JP2004166070A - Digital broadcasting receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital broadcasting receiver which can sufficiently reply to a request of a viewer for the selection of a broadcasting program. <P>SOLUTION: In the digital broadcasting receiver which performs EPG (Electric Program Guide) display in the lower side of a display part of a video output device 14, a viewing and listening information storing region 29-1 which stores viewing and listening information on a televiewer is formed in a memory 29, broadcasting station names, broadcasting program names, names of broadcasting content kinds, and the number times of of viewings which the televiewer receives are stored corresponding to those in the viewing and listening information storing region 29-1. Stored contents are updated at each time of viewing and listening by the viewer. The stored broadcasting station names, and the names of the broadcasting program kinds are displayed as the EPG display at a predetermined time before a start time of the broadcast in the order of number of times of viewings and listenings, from a large number to a small number. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver capable of displaying an electronic program guide (also referred to as an EPG (Electrical Program Guide)).
[0002]
[Prior art]
Digital broadcasting is generally broadcasting that can provide multi-channel services to viewers. In such a broadcast, if the number of services increases, it becomes difficult to select a desired broadcast program from the broadcast programs.
[0003]
For this purpose, in digital broadcasting, EPG data is transmitted in addition to image and audio data. Based on the EPG data, each digital broadcast receiver displays a program name based on the EPG data on a screen. , For the convenience of the viewer in selecting the program.
[0004]
According to the conventional display based on such EPG data, for example, a broadcast program display to be reserved is selected from the EPG data by the remote controller. Thereafter, when the viewer is watching a program on another channel, a reminder function is activated at a predetermined time before the start of the broadcast of the reserved broadcast program, and the reserved program is displayed at the lower side of the display screen. Display that the broadcast start time of the program is approaching. By this display, the viewer notices that the broadcast time of the reserved program is approaching, and when he / she wants to view the reserved program, he / she can switch the received program to the reserved program by designating it by a remote controller. (See, for example, patent literature).
[0005]
[Patent Document]
JP-A-11-266414 (pages 5 to 6, FIG. 8-9).
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional EPG display has a problem that it is not always sufficient to respond to a viewer's request for selecting a broadcast program.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcast receiver capable of sufficiently responding to a viewer's request when selecting a broadcast program.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention, in a digital broadcast receiver that performs EPG display below a display unit of a video output device, a viewing information storage area for storing viewing information of a viewer is formed in a memory, and the viewing information storage area is provided in the viewing information storage area. The broadcast station name, the broadcast program name, the broadcast content type name and the number of times of viewing received by the viewer are stored in association with each other, and the stored content is updated for each viewing of the viewer, and the stored corresponding broadcast stations are stored. It is characterized in that the name, the broadcast program name and the broadcast content type name are displayed as EPG display at a predetermined time before the broadcast start time in the order of the number of times of viewing.
[0009]
According to the digital broadcast receiver of the present invention, in the viewing information storage area of the memory, the broadcast station name, the broadcast program name, the broadcast content type name, and the number of times of viewing are stored in association with each other. The updated broadcast station name, broadcast program name, and broadcast content type name stored in the viewing information storage area are displayed as EPG display at a predetermined time before the broadcast start time in the order of the number of times of viewing. . Therefore, the viewer can select a viewing broadcast program based on the EPG display in which the number of times of viewing is taken into account.
[0010]
In the digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention, all broadcast programs being broadcast when the power is turned on, the broadcast programs stored in the viewing information storage area and the broadcast station names are compared, and the corresponding program name and the corresponding broadcast station name are compared. May be displayed as an EPG display when the power is turned on. In this case, when viewing the program displayed at the time of turning on the power, the conventional viewing history is known, and the program displayed at the time of turning on the power is seen, so that the previously viewed continuous broadcast program or the like is missed. No more.
[0011]
In the digital broadcast receiver of the present invention, the viewing information storage area stores the broadcast station name, the broadcast program name, the broadcast content type name, the number of times of viewing, the number of times of viewing, the broadcast day and the broadcast start time received by the viewer in association with each other. A broadcast program name, a broadcast station name, a broadcast day of the week, and a broadcast start time corresponding to each identical broadcast content type name stored in the storage area may be displayed as an EPG display. In this case, it is easy to know when the desired broadcast of the same broadcast content type is broadcast.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention will be described with reference to an embodiment.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast receiver according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014]
The digital broadcast receiver 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a tuner 21, a demodulator 22, a demultiplexer 23, a main controller 24, an audio decoder 25, a video decoder 26, and an on-screen display (also referred to as OSD) controller 27. , A mixing unit 28 and a memory 29. The main controller 24 performs calculations and controls to control the digital broadcast receiver 20 in response to a viewer's request based on the output of the input device 12 composed of a remote controller.
