JP2006320007A - Apparatus and method for displaying and controlling electronic program guide - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a convenient electronic program guide. <P>SOLUTION: This apparatus is provided with: a broadcast program information storage means for storing information relating to a broadcast program as broadcast program information; a recorded program information storage means for creating information relating to a broadcast program recorded on a recording medium on the basis of the broadcast program information stored in the broadcast program information storage means and storing the created information as recorded program information; a display control means for making control to display, on a display screen of a display means, program information relating to the broadcast program and the recorded program, as an electronic program guide for providing information relating to a program, on the basis of the broadcast program information stored in the broadcast program information storage means and the recorded program information stored in the recorded program information storage means; and an operation means for controlling the required operation of the electronic program guide on the display screen, the operation means which comprises a first mode switching manipulator for switching an electronic program guide display mode and an ordinary image display mode for display on the display screen of the display means, and a second switching manipulator for switching a display mode of the broadcast program information and a display mode of the recorded program information in an electronic program guide display mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic program guide display control apparatus and an electronic program guide display control method for managing information of a large number of broadcast programs and recorded programs recorded on a VTR (Video Tape Reccorder) and displaying the information as a program guide. Is.

Programs such as television broadcasts are transmitted through a space or transmitted to a user by cable television (CATV) via a cable.
The user selects a favorite channel program from among the transmitted channel programs, and views it on a television or records it on a VTR. At this time, the selection of a program is generally performed while viewing a printed program guide.
However, as seen in cable television broadcasting systems, when the number of transmitted channels is large, the number of channels becomes 150. For example, it is not easy to search for a favorite program from a program table on which 150-channel programs are posted. .

Therefore, in order to make it easy to search for the desired program, the program table data of each channel is inserted and transmitted in the vertical blanking period of the video signal of a specific channel so as not to interfere with the television signal of the program. Thus, the user performs a channel search and displays a program of a desired channel by displaying the transmitted program guide data on a television screen.
This program guide data is also called an electronic program guide. The program information in such an electronic program guide includes, for example, the name of a program scheduled to be broadcast for each receivable broadcasting station and the broadcast time zone corresponding to each program.
The user can select a desired program from the display screen of the electronic program guide, receive the selected broadcast program, view it, and make a recording reservation for the selected program.

Further, the user wants to refer to the program information such as what program is recorded in what order for the video tape (tape cassette) on which the broadcast program is recorded as an electronic program guide. Of course it is possible that there is.
Therefore, for example, information on a program recorded on a video tape on the VTR side is recorded in a required area on the magnetic tape, and the program information area is reproduced later, so that the information recorded on the video tape is recorded. There are known programs that display and output program information.

  However, the function as described above is an additional function as a VTR independent of the electronic program guide display function described above. For example, for a user who uses an AV system having an electronic program guide display function, the electronic program guide display function and the recorded program information display function recorded in the VTR are the same in that information about the program is displayed. For this reason, it is preferable to treat them in an integrated manner. For example, if both the program display functions are treated as one electronic program guide, the user can more simply refer to information related to the entire program.

  In the conventional electronic program guide, the display of the electronic program guide is performed using the entire display screen. In this case, as a function provided as an electronic program guide, when an attempt is made to perform a command operation such as display change, search, and various settings of program information contents according to various classification items of program information, the entire screen displays the command contents. The contents are changed according to the above, and the contents displayed before this are completely different from each other, and it is difficult for the user to use the contents. Such a problem becomes conspicuous as diversification of information to be displayed as an electronic program guide and diversification of functions are promoted.

  In addition, various settings on the electronic program guide can be controlled by, for example, displaying individual buttons and cursors corresponding to the functions to be controlled and then using a remote controller or the like to display these buttons on the screen. The operation was to be executed. In this case, as the functions are diversified and increased, the number of buttons to be displayed and the number of keys of the remote controller operated by the user increase, and the operation becomes complicated accordingly. Alternatively, in order to avoid such a complicated operation, a form in which buttons are shared for a plurality of functions is also employed, but in this case as well, the display form may not be taken into consideration. It may be difficult to determine the key to be operated and the user may be confused.

In consideration of the above problems, the present invention stores broadcast program information storage means for storing information relating to broadcast programs as broadcast program information, and information relating to the broadcast programs recorded on a recording medium is stored in the broadcast program information storage means. Recorded program information storage means that is created based on the broadcast program information and stored as recorded program information, and broadcast program information stored in the broadcast program information storage means as an electronic program guide that provides information related to the program, and Based on the recorded program information stored in the recorded program information storage means, display control means for controlling the broadcast program and the program information related to the recorded program to be displayed on the display screen of the display means, and the display means A first mode switching operator for switching between an electronic program guide display mode displayed on the display screen and a normal image display mode; and an electronic program guide In the display mode of the broadcast program information, and a second switching operator for switching between the display mode of the broadcast program information and the display mode of the recorded program information. And operating means for performing control.
The display control means is configured to display the broadcast time zone of the program relating to the program selected on the screen of the electronic program guide in a bar display.

