JP2003216302A - Character inputting device and digital/analog tv recording device equipped with the same device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character string inputting device for moving a cursor to a target character to select the character by a much smaller number of times of remote control operations. <P>SOLUTION: The line of 'YA (Japanese syllabary)', 'YU' and 'YO' with a smaller number of arrayed character keys 51 is arranged at the central part of a key list 50 displayed on a display. A cursor 60 is moved on the character keys by each frame each time a remote control device is operated. The cursor 60 is moved through the line of the 'YA', 'YU', and 'YO' to the target character key 51 so that the target character key 51 can be selected by a much smaller number of times of remote control operations. For example, when the cursor 60 is moved from the position of 'I' to the position of 'BA', the cursor 60 is moved downward to the position of 'YA', and horizontally to the position of 'YO', and downward to the position of 'BA'. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to inputting characters such as giving a title to a recorded image in a recording device,
A character input device capable of inputting a desired character with a smaller number of operations and a digital / analog TV equipped with the character input device
The present invention relates to a recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a digital / analog TV recording device for recording a television program by a digital / analog broadcasting signal in a recording device such as an HDD in a digital format. Generally, the HDD can read / write data at any position in the recording area. Therefore, when there are a plurality of recorded TV programs, the user needs to select which recorded program to reproduce at the time of reproduction.

Therefore, in the conventional digital / analog TV recording device, information for identifying each recorded program is added to each recorded program so that the user can select the recorded program to be reproduced. Has become. As this additional information, a character string representing the content of the recorded program is generally used. The character string representing the content of the program is input by the user or is automatically added by the recording device, and the character string automatically added by the recording device can be changed by the user.

When a character string is input by a user in the related art, a key list 90 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display. In the key list 90, character keys 91 on which characters are displayed are arranged in a matrix, and the cursor 6
0 is moved one by one on the character key 91 by operating a remote controller or the like. The user operates the remote controller or the like to move the cursor 60 to the character key 91 on which the desired character is displayed and repeats the selection process to input a desired character string. .

On the other hand, regarding the key input device, the key arranged at the center position of the key arrangement is set as the default position, and the cursor is automatically moved to the default position after the start of character input or after the input is confirmed, thereby inputting characters. It is known that the amount of movement of the cursor in the selection is reduced (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-158604).

[0006]

However, in the above-described conventional character string input, many cursor movement operations are required to move the cursor 60 onto the target key 91. For example, as shown in FIG.
To move 0 from the "i" position to the "ba" position,
The moving method shown by the route in the figure requires 12 times of cursor moving operations, and even if the moving method shown by the route in the figure is possible, it requires 9 times of cursor moving operations. This cursor movement operation is performed by the selectable key 91
If the number of is large, it will be even larger.

As described above, in the conventional character string input, many cursor movement operations are required.
It takes time to input the character string, and the input of the character string is a complicated task. In addition, the above-mentioned JP-A-5
Even if the contents described in JP-A-158604 are applied, the above-mentioned problems cannot be solved.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and when inputting a character string, a character input device and a character input device capable of moving a cursor to a target character with a smaller number of remote controller operations. It is an object to provide a digital / analog TV recording device including an input device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is obtained from a receiving means for receiving a television broadcasting signal distributed from a broadcasting station and a television broadcasting signal received by the receiving means. A video recording means for recording the video of the television program, a video reproducing means for reproducing the video recorded by the video recording means and displaying it on a display connected to the apparatus, a title giving to the recorded video, etc. When performing a character input operation, a list of keys in which a plurality of keys including character keys are arranged in a matrix, and a cursor for selecting one of the keys by moving one frame in the horizontal and / or vertical direction on the key list are displayed. The character input screen display means to be displayed on the display and the cursor displayed on the display are moved to select the key, In a digital / analog TV recording device provided with an operation means for inputting a character corresponding to a character key, the character input screen display means is provided at a substantially central row or column of the matrix, and the cursor 1 in the row or column is selected. Display the key list in which the number of arranged keys is smaller than that in other rows or columns so that the amount of horizontal or vertical movement of the cursor becomes the amount of movement of the cursor multiple times in other rows or columns. The keys with a small number of arrangements are the selection keys of “ya”, “yu”, and “yo” when they are kana character keys, and the selection keys of “hiragana”, “katakana”, and “alphanumeric characters” when they are not kana character keys.

