CN1155809A - Scheduler apparatus employing gopher agent for use in television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

In a television system which at least plays a name information of a program to be played in future in advance to form a channel guide table, a device for searching a special user input information table is provided, the device arranges and tunes a desired time of the program, or notifies audiences availability of the program after successfully searching. In a case that elucidation letters are played together with the program table, the device of the invention executes letter searching in other process of searching criterion to search a pecial letter string, which is related to a film name, stars, a director or a scenario of the program.

Description

The time arranging device that is used for the use query facility of television receiver

What the present invention relates to is to be used to be chosen as in one day in future watch or the device of the arrangement of time (scheduling) of recording TV program.

The advance TV system, picture TV arrangement of time device (scheduler), the programming of VCR (video cassette recorder) and satellite receiver becomes more complicated, because recently the number of available channel significantly increases, for example RCA  DSS  direct broadcasting satellite receiver provides that nearly 150 channels are available.In the past, the user was if wished to record the TV programme of a special non-regular broadcast, and as the broadcast of a specific film, he need regularly consult the TV program schedule that publishes on the local newspaper, wished finally can find to be listed in this top film.

When having only several television channel program timetables to supply to consult, this way is perhaps fine, yet the unlikely jede Woche of spectators is consulted the listing of 150 television channels fully.Even list all films separately as some list of television programmes, such task also is enough to make us hanging back.Therefore, people think that along with the increase of channel program, the chance of successfully retrieving certain broadcast of program (as looking for a needle in a haystack) becomes and more and more can not.

The object of the present invention is to provide a kind of time arranging device that is used for the use query facility (GopherAgent) of television receiver, its can by the user's input information table retrieve the program of wanting and automatically arrange watching or recording in the future.

The program that will play is in the future being play the name information of these programs in advance at least and forming in the television system of channel guide table, this device of the customizing messages table of promising retrieval user input is provided, when retrieving successfully, the arrangement of this device is carried out the tuning time to desired program, perhaps be to notify this program of spectators to use.Follow the occasion of listing at comment, device of the present invention is carried out character search, retrieves a specific text strings, and except other retrieval criterion, they can be relevant with title, movie star, director or program plot.

The invention provides a kind of prior broadcast program name information at least of the program that will play future that is used in the device in the television system that forms the channel guide table, it comprises:

Be used to store the storage device of the described channel guide table of representative and the data of storage user input;

Be used to import the data input device of described user input data;

The retrieval of carrying out described channel guide table with a control device that information specific is complementary of user's input;

Be used for display unit on the screen of display text and image under the control of described control device; With

Be used to the device of selecting a TV programme Gong to watch; Wherein

Described when retrieving successfully, described TV Festival object time is selected in described control device arrangement, or controls on the described screen display unit and notify described user the availability of described TV programme.

Fig. 1 a-1c represents a part of screen display of a channel guide according to an aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 2 represents the screen display of a retrieval request of expression according to a further aspect in the invention;

Fig. 3 illustrates the screen display of the part of the channel guide of representing cofeature information;

Fig. 4 represents to use the block diagram of device of the present invention;

Fig. 5 represents according to a retrieval request table of the present invention;

Fig. 6 represents the screen display that is used for input characters retrieval phrase according to of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is used to understand flow chart of the present invention.

Television system broadcasting channel guide as RCA  DSS  direct broadcast satellite system and STARSIGHT  is to show on user's television receiver.

Fig. 1 a-1c represents that program guide screens shows, it is produced by for example RCA  DSS  direct broadcasting satellite receiver system, and this system is produced by the Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc. in Bo Lisi city, Indiana, USA Indiana.The frame that comprises desired programm name that the user shows to program guide screens by moving cursor (by upper and lower a, left side and the right operating key of remote controller, not shown), TV programme of selection from the program guide of Gong watching.When the SELECT that presses remote controller (selection) key, the x and the y position of evaluation and test cursor draw actual channel and Pgmtime information.In the example of Fig. 1 a, a specific TV programme, the highlighted demonstration of EVENING NEWS (night news) is selected for the cursor key of use a teleswitch (for example 450R among Fig. 4).Highlighted demonstration among Fig. 1 a-1c is to represent with the black surround line that frame is lived title.Usually, when pressing options button, relevant programming data is sent to programming unit.

