JP2007074207A - Information processing apparatus, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily grasp contents. <P>SOLUTION: A reservation control part 71 refers to a recording reservation table and executes the recording of programs registered in the table. An image extraction part 82 extracts a plurality of images from the contents data of a program supplied from a reservation execution determination part 81. A thumbnail generation part 83 generates respective thumbnail images of the plurality of images supplied from the image extraction part 82. In displaying a recorded program list on a display, a picture data generation part 91 generates picture data for sequentially displaying the plurality of thumbnail images of the recorded programs. For instance, this invention can be applied to an information processor for displaying a recorded program list on a display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program capable of easily grasping contents.

  In recent years, a program that satisfies the conditions set by the user, for example, a program such as a title having a word that matches the keyword input by the user, is recorded (reserved recording) as a program (television broadcast program) that the user likes. Then, recording / reproducing apparatuses capable of reproducing and viewing recorded programs at a user's desired time thereafter have become widespread.

In such a recording / reproducing apparatus, when a list of recorded programs is displayed on the screen and viewed by the user, one thumbnail representing the recorded program is recorded along with information such as the date and time of the recorded program and the channel. There are some which display an image (for example, refer to patent documents 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3267249

  However, there is a case in which it is difficult for the user to grasp the contents of the program because the amount of information is not enough if only one thumbnail image representing the program (content) is displayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to easily grasp the contents.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a content explanation screen that describes content that is a collection of a plurality of images, and that extracts a predetermined number of images from the content Means for generating a thumbnail image for each of the extracted predetermined number of images, and screen generating means for generating the content description screen including a thumbnail display area in which the thumbnail images of the content are displayed. And a predetermined number of the thumbnail images are sequentially displayed in the thumbnail area.

  The extraction means can extract a predetermined number of the images by analyzing the image or sound of the content.

  The content explanation screen is provided with a plurality of thumbnail display areas corresponding to a plurality of the contents, and a selection means for selecting a desired thumbnail display area from among the plurality of thumbnail display areas; A confirmation means for confirming the thumbnail display area may be further provided so that the content corresponding to the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail display area confirmed by the confirmation means is reproduced.

  The content explanation screen may include a detailed information display area in which character information explaining the content is displayed together with the thumbnail area.

  An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for performing a process of displaying a content explanation screen for explaining content that is a collection of a plurality of images, extracting a predetermined number of the images from the content, Generating a thumbnail image for each of the extracted predetermined number of images, and generating the content description screen including a thumbnail area on which the thumbnail image of the content is displayed. The thumbnail images are sequentially displayed.

  A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute a process of displaying a content explanation screen that describes content that is a collection of a plurality of images, and extracts a predetermined number of the images from the content, Generating a thumbnail image for each of the extracted predetermined number of images, and generating the content description screen including a thumbnail area on which the thumbnail image of the content is displayed. The thumbnail images are sequentially displayed.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a predetermined number of the images are extracted from the content and a predetermined number of the extracted images are displayed in the process of displaying a content explanation screen that explains the content that is a collection of a plurality of images. For each, a thumbnail image is generated, and the content description screen including a thumbnail area in which the thumbnail image of the content is displayed is generated. In the thumbnail area, a predetermined number of the thumbnail images are sequentially displayed.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the contents can be easily grasped.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between the configuration requirements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the detailed description of the present invention are exemplified as follows. This description is to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the detailed description of the invention. Accordingly, although there are embodiments that are described in the detailed description of the invention but are not described here as embodiments corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, It does not mean that the embodiment does not correspond to the configuration requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. It's not something to do.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus (for example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 in FIG. 1) that performs processing for displaying a content explanation screen that describes content that is a collection of a plurality of images. Extraction means (for example, the image extraction unit 82 in FIG. 3) for extracting a predetermined number of images, and thumbnail generation means (for example, in FIG. 3) for generating thumbnail images for each of the extracted predetermined number of images. A thumbnail generation unit 83) and screen generation means (for example, the screen data generation unit 91 in FIG. 3) for generating the content description screen including a thumbnail display area in which the thumbnail image of the content is displayed. In the area, a predetermined number of the thumbnail images are sequentially displayed.

