed, acquisition of data that is not necessary is performed by channel selection, and the program information is browsed. The problem that the efficiency at the time worsens arises.

  In addition, the function of selecting a channel each time a service is selected in conjunction with the cursor movement described above always selects a channel for each service regardless of whether switching to the same network or another network is required. Has been done. Selecting a channel for another service means that it will not be possible to obtain information on the service that was previously selected, so let's look at the latest program information of another service while watching one service. Then, it is inevitable that the viewing will be disturbed.

  That is, in the above function, even if it is possible to display a video signal simultaneously with the electronic program guide as described above, if a service different from the service being viewed is selected, the service being viewed cannot be acquired thereafter. The video signal will be interrupted.

  In terrestrial digital broadcasting, in most cases, since a single broadcaster has more service IDs than the number of services actually provided, multiple different service IDs are assigned to the same service. May be broadcast. Especially in such a situation, the channel selection function for each service leads to unnecessary interruption of viewing, and as a result, the usability of the electronic program guide is sacrificed for the purpose of always maintaining the latest information. The problem of becoming.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is an electronic program guide that does not require the user to be aware of network switching, and the user's purpose is only to view the latest information on the program. The electronic program guide that can provide information efficiently, and the electronic program that keeps the latest information moderately and does not prevent the user from viewing the currently viewed program as much as possible An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic program guide information acquisition device for providing a user with a comfortable viewing environment by using the table information acquisition method.

  An electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus according to the present invention comprises a program information storage means for storing information necessary for creating an electronic program guide having network information and channel selection necessity information for each record, and a current selection. Current network information storage means for storing the network information of the network in the station, record selection means for selecting each of the records of the program information storage means by moving the cursor, and the network of the record according to the selection of the record A selection network information storage means for storing information; a channel selection necessity determination information storage means for storing a channel selection necessity determination information possessed by the record in response to selection of the record; the current network information and the selection network information; A first channel selection determining means for determining whether or not channel selection is necessary based on the result of the comparison, and the above channel selection The second channel selection determination unit that verifies the determination information and determines the necessity of channel selection based on the result of verification, and “channel selection required” based on the outputs of the first and second channel selection determination units. Only when it is determined, the program information acquisition channel selection is executed, the program latest information acquisition means for acquiring the program latest information of the selected record, and the current network information stored in the current network information storage means, A network information update unit that updates the network information of the newly selected network from the program latest information acquisition unit, and a channel selection necessity determination included in the information stored in the program information storage unit according to a predetermined condition Channel selection necessity determination information updating means for updating information.

  According to the above configuration, the first channel selection determination unit can determine whether or not the channel selection is necessary based on the result of comparison between the current network information and the selected network information. Therefore, even if a network record different from the currently selected network is selected, program information acquisition and tuning can be automatically executed.

  In addition, a channel selection necessity determination information storage unit that records whether or not the event selected by the record selection unit needs to be selected (that is, whether or not it is necessary to update to the latest program information). Since it is provided, it becomes possible for the second channel selection determining means to determine the necessity of channel selection based on the channel selection necessity determination information. That is, channel selection is executed only when a network change is necessary and a record that needs to be updated to the latest information is selected.

  Thus, when browsing the program information, the user can select a service (channel) and / or an event (program) without being aware of network switching, and efficiently browses the desired program information. be able to. In addition, it is possible to reduce the chance that the user is obstructed from viewing while the latest information is appropriately maintained. As a result, the user can properly browse fresh program information under a comfortable viewing environment.

  An electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus according to the present invention includes a program information storage means for storing information necessary for creating an electronic program guide having network information for each record, and network information of a currently selected network Current network information storage means for storing the record, record selection means for selecting each of the records of the program information storage means by moving the cursor, and selected network information for storing the network information of the record according to the selection of the record The storage means, the current network information and the selected network information are compared, channel selection determination means for determining the necessity of channel selection based on the comparison result, and based on the output of the channel selection determination means, “channel selection” Execute program information acquisition tuning only when it is determined to be `` required '', and acquire the latest program information of the selected record. Program latest information acquisition means, network information update means for updating the current network information stored in the current network information storage means to network information of the network newly selected by the program latest information acquisition means, It is characterized by having.

  According to the above configuration, the channel selection determination unit can determine whether or not the channel selection is necessary based on the comparison result between the current network information and the selected network information. Even if a record of a network different from the currently selected network is selected, program information acquisition and tuning can be automatically executed. In addition, since channel selection is performed only at the time of network switching, the information necessary for creating the electronic program guide is always kept up-to-date on a network basis.

  As a result, when viewing the program information, the user can select a service and / or event without being aware of the network switching, and efficiently and always up-to-date the desired program information in units of networks. You can browse.

