JP2006140783A - Method and device for displaying electronic program information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic program information displaying method and a device for enabling a user to designating display that is easily visually recognized for each program category on a display in program information display such as television programs. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of icon candidates 302 displayed for each selected category 301 are prepared, and the user can designate an icon which the user thinks conspicuous in a category which the user wants to be conspicuous according to his/her own determinator. In icon candidates 30 for each category 301, any or a combination among icons, the conspicuous use of color/inconspicuous use of a color, transparency, shapes and patterns of which are different, icons that change according to a time and icons created by the user is prepared. It is preferable for each person having an individual difference in the visibility of various users to be able to select a conspicuous icon. Icons belonging to other categorys can be also confirmed at the same time and it can be confirmed whether the icons are relatively conspicuous when the users select the icons. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for displaying electronic program information in a television receiver or the like.

  Conventionally, in the broadcast / distribution of video / audio contents such as TV broadcasts, program-related information transmitted separately from video / audio is received, and the program-related information is displayed on a display such as a television receiver. The program is selected, checked, confirmed, or reserved for recording and display. In digital broadcasting, a program name, start time, duration, program description, program genre, and the like are transmitted as program related information. In analog broadcasting, there is a mechanism for sending program-related information at the timing of information transmission, and similar information is transmitted. There is also a mechanism for obtaining program related information by connecting to a server on the Internet. A receiver such as a television broadcast having an electronic program information display function can display program-related information obtained through the above-described path on a display as a program guide or program information on a television.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a configuration of a television receiver that supports digital broadcasting and analog broadcasting. When viewing the analog broadcast, the analog broadcast received by the tuner 902 via the analog broadcast antenna 901 is separated into program-related information and video / audio information by the demultiplexing means 903. The video information is superimposed on the OSD (on-screen display) by the video encoder 908 and output to the video output terminal 909. The audio information is output to the audio output terminal 911.

  When viewing a digital broadcast, the digital broadcast received by the tuner 905 via the digital broadcast antenna 904 is separated into program-related information and video / audio information by the DEMUX 906. The video information is decoded by the video / audio decoder 907, superimposed on the OSD by the video encoder 908, and output to the video output terminal 909. The audio information is decoded by the video / audio decoder 907 and output to the audio output terminal 911 via the audio D / A 910.

  Program related information for analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting is placed in the work memory 912, and information that needs to be stored is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 914. The program related information can be received not only via broadcasting but also via communication. That is, the control CPU 913 directly receives the program related information by controlling the modem 916 connected to the telephone line or the like or the network adapter 917 connected to the network by wire or wireless, and the received program related information is stored in the work memory 912. Information that needs to be stored is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 914. The program related information can also be obtained from an external memory card. The control CPU 913 reads the program related information from the external memory via the external memory card port 918, and the read program related information is placed in the work memory 912. Information that needs to be stored is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 914.

  Information in the nonvolatile memory 914 can be recorded in the external memory card via the external memory card port 918 if necessary, and information can be read from the external memory card into the nonvolatile memory 914.

  A program for operating the control CPU 913 is recorded in the program memory 915.

  When displaying the program guide or program information on the display, the control CPU 913 creates OSD data for the items to be displayed from the program related information in the work memory 912 or the nonvolatile memory 914, and the created OSD data is the video encoder 908. Is superimposed on the video and output to the video output terminal 909. Information about the genre is displayed when the program guide or program information is displayed, so that a program of a genre preferred by the user can be easily noticed.

Regarding the electronic program information display method in such a television receiver, there are the following conventional examples. That is, some digital broadcast receivers that have already been released have a function of displaying an icon corresponding to a genre in a program guide. Some have a function of displaying an icon only in a genre selected by the user. Among those having such an icon display function, it has been proposed to add a color set by a user for each genre as a background color or a character color of a square of a program in a program table (Patent Document 1). In addition, it has been proposed that a color set by a user for each genre is added to the front position of a square of a program in the program table (Patent Document 2).
JP-A-9-130694 (paragraphs [0011] to [0012], FIGS. 1 and 2) JP-A-11-196343 (paragraphs [0098] to [0099], FIG. 12)

  When displaying an icon corresponding to a genre, the icon is hardly noticeable in the method of displaying the icon in all programs, and in the method of displaying only the icon selected by the user, the number of genres selected by the user is large. In many cases, the same display increases, and the effect of searching for a user's favorite genre is diminished. In addition, in the method of coloring the background color by genre, many colored squares are displayed in the program guide, and various colors themselves are too conspicuous, making it difficult to search for a specific genre. Also, the display method for coloring characters makes it difficult to read the characters. On the other hand, the method of adding a color corresponding to the genre at the front position of the square has few problems because the screen is not too complicated and is not buried in characters. However, with this method, there are individual differences in the visibility with respect to color, so it is difficult for some people to search for a specific genre because the display of genre information is based on color alone. There is a common problem with this method.