As an electronic program guide display control method, information relating to a broadcast program is stored as broadcast program information in broadcast program information storage means, and broadcast program information relating to the broadcast program recorded on a recording medium is stored in the broadcast program information storage means. An electronic program guide created based on the broadcast program information recorded, stored as recorded program information, and providing information related to the program, and broadcast program and recorded based on the stored broadcast program information and recorded program information The display control is executed so that the program information related to the program is displayed on the display screen of the display means, and the electronic program guide display mode for displaying on the display screen of the display means according to the operation of the operation means and the normal The image display mode is switched, and in the electronic program guide display mode, the broadcast program information display mode and the upper recording are recorded. A display for switching the display mode of the program information and displaying the information, and the display control presenting information on the broadcast time zone of the program related to the program selected on the display screen of the displayed electronic program guide It was decided to do.
Furthermore, in the display control method, display control is performed so that a broadcast time zone of a program related to a program selected on the screen of the electronic program guide is displayed as a bar.

  As described above, the present invention is configured as an electronic program guide so that program information related to a broadcast program and recorded program information which is information of a broadcast program recorded on a tape cassette can be displayed by mode. Therefore, it is possible for the user to obtain information about the broadcast program and the recorded program with one electronic program guide system, and to obtain an electronic program guide more useful than ever.

  In addition, as an electronic program guide display, a program information area (MAIN window), a command area (COMMAND window), and an input area (INPUT window) are displayed on the screen in a window format, for example. As in the conventional display mode, the contents of the electronic program guide display are not completely switched by the change of the mode, and the usability is improved accordingly.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, when performing various controls and input operations on the electronic program guide display, all operations are performed by cursor keys (direction instruction keys) corresponding to the four directions of up / down / left / right and a small number of keys used for mode transition. Since it can be configured as possible, even when a large number of functions are provided as an electronic program guide, the user can perform an operation according to the purpose without being confused.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The following description will be made in the following order.
1. 1. Configuration example of electronic program guide display control apparatus of this embodiment 2. Mode transition as EPN of this embodiment Description of the main window 4. Explanation of command window Explanation of the input window 6. Example of operation in EPN Explanation of processing operation

1. 1 is a configuration example of an electronic program guide display control apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic program guide display control apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, broadcast program information and recorded program information recorded on a video tape by a VTR are displayed and output as an electronic program guide. Is called “EPN (Erectrical Program Navigator)”.

  In FIG. 1, a broadcast wave received by an antenna 1 is supplied to a tuner 2 where a reception channel is selected. The video signal of the selected channel is branched and supplied to the video processor 4 and the EPN controller 8, and the audio signal is supplied to the audio processor 3.

The audio processor 3 performs necessary signal processing on the input audio signal and outputs it as an audio output signal Audio Out. The audio processor 3 is connected to the audio recording / reproducing head H _A of the VTR unit 11, and as an operation at the time of recording, an audio signal subjected to signal processing by the audio processor 3 is supplied to the audio recording / reproducing head H _A. The supplied sound is recorded on the magnetic tape T. Further, as an operation of the audio processor 3 at the time of reproduction, an audio signal reproduced from the magnetic tape T is input by the audio recording / reproducing head _HA and subjected to signal processing, and then output as an audio output signal Audio Out.

The video processor 4 can perform necessary signal processing on the input video signal and output it to the video recording / reproducing head _{HA of the} VTR unit 11 and the on-screen display 5.
In this case, the video processor 4, as an operation at the time of recording by the VTR unit 11, the video processor 4 by supplying a video signal subjected to the signal processing to the video recording / reproducing head H _V of the video with respect to the magnetic tape T Make a record. Further, as the operation of the video processor 4 of playback, after performing signal processing to input video signal reproduced from the magnetic tape T by the video recording / reproducing head H _V, and outputs the on-screen display 5.

The on-screen display 5 superimposes a video signal such as a required character or symbol on the video signal supplied from the video processor 4. As a result, a character or symbol is imposed at a predetermined position on the image displayed on the monitor device 12.
The video switch 6 outputs a normal video signal output from the on-screen display 5 (a video signal obtained by receiving / selecting with the tuner 2 or a video signal reproduced by the VTR 11) and an EPN controller 8 described later. Switching or synthesizing with the video signal of the EPN screen to be performed. In the video switch 6 of the present embodiment, the video signal output from the on-screen display 5 is combined with the video signal of the EPN screen output from the EPN controller 8 on the display screen of the monitor device 12. It is possible to display a window of an EPN screen so as to be imposed on a normal image.
The monitor device 12 displays the video signal supplied from the video switch 6.

VTR 11, the audio / video signal supplied from the audio processor 3 and the video processor 4, is recorded on the magnetic tape T a video tape by the audio recording / reproducing head H _A and the video recording / reproducing head H _V. Also, the video / audio signal recorded on a magnetic tape T a video tape, to the audio processor 3 and the video processor 4 is reproduced by the audio recording / reproducing head H _A and the video recording / reproducing head H _V.
In the case of the present embodiment, the recording / reproduction control of the VTR unit 11 is executed by the tuner / timer controller 7, and the program received / selected by the tuner 2 can be recorded by the control of the tuner / timer controller 7. it can. Also, under the control of the tuner / timer controller 7, it is possible to perform scheduled recording of broadcast programs (programs received / selected by the tuner 2) based on the designated channel selection and the reserved recording time.

Control head H _C of the VTR unit 11 is generated based on the vertical sync signal, in addition to recording / reproducing control signal for obtaining synchronization during reproduction, in the present embodiment, the system controller 9 The data signal of the recorded program information to be output is recorded so as to be superimposed on the control signal. At the time of reproduction, the data signal of the recorded program information recorded together with the control signal on the control track of the magnetic tape T is reproduced and supplied to the system controller 9.