Yet the attention phrase " is imported all or part of programm name with retrieval ", and it appears at the bottom of Fig. 1 a.In this occasion, the user has imported speech " HOME " (" family "), when pressing MENU (menu) key, carries out the retrieval of channel guide information, seeks the next reproduction time of the TV programme that comprises speech " HOME " in title.After finishing, produce the screen display of Fig. 1 b.Note channel 106, name is called the present highlighted demonstration of a TV programme of " HOME IMPROVEMENT " (" improvement of family ").If desired, can press " MENU " key once more, start another time retrieval, Jian Suo result is illustrated in the screen display of Fig. 1 c once more.Attention in the highlighted demonstration of a TV programme " HOME AND GARDEN " (" family and garden ") of channel 305, because include speech " HOME " in title, is therefore satisfied search condition in Fig. 1 c.Device of the present invention can also be carried out " substring retrieval ", and wherein keyword (search terms) is included in another speech.For example, will find movie name " HOMEWARD BOUND " (" return home ") with regard to the substring retrieval of speech " HOME ".Similarly, this retrieval can be a case sensitive according to hope, also can be case-insensitive.

Fig. 2 represents " polling routine (GOPHER PROGRAMM) " screen display 210, is used to import the literal that will retrieve, and is used for the instruction that input will be carried out when retrieval finishes.The retrieval of input will be to search terms " ZULU " (title of a film) and " MICHAELCAINE " (movie star among the film ZULU) actuating logic AND function on screen display 210.Though what illustrate is the logical function, logical "or" and NOT-function also can be infered and can be adopted.In fact, the logical "or" function can be carried out as twice different search terms of retrieving by input simply.That is to say that if search terms " ZULU " is imported self, film " ZULU " and any TV programme that relates to ZULU family all can be selected.If search terms " MICHAEL CAINE " is as independent retrieval input, then film " ZULU " and any other film of MI CHAEL CAINE protagonist are with selected.

Notice that from screen display 210 when finding film " ZULU ", it will be recorded.That is to say that after by screen display 210 input search terms and instruction, the user needn't carry out any other function (having the video tape) and guarantee to record it when movie " ZULU " in guaranteeing VCR.To automatically send video recording at device of the present invention of suitable time and order VCR.Optionally scheme is in addition, the user can check and indicate " DISPLAY A " PROGRAM LOCATED " MESSAGE (showing " program finds " message) " frame that under this kind situation, this program is not recorded, but will show a prompting, point out this retrieval successfully end after finding the request item.

Fig. 3 represents to comprise that a supplementary shows 320 program guide screen 310.The literal of this auxiliary demonstration 320 comprises search terms " ZULU " and " the MICHAEL CAINE " in the program specific.With polling routine (GODHER PROGRAM) the retrieval text, and this retrieval will obtain the conclusion of a success.Notice that " ZULU " and " STANLEY BAKER " will same success.Be important to note that, not only program guide literal, and also be retrieved with supplementary that TV programme accompanies.

As what point out above, above-mentioned mutual or confirm that the channel guide data of statement can receive from a satellite TV communication system to form by the controller use of apparatus of the present invention.Fig. 4 represents a such satellite TV communication system, and wherein, satellite 400S receives from the signal of representative audio frequency, video or the data message of the transmitter 400T emission of ground.By the transponder that is operated in characteristic frequency and has given bandwidth, satellite amplifies and transmits this signal to a plurality of receiver 400R that are positioned at consumer's shelter.Such system comprises a uplink transmit part (ground is to satellite), the reception of One Earth One Family orbiter and transmitter unit and a downlink portion (satellite is to ground) that comprises the receiver that is positioned at user's shelter.

