JP2011078048A - Electronic program guide display apparatus, method of displaying electronic program guide, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic program guide display apparatus which highlights a selected cell with a different display form of highlighting than a normal highlighting when a cell of a broadcast program satisfying predetermined conditions is selected. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic program guide display apparatus 100 is equipped with: a determination part 111 to determine whether a program information corresponding to a broadcast program indicated by a program cell selected satisfies predetermined conditions or not; and a highlighting setting part 112 to set the different display form of highlighting, when the predetermined conditions are satisfied, from a display form to be set in the case where the predetermined conditions are not satisfied for the program cell selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic program guide display device that displays an electronic program guide that displays a list of information related to broadcast programs.

  A television receiver (hereinafter also simply referred to as a television) capable of viewing a broadcast program by digital broadcasting displays a list of information related to the broadcast program (for example, broadcast station, broadcast time, performer, program overview, etc.) on its own device. It has an electronic program guide display function.

  In the electronic program guide, for example, cells representing channels (broadcast stations) are arranged in the horizontal direction, and cells representing time are arranged in the vertical direction. Then, a cell representing a broadcast program broadcast by a certain broadcast station is arranged at a position where a cell corresponding to the broadcast station where the broadcast program is broadcast and a cell corresponding to the broadcast time of the broadcast program intersect. Has been.

  In the electronic program guide, when a broadcast program to be processed is selected, a cell representing the selected broadcast program is highlighted and displayed (for example, the color of the cell is changed) to the user. Thus, it is possible to notify which cell (the cell selected by the user) to be processed is.

  However, with the recent expansion of digital broadcasting, multi-networking, and multi-channeling, the number of broadcast programs displayed on the electronic program guide and the amount of information are increasing. In addition, the display size of the electronic program guide displayed on the display display has been increased due to the increase in the size of the display display of the television.

  Thus, as the display size of the electronic program guide increases, the number of broadcast programs displayed on the electronic program guide and the amount of information increase. It becomes difficult to easily determine whether there is any.

  On the other hand, even if the display is small, such as a one-segment broadcasting receiver such as a mobile phone, if the number of broadcast programs and the amount of information displayed on the electronic program guide increase, the same problem will occur. Occurs.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique that makes it easy to discriminate a cell selected by the user by emphasizing the cell selected by the user by the spotlight effect. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for facilitating discrimination of a selected cell by blinking the selected cell when the user presses a predetermined button on the remote controller for a predetermined time or longer. ing.

Special Table 2008-527807 (Publication Date: July 24, 2008) JP 2008-109296 A (publication date: May 8, 2006)

  However, although the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 make it easy to identify the selected cell itself, it is still difficult to determine what kind of broadcast program the selected cell is. Have a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its main object is to select a broadcast program cell in a display form different from a normal highlighted display form when a predetermined broadcast program cell is selected. The present invention provides an electronic program guide display device that highlights a message.

In the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, in order to solve the above problems,
An electronic program guide display device for displaying an electronic program guide formed by arranging display program information generated from program information on a display unit,
Emphasis display setting means for setting highlighting for display program information selected by the user via the operation input device,
When the program information corresponding to the selected display program information satisfies a predetermined condition, the highlight setting setting unit satisfies the predetermined condition for the selected display program information. It is characterized in that highlighting of a display form different from the display form set when there is no display is set.

  In the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, when the program information indicating the selected display program information satisfies a predetermined condition, the predetermined condition is satisfied for the selected display program information. The highlighting of the display form different from the display form set when there is not is set.

  As described above, in the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, when the program information corresponding to the selected display program information satisfies a predetermined condition, the highlight display is different from the normal highlight display, Notify the user of the selected program information for display.

  Thereby, in the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, when the predetermined display program information is selected, that is, when the display program information generated from the program information satisfying a predetermined condition is selected, The display program information can be emphasized in a display form different from the normal highlighted display form.

  In the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, the program information includes a broadcast time at which the broadcast program is broadcast, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the selected program information for display is displayed. It is preferable that the broadcast time included in the program information shown includes the current time.

  According to the above configuration, the case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where the broadcast program represented by the selected display program information can be viewed at present. In other words, when the broadcast program represented by the selected display program information can be viewed at present, the highlight setting setting unit sets the highlight display with a display form different from the highlight set for the other display program information. To do.

  As a result, the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention has an effect of easily identifying whether or not the broadcast program represented by the display program information selected by the user is a broadcast program that can be viewed at present. .

  In the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, the program information includes a broadcast time at which the broadcast program is broadcast, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the selected program information for display is displayed. It is preferable that the broadcast time included in the program information shown includes the recording or viewing start time of a broadcast program for which recording or viewing reservation is set.

