JP5373146B2 - Program information notification apparatus, television receiver, program information notification method, program information notification program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify a user of program information adjusted to a taste of the user in a notification form useful to the user. <P>SOLUTION: A notification section 340 sequentially notifies the user of the prescribed number of program information whose broadcast day is the day and which are preferentially to be displayed one by one in program information decided by a deciding section 330, and sequentially notifies the user of the prescribed number of program information whose broadcast day is the next day and which are preferentially to be displayed one by one. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program information notification device, a television receiver, and a program information notification method that can notify a user of program information that matches a preset search condition from among a plurality of program information.

  There are a wide variety of programs viewed by users on television receivers and the like, and the number thereof is enormous. For this reason, it is very difficult for a user to find a program that suits his / her taste from such a large number of programs. Even if a program that suits one's preference can be found, the program may be overlooked due to viewing a different program at the start time of the program.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 acquires program information related to a recommended program by executing a keyword search for each program information included in EPG data based on information such as a keyword input by a user. A technique for notifying the user that the recommended program is started at a time earlier than the start time of the recommended program is disclosed. According to this technique, the user can know the existence of program information that may execute processing such as viewing or recording without missing program information.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when the keyword information input by the user is compared with service information for configuring a program guide or the like and it is determined that there is a program to be notified to the user, the start time of this program There has been disclosed a technique for displaying a notification message indicating that the program is to be started in a superimposed manner on a received image before or when the television is activated. According to this technique, as long as keyword information is given to the receiving device, the receiving device actively notifies the user of the program the user is seeking.

JP 2007-274164 A JP 2003-9033 A

  However, with the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, only a single piece of program information can be notified to the user at a certain time. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of programs that actually match the user's preference, the user can be notified of only one of the plurality of programs. For this reason, for example, when the first program that matches the user's preference and the second program that matches the user's preference start at the same time, the techniques disclosed in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 Since only the presence of one program is notified to the user, the user is not aware of the second program, and a problem arises that a program that matches the user's preference is missed.

  An object of the present invention is to notify a user of program information that matches a user's preference in a notification form more useful to the user.

  The program information notification device according to the present invention includes: a determination unit that determines, as program information to be notified to a user, a plurality of program information that matches a preset search condition from a plurality of program information; A notification unit for notifying the user of the program information of the program information, the notification unit of the program information determined by the determination unit, a predetermined number of program information to be preferentially displayed on the day of the broadcast date, After the program information is notified to the user one by one, a predetermined number of program information that should be preferentially displayed on the next day of the broadcast day is notified to the user one program information at a time.

  According to the present invention, since the user is notified of a plurality of program information that matches the search condition, the user can grasp the presence of the plurality of program information. Therefore, the user can judge and view a program more suitable for his / her preference by comparing the plurality of pieces of program information. Thereby, the risk that the user misses a program that matches his / her preference can be reduced. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to notify the user of program information that matches the user's preference in a notification form that is more useful to the user.

  In the above program information notification device, the notification unit further includes a program information on the same day after notification of a predetermined number of program information on the current day and after notification of a predetermined number of program information on the next day. It is preferable to notify the user to that effect.

  Further, in the program information notification device, the notification unit displays a message prompting the user to set the search condition when the search condition is not set at a predetermined timing at which the program information should be notified. It is preferable to display in a display column provided for display.

  In the program information notification device, it is preferable that it is possible to set whether or not to notify the program information for each input type supported by the program information notification device.

  In the program information notification apparatus, the input type preferably includes at least one of external input, HDD (Hard disk drive) reproduction, and BD (Blu-ray Disc) reproduction.

  In the program information notification device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the notification unit notifies the user of a plurality of determined program information sequentially for each piece of program information.

  With this feature, even when a plurality of program information is displayed and notified to the user, the space on the screen for displaying them can be minimized. Therefore, a plurality of program information can be notified to the user without unnecessarily hindering viewing of the video currently displayed on the screen.

  In the program information notification device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the notification unit notifies the user of a plurality of extracted program information when the viewing device is activated.

  When the viewing device is activated, it can be said that the user is particularly concerned about which program will be viewed. According to the present invention, since a plurality of program information is notified at such timing, a plurality of program information can be notified at a more useful timing for the user.

  Further, in the program information notification device according to the present invention, the notification unit determines a plurality of program information to be preferentially displayed from among the extracted plurality of program information, and the plurality of preferential display is performed. It is preferable to notify the user of program information.

  According to the present invention, even when a plurality of program information is displayed and notified to the user, the space on the screen for displaying them can be minimized. Moreover, the display time for displaying these can be minimized. Therefore, a plurality of program information can be notified to the user without unnecessarily hindering viewing of the video currently displayed on the screen.

  Further, in the program information notification device according to the present invention, the notification unit is extracted when a predetermined operation is performed by the user when the plurality of extracted program information is notified to the user. It is preferable to display a list of a plurality of program information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to notify a user of a plurality of program information without unnecessarily hindering viewing of the image currently displayed on the screen, and to notify the user only by performing a predetermined operation. The remaining program information that has not been made can be confirmed by the user without omission.

  Further, in the program information notification device according to the present invention, the notification unit is extracted when a predetermined operation is performed by the user when the plurality of extracted program information is notified to the user. Of the plurality of program information, it is preferable to display a list of a plurality of program information in which the broadcast date set on the same day as the broadcast date set in the program information notified at that time is set.

  When a program information is being displayed, an operation for displaying a list of the program information is performed. This means that there is other program information as the program information and the broadcast date on the same day. It can be said that there is a high possibility that the user is seeking. Therefore, according to the present invention, when an operation for displaying a list of program information is performed, a list of program information on the same day as the displayed program information and broadcast date is displayed, which is more useful for the user. It means that a plurality of program information of contents can be notified.

  Moreover, in the program information notification device according to the present invention, when a plurality of program information having the same start time is extracted, the notification unit is configured to output the plurality of programs before a predetermined time before the start time of the plurality of program information. Information is preferably notified to the user.

  When the program starts broadcasting, it can be said that the user is particularly interested in which program to watch. According to the present invention, since a plurality of program information is notified at such timing, a plurality of program information can be notified at a more useful timing for the user.

  In the program information notification device according to the present invention, when a plurality of program information having the same start time is notified to the user, if a predetermined operation is performed by the user, the information is notified at that time. It is preferable to further include a channel selection unit that performs a channel selection operation for viewing a program related to the program information.

  According to the present invention, even when a plurality of program information is displayed, there is no need to perform a selection operation such as selecting program information of a program to be viewed from the plurality of program information. When the program information is displayed, the channel selection operation for viewing the program can be easily performed only by performing a predetermined operation.

  Further, in the program information notification device according to the present invention, the notification unit does not notify the user of the program information on a day of the week set in advance as a non-notification target day among the determined plurality of program information, and notifies the user. It is preferable to notify the user of program information on a day of the week set in advance as the target day of the week.

  According to the present invention, since the program information of a channel that is highly likely not to be viewed by the user is not notified, a plurality of program information more useful to the user can be notified to the user.

  In the program information notification device according to the present invention, the notification unit does not notify the user of program information of a channel preset as a non-notification target channel among the determined plurality of program information, and notifies the user. It is preferable to notify the user of program information of a channel preset as a target channel.

  According to the present invention, since there is no notification of program information on a day of the week that the user is unlikely to view, a plurality of program information more useful to the user can be notified to the user.

  Moreover, in the program information notification device according to the present invention, when a predetermined operation for executing a predetermined function is performed when a plurality of pieces of program information are sequentially notified, the program information notified at that time It is preferable to execute the predetermined function for the program related to the above.

  In particular, in the program information notification device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the predetermined function includes at least one of channel selection, video recording, detailed information display, and two-screen display.

  According to the present invention, when the program information of interest is displayed, the user performs a predetermined operation at that timing, thereby performing a predetermined function (particularly, channel selection, recording, detailed information display, And 2-screen display) can be easily executed.

  In the program information notification device according to the present invention, it is preferable that when the search condition is not set, a message prompting the user to set the search condition is notified to the user.

  According to the present invention, by prompting the user to set a search condition, the functions of the program information notification apparatus can be used effectively.

