JP4550942B2 - Channel registration device and channel registration method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a channel registration device and a channel registration method for presenting a channel selection target channel list that presents one or more channels arbitrarily selected and registered by a user, and particularly to a specific channel for channel selection. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for registering in a channel list.

  In recent years, broadcast programs have begun to be provided not only from terrestrial analog broadcasts, digital terrestrial broadcasts, BS broadcasts, and CS broadcasts, but also from the Internet, and have become increasingly multi-channel.

  Then, in order to make it easy to select a specific channel from among many channels, one or more channels that the user likes to view from the receivable channels and the like are arbitrarily selected and registered. A technique of presenting two or more channels as favorite channels and selecting a specific channel from the displayed favorite channels is used. Furthermore, a plurality of favorite channels may be defined for a plurality of uses.

  For example, according to Patent Document 1, a plurality of channels are displayed in a selectable manner so as to be superimposed on an image of a selected channel, and a plurality of channels arbitrarily selected from the plurality of displayed channels Is registered as My Channel, and a method for improving the operability of channel selection by changing the order of presentation according to the viewing time of each of the registered channels has been disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-282076 (paragraph 0050 in FIG. 4)

  However, according to Patent Document 1, even on the user interface screen for channel registration for the only My Channel (favorite channel), the receivable channels are presented in a list form over a plurality of lines. A graphic screen having a large area ratio with respect to the display image is presented, and the display image on the back is difficult to see.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a channel registration device and a channel registration method that present a user interface screen for channel registration for a plurality of favorite channels so that a display image on the back side can be easily viewed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention sets information indicating the channel number or broadcasting station name of a target channel to be registered in a group from among receivable channels, and registration settings for a plurality of groups for the target channel. Presenting means for presenting a plurality of graphic user interface components for performing a plurality of settings to one channel, and according to the setting for the graphic user interface components presented by the presenting means, Registration means for permitting a user to register a channel in an arbitrary group.

  Further, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides information indicating the channel number or broadcasting station name of a target channel to be registered in a group from among receivable channels, and registration settings for the target channel in a plurality of groups. A plurality of graphic user interface components for performing predetermined settings including one channel are presented for one channel, and the target channel is registered in an arbitrary group according to the setting of the presented graphic user interface components. The user is allowed to do this.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to present a user interface screen for channel registration for a plurality of favorite channels so that the display image on the back surface can be easily viewed.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the television receiver which is a channel registration apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows one Embodiment of remote control RC for operating the television receiver of this embodiment. The figure which shows one Embodiment of all the channel presentation screens superimposed and displayed on a part of image of a program. The figure which shows one Embodiment of the process which presents a favorite channel. The flowchart of the process which registers a specific channel into arbitrary favorite channels. The figure which shows one Embodiment of the favorite channel registration screen displayed superimposed on a part of image of a program. The figure which shows the 1st modification of the favorite channel registration screen displayed superimposed on a part of image of a program. The figure which shows the 2nd modification of the favorite channel registration screen displayed superimposed on a part of image of a program.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television receiver which is a channel registration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an example in which the channel registration device is applied to a television receiver is shown. However, an HDD recorder, a DVD recorder, an information processing terminal, a portable mobile terminal, and the like having the same configuration as in this embodiment may be used. . Furthermore, for example, a set top box or the like that is a broadcast receiving device that receives a radio broadcast, a wired broadcast using the Internet, or the like may be used.

  The television receiver 10 includes a broadcast wave processing unit 20, an operation unit 31, a light receiving unit 32, a signal processing control unit 40, a network IF unit 51, a display 61, a speaker 62, an HDD 71, and the like.

  The broadcast wave processing unit 20 acquires a digital broadcast wave signal or an analog broadcast wave signal received by the antenna AT, performs channel selection and demodulation / decoding processing on a specific channel on the acquired signal, In addition, a signal including data for creating an EPG is output to the signal processing control unit 40. In the present embodiment, the broadcast wave processing unit 20 is a program received by the antenna AT from one or more receivable channels registered by channel scanning or one or more channels registered as favorite channels. Select the signal.

