JP2013016962A - Content reproducer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content reproducer which allows for display of the related information, and the like, without forcing the user to manipulate while preventing a high quality reproduction display of a VOD content from being impeded.SOLUTION: The content reproducer comprises a specification unit which specifies the title of a VOD content to be reproduced, i.e., the reproduction target title, a reproduction unit which acquires the VOD content of the reproduction target title over the Internet and reproduces the VOD content on a display, and a related information display unit which performs the related information display processing for displaying the related information of the reproduction target title or the list thereof on the display. The related information display unit performs the related information display processing before starting reproduction and/or after finishing reproduction, and does not perform the related information display processing when reproduction is performed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a content playback apparatus for playing back content of a VOD [Video On Demand] service.

  In recent years, with regard to television receivers and the like, models having an Internet connection function are increasing, and models having a function of reproducing content that is streamed as a VOD service (referred to as “VOD content” in the present application) are becoming common. is there. If such a television receiver is used to use the VOD service, the user can view the content he / she wants to view at any time.

  An apparatus (content reproduction apparatus) having a function of reproducing VOD content accesses a VOD server that holds VOD contents of various titles via the Internet. The content playback apparatus acquires and plays back VOD content transmitted from the VOD server.

  There has also been proposed a content playback apparatus that acquires related information related to the title of VOD content to be played back from a VOD server or the like and displays related information (related information or a list thereof) on a display. According to such a content reproduction apparatus, the user can obtain various information related to the VOD content to be viewed.

JP 2008-306588 A JP 2009-171049 A

  By the way, the timing at which the content playback apparatus displays related information or the like is (1) during playback of a VOD content (part or all of the playback time), or (2) a display request operation by a user (for example, a button on a remote control). Generally, when an operation is performed.

  In the case of (1), there is a possibility that high-quality playback display of VOD content may be hindered. For example, if a display area for related information or the like is provided separately from the playback display area for VOD content, the VOD content is reduced (or partially cut) and displayed for playback. Further, when related information or the like is displayed superimposed on the VOD content, clear playback display of the VOD content is prevented in the superimposed portion.

  In the case of (2) above, the user needs to perform a predetermined operation in order to display related information and the like. Such forced operation is troublesome for the user and may impair the convenience of the content playback apparatus.

  As described above, in either case (1) or (2), it can be said that there is an inconvenience for the user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides a content playback apparatus that can display related information or the like without forcing the user to operate while preventing high-quality playback display of VOD content. And

  In order to achieve the above object, a content playback apparatus according to the present invention acquires a VOD content of a playback target title via the Internet by specifying a playback target title that is a title of the VOD content to be played back, And a related information display unit for performing related information display processing for displaying related information or a list of the title to be reproduced on the display, and the related information display unit starts the reproduction. The related information display processing is performed at least one of before and after the reproduction is completed, and the related information display processing is not performed during the period during which the reproduction is performed. .

  According to this configuration, it is possible to display related information and the like without forcing the user to operate while preventing high-quality playback display of VOD content.

  More specifically, as the above configuration, the specifying unit specifies the reproduction target title in accordance with an operation by a user, and the related information display unit specifies the reproduction target title after the specification of the reproduction target title via the Internet. Thus, the related information of the reproduction target title may be acquired.

  More specifically, the related information display unit performs a first related information display process before the reproduction is started as the related information display process, and a second related information after the reproduction is completed. It is good also as a structure which performs an information display process.

  Further, in the content playback apparatus configured as described above, which accesses a server holding VOD content and related information for each title via the Internet, the related information display unit transmits the related information of the playback target title to its own device. The server performs a first related information display process using information transmitted in response to the request, and the playback unit performs the playback target when the first related information display process ends. Requests the server to transmit the VOD content of the title to its own device, causes the VOD content transmitted in response to the request to be played back, and the related information display unit, when the playback ends, It is good also as a structure which performs 2 related information display processing.