  A television receiver according to the present invention includes any one of the program information notification devices described above.

  According to the present invention, since the user is notified of a plurality of program information that matches the search condition, the user can grasp the presence of the plurality of program information. It is possible to judge and watch a program that more suits the user's preference. As a result, the user does not miss a program that more suits his / her preference. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to notify the user of program information that matches the user's preference in a notification form that is more useful to the user.

  Further, the program information notification method according to the present invention includes a determination step of determining, from among a plurality of program information, a plurality of program information that matches a preset search condition as program information to be notified to the user. A notification step of notifying the user of a plurality of program information, wherein, in the notification step, among the program information determined in the determination step, a predetermined number of program information whose broadcast date should be preferentially displayed on that day The program information is sequentially notified to the user, and then a predetermined number of program information to be preferentially displayed on the next day of the broadcast day is notified to the user sequentially for each program information.

  According to the present invention, since the user is notified of a plurality of program information that matches the search condition, the user can grasp the presence of the plurality of program information. Therefore, the user can judge and view a program more suitable for his / her preference by comparing the plurality of pieces of program information. Thereby, the risk that the user misses a program that matches his / her preference can be reduced. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to notify the user of program information that matches the user's preference in a notification form that is more useful to the user.

  Note that a program for causing a computer to function as the program information notification device and a computer-readable recording medium on which such a program is recorded are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  According to the program information notification device, the program information notification system, the program information notification method, the program information notification program, and the recording medium according to the present invention, a plurality of program information matching a preset search condition is selected from the plurality of program information. The program information is determined as program information to be notified to the user, and the determined plurality of program information is notified to the user. Thereby, since the user is notified of a plurality of program information that matches the search condition, the user can grasp the presence of the plurality of program information. Therefore, the user can judge and view a program more suitable for his / her preference by comparing the plurality of pieces of program information.

1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a television 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a television 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the television 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of search conditions stored in a search condition storage unit 320. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the program information memorize | stored in the program information storage part 310. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of program information notification processing by the television 100. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the program information at the time of television starting. It is a figure which shows the display order of program information. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of processing for displaying a plurality of program information by the television 100. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a program list. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of program information notification processing by the television 100. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the program information at the time of program broadcast start. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure of the process which displays the several program information with the same start time by the television 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen for performing the main setting regarding a program information notification function. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting screen for narrowing down the day of the week which notifies program information. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting screen for narrowing down the channel which notifies program information. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting screen for narrowing down the timing which notifies program information. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting screen for narrowing down the input classification which notifies program information. 10 is a flowchart (modification) showing a procedure of program information notification processing by the television 100. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of program information at the time of television starting (modification). It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting screen of the priority conditions for determining the priority of program information. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting screen for designating the priority of program information according to a genre. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting screen for designating the priority of program information according to a channel.

Hereinafter, a program information notification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
(Outline of TV 100)
First, Embodiment 1 of the program information notification device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a television 100 according to the first embodiment. The television 100 is an example of a program information notification device that extracts program information that matches a preset search condition from a plurality of program information and notifies the user of the program information. In the present embodiment, the television 100 is employed as the program information notification device. The television 100 is a so-called television receiver that receives program data and outputs a program based on the received program data. That is, the television 100 can be said to be a television receiver equipped with a program information notification device.

  Examples of the television 100 include a liquid crystal television, a plasma television, an organic EL television, a cathode ray tube television, and the like. As the TV 100, for example, a HDD (Hard disk drive) recorder built-in TV, a HDD player built-in TV, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder built-in TV, a DVD player built-in TV, a BD (Blu-ray Disc) recorder built-in TV, BD TV with built-in player. In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal television incorporating a BD recorder and an HDD recorder is employed as the television 100.

The television 100 includes a main body 102 and a remote controller 104. In addition, the television 100 includes not only the remote controller 104 but also an operation button 106 provided on the outer surface of the main body 102 as an input device. For example, the user of the television 100 performs operations such as power ON / OFF, volume adjustment, input switching, channel selection, recording, and playback by operating the remote controller 104 or the operation button 106. Can do.
(Program information)
Here, program information handled by the television 100 will be described. The television 100 stores a plurality of program information. Each of the plurality of program information includes information such as program name, program content, channel, start time, broadcast time, and the like. For example, the television 100 acquires terrestrial digital broadcast program information and satellite broadcast program information via broadcast waves and network communication, and stores the acquired program information. The television 100 uses these pieces of program information mainly for an electronic program guide.

  The television 100 has a program information notification function. The television 100 also uses a plurality of program information for this program information notification function. The program information notification function is a function that notifies the user of program information that matches a preset search condition from a plurality of program information as recommended program information.

  The user of the television 100 sets arbitrary search conditions such as a genre, a keyword, and a program attribute in the television 100 in advance. The television 100 notifies the user of program information that matches the search condition at a predetermined timing.

  The user of the television 100 can use the program information notified as the recommended program information as a reference when determining the program to be viewed, or reconfirm the program that the user is trying to view.

  Further, the notified program information is linked with a channel selection function, a viewing reservation function, a recording function, and the like. As a result, the user of the television 100 can select a channel on which the program is broadcast, make a viewing reservation or a recording reservation by a simple operation from the notified program information.

  Here, the timing at which the television 100 notifies the user of program information is as follows. (1) First, the television 100 notifies the user of program information when the television 100 is activated (that is, when the television 100 is turned on). (2) In addition, the television 100 notifies the user of this program information as recommended program information even before a predetermined time before the start time when the program related to the program information determined as the notification target is broadcast. For example, in the present embodiment, the television 100 notifies the user of the program information of this program two minutes before the start time at which a certain program determined to be notified is broadcast.

  In addition to the above (1) and (2), the television 100 is activated even when the user is instructed to notify the recommended program information by operating the remote controller 104 or the operation button 106. Similar to the time, the recommended program information can be notified to the user.

  Here, if there is a plurality of pieces of program information that match a preset search condition but only a single piece of program information is notified to the user, the user can select any one of the plurality of pieces of program information. Only one program information can be known. In such a case, for example, when the first program that matches the user's preference and the second program that matches the user's preference start at the same time, the presence of the first program exists. Since only the user has been notified, the user is unaware of the second program, and the problem of missing the program that matches the user's preference arises.

Therefore, the television 100 of the present embodiment notifies the user of a plurality of program information that matches a preset search condition at each of the timings (1) and (2). As a result, the user is notified of a plurality of recommended program information that matches the search condition, so the user can grasp the existence of the plurality of program information. It is possible to judge and watch programs that match the user's preference. As a result, the user does not miss a program that more suits his / her preference. That is, according to the television 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the user of program information that matches the user's preference in a notification form that is more useful to the user.
(Hardware configuration of TV 100)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the television 100 (main body 102). As shown in FIG. 2, the television 100 includes an external input terminal 201, a terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202, a satellite broadcast tuner 203, a recording / playback unit 204, a BD drive 205, a video selector 206, a video processing circuit 207, an OSD (On-Screen). Display) generation unit 208, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) controller 209, LCD 210, audio selector 211, audio processing circuit 212, amplifier 213, speaker 214, external device interface 215, ROM 216, RAM 217, CPU 218, infrared light receiving unit 219, communication interface 220 and an HD drive 221. In FIG. 2, the path of the video signal is indicated by a solid line, the path of the audio signal is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the path (bus) of data and control signals is indicated by a bold line.

  The external input terminal 201 includes a video input terminal 201a and an audio input terminal 201b. The video input terminal 201a is for inputting a video signal, and is, for example, a DVI terminal. The audio input terminal 201b is for inputting an audio signal, and is, for example, an S / PDIF terminal. However, the external input terminal 201 is not limited thereto, and may be an HDMI terminal or the like in which the video input terminal 201a and the audio input terminal 201b are integrated.

  The terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 is a tuner for receiving a broadcast program broadcast by terrestrial digital broadcast. The terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 includes, for example, an RF unit that converts a received signal into an analog baseband signal, an ADC unit that converts an analog baseband signal into a digital baseband signal, a demodulator that demodulates an MPEG2 stream from the digital baseband signal, And it can be comprised by the decoding part which decodes a video signal and an audio | voice signal from an MPEG2 stream.