  The information necessary for creating the electronic program guide possessed by the program information storage means stores a record for each event, for example, and each network information and channel selection necessity information for each event, or network You may have information.

  In this case, since the user can select for each event using the record selection means, it is possible to view program information of a desired event without being aware of service switching. Furthermore, since the channel selection necessity determination information can be set for each event, it is possible to further define conditions for performing channel selection.

  Accordingly, in the electronic program guide for BS digital broadcasting and terrestrial digital broadcasting, the same event may be provided redundantly in a plurality of different services, preventing user confusion and efficiency in browsing program information. It is particularly effective in terms of increasing In addition, in more detail, according to the user's preference, it is possible to maintain the latest information on the program and avoid viewing disturbance.

  The information necessary for creating the electronic program guide included in the program information storage means stores, for example, a record for each service, and each network information and channel selection necessity information for each service, or a network You may have information.

  In this case, the user can select each service using the record selection means without being aware of the network switching.

  Therefore, in CS digital broadcasting in which many services exist in the same network and one event is often assigned to one service, unnecessary viewing disturbance can be suppressed as much as possible, and it is comfortable. This is particularly effective in that the viewing environment can be provided to the user.

  Furthermore, the amount of information can be reduced as compared with the case where network information and channel selection necessity determination information or network information must be held for each event, resulting in saving of resources of the storage device.

  The channel selection necessity determination information is a current program flag for determining whether or not each channel is a current program, and the channel selection necessity determination information updating unit is configured to update the current selection flag according to the passage of time. The program flag is updated.

  According to the above configuration, whether or not the event selected by the record selection unit by the second channel selection determination unit is a current program (that is, a program currently being broadcast and a program scheduled to be broadcast next). Based on this, it becomes possible to determine the necessity of channel selection. That is, the channel selection is executed only when the network needs to be switched and when the current program that really needs the latest information is selected.

  In the program currently being broadcast and the program scheduled to be broadcast next, it is possible to reduce the chance that the user is obstructed from viewing while reliably maintaining the latest information. As a result, the user can view accurate program information on the currently broadcast program under a comfortable viewing environment.

  An electronic program guide information acquisition method according to the present invention is a method for acquiring program information necessary for creating an electronic program guide. When a record is selected, it is determined whether or not the record needs to be selected. Based on the channel selection necessity determination information shown, the step of determining the necessity of channel selection is compared with the current network information currently being selected and the selected network information of the selected record, and based on the comparison result And a step of determining the necessity of channel selection.

  According to the above method, channel selection is performed only when switching of networks is necessary and when a record that needs to be updated to the latest information is selected.

  This achieves two objectives, one of which usually tends to be sacrificed: the purpose of keeping the program information in the electronic program guide up-to-date, and the purpose of providing program information without disturbing the user's viewing. As a result, a more comfortable viewing environment can be provided to the user.

  Note that the steps in the electronic program guide information acquisition method do not have to be performed in the order described, and unless they are performed at the same time, the order is changed or another step is inserted between the steps. May be implemented.

  Further, the above-described electronic program guide information acquisition method can be replaced with a computer-executable program. That is, the electronic program guide information acquisition control program according to the present invention, when a record is selected by the record selection means, is selected in the channel selection necessity determination information indicating whether or not channel selection is necessary. Based on the comparison result, the step procedure for determining the necessity of channel selection is compared with the current network information currently selected and the selected network information of the selected record. An electronic program guide information acquisition control program for executing the determining step procedure.

  The electronic program guide information acquisition control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  In this case, the above-described electronic program guide information acquisition method can be realized by a general-purpose computer.

  The electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus according to the present invention may be used in a digital television broadcast receiving apparatus.

  An electronic program guide information acquisition device according to the present invention is an electronic program guide information acquisition device that acquires program information consisting of a plurality of records for creating an electronic program guide corresponding to a plurality of networks. The latest program information acquisition means for acquiring the latest program information, the current network information storage means for storing current network information for specifying the currently selected network, the record selection means for selecting a record, and the record selection means It comprises a channel selection control means for operating the program latest information acquisition means when the selected network information specifying the network corresponding to the selected record is different from the current network information.

  An electronic program guide information acquisition device according to the present invention creates an electronic program guide in an electronic program guide information acquisition device that acquires program information composed of a plurality of records for creating an electronic program guide corresponding to a plurality of networks. Program information storage means for storing program information necessary for recording in units of records, current network information storage means for storing network information of the currently selected network as current network information, and stored in the program information storage means Record selection means for selecting a record, selected network information storage means for storing network information of the network associated with the record selected by the record selection means as selected network information, and program latest information on the selected network A program latest information acquisition means for acquiring Based on the current network information and the selected network information, channel selection determination means for determining whether or not network selection is necessary, and when the channel selection determination means determines that network selection is necessary, And a channel selection control means for operating the program latest information acquisition means.

