JP2014049984A - Electronic apparatus, and video content reproduction method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an electronic apparatus capable of easily finding and reproducing a desired video content.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus displays on a display a first list indicative of a video content that matches with a first search condition associated with a first item in response to selection of the first item. The electronic apparatus also displays a second list indicative of a video content that matches with a second search condition associated with a second item in response to selection of the second item, on the display. When one video content in either the first list or the second list is selected, the electronic apparatus continuously reproduces the selected video content and another video content subsequent to the selected one video content in the first or second list.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic device capable of playing back video content and a video content playback method for playing back video content.

  In recent years, various broadcasting services such as terrestrial broadcasting, BS broadcasting, CS broadcasting, CATV, Internet broadcasting, and the like have been used. A user can view broadcast content of a desired channel by operating electronic devices such as a television broadcast receiver, a set top box, and a video recorder.

  Recently, electronic devices capable of simultaneously recording broadcast contents of many channels have been developed.

  Furthermore, a technique for supporting a user to make a reservation for recording broadcast contents and a reproduction operation for recorded contents has been developed.

JP-A-2005-328401

  By the way, a large number of reproducible video content such as recorded broadcast content may include not only video content that is of interest to the user but also video content that is not of interest to the user.

  Therefore, it is necessary to realize a new technique for effectively using a large number of reproducible video contents such as recorded broadcast contents.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a video content playback method capable of easily finding and playing back desired video content.

  According to the embodiment, the electronic device includes a display processing unit and a reproduction processing unit. The display processing means displays the first and second items on a display, and in response to selection of the first item, reproduction that matches the first search condition associated with the first item is possible. A first list showing video content is displayed on the display, and in response to selection of the second item, reproducible video content matching a second search condition associated with the second item is shown. A second list is displayed on the display. The reproduction processing means, when the first reproducible video content in the first list is selected, the first reproducible video content and the first reproducible video content following the first reproducible video content. When other reproducible video content in the list is continuously played and the second reproducible video content in the second list is selected, the second reproducible video content and the second replay Other reproducible video content in the second list following the possible video content is continuously played back.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system including an electronic device according to an embodiment. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a viewing processing unit, a recording processing unit, and a reproduction control processing unit provided in the electronic apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exemplary view showing a plurality of icons (tags) displayed on the screen by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment. The figure which shows the continuous play list displayed according to selection of one of the icons of FIG. The figure which shows the content search and reproduction | regeneration screen displayed by the electronic device of the embodiment, when a "surfing" icon is selected. The figure which shows the content search and reproduction | regeneration screen displayed by the electronic device of the embodiment, when a "golf" icon is selected. FIG. 6 is an exemplary view showing a keyword list pop-up displayed by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment when a “rapidly rising word” icon is selected. 6 is an exemplary view showing a screen which is displayed by the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment and allows a user to set or change a search condition. FIG. FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing a video content view screen displayed as “My program guide” by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a procedure of content reproduction control processing executed by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment. 14 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a procedure of surfing processing which is executed by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment when the “surfing” icon is selected. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a procedure of content reproduction control processing using a user-specified search condition, which is executed by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment. 14 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the procedure of a reproduction control process which is executed by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment when the “program recommended to you” icon is selected. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a procedure of reproduction control processing which is executed by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment when an “ordinary program” icon is selected. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a procedure of a reproduction control process which is executed by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment when a “rapidly rising word” icon is selected. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the procedure of a reproduction control process which is executed by the electronic device of the embodiment when the “Recommend everyone” icon is selected. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the procedure of a “My Program Guide” display process which is executed by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a system including an electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. This electronic device is realized as, for example, a digital television broadcast receiver 11. The electronic device can also be realized as various consumer devices such as a personal video recorder and a personal computer. The digital television broadcast receiver 11 includes a display 14 such as a flat panel display.

  The digital television broadcast receiver 11 can display various broadcast contents, for example, broadcast content included in the BS / CS digital broadcast signal and broadcast content included in the terrestrial digital television broadcast signal. The BS / CS digital broadcast signal is received by the BS / CS digital broadcast receiving antenna 47, and the terrestrial digital television broadcast signal is received by the terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna 52.

  The digital television broadcast receiver 11 is connected to a wired or wireless network 20. The network 20 is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN in the home. The digital television broadcast receiver 11 can communicate with various devices in the home via the network 20 and can also be connected to the Internet 30 via the network 20.

  For example, an information terminal 21 and one or more DMP / DMR devices 22 are connected to the network 20. The DMP / DMR device 22 is a device compliant with the DLNA standard, and can transmit various video contents such as a video clip, a home movie, and a DVD video title to the digital television broadcast receiver 11 via the network 20.

  The digital television broadcast receiving apparatus 11 can display not only broadcast contents but also various video contents received from an external device such as the DMP / DMR device 22. The digital television broadcast receiver 11 can also display various video contents received from the content distribution site 31 on the Internet 30.

  Furthermore, the digital television broadcast receiver 11 also has a cloud cooperation function for cooperation with the server 32 on the Internet 30. This cloud cooperation function can be used to receive various information from the server 32, for example, metadata of each broadcast content, a tag list of each broadcast content, ranking information of popular broadcast content, and the like. The metadata of each broadcast content includes information indicating the guidance of each broadcast program (program title, genre, broadcast date and time, performers, etc.), similar to the electronic program guide information (EPG). Furthermore, the metadata of each broadcast content may include detailed information of each broadcast program. The detailed information may include, for example, some images related to the program, text describing the description related to the program, and the like. The tag list corresponding to a certain broadcast program is information including a title of the program and a plurality of tags (bookmarks) for specifying a plurality of cue positions in the program. By using this tag list, for example, it is possible to perform processing for reproducing only some scenes in which a specific person appears.