  According to the above configuration, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the broadcast time of the broadcast program represented by the selected display program information is the recording or viewing start of the broadcast program for which recording or viewing reservation is set This is when the time is included. In other words, the highlighting setting means has a display form different from that for other display program information when reservation overlap occurs when an attempt is made to record or view a broadcast program represented by the selected display program information. Set highlighting.

  Thus, in the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, when recording or viewing reservation of a broadcast program represented by the display program information selected by the user, it is easily determined whether or not reservations overlap. There is an effect that can.

  In the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, in addition to the selected display program information, the highlight display setting means displays program information representing a broadcast program for which recording or viewing reservation is set. Also, it is preferable to set highlighting.

  According to the above configuration, in the case where duplication of reservation occurs, the highlighting setting means highlights the display program information with overlapping reservation settings in addition to the currently selected display program information. Set.

  Thus, in the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, when recording or viewing reservation of the broadcast program represented by the currently selected display program information, which broadcast program recording or viewing reservation overlaps with the reservation? There is an effect that can be easily recognized.

  In the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, the program information includes a broadcast time at which the broadcast program is broadcast, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the selected program information for display is displayed. It is preferable that the broadcast time based on the broadcast time included in the program information shown is shorter than a predetermined time.

  According to the above configuration, the case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where the broadcast time of the broadcast program represented by the selected display program information is shorter than a predetermined time. That is, when the display size of the selected display program information is smaller than a predetermined size, the highlight setting setting unit displays the highlight display in a display form different from the highlight display set for the other display program information. Set.

  Accordingly, the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention has an effect that the user can easily recognize the currently selected display program information even if the display program information has a small display size. .

  In the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, the program information further includes genre information for specifying a genre of a broadcast program, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the selected display program information It is preferable that the genre information included in the program information indicating the genre information matches the genre information registered in advance.

  According to the above configuration, the case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where the genre information of the broadcast program represented by the selected display program information matches the genre information registered in advance. That is, when the genre information of the broadcast program represented by the display program information selected by the user is the predetermined genre information, the highlight display setting means is the highlight display set for other display program information Set highlighting for different display types.

  Thus, the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention has an effect that the user can easily determine whether or not the genre of the currently selected display program information is a predetermined genre.

  Therefore, for example, the user can confirm a broadcast program of a genre registered as a favorite genre simply by selecting display program information on the electronic program guide.

  In the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the program information corresponding to the selected display program information is text information registered in advance as a keyword. It is preferable that it contains.

  According to the above configuration, the case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where the program information corresponding to the selected display program information includes character information registered in advance as a keyword. That is, the emphasis display setting means sets emphasis to be set for other display program information when the program information corresponding to the display program information selected by the user includes a predetermined keyword. Sets highlighting for different display types.

  Thus, the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention has an effect that the user can easily recognize the display program information generated from the program information including the predetermined keyword.

  Therefore, for example, the user can confirm a broadcast program that the user wants to pick up (a so-called broadcast program desired to be notified as a recommended program) only by selecting display program information on the electronic program guide.

In order to solve the above problems, a display method in an electronic program guide display device according to the present invention is as follows.
An electronic program guide display method for displaying an electronic program guide formed by arranging display program information generated from program information on a display unit,
A highlight setting step for setting a highlight for the display program information selected by the user via the operation input device,
In the highlight setting step, when the program information corresponding to the selected display program information satisfies a predetermined condition, the predetermined condition is satisfied for the selected display program information. It is characterized in that highlighting of a display form different from the display form set when there is no display is set.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect similar to the electronic program guide display apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  A television receiver provided with the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  Furthermore, a program for operating the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, characterized by causing a computer to function as the above-mentioned means, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program are also provided. It is included in the category of the present invention.

  As described above, in the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, when the program information corresponding to the selected display program information satisfies a predetermined condition, the selected display program information Emphasis display setting means is provided for setting highlight display of a display form different from the display form set when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

  As described above, in the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, when the program information corresponding to the selected program information for display satisfies the predetermined condition, the normal highlighting is displayed to the user. The program information for display is notified by different highlighting.