  Further, in the content playback apparatus configured as described above, wherein the related information display unit accesses the server having the related information for pre-playback and the related information for post-playback as the related information, the pre-playback information transmitted from the server The first related information display process may be performed using the related information, and the second related information display process may be performed using the post-reproduction related information transmitted from the server.

  More specifically, in the related information display processing, the related information display process waits for an operation selection in the list using a predetermined key while displaying a list of related information of the reproduction target title. The process may be a process of displaying related information for which an operation has been selected, and is a process that is terminated when the key is not operated within a predetermined waiting time.

  As described above, according to the content playback apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to display related information and the like without forcing the user to operate while preventing high-quality playback display of VOD content.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the television receiver which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the connection form with a VOD server. It is explanatory drawing regarding the information which the VOD server which concerns on 1st Embodiment holds. It is a flowchart regarding the reproduction-related operation | movement which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart regarding the related information display process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing regarding the display of the list of related information. It is explanatory drawing regarding the display of the choice for ending a related information display process. It is explanatory drawing regarding the information which the VOD server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment holds. It is a flowchart regarding the reproduction-related operation | movement which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below by taking the first embodiment and the second embodiment as examples.

1. First Embodiment [Configuration of Television Receiver, etc.]
First, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a television receiver (one form of a content reproduction apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention and a connection form with a VOD server. As shown in the figure, the television receiver 1 includes a CPU 8, a remote controller 9, a remote control signal receiver 10, a tuner 11, an MPEG decoder 12, a video input terminal 13, a network IF 14, a video / audio processing circuit 15, a speaker 16, and an OSD. An output circuit 17, a display 18, and a memory 19 are provided.

  The CPU 8 appropriately controls each part of the television receiver 1 so that the television receiver 1 performs its function, and executes various operations. The main operations performed by the television receiver 1 will be described again.

  The remote controller (remote controller) 9 is a device for remotely operating the television receiver 1. The remote controller 9 is provided with a plurality of keys (such as push button switches) operated by the user. When any key is operated, the remote controller 9 outputs a remote control signal (radio signal) corresponding to the key operation. The remote controller 9 is operated with a channel selection key used when switching the receiving channel, an input switching key used when switching an external signal to be input, a VOD viewing key used when viewing VOD content, and various options. Keys such as a selection key used for selection are provided.

  The remote control signal receiving unit 10 receives the remote control signal output from the remote control 9. Information indicated by the received remote control signal (operation contents in the remote control 9) is transmitted to the CPU 8 and reflected in the operation of the television receiver 1.

  The tuner 11 receives a TV broadcast signal from the outside. The tuner 11 performs channel selection processing according to the operation of the channel selection key on the television broadcast signal, and sends the selected signal to the MPEG decoder 12.

  The MPEG decoder 12 performs a decoding process on the television broadcast signal (MPEG format signal) transmitted from the tuner 11. The signal subjected to the decoding process or the like is sent to the video / audio processing circuit 15.

  The video input terminal 13 is a terminal used for connection with an external device (for example, a DVD player), and enables input of a video signal from the connected external device. The video signal input to the video input terminal 13 is sent to the video / audio processing circuit 15.

  The network IF 14 is an interface used for connection to the network, and enables the television receiver 1 to connect to the Internet.

  The video / audio processing circuit 15 performs a predetermined process on the signal input from the previous stage, and generates a video signal and / or an audio signal. The generated audio signal is output toward the speaker 16, and the generated video signal is output toward the display 18. Note that which of the MPEG decoder 12, the video input terminal 13, and the network IF 14 is input to the video / audio processing circuit 15 is determined by the CPU 8 according to the operation of the input switching key or the like.

  The speaker 16 outputs sound based on the received sound signal. The OSD output circuit 17 outputs an OSD signal (an image signal for OSD display) to the display 18 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 8. The display 18 performs display based on the video signal or OSD signal received from the previous stage. The memory 19 is formed so as to record various information in a rewritable manner, and is used to hold the acquired information (including related information described later).