  The operation unit 31 receives operation input information for operating the apparatus. Similarly, the light receiving unit 32 receives (receives) operation input information from the remote controller RC. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 31 receives information such as an operation input for selecting a specific channel from one or more channels registered as a favorite channel, and an operation input for registering an arbitrary channel in the favorite channel. To do.

  The network IF unit 51 is connected to the Internet or a home network via a LAN or the like, acquires program data provided through the connected Internet, data for creating an EPG, and the like, and sends the data to the signal processing control unit 40. Output. Further, it is connected to a recording medium such as an external HDD or a memory card via a LAN or the like, and exchanges program data and data for creating an EPG. In the present embodiment, the network IF unit 51 acquires program data provided via the Internet from one or more channels registered as favorite channels.

  The signal processing control unit 40 performs MPEG encoding / decoding calculation processing, video signal / audio signal separation processing, and data extraction processing from the signal input from the broadcast wave processing unit 20 or the network IF unit 51. Alternatively, the compressed signal is decompressed to output video / audio data, and the OSD is generated as a graphic user interface component. In addition, a CPU is provided to control the execution of a plurality of processes using each block. In the present embodiment, the signal processing control unit 40 controls execution of a process of selecting a specific channel from one or more channels registered as a favorite channel, a process of registering an arbitrary channel in the favorite channel, and the like. To do.

  The display 61 is a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays the video signal input from the signal processing control unit 40. In the present embodiment, the display 61 is for registering an arbitrary channel in a favorite channel or a screen for selecting a specific channel from one or more channels registered as a favorite video or program video. Display the screen.

The speaker 62 outputs the audio signal input from the signal processing control unit 40.
The HDD 71 has a function of storing program data acquired through the broadcast wave processing unit 20 or the network IF unit 51, data for creating an EPG, etc., and program data for reproduction and copying of the stored program. For outputting to the signal processing control unit 40, a function for outputting data for creating an EPG to present the EPG screen to the signal processing control unit 40, and the like. In the present embodiment, the HDD 71 stores information on the channels registered in the favorite channels.

  In addition, the embodiment may be an embodiment in which a memory card or the like is connected via a memory card IF unit (not shown) and channel information registered in a favorite channel is stored in the connected memory card or the like.

  That is, the television receiver 10 which is a channel registration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention presents a screen for registering an arbitrary channel as a favorite channel with the above configuration, and the favorite screen is displayed according to the presented screen. A channel to be registered as a channel is added, and a specific channel is selected from one or more channels registered as favorite channels. These processes are mainly executed by the signal processing control unit 40 that receives information on the operation input by pressing a plurality of buttons provided on the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC.

Next, the remote controller RC for operating the execution of a plurality of processes will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a remote controller RC for operating the television receiver of the present embodiment.
2 includes a channel UP button 201, a channel DOWN button 202, an up key 211, a down key 212, a right key 213, a left key 214, a decision button 215, a favorite channel presentation button 221 and a favorite channel registration button. 222 and the like. In addition to these keys and buttons, an embodiment in which buttons for operating other processes are provided, or an embodiment in which these keys and buttons are also provided in the operation unit 31 may be used.

  Channel UP button 201 and channel DOWN button 202 are buttons for selecting receivable channels in order of channel numbers. For example, it can be used when selecting channels in order of channel numbers from one or more receivable channels registered by channel scanning or the like.

  The up key 212 and the down key 213 are used to select a specific channel from a plurality of channels presented as favorite channels and to select specific channels from all receivable channels for registration to the favorite channel. This is a key (button) for making a selection.

  The right key 214 and the left key 215 are keys (buttons) for sequentially switching between all channel presentation screens and a plurality of favorite channels and selecting items to be set or not set on the favorite channel registration screen. ).

  The decision button 215 is used to confirm the channel selection of a specific channel selected by the up key 212 or the down key 213 from a plurality of channels presented as the favorite channel, or to select the right key 214 or This is a button for confirming an item to be set or not set selected by the left key 215.