  As described above, there are individual differences in the visibility of colors in the program guide, so the method of relying on color only for information display on genres is to search for specific genres depending on the person. Is not easy. Under such circumstances, there is a growing need for a user interface that does not rely solely on color from the viewpoint of universal design that is designed to be easy to use for any person. Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of such a situation, and it is left to the user's judgment as to what stands out, and the user has an opportunity to select information display about the genre on the display. There is a problem to be solved in terms of making it possible.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic program information display method and apparatus that allows a user to designate a display that can be easily viewed by each person on a display when displaying information about a genre.

  The present invention comprises the following technical means in order to solve the above problems. That is, the electronic program information display method according to the first invention acquires program related information including information on the genre of a broadcast program, forms a program related information screen from the acquired program related information, and the program related information. A screen is displayed on the display, and when the program-related information screen is configured by selecting a designated icon from a plurality of candidate icons prepared corresponding to each genre on the display, the program is displayed. The related information screen is instructed to display the designated icon as the icon corresponding to each genre.

  According to this electronic program information display method, when program related information including information on the genre regarding a broadcast program is acquired, a program related information screen including display of the genre and its icon is formed from the acquired program related information. The user can view the program related information screen displayed on the display. The user also selects a designated icon that can be recognized as being conspicuous from among a plurality of prepared icon candidates corresponding to each genre on the display. When the program related information screen is configured, the display of the designated icon is instructed on the program related information screen as the display of the icon corresponding to each genre, so the user can select the designated icon displayed on the program related information screen. You can easily find the program you want to rely on.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic program information display device comprising: program related information acquisition means for acquiring program related information including information on a genre of a broadcast program; and the program related information acquired by the program related information acquisition means. Screen forming means for forming a related information screen, screen display means for displaying the program related information screen on a display, and a plurality of icon candidates prepared corresponding to each genre on the display. Icon selection means capable of selecting a designated icon, and an icon display instruction for instructing display of the designated icon corresponding to each genre on the program related information screen when the screen forming means constitutes the program related information screen Means.

  According to this electronic program information display device, when the program related information acquisition means acquires program related information including information on the genre regarding the broadcast program, the screen forming means acquires the program from the program related information acquired by the program related information acquisition means. Form a related information screen. The user can view the program related information screen displayed on the display by the screen display means. The user also operates the icon selection means to select a designated icon that can be recognized as being conspicuous from among a plurality of prepared icon candidates corresponding to each genre on the display. When the screen forming means configures the program related information screen, the user operates the icon display instruction means to instruct the program related information screen to display the designated icon corresponding to each genre. The target program can be easily found by relying on the designated icon displayed on the related information screen.

  In this electronic program information display method and apparatus, the designated icons of each genre are a plurality of icon candidates composed of different colors, a plurality of icon candidates having different transparency, and a plurality of icon candidates composed of different shapes. Candidates for multiple icons with different patterns, multiple icon candidates that change over time, multiple icon candidates that are prepared in addition to those prepared in advance, or each of the above candidates It is possible to select from a plurality of icon candidates composed of combinations.

  In the electronic program information display device, the user can select a plurality of icon candidates composed of conspicuous color use and inconspicuous color use prepared by the icon selection unit in the genre designated by the user, and a plurality of different transparency levels prepared by the icon selection unit. Icon candidates, a plurality of icon candidates having different shapes prepared by the icon selecting means, a plurality of icon candidates having different patterns prepared by the icon selecting means, and a plurality of icons changing depending on the time provided by the icon selecting means The designated icon can be selected by selecting from a plurality of icon candidates composed of user candidates, a plurality of icon candidates composed of user-created icons, or a plurality of icon candidates composed of combinations of the above candidates. .