According to this structure, when a character is input in the digital / analog TV recording device such as adding a title to a recorded image, the cursor is moved in a row or column in which the number of arranged keys is smaller than the other, and the target key is moved. By moving to, the target character can be selected with a smaller number of remote control operations. Further, the row or column in which the number of arranged keys is smaller than the others is provided substantially in the center of the key list, so that the operation is further enhanced. In addition, the rows or columns in which the number of arranged keys is smaller than the others are the kana character keys of the characters "ya", "yu", "yo", or "hiragana", "katakana", and "alphanumeric characters" in the rows that originally have fewer characters Since the selection keys of "" are arranged, there is no confusion in searching for the desired character.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, receiving means for receiving a television broadcast signal distributed from a broadcasting station, and video recording means for recording an image of a television program obtained from the television broadcast signal received by the receiving means, A video reproducing means for reproducing the video recorded by the video recording means and displaying it on a display connected to the apparatus, and a plurality of keys including character keys for character input operation such as giving a title to the recorded video. A key list arranged in a matrix, and a character input screen display means for displaying a cursor for selecting the key on the display by moving one frame horizontally or / and vertically on the key list. Operation means for moving the cursor displayed on the display to select the key and inputting a character corresponding to the selected character key In the digital / analog TV recording device having the above, the character input screen display means is such that, in a predetermined row or column of the matrix, the amount of horizontal movement and / or vertical movement of the cursor within the row or column is different. The key list in which the number of arranged keys is smaller than that in other rows or columns is displayed so that the cursor moves a plurality of times in the row or column.

In this configuration, when a character input operation such as adding a title to a recorded image in the digital / analog TV recording device is performed, the cursor is moved within a row or column in which the number of arranged keys is smaller than the other, and the target key is By moving to, the target character can be selected with a smaller number of remote control operations.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key list in which a plurality of keys including at least Japanese syllabary kana character keys are arranged in a matrix, and one or more frames are arranged horizontally or / on the key list.
And a character input screen display means for sequentially moving the cursor in the vertical direction to display a cursor for selecting the key on the display connected to the apparatus, and moving the cursor displayed on the display to move the key. In the character input device, which is provided with an operation unit for selecting, and in which a corresponding character is input by selecting the key with the cursor, the key list is displayed in a substantially central row or column of the matrix. The number of arranged keys is larger than that of other rows or columns so that the amount of horizontal movement and / or vertical movement of the cursor in one column is multiple times in another row or column. The keys with a small array number are "ya", "yu", and "yo" when they are kana character keys, and they are the selection keys for "hiragana", "katakana", and "alphanumeric characters" when they are not kana character keys. It is intended.

With this structure, the same operation as that of the above-mentioned claim 1 can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a list of keys in which a plurality of keys including character keys are arranged in a matrix form, and one key on the key list are sequentially moved horizontally and / or vertically to move the keys. A character input screen display means for displaying a cursor for selection on a display connected to the apparatus, and an operation means for moving the cursor displayed on the display to select the key are provided. In the character input device in which the corresponding character is input by selecting with the cursor, the key list is provided in a predetermined row or column of the matrix, in which one horizontal or / and vertical direction of the cursor in the row or column. The number of arranged keys is smaller than that of other rows or columns so that the amount of movement of the cursor becomes the amount of movement of the cursor multiple times in other rows or columns. A.

With this structure, the same effect as that of the above-mentioned claim 2 can be obtained.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows a schematic block configuration of a digital / analog TV recording device including a character input device according to the present embodiment. The digital / analog TV recording device 1 is connected with an antenna 20 for receiving a television broadcast and a display 30 for displaying an image of the television broadcast.

The digital / analog TV recorder 1 is an ATSC (Advanced Television System) transmitted from a broadcasting station.
stems Committee) broadcast signals and NTSC (National Tele
vision Systems Committee) A device for receiving broadcast signals via the antenna 20, recording video of a television program distributed by these broadcast signals, and reproducing the recorded video to display it on the display 30. . Further, the digital / analog TV recording device 1 has a character input function (character input device) such as giving a title to a recorded image.
Is equipped with.

The digital / analog TV recording device 1 includes a remote controller (operating means) 2, a remote controller receiving section 3, a tuner (receiving means) 4, an NTSC decoder 5, and an NTSC.
Encoder 6, ATSC front end 7, Sup
er I / O processing unit 8, content storage unit 9, MPE
It is composed of a G decoder 10, an OSD circuit 11, a clock 12, and a control unit (character input screen display means, video recording means, video reproduction means) 13.

The remote controller 2 is for selecting a TV program to be recorded, recording / reproducing a TV program, editing a recorded video, inputting characters such as a title for identifying a recorded program or an edited video, and various other operations. And is operated by the user. The remote controller 2 has various operation buttons (not shown) for enabling these various operations. When the various operation buttons are operated, a wireless signal such as an infrared signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted.

