JP2002247474A - Display controller and method, display system, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display controller and method, a display system, and a storage medium that can effectively use a screen area of a monitor so as to attain easy-to-see display automatically without the need for a troublesome operation. SOLUTION: A television tuner 20 recognizes a resolution displayable with a television monitor 21 on the basis of the voltage level of a line 1 of a video terminal 7 of a television monitor 21 and displays an electronic program guide(EPG) on the monitor 21 depending on the resolution. When the resolution is 480 in terms of the number of longitudinal lines, 'only program name' is chosen as a display item and a small font is selected. When the number of longitudinal lines is 720, 'program name' and 'explanation of program contents' are display items and a small font is selected. When the resolution is found to be 1080 in terms of longitudinal lines, 'program name' and 'explanation of program contents' are display items and a large font is selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display control device and method for a television tuner and the like, which can be connected to a display monitor such as a television monitor and perform display on the monitor, a display system and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a display control device such as a set-top box type TV tuner which is connected to a display monitor such as a television monitor and supplies display data to the monitor to perform display.

For example, a display control device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-164201 has a television tuner as a set-top box type program guide output device separated from a video monitor, and a program based on received digital broadcast data. Outputs guide character data to the monitor. In this device, the information amount and the font of the character data are changed according to the screen size and the display area size of the video monitor, so that the program guide and the characters can be easily viewed regardless of the size of the screen or the display area.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional display control device, the screen size and the like of the video monitor are
There is a problem that the user has to grasp and input beforehand, and the input operation is complicated.

In some cases, such as when a digital broadcast is received and displayed, the displayable size of the monitor, the display resolution of the monitor, the scanning method, and the aspect ratio are changed. However, if the size setting is left as it is, an appropriate display is not performed, but if the user inputs again every time the size is changed, it is complicated.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a display capable of automatically displaying an easily viewable display by effectively using a displayable area of a monitor without performing a complicated operation. It is an object to provide a control device and method, a display system, and a storage medium.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a display control device according to claim 1 is a display control device connectable to a monitor, the display control device being output from the monitor,
Input means for inputting monitor information relating to the display function of the monitor, generating means for generating display data for the monitor in accordance with the monitor information input by the input means, and display data generated by the generating means And display control means for controlling the output to be displayed on the monitor.

A display control method according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is a display control method for controlling a display control device connectable to a monitor, wherein monitor information relating to a display function of the monitor is output from the monitor. An input step, a generation step of generating display data of the monitor according to the input monitor information, and a display control step of controlling the generated display data to be output to and displayed on the monitor. And characterized in that:

A recording medium according to a thirty-third aspect records a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the display control method according to any one of the seventeenth to thirty-second aspects. .

A display system according to a thirty-fourth aspect is a monitor that inputs display data and performs display based on the input display data, and outputs monitor information relating to a display function of the monitor. A monitor, inputting the monitor information output from the monitor, generating the display data of the monitor according to the input monitor information, outputting the generated display data to the monitor for display And a display control device for performing control so as to perform the control.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a display system including a display control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This display system is configured by connecting a television tuner 20 as a display control device and a television monitor 21 with a video terminal, and further adding a remote controller 17 to be described later. The TV tuner 20 can be separated from the TV monitor 21.

In this embodiment, the broadcasting system is an ARI
B (ARIB: Association of Rad
io Industries and Businesses
ses: Telecommunications Industry Association) Digital broadcasting system based on “STD-B10”, video is MPE of ISO / IEC (International Organization for Standardization / International Electrotechnical Commission) 61818-2
G2, audio is MPEG of ISO / IEC61818-3
Suppose that they are sent according to 2 respectively.

The TV tuner 20 is a so-called set-top box type tuner device which can be connected to a TV monitor 21 via a video terminal 7 described later and can receive digital broadcasts.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an MPU for controlling the whole of the TV tuner 20, and 12 denotes a common bus connecting the MPU 11 and each component such as a control circuit. The MPU 11 is connected to a work memory 13 and a font ROM 14 storing a plurality of fonts having different font sizes. Reference numeral 7 denotes a video terminal provided on the TV monitor 21 side. The TV monitor 21 has a resolution having the highest display capability of the TV monitor 21 by a combination of signal levels of the lines 1, 2, and 3 in the video terminal 7. The MPU 11 can be notified of the scanning method, the scanning method, and the aspect ratio of the television monitor 21.

Here, the resolution and the scanning method having the highest display capability of the television monitor 21 are, in terms of the combination of the number of effective scanning lines and the progressive method / interlacing method, the high performance in the following order.

1080p>720p>1080i>480p> 480i Note that 1080p means a progressive system having 1080 effective scanning lines, and 480i means an interlacing system having 480 effective scanning lines.

For example, in the case of the television monitor 21 capable of displaying 1080i, 480p, and 480i video formats, the number of effective scanning lines, that is, the number of vertical lines of the resolution is 1080.
The MPU 11 is notified of the bookless system.

The video terminal 7 is connected to a TV tuner 20.
2 and a voltage level shown in FIG. 2 for three signal lines 1 to 3 in accordance with the display resolution, scanning method, and aspect ratio of the television monitor 21 according to the component color difference video signal Y / pb / pr. The circuit that generates it is included.