  The MPEG2 stream demodulated by the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 is supplied to the recording / playback unit 204 via the bus. Also, the video signal and the audio signal decoded by the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 are supplied to the video selector 206 and the audio selector 211, respectively. Note that the CPU 218 controls which channel the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 selects as a demodulation target.

  The terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 is preferably a double tuner capable of simultaneously demodulating two MPEG2 streams broadcast via different channels. In this case, the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 supplies the MPEG2 stream broadcast via the first channel selected as the channel selection target channel to the recording / playback unit 204, and the video signal and audio signal decoded from the MPEG2 stream. Is supplied to the video selector 206 and the audio selector 211. Also, the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 supplies the MPEG2 stream broadcast via the second channel selected as the recording target channel to the recording / playback unit 204.

  Of course, the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 according to the present invention is not limited to a double tuner, and may be, for example, a single tuner or a plurality of tuners including three or more tuners. When the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 is a single tuner, an MPEG2 stream representing a broadcast program can be supplied to the recording / playback unit 204 only when the user is not viewing the broadcast program. Further, when the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 is composed of a plurality of tuners, each channel, each broadcast wave, or each viewer (for example, dad, mother, child, etc.) via a different channel. An MPEG2 stream representing a broadcast program to be broadcast can be supplied to the recording / playback unit 204.

  The satellite broadcast tuner 203 is a tuner for receiving a broadcast program broadcast by satellite broadcast. The satellite broadcast tuner 203 includes, for example, an RF unit that converts a received signal into an analog baseband signal, an ADC unit that converts an analog baseband signal into a digital baseband signal, a demodulation unit that demodulates an MPEG2 stream from the digital baseband signal, and The decoding unit can decode the video signal from the MPEG2 stream.

  The MPEG2 stream demodulated by the satellite broadcast tuner 203 is supplied to the recording / playback unit 204. Also, the video signal and the audio signal decoded by the satellite broadcast tuner 203 are supplied to the video selector 206 and the audio selector 211, respectively. Note that the CPU 218 selects which channel the satellite broadcast tuner 203 demodulates the MPEG2 data stream transmitted through.

  Note that the satellite broadcast tuner 203 in this embodiment is preferably a double tuner that can simultaneously receive two broadcast programs broadcast via different channels, like the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202.

  The recording / playback unit 204 includes a recording unit 204a and a playback unit 204b. The recording unit 204a acquires the MPEG2 stream from either the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 or the satellite broadcast tuner 203, and writes the acquired MPEG2 stream to the recording device. The recording unit 204a uses a BD drive 205 built in the television 100, an HD drive 221 built in the television 100, various recorders connected to the external device interface 215, and the like as a recording device for recording an MPEG2 stream. Can be used. The playback unit 204b reads the MPEG2 stream from the recording device, and decodes the video signal and the audio signal from the read MPEG2 stream. The video signal and audio signal decoded by the reproduction unit 204b are supplied to the video selector 206 and the audio selector 211, respectively.

  The video selector 206 is supplied with the four types of video signals described above. That is, (1) a video signal input from the external input terminal 201 (particularly the video input terminal 201a), (2) a video signal decoded by the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202, and (3) decoded by the satellite broadcast tuner 203. And (4) the video signal decoded by the recording / playback unit 204 (particularly the playback unit 204b). The video selector 206 selects any one of the video signals (1) to (4). The video signal selected by the video selector 206 is supplied to the video processing circuit 207. Note that the CPU 218 controls which video signal the video selector 206 selects.

  The video processing circuit 207 performs image quality adjustment processing on the video signal supplied from the video selector 206. The video processing circuit 207 performs a scaling process on the video signal supplied from the video selector 206. Here, the image quality adjustment processing refers to, for example, changing at least one of the luminance, sharpness, and contrast of the video represented by the video signal by processing the video signal. The scaling processing refers to similar enlargement or similar reduction of the size of the video represented by the video signal by processing the video signal. The video signal processed by the video processing circuit 207 is supplied to the LCD controller 209. Note that the CPU 218 controls how the image processing circuit 207 changes the image quality and size.

  The OSD generation unit 208 generates (renders) an OSD image from the OSD data supplied from the CPU 218. Examples of the OSD image generated by the OSD generation unit 208 include an electronic program guide. As the OSD data, for example, SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) can be used. The OSD image generated by the OSD generation unit 208 is superimposed on the video signal supplied from the video processing circuit 207 and supplied to the LCD controller 209.

  Based on the video signal supplied from the video processing circuit 207, the LCD controller 209 drives the LCD 210 to display the video represented by the video signal. In addition, when the OSD image is supplied from the OSD generation unit 208, the LCD controller 209 displays the video represented by the video signal based on the OSD image superimposed on the video signal supplied from the video processing circuit 207. The LCD 210 is driven to display. In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal television is adopted as an example of the television 100. For this reason, the television 100 employs an LCD 210 as a display, and employs an LCD controller 209 as a display controller. Therefore, when a television other than the liquid crystal television is adopted as the television 100, a display and a display controller corresponding to the television are adopted.

  The above-described four types of audio signals are supplied to the audio selector 211. That is, (1) an audio signal input from the external input terminal 201 (particularly the audio input terminal 201b), (2) an audio signal decoded by the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202, and (3) decoded by the satellite broadcast tuner 203. And (4) the audio signal decoded by the recording / playback unit 204 (particularly, the playback unit 204b). The audio selector 211 selects any one of the audio signals (1) to (4).

  The audio signal selected by the audio selector 211 is supplied to the audio processing circuit 212. Note that the CPU 218 controls which audio signal the audio selector 211 selects. However, the selection of the video in the video selector 206 and the selection of the audio in the audio selector 211 are linked. For example, when the video selector 206 selects the video signal supplied from the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202, the audio is selected. The selector 211 also selects the audio signal supplied from the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202.

  The audio processing circuit 212 performs volume adjustment processing on the audio signal supplied from the audio selector 211. The audio processing circuit 212 performs sound quality adjustment processing on the audio signal supplied from the audio selector 211. Here, the volume adjustment processing refers to changing the volume of the voice represented by the voice signal by processing the voice signal. The sound quality adjustment processing refers to changing the frequency characteristics of the sound represented by the sound signal by processing the sound signal (for example, low frequency emphasis or high frequency emphasis). The audio signal processed by the audio processing circuit 212 is supplied to the amplifier 213. Note that the CPU 218 controls how the sound processing circuit 212 changes the sound volume and sound quality.

  Based on the audio signal supplied from the audio processing circuit 212, the amplifier 213 drives the speaker 214 to output the audio represented by the audio signal.

  The CPU 218 controls each of the above units according to a control signal input to the television 100. As a control signal input to the television 100, a control signal input by the operation button 106, transmitted from the remote control 104, transmitted from the infrared light receiving unit 219, and transmitted from an external device via the external device interface 215. Control signals transmitted from the network device via the communication interface 220, and the like.

  For example, as control by the control signal, control for switching the reception channels of the digital terrestrial broadcast tuner 202 and the satellite broadcast tuner 203, and the video signal and the audio signal selected by the video selector 206 and the audio selector 211 are controlled according to the remote control signal. Control for causing the recording unit 204a to record content, control for causing the reproduction unit 204b to reproduce content, and the like.

  The ROM 216 is a readable and non-writable memory in which fixed data such as a program executed by the CPU 218 is stored. On the other hand, the RAM 217 is a readable and writable memory in which variable data such as data referred to by the CPU 218 for calculation and data generated by the CPU 218 by calculation is stored.

  The external device interface 215 is an interface for connecting an external device to the television 100. Examples of the external device interface 215 include HDMI and iLink.

  The communication interface 220 is an interface for connecting the television 100 to a network and various network devices. An example of the communication interface 220 is a LAN interface.