The favorite channel presentation button 221 is a button for presenting all channel presentation screens and a plurality of favorite channels.
The favorite channel registration button 222 is a button for presenting or deleting a screen for registering a specific channel as an arbitrary favorite channel among all receivable channels.

Next, processing for presenting a favorite channel and processing for selecting a specific channel from the presented favorite channels will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of all channel presentation screens 301 displayed superimposed on a part of a program image 300, and FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a process for presenting favorite channels. FIG.

  When the favorite channel presentation button 221 provided on the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC is pressed and the signal processing control unit 40 receives this operation input information, all OSD channel presentation screens as shown in FIG. 301 is displayed superimposed on a part of the program image 300 displayed on the display 61. In addition, on all channel presentation screens 301, channel numbers and broadcast station names of some of all receivable channels are sequentially presented in the respective broadcast station presentation frames from the top to the bottom of the screen in ascending order of channel numbers. Is done.

  And the broadcast station presentation frame of a specific channel from some of all presented receivable channels can be presented in a selectable manner, such as a frame emphasis display that emphasizes the outline or a colored display that colors the inside of the presentation frame. The user uses the up key 211 or the down key 212 provided on the operation unit 31 or the remote control RC to move the frame-displayed frame or the color-displayed broadcasting station presentation frame up and down to a specific broadcasting station. By selecting a presentation frame and pressing a determination button 215 provided on the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC, a broadcast program of a channel corresponding to the selected broadcast station presentation frame can be viewed.

  In this embodiment, all the channel presentation screens 301 have six broadcast station presentation frames, but there are other channels that are not presented on all the channel presentation screens 301. When the up key 311 or the down arrow 312 indicating the same is displayed on the screen and the upper key 211 or the lower key 212 provided on the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC is pressed, six broadcast station presentation frames are displayed. The displayed channel shifts up or down, and the channels that are hidden and displayed by the top and bottom are sequentially presented.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, when all the channel presentation screens 401 are displayed, the user uses the right key 213 or the left key 214 provided in the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC, for example, the left key. Each time 214 is pressed, the four favorite channels can be switched in sequence, from favorite channel A 402 to favorite channel B 403 to favorite channel C 404 to favorite channel D 405. Further, by further pressing the left key 214, all the channel presentation screens 401 can be displayed again.

  For example, each time the right key 213 is pressed instead of the left key 214, the favorite channel D405, the favorite channel C404, the favorite channel B403, the favorite channel A402, and the reverse order when the left key 214 is pressed. You can also switch 4 favorite channels sequentially. That is, all the channel presentation screens 401 and the favorite channel A402 to the favorite channel D405 have a switching order defined in a ring shape, and are sequentially switched in the switching order corresponding to the requested screen switching operation input. .

  Further, in the favorite channel A402 to the favorite channel D405, the broadcast program of a specific channel is selected by using the upper key 211 or the lower key 212 and the determination button 215 provided in the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC. Can watch. Further, as shown on the screen of each of the favorite channels A402 to D405, one or more arbitrary channels can be registered in each of the four favorite channels, and one or more channels can be registered. It is possible to register different channel combinations for each of the four favorite channels registered arbitrarily. Note that the number of favorite channels is not limited to four.

Next, processing for registering a specific channel as an arbitrary favorite channel will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing for registering a specific channel in an arbitrary favorite channel. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a registration screen for a favorite channel displayed superimposed on a part of a program image.

  First, when the favorite channel registration button 222 provided in the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC is pressed and the signal processing control unit 40 receives information on this operation input, the OSD favorite channel registration screen as shown in FIG. 610 is displayed superimposed on a part of the program image 600 (S501). The favorite channel registration screen 610 displays channel information indicating the channel number and broadcasting station name of only the channel that provides the image displayed as the program image 600 at this time among all the receivable channels. Is done.