FIG. 2 shows a combination of the line of the video terminal 7 and the voltage level. For example, if the display resolution is 720 lines,
The scanning method is progressive, and the aspect ratio is 16:
9, the video terminal 7 is connected to the signal lines of lines 1 to 3 by 2.2 V and 5 V, respectively.
V and 5V. In this way, the video terminal 7 can indicate to other devices what resolution, scanning method, and aspect ratio the monitor can display in a combination as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, three signals of lines 1 to 3 in the video terminal 7 are supplied to the MPU 11 and the MPU 1
1 can determine the display resolution, scanning method, and aspect ratio corresponding to the television monitor 21 by judging the voltage level.

Returning to FIG. 1, the tuner unit 1 receives a digital broadcast wave and selects a desired frequency in accordance with an instruction from the MPU 11. The signal from the tuner unit 1 is demodulated through a demodulation & error correction circuit 2, and at the same time, an error occurring in a communication path is detected and corrected. The signal from the demodulation & error correction circuit 2 is sent to a demultiplexer 3, which demultiplexes the PSI (program Speci?
c Information (PAT) (program)
m Association Table) and PMT
The multiplexed program number, the value of the PID, and the content of the stream type are obtained from (program Map Table). The demultiplexer 3 selects a program including a desired video stream and audio stream from these, and outputs signals of these streams. This control is performed by supplying a control signal generated from the MPU 11 via the bus 12.

The video stream signal output from the demultiplexer 3 is decoded from the MPEG2 video by the video decoder 4 and is converted into uncompressed video data. The video formatter 5 converts the video stream signal into an output format specified by the MPU 11. Is output to Graphic generation circuit 8
Generates graphic data based on the display original data created by the MPU 11 and outputs this to the synthesizing circuit 6. The synthesizing circuit 6 synthesizes the output from the video formatter 5 and the graphic data from the graphic generating circuit 8, and outputs a Y / pb / pr color difference video signal to the video terminal 7.

On the other hand, the audio stream signal output from the demultiplexer 3 is
The audio signal is decoded from the audio and the audio signal is
1 is output.

A remote controller I / F (interface) 16 detects infrared rays from the remote controller 17 and transmits the data to the MPU 11 via the common bus 12. The remote controller 17 turns on / off the power, switches the receiving channel, and displays an electronic program guide (EPG: Electric Program G).
uide) display and other instructions can be given, and the user
7 can be used to operate the TV tuner 20.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing the configuration of the remote controller 17.

In the figure, reference numeral 171 denotes an infrared light emitting unit;
Reference numerals 177 and 181 to 184 denote keys. When each key is pressed, the infrared light emitting unit 171 emits light and a code corresponding to each key is transmitted.

Reference numeral 172 denotes a power key for turning on / off the power, 173 denotes an enter key, 174 denotes a right cursor key,
5 is a down cursor key, 176 is a left cursor key, 177
Is the up cursor key. 181 is a program table key which is an EPG
Is displayed. Reference numeral 182 denotes a menu key for displaying a display for setting reception conditions and the like. 183 is a return key, 18
4 is a numeric keypad. By pressing a numeric keypad 184, a channel can be set. Detailed usage of each key will be described later.

First, processing other than video and audio data of digital broadcasting will be described below.

The transmission path of the broadcast wave network is composed of a plurality of TSs (transport streams).
Comprises a TS header and a TS payload (video / audio / additional data). This TS is P
PES (pac) can be grouped by ID and combined with TS payloads with the same PID.
Ketized Elementary Stream
Data) is configured. The PES data is composed of video / audio data of a program, and is converted into a video / audio signal by the above-mentioned decoder. Information about a program is called a section and has the same structure as the PES. That is, a section includes a section header and section data.

Further, a plurality of types of data aggregates called descriptors exist in the section data.
Among them are PAT, which indicates the PID information of the PMT, PMT, which is the data of the currently broadcasting channel, and SD.
T (Service Description Tab
le), such as a channel name, EIT (Eve
nt Information Table).

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the EIT.

The EIT is fixed at PID = 0X0012,
The EIT section includes a table-id / channel number, followed by a program number, a start time, a broadcast time length, a program name, and a program description as many as the number of programs. According to the ARIB standard “STD-B10”, “the current and next program EIT of the current stream” of table-id = 0x4E is included in the broadcast wave at least once every two seconds, and the tabl.
The “EIT of the current and next program of another stream” of e-id = 0x4F is to be transmitted at least once every 10 seconds. The EPG display shows the channel name and EI in the SDT.
The television tuner receives the channel number, start time, program name, and program description data in T, and the TV tuner processes the program information into a table format according to the flow of time and displays it.

Next, control processing for displaying an EPG will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the EPG display processing in this embodiment.

First, SDT and EIT sections are extracted and written (step S101).
That is, the MPU 11 sends the PPG signal from the demultiplexer 3 so that the EPG display can be performed immediately when instructed.
ID = 0X0011 and table-id = 0x42 and t
“service data of own stream and other streams” of SDT of “able-id = 0x46” and PID = 0X001
2 and table-id = 0x4E and table-id =
“Current and next program data of own stream and other streams” of the EIT of 0x4F is extracted in advance and written in the memory 13.