The remote controller receiver 3 receives the signal sent from the remote controller 2 and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation of the remote controller 2 to the controller 13. The tuner 4 tunes the received frequency to the frequency corresponding to the channel selected and operated by the remote controller 2 to receive the television broadcast signal of the selected and selected channel via the antenna 20.

When an NTSC broadcast channel is selected by the remote controller 2, the NTSC decoder 5 demodulates the NTSC broadcast signal received by the tuner 4 and outputs the video signal and audio signal of the television program to the NTSC encoder 6. , VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval) signals are extracted and output to the control unit 13. The NTSC encoder 6 converts the video signal and the audio signal output from the NTSC decoder 5 into a bit stream signal by digital compression encoding of the MPEG standard. The bitstream signal converted by the NTSC encoder 6 is sent to the content storage unit 9 via the Super I / O processing unit 8.

The ATSC front end 7 is a remote controller 2.
When an ATSC broadcast channel is selected by, the ATSC broadcast signal received by the tuner 4 is time-divided into video and audio of a plurality of TV programs digitally encoded by the MPEG standard and electronic program information. Demodulate to a TS (Transport Stream) signal in a multiplexed state. Then, the ATSC front end 7 outputs from this TS signal
The video signal and the audio signal of the television program of the channel selected by the remote controller 2 are separated and extracted to generate a bit stream signal and the electronic program information is extracted. The bitstream signal generated by the ATSC front end 7 is
The electronic program information sent to the content storage unit 9 via the Super I / O processing unit 8 and extracted is output to the control unit 13.

Under the control of the control unit 13, the content storage unit 9 records the video of the television program by recording the bit stream signal sent via the Super I / O processing unit 8, and The recorded video is reproduced by reading the recorded bit stream signal. The bitstream signal read from the content storage unit 9 is S
It is output to the MPEG decoder 10 via the upper I / O processing unit 8. Further, the content storage unit 9 records and saves a character string for identifying a recorded program or edited video input by operating the remote controller 2 in association with the recorded program or edited video. The content storage unit 9 is composed of, for example, an HDD, a DVD-R / -RW / + RW / RAM, or another randomly accessible recording medium.

The MPEG decoder 10 is a SuperI /
The bit stream signal sent via the O processing unit 8 is decoded into a video signal and an audio signal before being digitally compressed and encoded. The video signal and the audio signal output from the MPEG decoder 10 are output to the display 30 via the OSD circuit 11. The OSD circuit 11 uses the MPE
Predetermined on-screen display data is superimposed on the video signal output from the G decoder 10. As a result, the image of the on-screen display data is superimposed on the video of the television program and displayed on the display 30. The clock 12 measures the date and time and outputs the signal to the control unit 13.

The control unit 13 controls each of the above units, and selects the TV program to be recorded, records / plays back the TV program, edits the recorded video, and identifies the recorded program or the edited video according to the operation of the remote controller 2. Input characters such as titles and execute various other operations. The control unit 13 creates an image for inputting a character string when the user inputs characters such as giving a title to a recorded program or an edited video, and the OSD circuit 11
To output the character string input screen to the display 30
, And character input is performed by the remote controller 2.

The digital / analog TV recorder 1
Under the control of the control unit 13, the TV program records a TV program by a recording operation with the remote controller 2 and saves and manages the video of the recorded TV program. Further, the digital / analog TV recording device 1 is controlled by the control unit 13 under the control of the remote controller 2.
Edit the recorded video according to the operation of, and save and manage the edited video. A title made up of a character string input by the user operating the remote controller 2 is given to these images to be stored and managed. The digital / analog TV recorder 1
At the time of reproducing the stored image, the stored image is identified based on these character strings, and the corresponding image is reproduced and displayed on the display 30.

Next, the digital / analog TV having the above configuration
Input of characters such as giving a title to a stored video image by the recording device 1 will be described. Under the control of the control unit 13, the digital / analog TV recording device 1 displays a character input screen on the display 30 when inputting characters.

As shown in FIG. 2, the character input screen includes a key list 50 and a cursor 6 for selecting a character.
0 is displayed. In the key list 50, character keys 51 corresponding to Japanese syllabary characters are arranged in a matrix. A feature of this key list 50 is that a line with few character keys 51 consisting of ",""yu," and "yo" is provided at the center of the key list 50. Under the control of the control unit 13, the cursor 60 is moved to the character key 5 by operating a cursor movement button (not shown) provided on the remote controller 2 up, down, left and right.
It is designed to move over 1.