  Thus, in the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, when the user selects display program information generated from program information that satisfies a predetermined condition, the broadcast program information is emphasized in a display form different from the normal one. There is an effect that can be displayed.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electronic program guide display apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the electronic program guide (EPG) displayed in the electronic program guide display apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display form of the special emphasis display set in the electronic program guide display apparatus which concerns on this invention, (a) has shown the animation which the character displayed on a program cell scrolls, (b ) Shows the change in the color of the program cell, (c) shows the expansion of the cell size of the program cell, (d) shows the superimposition of the animation in the program cell, (e) shows The animation superimposition near the program cell is shown, and (f) shows another example of the animation superimposition near the program cell. It is a figure which shows the display form of the special emphasis display when the broadcast program broadcast at the time including the reservation start time is selected in the electronic program guide display apparatus which concerns on this invention, (a) is setting the color of a program cell. This is a display form to be changed, and (b) is a display form for displaying icons. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display form of the special emphasis display when the broadcast program broadcast at the time including reservation start time is selected in the electronic program guide display apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the television receiver provided with the electronic program guide display apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  An embodiment of an electronic program guide display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, prior to the description of the electronic program guide display device according to the present invention, an electronic program guide (hereinafter also referred to as EPG) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an electronic program guide (EPG).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, in the EPG, channel cells representing channels (or broadcast station names) are arranged in the horizontal direction, and time cells representing time are arranged in the vertical direction. And the program cell showing a broadcast program is arrange | positioned at the broadcast time of the channel row | line | column where the broadcast program is broadcast.

  Such an EPG is created based on EPG data acquired via broadcast waves or a network. The EPG data includes a plurality of program information. That is, the electronic program guide display device creates a program cell based on the program information included in the acquired EPG data. The program information includes information such as a program title, broadcast time, broadcast channel, information about a program performer or program producer, an outline of the program, and genre information for specifying the genre of the program.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the EPG highlights a program cell selected by a user operation so that it can be easily grasped that it is currently selected. FIG. 2 shows a case where “information news” starting broadcasting on “channel 3” is selected from “PM 6 o'clock”. FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the color of the selected program cell is emphasized as a color different from other program cells.

  When the selected program cell is “N2 time” located on the left side of “Information news” by the user operation, the color of the program cell of “N2 time” is different from other program cells. Emphasize as color. That is, the color of the “information news” program cell returns to the same color as that of the program cell except for the “N2 time” program cell.

  In FIG. 2, an EPG in which channel cells are arranged in the horizontal direction and time cells are arranged in the vertical direction is illustrated as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The channel cell arrangement direction and the time cell arrangement direction may be reversed. Further, the arrangement direction of the channel cells and the arrangement direction of the time cells may be changeable by a user operation.

  Next, the configuration of the electronic program guide display device according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the electronic program guide display device 100.

(Configuration of electronic program guide display device 100)
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic program guide display device 100 includes a control unit 110, an EPG processing unit 120, a setting information management unit 130, a timer 140, and an operation input reception unit 150. The display unit 200 is not a member constituting the electronic program guide display device 100, but is shown in FIG. 1 for convenience. Each member which comprises the electronic program guide display apparatus 100 is demonstrated in detail below.

(Control unit 110)
The control unit 110 performs overall display processing of an electronic program guide (hereinafter referred to as EPG) in the electronic program guide display device 100. The control unit 110 includes a determination unit 111 and a highlight display setting unit 112.

  The determination unit 111 compares the program information representing the broadcast program selected by the user operation via the operation input reception unit 150 with the information acquired from the setting information management unit 130 or the timer 140, thereby obtaining the program information. It is determined whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied. Information used for determination in the determination unit 111 will be described in detail below, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. Note that the control unit 110 may acquire the program information of the broadcast program selected by the user from a storage unit (not shown) in which EPG data is recorded.

  The highlighted display setting unit 112 sets highlighted display for the program cell of the broadcast program selected by the user. However, in the determination unit 111, when the selected broadcast program satisfies a predetermined condition, the highlighting setting unit 112 sets the highlighting of a special display form.

  Here, in this specification and the like, the highlighting set when the selected broadcast program does not satisfy the predetermined condition is referred to as normal highlighting, and is set when the selected broadcast program satisfies the predetermined condition. This highlighting is called special highlighting. Further, when simply referred to as highlighting, it means that both are included.

  The normal highlighting can include, for example, highlighting that sets the color of the selected program cell to a color different from the color of the unselected program cell. At this time, the color of the entire program cell may be changed, or the color of only the outer frame portion of the program cell may be changed. Since a specific example of special highlighting will be described in detail below, the description thereof is omitted here.

  In either the normal highlight display or the special highlight display, the highlight set in the highlight setting setting unit 112 is recorded in advance in a highlight display management unit (not shown). Note that what type of display highlighting is set for the selected program cell may be set as appropriate by the user, or may be fixed in the electronic program guide display device 100. Good.

