JP2019140621A - Control method of electronic equipment and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide electronic equipment which allows for narrow down and extraction of a desired program by using external information and information built internally in combination.SOLUTION: A control method of electronic equipment acquires a first program list, ranking first multiple programs, externally in a program list generation part for managing the program list, and when forming a second program list, ranking second multiple programs existing as the same program in the first multiple programs, forms a second program list ranking the second multiple programs, without breaking the ranking of the first multiple programs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic apparatus control method and an electronic apparatus that can easily narrow down programs that a user is interested in from a large number of recorded programs and provide a list thereof.

  Recent recording / reproducing apparatuses have a plurality of tuners, can receive a large number of programs simultaneously, and can record programs for one to two weeks on a recording medium. The recording / reproducing apparatus is often used by being connected to a television receiving apparatus. As the plurality of tuners, those built in the television receiving apparatus may be used.

  When a large number of programs are recorded on the recording medium, the user must search for a desired program in order to view the program. In order to determine a program to be viewed, the user displays a recording list, looks at the program guide information, and selects a desired program from the list. However, when a large number of programs are recorded, finding a desired program is troublesome and takes time.

  Therefore, the conventional recording / playback apparatus (recording / playback system) classifies a large number of recorded programs by genre and presents a recommended program list for each genre, or determines a user's favorite tendency from the viewing history and recommends a program. The means to present is developed.

JP 2003-224798 A JP 2005-73190 A JP 2008-182771 A JP 2006-324798 A

  However, many conventional techniques for presenting specific programs (for example, recommended programs) use information inside the recording / reproducing system. Also, there is a tendency to use what is taken in from outside. For this reason, extraction of desired programs may be insufficient, and further improvements are desired.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as information for narrowing down a desired program from a large number of programs, information from the outside and information built inside are combined and used, so that the desired program can be effectively used. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device control method and an electronic device capable of narrowing down and extracting data.

  In an embodiment of the present application, a generation unit that generates a program list obtains a first program list that ranks the first plurality of programs from the outside, and exists in the first plurality of programs. When generating a second program list that ranks a plurality of two programs, the second plurality of programs can be generated without destroying the ranked order of the first plurality of programs. A newly re-ordered second program list is generated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a large number of electronic devices connected to a cloud server via a network (Internet). FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the data processing function in the cloud server. FIG. 3 is an overall block configuration diagram of a television apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a program list generation unit provided in the television apparatus or the recording / reproducing apparatus. FIG. 5 is a flowchart when the program list generation process is performed in the television apparatus or the recording / reproducing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart when the program list generation process is performed in the cloud server.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows electronic devices 100a to 100g connected to a cloud server 190 via a network (Internet). The electronic devices 100a-100b include a television device and a recording / reproducing device. A recording / reproducing apparatus is connected to the television apparatus.

  The above-mentioned television apparatus and recording / reproducing apparatus have a plurality of tuners, can simultaneously receive a large number of programs, and can record, for example, programs for one to two weeks on a recording medium. .

  Each of the electronic devices 100a to 100b can upload viewing history information and recording reservation information to the cloud server 190, respectively. The viewing history information and the recording reservation information include at least program guide information for identifying a program.

  The cloud server 190 described above can be generated as program guide information on the cloud side that makes it possible to identify a plurality of programs based on uploaded viewing history information and recording reservation information.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic internal block of the cloud server 190. The cloud server 190 includes a transmission / reception device 191 connected to a network, a data processing unit 192 that processes data to be transmitted and received, a memory (not shown), and the like.

  The cloud server 190 can receive viewing history information and recording reservation information from a large number of electronic devices, and can attach a viewing history rank 193 of the program based on the viewing history, and can record a recording reservation rank of the program based on the recording reservation. 194 can be attached. The rank assigned by the cloud server 190 is positioning information viewed from the global perspective. Each rank includes period information collected for the data.

  The rank information includes rank order, program broadcast channel, broadcast date and time, program name, program name (director name, performer name, star name, sponsor name, partner organization name, etc.), comment, etc. included. The viewing history rank order is ranked with reference to, for example, the number of viewing times and the number of viewers. The order of the recording reservation rank is determined with reference to, for example, the number of recording reservations.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the television apparatus 100 to which the embodiment is applied. The television apparatus includes, for example, a plurality of tuners, BS4K, BS8K, and the like that receive scrambled digital terrestrial broadcast signals. The digital tuner device 102 includes a plurality of tuners that receive a plurality of types of satellite broadcasts such as CS4K.