  The electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus according to the present invention includes a channel selection necessity determination information update unit that updates the channel selection necessity determination information, and the channel selection necessity determination information indicates whether or not the channel selection necessity determination information is a current program for each event. The channel selection necessity determination information update means updates the current program flag as time elapses.

  An electronic program guide information acquisition method according to the present invention is an electronic program guide information acquisition method for acquiring program information composed of a plurality of records for creating an electronic program guide corresponding to a plurality of networks. Selected when the selected network information for identifying the network corresponding to the program selected in the above step is different from the current network information. And switching to a network to obtain the latest program information.

  An electronic program guide information acquisition control program according to the present invention is an electronic program guide information acquisition control program for acquiring program information consisting of a plurality of records for creating an electronic program guide corresponding to a plurality of networks. A procedure for storing current network information for identifying the currently selected network, a procedure for selecting a program, and a selection network information for identifying a network corresponding to the program selected by the procedure are the current network information and When they are different from each other, a procedure for switching to the selected network and acquiring the latest program information is executed.

  As described above, the electronic program guide information acquiring apparatus according to the present invention compares the current network information with the selected network information, and if both are the same network, “no channel selection is necessary”, and both are different networks. 1st channel selection determination means that determines that “selection is necessary”, and further, “selection is not required” if the selected record does not require the latest information, and “selection required” if necessary Second channel selection determination means. These two channel selection determining means indicate that channel selection is necessary only when the selected record belongs to a network different from the currently selected network and when it is necessary to update to the latest information. Since it is determined, channel selection is not performed except in the above case. As a result, an electronic program guide that does not require the user to be aware of network switching, and when the user's purpose is only to view the latest information on the program, an electronic program guide that provides information efficiently, The electronic program guide information acquisition method that maintains the latest information and prevents the user from viewing the currently viewed program as much as possible can provide a user with a comfortable viewing environment.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a digital television broadcast receiving device provided with an electronic program guide display device will be described as an example.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital television broadcast receiver according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a digital television broadcast receiver 1 according to the present embodiment includes a digital broadcast tuner and demodulator 2, a TS (transport stream) decoder 3, a CPU 4, and an AV (audio visual). The decoder 5, the graphics generator 6, the image superimposing unit 7, the audio output unit 8, the video output unit 9, the memory 102, and the operation unit 104 a are provided.

  In FIG. 2, the tuner / demodulator 2 and the TS decoder 3 constitute a channel selector 103, and the graphics generator 6, the image superimposing unit 7, and the video output unit 9 constitute a display unit 105. Yes. The CPU 4, the memory 102, the channel selection unit 103, and the operation unit 104 constitute the electronic program guide information acquisition devices 100 and 200. Details of the electronic program guide information acquisition devices 100 and 200 will be described later. To do.

  Here, first, each component of the digital television broadcast receiver 1 will be described along with the flow of the digital broadcast signal.

  When a digital broadcast signal is supplied through an antenna (not shown), the tuner and demodulator 2 selects a received signal, performs demodulation and error correction according to the signal form, and performs multiplexed digital. Form and output data.

  The TS decoder 3 extracts the TS by decoding the multiplexed digital data output from the tuner and demodulator 2. Here, TS is a signal sequence of continuous fixed-length TS packets, and each TS packet may include data signals such as program information and information necessary for channel selection in addition to video / audio signals. . These TS packets are separated for each purpose by the TS decoder, and the TS packets including video / audio signals are sent to the AV decoder 5 as program information? TS packets including related data signals are separated and output to the CPU 4.

  The AV decoder 5 decodes the TS packet output from the TS decoder 3 to form an audio signal and a video signal. If it is an audio signal, it is output to the audio output unit 8, and if it is a video signal, it is output to the image superimposing unit 7.

  On the other hand, the CPU 4 controls the entire digital television broadcast receiving apparatus 1 and includes a channel selection control unit 101. Details of the channel selection control unit 101 will be described later. The CPU 4 stores the data signal received from the TS decoder 3 in the memory 102. At this time, information about the program displayed in the electronic program guide is stored in the memory 102.

  The graphics generation unit 6 forms an OSD (on-screen display) image to be output to the image superimposing unit 7. An electronic program guide (EPG) and a menu screen (GUI image) for the user to operate the digital television broadcast receiver 1 are generated here.

  The image superimposing unit 7 superimposes the video signal decoded by the AV decoder 5 and the OSD image such as the electronic program guide or the GUI image, and displays an LCD (liquid crystal display) or a PDP (plasma display panel). Or a video output unit 9 such as a CRT (cathode-ray tube) display.