(EPG processing unit 120)
The EPG processing unit 120 generates an EPG subjected to highlighting set in the control unit 110 with respect to the EPG generated based on the EPG data acquired from the outside. Then, the generated EPG is displayed on the display unit 200.

(Setting Information Management Unit 130)
The setting information management unit 130 is a storage unit that stores setting information in the electronic program guide display device 100. The setting information managed in the setting information management unit 130 is set as, for example, broadcast program reservation setting information (viewing reservation setting information and recording reservation setting information), genre information set as favorites, and keywords. Character information can be listed.

  These pieces of information may be recorded in separate storage units, or an area for storing each piece of information may be provided in one storage unit, and may be stored in that area.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the setting information management unit 130 is a constituent member of the electronic program guide display device 100 is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the storage unit that manages the setting information may be provided outside the electronic program guide display device 100, and the electronic program guide display device 100 may acquire the setting information as appropriate.

(Timer 140)
The timer 140 is a clock that counts time. The timer 140 may also be provided outside the electronic program guide display device 100 as with the setting information management unit 130.

(Operation input reception unit 150)
The operation input receiving unit 150 receives an operation from a user that is input via the operation input device. For example, when the operation input device is a remote control and the user presses “up” on the remote control, an input signal corresponding to “up” transmitted from the remote control is received and an input signal corresponding to “up” is received from the control unit. 110 is notified.

  The electronic program guide display device 100 grasps the currently selected program cell based on the input signal received by the operation input receiving unit 150.

  The operation input device is not limited to the remote controller, and is not particularly limited as long as an input signal based on a user operation can be input to the electronic program guide display device 100.

(Display unit 200)
The display unit 200 is a display that displays video. The display unit 200 is not particularly limited as long as it can display an image. For example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, etc. can be mentioned.

(Example of special highlighting)
Next, a specific example of special highlighting set in the highlighting setting unit 112 will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 3A to 3F are diagrams showing examples of special emphasis display forms set in the electronic program guide display device 100. FIG. 3A is an animation in which characters displayed in program cells scroll. (B) shows the change in the color of the program cell, (c) shows the enlargement of the cell size of the program cell, and (d) shows the superimposition of the animation in the program cell. (E) shows the superimposition of the animation near the program cell, and (f) shows another example of the superimposition of the animation near the program cell.

  As described above, in the highlight setting setting unit 112, when the program information satisfies a predetermined condition, at least one of the special highlights as shown in FIGS. Set. The display form of the special emphasis display set in the emphasis display setting unit 112 may be any of the display forms shown in FIGS.

  Moreover, what combined several display forms may be sufficient. For example, by combining the display form shown in FIG. 3A and the display form shown in FIG. 3E, the characters displayed in the program cell are scrolled while the animation is superimposed in the vicinity of the program cell. Alternatively, by combining the display form shown in FIG. 3B and the display form shown in FIG. 3C, the color of the program cell is changed while the cell size of the program cell is enlarged. May be.

(Predetermined condition 1: current time)
Here, details of conditions that are satisfied to set special highlighting in the electronic program guide display device 100 will be described, and an example of special highlighting that is set when the conditions are satisfied will be described.

  First, a case where the predetermined condition is satisfied and the broadcast time of the broadcast program of the selected program cell includes the current time will be described. In addition, the case where the broadcast time of the broadcast program of the selected program cell includes the current time can be paraphrased as the case where the broadcast program of the selected program cell is a broadcast program that is currently viewable.

  In this case, the determination unit 111 acquires program information representing the broadcast program of the program cell selected by the user from a storage unit (not shown). Subsequently, the determination unit 111 compares the broadcast time included in the acquired program information with the current time acquired from the timer 140 to determine whether the broadcast time of the broadcast program in the selected program cell includes the current time. Determine whether or not. When it is determined that the broadcast time of the broadcast program of the program cell selected by the determination unit 111 includes the current time, the highlight setting setting unit 112 sets special highlight display for the selected program cell.

  As a display form of the special highlight display in this case, for example, a display form in which the selected program cell is blinked in the same color (for example, orange) as the selection cursor of the program cell can be exemplified. The blinking time may be a fixed value set in advance in the electronic program guide display device 100, or may be an arbitrary value set by the user.

  In this way, in the electronic program guide display device 100, when a broadcast program that can be viewed is selected, the display form is highlighted differently from the normal display form, so that the user can currently view the selected broadcast program. It is possible to easily identify whether the program is a broadcast program.

  Further, the electronic program guide display device 100 may set the special highlight display even when the broadcast time of the broadcast program of the selected program cell does not include the current time. However, in this case, the display form of the special highlighting to be set is set to be different from the display form when the broadcast time of the broadcast program of the selected program cell includes the current time.