  Furthermore, on the favorite channel registration screen 610, characters A to D indicating the four favorite channels, a skip mark 611 indicating a channel skip, and a password are required for viewing the channel. A password mark 612 of a symbol indicating that is displayed. There are also multiple check fields that can be selected according to the items indicated by each symbol, and within these multiple check fields, there are frame highlights for emphasizing the outline and colors inside the check fields. A check column that is colored or the like to indicate that it is selected at this time. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, not only all receivable channels but only a single channel number “CH008” and a broadcast station name “TV CCC” are displayed together with a plurality of check fields for this channel. At this time, the check column corresponding to the favorite channel B is selected.

  Then, the channel to be registered in the favorite channel is switched and selected by the upper key 211 or the lower key 212 provided in the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC (S502). Note that the channels to be switched are sequentially displayed, for example, in the order of channel numbers from among all receivable channels. In addition, an operation guide area 620 for assisting operation input by the operation unit 31 and the remote controller RC for the favorite channel registration screen 610 is provided below the program image 600.

  Furthermore, the right key 213 or the left key 214 provided on the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC is selected by a frame emphasis display or a colored display among a plurality of check fields provided on the favorite channel registration screen 610. The check column is moved to select an arbitrary check column (S503).

  Then, when a determination button 215 provided on the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC is pressed against the selected check column of the selected channel, a “t” is added to the selected check column. Then, setting is performed (S504). Note that the embodiment may be such that the “check mark” that is the check mark is deleted by pressing the enter button 215 again in the same check field, that is, the setting is canceled.

  In other words, if the check box corresponding to the characters A to D of the symbols indicating the four favorite channels is set with a “tick”, the displayed channel is set to each of the set channels. It will be registered to your favorite channel.

  Further, when “check mark” is set for the check column corresponding to the skip mark 611, the displayed channel is determined by the up key 211 or the down key 212 provided in the operation unit 31 or the remote controller RC. While being skipped by channel switching, the settings in the check columns corresponding to symbols A to D indicating the four favorite channels are cleared. That is, a channel set to be skipped cannot be registered as a favorite channel.

  Further, when “check mark” is set for the check column corresponding to the password mark 612, input of a password is requested when viewing the displayed channel.

  More specifically, in the favorite channel registration screen 610 shown in FIG. 6, since the check boxes corresponding to the favorite channel A and the favorite channel C are set with “t”, the channel number “CH008” is set. Are registered in the favorite channel A and the favorite channel C, and the channel number “CH008” is in a state where skip registration or password input request registration is not performed.

  Then, the above operation is performed to sequentially set the selected check column of the selected channel, but the process of registering a specific channel as an arbitrary favorite channel is continued, that is, not terminated. In the case (N in S505), the specific channel to be registered is again switched and selected (S502), the respective check fields are selected (S503), and the settings are sequentially performed (S504).

  When the channel is switched and selected again, the program image 600 may display an image provided from the newly selected channel, or an operation of registering a specific channel as an arbitrary favorite channel. The image provided from the channel that was selected when the input was made may remain displayed.

  On the other hand, when the process of registering a specific channel in an arbitrary favorite channel is terminated by pressing the favorite channel registration button 222 again (Y in S505), the favorite channel registration screen 610 is deleted. (S506).

  In other words, in the process of registering a specific channel as an arbitrary favorite channel, registration for four favorite channels, skip registration, password input request registration, etc. are performed for each specific unique channel. A plurality of settings can be made using a space-ized screen.

(Modification 1)
Next, a modified example of the registration screen displayed in the process of registering a specific channel in an arbitrary favorite channel will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first modified example of a registration screen for a favorite channel displayed superimposed on a part of a program image.
As shown in FIG. 7, the favorite channel registration screen 710 is displayed so as to be superimposed on a part of the program image 700. At this time, the channel number and broadcast station name of the selected channel are selected. The channel display area 720 is displayed at a position different from the favorite channel registration screen 710. A plurality of symbols and check fields displayed on the favorite channel registration screen 710 are synonymous with those displayed on the favorite channel registration screen 610 shown in FIG.