  The user can not only remotely operate the digital television broadcast receiver 11 using the remote control unit 12 but also remotely operate the digital television broadcast receiver 11 using the information terminal 21. In this case, the information terminal 21 transmits various commands to the digital television broadcast receiver 11 using the Internet protocol (IP). In addition, the information terminal 21 can receive the above-described various information from the server 32.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the digital television broadcast receiver 11.
The digital television broadcast receiver 11 includes broadcast signal input terminals 48 and 53, a BS tuner 49, a plurality of digital terrestrial broadcast tuners 54, a PSK (Phase Shift Keying) demodulator 50, and a plurality of OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) demodulation. Device 55, signal processing unit 51, audio processing unit 59, graphic processing unit 58, OSD signal generation unit 61, video processing unit 62, control unit 65, and the like.

  BS / CS digital broadcast receiving antenna 47 and terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna 52 are connected to broadcast signal input terminal 48 and broadcast signal input terminal 53, respectively.

  The control unit 65 controls the operation of each unit in the digital television broadcast receiver 11. The control unit 65 includes a CPU 71, ROM 66, RAM 67, and nonvolatile memory 68. The ROM 66 stores a control program executed by the CPU 71. The nonvolatile memory 68 stores various setting information and recording reservation information. The CPU 71 controls the operation of each unit in the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus 11 by executing the above-described control program, thereby performing various video content viewing processing such as broadcast content, various video content recording processing, Performs playback processing of various recorded video contents. Here, the viewing process means a process (live reproduction process) of displaying broadcast content currently being broadcast. The playback process means a process of acquiring recorded broadcast content from a storage medium and playing it back, or a process of playing back video content received by streaming from another device.

  The BS / CS digital broadcast receiving antenna 47 receives a satellite digital television broadcast signal. The BS / CS digital broadcast receiving antenna 47 outputs the received satellite digital television broadcast signal to the satellite digital broadcast tuner 49 via the input terminal 48. The tuner 49 selects a broadcast signal of an arbitrary channel from this broadcast signal. The tuner 49 outputs the selected broadcast signal to the PSK demodulator 50. The PSK demodulator 50 demodulates the broadcast signal selected by the tuner 49 to generate a digital video signal and audio signal. The PSK demodulator 50 outputs the digital video signal and audio signal generated by the demodulation to the signal processing unit 51.

  The terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna 52 receives a terrestrial digital television broadcast signal. The terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna 52 outputs a terrestrial digital television broadcast signal to each tuner 54 via an input terminal 53. Each tuner 54 selects a broadcast signal of an arbitrary channel from this broadcast signal. Each tuner 54 outputs the selected broadcast signal to the corresponding OFDM demodulator 55. Each OFDM demodulator 55 demodulates the broadcast signal selected by the corresponding tuner 54 to generate a digital video signal and audio signal. Each OFDM demodulator 55 outputs a digital video signal and audio signal generated by the demodulation to the signal processing unit 51.

  A plurality of external input terminals 60 are connected to the signal processing unit 51. The external input terminal 60 is a terminal for inputting a video signal and an audio signal from the outside to the digital television broadcast receiver 11.

  The signal processing unit 51 performs predetermined digital signal processing on the video signal and audio signal input from the external input terminal 60 or the video signal and audio signal output from the PSK demodulator 50 or the OFDM demodulator 55. . The signal processing unit 51 outputs the video signal and audio signal subjected to predetermined digital signal processing to the graphic processing unit 58 and the audio processing unit 59.

  The audio processing unit 59 converts the input digital audio signal into an analog audio signal that can be reproduced by the speaker 15. The audio processing unit 59 outputs this analog audio signal to the speaker 15. The speaker 15 outputs a sound corresponding to the input analog audio signal.

  The graphic processor 58 superimposes an OSD signal such as a menu generated by an OSD (On Screen Display) signal generator 61 on the digital video signal output from the signal processor 51. The graphic processing unit 58 outputs a video signal on which the OSD signal is superimposed to the video processing unit 62. Further, the graphic processing unit 58 may selectively output the video signal that is the output of the signal processing unit 51 and the OSD signal that is the output of the OSD signal generation unit 61.

  The video processing unit 62 performs various image quality improvement processes on the input digital video signal. Then, the video processing unit 62 supplies the digital video signal subjected to the image quality improvement processing to the display 14.

  The operation unit 80 is an operation panel including various operation switches such as a main power switch and a channel switching switch. The light receiving unit 81 receives (receives) the infrared remote operation signal transmitted by the remote controller unit 12. The card interface unit 82 is a controller that accesses a memory card that is detachably attached to the card holder 83. The communication interface unit 84 is a LAN controller, and is connected to a router or the like in the network 20 described above via a LAN cable connected to the LAN terminal 85.

  The USB interface unit 84 is a controller that accesses the storage device 100 connected to the USB terminal. The storage device 100 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDMI interface unit 88 executes communication with an external HDMI device.

  FIG. 3 shows a viewing processing unit 201, a recording processing unit 202, and a playback control processing unit 203 provided in the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus 11. These viewing processing unit 201, recording processing unit 202, and playback control processing unit 203 may be realized as a computer program executed by CPU 71.

  The viewing processing unit 201 executes processing for displaying the currently broadcast content (broadcast program data) selected by the tuner 49 or the tuner 54 on the display 14. The recording processing unit 202 executes “normal recording processing” and “time shift machine recording processing”. The “normal recording process” is a recording process for recording the individual broadcast program data designated or reserved for recording in the storage device 100 by the user. “Time-shift machine recording process” automatically stores broadcast program data of each recording target channel broadcasted on the set day and time based on the channel number, day of the week, and time set by the user. This is a recording process for recording in a specific storage area in the device 100. For example, if all channel numbers, all days of the week, and time zone 19:00 to 23:00 are set, broadcast programs of all channels broadcast in time zone 19: 0 to 23:00 are recorded every day. The In addition, all 24 hours a day can be set as a recording target time zone.