  For example, when the broadcast time of the broadcast program is before the current time, the highlight setting setting unit 112 sets the program cell of the broadcast program that has already been broadcast so that it is gray. Further, the highlight setting unit 112 sets the cell color of the broadcast program to a pastel color (lighter than usual) when the broadcast time of the broadcast program is later than the current time, that is, before the broadcast is started. Color). The change in the cell color setting may be permanent until the selected program cell is changed, or may be for a fixed time.

  In this way, when special highlighting is set also for a broadcast program that has already been broadcast or a broadcast program that will be broadcast in the future, whether or not the broadcast has already ended when these broadcast programs are selected. It is also possible to easily identify whether the program is a broadcast program to be broadcast.

(Predetermined condition 2: presence / absence of reservation setting)
Next, the case where the predetermined condition is satisfied includes the reservation start time of the broadcast program set for reservation.

  Generally, on a TV equipped with an electronic program guide display device, if you try to reserve a broadcast program that overlaps the broadcast time of a broadcast program that has already been reserved, a warning screen is displayed so that the reservation settings do not overlap. Is done. However, the conventional electronic program guide display device has a problem that it is difficult to recognize that reservation settings overlap at the stage of selecting a broadcast program, so that it is difficult to recognize the overlap of reservation settings.

  In order to solve this problem, in the electronic program guide display device 100 according to the present embodiment, the determination unit 111 acquires program information representing a broadcast program of a program cell selected by the user from a storage unit (not shown). Subsequently, the determination unit 111 compares the broadcast time included in the acquired program information with the reservation start time included in the reservation setting information acquired from the setting information management unit 130, thereby broadcasting the selected program cell. It is determined whether or not the broadcast time of the program includes a reservation start time. Then, when it is determined that the broadcast time of the broadcast program of the program cell selected by the determination unit 111 includes the reservation start time, the highlight setting unit 112 sets the special highlight display for the selected program cell. .

  As a display form of the special highlight display in this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the color of the selected program cell is set to a color different from the setting by the normal highlight display for a certain period of time. Various display forms. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, an icon indicating that the reservation setting is made may be displayed for a certain period of time. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a display form of special highlighting when a broadcast program broadcast at a time including a reservation start time is selected, and FIG. 4A is a setting of program cell colors. (B) is a display form for displaying an icon.

  Even in this case, the time for changing the color of the cell and the time for displaying the icon may be fixed values set in advance in the electronic program guide display device 100, or may be arbitrary values set by the user. It may be a value.

  As described above, in the electronic program guide display device 100, when a broadcast program broadcast at a time including the reservation start time is selected, an emphasis display of a display form different from the normal display (an emphasis display notifying that the reservation is set). Therefore, the user can easily recognize that there is a broadcast program reserved at the time when the selected broadcast program is broadcast.

  The color of the program cell by special highlighting may be different for viewing reservation and recording reservation. For example, in the case of viewing reservation, the program cell may be set in light blue, and in the case of recording reservation, the program cell may be set in blue. Also, different icons as shown in FIG. 4B may be used for viewing reservation and recording reservation. Thereby, the user can easily identify whether the set reservation setting is a recording reservation or a viewing reservation.

  Further, when a broadcast program to be broadcast at a time including the reservation start time is selected, special highlighting is set for the program cell of the reserved broadcast program in addition to the selected program cell. You may do it.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user selects the “Information News” program cell of channel 1, the broadcast time of “Information News” is set to the broadcast time of “Drama” of Channel 2, which is reserved. If it is included, not only the color setting of the “information news” program cell is changed, but also the color setting of the “drama” program cell is changed.

  At this time, the color of the “Drama” program cell may be the same as or different from the color of the special highlight in the “Information News” program cell.

  Thereby, the user can also recognize which broadcast program is reserved at the broadcast time of the selected broadcast program.

(Predetermined condition 3: broadcast time)
Next, a case where the predetermined condition is satisfied and the broadcast time of the selected broadcast program is equal to or less than the predetermined time will be described. Since the unit of a normal EPG time cell is an hour unit, for example, a program with a short broadcast time such as a 5-minute program has a problem that the size of the program cell becomes small and it is difficult to determine that it is selected. .

  In order to solve this problem, in the electronic program guide display device 100 according to the present embodiment, the determination unit 111 acquires program information of a broadcast program of a program cell selected by the user from a storage unit (not shown). Subsequently, the determination unit 111 compares the broadcast time calculated based on the broadcast time included in the acquired program information with a predetermined threshold value set in advance, to determine the broadcast program of the selected program cell. It is determined whether or not the broadcast time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. When it is determined by the determination unit 111 that the broadcast time of the broadcast program of the selected program cell is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the highlight setting setting unit 112 sets special highlight display for the selected program cell To do.