The reason why the "service data of another stream" and the "current and next program data of another stream" are also extracted and stored in the memory is that "own stream" This is because the data of the other channel on the network is displayed only with the data of "".

Next, when the EPG key 181 of the remote controller 17 is pressed and an EPG display is instructed, the MPU 11 knows this via the remote controller I / F 16 (step S).
102), SDT and EIT loaded in advance
Is read from the memory 13 (step S10).
3).

Next, the MPU 11 knows the resolution that can be displayed on the connected television monitor 21 by reading the voltage level of the line 1 in the video terminal 7 (step S10).
4). In the present embodiment, the aspect ratio is 16:
9 and the video format can be displayed in a progressive manner, and the resolution is vertical lines 480 and 7
E on the TV monitor corresponding to 20, 1080
PG display will be described.

Next, it is determined whether or not the resolution of the television monitor 21 is 480 vertical lines (step S10).
5). As a result of the determination, if the resolution is 480 vertical lines, the process proceeds to step S106. If the resolution is not 480 vertical lines, the resolution is 720 vertical lines.
Is determined (step S107). If the result of the determination is that the resolution is 720 vertical lines, the process proceeds to step S108, while the resolution is 720 vertical lines.
If not, the process proceeds to step S109. Step S1
When the process proceeds to 09, it is determined that the resolution is 1080 vertical lines.

Steps S106, S108, S10
9, an EPG as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 described below is displayed on the television monitor 21.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are views showing display examples of the EPG. In the EPG, a channel name is shown in the horizontal direction, and a broadcast time zone display (start time) is shown in the vertical direction. In the horizontal direction, the currently receiving channel is displayed at the left end, and a plurality of next channels are sequentially arranged to the right. In the vertical direction, the current time is arranged at the top, and later time zones are sequentially arranged therebelow. The EPG framework configuration is such that the MPU 11 draws a frame for each channel in the vertical direction and a frame for each hour except for programs exceeding one hour in consideration of the program time length in the horizontal direction. Is issued to the graphic generation circuit 8 from the CPU. The “program name” and, in some cases, “program description” are displayed in the frames generated for each time slot of each channel. When an EPG is created, SDT
The item of the channel name is extracted from the section and is set as a horizontal item displayed in the top column.

First, in step S106, the MPU
Reference numeral 11 designates the display content in the display item as "only the program name" in the EIT data, and selects a small font corresponding to the character of the channel name, the time zone (start time) and the program name from the font ROM 14. Is generated and sent to the graphic generating circuit 8, and the framed graphic data (display data) generated by the graphic generating circuit 8 is output from the video terminal 7 via the synthesizing circuit 6. Thereby, the TV monitor 2
At 1, the EPG as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. afterwards,
Proceed to step S110. Note that "program description" in the EIT data is excluded from the display contents in the display item.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, in the time zone “7:00” of the channel name “ch120: Niiyama TV”, the display contents in the display items in the corresponding frame In FIG. 6, only "news and weather forecast at 7:00" is displayed as "program name only", and in FIG. 7, "Kumiko Endo" is additionally displayed as "program description".

On the other hand, in step S108, the display contents in the display item are set to "program name" and "program description" in the EIT data, and the channel name, time zone, and "program name and program description" are displayed. A small font corresponding to the character is selected from the font ROM 14, and framed graphic data is output from the video terminal 7 as in step S106. Thereby, the TV monitor 21
Then, an EPG as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S110.

On the other hand, in step S109, it is determined that the resolution is 1080 vertical lines, and the display contents in the display item are set to "program name" and "program description" in the EIT data, and the channel name, A large font corresponding to the time zone and the character of "program name and program description" is selected from the font ROM 14, and step S10 is executed.
Graphic data with a frame is output from the video terminal 7 in the same manner as in FIG. As a result, the TV monitor 21 shown in FIG.
Is displayed as shown in FIG. Then, step S
Proceed to 110.

That is, in the case of a television monitor in which the aspect ratio and the display format of the displayable video format are the same, the displayable area becomes larger as the number of vertical lines (the number of effective scanning lines) of the television monitor increases. It is intended to display a large amount of information in an easily viewable manner by effectively utilizing the available area. For example, in FIG. 7 as compared to FIG. 6, “program description” is added as information, and the amount of information is large. Also, in FIG. 8 as compared with FIG. 7, the display contents are the same, but the font is larger. The reason why the font is made larger is that when the resolution is high, the screen is inevitably larger, and the viewer is likely to view the image from a distance.

Next, in step S110, the state is maintained until the display of the EPG is released, and when the display is released, the display of the EPG is terminated, and the above-mentioned step S10 is performed.
Return to 1. Here, until the display of the EPG is canceled, the user operates the cursor keys 174 to 174 of the remote controller 17.
By moving the cursor on the screen up, down, left and right at 77 and pressing the enter key 173 at the position where the cursor is, the program corresponding to that position can be viewed. By pressing the return key 183 on the EPG screen, it is possible to instruct to cancel the display of the EPG.

In the present embodiment, as an example of displaying the EPG, the number of channels is three and the time zone is four, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to a television monitor having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and capable of displaying a progressive video format,
The aspect ratio and scanning method are not limited to this, and MPU
Reference numeral 11 determines the display content and font of the EPG so that the information amount and the font of the display content of the EPG are changed according to the resolution in the television monitor of the same aspect ratio and scanning method, respectively, as described above.