The tuner / timer controller 7 executes control such as a tuning operation of the tuner 2 and timer recording reservation of the VTR unit 11.
The EPN controller 8 performs display output of EPN and control related to the display.
In this embodiment, an electronic program guide data signal, which is information serving as a guide related to a broadcast program, is inserted into a predetermined horizontal line in a vertical blanking period of a video signal transmitted from the transmission side. Yes. Therefore, the EPN controller 8 inputs the video signal obtained by receiving / selecting by the tuner 2, extracts the data signal component of the electronic program guide from the video signal, performs the decoding process, and performs the electronic program guide data. Get. The electronic program guide data obtained by decoding is stored in the data memory 10. Then, if necessary, the monitor device reads out electronic program guide data (and tape library data described later) held in the data memory 10, generates an EPN video signal, and supplies it to the video switch 6. At 12, the EPN is displayed.

  The system controller 9 is configured by a microcomputer or the like, and executes processing control of each functional circuit unit. Further, the system controller 9 is provided with a receiving unit (not shown) so as to receive a transmission signal transmitted from the remote controller 13 and obtain it as command information. Based on this command information, the system controller 9 executes the control operation of each functional circuit unit described so far.

The data memory 10 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory and has an area for storing electronic program guide data related to the broadcast program obtained by the EPN controller 8 as described above.
In this embodiment, when a broadcast program is recorded by the VTR unit 11, required data related to the recorded program (hereinafter referred to as tape library data) so as to correspond to the video tape on which the program is recorded. Is created in the EPN controller 8 as a recording event and stored in the data memory 10. Therefore, in the data memory 10, an area of the tape library memory 10a is provided as an area for storing the tape library data.
Hereinafter, “electronic program guide data” related to broadcast programs and the “tape library data” are collectively referred to as EPN data.

Here, the content of the tape library data is, for example, data for taking correspondence with the video tape on which the program is recorded, cassette number data of the video tape on which the recorded program is recorded, The recording order data of the recorded program is required. In the present embodiment, for the video tape, the control head H _C described above, comprising at least the aforementioned cassette number data, such as which recorded programs which recording (start) or is recorded in a position to require data .
As information related to the program itself, various information such as a program name and start / end time can be considered. Such information related to the program itself can be created based on electronic program guide data corresponding to the recorded program.

The remote controller 13 is provided with various keys for performing a required operation for the operation of each functional circuit unit shown in this figure, and a command signal corresponding to the key operation is, for example, infrared or radio wave. It is comprised so that it may transmit.
FIG. 2 shows a part where keys used for various operations on the EPN screen of the present embodiment are arranged as a part of the key operation panel of the remote controller 13 as described later.
In this figure, an EPN key 13-1, a command key 13-2, and a joystick portion 13A are shown.
The EPN key 13-1 displays a normal screen (video obtained by receiving / selecting with the tuner 2 or video reproduced by the VTR 11), “normal mode”, and an EPN screen “ This is a key for switching to “EPN mode”. The command key 13-2 is provided to shift between the MAIN window (MAIN mode) and the COMMAND window (COMMAND mode) in the “EPN mode”.
The joystick section 13A includes an up key 13A-1, a down key 13A-2, a right key 13A-3, a left key 13A-4 direction instruction key, and an EXE key 13A-5. The four direction instruction keys are, for example, a color bar and a cursor displayed on the EPN screen described later, respectively, according to the key operation direction, and an increase / decrease in input numerical values by the up key 13A-1 and the down key 13A-2. It can also be scattered to perform on / off settings and the like. In the following, these four direction instruction keys are often used mainly to move a color bar and a cursor, and hence are collectively referred to as cursor keys.
The EXE key 13A-5 is a key used for shifting between a COMMAND window (COMMAND mode) and an INPUT window (INPUT mode) as an EPN screen as will be described later.

2. Mode transition as EPN of the present embodiment.
Next, mode transition as EPN of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a chart showing the concept of EPN mode transition according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing EPN mode transition together with the window display of the EPN screen.
3 and 4, the normal mode is a normal display mode for displaying a screen of a video obtained by receiving / selecting with the tuner 2 or a video reproduced by the VTR 11 as described above. In the present embodiment, an EPN mode for displaying an EPN screen is set for this normal mode. Then, switching between the normal mode and the EPN mode is performed by operating the EPN key 13-1 shown in FIG.

In the EPN mode, there are a MAIN mode, a COMMAND mode, and an INPUT mode.
In the present embodiment, when the mode is shifted from the normal mode to the EPN mode by operating the EPN key 13-1, the MAIN mode is first entered as can be seen from FIGS.

In the MAIN mode, for example, a MAIN window W1 is displayed in the display screen P as shown in FIG. In this case, in the area other than the MAIN window W1 on the display screen P, for example, images in the normal mode are continuously displayed. Alternatively, a blue back display or the like may be performed. In the MAIN window W1, for example, the program information of the electronic program guide (program information scheduled to be broadcast) is recorded on the video tape by the VTR unit 11 of the apparatus so far according to the display mode according to the display mode as described later. Recorded program information and the like are displayed according to the navigation mode.
In this case, as the navigation mode in the MAIN mode, [all channel navigate], [this channel navigate], [all tape navigate], and [this tape navigate] are provided as shown in FIG. The definition will be described later.