  When the free space in the specific storage area is insufficient, the oldest broadcast program data in the specific storage area is automatically deleted (loop recording). By using the large-capacity storage device 100, for example, a large number of broadcast programs (time-shift recording programs) for the past several weeks can be always held in the specific storage area.

  The playback control unit 203 has a content search / playback function that allows the user to easily find desired video content from among a large number of playable video content. The reproducible video content may be recorded broadcast content such as a program recorded by the above-described “time shift machine recording process” (time shift recording program). Alternatively, the reproducible video content may be video content that can be received from an external device such as the DMP / DMR device 22 or video content that can be received from the content distribution site 31. Alternatively, both video content that can be received from an external device or content distribution site 31 and recorded broadcast content may be used as reproducible video content.

  This content search / playback function finds playable video content that matches a specific search condition, and continuously plays back the found playable video content. A plurality of different search conditions are prepared in advance, and any search condition within the plurality of search conditions is selected according to a user operation.

  As a search condition, a search condition depending on the video content (broadcast program) being viewed or reproduced and a search condition independent of the video content (broadcast program) being viewed or reproduced can be used.

  As a search condition depending on the video content being viewed or reproduced, a search condition indicating attributes (genre, title name, keyword, performer, etc.) of the video content being viewed / reproduced can be used. Accordingly, for example, other reproducible video content related to the currently viewed broadcast program (for example, a recorded program related to the currently viewed broadcast program) can be presented to the user. It is also possible to present other reproducible video content related to the recorded broadcast program currently being played back to the user.

  As a search condition that does not depend on the video content being viewed or reproduced, any search condition that is not related to the attribute of the video content being viewed / reproduced can be used.

  The content search / playback function includes an item associated with a search condition indicating an attribute of video content being viewed / played back and any of several search conditions unrelated to the attribute of the video content being watched / played back Presents to the user several items each associated with. Thus, the user can selectively use the operation of finding another program related to the program that the user is currently viewing and the operation of finding another program that is not related to the program that the user is currently viewing.

  The list of reproducible video contents found (continuous reproduction list) is displayed on the display 14. Continuous playback of these playable video contents can be started from any video content selected from the continuous playback list by the user.

  For example, assume a case where four video contents matching a specific search condition are found. In this case, the above-described continuous reproduction list is generated by arranging these four video contents in an order according to a predetermined standard. For example, when the second video content in the continuous playback list is selected by the user, the playback of the second video content is started first. Then, unless the user performs an operation for stopping the reproduction, the reproduction of the third video content is automatically started when the reproduction of the second video content is completed. Then, unless the user performs an operation for stopping the reproduction, the reproduction of the fourth video content is automatically started when the reproduction of the third video content is completed.

  In this way, these video contents are automatically and continuously reproduced as if they were a group of programs that are sequentially broadcast on a specific channel. Since all of the above four video contents are contents that match the search condition selected by the user, the above-mentioned “certain channel” is a virtual channel that broadcasts a program group suitable for the user's preference. It can be said. The user can sequentially view each video content in the continuous playback list by performing only one operation of selecting a video content in the continuous playback list.

  As described above, each program recorded by the “time shift machine recording process” is automatically deleted in the order of the recording date and time. For this reason, when there is content to be deleted soon on the continuous playback list, a mark indicating that “soon to be deleted” may be given to the content.

  The playback control unit 203 includes a content list display processing unit 211, a playback processing unit 212, and a my program guide display processing unit 213 in order to execute a content search / playback function.

  The content list display processing unit 211 displays a plurality of items (for example, a plurality of icons) on the screen of the display 14. The plurality of items are associated with the different search conditions described above. The content list display processing unit 211 finds playable video content that matches the search condition associated with the item selected by the user (search). Then, the content search / playback function generates a list of found video contents, that is, the above-described continuous playback list, and displays the continuous playback list on the screen of the display 14.

  When the first video content in the continuous playback list is selected by the user, the playback processing unit 212 has the first video content and the other video content in the continuous playback list following the first video content, respectively. Are played continuously.

  Assume that the first and second search conditions are prepared. In this case, the content list display processing unit 211 causes the display 14 to display the first and second items. When the first item is selected by the user, the content list display processing unit 211 finds a reproducible video content that matches the first search condition associated with the first item, A first list (first continuous playback list) indicating the reproduced video content that has been played is displayed on the display 14. On the other hand, if the second item is selected by the user, the content list display processing unit 211 finds a reproducible video content that matches the second search condition associated with the second item, and finds this find. A second list (second continuous playback list) indicating the reproduced video content that has been played is displayed on the display 14. The user simply performs an operation of selecting one of the first and second items without performing an operation for inputting a search condition, and what kind of content matches the desired search condition. You can easily know if it exists.

  When one video content in the first or second continuous playback list is selected by the user, the playback processing unit 212 converts the selected video content and the selected video content into one selected video content. Other video contents in either the subsequent first or second continuous playback list are continuously played back.

  The my program guide display processing unit 213 arranges a plurality of continuous playlists corresponding to a plurality of different search conditions, and arranges a plurality of search conditions into different channels, thereby displaying a program guide-format video content view screen (“My Program guide ") is generated, and this video content view screen (" My program guide ") is displayed on the display 14.

  FIG. 4 shows a content search / playback screen displayed by the playback control unit 203. This content search / playback screen is displayed on the screen of the display 14 when, for example, a specific button on the remote control unit 12 is pressed. An icon display area 301 and an icon name display area 302 are defined in this content search / playback screen. The icon display area 301 displays a plurality of icons as a tag list. These icons correspond to the items described above. The search conditions described above are associated with these icons. In accordance with the operation of the left arrow key or the right arrow key on the remote control unit 12, the icon group (tag list) on the icon display area 301 is scrolled leftward or rightward. The icon (tag) located at the center is automatically focused (selected). The icon name display area 302 is arranged below the focused icon. The icon name display area 302 indicates the icon name of the focused icon, that is, the name of the content search / playback function corresponding to the search condition associated with the focused icon.