  The broadcast program signal received by the tuner device 102 is input to the TS processing unit 122, and TSs (Transport Streams) of a plurality of channels (CH) are remultiplexed into one TS. The multiplexed TS includes a packet sequence of broadcast programs for each channel. Identification information for channel and packet identification is added to the packet of each channel. The multiplexed TS is input to the storage device 111. Of the TS input to the TS processing unit 122, a packet including control information is input to the control unit 200 and processed.

  The storage device 111 includes, for example, a hard disk drive and an optical disk recording / reproducing device. The optical disc includes a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc (BD), and the like.

  A packet sent from the TS processing unit 122 to the control unit 200 carries various tables in which information necessary for reproducing a broadcast program is described. The table includes, for example, ECM (Entitlement Control Message) which is encryption information of a broadcast program, EIT (Event Information Table) which is a table describing event information such as program name, performer, start time, etc., EPG (Electric Program Guide) information, program map table PMT (Program Map Table), and the like.

  The image data included in the packet is encoded by, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) method, AVC (Advanced Video Coding) method, or the like. The audio data in the audio packet is encoded by, for example, a PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) method, a Dolby (registered trademark) method, an MPEG method, or the like.

  Of the packets separated by the TS processing unit 122, a packet including audio data is input to the audio decoder 123, and decoding is performed according to the encoding method. The audio data decoded by the audio decoder 123 is subjected to synchronization processing, volume adjustment, and the like by the audio data processing unit 124 and is supplied to the audio output unit 125. The audio output unit 125 performs stereo separation processing or the like according to the speaker system, and supplies the output to the speaker 126.

  Among the packets separated by the TS processing unit 122, a packet including image data is input to the image decoder 131, and the image decoder 131 performs decoding according to the encoding method. The image data decoded by the image decoder 131 is subjected to synchronization processing, brightness adjustment, color adjustment, and the like by the image data processing unit 132. The output of the image data processing unit 132 is supplied to the image output unit 133. The image output unit 133 can multiplex data, graphics, a program guide, and the like from the control unit 200 on the main image signal. Further, the image output unit 133 sets a scale, resolution, number of lines, aspect ratio, and the like corresponding to the display device 134 with respect to the output image signal, and outputs the output image signal to the display device 134.

  In some cases, audio packets and image packets of pay programs are encrypted. In this case, there is a processing system for decrypting encryption using the key information, but it is omitted here.

  The control unit 200 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 201, an operation command processing unit 202, a communication control unit 203, a device management unit 204, a display processing unit 121, and a memory 211. It also includes an EPG (Electric program guide) data capture unit, but it is not shown here.

  The control unit 200 includes a recording / playback control 251. The recording / playback control unit 251 has a time shift recording function, a function of recording a reserved program on a medium of the recording / playback device 111, and the recording / playback device 111. For example, a device for recording content reproduced from, for example, a hard disk, a DVD, or a Blu-ray disc on another medium (hard disk, DVD, Blu-ray disc).

  Further, when the time shift recording function operates, the recording / playback control unit 251 controls the recording / playback device 111 so that the programs of a plurality of channels to be broadcast are displayed on a plurality of days (for example, a program for one week or two weeks). Can be recorded in the recording / reproducing apparatus 111. Therefore, the recording / playback control unit 251 also stores recording list data in which recorded contents and program contents are arranged on a table.

  Further, the control unit 200 includes a program list generation unit 261. The program list generation unit 261 will be described in more detail later. The program list generation unit 261 can also function as a viewing history list generation unit, a recording reservation list generation unit, and a viewing reservation list generation unit. These functions may be provided for the television device alone, the cloud server alone, the recording / reproducing device alone, or the smart phone alone, or may be shared to construct the program list generation unit 261. Good.

  The CPU 201 adjusts the entire operation sequence of the control unit 200. The command processing unit 202 can analyze an operation command input from the outside and reflect an operation corresponding to the command on the television device 500. The device management unit 204 can grasp and manage device identification data such as the portable terminal 700 and the remote controller 400 that give an operation signal to the control unit 200. The portable terminal 700 includes a smart phone, a tablet PC, a personal computer (PC), and the like.

  The display processing unit 121 can generally control the image signal displayed on the display unit 134 via the image output unit 133. The display processing unit 121 can also perform adjustment processing such as the resolution, display size, and display area of the image signal. In addition, an image signal of a program guide created using EPG data, a menu image signal created in the control unit 200 according to an operation signal, and the like can be supplied to the image output unit 133.

  The memory 211 can store various data and applications stored in the control unit 200. The memory 211 includes a non-volatile memory, and stores address data for communication, device unique information (TV unique ID), and the like.