(Modification 2)
Next, a modified example of a registration screen displayed in the process of registering a specific channel in an arbitrary favorite channel will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second modified example of a registration screen for a favorite channel displayed superimposed on a part of a program image.
As shown in FIG. 8, the favorite channel registration screen 810 is displayed so as to be superimposed on a part of the program image 800. At this time, the favorite channel registration screen 810 is displayed on the lower right of the program image 800. The channel number and broadcasting station name of the selected channel, a plurality of symbols, and a check column displayed on the favorite channel registration screen 810 are displayed on the favorite channel registration screen 610 shown in FIG. In the favorite channel registration screen 810, the check column corresponding to the skip mark 811 is set with a check mark “t”, and the channel number “CH005” is skip registered. In this state, it is not possible to register in favorite channel A to favorite channel D.

  The position at which the favorite channel registration screen 810 is displayed is not limited to the lower right, and may be a position that does not hide the central portion of the program image 800 such as the upper right, the lower left, and the upper left. The position may not overlap with the program image 800.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, only a specific channel to be registered is displayed, and for the displayed channel, registration to a plurality of favorite channels, skip registration, and password entry are performed. Since the screen for setting request registration etc. is made small enough not to impair the function, the user interface screen for channel registration for multiple favorite channels is presented in an easy-to-read manner. It is possible.

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

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Television receiver, 20 ... Broadcast wave process part, 31 ... Operation part, 32 ... Light-receiving part, 40 ... Signal processing control part, 51 ... Network IF part, 61 ... Display, 62 ... Speaker, 71 ... HDD, RC ... remote control, 610 ... favorite channel registration screen, 611 ... skip mark, 612 ... password mark.

Claims (13)

Information indicating the channel number or broadcasting station name of the target channel to be registered in the group from among receivable channels, and multiple graphics for performing multiple settings including registration settings for multiple groups for the target channel Presenting means for presenting a user interface component to one channel;
Registration means for allowing a user to register the target channel in an arbitrary group according to the setting of the graphic user interface component presented by the presentation means;
A channel registration apparatus comprising:   2. The channel registration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presenting means permits a user to arbitrarily switch the target channel.   2. The presenting means, when presenting the graphic user interface component, presents the graphic user interface component in an area that overlaps or does not overlap with a part of the screen of the video that is being output at this time. Channel registration device.   The registration means, when a skip for rejecting channel selection when the channel is switched is set for the target channel, the registration means rejects registration of the skip-set channel to the group. 1. The channel registration device according to 1. 2. The channel registration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a channel selection unit that allows a user to select an arbitrary channel from one or more channels belonging to the group registered by the registration unit. Graphic user interface for performing predetermined settings including information indicating the channel number or broadcast station name of a target channel to be registered in a group from among receivable channels and registration settings for the target channel in a plurality of groups Presenting means for presenting parts for one channel;
Registration means for allowing a user to register the target channel in an arbitrary group according to the setting of the graphic user interface component presented by the presentation means;
A channel registration apparatus comprising:   7. The channel registration apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the presenting means permits a user to switch the target channel.   7. The channel registration apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the presenting means presents the graphic user interface component in an area that overlaps or does not overlap a part of a currently output video.   When the channel skip for rejecting channel selection is set in the target channel in channel switching, the registration unit rejects registration of the channel set for the channel skip in the group. The channel registration device according to claim 6. 7. The channel registration device according to claim 6, further comprising a channel selection unit that permits a user to select an arbitrary channel from one or more channels belonging to the group registered by the registration unit.   7. The channel registration apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the presenting means presents information indicating a channel number or a broadcasting station name of the target channel and the graphic user interface component at different positions. Presenting means for presenting, for one channel, a graphic user interface component for performing predetermined settings including registration settings for a plurality of groups of channels to be registered in a group from among receivable channels;
Registration means for allowing a user to register the target channel in an arbitrary group according to the setting of the graphic user interface component presented by the presentation means;
A channel registration apparatus comprising: Information indicating the channel number or broadcasting station name of a target channel to be registered in a group from among receivable channels, and a plurality of graphics for performing predetermined settings including registration settings for a plurality of groups of the target channel User interface parts are presented for one channel,
Permits the user to register the target channel in an arbitrary group according to the setting of the presented graphic user interface component.
A channel registration method characterized by the above.

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