When the command key 13-2 is operated in the MAIN mode in the EPN mode, the mode shifts from the MAIN mode to the COMMAND mode as shown in FIGS. In this state, a COMMAND window W2 is displayed in addition to the MAIN window W1 as shown in FIG. The COMMAND mode is a mode used when a required designation operation is executed as an EPN, and various command items for this designation operation are displayed in the COMMAND window W2.
In addition, as a display state in the COMMAND mode of FIG. 4, the inside of the MAIN window W1 is indicated by diagonal lines, whereas the inside of the window of the COMMAND window W2 is indicated by white lines. W2 is an active window, indicating that some display indicating that the operation by the cursor key shown in FIG. 2 is valid is being performed.
In FIG. 3, six items of [source change / extension change]... [EPN set up] are described as operation items in the COMMAND window W2, which will be described later.

Next, when the EXE key 13A-5 is operated in a state where a specific operation item is selected in the EPN mode in the COMMAND mode, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the INPUT mode is set. Transition. In this INPUT mode, an INPUT window W3 is displayed in addition to the COMMAND window W1 and the COMMAND window W2, as shown in FIG. In this case, the INPUT window W3 becomes the active window, as can be seen from the fact that only the INPUT window W3 is represented in white.
The INPUT mode is a mode for inputting, for example, required parameters belonging to the operation item specified in the CAMMAND window W2, and a display for inputting such parameters is performed in the INPUT window W3. .
In FIG. 3, six items such as [rec input]... [Tape edit] are described as input items in the INPUT window W3, which will be described later.

  In the state of the INPUT mode, when the parameter input operation is properly completed or the EXE key 13A-5 is operated, the mode shifts to the COMMAND mode as shown in FIGS.

  In any mode of the EPN mode, when the EPN key 13-1 is operated, the normal mode can be returned directly.

3. A description of the main window.
Hereinafter, specific display forms of each of the MAIN window W1, the COMMAND window W2, and the INPUT window W3 as the EPN screen described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described. First, the MAIN window W1 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5A shows the display area section of the MAIN window W1 shown in FIG.
For example, as shown in this figure, the MAIN window W1 is displayed in five display areas of status area (A1), prog info area (A2), time info area (A3), listing area (A4), and detail box (A5). It is divided.

FIG. 5B shows the display contents of each display area of the MAIN window W1 for each mode.
Meanwhile, as the navigation mode in the MAIN mode, as described above, [all channel navigate], [this channel navigate], [all tape navigate], and [this tape navigate] are set. First, each definition of the navigation mode will be described.

The all channel navigate mode is a mode that can provide all information about a program that is being broadcast or is scheduled to be broadcast since the present time. The this channel navigate mode is a channel that is being broadcast or is currently broadcast on a channel designated by a predetermined operation. In this mode, information about a program scheduled to be broadcast is provided.
Further, all tape navigate relates to a recorded program of all video tape cassettes that have been recorded by the VTR unit 11 so far by referring to all tape library data stored in the tape library memory 10a. This mode is a mode for providing information, and the this tape navigate mode is a mode for providing information on a recorded program of one video tape cassette selected by a predetermined operation among the video tape cassettes recorded by the VTR unit 11 so far. The

That is, by switching between the four navigation modes, the display content as EPN is appropriately changed, and functions as an electronic program guide for all channels or broadcast programs of a specific channel, or all of the videos recorded by the VTR unit 11 so far. The function as an electronic program guide relating to a tape cassette or a recorded program of a specific tape cassette is switched.
This mode switching can be executed by selecting a predetermined command item on a command window W2, which will be described later, and performing a required operation.

  According to FIG. 5 (b), the status area (A1) is an area for displaying the current status (navigation mode state) of the EPN, and which navigation mode is currently selected from the four navigation modes described above. This is an area where a display indicating whether or not is set.

  Prog info area (A2) is an area for displaying information about the program currently selected (listed with the cursor) in the listing area (A4). In the all channel navigate mode or the this channel navigate mode, the channel number on which the program is broadcast, the start / end time of the program, and the like are displayed. In the all tape navigate mode or this tape navigate mode, information such as the number (tape No) attached to the video tape on which the program is recorded and the start / end position of the program on the tape is displayed. The

  For example, the current time is displayed in time info area (A3) regardless of the mode.

  The listing area (A4) is an area for displaying program information for each line in accordance with the attribute of the mode displayed in the status area (A1). In all channel navigation mode or this channel navigation mode, the program name is displayed. Information such as the program length (or start time) and broadcast channel is displayed so as to be visually recognizable. In the all tape navigate mode or this tape navigate mode, the program name, the program length (or start position), and the tape tape No. of the video tape on which the program is recorded. Etc. are displayed.

  In the detail box (A5), some comment regarding the program selected in the listing area (A4) is displayed. In this case, in the all channel navigation mode or the this channel navigation mode, for example, a character display (1st detail) that roughly shows the contents of the program based on the electronic program guide data is performed. In the case of the all tape navigate mode or the this tape navigate mode, it is defined as non-display.