  The VOD server 2 is a server for providing a VOD service using the Internet, and is normally managed by each provider of the VOD service. FIG. 2 schematically shows some types of information held by the VOD server 2. As shown in the figure, the VOD server 2 holds VOD content, multiple types of related information, and the like for each of multiple types of titles. Note that the VOD server 2 may have only one type of related information, or may not have any related information.

  The VOD content is data for streaming transmission representing the video and audio of the title, and is data that plays a core role in the VOD service. The related information is information related to the title, and is data including a still image or a simple moving image. Note that how the information related to the title is used as the related information is determined on the provider side in view of the needs of viewers of VOD content, for example. The related information of each title can also be viewed as display information associated with the title in advance.

  For example, when the title is a sport game, news related to the sport, results of other games of the sport, and the like may correspond to the related information. When the title is a drama, the outline of the drama, performer information, and the like may correspond to the related information. Each related information is set with a title (name used for list display) that simply indicates the content. The VOD server 2 also holds various information (names of titles, names of providers to be managed, etc.) necessary for forming a title selection screen described later.

  In response to a request from the client side, the VOD server 2 transmits various information held to the client via the Internet. Note that the television receiver 1 stores the IP addresses and the like of a plurality of VOD servers 2 and can access these VOD servers 2. The television receiver 1 can receive various information as a client of these VOD servers 2.

[Operation of TV receiver, etc.]
The television receiver 1 has the configuration as described above, and can operate as a general television receiver. That is, the television receiver 1 appropriately processes a television broadcast signal and a video signal obtained from an external device, and outputs video and audio through the display 18 and the speaker 16.

  Furthermore, the television receiver 1 can also operate as a content reproduction device that reproduces VOD content. Hereinafter, the contents of a series of operations related to the reproduction of VOD content (referred to as “reproduction-related operations” for convenience) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the VOD viewing key of the remote controller 9 is operated, the CPU 8 starts a reproduction related operation (steps S1 to S5). When the reproduction-related operation is started, first, the CPU 8 specifies a reproduction target title that is a title of the VOD content to be reproduced according to an operation by the user (step S1). Note that when performing the identification, the CPU 8 waits for the user to select the operation of the title to be played back while OSD-displaying a predetermined title selection screen on the display 18.

  More specifically, a list of VOD service providers is displayed based on information acquired from each VOD server 2 or the like. When any one of the provider lists is selected by the user, a list of titles provided by the selected provider is displayed.

  Further, when any of the title lists is selected by the user, the CPU 8 specifies the selected title as a reproduction target title. Note that the operation form for specifying the reproduction target title, the form of the title selection screen, and the like are not limited to those described here, and other forms may be adopted.

  After the reproduction target title is specified, the CPU 8 next acquires each related information of the reproduction target title (step S2). That is, the CPU 8 accesses the VOD server 2 that holds each piece of related information of the playback target title (corresponding to the playback target title) via the Internet, and uses the related information (the TV receiver 1). ) Request to be sent. The television receiver 1 acquires each related information that the VOD server 2 transmits in response to the request.

  Here, the method for the television receiver 1 to acquire each piece of related information of the reproduction target title is not limited to the above-described form, and other methods may be adopted. For example, keywords such as the name of a reproduction target title are assigned to various display information held by the VOD server 2 (or a server group including other VOD servers 2) corresponding to the reproduction target title. The information included may be searched, and each found information may be acquired as related information.

  Further, when the television receiver 1 has a function of acquiring EPG [Electronic Program Guide] information related to television broadcasting, information including keywords such as the name of a reproduction target title is searched for the already acquired EPG information. In this way, each piece of found information may be acquired (extracted) as related information.

  In addition, when the VOD server 2 does not have the related information of the reproduction target title (or the information that matches the search conditions described above cannot be found), the related information of the reproduction target title cannot be acquired. The execution of the operations in steps S3 and S5 described later is omitted. Hereinafter, the description will be continued assuming that the related information of the reproduction target title can be acquired.