  The predetermined threshold value may be a fixed value set in advance in the electronic program guide display device 100, or may be an arbitrary value set by the user.

  As a display form of the special emphasis display in this case, for example, a display form in which the cell size of the program cell is enlarged as shown in FIG. 3C, or as shown in FIG. 3E or FIG. Such a display form that an animation is superimposed in the vicinity of a program cell can be given.

  As described above, in the electronic program guide display device 100, when a broadcast program whose broadcast time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold is selected, the display format is highlighted differently from the normal display mode. Therefore, the user can select a broadcast program with a short broadcast time. Even when it is selected, it is possible to easily recognize which broadcast program is selected. In addition, when highlighting such that the cell size of the program cell is enlarged, the text information indicating the content of the broadcast program is also enlarged at the same time, so that the content of the broadcast program can be easily confirmed.

  Note that special highlighting may be set even when the broadcast time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. However, in this case, the display form is different from the special emphasis display form set when the broadcast time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. For example, when the special highlighting in which the broadcast time is set to a predetermined threshold or less is a form in which the size of the program cell is increased, the highlighting setting unit 112 reduces the enlargement rate of the cell size of the program cell, etc. You should make changes.

(Predetermined condition 4: genre information)
Next, a case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where the genre information of the selected broadcast program is included in the genre information registered in advance.

  In this case, the determination unit 111 acquires program information representing the broadcast program of the program cell selected by the user from a storage unit (not shown). Subsequently, the determination unit 111 determines whether or not the genre information included in the acquired program information matches the genre information registered in the setting information management unit 130. When the determination unit 111 determines that the genre information included in the acquired program information matches the genre information registered in the setting information management unit 130, the highlight setting unit 112 sets the selected program cell to the selected program cell. Set special highlighting for it. Note that the genre information to be registered is arbitrarily selected by the user. The number of genre information to be registered is not particularly limited, and may be one or plural.

  As a display form of the special emphasis display in this case, for example, an animation of a genre icon indicating a genre specified by genre information is superimposed and displayed, and the color of the program cell is set to the same color as the attention color of the genre icon. Such display forms can be mentioned. The genre icon may be permanently animated until the selected program cell is changed, or may be animated only for a certain period of time. Similarly, the color of the program cell may be changed permanently until the selected program cell is changed, or may be changed only for a certain period of time. As for the animation of the genre icon, what is recorded in advance in a highlight management unit (not shown) may be read and superimposed.

  As described above, in the electronic program guide display device 100, when a broadcast program of program information including genre information that matches genre information registered in advance is selected, the selected broadcast program is highlighted by a different highlight. To be emphasized. Thus, the user can easily identify a broadcast program including genre information that matches the genre information registered by the user. For example, broadcast programs belonging to a user's favorite genre can be grasped only by focusing (selecting) the broadcast program without confirming the content of the broadcast program.

  It is also possible to add an order to genre information registered in advance. For example, the genre information may be classified into three categories of a focused genre, a normal genre, and a non-focused genre, and may be highlighted by different special highlighting for each category. For example, in the case of an attention genre, the genre icon is permanently animated as described above, and the cell color is changed. In the case of a normal genre, the genre icon is animated only for a certain period of time, In this case, the animation of the genre icon is not used, and the color of the program cell may be a light color that does not stand out.

  In this case, the user can easily recognize how much the genre of the selected broadcast program is the genre that the user is paying attention to simply by selecting the broadcast program.

(Predetermined condition 5: keyword)
Subsequently, a case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where the program information of the selected broadcast program includes character information registered in advance as a keyword.

  In this case, the determination unit 111 acquires program information representing the broadcast program of the program cell selected by the user from a storage unit (not shown). Subsequently, the determination unit 111 determines whether the character information included in the acquired program information includes character information registered as a keyword in the setting information management unit 130. When the determination unit 111 includes character information set as a keyword in the character information included in the acquired program information, the highlight setting unit 112 sets the special highlight display for the selected program cell. To do.

  The keyword to be registered is arbitrarily set by the user. For example, it may be the name of a broadcast program, or the names of performers and producers. Furthermore, the number of registered keywords is not particularly limited, and may be one or plural.

  In addition, it is desirable that the character information included in the program information matches the keyword registered in advance, but it is not limited to this. For example, partial matching such as forward matching or backward matching may be used. Whether the character information and the keyword match completely or partially may be set by the user as appropriate.