  The communication control unit 203 can communicate with the outside and take in operation commands, data, contents, and the like. The captured content and data can be stored in the storage device 111 or the memory 211, for example. The communication control unit 203 can transmit data, content, and the like from the television device 1001 to the outside.

  The communication control unit 203 is connected to a wireless communication transmission / reception unit (may be referred to as a communication device) 113, a wired communication transmission / reception unit 112, and a LAN transmission / reception unit 115. A wired communication transmitting / receiving unit (also referred to as a communication device) 112 can transmit and receive data to and from a remote server or a home server via the Internet.

  The wireless communication transmission / reception unit 113 can transmit and receive data to and from the mobile terminal 700 and is for short-range communication.

  The LAN transmission / reception unit 115 is connected to, for example, other television devices in the home, recording / playback devices, set-top boxes, and home servers. The television apparatus 1001 can also receive an operation signal from the remote controller 400 via the infrared receiver 114.

  The portable terminal 700 can remotely control the television device 100. The portable terminal 700 can access the server via a base station (not shown), the Internet, or the like. The portable terminal 700 can download various applications and game software as well as contents provided by the server, and can transfer them to the control unit 200 via the wireless communication transmitting / receiving unit 113.

  The portable terminal 700 can transfer information for acquiring content (for example, a web server address, a mail address, a network address, etc.) to the control unit 200 via the wireless communication transmitting / receiving unit 113.

  When content, application, or game software is transferred from the portable terminal 700, the communication control unit 203 of the control unit 200 operates. The communication control unit 203 stores the received content in the memory 211. The content may be stored in the recording / reproducing apparatus 111 in response to an operation command or automatically. The recording / reproducing apparatus 111 can record the received content on, for example, a hard disk. In the hard disk, the content is managed as a content file.

  Menu image signals for display, program guide image signals, recording list signals, and the like are stored and / or managed in the display processing unit 212. When menu display or program guide display is performed, menu screen data and program guide image signals are read from the data storage unit (memory or hard disk) under the control of the display processing unit 212, and the image output unit 133. To be supplied. Thereby, the menu screen and the program guide screen are displayed on the display 134.

A menu image signal for display, a program guide image signal, and the like can be transmitted to the portable terminal 700. When the portable terminal 700 requests a menu image signal, a program guide image signal, etc., the display processing unit 212 can transmit the menu image signal and the program guide image signal to the portable terminal 700.

  The portable terminal 700 can display the menu image signal and the program guide image signal on the screen of the touch panel, and the user touches the operation button displayed on the screen of the touch (or point) panel, thereby An operation command signal can be given to the John device 100.

  FIG. 4 shows the program list generator 261 taken out. The program list generation unit 261 can acquire recorded program information automatically recorded on a recording medium via the input unit 262. This acquisition is executed, for example, when the user requests display of a program list.

  The request for the program list is made by selecting an item in the program list with a cursor from a menu displayed on the screen of the display 132 and operating the decision button based on the remote controller operation, for example. Furthermore, it is performed by displaying a menu on the display screen of the portable terminal 700 and touching an item in the program list.

  When the program list generation unit 261 acquires the recorded program information, the television apparatus 100 requests the user to input extraction conditions (limited elements) in order to generate a program list. The limiting element is input from the input unit 266. On the screen for displaying this request, as limited elements, “None”, “Broadcast type (terrestrial, BS4K, BS8K, CS, etc. may be classified)”, “Performer name”, “Star name”, “Program name”, “author name”, “director name”, “genre” and the like can be input selectively or in combination.

  Furthermore, a selection screen for “use” for “program rank” and “not use” for “program rank” may be displayed, and the user may be able to select either “use” or “not use”.

  These appear on the display screen of the display 134 or the portable terminal 700.

  When inputting characters or the like from the mobile terminal 700, the character input screen is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 700, and the user inputs using the screen. Even when inputting using the cursor of the display 134 of the television apparatus 100, the user can perform a desired input by operating the remote controller 400, moving the cursor, and selecting a character on the screen. it can.

  There are various input methods for this limited element, such as “performer name”, “leader name”, “program name”, “author name”, “director name”, etc. learned in advance. Since it is displayed, a desired item may be selected with a cursor by a remote controller and a decision button may be pressed.

  Program extraction information via the network is input to the program list generation unit 261 via the input unit 263. This program extraction information is information including at least program rank information as described in FIG. The recommended program list created by the program list generation unit 261 is output via the output unit 264, and the user can check with the display unit 134 or the portable terminal 700.