According to the present embodiment, by checking the voltage level of the signal via the video terminal 7, the TV monitor 21
Since the information of the display resolution is received and the display content in the display item of the EPG is changed according to the resolution to change the amount of information, the displayable area of the television monitor 21 can be used effectively. Can be.

Further, since the font of the display of the EPG is changed according to the resolution of the monitor, it is possible to provide a display which is easy to see and use according to the screen. In addition, the user does not need to input the monitor resolution even if the resolution is changed, and the optimum display is always automatically performed, so that the operation is simple. Therefore, the display can be automatically and easily viewed by effectively using the displayable area of the monitor according to the resolution without performing a complicated operation.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the display content in each display item is increased or decreased or a font is selected according to the resolution of the television monitor 21. In the embodiment, the number of display items is increased or decreased or the font is changed according to the resolution. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the EPG display process is different from that of the first embodiment,
Since the configuration of the display system such as the television monitor 21 and the remote controller 17 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the MPU 11 during the EPG display processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are diagrams showing display examples of the EPG. The basic configuration of the EPG is the same as that of the first embodiment. Also in the present embodiment, the aspect ratio is 16: 9, the video format can be displayed in the progressive format, and the resolution is the vertical line 48.
The EPG display on the television monitor corresponding to 0, 720, 1080 will be described.

First, steps S201 to S205 in FIG.
Then, the same processing as steps S101 to S105 in FIG. 5 is executed.

If the result of determination in step S205 is that the resolution is 480 vertical lines, step S206
If the resolution is not 480 vertical lines,
It is determined whether or not the resolution is the number of vertical lines 720 (step S207). As a result of the determination, if the resolution is the number of vertical lines 720, the process proceeds to step S208. , Step S20
Go to 9. When the process proceeds to step S209, it is determined that the resolution is 1080 vertical lines.

Steps S206, S208, S20
9, E and E shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11, respectively.
The PG is displayed on the television monitor 21.

First, in step S206, the MPU
11 is the channel number and start time of the EIT section.
A table format is prepared in consideration of the program time length, and the display content in the display item in the actual EPG is set to “only the program name” in the EIT data, and the channel names of three programs in the horizontal direction are displayed in the vertical direction. The time zone display for four hours is arranged, and a small font corresponding to the characters of the channel name, time zone and program name is selected from the font ROM 14.
Then, by the same processing as step S106 in FIG.
Graphic data with a frame is output from the video terminal 7. As a result, an EPG as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the television monitor 21. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S210.

On the other hand, in step S208, the MPU
11 is the channel number and start time of the EIT section.
A table format considering the program time length is prepared, and the display content in the display item in the actual EPG is set to “only the program name” in the EIT data, and the channel names for four programs in the horizontal direction are displayed in the vertical direction. A time zone display for six hours is arranged, and a small font corresponding to the characters of the channel name, time zone, and program name is selected from the font ROM 14.
Then, by the same processing as step S106 in FIG.
Graphic data with a frame is output from the video terminal 7. As a result, an EPG as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the television monitor 21. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S210.

On the other hand, in step S209, the MPU 11 determines that the resolution is 1080 vertical lines.
A table format is prepared in consideration of the channel number of the EIT section, the start time, and the program time length, and the display content in the display item in the actual EPG is changed to “only the program name” in the EIT data.
At the same time, channel names for four programs are arranged in the horizontal direction and time zone displays for six hours are arranged in the vertical direction, and a large font corresponding to the characters of the channel name, the time zone and the program name is selected from the font ROM 14. I do. And
By the same processing as in step S106 in FIG. 5, graphic data with a frame is output from the video terminal 7. As a result, the TV monitor 21 displays an EP as shown in FIG.
G is displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S210.

That is, if the aspect ratio is the same, the displayable area becomes larger as the number of vertical lines increases, so that the displayable area is effectively used to display a large amount of information in a legible manner. For example, FIG.
At 0, the channel names arranged in the horizontal direction increase from three programs to four programs, and the time zone display arranged in the vertical direction increases from four hours to six hours, and the number of display items increases. The amount of information has increased. Also,
11, the number of display items is the same in FIG. 11, but the font is larger. The reason for this is the same as in the first embodiment, and is to make it easier to see.

Next, in step S210, the same processing as in step S110 of FIG.
Return to 201.

Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to a television monitor having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and capable of displaying a progressive video format,
The aspect ratio and scanning method are not limited to this, and MPU
Reference numeral 11 determines the display contents and fonts of the EPG so that the number of display items and fonts of the EPG as described above are changed according to the resolution in the television monitor of the same aspect ratio and scanning method.

According to the present embodiment, the resolution of the television monitor 21 is obtained via the video terminal 7, and the number of display items such as the EPG channel name and the time zone display is changed according to the resolution to obtain the information amount. Was changed. Also, the font of the EPG display is changed according to the monitor resolution. Therefore, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved with respect to performing effective easy display by effectively using the displayable area of the monitor according to the resolution without performing complicated operations. .