  In the present embodiment, the following content search / playback functions are prepared.

(1) “Surfing” Function In the “surfing” function, a search condition based on attributes (genre, title name, keyword, performer, etc.) of video content currently being viewed (or currently being played) is used. Then, reproducible video content related to the video content currently being viewed (or currently being played back) is found. The found reproducible video content is rearranged in descending order of relevance with the video content currently being viewed (or currently being played), for example. Then, a list of reproducible video contents arranged in descending order of relevance is generated and displayed as the above-described continuous playback list.

(2) “User-designated search” function The “user-designated search” function is one of content search / playback functions that do not depend on the broadcast program being viewed or played. This “user specified search” function finds a reproducible video content that matches a predetermined search condition unrelated to the attribute of the video content being viewed or reproduced and displays a continuous reproduction list. In this case, as the search condition, a search condition that is not associated with the video content being viewed or reproduced and can be set or changed by the user is used. For example, the user can set an arbitrary genre, an arbitrary keyword, an arbitrary performer, or an arbitrary program symbol as a search condition. Examples of the program symbol include a program symbol indicating a new program.

  When a search condition is newly set by the user, a new icon associated with the set search condition is displayed on the icon display area 301. When the search condition corresponding to the existing icon is changed by the user, the existing icon is deleted, and a new icon associated with the changed search condition is displayed on the icon display area 301.

  Note that some search conditions corresponding to the “user-designated search” function may be set in advance in the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus 11 when the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus 11 is shipped from the factory. For example, a search condition for designating the genre “golf” and a search condition for designating the genre “movie” may be used as the search conditions set at the time of shipment of the digital television broadcast receiver 11. In this case, an icon corresponding to the genre “golf” and an icon corresponding to the genre “movie” are displayed on the icon display area 301. When an icon corresponding to the genre “golf” is selected by the user, video content that matches the search condition of the genre “golf” is found from the reproducible video content, and the found video content is indicated. A continuous playlist is displayed on the screen of the display 14.

(3) “Recommended Program for You” Function The “Recommended Program for You” function is one of content search / reproduction functions that do not depend on the broadcast program being viewed or reproduced. This “recommended program for you” function uses a search condition based on the user's preference of the digital television broadcast receiver 11 to find a reproducible video content that matches the user's preference and displays a continuous playlist. To do. Information about user preferences can be obtained by learning a history of user operations related to viewing, playback, recording, and dubbing of video content.

  For example, when a broadcast program that is currently being broadcast is viewed by the user, the attributes of the viewed broadcast program such as genre, keyword, performer, etc. are stored, and these genre, keyword, performer, etc. A predetermined point (for example, 1 point) is given to each attribute. When a certain broadcast program is recorded, another point (for example, 3 points) is given to each attribute of the recorded broadcast program such as genre, keyword, and performer. Further, when a recorded broadcast program is reproduced, another point (for example, two points) is given to each attribute such as a genre, a keyword, and a performer of the reproduced broadcast program. Further, when a recorded broadcast program is dubbed to an external storage medium, another point (for example, 5 points) is provided for each attribute such as the genre, keyword, performer, etc. of the dubbed broadcast program. Is granted.

  Information indicating the user's preference can be obtained by counting the points of each attribute.

  Note that the process of learning the history of user operations related to viewing, playback, recording, and dubbing of video content may be executed in the digital television broadcast receiver 11 or may be executed by the server 32.

(4) “Normal Program” Function The “normal program” function is one of content search / playback functions that do not depend on the broadcast program being viewed or played. This “ordinary program” function matches the user's habit by using a search condition based on the habit of what kind of video content the user of the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus 11 is watching at what time. The reproducible video content is found and a continuous playlist is displayed. The information related to the user's habit is, for example, the attribute of the video content that is operated for viewing or reproduction by the user, and the timing (for example, day of the week, time zone, etc.) when the operation for viewing or reproduction is performed Can be obtained by learning.

  When a recorded broadcast program is reproduced by the user, a flag may be given to a recorded broadcast program of the same series as the reproduced recorded broadcast program. Then, a continuous reproduction list indicating the recorded broadcast program to which the flag is assigned may be displayed. In this case, the recorded broadcast programs to which the flags are assigned may be rearranged in the order of the number of assigned flags.

  The process of learning the user's habits may be executed in the digital television broadcast receiver 11 or may be executed by the server 32.

(5) “Rapidly rising word” function The “rapidly rising word” function is one of content search / reproducing functions that do not depend on a broadcast program being viewed or reproduced. In this “rapidly rising word” function, a keyword (hot word) whose degree of attention is rapidly increasing is used as the search condition described above. A reproducible video content including a keyword (hot word) whose attention level is rapidly increasing is found, and a continuous play list indicating the found reproducible video content is displayed.

  The hot word may be determined based on the contents of the keyword group extracted from each recorded broadcast program. For example, a keyword is extracted from a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the above-described “time shift mine recording process”, and a learning process is performed to total the appearance frequency of the keyword for each keyword. Then, each of the keywords whose appearance frequency increase rate is higher than the reference value or the top several keywords whose appearance frequency increase rate is high is determined as a hot word.

  The process of learning the appearance frequency of each keyword may be executed in the digital television broadcast receiver 11 or may be executed by the server 32. Hot word information may be downloaded from various service sites on the Internet.

(6) “Recommended program for everyone” function The “Recommended program for everyone” function is one of the content search / reproduction functions independent of the broadcast program being viewed or reproduced. In this “recommended program for everyone” function, a search condition based on ranking information obtained by ranking video content based on the recording reservation status of video content in each of the plurality of electronic devices registered in the server 32 is used. The That is, reproducible video content (broadcast program with a large number of recording reservations) ranked higher by the ranking information is found, and a continuous play list indicating the found reproducible video content is displayed.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a continuous playback list displayed on the content search / playback screen.