  Since what is conspicuous or inconspicuous for the user depends on the user's own judgment, all the candidates for the designated icon are presented to the user from each viewpoint, and the user selects the designated icon from the candidates. In the case of the above combination of candidates, it does not mean that there is any choice from all viewpoints, but if it is classified from one viewpoint among several candidates, it can be classified as belonging to any one of them. It is. In addition, the user does not have to select the designated icon after understanding each viewpoint. It may be determined from the list display which is conspicuous for the user himself or not.

  In this electronic program information display method and apparatus, the genre information in the program-related information includes a genre identification code attached to each genre, and each genre and the designated icon are associated using the genre identification code. be able to. As for the genre, a predetermined classification pattern can be represented by a genre identification code, and can be used for various genre management and storage / management of designated icons.

  In this electronic program information display method, a designation icon can be stored in the storage means, and the designation icon read from the storage means can be designated as a designation icon to be displayed on the program related information screen. The electronic program information display device further includes icon storage means for storing a specified icon, and the icon display instruction means specifies the specified icon read from the icon storage means as a specified icon to be displayed on the program related information screen. Can do. That is, by storing the designated icon in the storage means, even if the user's memory is ambiguous, the designated icon specified in the past can be displayed by calling from the storage means. Can be prevented from being confused.

  In this electronic program information display method, the program-related information screen is an electronic program guide screen, a program information screen for past, viewed or future programs posted on the electronic program guide, or a designation icon used to display each genre. Can be assumed to be an icon designation menu screen that can be selected by the icon selection means. In this electronic program information display device, the program-related information screen is used to display an electronic program guide screen, a program information screen for past, currently viewing, or future programs posted in the electronic program guide, or display of each genre. It can be assumed that the designated icon is a menu screen for designating an icon that can be selected by the icon selection means. The program related information screen is a screen for displaying broad information related to a program, and is an electronic program guide screen itself and a program information screen for a past, viewing or future program posted in the program guide. May be. Furthermore, an icon designation menu screen is also included that allows the designation icon used for displaying each genre to be selected by the icon selection means.

  In this electronic program information display method, the icon designation menu screen can include a display of a genre other than the genre for which the designated icon is to be selected and a designated icon selected in the genre. In this electronic program information display device, the icon designation menu screen can include a display of a genre other than the genre for which the designated icon is to be selected and a designated icon selected in the genre. When selecting an icon of a certain genre, whether or not the user can relatively determine the icon to be selected in the future by displaying the designated icon selected in the other genre on the icon designation menu screen The icons can be selected and specified in the genre that the user intends to specify based on the comparison.

  Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects. That is, on a monitor having a program guide or program information display function displayed using program related information, the genre that the user wants to make the icon displayed in the information display about the genre being displayed in the program guide or program information displayed. The user can designate an icon that is conspicuous by his / her own judgment. Icon candidates for specifying icons for each genre include conspicuous and inconspicuous color icons, icons with different transparency, icons with different shapes, icons with different patterns, icons that change over time, and user creation Any one or combination of these icons can be prepared, and various users can select an icon that stands out for each person. In addition, when selecting, icons of other genres can be confirmed at the same time, and it can be confirmed whether or not they are relatively conspicuous. As a result of these effects, for example, even if the user uses a user's preference or visual handicap that the producer does not expect at the time of production, it will stand out. It is possible to make it easier for the user to find a program of a favorite genre by leaving it inconspicuous to the user's sensitivity and judgment.

  An example of an embodiment of an electronic program information display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that the television receiver as a premise to which the electronic program information display apparatus is applied is the same as that described in FIG. 9 as a conventional example, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 1 is an example of a configuration in an embodiment when an electronic program information display method or apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a television receiver, and is stored via digital broadcast, analog broadcast, network distribution, memory card, etc. The program table 100 is displayed based on program-related information including a program name, a broadcast time, a genre, a content description, and the like for a program in each channel. The electronic program guide screen showing the program guide 100 is a form of a program related information screen. An icon indicating a genre (genre icon) is displayed on the square of each program.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a configuration in the embodiment when the electronic program information display method or apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a television receiver. In FIG. 2, a program information display 200 for the currently viewed program is displayed using the same information as in FIG. The program information screen showing the program information display 200 is also a form of the program related information screen. In the genre description column, a genre (“drama” in the illustrated example) and a genre icon (filled heart mark) indicating the genre are displayed. The program information display 200 may be a past program, and is convenient when using a service for redistributing an overlooked program. Further, the program information display 200 may be a future program, and can be displayed when the program is checked in advance by the user's intention or at the time of advertisement / notice from the broadcast / distribution side.