  An information processing method or program according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for performing processing for displaying a content explanation screen for explaining content that is a collection of a plurality of images, or a program for causing a computer to execute the processing. A predetermined number of images are extracted from the content (for example, step S13 in FIG. 8), and thumbnail images are generated for each of the extracted predetermined number of images (for example, step S14 in FIG. 8). The content explanation screen including the thumbnail area where the thumbnail images are displayed is generated (for example, step S32 in FIG. 9), and a predetermined number of the thumbnail images are sequentially displayed in the thumbnail area.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  1 includes an analog tuner 31, an A / D conversion unit 32, a digital tuner 33, a CODEC 34, a signal processing unit 35, a bus 36, a control unit 37, an operation input unit 38, a communication unit 39, and a storage unit 40. , And a drive 41.

  The analog tuner 31 receives an analog broadcast signal transmitted from a transmission station (not shown) and demodulates the received analog broadcast signal. The analog tuner 31 supplies an A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion unit 32 with an image signal and an audio signal of a program obtained by demodulating an analog broadcast signal.

  The analog tuner 31 receives program distribution information included in the analog broadcast signal and demodulates the received program distribution information. The analog tuner 31 supplies the demodulated program distribution information to the control unit 37 via the bus 36.

  The A / D conversion unit 32 A / D converts the image signal and the audio signal supplied from the analog tuner 31 from an analog signal to a digital signal. Then, the A / D conversion unit 32 converts the image data and audio data (hereinafter also referred to as content data as appropriate) of the program (content) obtained by converting the image signal and the audio signal into a digital signal. Coder Decoder) 34.

  The digital tuner 33 receives a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a transmission station and demodulates the received digital broadcast signal. The digital tuner 33 supplies program content data obtained by demodulating the digital broadcast signal to the CODEC 34 or to the control unit 37 via the bus 36.

  The digital tuner 33 receives program distribution information included in the digital broadcast signal and demodulates the received program distribution information. The digital tuner 33 supplies the demodulated program distribution information to the control unit 37 via the bus 36.

  The CODEC 34 encodes the content data supplied from the A / D converter 32 by a predetermined method such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 and supplies the encoded data to the controller 37 via the bus 36. Further, the CODEC 34 supplies the content data (unencoded content data) supplied from the A / D conversion unit 32 to the signal processing unit 35 as it is. Further, the CODEC 34 decodes content data (encoded content data) supplied from the digital tuner 33 or the control unit 37 by a predetermined method such as MPEG2, and supplies the decoded data to the signal processing unit 35.

  The signal processing unit 35 performs predetermined processing such as, for example, data format conversion processing for converting the content data into a signal such as a composite signal, D / A conversion (digital / analog conversion) processing, or the like for the content data supplied from the CODEC 34. The image data (still image data or moving image data) of the content data is output to a display (not shown) or the like, and the audio data is output to a speaker (not shown) or the like.

  The signal processing unit 35 performs, for example, data format conversion processing, D / A conversion processing, and the like on the image data (screen data) for displaying various screens supplied from the control unit 37. Output to a display.

  The control unit 37 is, for example, an embedded microcomputer composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and is input from the operation input unit 38. Various processes are executed in response to signals and the like.

  For example, the control unit 37 confirms the program distribution information, and when a user's favorite program is broadcast based on a condition such as a keyword input by the user through the operation input unit 38, the control unit 37 receives from the digital tuner 33 or the CODEC 34. The supplied content data is supplied to the storage unit 40 and the drive 41 via the bus 36 and stored (recorded).

  The control unit 37 also displays an electronic program guide that is displayed based on the program distribution information, a recording schedule that is a list of reservation information that indicates program recording reservations, and a recorded program that displays a list of recorded programs. Screen data corresponding to various screens such as a program list (content explanation screen) and a recording reservation screen for making a reservation for recording a program is generated and supplied to the signal processing unit 35 via the bus 36.

  In addition, for example, when a user designates a desired program from the recorded program list and gives a reproduction instruction, the control unit 37 stores the content data of the designated program in the storage unit 40 or The data is read from the recording medium 42 attached to the drive 41 and supplied to the CODEC 34 via the bus 36.