(Third Embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the display content and the number of display items in each display item are increased / decreased or the font is selected according to the resolution of the monitor. However, in the third embodiment, the number of display items is increased or decreased or a font is selected according to the scanning method of the monitor. Therefore, although the EPG display processing of the present embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments, the TV tuner 2
0, the television monitor 21, the remote controller 17, and the like, the configuration of the display system is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the EPG display processing in the present embodiment. FIG.
It is a figure showing the example of a display of PG. The basic configuration of the EPG is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, a TV monitor that can display a video format having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and a resolution of a vertical line 480 and that supports a progressive system and an interlaced system, respectively, is used. The EPG display will be described.

First, steps S301 to S30 in FIG.
In step 3, the same processing as steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 5 is executed. Next, in step S304, MPU1
1 reads the voltage level of the line 2 in the video terminal 7 to know the scanning method that can be displayed by the connected television monitor 21 (see FIG. 2).

Next, it is determined whether or not the scanning method is the progressive method (step S305). If the result of the determination is that the scanning method is the progressive method, the process proceeds to step S306, while the scanning method is the progressive method. If not, it is determined that the scanning method is the interlace method (step S307), and the process proceeds to step S308.

In steps S306 and S308, an EPG as shown in FIGS.
1 is displayed.

First, at step S306, the MPU
Numeral 11 instructs the graphic generation circuit 8 to draw a frame for each channel in the vertical direction and draw a frame every hour for programs other than one hour in consideration of the program time length in the horizontal direction. Channels are displayed for 3 channels and time is displayed for 4 hours. The display content in the display item is set to “program name only” in the EIT data, and corresponds to the channel name, time zone, and characters of the program name. A small font is selected from the font ROM 14. Then, graphic data with a frame is output from the video terminal 7 by the same processing as in step S106 of FIG. As a result, an EPG as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the television monitor 21.
The reason for this is that, in the progressive system, even small characters can be clearly seen, so that it is easy to view even with a small font. Therefore, priority is given to increasing the amount of information included in the EPG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S309.

On the other hand, in step S308, the channel is displayed for two channels and the time is displayed for three hours. The display content in the display item is set to "only the program name" in the EIT data. Large font corresponding to the character of the time zone and the program name is font RO
Select from M14. Then, step S106 in FIG.
By the same processing as described above, graphic data with a frame is output from the video terminal 7. Thereby, the TV monitor 2
In 1, the EPG as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. This is because in the interlaced method, fine characters are hard to see.
Even if the amount of information to be included in the PG is reduced, priority is placed on the legibility of characters. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S309.

That is, in the case of a television monitor having the same resolution and aspect ratio, the visibility of characters and the like differs depending on the scanning method.
It is intended to display as much information as possible in an easily viewable manner within a range that does not impair the visibility of characters and the like by effectively utilizing the displayable area. For example, in FIG. 13 (interlaced system), as compared with FIG. 6 (progressive system), the channel names arranged in the horizontal direction are reduced from three programs to two programs, and the time zones displayed in the vertical direction are displayed. The amount is reduced from four hours to three hours, and the amount of information is reduced due to the decrease in the number of display items. On the other hand, since the font is large, legibility of characters is ensured.

Next, in step S309, the same processing as in step S110 of FIG.
Return to 301.

Although the present embodiment has been described with reference to a television monitor having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and capable of displaying a video format having a vertical line 480 in resolution,
The aspect ratio and resolution are not limited to this, but MPU1
1 is a television monitor having the same aspect ratio and resolution, and the EPG according to the scanning method as described above.
EPG so that the amount of information and fonts in the display contents of the
Display contents and fonts are determined.

According to the present embodiment, the scanning method of the television monitor 21 is obtained via the video terminal 7, and the number of display items (channel name, time zone display) of the EPG is changed according to the scanning method. The amount of information is changed, and the font of the display of the EPG is changed according to the scanning method. That is, in the progressive system in which fine characters are easy to see, by increasing the number of display items in a small font, the amount of information to be included in the EPG can be increased. , The legibility of the characters can be maintained.

Therefore, it is possible to automatically perform easy-to-view display by effectively using the displayable area of the monitor according to the scanning method without performing complicated operations.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the first to third embodiments, the display contents and the number of display items in each display item are increased or decreased, or the font is selected according to the resolution and scanning method of the television monitor. In the fourth embodiment, the number of display items in the horizontal direction is increased or decreased according to the aspect ratio of the television monitor. Therefore, the EPG display process is the first
-Although different from the third embodiment, the TV tuner 20
Since the configuration of the display system such as the television monitor 21 and the remote controller 17 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the EPG display processing in the present embodiment. FIG.
It is a figure showing the example of a display of PG. The basic configuration of the EPG is the same as that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the vertical line of the resolution is 480, and the video format can be displayed in the progressive format.
EPG display on a television monitor corresponding to an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and 4: 3 will be described.

First, steps S401 to S40 in FIG.
In step 3, the same processing as steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 5 is executed. Next, in step S404, MPU1
1 reads the voltage level of the line 3 in the video terminal 7 to know the aspect ratio that can be displayed by the connected television monitor 21 (see FIG. 2). That is, the aspect ratio is specified on the television monitor 21 side. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that 480 has been designated as the vertical resolution and the progressive system has been designated as the scanning system from the television monitor 21 side.