[0015]
Under the control of the main controller 24, the tuner 21 selects a signal from one broadcast station from among a plurality of broadcast radio signals received by the receiver 11 including an antenna, detects the signal, and supplies the signal to the demodulation unit 22. I do. The demodulation unit 22 demodulates the input signal and outputs a transport stream to the demultiplexer 23 under the control of the main controller 24.
[0016]
The demultiplexer 23 separates necessary additional information data, video signal data, and audio signal data from the input transport stream under the control of the main controller 24. The separated video signal data is output to the video decoder 26, and the separated audio signal data is output to the audio decoder 25. The separated additional information data is analyzed by the main controller 24 and stored in the memory 29 as needed. The information necessary for the OSD display processed and selected by the main controller 24 is sent to the OSD control unit 27.
[0017]
The audio decoder 25 decodes the input audio signal data, converts the data into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device 13 including a speaker. The video decoder 26 decodes the input video signal data, generates a moving image signal, and outputs the moving image signal to the mixing unit 28. The OSD control unit 27 generates a still image from the information necessary for the input OSD display, and outputs the still image to the mixing unit 28.
[0018]
In the mixing unit 28, the video signals output from the video decoder 26 and the OSD control unit 27 are combined and output as a video signal to the video output device 14, and the video output device 14 performs display based on a moving image. An EPG display based on the OSD display is performed on the lower side of the screen of the video output device 14.
[0019]
The EPG display will be further described. Broadcast programs on the broadcast station side are classified in the digital broadcast receiver 20 by broadcast time and program contents, and stored in the memory 29 in a data format for EPG display. The viewer's request is transmitted to the main controller 24 by operating the input device 12, and the data for EPG display stored in the memory 29 is converted into an EPG display format under the control of the main controller 24 and the OSD control unit 27. And sent to the mixing unit 28. Through this process, the EPG is displayed on the lower part of the display surface of the video output device 14 as described later.
[0020]
On the other hand, a viewing information storage area 29-1 is formed in the memory 29 for storing the viewing information of the viewer. In the viewing information storage area 29-1, under the control of the main controller 24, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 2, a broadcast station name, a broadcast program name, a viewing count (viewing count), a broadcast program news, etc. And automatically stores the broadcast content type name. The viewing information stored in the viewing information storage area 29-1 is automatically updated every time a viewer views a broadcast program.
[0021]
In this update, the viewing information in the case of a program viewing change (so-called zapping) for quickly changing a viewing program within a predetermined period for a broadcast program check is not updated as viewing information. In addition, when the user views and listens for a predetermined period of time, for example, about 10 minutes or more, update control such as automatically incrementing the number of times of viewing of the corresponding broadcast program in the viewing information storage area 29-1 is performed. If the information is not updated for more than a predetermined period of time, for example, one month, delete control is performed to delete the corresponding viewing information item from the viewing information storage area 29-1.
[0022]
As described above, in the viewing information storage area 29-1, as shown in FIG. 2, the broadcast station name, the broadcast program name, the broadcast content type name and the number of times of viewing are stored in association with each other. It is updated for each viewer's viewing and rearranged in the order of the number of viewings as shown in FIG. 3 and stored. From the viewing information storage area 29-1 thus stored, the corresponding broadcast station name, broadcast program name, and broadcast content type name are displayed in EPG display at a predetermined time before the broadcast start time in the order of the number of times of viewing. Display.
[0023]
Therefore, the viewer can select a viewing broadcast program based on the EPG display in which the number of times of viewing is taken into account. Also, the number of broadcast programs that call attention to the viewer is not limited to one. For this reason, a broadcast count such as a serial drama that is being watched every time in the time zone is displayed by displaying the watch count value as a priority order and displaying the priority order at a predetermined time before the switching of the broadcast program at a predetermined time before the switching. Is also gone. Alternatively, the broadcast program may be switched to the broadcast program with the highest priority.