  If each related information is acquired, CPU8 will perform a 1st related information display process next (step S3). The related information display process is a process for displaying the related information of the reproduction target title or a list thereof on the display 18, and the flow of the process will be described again. The first related information display process is a form of the related information display process, and is a process for displaying the related information of the reproduction target title or a list thereof before starting the reproduction of the VOD content.

  When the first related information display process is completed, the CPU 8 next executes reproduction of the VOD content (step S4). That is, the CPU 8 accesses the VOD server 2 that holds the VOD content of the playback target title (corresponding to the playback target title) via the Internet, and sends the VOD content to the own device (the television receiver 1). Request to send.

  Accordingly, the VOD server 2 performs streaming transmission of the VOD content of the reproduction target title to the television receiver 1 in response to the request. The CPU 8 causes the video display and audio output of the transmitted VOD content through the display 18 and the speaker 16 to be performed in substantially real time, thereby realizing the reproduction of the VOD content.

  When the reproduction of the VOD content is finished, the CPU 8 next executes a second related information display process (step S5). The second related information display process is a form of related information display process, and is a process for displaying related information or a list of titles to be played after the end of playback of the VOD content. When the second related information display process ends, a series of reproduction related operations ends.

  Next, the contents of the related information display process (steps S3 and S5) described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the related information display process is started, a list of related information is displayed on the display 18 (step S11). FIG. 5 shows an example of a state in which a list of related information is displayed. As shown in the figure, the list 31 of related information represents the title of each related information and also serves as an option for the user to select any related information. When the related information list 31 is displayed, the user can select any related information by operating the selection key.

  The CPU 8 waits for the user to operate the selection key for a predetermined waiting time (for example, 5 seconds) while displaying the related information list 31 (steps S12 and S13). If the waiting time has passed without any operation of the selection key (Y in step S13), it is assumed that the user does not intend to view the display of related information. Therefore, in this case, the related information display process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the selection key is operated during standby (Y in step S12), it is assumed that the user has an intention to view the display of related information. Therefore, the CPU 8 waits for an operation instruction to end the related information display process (step S14), and waits for an operation selection of any related information in the list (selection of information to be viewed) (step S15).

  At this time, an option 32 for ending the related information display process is added to the OSD display on the display 18, for example, as shown in FIG. Thus, the user can select the option 32 and instruct the end of the related information display process.

  When an operation instruction is given to end the related information display process (Y in step S14), the related information display process is ended. On the other hand, when any of the related information in the list is selected for operation (Y in step S15), the selected related information is displayed on the display 18 (step S16).

  That is, the display of the related information list 31 is canceled, and instead, the original content of the selected related information is displayed using most of the display area of the display 18. Thereby, the user can select desired related information and can browse the related information in an easy-to-see state.

  The display of the selected related information is continued until the user gives an operation instruction to return to the list display (step S17). When an instruction to return to the list display is given (Y in step S17), the display state of the display 18 returns to the state in which the list 31 of related information is displayed (step S18), and the operation of step S14 is repeated. It is.

  According to the related information display process having the above-described contents, the user can first confirm a list of related information. If there is no relevant information to know details in the list, the user can simply wait (without any particular operation) and automatically terminate the relevant information display process (see step S13). . On the other hand, if there is related information that the user wants to know in detail in the list, the user can select it and view the related information in an easy-to-view state.

  The contents of the related information display process are not limited to those described above, and other contents may be used as a process for displaying the related information of the reproduction target title or a list thereof on the display. For example, the related information display process may be a process of displaying any related information itself without displaying a list of related information from the beginning.

  As described above, the television receiver 1 of the present embodiment automatically performs the first related information display process before the reproduction of the VOD content is started, and after the reproduction is finished, the second related information. The display process is performed automatically. More specifically, the first related information display process is triggered by the end of the operation (step S1) that is completed before the reproduction of the VOD content, and the second related information display process is the reproduction of the VOD content (step S4). Each is started with the end as a trigger. For this reason, it is possible to display related information or the like without forcing the user to perform an operation.