In this embodiment, as a digital terrestrial broadcasting system, a system for multiplexing MPEG2 streams (ATSC system in the United States, ISDB-T system in Japan, etc.) is assumed, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. That is, for example, instead of multiplexing MPEG2 streams, the present invention can also be applied to a system that multiplexes MPEG4 streams and the like (DVB-T / DVB-T2 system in Europe, etc.). In the latter case, the demodulated MPEG4 stream may be recorded on the recording medium as it is, or the demodulated MPEG4 stream may be converted into an MPEG2 stream and recorded on the recording medium.
(Function of TV 100)
Here, a functional configuration of the television 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the television 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the television 100 includes a program information storage unit 310, a search condition storage unit 320, a determination unit 330, a notification unit 340, a timer unit 350, and a channel selection unit 360. Here, a program information notification function provided in the television 100 and functions related thereto will be described. Since other functions are general functions of the television receiver, illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  The program information storage unit 310 stores a plurality of program information. For example, the television 100 receives a broadcast wave including terrestrial digital broadcast program information by the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202. Also, the television 100 receives broadcast waves including satellite broadcast program information by the satellite broadcast tuner 203. Then, the television 100 extracts program information included in the received broadcast wave, and stores the extracted program information in the program information storage unit 310. The television 100 periodically acquires the latest program information and stores it in the program information storage unit 310. For example, in the television 100, the ROM 216, the RAM 217, and the like illustrated in FIG. 2 function as the program information storage unit 310.

  The search condition storage unit 320 stores search conditions for searching for program information to be notified to the user from among a plurality of program information stored in the program information storage unit 310. The search condition storage unit 320 stores arbitrary search conditions set in advance by the user. For example, the search conditions include genre, keyword, program attribute, and the like. For example, in the television 100, the ROM 216, the RAM 217, and the like illustrated in FIG. 2 function as the search condition storage unit 320.

  The determination unit 330 notifies the user of a plurality of program information that matches the search condition stored in the search condition storage unit 320 from the plurality of program information stored in the program information storage unit 310. Determine as. Specifically, each of the plurality of program information stored in the program information storage unit 310 includes information such as a genre, program contents, and program attributes. Therefore, the determination unit 330 sets the program information in which the same genre as the genre set in the search condition is set, the program information in which the keyword set in the search condition is included in the program content, and the attribute set in the search condition. Program information and the like for which the same attribute is set is determined as program information to be notified to the user. For example, in the television 100, the CPU 218 illustrated in FIG.

  The notification unit 340 notifies the user of the program information determined by the determination unit 330. Specifically, the notification unit 340 notifies the user of the program information by causing the LCD 210 to display the program information determined by the determination unit 330. The notification of the program information by the notification unit 340 may be accompanied by some sound. For example, the notification unit 340 may perform a process of reading program information and cause the speaker 214 to emit sound indicating the content of the program information. For example, in the television 100, the CPU 218 illustrated in FIG. 2 functions as the notification unit 340 by controlling the video processing circuit 207 and the audio processing circuit 212.

  The timer unit 350 determines the timing for notifying the user of program information. For example, when a certain piece of program information is determined as program information to be notified to the user, the timer unit 350 sets a notification time of this program information before a predetermined time indicated by the program information. For example, the timer unit 350 sets the notification time of the program information two minutes before the start time indicated in the program information. When the set notification time arrives, the timer unit 350 supplies some trigger information to the notification unit 340. Upon receiving this trigger information, the notification unit 340 starts program information notification processing. For example, in the television 100, the CPU 218 illustrated in FIG. 2 functions as the timer unit 350.

The channel selection unit 360 performs a channel selection operation. Examples of the channel selection operation include an operation of switching the reception channels of the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 202 and the satellite broadcast tuner 203, and an operation of switching the video signal and the audio signal selected by the video selector 206 and the audio selector 211. Normally, the channel selection unit 360 performs a channel selection operation based on a control signal input from the operation button 106 or a control signal transmitted from the remote control 104 and received by the infrared light receiving unit 219. For example, in the television 100, the CPU 218 illustrated in FIG. 2 functions as the channel selection unit 302. For example, in the television 100, the CPU 218 illustrated in FIG. 2 functions as the channel selection unit 360 by controlling the terrestrial digital tuner 202 and the satellite broadcast tuner 203.
(Search criteria)
Here, a specific example of the search condition stored in the search condition storage unit 320 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of search conditions stored in the search condition storage unit 320. As shown in FIG. 4, the search condition storage unit 320 stores a plurality (N cases, where N is an arbitrary integer) of search conditions. These search conditions are used when the determination unit 330 determines program information to be notified to the user.

  For example, the genre “news / report” is set in the search condition 1. Thereby, the determination unit 330 determines the program information in which the genre “news / report” is set as the program information to be notified to the user.

  As shown in FIG. 4, since the search condition storage unit 320 stores a plurality of search conditions, the determination unit 330 sets program information that matches any of the search conditions as program information to notify the user. decide. That is, the determination unit 330 determines program information to be notified to the user using a plurality of search conditions as OR conditions.

  Note that the determination unit 330 may determine program information to be notified to the user using a plurality of search conditions as AND conditions. Also, the user may be able to select whether a plurality of search conditions are used as AND conditions or a plurality of search conditions are used as OR conditions.

In addition, as a search condition setting method, as shown in FIG. 4, an arbitrary combination of users may be set by causing the user to set individual search conditions. May be stored and the user may be made to select from the plurality of combinations.
(Program information)
Next, a specific example of program information stored in the program information storage unit 310 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of program information stored in the program information storage unit 310. As shown in FIG. 5, the program information storage unit 310 stores a plurality (M cases, where M is an arbitrary integer) of program information. The decision unit 330 decides, as program information to be notified to the user, program information that matches a preset search condition from among the plurality of program information.

  Each program information includes various information related to the program related to the program information. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, each program information includes a broadcast type, a channel ID, a branch number, a network ID, a service name, an event ID, a program name, a start time, and an end time related to the program related to the program information. Various information such as program content, genre, etc. are included.

  Such information is information that is actually notified to the user by the electronic program guide or the program information notification function, is used internally by the television 100, or is referred to in the search processing by the determination unit 330. Information.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, a search hit flag is set in each program information. The search hit flag indicates whether or not the program information matches a search condition stored in the search condition storage unit 320. Specifically, the search hit flag includes “TRUE” indicating that the program information matches the search condition for each of the plurality of search conditions stored in the search condition storage unit 320, or the program information Is set to “FALSE” indicating that does not match the search condition.

  For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, “TRUE” is set for “search condition 1” and “search condition 3” in “program information 1”. This means that "program information 1" is program information that matches "search condition 1" and "search condition 3" shown in FIG.

  Such setting of “TRUE” and “FALSE” for each search condition is performed by the determination unit 330.

  For example, when the “search condition N” is newly set by the user, the determination unit 330 performs a process of determining program information that matches the “search condition N” from among a plurality of program information. At this time, the determination unit 330 sets “TRUE” for “search condition N” in the “search hit flag” column for program information that matches the “search condition N”. On the contrary, the determination unit 330 sets “FALSE” for “search condition N” in the “search hit flag” column for program information that does not match “search condition N”.

  As described above, once the search process by the determination unit 330 is performed, it is determined whether or not each of the plurality of program information matches the search condition, that is, whether or not to notify the user. be able to. Thus, the notification unit 340 can recognize the program information notified to the user only by referring to the “search hit flag” column of the plurality of program information, even if the determination unit 330 does not perform the search process many times. It can be done.

Note that the setting value in the “Search hit flag” field indicates the search processing result based on the search condition at that time, so when a search condition is added / changed / deleted, the “search hit” The set value in the “flag” column is also updated. As a result, the set value in the “search hit flag” column indicates the search processing result based on the latest search condition.
(Procedure for program information notification process when the TV 100 is started)
Next, a procedure for program information notification processing by the television 100 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of program information notification processing by the television 100. As already described, the television 100 performs the program information notification process (1) when the television 100 is activated and (2) when the program broadcast is started. Here, (1) the procedure of the program information notification process when the television 100 is activated will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the search condition is already stored in the search condition storage unit 320, the program information is stored in the program information storage unit 310, and each program information In the following description, it is assumed that the determination unit 330 determines whether the search condition is met.