Next, it is determined whether or not the aspect ratio is 16: 9 (step S405). If the result of the determination is that the aspect ratio is 16: 9, step S406 is performed.
On the other hand, when the aspect ratio is not 16: 9, the process proceeds to step S407. If the process proceeds to step S407, it is determined that the aspect ratio is 4: 3.

In steps S406 and S407, an EPG as shown in FIGS.
1 is displayed.

First, in step S406, the MPU
Numeral 11 instructs the graphic generation circuit 8 to draw a frame for each channel in the vertical direction and draw a frame every hour for programs other than one hour in consideration of the program time length in the horizontal direction. Channels are displayed for 3 channels and time is displayed for 4 hours. The display content in the display item is set to “program name only” in the EIT data, and corresponds to the channel name, time zone, and characters of the program name. A small font is selected from the font ROM 14. Then, graphic data with a frame is output from the video terminal 7 by the same processing as in step S106 of FIG. As a result, an EPG as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the television monitor 21.
The reason for this is that when the aspect ratio is 16: 9, the resolution in the horizontal direction is high, so that the amount of information in the horizontal direction is correspondingly increased and the display area is effectively used. Also, if the information amount is the same as in the case where the aspect ratio is 4: 3, characters and the like are stretched in the horizontal direction, making it difficult to see. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S408.

On the other hand, in step S407, the channel is displayed for two channels and the time is displayed for four hours. The display content in the display item is set to "only the program name" in the EIT data, and the channel name, The font RO corresponding to the character of the time zone and the program name is changed to Font RO.
Select from M14. Then, step S106 in FIG.
By the same processing as described above, graphic data with a frame is output from the video terminal 7. Thereby, the TV monitor 2
In 1, the EPG as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. This is because the horizontal resolution is lower when the aspect ratio is 4: 3 than when the aspect ratio is 16: 9, and the amount of information in the horizontal direction is accordingly reduced. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S408.

That is, the displayable area is effectively utilized in accordance with the aspect ratio, and an appropriate display that is easy to see as a whole is provided. For example, in FIG. 15 (4: 3), as compared with FIG. 6 (16: 9), the resolution in the horizontal direction is low, so the arranged channel names are reduced from three programs to two programs, and the information amount is reduced. ing.

Next, in step S408, the same processing as in step S110 of FIG.
Return to 401.

In the present embodiment, a description has been given of a television monitor having a resolution of vertical lines 480 and capable of displaying a progressive video format.
The resolution and scanning method are not limited to this,
Determines the display contents of the EPG such that the number of display items in the horizontal direction of the EPG is changed according to the aspect ratio in a television monitor having the same resolution and scanning method.

According to the present embodiment, the aspect ratio of the television monitor 21 is obtained via the video terminal 7, and the information amount is changed by changing the number of EPG channel names according to the aspect ratio. did. That is, when the aspect ratio is 16: 9, the resolution in the horizontal direction is higher than the aspect ratio is 4: 3. Therefore, by increasing the number of channel names, which is the number of display items in the horizontal direction, and increasing the information amount, The display area can be effectively utilized, and a display that is easy to see and use can be secured.

Therefore, it is possible to automatically perform easy-to-view display by effectively using the displayable area of the monitor according to the aspect ratio without performing a complicated operation.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the configuration is different from the display system in the first to fourth embodiments, and information on the TV monitor side is serially transmitted to the TV tuner 1 according to the power ON of the TV tuner 120.
20 has the configuration of a display system that communicates with it. The processing for changing the display content and display mode of the EPG using the monitor information input from the monitor side is described in the first embodiment.
Since the third embodiment is the same as the third embodiment, the description is omitted.

The configuration of the display system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The TV tuner 120 differs from the TV tuner 20 in the first embodiment in that the TV tuner 120 has no video terminal 7. The TV monitor 41 is a TV tuner 1
20, the component color difference video signals Y, Pb, and Pr
In response to this, the drive circuit 50 drives and displays a signal suitable for the display device 51, and similarly receives an audio signal,
The sound is amplified by an amplifier 52 and output from a built-in speaker 53. The resistor 42 pulled up to the power supply voltage Vcc of the TV tuner 120 is connected via a signal line 44 to a resistor 43 pulled down to the ground level of the TV monitor 41, and is connected to the MPU 47.

With such a configuration, the TV tuner 12
When the power of 0 is off, the signal line 44 is pulled down by the resistor 43, and the MPU 47 determines that the signal line 44 is at “low level”. On the other hand, the TV tuner 12
When the power of 0 is ON, the signal line 44 is pulled up by the resistor 42, so that the MPU 47 determines that the signal line 44 is at “high level”. That is, the MPU 47 detects the level of the signal line 44 and
It is determined whether or not the power supply 0 is ON.

[0093] The MPU 47 of the television monitor 41 can send information of the television monitor 41 to the MPU 11 of the television tuner 120 via the serial communication line 46. This serial information is represented by, for example, 8-bit data in addition to the start bit. As shown in FIG. 17, the communication line 46 is at a high level all the time, and when it goes low at a certain moment, the start bit is indicated.