  In FIG. 5, it is assumed that content A, content B, content C, content D, and content E that match a certain search condition are found, and a continuous reproduction list 303 showing these contents AE is displayed. . When one content in the continuous playback list 303 is selected by the user, the selected content and other content in the continuous playback list 303 subsequent to the selected content are continuously played back. For example, when the content B in the continuous playback list 303 is selected by the user, the content B is first played back in the full screen mode. Then, when the reproduction of the content B is completed, the content C is reproduced in the full screen mode. Then, when the reproduction of the content C is completed, the content D is reproduced in the full screen mode.

  In this way, the contents B, C, D, and E are automatically and continuously reproduced as if the contents B, C, D, and E are programs broadcast on the same channel.

  If there is content to be deleted soon in the content on the continuous playback list 303, a mark “soon to be deleted” may be displayed in a state associated with this content. In this case, the playback control unit 203 determines whether or not each found content is content that is deleted from the storage device 100 after a predetermined period, that is, whether or not the content has passed a predetermined period from the recording date and time. judge. Then, the playback control unit 203 displays the “soon to delete” mark in association with the content to be deleted soon.

  On the continuous playback list 303, a plurality of contents may be displayed in chronological order from the newest or oldest recording date and time, but the continuous playback list 303 corresponding to the recommended content search / playback function is displayed. In the above, it is preferable that a plurality of contents are displayed in order of recommendation instead of time series. For example, the continuous play list 303 may be created by rearranging the contents in descending order of the degree of matching with the search condition.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a content search / playback screen corresponding to the “surfing” function described above.
For example, when a specific key on the remote control unit 12 is operated by the user, a plurality of icons 401 to 407 are displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. The icon 401 is an item associated with a search condition corresponding to the above-mentioned “user specified search” function. Here, it is assumed that the search condition of the genre “movie” is associated with the icon 401. The icon 402 is also an item associated with a search condition corresponding to the above-mentioned “user specified search” function. Here, it is assumed that the search condition of the genre “golf” is associated with the icon 402.

  The icon 403 is an item associated with a search condition corresponding to the “program recommended to you” function described above. An icon 404 is an item associated with a search condition corresponding to the above-described “surfing” function (“other such program” function). The icon 405 is an item associated with a search condition corresponding to the “rapidly rising word” function. The icon 406 is an item associated with a search condition corresponding to the above-mentioned “ordinary program” function. The icon 407 is an item associated with a search condition corresponding to the “everybody's recommended program” function.

  As described above, the icons 401 to 407 are scrolled leftward or rightward according to the operation of the left arrow key or the right arrow key on the remote control unit 12. The icon at the center is automatically focused (selected).

  In FIG. 6, it is assumed that the icon 404 is selected. Under the focused icon 404, the name of the currently selected content search / playback function, in this case, "other such program" is displayed.

  In the “surfing” function (“other such programs” function), video content related to the program currently being viewed or played in the style of the main screen and multiple sub-screens (multiple related screens) A list of will be displayed. That is, the video of the broadcast program 411 currently being viewed or reproduced is displayed in the first area (main screen) on the screen of the display 14, and the continuous playlist 412 indicating a plurality of video contents related to the program 411 is It is displayed in the second area on the screen of the display 14. That is, a plurality of sub-screens are arranged in the vertical direction in the second area, and still images and various guidance information corresponding to the plurality of related video contents are displayed on the plurality of sub-screens. .

  The size of the second area is set smaller than that of the first area (main screen), and still images of a plurality of video contents related to the broadcast program 411 are respectively displayed on the plurality of sub-screens on the second area. Is displayed.

  As the reproducible video content, recorded broadcast content (recorded broadcast program) may be used. In this case, in this continuous playback list 412, thumbnail still images, title names, channel numbers, broadcast date and time, etc. of each recorded broadcast program related to the program currently being viewed or currently played back may be displayed. .

  When the “surfing” function is activated, the uppermost content (program) on the continuous reproduction list 412 is focused. The focus can be moved to another content on the continuous playlist 412 in accordance with the operation of the up arrow key or the down arrow key on the remote control unit 12. When the “OK” key on the remote control unit 12 is operated, the currently focused (selected) content is played in the full screen mode.

  When the broadcast program 411 currently being viewed or reproduced is switched to another broadcast program, a list of contents related to the other broadcast programs is newly generated and displayed as the continuous reproduction list 412. Is done.

  In addition, video content related to the current scene of the video content being viewed or reproduced has been recorded so that the content of the continuous playback list 412 is changed according to the change of the scene of the video content being viewed or reproduced. You may make it find out from reproducible video content like broadcast program data. In this case, for example, information (metadata, tag list, etc.) indicating the start position of a scene where a specific person appears may be acquired from the server 32. When a scene where a specific person with a current viewing position / current playback position of video content being viewed or played appears, the content of the current continuous playlist is updated to show a list of video content related to this scene A new continuous playlist is generated and displayed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a continuous playlist 412 displayed when each function other than the “surfing” function is selected. In FIG. 7, it is assumed that the “golf” icon 402 is selected. In the continuous reproduction list 412, a list of reproducible video contents whose genre is golf is displayed in the recommended order described above. For example, in the continuous playback list 412, thumbnail still images, title names, channel numbers, broadcast dates and times of recorded broadcast programs whose genre is golf may be displayed.

  FIG. 8 shows a keyword list 413 that pops up when the “rapidly rising word” icon 405 is selected. The keyword list 413 shows a list of keywords (including person names) determined as “rapidly rising words”. The user can select an arbitrary keyword (or person name) from the keyword list 413. When a certain keyword (or person name) is selected, video content (recorded broadcast program, etc.) corresponding to the selected keyword (or person name) is searched, and the searched video content (recorded broadcast program, etc.) is searched. ) Is generated and displayed.