  FIG. 6 shows a specific display example of the MAIN window. In this case, the status area (A1) displays an icon indicating that it is in the all channel navigation mode, and the prog info area (A2) displays the program name “Sisters” selected in the listing area (A4). ] Start / end time is displayed in a bar, and the current time is displayed in characters in time info area (A3). In the listing area (A4), a program name, a broadcast start time, and a broadcast station name are displayed for each row. In this figure, a color bar CB (corresponding to a cursor) is arranged in the column of the program “Sisters”, and the state where the program “Sisters” is selected is shown. In the detail box (A5), a rough description indicating the contents is displayed as a comment regarding the program “Sisters”.

  FIG. 7 shows functions assigned to the EPN key 13-1, the command key 13-2, and the cursor keys (13A-1 to 13A-4) in the MAIN mode. In the MAIN mode, the EXE key 13A-5 is not used and its operation is invalid. 7 (a), (b), (c), and (d) show cases of all channel navigation modes, this channel navigation mode, all tape navigate mode, and this tape navigate mode, respectively.

  As can be seen from these figures, in any of the four modes in the MAIN mode, when the EPN key 13-1 is operated, the normal mode is restored, and when the command key 13-2 is operated, the COMMAND Enter mode. When the up key 13A-1 and the down key 13A-2 are operated as cursor keys, the color bar CB of the listing area (A4) moves from column to column according to the key direction to change the selected program. be able to.

Further, when the right key 13A-3 and the left key 13A-4, which are cursor keys, are operated, the definition differs depending on each mode in the MAIN mode.
In the all channel navigation mode, as shown in FIG. 7A, the right key 13A-3 is assigned the next time slot function, and the left key 13A-4 is assigned the previous time slot function. In this case, when the right key 13A-3 is operated, programs in the next time zone of the broadcast time zone of the program are displayed as a list in the listing area (A4), and when the left key 13A-4 is operated, Programs in the time zone before the broadcast time zone of the currently displayed program are displayed as a list.

  In the this channel navigation mode, as shown in FIG. 7B, the right key 13A-3 is assigned the next channel slot, and the left key 13A-4 is assigned the previous channel slot. In this case, when the right key 13A-3 is operated, in the listing area (A4), the program of the channel number next to the currently designated channel is displayed as a list in the order of the channel number, and the left key 13A-4 is displayed. When is operated, programs with channel numbers before the currently designated channel are displayed as a list.

  In the this tape navigate mode, as shown in FIG. 7D, the right key 13A-3 is assigned the next tape slot function, and the left key 13A-4 is assigned the previous tape slot function. In this case, when the write key 13A-3 is operated, in the listing area (A4), it is recorded on the video tape of the number next to the currently designated video tape number in the order of the video tape number (tape No). When the left key 13A-4 is operated, the programs recorded on the video tape number before the currently designated video tape number are displayed as a list.

4). A description of the command window.
Next, a specific display form of the COMMAND window W2 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8A shows the display area section of the COMAND window W2. As shown in this figure, the COMAND window W2 is divided into eight areas of display areas A10 to A17 in which command icons are displayed. In this embodiment, two modes of command_0 mode and command_1 mode are provided as display modes of the COMAND window W2. In the case of the command_0 mode and the command_1 mode, the mode is displayed in the display areas A10 to A17. Command icons are defined differently. That is, for the display areas A10 to A17, command icon 0_0 to command icon 0_7 are displayed in command_0 mode, and command icon 1_0 to command icon 1_7 are displayed in command_1 mode.
Accordingly, in the present embodiment, it is possible to set and display 16 types of command icons, which are twice as much as the maximum, in the COMAND window W2 having eight display areas. Thereby, in the present embodiment, as many functions as possible can be displayed as the COMMAND window W2 even in a limited display space.

  Switching between the command_0 mode and the command_1 mode is performed by operating the command key 13-2 as shown in FIG. For example, the command key 13-2 is operated in the state of the MAIN mode to shift to the COMMAND mode. At this time, command_0 mode is set. When the command key 13-2 is operated from this state, the COMMAND mode is continued and the mode is switched to the command_1 mode. If the command key 13-2 is further operated from this state, the mode is returned to the MAIN mode again.

  In FIG. 8B, the definition contents (command icons) of each display area of the COMMAND window W2 are command No. It is shown corresponding to. In this figure, command no. 0_0 to 0_7 and 1_0 to 1_7 are shown. Corresponds to the command items displayed by the command icons 0_0 to 0_7 and 1_0 to 1_7 described with reference to FIG.

According to this figure, command No. 0_0 is defined as [source change], and is an item for switching between the channel navigate mode and the tape navigate mode.
command no. 0_1 is defined as [extension change], and is an item for switching between [all] and [this] modes in the channel navigate mode and the tape navigate mode.
command no. 0_2 is defined as [display detail ON / OFF], and is an item for turning ON / OFF the display of the detail box A5.
Also, command no. 0_3 is an item for changing display of information related to the time of the program of the listing area, which is [display attribute change]. 0_4 is an item [display array change] for switching the display order of the listing area program. 0_5 is defined as [display object change], and is defined as an item for selecting the source of the listing area.
command no. 0_6 and command No. 0_7 is undefined.

Also, command no. 1_0 is defined as [view] and is an item for viewing a program selected in the listing area.
command no. 1_1 is an item for executing recording (including reserved recording) of a program defined as [rec] and selected in the listing area.
command no. 1_2 is defined as [EPN set up] and is an item for performing various setups (settings) of the EPN screen. As will be described later, when such an item is selected in the COMMAND mode, an INPUT window for displaying the setup parameters is displayed by shifting to the INPUT mode.
Also, command no. 1_3 is defined as [program edit], and is an item for entering an editing operation of a program selected in the listing area, for example. 1_4 is [tape edit], and is an item for entering editing of the video tape selected in the listing area. When such a command item for editing is selected, the INPUT mode is displayed in which the mode is shifted to the INPUT mode and necessary parameters for editing are displayed.
command no. 1_5 to 1_7 are undefined.