  First, when the television 100 is activated (step S601), the notification unit 340 determines whether a search condition is set for the television 100 (step S602). For example, the notification unit 340 can determine that the search condition is set for the television 100 if even one search condition is stored in the search condition storage unit 320. Conversely, the notification unit 340 can determine that no search condition is set for the television 100 if no search condition is stored in the search condition storage unit 320.

  If it is determined in step S602 that “search conditions are not set” (step S602: No), the television 100 cannot determine recommended program information, and thus ends the program information notification process. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S602 that “search conditions are set” (step S602: Yes), the notification unit 340 determines whether there is program information that matches the search conditions (step S603). .

  For example, if “TRUE” is set in the “search hit flag” column of any program information stored in the program information storage unit 310, the notification unit 340 has “program information that matches the search condition”. Can be determined. On the contrary, the notification unit 340 indicates that “program information matching the search condition is not found” if “TRUE” is not set in the “search hit flag” column of any program information stored in the program information storage unit 310. It can be determined that there is no.

  If it is determined in step S603 that “there is no program information that matches the search condition” (step S603: No), the TV 100 ends the program information notification process because there is no recommended program information. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S603 that “there is program information that matches the search condition” (step S603: Yes), the television 100 advances the process to step S604.

In step S604, the notification unit 340 determines program information to be preferentially displayed from among a plurality of program information that matches the search condition (step S604). This is because it is not preferable to display all of the plurality of program information when there is a large amount of program information that matches the search condition.
In the present embodiment, the notification unit 340 includes, from among a plurality of program information matching the search condition, five pieces of program information in the order of the broadcast date on the current day and the start time, and the broadcast date on the next day and in the order of the start time. A total of 10 pieces of program information including 5 pieces of program information is determined as program information to be displayed preferentially.

  For example, when the system date and time when the television 100 is activated is 11:00 on Friday, December 17th, the notification unit 340 has the broadcast date and time on Friday, December 17th and 11:00. From the plural pieces of program information for which the start time is set between ˜24: 00, five pieces of program information are determined as program information to be displayed preferentially in the order of the start time. Further, the notification unit 340 has an earlier start time from a plurality of program information whose broadcast date and time is December 18 (Saturday) and whose start time is set between 0:00 and 24:00. In order, five pieces of program information are determined as program information to be displayed preferentially.

  Thus, when the program information to be preferentially displayed is determined, the notification unit 340 sequentially displays the determined plurality of pieces of program information one by one (step S605). Specifically, the notification unit 340 displays a program information notification screen so as to overlap the currently displayed video. The notification unit 340 sequentially displays the determined plurality of program information in the program information notification screen while scrolling one by one. In particular, in the present embodiment, the notification unit 340 sequentially displays the determined plurality of program information in order from the earliest start time.

  Here, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 7, the notification unit 340 displays a “program list” button together with recommended program information in the program information notification screen. The television 100 monitors whether or not the “program list” button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S606). When the “program list” button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S606: Yes), the television 100 displays a list of a plurality of program information that matches the search condition (step S606). S607), the program information notification process is terminated. On the other hand, if the “program list” button is not pressed while the program information is displayed (step S606: No), the program information is continuously displayed.

  Thereafter, when the display of the program information for one case is completed (step S608), the notification unit 340 determines whether or not all the pieces of program information determined in step S604 have been displayed (step S609). If it is determined in step S609 that “all the determined pieces of program information have been displayed” (step S609: Yes), the television 100 ends the program information notification process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S609 that “all determined pieces of program information are not displayed” (step S609: No), the television 100 performs steps until all the determined pieces of program information are displayed. Steps S605 to S609 are repeated.

Through such a procedure, the television 100 determines program information to be displayed preferentially from a plurality of program information that matches the search condition, and sequentially displays the determined plurality of program information one by one. It is. If a “program list” button is pressed while program information is being displayed, a list of a plurality of program information that matches the search conditions is displayed.
(Example of displaying program information when starting TV)
Next, a display example of program information when the TV is activated will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of program information when the television is activated. A screen 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 included in the television 100. On this screen 700, a program information notification screen 710 is displayed so as to overlap the currently broadcast video.

  The program information notification screen 710 is provided with a title display area 712 and a program information display area 714. In the present embodiment, the title display area 712 shows “Today's tomorrow's recommended program”. In the program information display area 714, program information to be notified to the user as recommended program information is displayed. The notification unit 340 sequentially displays a plurality of pieces of program information in the program information display area 714 while scrolling one by one.

  The program information notification screen 710 displays a “program list” button 716 and an operation explanation 718. As already described, the television 100 displays a part of the program information that matches the search condition in the program information display area 714 and displays the “program list” while the program information is displayed in the program information display area 714. When the “” button 716 is pressed, a list of program information that matches the search conditions is displayed.

  The operation description 718 shows an operation method on the remote controller 104 for possible operations on the program information notification screen 710. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, in the operation description 718, when the lower button of the remote controller 104 is pressed, the next program information can be displayed, and when the “return” button of the remote controller 104 is pressed, the program information notification process is performed. It has been shown that can be terminated.

  Note that the television 100 can display program information as shown in FIG. 7 regardless of the content already displayed on the screen when the television is activated. For example, the television 100 can display program information as shown in FIG. 7 regardless of the broadcast type (terrestrial digital / BS / CS or the like) when the television is activated. Further, the television 100 can display the program information as shown in FIG. 7 even if the external input display is performed when the television is activated.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the program information notification screen 710 displays not only the program information but also the “program list” button 716 and the operation explanation 718. If there is information that is useful for the user, such as what program information is currently displayed, this information may be further displayed.
(Program information display order)
Next, the display order of program information will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display order of program information. The program information group 800 and the program information group 810 shown in FIG. 8 are program information groups determined by the notification unit 340 to be displayed preferentially. Specifically, the program information group 800 is program information for five items in the order of the broadcast date that is the current day and the earliest start time among a plurality of program information that matches the search condition. Further, the program information group 810 is program information for five items in the order from the earliest start time with the broadcast day being the next day.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the notification unit 340 first displays the program information of the five broadcast days on the current day one by one in order from the earliest start time. Then, when there are six or more pieces of program information on the day of the broadcast day, the notification unit 340 displays a message 802 “There are other recommended programs of the day” as shown in FIG. Thereby, the notification unit 340 prompts the user to check the program information on the sixth and subsequent programs in the program information list.

  Subsequently, the notification unit 340 displays the five pieces of program information on the next broadcast day one by one in order from the earliest start time. Similarly, when there are six or more pieces of program information on the next broadcast day, the notification unit 340 displays a message 812 “There are other recommended programs for tomorrow” as shown in FIG. Thereby, the notification unit 340 prompts the user to check the program information on the sixth and subsequent programs in the program information list.

  Here, as described above, the notification unit 340 displays a plurality of pieces of program information one by one in order from the earliest start time. That is, when the display of one piece of program information is completed, the display of the next one piece of program information is started. In this regard, the end timing of displaying one piece of program information may vary. For example, display time for one case may be determined in advance, and character information for one case may be displayed until the display time elapses. When the program information is scroll-displayed, the display of the program information for one case may be terminated when the scroll of the last character of the program information for one case is completed. Alternatively, a display time for one case may be determined in advance, and scroll display of character information for one case may be repeatedly performed until the display time elapses. Further, the character information for one case may be continuously displayed until the user performs an operation for displaying the next character information.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the television 100 displays “start time”, “CH (channel)”, and “program name” for each of a plurality of program information. The contents of the program information to be performed are not limited to these.

In the above example, every time the television 100 is started, five pieces of program information are displayed. However, the number of notifications of program information is limited, or the number of display of program information is changed according to the number of starts. Or you may. For example, the program information may be notified every day only at the first activation of the day (that is, only once a day). Further, for each day, five program information may be displayed at the first activation of the day, and only one program information may be displayed at the second and subsequent activations of the day. Further, the user may arbitrarily set the number of notifications and the number of display items. In the above example, the program information for the current day and the program information for the next day are displayed. However, only the program information for the current day may be displayed, or the program information for the current week may be displayed.
(Procedure for displaying multiple program information)
Here, a procedure of processing for displaying a plurality of program information by the television 100 will be described more specifically. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of processing for displaying a plurality of program information by the television 100. Here, a description will be given assuming that a plurality of pieces of program information to be preferentially displayed has been determined.