  Further, the television receiver 1 is configured not to perform the related information display process during the period when the VOD content is being reproduced. Therefore, the display of related information or the like prevents the high-quality playback display of VOD content from being hindered.

  In the present embodiment, both the first related information display process and the second related information display process are performed as the related information display process. Thus, the user can view desired related information at any timing before and after the reproduction of the VOD content is started. However, only one of the first related information display process and the second related information display process may be performed as the related information display process.

2. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment except that two types of related information, “related information for pre-reproduction” and “relevant information for post-reproduction”, are used. It is. In the description of the second embodiment, emphasis is placed on the description of points different from the first embodiment, and description of similar points may be omitted.

  FIG. 7 schematically shows some types of information held by the VOD server 2 (the VOD server accessed by the television receiver 1 of the present embodiment). As shown in this figure, the VOD server 2 holds VOD content, a plurality of types of pre-reproduction related information, a plurality of types of post-reproduction related information, and the like for each of a plurality of types of titles.

  The related information for pre-reproduction is a form of related information, and is related information that is expected to be viewed before reproduction (before viewing) of the VOD content of the title. Note that what kind of information is used as pre-reproduction related information is determined on the provider side in view of the needs of viewers of VOD content, for example.

  For example, if the title is a continuous drama, the synopsis for the previous time (even if viewers missed the previous time, viewing this will make it easier to understand the content for this time), etc. It can correspond to information.

  The post-reproduction related information is a form of the related information, and is related information that is expected to be viewed after the reproduction (after viewing) of the VOD content of the title. Note that what kind of information is used as post-reproduction related information is determined on the provider side in view of, for example, the needs of viewers of VOD content.

  For example, if the title is a series drama, the next time synopsis (if the viewer who saw this time browses this will want to see the next time), etc., corresponds to the pre-reproduction related information. obtain.

  Next, playback-related operations performed by the television receiver 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the reproduction-related operation of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment mainly in that the operations of step S2a and step S2b are performed instead of the operation of step S2.

  That is, after the reproduction target title is specified (step S1), the CPU 8 acquires each pre-reproduction related information of the reproduction target title (step S2a).

  More specifically, the CPU 8 accesses, via the Internet, the VOD server 2 that holds each pre-reproduction related information of the reproduction target title (corresponding to the reproduction target title), and relates to the pre-reproduction related Requests that the information be transmitted to the own device (TV receiver 1). The CPU 8 acquires each pre-reproduction related information that the VOD server 2 transmits in response to the request.

  After acquiring each related information for reproduction, the CPU 8 next executes a first related information display process (step S3). The first related information display process of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the related information for reproduction is used as the related information. That is, the first related information display process of the present embodiment is a process for displaying the related information for reproduction of the reproduction target title or a list thereof before starting the reproduction of the VOD content.

  When the first related information display process is completed, the reproduction of the VOD content is started as in the case of the first embodiment (step S4). Then, when the reproduction of the VOD content is completed, the CPU 8 obtains each post-reproduction related information of the reproduction target title (step S2b).

  More specifically, the CPU 8 accesses, via the Internet, the VOD server 2 that holds each post-reproduction related information of the reproduction target title (corresponding to the reproduction target title), and relates to the post-reproduction related information. Requests that the information be transmitted to the own device (TV receiver 1). The CPU 8 acquires each post-reproduction related information that the VOD server 2 transmits in response to the request.

  When each post-reproduction related information is acquired, the CPU 8 next executes a second related information display process (step S5). Note that the second related information display process of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that post-reproduction related information is used as the related information. That is, the second related information display process of the present embodiment is a process for displaying the related information for reproduction after reproduction of the reproduction target title or the list thereof after the reproduction of the VOD content is finished.