  FIG. 9 shows a screen for allowing the user to set or change the search condition of the “user specified search” function. Here, it is assumed that the search condition to be assigned to the “golf” icon 402 is changed. On the screen for setting or changing the search condition, a genre (sub-genre) setting field 421, a keyword setting field 422, an excluded keyword setting field 423, a program symbol setting field 424, a channel setting field 425, and the like are displayed. The user can set an arbitrary search condition by specifying a genre (sub-genre), a keyword, an excluded keyword, a program symbol, a channel, and the like. When the setting completion button 426 is selected by a user operation, a search based on setting contents of a genre (sub-genre) setting field 421, a keyword setting field 422, an excluded keyword setting field 423, a program symbol setting field 424, and a channel setting field 425. The condition is registered.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the above-mentioned “My program guide”.
The “My program guide” in FIG. 10 is configured by arranging five continuous playback lists respectively corresponding to the five search conditions set by the user. In the “My Program Guide” of FIG. 10, golf CH, “AAAAA” CH, “BBBBB” CH, animation CH, and recommended CH are used as channel names.

  Golf CH is a virtual channel corresponding to a search condition that specifies the genre “golf”. Below this golf CH virtual channel, a list of video contents (recorded broadcast programs, etc.) that match the search condition of the genre “golf” is displayed. “AAAAA” CH is a virtual channel corresponding to a search condition for designating a certain artist name (“AAAAA”). A list of video contents (recorded broadcast programs, etc.) in which a person with the designated artist name (“AAAAA”) appears is displayed under the virtual channel “AAAAAA” CH. “BBBBB” CH is a virtual channel corresponding to a search condition for designating another artist name (“BBBBB”). A list of video contents (recorded broadcast programs, etc.) in which a person with the designated artist name (“BBBBB”) appears is displayed under the virtual channel of “BBBBB” CH.

  The animation CH is a virtual channel corresponding to a search condition for specifying the genre “animation”. A list of video contents (recorded broadcast programs, etc.) that match the search condition of the genre “animation” is displayed under the virtual channel of the animation CH. The recommended CH is, for example, a virtual channel corresponding to the above-mentioned “recommended program for you” function.

  When a certain content (program) in the “My Program Guide” is focused, detailed information (thumbnail still image, channel number, broadcast date, title, subtitle, etc.) of the focused program is displayed on the screen. . When the “OK” key on the remote control unit 12 is operated, the currently focused (selected) program is played in the full screen mode.

  When the reproduction of the currently focused (selected) program is completed, the reproduction of the next program in the same virtual channel may be automatically started. For example, if the second content from the top in the content list corresponding to “BBBBB” CH in FIG. 10 is selected, each content in the content list corresponding to “BBBBB” CH is consecutive from the second content. May be played.

  Next, the procedure of content reproduction control processing executed by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When a user operates a specific button on the remote control unit 12 to which the above-described content search / playback function is assigned, the playback control unit 203 displays the plurality of icons 401 to 407 on the screen as a tag list. (Step S11). Different search conditions are associated with the icons 401 to 407. Then, the playback control unit 203 uses, for example, a search condition associated with the icon (selected tag) selected from the icons 401 to 407 to search for the specific storage area in the storage device 100 described above, As a result, video content that matches the above-described search condition is found (step S12). The specific storage area in the storage device 100 stores a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the “time shift machine recording process”. Therefore, a broadcast program group included in these many recorded broadcast programs and matching the above search condition is found as video content matching the above search condition.

  The playback control unit 203 generates a content list (continuous playback list) by arranging the found video contents in a predetermined order, and displays the generated continuous playback list on the screen (step S13). When a certain video content in the continuous playback list is selected by a user operation, the playback control unit 203 continuously plays back each video content in the continuous playback list from the selected video content (step S14). .

  Next, a procedure of processing executed by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when the “surfing” icon is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Here, it is assumed that the “surfing” icon is selected during viewing of a broadcast program (live broadcast program) currently being broadcast. The reproduction control unit 203 displays the video of the broadcast program being viewed in the first area (main screen) on the screen of the display 14 (step S21). Then, the playback control unit 203 uses the search condition associated with the “surfing” icon, for example, to search for the specific storage area in the storage device 100 described above, and thereby the video related to the broadcast program being viewed. Content is found (step S22). As described above, a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the “time shift machine recording process” are stored in the specific storage area in the storage device 100. Therefore, a broadcast program group included in these many recorded broadcast programs and related to the broadcast program being viewed is found. In step S22, the reproduction control unit 203 generates a content list (continuous reproduction list) by arranging the found broadcast program groups in descending order of similarity, and this continuous reproduction list is displayed on the second screen on the screen of the display 14. Display in the area. Thus, thumbnail still images, channel numbers, program titles and the like corresponding to the plurality of recorded programs related to the broadcast program being viewed are displayed on the plurality of sub-screens on the second area.

  When a certain video content in the continuous playback list is selected by a user operation, the playback control unit 203 continuously plays back each video content in the continuous playback list from the selected video content (step S23). .

  It should be noted that the contents in the continuous playback list may be automatically updated according to changes in the scene of the broadcast program being viewed / played. In this case, the playback control unit 203 relates to the current scene of the video content being viewed or played so that the content of the continuous playlist is changed according to the change of the scene of the video content being viewed or played. Find the recorded video content.

  Here, the case where each video content indicated by continuous playback on the screen corresponding to the “surfing” function has been described has been described, but each video content indicated by the continuous playback list on the screen corresponding to the “surfing” function. It may be possible for the user to select whether or not to continuously reproduce. In this case, the playback control unit 203 or the playback processing unit 212 may display a setting menu related to the “surfing” function on the screen of the display 14. This setting menu includes setting items for allowing the user to select in advance whether to enable or disable continuous playback of playable video content indicated by the continuous playback list 412 on the screen of the “surfing” function. When the validity of continuous playback has already been selected by the user, the playback control unit 203 plays back each video content in the continuous playback list continuously from the selected video content. On the other hand, when invalidity of continuous playback has already been selected by the user, the playback control unit 203 does not execute continuous playback of video content. In this case, the playback control unit 203 plays back only the video content selected by the user from the video content in the continuous playback list.