  First, the notification unit 340 performs the processing of steps S901 to S911, thereby performing display processing of a plurality of program information whose broadcast date is that day.

  First, the notification unit 340 selects program information to be displayed first from a plurality of pieces of program information whose broadcast date is determined to be preferentially displayed and whose broadcast date is that day (step S901), and selects the selected program information. A scroll display is performed (step S902).

  Here, the television 100 monitors whether or not the “end” button of the remote controller 104 is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S903). Then, when the “end” button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S903: Yes), the television 100 ends the program information notification process. On the other hand, if the “end” button is not pressed while the program information is displayed (step S903: No), the television 100 continues to display the program information.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the notification unit 340 displays a “program list” button together with recommended program information in the program information notification screen. The television 100 monitors whether or not the “program list” button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S904). When the “program list” button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S904: Yes), the television 100 indicates that the broadcast date of the plurality of program information matching the search condition is the same day. Is displayed (step S905), and the program information notification process is terminated. On the other hand, if the “program list” button is not pressed while the program information is displayed (step S904: No), the television 100 continues to display the program information.

Furthermore, the television 100 monitors whether or not the lower button of the remote controller 104 is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S906). When the down button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S906: Yes), the notification unit 340
It is determined whether or not there is program information to be displayed next (step S907). If it is determined that “there is program information to be displayed next” (step S907: Yes), it is determined that the program information is preferentially displayed. The program information to be displayed next is selected from the plurality of program information on the broadcast day (step S908), the process returns to step S902, and the selected program information is scroll-displayed (step S902).

  On the other hand, if the down button is not pressed while the program information is displayed (step S906: No), the television 100 continues to display the program information. If it is determined in step S907 that “there is no program information to be displayed next” (step S907: No), similarly, the television 100 continues to display the program information.

  Thereafter, when the display of the program information displayed in step S902 is completed (step S909), the notification unit 340 determines whether there is program information to be displayed next (step S910). If it is determined that "there is program information to be" (step S910: Yes), the program information to be displayed next is selected from the plurality of program information on the current day that is determined to be preferentially displayed. (Step S911), the process returns to Step S902, and the selected program information is scrolled and displayed (Step S902). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S910 that “there is no program information to be displayed next” (step S910: No), it means that all the program information to be displayed has been displayed. The display processing of a plurality of program information on the day is finished, and the display processing of the plurality of program information on the next day is performed on the broadcast day (step S912). At this time, if there is program information other than the program information to be preferentially displayed, a message such as a message 802 shown in FIG. 8 (“There are other recommended programs of the day”) is displayed. Also good.

The display process of the plurality of program information on the next broadcast day is the same as the display process (Steps S901 to S911) of the plurality of program information on the broadcast day, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Then, when the display process of the plurality of program information on the next broadcast day by the notification unit 340 ends, the television 100 ends the program information notification process.
(Example of program list display)
Subsequently, a display example of a program list will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a program list. A program list display screen 1000 shown in FIG. 10 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 provided in the television 100. This program list display screen 1000 is displayed on top of the currently broadcast video or instead of the currently broadcast video.

  The program list display screen 1000 is provided with a search condition display area 1010 and a program list display area 1020. In the search condition display area 1010, the search conditions used for the recommended program information search process are displayed. In the program list display area 1020, a list of recommended program information that matches the search condition is displayed.

  Here, on the program list display screen 1000, tags for each day after the current day are displayed. The user can select a tag with an arbitrary date by operating the remote controller 104 or the like. When a tag with an arbitrary date is selected, the television 100 displays a list of program information on the selected date among recommended program information that matches the search condition in the program list display area 1020. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the tag “today” is selected, and in response to this, in the program list display area 1020, the program information of the current day out of the recommended program information that matches the search condition. Is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the television 100 displays “CH (channel)”, “broadcast station”, “program name”, Although “broadcast date and time” is displayed, the content of the program information displayed in the program information list is not limited to these.

  Although illustration is omitted here, the user of the television 100 selects arbitrary program information from a plurality of program information displayed in the program list display area 1020 by a predetermined operation of the remote controller 104 or the like. Can do. Then, the user of the television 100 confirms the details of the selected program information or reserves viewing of the program related to the selected program information by further performing a predetermined operation while any program information is selected. And recording reservations.

  Note that, as described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, the television 100 of the present embodiment sequentially displays program information for five items of the current day one by one from among a plurality of program information that matches the search condition, and then continues to the next day. The five pieces of program information are sequentially displayed one by one.

  In the television 100 of the present embodiment, when the “program list” button is pressed while the program information for the current day is displayed, the program list is displayed automatically with the current day tag selected. A screen 1000 is displayed. That is, the program list display screen 1000 is displayed in a state where a list of program information for the day is displayed in the program list display area 1020.

  On the other hand, when the “program list” button is pressed while the program information for the next day is displayed, the program list display screen 1000 is automatically displayed in a state where the tag for the next day is selected. That is, the program list display screen 1000 is displayed in a state where a list of program information for the next day is displayed in the program list display area 1020.

That is, when the “program list” button is pressed while the program information is displayed, the television 100 of the present embodiment automatically displays a list of program information on the same day as the broadcast date of the displayed program information. Display.
(Procedure for notifying program information at the start of program broadcast)
Next, a procedure for program information notification processing by the television 100 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of program information notification processing by the television 100. As already described, the television 100 performs the program information notification process (1) when the television 100 is activated and (2) when the program broadcast is started. Here, (2) the procedure of the program information notification process at the start of program broadcast will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the search condition is already stored in the search condition storage unit 320, the program information is stored in the program information storage unit 310, and each program information In the following description, it is assumed that a new search condition is added from the state in which the determination unit 330 determines whether or not the search condition is met.

  First, when a new search condition (N + 1) is set for the television 100 (step S1101), the determination unit 330 determines program information that matches the new search condition (N + 1) as recommended program information. (Step S1102). Specifically, as described in FIG. 5, for program information that matches “search condition (N + 1)”, for “search condition (N + 1)” in the “search hit flag” column of each program information. “TRUE” is set.

  Next, the notification unit 340 selects program information for which the earliest start time is set from the recommended program information determined in step S1102, and the timer 350 is a predetermined time before the start time of the program information. (In this embodiment, the time is two minutes ago, but the present invention is not limited to this.) The notification time of the program information is set (step S1103). Here, when there are a plurality of program information for which the earliest start time is set, the notification unit 340 selects the plurality of program information from the recommended program information determined in step S1102, and the timer 350 The start time common to the plurality of program information is set as the notification time of the plurality of program information. In the following description, it is assumed that a plurality of program information having a common start time is selected in step S1103, and a start time common to the plurality of program information is set.

  Thereafter, when the notification time set in step S1103 arrives (step S1104: Yes), the notification unit 340 starts the processing after step S1105, which is the notification processing of the program information selected in step S1103. On the other hand, until the notification time set in step S1103 arrives (step S1104: No), the notification unit 340 waits for notification processing.

  In step S1105, the notification unit 340 sequentially displays a plurality of pieces of program information selected in step S1103 one by one (step S1105). Specifically, the notification unit 340 displays a program information notification screen so as to overlap the currently displayed video. The notification unit 340 sequentially displays the determined plurality of program information in the program information notification screen while scrolling one by one. In this embodiment, the display order of the plurality of program information here is not particularly defined, but the display order may be determined according to some condition.

  Here, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 12, the notification unit 340 displays a “channel selection” button together with recommended program information in the program information notification screen. The television 100 monitors whether or not this “channel selection” button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1106). When the “channel selection” button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1106: Yes), the television 100 performs a channel selection operation for viewing the program related to the displayed program information. Is selected by the channel selection unit 360 (step S1107), and the program information notification process is terminated. On the other hand, if the “channel selection” button is not pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1106: No), the program information is continuously displayed.

  After that, when the display of one piece of program information among a plurality of pieces of program information having the same start time is completed (step S1108), the notification unit 340 includes a plurality of pieces of program information determined in step S1103. It is determined whether or not all are displayed (step S1109). If it is determined in step S1109 that “all the determined program information has been displayed” (step S1109: Yes), the television 100 determines whether all the recommended programs determined in step S1102 have been displayed. (Step S1110).