  As a display form of the special highlight in this case, for example, a display form in which the color of the selected program cell is set to a color different from the color in the normal highlight display, a display form in which the text of the selected program cell is scrolled, A display form for enlarging the cell size of the selected program cell can be given.

  As described above, in the electronic program guide display device 100, when the program information of the selected broadcast program includes character information registered in advance as a keyword, the selected broadcast program is highlighted differently from the others. Is emphasized by Thereby, the user can easily identify a broadcast program including the keyword registered by the user. For example, a user's favorite broadcast program can be grasped only by focusing (selecting) the broadcast program without checking the content of the broadcast program.

(Additional notes)
In the above description, the case where the predetermined conditions are independent from each other has been described. However, the predetermined condition may be a condition obtained by combining the conditions 1 to 5 described above. For example, the predetermined condition may be that the broadcast time is less than or equal to a predetermined time and the program information includes a predetermined keyword. In this case, the special emphasis display may be set in a display form different from the case of being independent, or the respective display forms may be displayed simultaneously or with a time difference.

(Television receiver)
Finally, a television receiver 500 (hereinafter simply referred to as a television 500) provided with the electronic program guide display device 100 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a television receiver 500 including the electronic program guide display device 100.

  The digital tuner unit 511 selects a digital broadcast received by the antenna 510 based on an instruction from the channel selection unit 550 and outputs the channel to the digital demodulation unit 512. The digital demodulator 512 demodulates the stream data in a predetermined format (for example, MPEG2-TS format), and outputs the demodulated stream data to the separator 513. The separation unit 513 separates and extracts video data, audio data, and broadcast data included in the stream data. Note that the EPG data included in the extracted broadcast data is stored in a storage unit (not shown).

  The video decode / capture unit 514 decodes the video data separated by the separation unit 513 and captures video information included in the video data as a still image. The video selector unit 515 D / A converts the decoded video data as necessary. The video processing unit 516 processes the decoded video. An example of the processing here is i / p conversion.

  At the same time, the EPG / OSD processing unit 519 generates an EPG by decoding the EPG data extracted by the separation unit 513. Further, the EPG / OSD processing unit 519 creates an OSD to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 600 based on OSD (on-screen display) data. Note that the EPG / OSD processing unit 519 also processes a broadcast program recording reservation or viewing reservation.

  Subsequently, the video output conversion unit 517 converts the video data processed by the video processing unit 516 and the EPG and OSD processed by the EPG / OSD processing unit 518 into a video output signal and outputs the video output signal to the liquid crystal display device 600. .

  The audio decoding unit 519 decodes the audio data separated by the separation unit 513 and outputs the decoded audio data to the audio selector unit 520. The audio selector unit 520 D / A converts the decoded audio data as necessary. The audio output conversion unit 521 converts the audio data into a format that can be output from the speaker 700 and outputs the audio data to the speaker 700.

  Note that the channel selection processing in the channel selection unit 550, the processing in the separation unit 513, and the decoding processing of each data are controlled by the main CPU 554 using the RAM 551. A RAM 551 is a main storage device that can be directly read and written from the main CPU 554.

  Note that, in the above-described processing, the case where the television 500 processes a digital broadcast signal has been described. However, the television 500 can obtain an analog broadcast signal or IP broadcast that can be acquired via a network, content data acquired from an external device 900 Can also be processed.

  For example, in the case of analog broadcasting, the analog tuner unit 502 selects an analog broadcast received by the antenna 501 based on an instruction from the channel selection unit 550 and outputs it to the AV switch unit 503. Video data and audio data are extracted from the selected analog broadcast signal, and the extracted video data is output to the video selector unit 515 and the extracted audio data is output to the audio selector unit 520.

  The video selector unit 515 A / D converts the video data and outputs it to the video processing unit 516. The audio selector unit 520 performs A / D conversion on the audio data and outputs the audio data to the audio output conversion unit 521. Note that when processing for analog broadcasting is executed, processing for EPG data is not executed.

  Subsequently, for example, in the case of IP broadcasting, the communication control unit 552 establishes a connection with an external device (for example, a server device) via a network. Then, the television 500 receives an IP broadcast from an external device via the network interface unit 530. The IP broadcast tuner unit 531 selects the received IP broadcast based on an instruction from the main CPU 554 and outputs the selected IP broadcast to the separation unit 513. Since the following processing is the same as that of digital broadcasting, detailed description thereof is omitted. The network is not particularly limited. For example, a network using a telephone line, LAN, HDMI cable, or the like can be given.