  In addition, the CPU 4 processes a signal from the operation unit 104 and instructs each unit of the operation. The operation unit 104 may be provided in the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus 1 itself (104a), or provided as a remote controller (remote controller) outside the apparatus or as other wired input devices (keyboard, mouse, etc.). (104b).

[Embodiment 1 Determination of necessity of channel selection based on network ID]
Next, the electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus 100 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

  The electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus 100 includes a channel selection control unit 101, a memory 102, a channel selection unit (program latest information acquisition unit) 103, and an operation unit (record selection unit) 104. The stored electronic program guide information is displayed on the display unit 105 as an electronic program guide.

  The channel selection unit 103 plays a role of acquiring desired data by tuning to various frequencies of signals transmitted from each broadcasting station, and receiving and decoding the signals. The operation unit 104 is a user input interface, and the user can operate the electronic program guide displayed on the display unit 105 using the operation unit 104.

  The memory 102 further uses a current network ID holding unit (current network information storage unit) 112 for storing a network ID for identifying which network is currently selected by the channel selection unit 103, and an operation unit 104. The selected network ID holding unit (selected network information storage unit) 114 for storing the network ID for identifying the network to which the event (program) selected by the user belongs is displayed on the display unit 105. And an electronic program guide information database (program information storage means) 116 that stores information necessary for creating an electronic program guide. Details of the table structure of the electronic program guide information database 116 will be described later.

  The channel selection control unit 101 further includes a network ID comparison unit (channel selection) that compares the current network ID stored in the current network ID holding unit 112 with the selected network ID stored in the selected network ID holding unit 114. When the channel selection unit 103 selects a different network, the network ID update unit (network information update unit) 113 that updates the current network ID stored in the current network ID holding unit 112 when the channel selection unit 103 selects a different network. And.

  When the channel selection control unit 101 receives an event selection signal from the operation unit 104, the network ID comparison unit 111 determines whether it is necessary to select a channel for acquiring the program information of the event. The flow will be described in detail later using a flowchart.

  Next, the table structure of the electronic program guide information database 116 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a table showing a table structure of the electronic program guide information database 116 according to the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic program guide information database 116 stores a plurality of pieces of information for creating an electronic program guide acquired from the tuning unit 103 in a table 30 consisting of nine columns as one record per event. Yes.

  The number of records stored in the table 30 is the same as the number of events, but only a sufficient number necessary for explaining the characteristics of the present invention is shown as an example.

  Each column represents an attribute of information to be displayed on the electronic program guide 50 (see FIG. 5). That is, column 31 is the event name of the record (event in this embodiment), column 33 is the identification number (ID) of the network to which the record belongs, column 35 is the service name to which the record belongs, and each column 37 is the record name. Detailed program information is shown respectively.

  Note that the record ID shown in the first column of the table 30 is provided for convenience to uniquely identify each record, and the record can be uniquely identified by the service name and / or event name. In particular, it may not be provided.

  Here, the program information represented by each of the above columns is the network name, service name, channel number, media type, program name, program content, extended program information, program start time, program end time, reserved program type, copy control information. , Genre, viewing age limit, video / audio information, subtitle information, program additional information (information that may be interrupted), pay program information, series information (information such as weekly or rebroadcast information), etc. The information is common information transmitted from each broadcasting station and can be acquired if the tuner / demodulator 2 and the TS decoder 3 are provided. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number of columns representing the program information in the table 30 is limited to eight for the sake of simplification. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the table 30 stores all information on programs that can be received in the column. Is possible.

  As described above, the network ID of each record stored in the column 33 has the same attribute as the data stored in the current network ID holding unit 112 and the selected network ID holding unit 114 in this embodiment. Are used to determine whether they are the same network or different networks.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of the table of the electronic program guide information database 116 is one record per event, but it may be configured as one service per record.

  Here, the service is a channel, and the content to be broadcast can be switched by switching the service. However, in terrestrial digital broadcasting, since a plurality of services are assigned to each broadcaster (that is, for each network), even if the services are switched, the content to be broadcast may be the same or one service may be provided. There may be a case where one content is assigned.

  In the case of the configuration of one service and one record, the user uses the operation unit 104 to make a selection for each service. At that time, the necessity of channel selection is determined, and then a desired event is selected. .

  Therefore, in CS digital broadcasting in which many services exist in the same network and one event is often assigned to one service, unnecessary viewing disturbance can be suppressed as much as possible, and it is comfortable. This is particularly effective in that the viewing environment can be provided to the user.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the electronic program guide information database 116 includes a table 40a storing a network ID for each service, and after an event is specified manually by a user or automatically by a device. The table includes two tables, i.e., a table 40b for storing information on the event to be displayed on the electronic program guide. Here, each table 40b corresponding to each service is provided.