  Note that the control unit 37 performs various processes by executing a program recorded (installed) in the storage unit 40, for example. The control unit 37 also installs the program downloaded by the communication unit 39 or the program recorded on the recording medium 42 attached to the drive 41 in the storage unit 40 as necessary.

  The operation input unit 38 includes, for example, a receiving unit that receives a command transmitted from the remote commander, a button, a keyboard, a mouse, a switch, and the like, and controls an operation signal according to a user operation via the bus 36. To the unit 37.

  The communication unit 39 transmits and receives various data via a network such as the Internet. For example, the communication unit 39 receives a program from the server and supplies the program or the like to the control unit 37 or the storage unit 40 via the bus 36. The communication unit 39 can also receive program distribution information from a server connected via the Internet and supply the program distribution information to the control unit 37 via the bus 36.

  The storage unit 40 incorporates a so-called non-volatile recording medium (storage medium) such as a hard disk or a flash memory that can be rewritten and can retain the recorded contents even when the power is turned off.

  The storage unit 40 records content data and the like supplied from the control unit 37 via the bus 36 on a built-in recording medium. In addition, the storage unit 40 records a program executed by the control unit 37 (CPU) and various data in a built-in recording medium.

  Furthermore, the storage unit 40 reads out the content data recorded on the built-in recording medium and supplies the content data to the CODEC 34 and the control unit 37 under the control of the control unit 37.

  A recording medium 42 can be attached to and detached from the drive 41. The drive 41 drives the recording medium 42 mounted on the drive 41, reads out programs and data recorded therein, and supplies them to the control unit 37. Further, the drive 41 records content data supplied from the control unit 37 via the bus 36 on the recording medium 42.

  The recording medium 42 is, for example, a semiconductor memory or a disk-shaped recording medium, and is attached to the drive 41 as necessary.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 configured as described above, a program reserved by the user using the recording reservation screen and a user's favorite program based on recording conditions such as a keyword input by the user are stored in the storage unit 40. It is memorized (recorded).

  Then, the user refers to a recorded program list screen that is a list of recorded programs, selects (determines) a desired program from the recorded programs, and views (reproduces) the program. it can.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the storage unit 40 classified according to the type of information (data) stored in the storage unit 40.

  That is, the storage unit 40 includes a program distribution information storage unit 61, a recording condition storage unit 62, a recording reservation table storage unit 63, a content data storage unit 64, and a recorded program information storage unit 65.

  The program distribution information storage unit 61 stores program distribution information received by the analog tuner 31, the digital tuner 33, the communication unit 39, or the like. Here, the program distribution information is information for creating an electronic program guide such as EPG (Electronic Program Guide) and iEPG (trademark) (internet Electronic Program Guide).

  The recording condition storage unit 62 stores information representing the conditions (recording reservation conditions) of the user's favorite program set by the user. Specific examples of the recording reservation condition include keywords such as a program genre and a title.

  The recording reservation table storage unit 63 stores a table (recording reservation table) in which programs reserved for execution of recording (hereinafter referred to as recording reservation programs as appropriate) are registered. The control unit 37 compares the program distribution information in the program distribution information storage unit 61 with the recording conditions in the recording condition storage unit 62, and registers a program that matches the recording conditions in the recording reservation table as a recording reservation program. .

  The content data storage unit 64 stores content data of a program that has been recorded based on the recording reservation table (hereinafter also referred to as a recorded program).

  The recorded program information storage unit 65 stores recorded program information for each recorded program. Here, the recorded program information is a plurality of thumbnail images of the recorded program and character information (hereinafter referred to as content description information) explaining the content of the program. The plurality of thumbnail images are generated by the control unit 37 in parallel with the execution of recording, and are stored in the recorded program information storage unit 65. The content explanation information is acquired from the program distribution information in the program distribution information storage unit 61 and stored in the recorded program information storage unit 65 when the recording of the program is started.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the control unit 37. Each block shown in FIG. 3 is equivalently realized by the control unit 37 executing a predetermined program.

  The control unit 37 includes a reservation control unit 71 and a display control unit 72.