  FIG. 3 shows a menu screen 300 on which the user designates the genre icon used for display in FIGS. For each genre of news, wide show, drama, documentary, and welfare, it is a premise that the user is designated as a conspicuous icon by using a filled icon. There are a plurality of icon candidates for each genre. In the illustrated menu screen 300, for the drama genre 301 displayed in white in the list on the left side of the screen, the icon 302 is selected on the right side of the screen (in the illustrated example, the icon 302 is filled). (Heart mark is selected). A menu screen 300 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to an icon designation menu screen as one form of the program related information screen in the present invention.

  In the menu screen 300, the icon 302 is composed of a plurality of icons that are icons that are selected by the user and that are formed using conspicuous colors and inconspicuous colors. The determination of whether or not it is noticeable varies depending on the individual, but there are methods such as making a difference in the brightness of the colors used.

  The information about the genre that the television receiver obtains as the program related information represents a predetermined classification pattern by a genre identification code. As an example, FIG. 4 shows that program-related information is sent according to an agreement that identifies numbers of 0 to 11 for genres classified into 12 types. In actual broadcasting, there are various classifications and identification methods according to standards and operations, and FIG. 4 is merely a simplified example.

  A plurality of genre icons are prepared for each genre (302 shown in FIG. 3), and are managed by icon numbers in the television receiver. FIG. 5 shows, as an example, candidate icons for the drama genre and respective icon numbers. FIG. 5A shows an example of an icon candidate having the same shape (the outer shape has one kind of heart mark) but different mark transparency, FIG. 5B shows an example of an icon candidate having a different shape, and FIG. ) Have the same shape (the shape of the heart is a single heart mark), but examples of icon candidates with different patterns drawn inside the mark, and FIG. 5 (d) have different shapes, patterns, and colors (outer shapes). Shows examples of icon candidates that combine one type of heart mark and one type of star mark). The icon numbers are divided into eight ranks that increase sequentially from 0 to 7. However, the values are not particularly meaningful for each value, and any number may be managed. Also, the determination of whether the user is conspicuous or inconspicuous is left to the user's sensitivity and determination.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the internal data structure of the nonvolatile memory 914 that stores the icon number designated by the menu 300 for each genre. The nonvolatile memory 914 corresponds to icon storage means in the present invention. The genre identification codes 0 to 11 are those shown in FIG. 4, and the nonvolatile memory 914 has a memory area in which designated icons are stored as icon numbers for each genre identification code. In this example, for each genre of news (genre identification code “0”, the same applies hereinafter), wide show (“2”), drama (“3”), documentary (“8”), welfare (“11”), The icon numbers (icon numbers “7”, “3”, “3”, “3”, “7”) in the order of the genre described above are designated as icons that the user stands out.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the menu screen 300 for specifying a genre icon. When the menu screen 300 is displayed, the user selects a genre (S701), the user selects a designated icon from the selected genre icon candidates (302 in FIG. 3) (S702), and the selected icon number is changed. The icon number of the designated icon corresponding to the selected genre is stored in the nonvolatile memory 914 (S703).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for displaying a designation icon when displaying program information as shown in FIGS. Display contents are determined from the acquired program-related information (S801), and an icon number corresponding to the genre (icon number of the designated icon) is read from the nonvolatile memory (904 in FIG. 9) based on the genre identification code of the program (S802). Display contents and genre icons are displayed (S803). In the interface for selecting a genre icon, in addition to the method of preparing and selecting candidates 302 for each genre as shown in FIG. 3, the candidates may overlap in a plurality of genres.

  In the menu screen 300, an example in which icon candidates in a certain genre are configured with a plurality of icons having different transparency, shape, and pattern as shown in FIG. 5 is used. You may comprise with the some icon which consists of an icon. The icon that changes with time is an icon that is displayed by changing any one of color usage, transparency, shape, pattern, or combination depending on time.

  In the menu screen 300, the icon candidates selected by the user may be configured by icons created by the user in addition to the icons prepared in advance. The icon created by the user can express any one or combination of color usage, transparency, shape, pattern, change with time. As an icon created by the user, an application for creating an icon is installed in the television receiver so that the icon can be created by the user and stored in the nonvolatile memory 914, or an external memory card accessed via the external memory card port 918 Or downloaded via an analog broadcast, a digital broadcast, or a network and stored in the nonvolatile memory 914.