  If it is determined in step S1110 that “all recommended programs determined in step S1102 have been displayed” (step S1110: Yes), the television 100 ends the program information notification process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1110 that “all recommended programs determined in step S1102 are not displayed” (step S1110: No), the notification unit 340 includes the recommended program information determined in step S1102. Then, the program information with the next earliest start time is selected, and the timer 350 sets the notification time of the program information two minutes before the start time of the program information (step S1111). After that, the television 100 returns the process to step S1104 and performs the processes after step S1104 again.

According to such a procedure, the television 100 determines recommended program information that matches the search condition from the plurality of program information, and displays the recommended program information a predetermined time before the start time of the recommended program information. In particular, when there are a plurality of recommended program information having the same start time, the plurality of program information is sequentially displayed one by one before a predetermined time before the start time common to the plurality of program information. When the “channel selection” button is pressed while the program information is displayed, a channel selection operation for viewing the program related to the displayed program information is performed.
(Display example of program information at the start of program broadcast)
Next, a display example of program information at the start of program broadcast will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of program information at the start of program broadcasting. A screen 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 included in the television 100. On this screen 1200, a program information notification screen 1210 is displayed so as to overlap the currently broadcast video.

  The program information notification screen 1210 is provided with a title display area 1212 and a program information display area 1214. In this embodiment, the title display area 1212 shows “Recommended program starts”. In the program information display area 1214, program information to be notified to the user as recommended program information is displayed. The notification unit 340 sequentially displays the program information of the program that is about to start broadcasting in the program information display area 1214 while scrolling. In particular, when there are a plurality of programs to be broadcast soon, a plurality of program information related to the plurality of programs are sequentially displayed while scrolling one by one.

  The program information notification screen 1210 displays a “channel selection” button 1216 and an operation description 1218. As described above, the television 100 displays a part of the program information that matches the search condition in the program information display area 1214 and displays “channel selection” while the program information is displayed in the program information display area 1214. When the “” button 1216 is pressed, a channel selection operation for viewing a program related to the displayed program information is performed.

  The channel selection operation at this time includes a broadcast type (terrestrial digital / BS / CS, etc.) switching operation and a switching operation from an external input. In short, when the “channel selection” button 1216 is pressed, the television 100 selects the user so that the user can view a program related to the displayed program information without performing any operation. Station operation is performed.

  The operation description 1218 shows an operation method using the remote controller 104 for possible operations on the program information notification screen 1210. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the operation description 1218 can be executed by pressing the “select” button on the remote control 104 and pressing the “channel selection” button 1216, and pressing the “return” button on the remote control 104. Then, it is shown that the program information notification process can be terminated.

  Note that the television 100 can display program information as shown in FIG. 12 regardless of the content already displayed on the screen at the start of program broadcasting. For example, the television 100 can display program information as shown in FIG. 12 regardless of the broadcast type (terrestrial digital / BS / CS or the like) at the start of program broadcast. Further, the television 100 can display program information as shown in FIG. 12 even if external input display is performed at the start of program broadcasting.

  Further, as described above, the notification unit 340 displays a plurality of pieces of program information having the same start time one by one. That is, when the display of one piece of program information is completed, the display of the next one piece of program information is started. In this regard, the end timing of displaying one piece of program information may vary. For example, display time for one case may be determined in advance, and character information for one case may be displayed until the display time elapses. When the program information is scroll-displayed, the display of the program information for one case may be terminated when the scroll of the last character of the program information for one case is completed. Alternatively, a display time for one case may be determined in advance, and scroll display of character information for one case may be repeatedly performed until the display time elapses. Further, the character information for one case may be continuously displayed until the user performs an operation for displaying the next character information.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the television 100 displays “start time”, “CH (channel)”, and “program name” for each of a plurality of program information. The contents of the program information to be performed are not limited to these.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, not only the program information but also the “channel selection” button 1216 and the operation explanation 1218 are displayed on the program information notification screen 1210. If there is information that is useful for the user, such as what program information is currently displayed, this information may be further displayed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, a “channel selection” button 1216 is shown on the program information notification screen 1210, but the television 100 of this embodiment can be notified of program information by an operation in the horizontal direction using the remote controller 104 or the like. The buttons displayed on the screen 1210 can be sequentially switched from the “channel selection” button 1216 to other buttons.

  The television 100 includes a “reserved recording” button, a “program detail display” button, and a “two-screen display” button as the other buttons.

  For example, when the “reserved recording” button is pressed, the television 100 performs a reserved recording process for the program related to the program information displayed in the program information display area 1214 at that time, or performs this reserved recording process. Display the screen.

  When the “detail program display” button is pressed, the television 100 displays the detailed information of the program related to the program information currently displayed in the program information display area 1214 at any location on the screen. To do.

  When the TV 100 is equipped with a plurality of tuners, the “two-screen display” button is different from the program being viewed at that time and the program related to the program information displayed in the program information display area 1214. Can be displayed. When this “two screen display” button is pressed, the television 100 displays the program being viewed at that time and the program related to the program information displayed in the program information display area 1214 in two screens.

  As described above, the other buttons preferably include a button for performing an operation related to the program information displayed in the program information display area 1214. Thereby, the television 100 according to the present embodiment can not only notify the user of a plurality of program information, but also the next action (program selection, reserved recording in the above example) for the program in which the user has shown interest. , Detailed program display, and two-screen display) can be performed with a simple operation.

When the above switching is possible, as shown in FIG. 12, a display that prompts the user to perform the switching by operating the remote control or the like in the vicinity of the “channel selection” button 1216 or the operation description 1218. It is preferable to In addition, although the above switching is an operation in the left-right direction using the remote controller 104 or the like, the switching is not limited to this, and may be performed by another operation such as an up-down operation using the remote controller 104 or the like. Further, the other buttons are displayed by the switching, but the other buttons may be displayed without performing the switching.
(Procedure for displaying multiple program information with the same start time)
Here, a process procedure for displaying a plurality of pieces of program information having the same start time by the television 100 will be described more specifically. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of processing for displaying a plurality of pieces of program information having the same start time by the television 100. Here, a description will be given on the assumption that a plurality of pieces of program information having the same start time have already been determined as recommended information, and then a notification time that is a predetermined time before the start time common to these pieces of program information has arrived. .

  First, the notification unit 340 selects program information to be displayed first from a plurality of program information having the same start time (step S1301), and scrolls and displays the selected program information (step S1302).

  Here, the television 100 monitors whether or not the “end” button of the remote controller 104 is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1303). When the “end” button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1303: Yes), the television 100 ends the program information notification process. On the other hand, if the “end” button is not pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1303: No), the television 100 continues to display the program information.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the notification unit 340 displays a “channel selection” button together with recommended program information in the program information notification screen. The television 100 monitors whether or not this “channel selection” button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1304). When the “channel selection” button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1304: Yes), the television 100 views the program related to the program information displayed by the process of step S1302. Channel selection operation is performed (step S1305), and the program information notification process is terminated. On the other hand, if the “channel selection” button is not pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1304: No), the television 100 continues to display the program information.

  Furthermore, the television 100 monitors whether or not the lower button of the remote controller 104 is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1306). When the down button is pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1306: Yes), the notification unit 340 determines whether there is program information to be displayed next (step S1307). If it is determined that “there is program information to be displayed next” (step S1307: Yes), program information to be displayed next is selected from a plurality of program information having the same start time (step S1307). In step S1308, the process returns to step S1302, and the selected program information is scroll-displayed (step S1302).

  On the other hand, if the down button is not pressed while the program information is displayed (step S1306: No), the television 100 continues to display the program information. If it is determined in step S1307 that “there is no program information to be displayed next” (step S1307: No), similarly, the television 100 continues to display the program information.