  The reservation control unit 71 compares the program distribution information in the program distribution information storage unit 61 with the recording conditions in the recording condition storage unit 62, and sets a program that matches the recording conditions as a recording reserved program in the recording reservation table storage unit 63. Register in the recording reservation table. Further, the reservation control unit 71 refers to the recording reservation table stored in the recording reservation table storage unit 63, and executes recording of a program registered there.

  The reservation control unit 71 includes a reservation execution determination unit 81, an image extraction unit 82, and a thumbnail generation unit 83.

  The reservation execution determining unit 81 refers to the recording reservation table in the recording reservation table storage unit 63 to determine whether or not to execute recording, and when executing recording, the reserved recording program supplied from the digital tuner 33 or the CODEC 34 Is supplied to the image extraction unit 82 and the storage unit 40.

  The image extraction unit 82 extracts a plurality of images (a predetermined number of images) from the content data of the scheduled recording program supplied from the reservation execution determination unit 81 according to a predetermined rule described later, and supplies the extracted images to the thumbnail generation unit 83. To do.

  The thumbnail generation unit 83 generates thumbnail images (reduced images obtained by reducing the original image) of the plurality of images supplied from the image extraction unit 82 and supplies the thumbnail images to the recorded program information storage unit 65.

  The display control unit 72 includes a screen data generation unit 91, generates screen data (screen data) to be displayed on the display, and supplies the data to the signal processing unit 35. As described above, the signal processing unit 35 performs predetermined processing such as conversion processing or D / A conversion processing on the screen data, and supplies it to the display. As a result, a screen corresponding to the screen data supplied by the display control unit 72 is displayed on the display.

  For example, the screen data generation unit 91 acquires the program distribution information in the program distribution information storage unit 61, generates screen data of the electronic program guide (screen thereof), and supplies the screen data to the signal processing unit 38. Further, the screen data generation unit 91 generates screen data of a recording reservation screen for making a reservation for recording a program and supplies the screen data to the signal processing unit 38.

  When the user refers to the recording reservation screen displayed on the display and inputs the recording reservation start time and end time, channel, and the like with the operation input unit 35, or the user displays the electronic program guide displayed on the display When the program is designated by moving the cursor to a program for which reservation is desired, the screen data generation unit 91 selects a recording reservation program determined based on the operation signal supplied from the operation input unit 35. Then, it is registered (added) to the recording reservation table of the recording reservation table storage unit 63. Further, the screen data generation unit 91 supplies the recording reservation condition such as a keyword supplied from the operation input unit 35 to the recording condition storage unit 62 for storage.

  Further, when an operation signal for displaying the recorded program list is supplied from the operation input unit 38, the screen data generation unit 91 obtains recorded program information of each recorded program from the recorded program information storage unit 65. The screen data of the recorded program list (the screen thereof) is generated and supplied to the signal processing unit 38.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the image extraction unit 82 of FIG.

  The image extraction unit 82 includes a timer unit 101 and an extraction unit 102.

  The time measuring unit 101 counts time based on the content data supplied from the reservation execution determining unit 81 (FIG. 3), and extracts timing information indicating timing for extracting images at a predetermined time interval set in advance. To the unit 102. In this case, if the recording time of the program (the time from the start time to the end time of the program) is long, the number of times that the timing information is output increases and the number of images to be extracted increases. Note that the timer unit 101 may count the number of images, not the time, and supply timing information for each predetermined number.

  In addition, the time measuring unit 101 acquires information about the recording time of a program that is recording from the program distribution information storage unit 61 or the like as necessary (via the reservation execution determining unit 81), and acquires one program Therefore, the timing information can be output so that a certain number of images are extracted. For example, when it is set to extract n images for one program, timing information is output every 1 / n hours of the recording time of the program.

  The extracting unit 102 extracts an image of a program that is recording based on the timing information from the time measuring unit 101, and outputs the extracted image to the thumbnail generating unit 83 (FIG. 3). That is, the extraction unit 102 outputs, to the thumbnail generation unit 83, an image when timing information is supplied among images supplied from the reservation execution determination unit 81.

  FIG. 5 shows a screen example (image example) of the recorded program list corresponding to the screen data of the recorded program list generated by the display control unit 72.