  As a result, the amount of information can be reduced as compared with the case where each event must have a network ID, resulting in saving of memory resources.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a display example of an electronic program guide according to the present embodiment, which is created based on the table 30 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electronic program guide created based on the table of FIG. 3 in the present embodiment. Here, terrestrial digital broadcast program information is taken as an example, but program information by other broadcast media can be displayed in the same manner.

  The electronic program guide 50 mainly includes a detailed event information area 57 indicating detailed program information (for example, program contents) of each event, and for each network (in this embodiment, that is, for each broadcaster). The network name display area 54 is divided, the service name display area 55 is divided for each service, the number of channels is plotted on the vertical axis, and the time is plotted on the horizontal axis. A genre icon and an event display area 56 displaying the event name are included.

  When the block 52 is selected by the operation unit 104, information included in the record 32 in FIG. 3 is displayed in each display area of the electronic program guide 50.

  The portions where the color tone is reversed are the events, services, and networks that are currently selected by the user through the operation unit 104.

  When the block 52 is selected, more detailed information about the event is displayed in the detailed event information area 57. That is, as shown in the record 32, the network ID “2” of the record 32 is shown in the number 53, the event name “◯ △△” of the record 32 is shown in the text 51, and the details “ (Part 1) ”is displayed. At this time, the current network ID holding unit 112 stores the network ID “2” of the record 32 currently being selected.

  Next, regarding the user's operation method, as shown in the operation guide 58 at the bottom of the electronic program guide 50, the event selection is performed with the cross key of the operation unit 104, and the channel selection is performed with the “OK” button. To be implemented. Here, the channel selection performed by the “OK” button means channel selection that is completed only after the video signal and audio signal are output for viewing, and is referred to as normal channel selection in this application. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish from tuning that only performs tuner tuning, which is performed to acquire program information. Therefore, in the following, the former channel selection performed by the “decision” button of the operation unit 104 for viewing the program is performed for viewing, and the latter channel selection of the operation unit 104 for acquiring program information is performed. Channel selection performed by moving the cursor is referred to as program information acquisition channel selection and is distinguished.

  As described above, when the user's purpose is only to view the latest information of the program, it is possible to efficiently provide the information by performing the program information acquisition and tuning only by moving the cursor. .

  Finally, in the electronic program guide 50, although the network is clearly indicated as number 53, the purpose is to provide an electronic program guide that can be used without the user being aware of network switching. In both the service name display area 55 and the event display area 56, the difference in the network is not easily understood visually. Therefore, in this application, for convenience of explanation, a line 59 is provided to emphasize the boundary of the network.

  When the cursor moves across the line 59, program information acquisition tuning is performed.

  By doing in this way, unnecessary program information acquisition channel selection can be prevented from being performed, and as a result, the frequency of disturbing viewing can be reduced.

  Here, unnecessary program information acquisition tuning refers to program information acquisition tuning performed when switching to a different service within the same network. Since the program information is acquired for each broadcaster, that is, for each network, even if the service is switched, program information acquisition and tuning is not required unless the network is changed.

  Next, a flow of processing for acquiring the latest electronic program guide information in accordance with selection of an event by the operation unit 104 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in a state where the electronic program guide 50 is displayed on the display unit 105, the channel selection control unit 101 monitors the movement of the cursor. That is, it is determined whether or not the user has moved the cursor to select an event on the event display area 56 using the cross key of the operation unit 104 (step S601). If the movement of the cursor is detected (YES in S601), the network ID comparison unit 111 acquires the currently selected network ID from the current network ID holding unit 112 (step S602), and is newly selected. The network ID of the selected event is acquired from the selected network ID holding unit 114 (step S603). Here, the selected network ID is stored with reference to the column 33 of the table 30 stored in the electronic program guide information database 116 when an event is selected by the user using the operation unit 104. is there.

  Note that step S602 and step S603 may be executed by changing the order, or may be executed in parallel processing.

  Next, the network ID comparison unit 111 compares the current network ID and the selected network ID acquired in the above steps (step S604). As a result of the comparison, if the current network ID and the selected network ID are different from each other (that is, if an event of a different network is selected) (YES in S604), the network ID comparing unit 111 determines that “selection is necessary”. And instructing the channel selection unit 103 to execute the program information acquisition channel selection (step S605).

  When the channel selection unit 103 performs the program information acquisition channel selection, the network ID update unit 113 stores the newly selected network ID (that is, stored in the selected network ID holding unit 114 until S604). The selected network ID) is stored in the current network ID holding unit 112 as the current network ID (step S606).

  The channel selection control unit 101 updates the electronic program guide information database 116 with the latest information acquired by the channel selection unit 103, and instructs the display unit 105 to display the updated information (step S607).