Now, the rule of movement of the cursor 60 by the control unit 13 will be described. The control unit 13 uses the remote controller 2
When the cursor 60 is operated to move in any of the up, down, left, and right directions, the cursor 60 is moved one frame in the corresponding direction. That is, each time the cursor 60 is moved by the remote controller 2, the cursor 60 moves one frame in a corresponding direction. However, the cursor 6
When 0 is at any position of “na”, “ni”, “nu”, “ne”, and “no”, and when the operation of moving the cursor 60 downward with the remote controller 2 is performed, the control unit 13 causes the cursor 60 to move. To move to the "ya" position. Therefore, when the operation of further moving the cursor 60 in the downward direction is performed, the control unit 13 moves the cursor 60 to “Ma”, “mi”, “mu”, and “me”.
Move to the corresponding position of "mo".

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a cursor 60
Is at the “ne” position, and the cursor 60
When the operation of moving downward is performed, the control unit 13 first moves the cursor 60 to the position “ya” and then to the position “me”. Similarly, the control unit 13
From the "na" position to the "ma" position, from the "ni" position to the "mi" position, from the "nu" position to the "mu" position, from the "no" position to the "no" position The cursor 60 is moved to the position of "mo".

Further, the cursor 60 is "Ma""Mi""Mu"
Even if the cursor 60 is located at any one of the positions "me" and "mo" and the operation of moving the cursor 60 upward is performed, the control unit 13
Move the cursor 60 to "na" or "ni" via the "ya" position
Move to the corresponding position of "nu", "ne" and "no". In addition, the control unit 13 passes the “yu” between “ha” “hi” “fu” “he” “ho” and “ra” “ri” “ru” “re” “ro”. , "Da""ぢ""zu""de""do" and "ba""bi""bu""be""bo" via "yo", cursor as above Move 60.

Such a key list 50 and cursor 60
According to the movement rule of No. 3, the user operates the cursor movement button of the remote controller 2 while looking at the display screen on the display 30, moves the cursor 60 to the target character key 51, selects the character key 51 and inputs characters. I do. For example,
As shown in FIG. 4, in order to move the cursor 60 from the "i" position to the "ba" position, first, the cursor 60 is moved downward to the "ya" position, and then the horizontal direction. Move to the "yo" position, and then move downward to the "ba" position. At this time, in order to move the cursor 60 from the position of "i" to the position of "ba", it is sufficient to perform the cursor moving operation six times.

The key list 50 according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG.
The amount of movement of the cursor 60 in the vertical direction is larger than that of the conventional key list 90 shown in FIG. 1, but the amount of movement of the cursor 60 in the horizontal direction is further reduced, so that the cursor 6
The average movement amount of 0 decreases. As a result, the user can input the target character string with a smaller number of cursor manipulation operations.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, “ya” to be placed in the center of the key list 50
The shape of the character keys 51 of "Yu" and "Yo" may be as shown in FIG. List of keys with such a character key shape 5
Even with 0, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

There is a device for displaying a selection key for selecting a character type on the screen in order to increase the types of characters that can be input. In such a device, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, "Hiragana" is displayed. The "katakana" and "alphanumeric" selection keys 52 may be arranged in the central portion of the key list 50 as a row having a small number of keys. In this case, "Katakana" key 5
If you select 2, switch to Katakana display,
When the "alphanumeric" key 52 is selected, a key list 50 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Such a key list 5
Even with 0, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

The keys to be assigned to the rows having a small number of keys arranged in the center of the key list 50 are "Ya", "Yu", and "Yo".
Character keys 51, "Hiragana", "Katakana", "alphanumeric characters"
Other selection keys 52 may be used. If the user is not confused, no matter what key is assigned, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. Further, the line having a small number of keys does not necessarily have to be arranged at the center of the key list 50, and if the cursor 60 can move from the left end to the right end and from the right end to the left end, it can be arranged at any position. The same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained. Further, not only rows but also columns having a small number of keys are arranged in the key list 50, and the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

The present invention also provides a digital / analog TV.
Not limited to the recording device, it can be applied to all devices for inputting a character string using a remote control device on a TV screen, and a character input device for inputting characters by selecting a key list displayed on the display with a cursor. It is a thing.

[0039]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, when a character input operation such as a title addition to a recorded image in a digital / analog TV recording device is performed, the number of arranged keys in the key list is higher than others. By providing fewer rows or columns, you can select the desired character with less number of remote control operations, which allows you to enter the desired character string in a short period of time and also makes it easier to enter the character string. become. In addition, the row or column where the number of arranged keys is smaller than the others is the one in which the kana character keys of "ya", "yu", and "yo" or the selection keys of "hiragana", "katakana", and "alphanumeric characters" are arranged. Therefore, it is possible to quickly find a desired character without causing confusion.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when characters are input such as giving a title to a recorded image in the digital / analog TV recording device, a row or column in which the number of arranged keys is smaller than the others is provided in the key list. As a result, the target character can be selected with a smaller number of remote control operations, which makes it possible to input a desired character string in a short time and facilitate inputting the character string.