In a such satellite system, select the essential information of given TV programme be not fixed program in each receiver, but on each transponder, download continuously from satellite.TV programme selection information comprises one group of data that are called main program guide (MPG), the time that it relates to television programme title, they begin and finish, the actual channel number that will show to the user, and be used for distributing actual channel to each transponder frequency with by the information of the TDM data stream position of specific transponder emission.In a such system, impossible tuning any channel receive the first main program guide from satellite before is because receiver (IRD is the integrated receiver decoder) is for do not know really where channel is positioned at for the frequency in the data flow of any transponder and position (that is data slot).

Preferably the main program guide is launched with television program video and voice data at all transponders, and repeat periodically for example per 2 seconds.In case receive the main program guide, it just is stored in the memory cell of receiver, and periodically for example upgrades with per 30 minutes.Preserve the main program guide and allow the instant TV programme of selecting, because necessary selection data are always available.If using the main program guidance data to select to abandon it after a TV programme, then can select before any other TV programme when obtaining a new program guide, to have two seconds time delay at least.

In case be tuned to have the channel transponder of desired TV programme after, then can comprise the packet of the Voice ﹠ Video information of this program by selection to suitable SCID (service component sign) 12 bit codes of packet check and from the data flow that transponder receives.If the SCID of the current packet that receives and the SCID of the desired TV programme of listing in program guide are complementary, then this packet is transferred into data processing section suitable in the receiver.If the SCID of a specific packet and the SCID of the desired TV programme of listing do not match, then abandon this packet in program guide.

Below concise and to the point narration be suitable for implementing the system hardware of foregoing invention.In Fig. 4, transmitter 400T handles the data-signal that comes from signal source 401 (for example TV signal source) and it is transmitted into a satellite 400S, and this satellite receives also and transmits this signal to reception antenna 400A, and it amplifies this signal to receiver 400R.Transmitter 400T comprises an encoder 410T, a modulator (i.e. modulation/forward error recovery device (FEC)) 420T and a uplink elements 430T.Encoder 410T is according to the prior specified standard signal that for example MPEG compresses and coding comes from signal source.MPEG is that the motion picture expert group by International Standards Organization is that coding is described the international standard that the motion video that is stored on the digital storage media and relevant sound are developed.The code signal that comes from unit 410T is supplied to modulator/forward error recovery device (FEC) 420T, and it is encoded, and this has the signal of error correction data, and quaternary PSK (QPSK) is modulated this code signal to carrier wave.

Uplink elements 430T launch this compression and the signal of encoding to satellite 400S, it plays the geographical receiving area of this signal to one selection.Signal from satellite 400S is received by the antenna dish 400A of the input that is connected to so-called overhead type receiver 400R (i.e. interface arrangement that is placed in television receiver top).Receiver 400R comprises that a demodulator (demodulator/forward error recovery device (FEC) decoder) 410R is with this signal of demodulation and the error correction data of decoding; An IR (infrared) receiver 412 is to receive the IR guidance command; One and demodulator/interactive microprocessor 415R of FEC unit 410R; With transmission unit 420R with according to signal content, promptly audio or video information transmits signals to the decoder 430R that is fit in unit 400R.A NTSC (NTSC) the encoder 440R decoded signal of encoding is to be suitable for the form that the signal processing circuit in standard TSC-system formula family expenses VCR402 and standard TSC-system formula domestic television set 403 is used.Microprocessor (or microcontroller, or microcomputer) 415R receives infrared (IR) control signal of coming from remote controller 450R, and control information is sent to VCR402 by an IR link 418R.Microprocessor 415R also produces to the user and shows alternate statement or confirm to show on the needed screen of statement (OSD) signal.Microprocessor 415R also receives and interpretation cursor key x and y position, so that control the highlighted demonstration that the user who shows on the screen in (on-screendisplay) selects item.