  In step S604, if the comparison result shows that the current network ID and the selected network ID are the same (that is, if an event in the same network has been selected) (NO in S604), the network ID comparing unit 111. Determines that “channel selection is not required” and issues an instruction to display the information in the electronic program guide information database 116 at that time on the display unit 105 (step S608).

  According to the above processing, the program information acquisition channel selection is performed only when network switching is necessary, that is, when the cursor is moved across the line 59 in FIG. The necessary information is always kept up-to-date for each network. If the range does not exceed the line 59, a desired event can be selected and information can be browsed without disturbing viewing.

[Embodiment 2 Determination of necessity of channel selection based on current program flag]
Next, in addition to the above-mentioned network information, flag information for determining the necessity of channel selection is used to further limit the events to be selected and to perform program information acquisition channel selection more limitedly. Will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electronic program guide information acquisition device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Since the channel selection unit 103, the operation unit 104, and the display unit 105 included in the electronic program guide information acquisition device 200 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Hereinafter, although different points from the first embodiment will be described, the reference numerals used for each component of the electronic program guide information acquisition device 200 correspond to the reference numerals used in the electronic program guide information acquisition device 100 of FIG. Yes. Therefore, the components denoted by the same reference numerals are the same as the components in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  The memory 102 further includes a flag holding unit (tuning necessity determination information storage unit) 128 that indicates whether or not the event selected by the operation unit 104 is a current program, and for creating an electronic program guide. Includes an electronic program guide information database (program information storage means) 126 that stores necessary information. The electronic program guide information database 126 has substantially the same table structure as the electronic program guide information database 116 in the first embodiment, except that the event selected by the operation unit 104 is the current program. This is a point that a new column indicating a current program flag (tuning necessity determination information) indicating whether or not is newly provided. Details of the table structure will be described later.

  In addition to the network ID comparison unit (first channel selection determination unit) 111, the channel selection control unit 101 uses the current program flag stored in the flag holding unit 128 to determine that the event selected by the operation unit 104 is the current program. A current program identification unit (second channel selection determination unit) 121 that identifies whether or not there is, and a current program flag update unit (updates the current program flag of the electronic program guide information database 126 as time passes) And a channel selection necessity determination information update unit) 123.

  When the channel selection control unit 101 receives an event selection signal from the operation unit 104, the network ID comparison unit 111 and the current program identification unit 121 determine whether or not the event needs to be selected. Will be described in detail later using a flowchart.

  Next, the table structure of the electronic program guide information database in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Since the attribute name of each column corresponds to the attribute name of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, detailed description of the attribute with the same name is omitted here. The difference from FIG. 3 in the first embodiment is that the table 80 further includes a column 83 representing the attribute of the current program flag.

  The column 83 stores information indicating whether the event is a current program (a program currently being broadcast or a program scheduled to be broadcast next) for each event. Here, TRUE indicates that it is a current program, and FALSE indicates that it is not a current program.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of the table of the electronic program guide information database 126 is one event and one record as in the first embodiment. However, the configuration may be one service and one record.

  In this case, the user can select each service using the operation unit 104, and at that time, the necessity of channel selection is determined, and then a desired event is selected.

  Therefore, in CS digital broadcasting in which many services exist in the same network and one event is often assigned to one service, unnecessary viewing disturbance can be suppressed as much as possible, and it is comfortable. This is particularly effective in that the viewing environment can be provided to the user.

  Note that the electronic program guide information database 126 in this case includes two tables, a network ID, and a first table (not shown) that stores channel selection necessity determination information as in FIG. And a second table (not shown) for storing information on the event to be displayed on the electronic program guide after the event is specified manually or automatically by the apparatus.

  In this case, the channel selection necessity information provided in the first table is stored not for each event but for each service.

  As a result, the amount of information can be further reduced as compared with the case where each event has a network ID and channel selection necessity determination information, resulting in saving of memory resources.

  Next, FIG. 9 shows a display example of the electronic program guide according to the present embodiment, which is created based on the table 80 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an electronic program guide created based on the table of FIG. 8 in the present embodiment. Here, as in the first embodiment, terrestrial digital broadcast program information is taken as an example, but program information by other broadcast media can be displayed in the same manner.

  Since the configuration of the electronic program guide 90 is the same as that of the electronic program guide 50 of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  In the present application, for convenience of explanation, a current program area 93 and a line 99 are provided. A current program area 93 indicates an area corresponding to a current program, that is, a program currently being broadcast and a program scheduled to be broadcast next, and a line 99 is a network boundary as in the first embodiment. It is a line provided in.

  When the cursor moves on the current program area 93 and moves across the line 99, the program information acquisition channel selection is performed.