  In the above description (FIG. 4), the order of the recorded programs is described based on the program order acquired from the outside. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such a method. Absent. For example, for a program being received (a plurality of programs when there are a plurality of tuners), it is needless to say that ranking may be performed based on the program ranking acquired from the outside. Then, the order of the recording list is already set for the received and recorded program.

The program list generation unit 261 can execute the following processing, that is,
Basically, (1) a first program list in which the first plurality of programs are ranked is acquired from the outside, and the second plurality of programs existing in the first plurality of programs are obtained. When generating the ranked second program list, the second plurality of programs are newly re-ranked without breaking the ranked order of the first plurality of programs. 2 program lists are generated. (2) In the above (1), the ranking of the first plurality of programs is based on program viewing history information and / or recording reservation information. (3) Furthermore, in the above (1) or (2), the second plurality of programs are programs limited by the names of performers and / or genres of the programs. (4) Furthermore, in the above (1) or (2), the second plurality of programs are programs limited by broadcast date and time. (5) In the above (1) or (2), the second plurality of programs is a program limited by a broadcast type. (6) It is also possible to perform display for determining whether or not to adopt the first program list in which the first plurality of programs are ranked.

  (7) Furthermore, in the above method, the television apparatus alone, the cloud server alone, the recording / reproducing apparatus alone, or the smart phone alone may be provided. May be built. Furthermore, it is needless to say that the above method may be configured as each device.

From another point of view, (1A) it is possible to identify recorded program information relating to a program recorded on a recording medium or program information of a plurality of receiving programs (which can be obtained from EPG data, etc.) and the first plurality of programs. The information of the viewing history rank explained in FIG. 2, for example, is the second program guide information that can identify each of the second plurality of programs. The program guide information includes a part or all of the first program guide information. This is because the viewing history information of the television device 100 itself of FIG.
(2A) Next, when the program list generation unit 261 generates a program list of recommended programs from the first plurality of programs (programs recorded in the television device 100),
With respect to the first plurality of programs, the first program extraction information is generated by using at least a limited element (such as a performer name) in the first program guide information (this corresponds to the previous extraction condition). Based on input).
(3A) Further, with respect to the second plurality of programs, second program extraction information including at least a program rank is acquired via a network, and the first program extraction information includes the first program extraction information. When there is third program extraction information corresponding to the program extraction information, the recommended program list to which the rank-based arrangement is added is generated and output based on the third program extraction information.

  In the above description, the example in which the program list generation unit 261 is provided in the television device 100 has been described. However, the program list generation unit 261 may be provided in the recording / playback device 111. The display of the list may be performed on the display 134 or the portable terminal 700. Furthermore, as will be described later, the cloud server 190 may create it.

  Furthermore, the cloud server 190 and the television device 100 (or the recording / reproducing device 111) may share and create a specific program list.

  The program list can be referred to as a list narrowed down to so-called user favorite programs. The user can perform reproduction by selecting a desired program from the list and performing a determination operation.

  As a form to be reproduced and displayed, a method of displaying on the display 134 connected to the television apparatus 100, or a screen of a portable terminal 770 connected to the television apparatus 100 or the recording / reproducing apparatus 111 via a network is displayed. A method is possible. Furthermore, the selected program can be downloaded to the portable terminal 700 and viewed in another room.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart when the program list generation process is performed in the television apparatus or the recording / reproducing apparatus. When there is an operation input for viewing a recorded program from the operation unit (SA1, SA2), for example, an inquiry as to whether to set a program rank on the screen and to display a program list is output. This inquiry is made by text on the screen or by voice (SA3). In the future, it will be described that there is an interaction between the electronic device and the user through an inquiry with characters on the screen.

  In SA3, when the user selects not to set the program rank for extracting the program list, a recording list of all programs recorded on the medium of the recording / reproducing apparatus 111 is created in the order of recording date and time, for example. (SA5).

  In SA3, when the user selects “set program rank and issue program list”, the recorded program information of the program recorded in the recording / playback apparatus 111 is acquired (SA4).

  Next, there is an inquiry as to whether to input the recording program extraction conditions. When an extraction condition (for example, program name, performer name, broadcast date, etc.) is input (SA7), first program extraction information that can specify a program that meets the input extraction condition is generated and determined (SA8). .

  Next, second program extraction information (described in FIG. 2) including the program rank is acquired via the network (SA9).

  Further, information corresponding to the first program extraction information whose part or all is included in the second program extraction information is generated as the third program extraction information (SA10). Then, a recommended program list is generated based on the third program extraction information (SA11). At this time, since the third program extraction information is information reflecting the rank of the program, the program list can also arrange each program information based on the program rank.

  As described above, in this system, since the recorded program list is created based on the program rank, the user can easily extract and enjoy popular programs, for example.