  Next, a procedure of processing executed by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when an icon corresponding to the “user specified search” function is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The playback control unit 203 uses, for example, the search condition associated with the selected icon to search for the specific storage area in the storage device 100 described above, and thereby the search condition (genre, keyword, performer) described above. , Or a program symbol) is found (step S31). As described above, a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the “time shift machine recording process” are stored in the specific storage area in the storage device 100. Therefore, a broadcast program group included in these many recorded broadcast programs and matching the above-described search conditions is found. The reproduction control unit 203 generates a continuous reproduction list indicating the found broadcast program group, and displays this continuous reproduction list on the screen of the display 14 (step S32).

  If a certain video content in the continuous playback list is selected by a user operation, the playback control unit 203 continuously plays back each video content in the continuous playback list from the selected video content (step S33). .

  Next, a procedure of processing executed by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when an icon corresponding to the “program recommended for you” function is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The playback control unit 203 executes processing for learning user preferences based on the history of user operations related to viewing, playback, recording, and dubbing of video content in the background (step S41). Through this learning process, information indicating what attributes (genre, keyword, performer, etc.) the user is interested in can be generated.

  When the icon corresponding to the “recommended program for you” function is selected, the playback control unit 203 uses, for example, the above-described storage device 100 using the search condition based on the user's preference obtained by the above learning. A specific storage area is searched, and thereby video content that matches the search conditions (genre, keyword, performer, etc.) based on the user's preference is found (step S42). As described above, a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the “time shift machine recording process” are stored in the specific storage area in the storage device 100. Therefore, a broadcast program group included in these many recorded broadcast programs and matching the user's preference is found. The reproduction control unit 203 generates a continuous reproduction list indicating the found broadcast program group, and displays this continuous reproduction list on the screen of the display 14 (step S43).

  When a certain video content in the continuous playback list is selected by a user operation, the playback control unit 203 continuously plays back each video content in the continuous playback list from the selected video content (step S44). .

  Next, a procedure of processing executed by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when an icon corresponding to the “ordinary program” function is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The playback control unit 203 performs a process of learning the user's habits indicating what kind of program is being played when and based on the attribute of the video content played by the user and the playback timing (day of the week, time zone). The process is executed on the ground (step S51). By this learning process, information indicating when and what attribute (genre, keyword, performer, etc.) the user has played back can be generated. Here, the case where the user's habits are learned by using the history of the reproduction operation by the user has been described, but the viewing operation by the user can be performed instead of or in addition to the history of the reproduction operation. History may be learned.

  When the icon corresponding to the “ordinary program” function is selected, the playback control unit 203 uses the search condition corresponding to the user's habits obtained by the above learning, and the time zone corresponding to the current date and time. And the attribute (genre, keyword, performer, etc.) of the program that is viewed or reproduced by the user on the day of the week is determined as a search condition corresponding to the user's habit. Then, the playback control unit 203 searches, for example, the specific storage area in the storage device 100 described above, and selects video content that matches the search conditions (genre, keyword, performer, etc.) corresponding to the user's habits. Find out (step S52). As described above, a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the “time shift machine recording process” are stored in the specific storage area in the storage device 100. Therefore, a broadcast program group included in these many recorded broadcast programs and matching the user's preference is found. The reproduction control unit 203 generates a continuous reproduction list indicating the found broadcast program group, and displays this continuous reproduction list on the screen of the display 14 (step S53).

  When a certain video content in the continuous playback list is selected by a user operation, the playback control unit 203 continuously plays back each video content in the continuous playback list from the selected video content (step S54). .

  Next, a procedure of processing executed by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when an icon corresponding to the “rapidly rising word” function is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The playback control unit 203 extracts a keyword from each of a large number of recorded broadcast programs, and executes a process of specifying a keyword whose appearance frequency has rapidly increased as a “rapidly rising word” (hotword) in the background (step S61). The process of extracting a keyword may be executed using broadcast program metadata or EPG information. Further, the process of specifying a hot word may be executed by the server 32.

  When the icon corresponding to the “rapidly rising word” function is selected, the reproduction control unit 203 displays a list of keywords specified as hot words on the screen of the display 14 (step S62). When a certain keyword (a hot word) in the keyword list is selected by the user, the playback control unit 203 searches, for example, the specific storage area in the storage device 100 described above, and selects the selected keyword (hot word). ) Is found (step S63). Since a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the “time shift machine recording process” are stored in the specific storage area in the storage device 100, the keywords (hotwords) included in these many recorded broadcast programs and selected. ) Is found. The reproduction control unit 203 generates a continuous reproduction list indicating the found broadcast program group, and displays the continuous reproduction list on the screen of the display 14 (step S64).

  When a certain video content in the continuous playback list is selected by a user operation, the playback control unit 203 continuously plays back each video content in the continuous playback list from the selected video content (step S65). .

  Next, a procedure of processing executed by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when the icon corresponding to the “Recommend Everyone” function is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The reproduction control unit 203 transmits recording reservation information indicating a program for which recording of “normal recording processing” is reserved by the user to the server 32 (upload). The server 32 generates the ranking information described above based on the recording reservation information uploaded from each electronic device (step S71).

  When the icon corresponding to the “everybody's recommended program” function is selected, the reproduction control unit 203 acquires ranking information from the server 32 (step S72). The ranking information may be acquired in advance before the icon corresponding to the “everybody recommended program” function is selected.

  For example, the playback control unit 203 searches the specific storage area in the storage device 100 described above, and finds video content that matches the search condition based on the ranking information described above (step S73). As described above, a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the “time shift machine recording process” are stored in the specific storage area in the storage device 100. Therefore, a popular broadcast program group included in these many recorded broadcast programs and reserved for recording by many users is found. The reproduction control unit 203 generates a continuous reproduction list indicating the found broadcast program group, and displays the continuous reproduction list on the screen of the display 14 (step S74).