As shown in the figure, the three most significant bits b7 to b5 indicate the type of command, and "010" is monitor information. In this case, the next two bits b4 to b3 indicate the vertical resolution, "10" indicates 1080 lines, and "01" indicates
Indicates 720 lines, and “00” indicates 480 lines. One bit of b2 indicates the scanning method, "1" indicates the progressive method, and "0" indicates the interlace method. Two bits from b1 to b0, the least significant bit, indicate the aspect ratio of the monitor. "10" indicates 16: 9, "01" indicates letterbox, and "00" indicates 4: 3.
When the data transfer is completed, the level of the communication line 46 returns to the high level. The bit width is previously determined, for example, to be 3 msec.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the monitor information transfer process. First, M of the TV monitor 41
The PU 47 determines whether or not the power of the TV tuner 120 is ON by detecting the level of the signal line 44 (step S801), and as a result of the determination, “high level”, that is, the power of the TV tuner 120 Is ON, it is determined that monitor information can be transmitted, and the monitor information is issued from the television monitor 41. That is, the information of the resolution, the scanning method, and the aspect ratio, which is the monitor information, is transmitted to the television tuner 120 via the communication line 46 by serial communication (step S802), and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the power of the TV tuner 120 is OFF, the control waits for a predetermined period (wait
t) (Step S803), and return to Step S801. Thereby, the monitor information is transmitted while the power of the TV tuner 120 is ON. These operations allow the TV tuner 120 to know the type of monitor.

According to the present embodiment, the serial communication line 4
6, the aspect ratio of the television monitor 41, the resolution,
Obtain monitor information such as the scanning method, and according to the monitor information,
The amount of information is changed by changing the display content and display form of the PG. Therefore, without performing complicated operations,
An easily viewable display can be automatically performed by effectively using a displayable area of the monitor.

In each of the above embodiments, when the amount of information is changed, the number of channel names, the number of time zone displays, and the display contents in display items are increased or decreased. In addition to the embodiments described above, for example, only one of these may be increased or decreased, or may be appropriately combined to increase or decrease, or another element may be a target of information increase or decrease.

In each of the above embodiments, the font is changed in addition to the change in the amount of information. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and only the font may be changed. The font may be changed by appropriately combining some or all of the above-described elements for changing the amount of information.

In each of the above embodiments, the processing according to the resolution, the processing according to the scanning method, and the processing according to the aspect ratio are shown separately. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Combine various processing parameters, such as processing according to the scanning method, processing according to the resolution and aspect ratio, processing according to the scanning method and aspect ratio, processing according to the resolution, scanning method and aspect ratio. You may.

The display contents and display form of the EPG are not limited to the number of channel names, the number of time zone displays, and the number of fonts.
It is not limited to “program name” and “program description”. Also,
The EPG is not limited to a program guide having a vertical axis as a time axis and a horizontal axis as a channel axis.

In each of the above embodiments, the process of displaying an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) is taken as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any display data to be displayed on the television monitor 21 may be used. The type does not matter. In addition, the original data is not limited to data obtained by reception such as a digital broadcast wave, but may be data input from another storage medium.

A storage medium storing the program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a display control device or a display system, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) is stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, the object of the present invention can be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk,
Hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-
A ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and the like can be used.

The functions of each of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by the computer executing the readout program code, but also the OS or the like running on the computer is executed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0107]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The display can be automatically and easily viewed by effectively using the displayable area of the monitor without performing a complicated operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display system including a display control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating combinations of video terminal lines and voltage levels.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing a configuration of a remote controller.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an EIT.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an EPG display process in the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of an EPG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of an EPG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of an EPG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of an EPG display process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of an EPG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of an EPG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of an EPG display process according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an EPG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of an EPG display process according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of an EPG.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a display system including a display control device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a bit array of serial information relating to the monitor according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a flowchart of monitor information transfer processing in the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tuner part (broadcast receiving means) 6 Synthesis circuit 7 Video terminal (input means) 8 Graphic generation circuit (part of generation means) 11 MPU (part of generation means, display control means) 14 Font ROM 17 Remote control 20 TV tuner (Display control device) 21 TV monitor (monitor)

Claims (34)