Fig. 5 represents a retrieval request table, and it can be used as a display screen and shows.Three kinds of actions can be arranged in this embodiment of the invention.At first, as what point out above, can not need the user further to participate in recording a program by being programmed in when playing next time.The second, as what point out above, can on screen, show a prompting message, the expression desired program finds.The 3rd, can prepare and report that demonstration is listed various satisfied retrieval criterions and play the program of (for example back three hours) in the near future.In the example of Fig. 5, the user has asked the collection at film " STAR TREK " to appear at any time on the program guide to give the user to remind.If when this user has asked find film " THE SHINI NG (sunlight) " next time on program guide it is recorded.This user has also asked to appear at program guide or will point out him in the guide program specific time when speech " ROBOT (robot) ".These instructions will be moved, and cancel them up to this user.Remaining retrieval (being present film, drama) is that this user of expression wishes to know which drama plays the request of (that is, within three hours) just in the immediate future.This controller will be prepared a report of listing the feature film that will play on all channels in the several hrs of back.After finishing this, this inlet is deleted automatically.Further also can infer, the user can also check and edit or delete search terms, so that revise ongoing retrieval.

Fig. 6 represents to be used to import the screen display of " dummy keyboard " of retrieve data.Four " retrieval and inquisition program (Search Gophers) " that are called " house dog (watchdogs) " able to programme carry out the retrieval to program guide and side information data stream simultaneously.Use cursor and options button, the user can " press " " house dog " key that is positioned at the screen left side and select it.He can use letter key to import his retrieval request then.Though (obviously the expression, can infer to alphanumeric key also can).When the user was satisfied to the literal of his retrieval request, he can preserve his search terms by storage (Save) key for this house dog retrieving.If he imports wrong, he can delete error with clear key.

This inquiry (Gopher) program is that the step 700 at Fig. 7 enters.In step 705, retrieve this search terms.In step 710, obtain program guide data.Step 715 compare determine whether the coupling.If do not match, then program withdraws from step 720.If coupling is then taken out the instruction that the user imports.Check in step 725 whether judgement imports a recording instruction, if having, then this routine advances to step 730, herein record order or be sent to VCR immediately or in the suitable afterwards time.This routine withdraws from step 735 then.If yet do not import record order, then this routine advances to step 740, produce a prompting message herein, perhaps show immediately or in that a suitable time shows that as " prompting of last minute " before playing in desired program perhaps the both does afterwards.This routine withdraws from step 735 then.

Though the present invention illustrates that with reference to a satellite TV system it can be applicable to the television broadcasting system of ground equally, no matter be numeral or simulation.

Claims (9)

1, a kind of prior broadcast program name information at least of the program that will play future that is used in is characterized in that comprising with the device in the television system that forms the channel guide table:

The storage device (420R) that is used to store the data of the described channel guide table of representative and stores the data of user's input;

Be used to import the data input device (412R) of described user input data;

The control device (415R) that the retrieval of carrying out described channel guide table is complementary with an information specific with user's input;

Be used for display unit (403) on the screen of display text and image under the control of described control device; With

Be used to the device (400R) of selecting a TV programme Gong to watch, wherein

Described when retrieving successfully, described control device (415R) arrangement is selected described TV Festival object time, or controls display unit on the described screen (403) and notify described user the availability of described TV programme.

2, device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, when the TV programme comment follows described channel guide table to broadcast, described control device (415) is carried out the retrieval of described TV programme comment, retrieve a specific text strings, this text strings can be with relevant with the story of a play or opera of title, movie star, director or described TV programme.

3, device as claimed in claim 2, it is characterized in that, described control device (415) response is used for the data that the user imports, and display unit (403) shows the retrieval criterion of user's input and the list of instructions that is used for execution after successfully finishing each retrieval of user's input on the control screen.

4, device as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, user input instruction comprises the instruction of recording described TV programme and notifies the instruction of the availability of the described TV programme of user on the described screen that is used for after successfully finishing each retrieval carrying out.

5, device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described control device (415R) is notified described user the availability of described TV programme by revising the part that the channel guide relevant with described program shows (410).

6, device as claimed in claim 1, further comprise a remote control unit (450R), it is characterized in that, described user input data is imported by a screen display keyboard, and this keyboard is by selecting the key of this keyboard to operate by the cursor order of described remote control unit (450R) emission.

7, device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the retrieval criterion of described user's input forms the search terms after logic OR is handled.

8, device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the retrieval criterion of described user's input forms the search terms after logical AND is handled.

9, device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the retrieval criterion of described user input form use such as with or, the logic compound expression of the logic chained search item of logical operator such as non-, XOR.

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