  In the menu screen 300, any one of the icon candidates selected by the user is selected from conspicuous or inconspicuous color icons, icons with different transparency, icons with different shapes, icons with different patterns, and user-created icons. You may comprise by the combination of these. When the number of icon candidates is large on the menu screen 300, the display portion of the icon candidates may be scrolled or the pages may be switched.

  The menu screen 300 also displays icons currently designated for each genre, and the user determines that conspicuous icons are designated for each genre of news, wide show, drama, documentary, and welfare. be able to. In this way, when an icon of a certain genre is selected, a designated icon selected in another genre is also displayed on the same screen at the same time, so that the icon to be selected in the future is relatively discriminated compared to icons of other genres. It is possible to select whether it is possible, that is, what stands out.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the electronic program information display apparatus according to the present invention, and mainly shows the function realizing means in the control CPU 913 in the configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, a solid line indicates the flow of information when the program guide 100 or the program information display 200 is displayed, and a broken line indicates the flow of information when an icon is selected. In the electronic program information display device 1, the user can select an icon for each genre. When the designated icon is selected, the icon candidates stored in the icon candidate storage unit 6 in each genre are sent to the screen formation unit 3 in response to a user operation on the screen formation unit 3, and the icon candidates are displayed on the menu screen 300. Used for display. The icon candidates are also sent to the icon selection means 7 and are selected as designated icons by the user's selection while displaying the operation (cursor operation or click operation) of the icon selection means 7 performed by the user on the screen. It is stored in the icon storage means 8. On the other hand, in order to display program-related information (program guide 100, program information display 200), the program-related information acquired from the broadcast program by the program-related information acquisition means 2 is sent to the screen formation means 3, and the screen formation means 3 Forms a program related information screen requested by a user operation. The screen display means 4 displays a program related information screen on the display 5. The designated icon stored in the icon storage means 8 is read by the icon display instruction means 9 in response to a user operation on the screen forming means 3, and the screen forming means 3 reads the program included in the program related information. By using the genre identification code, it is displayed on the required program guide 100 or program information display 200 corresponding to each genre.

  The above electronic program information display has been described on the assumption that it is performed on a television receiver. However, a recording device (VTR recorder, DVD recorder, HDD recorder) having a television receiver function, a tuner function, or a program is provided. The present invention is also applicable to mobile phones, PDAs, and personal computers that can receive related information.

The figure which shows an example of the program table displayed in the electronic program information display method and apparatus by this invention. The figure which shows an example of the program information displayed in the electronic program information display method and apparatus by this invention. The figure which shows an example of the genre icon designation | designated menu displayed in the electronic program information display method and apparatus by this invention. The figure which shows an example of the classification | category of the genre which a genre identification code represents. The figure which shows an example of a response | compatibility with the icon for genres, and an icon number. The figure which shows an example of the data structure for memorize | storing an icon number for every genre identification code. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the process for selecting and memorize | storing a genre icon in a television receiver. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the process for displaying the designated icon corresponding to a genre at the time of program information display. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the receiver with the function of an electronic program information display. The block diagram which shows an example of the electronic program information display apparatus by this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic program information display apparatus 2 Program related information acquisition means 3 Screen formation means 4 Screen display means 5 Display 6 Icon candidate memory | storage means 7 Icon selection means 8 Icon storage means 9 Icon display instruction means 100 Program guide 200 Viewed program 201 Viewing 201 Channel information display 202 Program information display of program being viewed 300 Icon designation menu screen 301 Selected genre 302 Selected genre icon candidate 901 Analog broadcast antenna 902 Analog broadcast tuner 903 Analog broadcast multiplex information Separating means 904 Digital broadcasting antenna 905 Digital broadcasting tuner 906 Digital broadcasting multiple information separating means (DEMUX)
907 Digital broadcast video / audio decoder 908 Video encoder 909 Video output terminal 910 Audio D / A
911 Audio output terminal 912 Work memory for CPU 913 CPU for control
914 Nonvolatile memory for stored information 915 Program memory 916 Modem 917 Wired or wireless network adapter 918 Input / output port for external memory card

Claims (24)