  Next, a flow of processing for acquiring the latest electronic program guide information in accordance with selection of an event by the operation unit 104 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in a state where the electronic program guide 90 is displayed on the display unit 105, the channel selection control unit 101 monitors the movement of the cursor. That is, it is determined whether or not the user has moved the cursor to select an event on the event display area 96 using the cross key of the operation unit 104 (step S1001). If the movement of the cursor is detected (YES in S1001), the current program identifying unit 121 acquires the current program flag of the newly selected event from the flag holding unit 128 (step S1002).

  Here, the current program flag is stored with reference to the column 83 of the table 80 stored in the electronic program guide information database 126 when an event is selected by the user using the operation unit 104. is there.

  Next, the current program identification unit 121 verifies the current program flag acquired in the above step (step S1003). As a result of the verification, the current program flag is TRUE (that is, if the selected event is the current program) (YES in S1003), and then the process proceeds to the step of determining the necessity of channel selection based on the network ID.

  Subsequently, the network ID comparison unit 111 acquires the currently selected network ID from the current network ID holding unit 112 (step S1004), and the network ID of the newly selected event from the selected network ID holding unit 114. Obtain (step S1005). Steps S1004 and S1005 may be executed by changing the order, or may be executed by parallel processing.

  Next, the network ID comparison unit 111 compares the current network ID acquired in the above two steps with the selected network ID (step S1006). As a result of the comparison, if the current network ID and the selected network ID are different from each other (that is, if an event of a different network is selected) (YES in S1006), the network ID comparing unit 111 indicates “selection required”. And instructing the channel selection unit 103 to execute the program information acquisition channel selection (step S1007).

  When the channel selection unit 103 performs the program information acquisition channel selection, the network ID update unit 113 stores the newly selected network ID (that is, stored in the selected network ID holding unit 114 until the time of S1006). The selected network ID) is stored in the current network ID holding unit 112 as the current network ID (step S1008).

  The channel selection control unit 101 updates the electronic program guide information database 126 with the latest information acquired by the channel selection unit 103, and instructs the display unit 105 to display the updated information (step S1009).

  In step S1003, as a result of the verification, the current program flag is FALSE (that is, if the selected event is not the current program) (NO in S1003), and the current program identification unit 121 determines that “no channel selection is required”. The determination is made and an instruction is given to display the information in the electronic program guide information database 126 at that time on the display unit 105 (step S1010).

  In step S1006, if the comparison result shows that the current network ID and the selected network ID are the same (that is, for the event-selected bay in the same network) (NO in S1006), the network ID comparing unit 111. Similarly, it is determined that “channel selection is not required”, and an instruction is given to display the information in the electronic program guide information database 126 at that time on the display unit 105 (step S1010).

  Note that the current program flag information in the table 80 stored in the electronic program guide information database 126 indicates that the event that is currently being broadcast and the next scheduled broadcast program is TRUE as time elapses. As will be updated from time to time.

  According to the above processing, only when the network switching is necessary and the current program requiring the latest information is selected, that is, when the cursor is moved across the line 99 in FIG. In addition, the program information acquisition channel selection is performed only when the destination event is within the current program area 93.

  As described above, the program information acquisition / tuning which causes the disturbance of viewing is performed only when the network switching is necessary and the current program requiring the latest information is selected. Therefore, the frequency at which the user's viewing is disturbed can be further reduced, and the latest information can always be maintained for an event that really needs the latest information.

  Thereby, the user can browse accurate program information about the program currently being broadcast in a comfortable viewing environment with less viewing disturbance.

  In the above description, in the table 80 of the electronic program guide information database 126, a record is provided for each event, and whether or not the channel selection necessity criterion for each event is the current program, that is, the current broadcast Although the case where it is whether it is an inside program was demonstrated, it is not restricted to this. For example, whether or not the channel selection necessity criterion is a user's favorite genre may be used. In this case, a function for registering a genre that the user likes in advance is provided, and a table 80 is set in which a TRUE value is entered in the column 83 only for events having the registered genre. According to this configuration, the latest information on the program that is the user's favorite genre is always maintained, and the effect similar to that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Note that in each part and each processing step of the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus of the above embodiment, a calculation unit such as a CPU executes a program stored in a storage unit such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM, and a keyboard or the like It can be realized by controlling input means, output means such as a display, or communication means such as an interface circuit. Therefore, various functions and various processes of the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment can be realized simply by a computer having these means reading the recording medium storing the program and executing the program. In addition, by recording the program on a removable recording medium, the various functions and various processes described above can be realized on an arbitrary computer.

  As this recording medium, a program medium such as a memory (not shown) such as a ROM may be used for processing by the microcomputer, or a program reader is provided as an external storage device (not shown). It may be a program medium that can be read by inserting a recording medium therein.

  In any case, the stored program is preferably configured to be accessed and executed by the microprocessor. Furthermore, it is preferable that the program is read out, and the read program is downloaded to a program storage area of the microcomputer and the program is executed. It is assumed that this download program is stored in advance in the main unit.