[Claims] 1. A display control device connectable to a monitor, comprising: input means for inputting monitor information output from the monitor and relating to a display function of the monitor; A display control apparatus comprising: a generation unit that generates display data for a monitor; and a display control unit that controls the display data generated by the generation unit to be output to the monitor and displayed. . 2. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit changes an amount of information indicated by the display data according to the monitor information input by the input unit. 3. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the monitor information includes information on at least one of a display resolution, a scanning method, and an aspect ratio of the monitor. 4. The input means inputs information relating to the display resolution of the monitor, and the generating means performs the display so as to increase the amount of information indicated by the display data according to the height of the display resolution. The display control device according to claim 3, wherein the display control device generates application data. 5. The input means inputs information on a scanning method of the monitor, and the generating means determines the amount of information indicated by display data generated when the scanning method is a progressive method, by using the scanning method. 4. The display control device according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit generates the display data such that the display data is larger than an amount of information indicated by the display data generated when the data is of an interlaced type. 6. The input means inputs information relating to an aspect ratio of the monitor, and the generating means sets a horizontal direction of the information indicated by the display data as the screen size defined by the aspect ratio becomes longer. The display control device according to claim 3, wherein the display data is generated so as to increase an information amount. 7. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display data is data for displaying an electronic program guide. 8. The electronic program guide according to claim 7, wherein one of a channel name and a broadcast time of a television broadcast program is arranged on a vertical axis and the other is arranged on a horizontal axis. 3. The display control device according to 1. 9. The method according to claim 9, wherein the generation unit controls the amount of information indicated by the electronic program guide by increasing or decreasing the axis of the channel name and the broadcast time according to the monitor information input by the input unit. The display control device according to claim 8, wherein: 10. The program table can display program detailed information together with a program name in each cell, and the generating means displays the program detailed information in accordance with the monitor information input by the input means. The display control device according to claim 8, wherein the amount of information indicated by the electronic program guide is controlled by increasing or decreasing the amount. 11. The display means is capable of selecting a plurality of types of fonts, and changes the display data so as to change a font of a character displayed on the monitor in accordance with the monitor information input by the input means. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: 12. The input means inputs information relating to the display resolution of the monitor, and the generating means increases the font size of the character according to the display resolution of the monitor input by the input means. The display control device according to claim 11, wherein: 13. The input means inputs information relating to a scanning method of the monitor. The generating means, when the scanning method of the monitor input by the input means is an interlace method,
12. The display control device according to claim 11, wherein a font size of the character is made larger than in a progressive system. 14. A broadcast receiving means for receiving broadcast data transmitted by television broadcasting, wherein the generating means generates the display data based on the broadcast data received by the broadcast receiving means. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: 15. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit inputs the monitor information from the monitor in accordance with a power-on operation of the display control device. 16. A display device comprising: display instruction means for instructing display of the display data, wherein the input means inputs the monitor information from the monitor in response to an instruction from the display instruction means. Item 2. The display control device according to item 1. 17. A display control method for controlling a display control device connectable to a monitor, comprising: an input step of inputting monitor information output from the monitor and relating to a display function of the monitor; and the input monitor. A display control method, comprising: a generation step of generating display data of the monitor according to information; and a display control step of controlling the generated display data to be output to the monitor and displayed. . 18. The display control method according to claim 17, wherein the generating step changes an amount of information indicated by the display data according to the input monitor information. 19. The monitor according to claim 17, wherein the monitor information includes information on at least one of a display resolution, a scanning method, and an aspect ratio of the monitor.
9. The display control method according to 8. 20. The inputting step includes inputting information relating to a display resolution of the monitor, and the generating step includes displaying the display data so as to increase the amount of information indicated by the display data in accordance with the height of the display resolution. 20. The display control method according to claim 19, wherein data for use is generated. 21. The inputting step includes inputting information on a scanning method of the monitor, and the generating step determines an amount of information indicated by display data generated when the scanning method is a progressive method, by using the scanning method. 20. The display data generating section according to claim 19, wherein said display data is generated so as to be larger than an amount of information indicated by said display data generated when said is an interlace method.
Display control method described in 1. 22. The inputting step includes inputting information relating to an aspect ratio of the monitor, and the generating step includes, as the screen size defined by the aspect ratio is longer in the horizontal direction, the information indicated by the display data in the horizontal direction. The display control method according to claim 19, wherein the display data is generated so as to increase an information amount. 23. The display control method according to claim 17, wherein the display data is data for displaying an electronic program guide. 24. The electronic program guide according to claim 23, wherein one of a channel name and a broadcast time of a television broadcast program is arranged on a vertical axis, and the other is arranged on a horizontal axis. Display control method described in 1. 25. The generating step controls the amount of information indicated by the electronic program guide by increasing or decreasing the axis of the channel name and the broadcast time according to the input monitor information. Claim 2
5. The display control method according to 4. 26. The program guide can display detailed program information together with a program name in each cell.
The amount of information indicated by the electronic program guide is controlled by increasing or decreasing the display of the detailed program information according to the input monitor information.
Display control method described in 1. 27. The generation step, wherein a plurality of types of fonts can be selected, and the display data is generated so as to change a font of a character displayed on the monitor according to the input monitor information. 18. The display control method according to claim 17, wherein: 28. The input step of inputting information relating to the display resolution of the monitor, and the generating step increases the font size of the character according to the input display resolution of the monitor. 28. The display control method according to claim 27, wherein: 29. The inputting step includes inputting information relating to a scanning method of the monitor, and the generating step includes, when the scanning method of the input monitor is an interlaced method, a progressive method. The display control method according to claim 27, wherein a font size of the character is made larger than that of the character. 30. A broadcast receiving step of receiving broadcast data transmitted by a television broadcast, wherein the generating step generates the display data based on the received broadcast data. Item 18. The display control method according to Item 17. 31. The display control method according to claim 17, wherein in the inputting step, the monitor information is input from the monitor in accordance with a power-on operation of the display control device. 32. A display instruction step for instructing display of the display data, wherein the input step inputs the monitor information from the monitor according to the instruction.
Display control method described in 1. 33. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the display control method according to claim 17 is recorded. 34. A monitor capable of inputting display data and displaying based on the input display data,
A monitor that outputs monitor information related to the display function of the monitor, and the monitor information that is output from the monitor is input, and the display data of the monitor is generated according to the input monitor information. A display control device for controlling display data to be output to and displayed on the monitor.