That is, in the COMMAND mode, the command No. described above in each of the command_0 mode and the command_1 mode. Command items defined in 0_0 to 0_7 and 1_0 to 1_7 are assigned, and in the COMMAND window W2, command No. in each mode of command_0 mode and command_1 mode. Icons indicating the items 0_0 to 0_7 and 1_0 to 1_7 as symbols are displayed in the display areas A10 to A17.
It should be noted that command No. which is undefined. The display area corresponding to is not displayed as the COMMAND window W2.

  FIG. 6 shows a specific display example of the COMMAND window W2. In this figure, command icons for command_0 mode are displayed in the display areas A10 to A15.

  When the user is in the COMMAND mode and the COMMAND window W2 is displayed as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the right key 13A-3 and the left key 13A-4 are operated to display the cursor on the COMMAND window W2. A desired command item can be selected by moving the area unit. If the EXE key 13A-5 is operated in this state, the function corresponding to the selected command item is executed, or the mode corresponding to the selected command item is displayed by shifting to the INPUT mode. The INPUT window W3 is displayed.

5. A description of the input window.
Next, a specific display form of the INPUT window W3 will be described with reference to FIG.
The entire display area of the INPUT window W3 is defined as an input area. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the INPUT window W3 is displayed in the area below the COMMAND window W2.

The transition to the INPUT mode is shown in FIG. For example, in the COMMAND mode, when the cursor is placed on a desired command icon (command item) by operating the cursor key or the like and the EXE key 13A-5 is operated as an enter operation, the mode shifts to the INPUT mode and the INPUT A window W3 is displayed, and parameters corresponding to the command item selected by the above operation are displayed in the INPUT window W3. In the INPUT mode, as a matter of course, the INPUT window W3 becomes the active window.
Then, for example, after changing a parameter that needs to be changed on the INPUT window W3 by a predetermined operation, if the EXE key 13A-5 is operated, the INPUT window W3 is deleted and the COMMAND window W2 becomes an active window. That is, the INPUT mode is shifted to the COMMAND mode.

In FIG. 9B, the definition of the content of the parameter displayed in the INPUT window W3 is shown for each navigation mode of [all channel navigate], [this channel navigate], [all tape navigate], and [this tape navigate]. Is shown in
In this figure, the leftmost column (vertical direction) shows the command items (see FIG. 8B) selected in the COMMAND mode.

For example, in the COMMAND mode, when the [display object change] command item is selected, the source of the listing area is selected. As shown in FIG. 9B, this channel navigate mode and this are selected. If it is set to tape navigate, an INPUT window W3 for inputting channel No. as a source selection is displayed.
In addition, when the display object change command item is selected in the all channel (tape) navigate mode, the INPUT window W3 is not displayed (does not shift to the INPUT mode).

When [rec] is selected as the command item in the all (this) channel navigation mode, parameters such as tape speed, tape number (tape No.), and recording start position on the tape are displayed in the INPUT window W3. Is done.
When the command item [rec] is selected in the all (this) tape navigate mode, parameters such as a recorded program, a tape speed, and a recording start position on the tape are displayed in the INPUT window W3.

  In the present embodiment, when [program edit] [tape edit] is selected as a command item, the program does not shift to the INPUT mode at present, that is, the program or tape selected in the listing area. The editing function is not set. In the future, such an editing function may be provided. In this case, parameters corresponding to command items of [program edit] [tape edit] are displayed as an INPUT window.

In addition, when the command item [EPN set up] is selected in the COMMAND mode, the same INPUT window for EPN set up is used in all (this) channel navigate mode and all (this) tape navigate mode. W3 is displayed.
At this time, the parameters displayed in the INPUT window W3 include auto clock set, auto channel set, cable box set, data reception time set, channel skip, and the like.

  The user operates a predetermined key provided on the remote controller 13 for each parameter in the INPUT window displayed in the INPUT mode as described above, and performs function ON / OFF setting, numerical value input, and the like. Have been able to. Various keys, such as a numeric keypad, are conceivable as keys for such parameter on / off settings and numerical value input operations. For example, function up / down setting is performed using the up key 13A-1 and the down key 13A-2. Or the input numerical value can be changed. That is, under the EPN mode, among the various keys provided on the remote controller 13, all the controls can be performed by only a few key operations of the part shown in FIG. Therefore, it can be considered that there is no confusion about the key operation.

6). Operation example in EPN.
Next, a specific example of the operation in the EPN according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation example when the user selects a program to be viewed from now on with reference to the program table on the EPN screen, together with the display screen.
FIG. 10A shows a screen in the normal mode. In reality, a broadcast program selected by the tuner 2 or a video tape image reproduced by the VTR unit 11 is displayed on the display screen P. It is in. When the EPN key 13-1 is operated from this state, the mode shifts to the MAIN mode and the MAIN window W1 is displayed as shown in FIG. 10B. The navigation mode in the MAIN window W1 will be described assuming that an all (this) channel navigate mode related to a broadcast program is set.
In the MAIN window W1 of FIG. 10B, the color bar CB is arranged in the column of the program “Sisters” in the list area. In this state, the user can locate a desired program by operating the cursor key and arrange the color bar CB.
For example, assume that the user wants to watch the program “Splash”.
In this case, the user operates the up / key 13A-1 and down key 13A-2 of the cursor keys to place the color bar CB in the column of the program “Splash” as shown in FIG. 10C. . When the command key 13-2 is operated in this state, a COMMAND window W2 is displayed as shown in FIG. In this state, the COMMAND window W2 is an active window by shifting from the MAIN mode to the COMMAND mode.