  The program medium is a recording medium configured to be separable from the main body, such as a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, or a disk such as a CD / MO / MD / DVD. Fixed disk system, card system such as IC card (including memory card), or semiconductor memory such as mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), flash ROM, etc. In particular, there are recording media that carry programs.

  In addition, if the system configuration is capable of connecting to a communication network including the Internet, the recording medium is preferably a recording medium that fluidly carries the program so as to download the program from the communication network.

  Further, when the program is downloaded from the communication network as described above, it is preferable that the download program is stored in the main device in advance or installed from another recording medium.

  The electronic program guide information acquisition device according to the present invention is linked to the operation of the electronic program guide by the user when information for creating electronic program guides acquired from a plurality of networks is collected into one electronic program guide. Can be selectively selected, so that it can receive signals from multiple networks in digital broadcasting, display them as an electronic program guide, and simultaneously receive video signals, such as digital TV broadcast reception Applicable to equipment.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the digital television broadcast receiver by embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the table structure of the electronic program guide information database by embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows another table structure of the electronic program guide information database by embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the electronic program guide created based on the table of FIG. 3 in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which selectively acquires the newest electronic program guide information according to selection of the event by the operation part in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus by other embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the table structure of the electronic program guide information database by other embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the electronic program guide produced based on the table of FIG. 8 in other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which selectively acquires the newest electronic program guide information according to selection of the event by the operation part in other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 channel selection control unit 102 memory 103 channel selection unit (program latest information acquisition means)
104 Operation section (record selection means)
105 display unit 111 network ID comparison unit (channel selection determination unit / first channel selection determination unit)
112 Current network ID holding unit (current network information storage means)
113 Network ID update unit (network information update means)
114 Selected network ID holding unit (selected network information storage means)
121 Current program identification unit (second channel selection determination means)
123 Current program flag update unit (tuning necessity determination information update means)
126 Electronic program guide information database (program information storage means)
128 flag holding unit (tuning necessity determination information storage means)
200 Electronic program guide information acquisition device

Claims (8)

A tuning unit that selects one of a plurality of networks and acquires program information of the selected network;
An electronic program guide information database for storing program information acquired by the channel selection unit;
A plurality of channels are assigned to at least one network of the plurality of networks, and the program information stored in the electronic program guide information database is displayed in a list so that it can be selected for each channel , thereby providing an electronic program guide. A display unit for displaying,
When the electronic program channels that are displayed on the display section when displaying the table is selected via the operation unit, compares the selected network corresponding to the selected channel, the channel selecting section is the current network in the channel selection Then, channel selection determination means for determining whether or not network selection is necessary according to whether or not the networks match,
Said selection network is Unlike the current network, only if the channel selection of the network is determined to be necessary by the channel selection determining means, tuning for controlling the tuning unit to tune the selected network An electronic program guide information acquisition device comprising a control means.   In the electronic program guide information database, program information necessary to create an electronic program guide is stored in units of events, and for each event, network information and channel selection necessity determination information for identifying a network, The electronic program guide information acquisition device according to claim 1, further comprising network information.   In the electronic program guide information database, program information necessary for creating an electronic program guide is stored in units of channels, and network information and channel selection necessity determination information for identifying networks for each channel. 2. The electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising network information.   Comprising a channel selection necessity determination information update means for updating the channel selection necessity determination information,
  When the channel selection necessity determination information is a current program flag for determining whether or not the current program for each event,
  4. The electronic program guide information acquisition device according to claim 2, wherein the channel selection necessity determination information update unit updates the current program flag as time elapses.   An electronic program guide information acquisition method in an electronic program guide information acquisition device including a channel selection unit that selects one of a plurality of networks and acquires program information of a selected network,
  A plurality of channels are assigned to at least one of the plurality of networks, and the program information stored in the electronic program guide information database storing the program information acquired by the channel selection unit can be selected for each channel. Displaying the electronic program guide on the display unit of the electronic program guide information acquisition device by displaying the list as follows:
  Receiving the selection of the channel displayed on the display unit when the electronic program guide is displayed via the operation unit of the electronic program guide information acquisition device;
  The selected network corresponding to the selected channel is compared with the current network being selected by the channel selection unit, and it is determined whether the network needs to be selected according to whether the networks match, and the selection is performed. An electronic program guide information acquisition method including the step of controlling the channel selection unit so as to select the selected network only when it is determined that the network needs to be selected, unlike the current network.   The electronic program guide information acquisition control program for functioning a computer as each means of the electronic program guide information acquisition apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 4.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the electronic program guide information acquisition control program according to claim 6 is recorded.   A digital television broadcast receiver comprising the electronic program guide information acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images