  According to the television receiver 1 of this embodiment, related information for reproduction and a list thereof are displayed before the reproduction of VOD content is started, and related information for reproduction and the related information are displayed after the reproduction of VOD content is finished. A list is displayed. Thereby, it is possible to provide the user with more relevant information according to the timing (before or after playback of the VOD content).

  In the present embodiment, the operation for obtaining the pre-reproduction related information (step S2a) and the operation for obtaining the post-reproduction related information (step S2b) are separate. The operation is performed after the end of the operation using the pre-reproduction related information (step S3). Therefore, the television receiver 1 does not need to hold both the pre-reproduction related information and the post-reproduction related information at the same time, and it is easy to save the memory capacity. However, for example, in the operation of step S2a, not only the pre-reproduction related information but also the post-reproduction related information may be acquired, and the operation of step S2b may be omitted.

3. Others As described above, the television receiver 1 according to each embodiment of the present invention includes a function unit (identification unit) that identifies a reproduction target title that is a title of VOD content to be reproduced, and a VOD of the reproduction target title via the Internet. A function unit (reproduction unit) that obtains content and causes the display 18 to reproduce; a function unit (related information display unit) that performs related information display processing that causes the display 18 to display related information or a list of titles to be reproduced; It has.

  The related information display unit performs related information display processing at least one of before the reproduction is started and after the reproduction is completed. Further, the related information display process is not performed during the period in which the reproduction is performed. Therefore, according to the television receiver 1, it is possible to display related information and the like without forcing the user to operate while preventing high-quality playback display of VOD content.

  The configuration of the present invention can be variously modified in addition to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. That is, the above-described embodiment is an example in all respects, and should be considered not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of the claims, and is understood to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims. Should.

  The present invention can be used in various apparatuses that play back content of a VOD service.

1 TV receiver (content playback device)
2 VOD server 8 CPU
9 Remote control 10 Remote control signal receiver 11 Tuner 12 MPEG decoder 13 Video input terminal 14 Network IF
15 Video / Audio Processing Circuit 16 Speaker 17 OSD Output Circuit 18 Display 19 Memory 31 List of Related Information 32 Options

Claims (6)

A specifying unit for specifying a playback target title that is a title of VOD content to be played back;
A playback unit for acquiring the VOD content of the title to be played back via the Internet and playing it on a display;
A related information display unit for performing related information display processing for causing the display to display related information of the title to be reproduced or a list thereof.
The related information display section
The related information display processing is performed at least one before the reproduction is started and after the reproduction is completed,
The content playback apparatus is characterized in that the related information display process is not performed during the playback period. The specific part is:
In response to a user operation, the playback target title is specified,
The related information display section
2. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the reproduction target title is specified, related information of the reproduction target title is acquired via the Internet. The related information display section
The content according to claim 2, wherein, as the related information display process, a first related information display process is performed before the reproduction is started, and a second related information display process is performed after the reproduction is completed. Playback device. The content playback device according to claim 3, wherein the content playback device accesses a server holding VOD content and related information for each title via the Internet.
The related information display section
Requests the server to transmit related information of the title to be played back to the own device, and performs a first related information display process using information transmitted in response to the request,
The playback unit
When the first related information display processing is completed, the server is requested to transmit the VOD content of the reproduction target title to the own device, and the VOD content transmitted in response to the request is reproduced,
Furthermore, the related information display section
A content playback apparatus that performs a second related information display process when the playback ends. The content playback device according to claim 4, wherein the content information is accessed to the server holding the related information for before reproduction and the related information for after reproduction as the related information,
The related information display section
Using the pre-reproduction related information transmitted from the server, the first related information display processing is performed,
A content playback apparatus that performs a second related information display process using post-playback related information transmitted from the server. Related information display processing
A process of waiting for an operation selection in the list using a predetermined key while displaying a list of related information of the reproduction target title, and displaying the related information on which the operation selection has been made,
6. The content reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process is terminated when the key is not operated within a predetermined waiting time.

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