  The recorded program list screen shown in FIG. 5 is a title area 151 in which a “recorded program list” indicating that a list of recorded programs is displayed at the upper left of the screen, and a storage unit at the upper right of the screen. The remaining capacity display area 152 indicating how much capacity is used (recorded) with respect to 250 GB (gigabytes), which is the total storage capacity of 40, is recorded in the storage section 40 in the center of the screen ( The recorded program display area 153 for displaying recorded program information about the program being recorded) is operated when the program to be played back is determined from the recorded programs displayed in the recorded program table time area 153. And a return button 155 that is operated when returning to another screen (for example, a menu screen).

  The remaining amount display area 152 indicates that 79.5 GB is the recorded capacity with respect to 250 GB which is the entire storage capacity of the storage unit 40.

  The recorded program display area 153 is divided into four individual program information display areas 153a to 153d, and recorded program information for one program is displayed in each of the individual program information display areas 153a to 153d. Yes. Note that the number of recorded programs displayed on one screen can be a number other than 4 shown in FIG. Information about one program may be displayed on one screen. If more than the number of programs that can be displayed on one screen is stored (recorded) in the storage unit 40, recorded programs that are not displayed by switching the screen or scrolling through the list. The recorded program information of the program can be displayed.

  The recorded program information displayed in each of the individual program information display areas 153a to 153d will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an example of recorded program information displayed in the individual program information display area 153b.

  The individual program information display area 153b is composed of a detailed information display area 171 for displaying the content explanation information of the recorded program and a thumbnail display area 172 for displaying a thumbnail image of the recorded program.

  In the detailed information display area 171, the contents explanation information of the recorded program stored in the recorded program information storage unit 65 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 6, “Spy Operation [Movie] 2005 American Metropolitan Television 2005/11/5 (Friday) 11:25 AM (1H51M) SP 1.4 GB” is displayed as the content explanation information. In other words, this recorded program has a program name (title) of “Spy Daisaku [Movie] 2005 USA”, a channel of “Metropolitan area television”, “November 5th, 2005 This is a program that was broadcast at 11:25, the broadcast time was “1 hour 51 minutes (1H51M)”, the recording mode was “SP”, and the capacity of “1.4 GB” was used. ing. In the recording mode, “SP” is a standard (image quality) mode, and high-quality recording is possible in the order of “HQ”, “HSP”, “SP”, and “LSP”.

  In the thumbnail display area 172, thumbnail images of recorded programs stored in the recorded program information storage unit 65 are displayed. As described above, the recorded program information storage unit 65 stores a plurality of thumbnail images for one recorded program.

  Therefore, the display control unit 72 (screen data generation unit 91) causes the thumbnail display area 172 to sequentially display a plurality of thumbnail images per program stored in the recorded program information storage unit 65.

  That is, four thumbnail images 181a to 181d are stored in the recorded program information storage unit 65 for the program of “Spy Great Operation [Movie] 2005 USA” currently displayed in the individual program information display area 153b. As shown in FIG. 6, thumbnail images 181a, 181b, 181c, and 181d are displayed (repeatedly) in order in a predetermined time interval in the thumbnail display area 172.

  In this way, when displaying a list of recorded programs, instead of displaying one thumbnail image representative of the recorded program, one thumbnail image is displayed in order for one recorded program. Thus, the user can easily grasp the contents of the recorded program. In other words, it is possible to provide a user interface for a recorded program that is easy for the user to understand.

  The user grasps the contents of the recorded program by viewing the content explanation information displayed in each of the individual program information display areas 153a to 153d on the screen of the recorded program list and a plurality of thumbnail images displayed in sequence. To do. When the recorded program to be viewed (reproduced) is determined, the user moves the cursor to one of the individual program information display areas 153a to 153d in which the recorded program to be viewed is displayed as shown in FIG. 191 is moved and selected, and the OK button 154 is operated. As a result, playback of the recorded program selected by the cursor 191 is started.

  Next, the program recording process of the control unit 37 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S11, the reservation execution determining unit 81 refers to the recording reservation table in the recording reservation table storage unit 63, determines whether or not to execute recording, and waits until it is determined to execute recording.