  When a certain video content in the continuous playback list is selected by a user operation, the playback control unit 203 continuously plays back each video content in the continuous playback list from the selected video content (step S75). .

  Next, the procedure of the “My Program Guide” display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, it is assumed that a “My Program Guide” is generated that includes the first and second search conditions selected by the user as virtual channels.

  The playback control unit 203 searches the specific storage area in the storage device 100 described above, finds video content that matches the first search condition selected by the user, and sets the second search condition selected by the user. A matching video content is found (step S81). The playback control unit 203 arranges a continuous playback list indicating video content matching the first search condition and a continuous playback list indicating video content matching the second search condition side by side, thereby arranging the first search condition. A “my program guide” is generated in which the (search tag corresponding to the first search condition) and the second search condition (tag corresponding to the second search condition) are regarded as different channels (virtual channels). "My program guide" is displayed on the screen of the display 14 (step S82).

  When a certain video content in the “My Program Guide” is selected by a user operation, the playback control unit 203, for example, selects each video content belonging to the same virtual channel as the selected video content. The content is continuously reproduced (step S83).

  The content search / playback function of the present embodiment makes it possible to effectively use a large number of programs recorded by the “time shift machine recording process”. In other words, the “time shift machine recording process” has advantages such that a recording reservation operation for each individual program is not required, and that a user forgets to make a recording reservation. On the other hand, if the “time shift machine recording process” is used, a program that is not of interest to the user may be recorded.

  The content search / playback function of the present embodiment is recorded content under various search conditions such as a search condition associated with video content being viewed or played back and a search condition not associated with video content being viewed or played back. By filtering, content related to the content being viewed / played, content unrelated to the content being watched / played (for example, content that matches the user's preference, content that matches the fashion of the world, etc.) Can be easily searched and played. Also, instead of simple content playback, a continuous playback list of content that matches the search conditions is created and displayed, so that once the playback is started, the program that the user is interested in is continuously played back without any user operation. Therefore, it is possible to improve user convenience.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first and second items (icons) are displayed, and the first search associated with the first item in response to the selection of the first item. A first list showing video content matching the condition is displayed, and in response to selection of the second item, a second list showing video content matching the second search condition associated with the second item A list is displayed. When one video content in either the first or second list is selected, the selected video content and the first or second following the selected video content. Other video contents in any of the lists are continuously played back. Therefore, desired video content can be easily found from the reproducible video content and played back.

  Since the content search / playback function of the present embodiment can be realized by a computer program, the computer program has a function of recording and playing back content using a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program. The effect similar to that of the present embodiment can be easily realized simply by installing and executing on a computer.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Digital television broadcast receiver, 49, 54 ... Tuner, 203 ... Playback control part, 211 ... Content list display process part, 212 ... Playback process part

Claims (13)

First and second items are displayed on a display, and in response to selection of the first item, a first reproducible video content that matches a first search condition associated with the first item A second list indicating reproducible video content that matches a second search condition associated with the second item in response to selection of the second item. Display processing means for displaying on the display;
When the first playable video content in the first list is selected, the first playable video content and other playbacks in the first list following the first playable video content When the playable video content is continuously played and the second playable video content in the second list is selected, the second playable video content and the second playable video content follow. An electronic apparatus comprising: a playback processing unit that continuously plays back other playable video content in the second list.   In response to the selection of the first item, the display processing means displays the video content being viewed or reproduced in the first area on the screen of the display, and the video content being viewed or reproduced. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first list is generated by finding reproducible video content related to, and the first list is displayed in a second area on the screen of the display.   The reproduction processing means causes the display to display a setting menu for allowing the user to select whether to enable or disable continuous playback of the playable video content indicated by the first list. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein when selected, continuous playback of the playable video content indicated by the first list is not executed.   The first search condition indicates a search condition based on an attribute of the video content being viewed or reproduced, and the second search condition is a search unrelated to the attribute of the video content being viewed or reproduced. The electronic device according to claim 1, which indicates conditions.   The display processing means applies the current scene of the video content being viewed or played back so that the content of the first list is changed according to a change in the scene of the video content being viewed or played back. The electronic device according to claim 2, configured to find related playable video content.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the reproducible video content includes broadcast content recorded by the electronic device.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second search condition is a search condition that can be set or changed by a user.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second search condition is a search condition based on the user's preference obtained by learning a history of user operations related to viewing, playback, recording, and dubbing of video content.   The second search condition is the user's habituation obtained by learning the attribute of the video content that is operated for viewing or reproduction by the user and the timing when the operation for viewing or reproduction is performed. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the search condition is based on the above.   The second search condition indicates a keyword whose degree of attention is rapidly increasing, and the display processing unit is configured to find a reproducible video content including the keyword in response to the selection of the second item. The electronic device according to claim 1.   The second search condition includes ranking information obtained by ranking video content based on a recording reservation status of video content in each of a plurality of electronic devices, and the display processing means includes the second item The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to find a reproducible video content ranked higher in response to the selection.   By arranging the first list and the second list side by side to generate a video content view screen in a program table format in which the first search condition and the second search condition are regarded as different channels, The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a video content view display processing unit that displays a video content view screen on the display. Display the first and second items on the display;
In response to the selection of the first item, a first list showing reproducible video content that matches a first search condition associated with the first item is displayed on the display;
In response to the selection of the second item, a second list showing reproducible video content that matches a second search condition associated with the second item is displayed on the display;
When the first playable video content in the first list is selected, the first playable video content and other playbacks in the first list following the first playable video content Play possible video content continuously,
When a second playable video content in the second list is selected, the second playable video content and another playback in the second list following the second playable video content Video content playback method for continuously playing possible video content.

Images