Acquire program related information including information on the genre of broadcast programs,
Forming a program related information screen from the acquired program related information and displaying the program related information screen on a display;
On the display, corresponding to each genre, a designated icon is selected from a plurality of prepared icon candidates,
An electronic program information display method comprising instructing display of the designated icon as display of the icon corresponding to each genre on the program related information screen when the program related information screen is configured.   2. The electronic program information display method according to claim 1, wherein the designated icon of each genre is selected from a plurality of candidates for the icon composed of different colors.   The electronic program information display method according to claim 1, further comprising: selecting the designated icon of each genre from a plurality of candidate icons having different transparency.   2. The electronic program information display method according to claim 1, wherein the designated icon of each genre is selected from a plurality of candidate icons having different shapes.   2. The electronic program information display method according to claim 1, wherein the designated icon of each genre is selected from a plurality of candidate icons having different patterns.   2. The electronic program information display method according to claim 1, wherein the designated icon of each genre is selected from a plurality of candidate icons that change with time.   2. The electronic program information display method according to claim 1, wherein the designated icon of each genre is selected from a plurality of candidate icons that are created by a user in addition to those prepared in advance.   The electronic program information display method according to claim 1, wherein the designated icon of each genre is selected from a plurality of candidate icons that are combinations of candidates according to claim 2.   The information of the genre in the program related information includes a genre identification code attached to each genre, and the genre and the designated icon are associated with each other using the genre identification code. The electronic program information display method according to claim 1.   10. The electronic program information according to claim 1 or 9, wherein the designation icon is stored in a storage means, and the designation icon read from the storage means is designated as the designation icon displayed on a program related information screen. Display method.   The program-related information screen is an electronic program guide screen, a program information screen for a past, viewing or future program posted in the electronic program guide, or the icon selection for use in displaying each genre. 11. The electronic program information display method according to claim 1, 9 or 10, comprising an icon designation menu screen selectable by means.   12. The electronic program according to claim 11, wherein the icon designating menu screen includes a display of the genre other than the genre for which the designated icon is to be selected and the designated icon selected in the genre. Information display method. Program-related information acquisition means for acquiring program-related information including information on the genre of a broadcast program;
Screen forming means for forming a program related information screen from the program related information acquired by the program related information acquiring means;
Screen display means for displaying the program related information screen on a display;
On the display, corresponding to each genre, icon selection means capable of selecting a designated icon from a plurality of prepared icon candidates;
Electronic program information comprising: icon display instruction means for instructing display of the designated icon corresponding to each genre on the program related information screen when the screen forming means constitutes the program related information screen Display device.   14. The electronic program information display device according to claim 13, wherein the icon candidates prepared by the icon selection means are a plurality of icons having different color usages.   14. The electronic program information display device according to claim 13, wherein the icon candidates prepared by the icon selection means are a plurality of icons having different transparency levels.   14. The electronic program information display device according to claim 13, wherein the icon candidates prepared by the icon selection means are a plurality of icons having different shapes.   14. The electronic program information display device according to claim 13, wherein the icon candidates prepared by the icon selection means are a plurality of icons having different patterns.   14. The electronic program information display device according to claim 13, wherein the icon candidates prepared by the icon selection means are a plurality of icons including icons that change with time.   14. The electronic program information display device according to claim 13, wherein the icon candidates prepared by the icon selection means are a plurality of icons formed by a user in addition to those prepared in advance.   The electronic program information display device according to claim 13, wherein the icon candidates prepared by the icon selection means are a plurality of icons composed of combinations of candidates according to claim 14.   The information of the genre in the program related information includes a genre identification code attached to each genre, and the genre and the designated icon are associated with each other using the genre identification code. 14. The electronic program information display device according to claim 13.   An icon storage means for storing the designation icon, wherein the icon display instruction means designates the designation icon read from the icon storage means as the designation icon to be displayed on the program related information screen. The electronic program information display device according to 13 or 21.   The program-related information screen is an electronic program guide screen, a program information screen for a past, viewing or future program posted in the electronic program guide, or the icon selection for use in displaying each genre. 23. The electronic program information display device according to claim 13, 21 or 22, wherein the electronic program information display screen is an icon designation menu screen selectable by means.   24. The electronic program according to claim 23, wherein the icon designation menu screen includes a display of the genre other than the genre for which the designated icon is to be selected and the designated icon selected in the genre. Information display device.

Images