  When it is determined in step S11 that recording is to be performed, that is, when the recording start time of the recording reservation program registered in the recording reservation table is reached, the process proceeds to step S12, and the reservation execution determining unit 81 sets the digital tuner. The content data of the scheduled recording program supplied from 33 or CODEC 34 is supplied to the image extraction unit 82 and the content data storage unit 64. In step S 12, the reservation execution determining unit 81 acquires content description information of the scheduled recording program from the program distribution information storage unit 61 and stores it in the recorded program information storage unit 65.

  In step S <b> 13, the image extraction unit 82 extracts a plurality of images from the content data of the program that is being recorded supplied from the reservation execution determination unit 81 and supplies the extracted images to the thumbnail generation unit 83.

  In step S14, the thumbnail generation unit 83 generates thumbnail images for each of the plurality of images supplied from the image extraction unit 82, supplies the thumbnail images to the recorded program information storage unit 65, and ends the process.

  As described above, the content data of the program that has been recorded (recorded program) is stored in the content data storage unit 64, and the content explanation information of the recorded program and a plurality of thumbnail images are recorded program information. It is stored in the storage unit 65.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the recorded program list screen is displayed on the display using the contents explanation information of each recorded program stored in the recorded program information storage unit 65 and a plurality of thumbnail images. The recorded program list display control process to be displayed will be described.

  When an operation signal for displaying the recorded program list is supplied from the operation input unit 35, the screen data generation unit 91 stores the recorded program in the recorded program information storage unit 65 in step S31. The content description information and one thumbnail image (among a plurality of thumbnail images) are acquired.

  In step S32, the screen data generation unit 91 displays, for example, four recorded programs on one screen as shown in FIG. 5, and the thumbnail images and programs acquired in step S31 for each recorded program. Image data of a recorded program list (screen thereof) on which detailed information is displayed is generated. Then, the generated image data is supplied to the display via the signal processing unit 35, and a recorded program list is displayed on the display.

  In step S33, the screen data generation unit 91 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the process of step S32, and waits until it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed.

  If it is determined in step S33 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S34, and the screen data generation unit 91 stores each recorded program in the recorded program list in the recorded program information storage unit 65. The next thumbnail image (among a plurality of thumbnail images) is acquired, and the process returns to step S32. Then, by repeating the processes of steps S32 to S34, in the recorded program list (screen) displayed on the display, a plurality of thumbnail images stored in the recorded program information storage unit 65 are predetermined. Displayed sequentially for each hour.

  Note that the recorded program list display control processing in FIG. 9 indicates that the reproduction of a predetermined recorded program has been instructed from among the recorded programs displayed in the recorded program list, or the recorded program list is displayed. It is ended when an operation to end is performed.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another detailed configuration example of the image extraction unit 82 of FIG.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the part corresponding to FIG. That is, the image extraction unit 82 in FIG. 10 and the image extraction unit 82 in FIG. 4 are common in that they have the extraction unit 102, and have an image analysis unit 201 and a voice analysis unit 202 instead of the time measuring unit 101. It is different in point.

  The content data from the reservation execution determination unit 81 (FIG. 3) is supplied to the image analysis unit 201, the audio analysis unit 202, and the extraction unit 102.

  The image analysis unit 201 analyzes image data in the supplied content data, and supplies timing information to the extraction unit 102 at an optimal timing for extracting an image. The audio analysis unit 202 analyzes audio data of the supplied content data and supplies timing information to the extraction unit 102 at an optimal timing for extracting an image.

  For example, the image analysis unit 201 or the sound analysis unit 202 analyzes the image data or the sound data, and captures an image of a climax part of a program or an image when a scene (scene) has changed significantly (an image after a scene change). The timing information is supplied to the extraction unit 102 at that timing. In a program including a commercial, timing information can be supplied so as to extract an image immediately after the commercial.

  The extraction unit 102 extracts an image based on the timing information from the image analysis unit 201 or the sound analysis unit 202 and outputs the image to the thumbnail generation unit 83.

  When the image extraction unit 82 is configured in this way, a plurality of images characteristically representing a program can be extracted by analyzing the image or sound of the program, and thumbnail images of the extracted images have been recorded. When displayed on the program list, the user can easily grasp the contents of the program. In other words, it is possible to provide a user interface for a recorded program that is easy for the user to understand.