  Further, content data recorded in an external device (for example, a hard disk drive) is read based on an instruction from the main CPU 554 and input to the video selector unit 515. Since the following is the same as the digital broadcast processing, detailed description is omitted.

  The remote control light receiving unit 553 is an information input unit that receives a control signal output from the remote control transmitter 800. Based on the control signal received by the remote control light receiving unit 553, the main CPU 554 instructs the channel selection unit 550 to select a channel, change the OSD to be drawn, and the like.

  1 corresponds to the main CPU 554 and RAM 551 in FIG. 6, and the EPG processing unit 120 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the EPG / OSE processing unit 518 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the remote control light receiving unit 553, and the display unit 200 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the liquid crystal display device 600 in FIG. In FIG. 6, a storage unit corresponding to the setting information management unit 130 and a timing unit corresponding to the timer 140 are not illustrated, but are provided in the television 500.

(Program and recording medium)
Finally, each block included in the control unit 110 of the electronic program guide display device 100 may be configured by hardware logic. Alternatively, it may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as follows.

  That is, the control unit 110 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that implements each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program into an executable format, Also, a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data is provided. With this configuration, the object of the present invention can be achieved by a predetermined recording medium.

  The recording medium only needs to record the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the program of the control unit 110, which is software that realizes the above-described functions, in a computer-readable manner. The recording medium is supplied to the control unit 110. Thereby, the control unit 110 (or CPU or MPU) as a computer may read and execute the program code recorded on the supplied recording medium.

  The recording medium that supplies the program code to the control unit 110 is not limited to a specific structure or type. That is, the recording medium includes, for example, a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. System, a card system such as an IC card (including a memory card) / optical card, or a semiconductor memory system such as a mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, even if the electronic program guide display device 100 is configured to be connectable to a communication network, the object of the present invention can be achieved. In this case, the program code is supplied to the electronic program guide display device 100 via a communication network. The communication network is not limited to a specific type or form as long as it can supply program codes to the electronic program guide display device 100. For example, it may be the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, and the like.

  The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, wired communication such as IEEE 1394, USB (Universal Serial Bus), power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 It can also be used by radio such as radio, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims, and the present invention also includes an aspect obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in the embodiments. Is included in the technical scope.

  The electronic program guide display device according to the present invention can be suitably used for a video display device having an electronic program guide display function, such as a television receiver.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Electronic program guide display apparatus 110 Control part 111 Judgment part 112 Highlight display setting part (highlight display setting means)
120 EPG Processing Unit 130 Setting Information Management Unit 140 Timer 150 Operation Input Accepting Unit 200 Display Unit

Claims (11)

An electronic program guide display device for displaying an electronic program guide formed by arranging display program information generated from program information on a display unit,
Emphasis display setting means for setting highlighting for display program information selected by the user via the operation input device,
When the program information corresponding to the selected display program information satisfies a predetermined condition, the highlight setting setting unit satisfies the predetermined condition for the selected display program information. An electronic program guide display device, characterized in that highlighting of a display form different from the display form set when there is not is set. The program information includes a broadcast time when the broadcast program is broadcast,
The case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where a broadcast time included in program information corresponding to the selected display program information includes a current time. Electronic program guide display device. The program information includes a broadcast time when the broadcast program is broadcast,
When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the broadcast time included in the program information corresponding to the selected display program information indicates the recording or viewing start time of the broadcast program for which recording or viewing reservation is set. The electronic program guide display device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic program guide display device includes the electronic program guide display device.   In addition to the selected display program information, the highlight setting setting means sets highlight display for display program information representing a broadcast program for which recording or viewing reservation is set. The electronic program guide display device according to claim 3. The program information includes a broadcast time when the broadcast program is broadcast,
The case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where the broadcast time based on the broadcast time included in the program information corresponding to the selected display program information is shorter than a predetermined time. The electronic program guide display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The program information includes genre information that identifies the genre of the broadcast program,
The case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where genre information included in program information corresponding to the selected display program information matches genre information registered in advance. The electronic program guide display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where program information corresponding to the selected display program information includes character information registered in advance as a keyword. 7. The electronic program guide display device according to any one of 6 above. An electronic program guide display method for displaying an electronic program guide formed by arranging display program information generated from program information on a display unit,
A highlight setting step for setting a highlight for the display program information selected by the user via the operation input device,
In the highlight setting step, when the program information corresponding to the selected display program information satisfies a predetermined condition, the predetermined condition is satisfied for the selected display program information. A display method characterized by setting highlighting of a display form different from the display form set when there is no display.   A television receiver comprising the electronic program guide display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   A program for operating a computer included in the electronic program guide display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the program causes the computer to function as the means.   A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 10 is recorded.