[0024]
Further, for example, a special instruction button is provided on the input device 12, and the broadcast program on which the first EPG display is performed (the broadcast program with the largest count of the viewing counter) is selected by operating the special instruction button. You may be able to do it. Furthermore, a logical number may be assigned to each broadcast program to be displayed, and the broadcast program to be viewed may be selected by designating the logical number.
[0025]
When the power is turned on, when the viewer turns on the digital broadcast receiver 20, the names of all broadcast programs broadcast at that time and the broadcast program names stored in the viewing information storage area 29-1 are displayed. And if there is a perfect match, for example, the name of the broadcast program and the name of the corresponding broadcast station are displayed in the lower part of the display screen of the video output device 14 in an EPG to draw the viewer's attention. You may make it.
[0026]
In this case, after turning on the power, the viewer does not display the EPG, but continues to watch the broadcast program that was being viewed at the time of turning on the power, and misses the previously viewed serial broadcast program. Is also gone. By doing so, it becomes easy to search for a broadcast program desired to be viewed at that time from among many broadcast programs when the power is turned on, and to select a broadcast program desired to be viewed.
[0027]
Furthermore, a broadcast program name and a broadcast station name corresponding to each same broadcast content type name stored in the viewing information storage area may be displayed in the EPG along with the broadcast day and the broadcast start time. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 in addition to the storage contents shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the storage contents shown in FIG. 3, a broadcast day and a broadcast start time are stored in association with each other and correspond to each broadcast content type name. The broadcast program name and the broadcast station name may be displayed together with the broadcast day and the broadcast start time.
[0028]
In this case, it is easy to know when the desired broadcast of the same broadcast content type is broadcast.
[0029]
These pieces of information may be displayed at a predetermined time, for example, before switching the broadcast content in units of one hour or the like, and may be information for selecting a broadcast program that the viewer wants to view.
[0030]
These pieces of information are obtainable information based on SI tables of SIT and EIT transmitted as EPG data. When a service name and a broadcast program name for different services are obtained, the names are obtained using the SIT Other table and the EIT Other table, respectively. Therefore, the table can be obtained without changing the reception frequency of the tuner 21 (see FIG. 1). As a result, the viewing of the table is not hindered by the acquisition of the table.
[0031]
Note that the SIT Other table and the EIT Other table are items determined by the broadcaster, and there is no method for specifying the digital broadcast receiver. For this reason, it is necessary to cope with a case in which transmission is not performed. In this case, a plurality of demodulators 22 and demultiplexers 23 are prepared, one of which may be used by a user for viewing a broadcast program, and the other may be used for obtaining EPG data. .
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the digital broadcast receiver of the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently respond to a viewer's request for selection of a broadcast program.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast receiver according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the contents of a storage table in a viewing information storage area of the digital broadcast receiver according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the contents of a storage table including the number of times of viewing in a viewing information storage area of the digital broadcast receiver according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the contents of a storage table including the number of times of viewing, the day of the broadcast start, and the like in the viewing information storage area of the digital broadcast receiver according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 11 receiving device 12 input device 13 audio output device 14 video output device 20 digital broadcast receiver 21 tuner 22 demodulation unit 23 demultiplexer 24 main controller 25 audio decoder 26 video decoder 27 OSD control unit 28 mixing unit 29 memory 29-1 viewing information Storage area

Claims (3)

In a digital broadcast receiver that performs EPG display below a display unit of a video output device, a viewing information storage area for storing viewing information of a viewer is formed in a memory, and a broadcast station name received by the viewer is stored in the viewing information storage area; The broadcast program name, the broadcast content type name and the number of times of viewing are stored in association with each other, and the stored content is updated for each viewing of the viewer, and the stored corresponding broadcast station name, broadcast program name and broadcast content type are stored. A digital broadcast receiver for displaying names as an EPG display at a predetermined time before a broadcast start time in the order of the number of times of viewing. 2. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein all broadcast programs broadcast when the power is turned on, the broadcast programs stored in the viewing information storage area, and the broadcast station names are compared, and the corresponding broadcast program name is matched. A digital broadcast receiver for displaying a station name and an EPG display when the power is turned on. 2. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the viewing information storage area stores a broadcast station name, a broadcast program name, a broadcast content type name, a number of times of viewing, a broadcast day, and a broadcast start time which are received by the viewer in association with each other. A digital broadcast receiver characterized by displaying an EPG display together with a broadcast program name, a broadcast station name, a broadcast day and a broadcast start time corresponding to each of the same broadcast content type names stored in a viewing information storage area.

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