  The user operates the command key 13-2 for command-1 mode if necessary under the display state shown in FIG. Then, using the right key 13A-3 and the left key 13A-4, the command No. The cursor is placed on [view], which is a command item of 1_0 (in this case, the cursor position is indicated by white space). If the EXE key 13A-5 is operated from this state, the program “Splash” selected on the EPN screen by the user is confirmed, and this program is displayed. Actually, an image of the program “Splash” is displayed on the display screen P shown in FIG. In this case, since the operation of the command item [view] is executed, the mode is inevitably shifted to the normal mode.

  Note that if an all (this) tape navigate mode is set in a state where a tape cassette in which recording data is stored in the tape library data is loaded in the VTR unit 11 and an operation is performed according to the same procedure of FIG. It is also possible to cue the recorded program selected by the unit 11 and reproduce it. Such reproduction control is possible by detecting a signal recorded on the control track of the magnetic tape T and indicating the recording start position of the recorded program.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when a user makes a recording reservation for a desired program with reference to a program guide on the EPN screen, together with a display screen.
When the EPN key 13-1 is operated from the state of the display screen P in the normal mode shown in FIG. 11A, the MAIN window is displayed by operating the EPN key 13-1, and the cursor key is operated in this state by operating the cursor key. The fact that a program can be selected is the same as in the case of FIGS.

Here, it is assumed that the user wants to make a reservation recording of the program “Splash”. In the case of FIG. 10, the program “Splash” is a currently broadcast program, but in the case of FIG. 11, the program “Splash” is not broadcast at the present time and is a program scheduled to be broadcast.
Therefore, by operating the up / key 13A-1 and the down key 13A-2, the color bar CB is arranged in the column of the program “Splash” as shown in FIG. 11C, and in this state, the command key 13- 2 is displayed, a COMMAND window W2 is displayed as shown in FIG.

Then, under the display state shown in FIG. 11D, if necessary, the command key 13-2 for command-1 mode is operated, and the command No. is used using the right key 13A-3 and the left key 13A-4. . The cursor is placed on [rec], which is a command item of 1_1.
When the user operates the EXE key 13A-5 from this state, in this case, as shown in FIG. 11E, an INPUT window W3 corresponding to the command item [rec] is displayed (the state shifts to the INPUT mode, INPUT window W3 is an active window). Here, the user performs a setting operation for reserved recording of a program on the INPUT window W3.
When the EXE key 13A-5 is operated from the state of the INPUT mode, the mode shifts to the COMMAND mode and the recording reservation of the program “Splash” previously selected on the EPN screen by the user is executed.
In this case, an image in the COMMAND mode is actually displayed as the display screen P shown in FIG.

7). A description of the processing operation.
Next, a process for realizing a control operation corresponding to a key operation (key shown in FIG. 2) in each mode will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. This process is executed by the system controller 9.

  FIG. 12 shows the processing operation in the normal mode. In this routine, in the state of being in the normal mode as shown in step S101, the operation waits for the EPN key 13-1 in the subsequent step S102. If it is determined that the operation of the EPN key 13-1 has been performed, the process proceeds to step S103 and shifts to the MAIN mode.

FIG. 13 shows the processing operation in the MAIN mode as the EPN mode.
First, when the MAIN mode is set in step S201, it is determined in step S202 whether or not the EPN key 13-1 has been operated. If it is determined in this step that the EPN key 13-1 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S203 to shift to the normal mode and exit from this routine.
If it is determined in step S202 that there is no EPN key operation, the process proceeds to step S204, where it is determined whether a command key operation is performed. If it is determined that the command key 13-2 has been operated, the mode shifts to the COMMAND mode. If it is determined that the command key has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, it is determined whether or not the up key 13A-3 or the down key 13A-4 is operated. If it is determined that the up key 13A-3 or the down key 13A-4 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S207, and the color bar CB (see FIG. 6) arranged in the listing area A4 is moved in the vertical direction. Then, the process proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S206 that the up key 13A-3 or the down key 13A-4 is not operated, the process proceeds to step S208 as it is.

  In step S208, it is determined whether or not the right key 13A-3 or the left key 13A-4 is operated. If it is determined in this step that there is no operation of the right key 13A-3 or the left key 13A-4, the process directly returns to step S202. On the other hand, if it is determined that the right key 13A-3 or the left key 13A-4 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S209, and the current mode (all (this) channel navigate, all (this) tape navigate is performed). After switching the display by the slot function according to the mode) (see FIG. 7), the process returns to step S202.