  This concept can also be implemented on the cloud server 190.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart when the program list generation process is performed in the cloud server. The cloud server 190 is connected to a large number of television apparatuses and recording / reproducing apparatuses through the Internet. The cloud server 190 is configured to be able to exchange information with each connected electronic device.

  Accordingly, viewing history information, recording reservation information, and the like are uploaded from a plurality of television devices and recording / reproducing devices (SB1, SB2). In this case, it is preferable to classify information according to the program broadcast time zone.

  As a result, the cloud server 190 can set the viewing history rank and the recording reservation rank for each program on a global scale. This rank information is held, for example, as global program extraction information (SB3). At this point, each recording / playback apparatus or television set is ranked for each viewing history information and recording reservation information sent from the television set, and each recording / playback apparatus or television set is ranked. You may reply to the device. Here, description will be made assuming that a reply is made when a request is made.

  It is assumed that there is a request for viewing recommendation regarding the recorded program from the television apparatus 100 (SB4).

  Then, the cloud server 190 inquires of the television apparatus 100 whether or not there is a limited element for viewing the recorded program (SB5). The limited elements include whether the program is for a specific person, whether it is a program provided by a specific sponsor, whether it is a program broadcast at a specific date, etc. Alternatively, any of a plurality of elements may be used.

  After receiving the “limited element” from the television apparatus 100, the cloud server 190 extracts recorded program information that satisfies the “limited element” from the recorded program information uploaded from the television apparatus 100. The extracted recorded program information is stored as first program extraction information (SB6).

  Next, when a part or all of the first program extraction information exists in the previous global program extraction information, the cloud server 190 gives the previous rank to the corresponding program extraction information. (SB7). The program extraction information to which the rank is assigned is arranged in the rank of the corresponding program, and a program list of the corresponding program is created as the third program extraction information (SB8).

  The created third program extraction information is transmitted to the corresponding television device 100. As a result, the television apparatus 100 can extract a desired program from a large number of programs based on a search condition that combines a rank and a “limit element ... person name, genre, etc.”. Become.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been 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. Furthermore, in each constituent element of the claims, even when the constituent element is expressed in a divided manner, when a plurality of constituent elements are expressed together, or when they are expressed in combination, they are within the scope of the present invention. Further, a plurality of embodiments may be combined, and an example constituted by this combination is also within the scope of the invention.

  In addition, for the sake of clarity, the drawings may be schematically represented with respect to the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part as compared to actual aspects, but are merely examples, and The interpretation is not limited. In addition, in the present specification and each drawing, components that perform the same or similar functions as those described above with reference to the previous drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated detailed description may be omitted as appropriate. .

  In addition, when the claims are expressed as control logic, when expressed as a program including instructions for causing a computer to execute, and when expressed as a computer-readable recording medium describing the instructions, the apparatus of the present invention is applied. is there. Further, the names and terms used are not limited, and other expressions are included in the present invention as long as they have substantially the same contents and the same concept.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Television apparatus, 102 ... Digital tuner apparatus, 111 ... Recording / reproducing apparatus, 122 ... TS processing part, 123 ... Audio decoder, 124 ... Audio data processing part, 125. ..Audio output unit 126... Speaker 131. Image decoder 132. Image data processing unit 133. Image output unit 134. Display unit 200. 251... Recording / playback control unit, 261... Program list generation unit, 400... Remote controller, 700.

Claims (8)

A generation unit that generates a program list
Obtaining a first program list with ranking of the first plurality of programs from the outside;
When generating a second program list that ranks the second plurality of programs existing in the first plurality of programs, the ranked order of the first plurality of programs is broken. And generating a second program list that is newly re-ordered for the second plurality of programs,
A method for controlling an electronic device.   The electronic apparatus control method according to claim 1, wherein the ranking of the first plurality of programs acquired from the outside is based on program viewing history information and / or recording reservation information.   3. The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second plurality of programs is a program limited by a performer name and / or a genre of the program.   3. The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second plurality of programs are programs limited by broadcast date and time.   3. The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second plurality of programs are programs limited by broadcast types.   3. The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second plurality of programs are programs recorded on a recording medium.   The method for controlling an electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a display for deciding whether to adopt or not to adopt the first program list in which the first plurality of programs are ranked. A program list generation unit for generating a program list,
Means for obtaining from the outside a first program list in which the first plurality of programs are ranked;
When generating a second program list that ranks the second plurality of programs existing in the first plurality of programs, the ranked order of the first plurality of programs is broken. And a means for generating a second program list in which the second plurality of programs are newly re-ordered.

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