  In the above-described example, the image extraction unit 82 extracts images that are separated in time by analyzing a predetermined time interval or images of a plurality of extracted images. In this case, the plurality of thumbnail images displayed are like still image frame advance images. However, the image extraction unit 82 may extract a plurality of images that are temporally continuous. For example, it is possible to extract a plurality of images constituting a moving image for a few seconds at the beginning of a program (or after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start time).

  In the above-described example, the content data is stored (recorded) in the content data storage unit 64, and at the same time, a thumbnail image is generated and stored in the recorded program information storage unit 65. This may be performed when the screen of the recorded program list is displayed on the display. That is, when the screen of the recorded program list of a recorded program for which a thumbnail image has not yet been generated (not recorded in the recorded program information storage unit 65) is displayed on the display, the content data is stored from the content data storage unit 64. Then, a plurality of thumbnail images can be generated therefrom, displayed as a recorded program list, and stored in the program information storage unit 65.

  Note that although a television broadcast program has been described as an example of content, the content may be a collection of at least a plurality of images, and can be applied to a collection of moving images or still images other than the television broadcast program. .

  Furthermore, the recorded program list does not necessarily display the content explanation information of each recorded program, and may display only thumbnail images of each recorded program, for example, as shown in FIG. Also in this case, since the plurality of thumbnail images extracted and generated from the recorded program are sequentially displayed in the recorded program list, the user can check the plurality of thumbnail images to check the recorded program. The contents of can be easily grasped. Further, the recorded program corresponding to the selected thumbnail image can be reproduced by moving the cursor 191 to the thumbnail image (thumbnail display area) of the desired recorded program and determining (determining) it.

  In this specification, the steps described in the flowcharts include processes that are executed in parallel or individually even if they are not necessarily processed in time series, as well as processes that are executed in time series in the described order. Is also included.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of one Embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus to which this invention is applied. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a storage unit 40. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a control unit 37. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of an image extraction unit 82. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the recorded program list. It is a figure explaining the recorded program information. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the recorded program list. It is a flowchart explaining a program recording process. It is a flowchart explaining the recorded program list display control processing. 12 is a block diagram illustrating another detailed configuration example of the image extraction unit 82. FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of a screen of the recorded program list.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Recording / reproducing apparatus, 37 Control part, 40 Storage part, 71 Reservation control part, 72 Display control part, 81 Reservation execution determination part, 82 Image extraction part, 83 Thumbnail generation part, 91 Screen data generation part, 101 Time counting part, 102 Extraction unit, 201 Image analysis unit, 202 Speech analysis unit

Claims (6)

In an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a content explanation screen that explains content that is a collection of a plurality of images,
Extracting means for extracting a predetermined number of the images from the content;
Thumbnail generation means for generating a thumbnail image for each of the extracted predetermined number of images;
Screen generating means for generating the content description screen including a thumbnail display area in which the thumbnail image of the content is displayed;
An information processing apparatus in which a predetermined number of the thumbnail images are sequentially displayed in the thumbnail area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extraction unit extracts a predetermined number of the images by analyzing an image or sound of the content. The content explanation screen is provided with a plurality of thumbnail display areas corresponding to a plurality of the contents,
Selecting means for selecting a desired thumbnail display area from among the plurality of thumbnail display areas;
And a confirmation means for confirming the selected thumbnail display area,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content corresponding to the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail display area determined by the determination unit is reproduced. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content explanation screen includes a detailed information display area in which character information explaining the content is displayed together with the thumbnail area. In an information processing method for performing processing for displaying a content explanation screen for explaining content that is a collection of a plurality of images,
Extract a predetermined number of images from the content,
Generate thumbnail images for each of the extracted predetermined number of images,
Generating the content description screen including a thumbnail area in which the thumbnail image of the content is displayed,
An information processing method in which a predetermined number of the thumbnail images are sequentially displayed in the thumbnail area. In a program for causing a computer to execute a process for displaying a content explanation screen for explaining content that is a collection of a plurality of images.
Extract a predetermined number of images from the content,
Generate thumbnail images for each of the extracted predetermined number of images,
Generating the content description screen including a thumbnail area in which the thumbnail image of the content is displayed,
A program in which a predetermined number of the thumbnail images are sequentially displayed in the thumbnail area.

Images