FIG. 14 shows the processing operation in the COMMAND mode as the EPN mode.
First, when the MAIN mode is set in step S301, it is determined whether or not the EPN key 13-1 is operated in the subsequent step S302. If it is determined that there is no key operation, the process proceeds to step S303 and the normal mode is entered. If there is no EPN key operation, the process proceeds to step S304.
In step S304, it is determined whether or not there is a command key operation. If there is a command key operation, the processing for mode transition described earlier with reference to FIG. 8C is performed by the processing in steps S305, S306, and S307. Executed.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S304 that there is no command key operation, the process proceeds to step S308 to determine whether the right key 13A-3 or the left key 13A-4 is operated. When the right key 13A-3 or the left key 13A-4 is operated, display control is performed so that the cursor moves between display areas in accordance with the key operation direction, and then the process proceeds to step S310. If there is no operation of the key 13A-3 or the left key 13A-4, it progresses to S310 as it is.

  In step S310, it is determined whether or not the EXE key 13A-5 is operated. If there is no key operation, the process returns to step S302, but it is determined that the EXE key 13A-5 has been operated. In the case, the process proceeds to step S311.

In step S311, either process # 1 or process # 2 is executed according to the type of command item.
Process # 1 directly executes operation control corresponding to the function of the currently selected command item. As one specific example, as shown in FIG. 10 (d) → FIG. 10 (e), the command item [view] in the COMMAND window W2 is selected and the EXE key is operated. This corresponds to a control operation for displaying the displayed program.
Process # 2 is a process for shifting to the INPUT mode and displaying the INPUT window corresponding to the currently selected command item. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 (d) → FIG. 10 (e). The display operation corresponds to this.

FIG. 15 shows the processing operation in the COMMAND mode as the EPN mode.
First, when the MAIN mode is set in step S401, whether or not the EPN key 13-1 is operated is determined in the following step S402. If it is determined that there is no key operation, the process proceeds to step S403, and the normal mode is entered. If there is no EPN key operation, the process proceeds to step S404.
In step S404, it is determined whether or not an input operation for changing a parameter has been performed by a predetermined key operation. If it is determined that such a key operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S405, where the key input operation is performed. Then, the process of changing the parameter is performed according to, and then the process proceeds to step S406. If it is determined that the key operation for changing the parameter is not performed, the process directly proceeds to step S406.

In step S406, it is determined whether or not the EXE key is operated. If the EXE key is not operated, the process returns to step S402. If it is determined that the EXE key is operated, step S407 is performed. Proceed to
In step S407, if there is a parameter changed by the process of step S405, a process such as changing the EPN setting according to the parameter is executed, and after shifting to the COMMAND mode in step S408, the routine is exited.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described so far, and various modifications are possible. For example, the display form of each window in a specific EPN mode and the display defined in each window Items etc. may be changed according to actual use conditions.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the electronic program display control apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the key operation part in connection with control of EPN in a remote controller. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode transition of EPN like a chart. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode transition of EPN with a display form. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display content in a MAIN window. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a specific display form of a MAIN window and a COMMAND window. It is explanatory drawing which shows the function allocated to an operation key in MAIN mode. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display content in a COMMAND window. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display content in an INPUT window. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of operation of EPN. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of operation of EPN. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation for EPN display. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation for EPN display. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation for EPN display. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation for EPN display.

Explanation of symbols

  2 tuner, 7 tuner / timer controller, 8 EPN controller, 9 system controller, 11 VTR unit, 12 monitor device, 13 remote controller, 13-1 EPN key, 13-2 command key, 13A joystick unit, 13A-1 up key , 13A-2 Down key, 13A-3 Right key, 13A-4 Left key, 13A-5 Left key, W1 MAIN window, W2 COMMAND window, W3 INPUT window, CB Color bar

Claims (4)

Broadcast program information storage means for storing information on broadcast programs as broadcast program information;
Recorded program information storage means for creating information on the broadcast program recorded on the recording medium based on the broadcast program information stored in the broadcast program information storage means, and storing it as recorded program information;
As an electronic program guide for providing information related to a program, based on the broadcast program information stored in the broadcast program information storage means and the recorded program information stored in the recorded program information storage means, Display control means for controlling to display related program information on the display screen of the display means;
A first mode switching operator for switching between the electronic program guide display mode displayed on the display screen of the display means and the normal image display mode; and the display mode of the broadcast program information in the electronic program guide display mode. And an operation means for controlling a required operation on the display screen of the electronic program guide provided with a second switching operator for switching the display mode of the recorded program information. An electronic program guide display control device.   2. The electronic program guide display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays a broadcast time zone of a program related to the program selected on the screen of the electronic program guide. Information related to the broadcast program is stored in the broadcast program information storage means as broadcast program information, and broadcast program information related to the broadcast program recorded on the recording medium is created based on the broadcast program information stored in the broadcast program information storage means. , Memorize as recorded program information,
As an electronic program guide for providing information related to a program, based on the stored broadcast program information and the recorded program information, the broadcast program and the program information related to the recorded program are displayed on the display screen of the display means. While performing display control,
Switching between the electronic program guide display mode displayed on the display screen of the display means and the normal image display mode according to the operation of the operation means, and in the electronic program guide display mode, the broadcast program information display mode and the display mode Change the display mode of recorded program information and display it.
An electronic program guide display control method characterized in that the display control performs display for presenting information related to a broadcast time zone of a program related to a program selected on the display screen of the electronic program guide being displayed. . 4. The electronic program guide display control method according to claim 3, wherein in the display control, a broadcast time zone of a program related to the program selected on the screen of the electronic program guide is displayed as a bar.

Images