According to the invention of claim 3, the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1 can be obtained.

According to the invention of claim 4, the same effect as that of the invention of claim 2 can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electrical block configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital / analog TV recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a key list displayed on a character input screen of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining movement of a cursor in selecting a character using a key list of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining movement of a cursor when selecting a character by a key list of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a key list according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a key list according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a key list according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional key list.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating movement of a cursor in character selection by a conventional key list.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Digital / Analog TV Recording Device (Character Input Device) 2 Remote Control (Operating Means) 4 Tuner (Reception Means) 13 Control Unit (Character Input Screen Display Means, Video Recording Means,
Video display means) 30 Display 50 Key list 51 Character key 52 Selection key 60 Cursor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving a television broadcast signal distributed from a broadcasting station, a video recording means for recording a video of a television program obtained from the television broadcast signal received by the receiving means, and the video recording means. A video reproducing means for reproducing a recorded video and displaying it on a display connected to the apparatus, and a plurality of keys including a character key are arranged in a matrix when a character input operation such as giving a title to the recorded video is performed. And a character input screen display means for displaying a cursor for selecting the key on the display by moving the frame in the horizontal and / or vertical direction one frame at a time on the key list. Move the cursor to select the key,
In a digital / analog TV recording device provided with an operation means for inputting a character corresponding to a selected character key, the character input screen display means is provided in a row or a column at substantially the center of the matrix, in the row or the column. A key list in which the number of arranged keys is smaller than that of other rows or columns so that the amount of one horizontal or vertical movement of the cursor becomes the amount of movement of the cursor multiple times in other rows or columns. The key with a small number of arrangements should be "ya", "yu", "yo" when it is a kana character key, or "hiragana""katakana""alphanumeric" selection key when it is not a kana character key. A digital / analog TV recorder characterized by: 2. A receiving means for receiving a television broadcast signal distributed from a broadcasting station, a video recording means for recording a video of a television program obtained from the television broadcast signal received by the receiving means, and the video recording means. A video reproducing means for reproducing a recorded video and displaying it on a display connected to the apparatus, and a plurality of keys including a character key are arranged in a matrix when a character input operation such as giving a title to the recorded video is performed. And a character input screen display means for displaying a cursor for selecting the key on the display by moving the frame in the horizontal and / or vertical direction one frame at a time on the key list. Move the cursor to select the key,
In a digital / analog TV recording device provided with an operation unit for inputting a character corresponding to a selected character key, the character input screen display unit is a cursor in a predetermined row or column of a matrix in the row or column. Of 1
Display the key list in which the number of arranged keys is smaller than that in other rows or columns so that the amount of horizontal or vertical movement of the cursor becomes the amount of movement of the cursor multiple times in other rows or columns. A digital / analog TV recording device characterized in that 3. A key list in which a plurality of keys including at least Japanese syllabary keys are arranged in a matrix, and the keys are sequentially moved horizontally and / or vertically on the key list to move the keys. A character input screen display means for displaying a cursor for selection on a display connected to the apparatus, and an operation means for moving the cursor displayed on the display to select the key are provided. In the character input device in which a corresponding character is input by selecting with the cursor, the key list includes a row or a column at substantially the center of the matrix, and one horizontal row of the cursor within the row or the column at the center. Or and / or the number of arranged keys is set to be smaller than that of other rows or columns so that the amount of movement in the vertical direction is a plurality of times of movement in other rows or columns. The small number of key,
When it is a kana character key, it is "ya", "yu", "yo", and when it is not a kana character key, it is "hiragana""katakana""alphanumericcharacter"
A character input device characterized by being a selection key. 4. A key list in which a plurality of keys including character keys are arranged in a matrix form, and a cursor for sequentially moving the frames one by one horizontally and / or vertically on the key list to select the keys. A character input screen display means for displaying on the display connected to the apparatus, and an operation means for moving the cursor displayed on the display to select the key, and selecting the key with the cursor. In the character input device in which the corresponding character is input by means of the above, in the predetermined row or column of the matrix, the key list is displayed once in a row or in the row or in the column.
And a character input characterized in that the number of arranged keys is smaller than that in other rows or columns so that the amount of movement in the vertical direction is the amount of movement of the cursor multiple times in other rows or columns. apparatus.