Thereafter, when the display of the program information displayed in step S1302 ends (step S1309), the notification unit 340 determines whether there is program information to be displayed next (step S1310). If it is determined that “there should be program information” (step S1310: Yes), program information to be displayed next is selected from a plurality of program information having the same start time (step S1311), and the process proceeds to step S1302. Returning, the selected program information is scrolled and displayed (step S1302). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1310 that “there is no program information to be displayed next” (step S1310: No), this means that all the pieces of program information having the same start time are displayed. Ends the display processing of a plurality of program information having the same start time.
(Narrowing function)
Here, the television 100 of the present embodiment notifies the user of a plurality of program information that matches the search condition. However, when there are too many pieces of program information that matches the search conditions, it is not preferable to notify the user of these pieces of program information because it causes confusion. For the user, although the program information matches the search condition, it may be uncomfortable if the program information is notified at any time. Therefore, the television 100 of this embodiment is provided with a narrowing function for narrowing down program information to be notified to the user from among a plurality of program information that matches the search conditions. Hereinafter, a narrowing function provided in the television 100 will be described.
(Program information notification function setting screen)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen for making main settings regarding the program information notification function. A screen 1400 illustrated in FIG. 14 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 included in the television 100. This screen 1400 is a screen for making main settings regarding the program information notification function.

  For example, the screen 1400 displays a message “Do you want to automatically notify the search result?” And a “Yes” button 1410 and a “No” button 1420. The user can set whether or not to use the program information notification function for the television 100 by selecting either the “Yes” button 1410 or the “No” button 1420.

  For example, when the user selects the “Yes” button 1410, the television 100 notifies the user of a plurality of program information that matches the search condition as described above. As a result, the function for narrowing down the day of the week and the channel for notifying the program becomes effective, and “change” buttons 1430, 1440, 1450, 1460 described below are set so that the user can perform these settings. Becomes effective.

  On the other hand, if the user selects the “No” button 1420, the television 100 does not notify the user of program information that matches the search condition, even if there is program information. As a result, the function for narrowing down the day of the week and the channel for notifying the program is also invalidated, so that the “change” button 1430 and the “change” button 1440 are disabled so that the user cannot perform these settings. Become.

  Here, the screen 1400 displays a “change” button 1430 for narrowing down days of the week for notifying program information. By pressing the “change” button 1430, the user can cause the television 100 to display a setting screen for narrowing down days of the week for notifying program information, which will be described later with reference to FIG. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, a message “day of the week: all” is displayed alongside the “change” button 1430. This indicates the current setting of the function for narrowing down the days of the week for notifying program information. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 14, since “day of the week: all” is indicated, it indicates that the setting for notifying program information is made for all days of the week.

  The screen 1400 also displays a “change” button 1440 for narrowing down the channels for notifying program information. By pressing the “change” button 1440, the user can cause the television 100 to display a setting screen for narrowing down channels for notifying program information, which will be described later with reference to FIG. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, a message “channel: all” is displayed along with the “change” button 1440. This indicates the current setting of the function for narrowing down the channels for notifying program information. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 14, since “channel: all” is indicated, it indicates that setting for notifying program information is made for all channels.

  The screen 1400 also displays a “change” button 1450 for narrowing down the timing for notifying program information. By pressing this “change” button 1450, the user can cause the television 100 to display a setting screen for narrowing down the timing for notifying program information, which will be described later with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 14, a message “At startup / before program start” is displayed along with a “change” button 1450. This indicates the current setting of a function for narrowing down the timing for notifying program information. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 14, “when starting up / before starting the program” is shown, and therefore the program at both the time of starting up the television 100 and immediately before the start of the program related to the notification target program information. Indicates that information is set to be notified.

The screen 1400 displays a “change” button 1460 for narrowing down the type of TV input for notifying program information. By pressing the “change” button 1460, the user can cause the television 100 to display a setting screen for narrowing down the type of television input for notifying program information, which will be described later with reference to FIG. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, a message “TV” is displayed along with the “change” button 1460. This indicates the current setting of the function for narrowing down the type of TV input for notifying program information. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 14, since “TV” is indicated, the program information is set to be notified only when the input switching of the TV 100 is “watching TV”. Indicates.
(Program information notification day setting screen)
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a setting screen for narrowing down days of the week for notifying program information. A screen 1500 illustrated in FIG. 15 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 included in the television 100. This screen 1500 is a setting screen for narrowing down days of the week for notifying program information.

  For example, the screen 1500 displays a “notify” button and a “not notify” button for each day of the week from Sunday to Saturday. On this screen 1500, the user selects the “notify” button for the day of the week for which program information is desired to be notified, and selects the “not notify” button for the day of the week for which the program information is not desired.

  The television 100 determines whether or not to notify the user of program information every day of the week from Sunday to Saturday based on the setting made on the screen 1500. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the “notify” button is selected for Sunday and Saturday, and the “not notify” button is selected for other days of the week.

According to this setting, as described above, the television 100 notifies the user of program information that matches the search condition for Sunday and Saturday, and program information that matches the search condition for other days of the week. Even if exists, this is not notified to the user.
(Program information notification channel setting screen)
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of a setting screen for narrowing down channels for notifying program information. A screen 1600 illustrated in FIG. 16 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 included in the television 100. This screen 1600 is a setting screen for narrowing down channels for notifying program information.

  For example, on the screen 1600, a “notify” button and a “not notify” button are displayed for each channel that the television 100 can receive. On this screen 1600, the user selects a “notify” button for a channel for which program information is to be notified, and selects a “not notify” button for a channel for which program information is not desired.

  The television 100 determines whether or not to notify the user of program information for each channel that can be received by the television 100 based on the setting made on the screen 1600. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16, the “notify” button is selected for “CH1” and “CH7”, and the “not notify” button is selected for the other channels.

According to this setting, as described above, the television 100 notifies the user of program information that matches the search condition for “CH1” and “CH7”, and sets the search conditions for other channels, for example. Even if there is matching program information, this is not notified to the user.
(Program information notification timing setting screen)
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a setting screen for narrowing down the timing for notifying program information. A screen 1700 illustrated in FIG. 17 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 included in the television 100. This screen 1700 is a setting screen for narrowing down the timing for notifying program information.

  For example, on the screen 1700, a “notify” button and a “not notify” button are displayed for “at startup” and “before program start”, respectively. On this screen 1700, the user selects the “Notify” button for the timing at which the program information is desired to be notified, and selects the “Not notify” button for the timing at which the program information is not desired to be notified. In order to reflect such a setting change, the “setting change” button is selected.

Based on the settings made on this screen 1700, the television 100 determines whether or not to notify the user of program information for “at startup” and “before program start”.
(Program information notification input type setting screen)
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of a setting screen for narrowing down the input type for notifying program information. A screen 1800 illustrated in FIG. 18 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 included in the television 100. This screen 1800 is a setting screen for narrowing down the input type for notifying program information.

  For example, on the screen 1800, a “notify” button and a “not notify” button are displayed for each of “watching TV”, “external input”, “reproducing HDD”, and “reproducing BD”. ing. On this screen 1800, the user selects the “notify” button for the input type that the program information is desired to be notified, and selects the “not notify” button for the input type that is not desired to be notified of the program information. . In order to reflect such a setting change, the “setting change” button is selected.

  Whether TV 100 notifies the user of program information for each of “TV watching”, “External input”, “HDD playback”, and “BD playback” based on the settings made on this screen 1800 Judge whether or not.

  Note that the input types displayed on the screen 1800 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. Different input types may be displayed on the screen 1800 depending on the configuration of the television 100. For example, when the television 100 does not include an HDD or a BD, “HDD playback” or “BD playback” may not be displayed. Alternatively, “HDD playback” or “BD playback” may be displayed in an inoperable state. Further, when other inputs other than those illustrated in FIG. 18 are possible for the television 100, other input types (for example, “USB-HDD playback”, “Internet”, etc.) are displayed. May be.

  As described above, in the television 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to cause the user to perform settings for narrowing down program information to be notified to the user from among a plurality of program information that matches the search condition. It was adopted. Accordingly, the television 100 can prevent the user from being notified of too much program information or the program information from being notified at any time.

  As described above, the television 100 of the present embodiment notifies the user of a plurality of program information that matches a preset search condition. As a result, the user is notified of a plurality of recommended program information that matches the search condition, so the user can grasp the existence of the plurality of program information. It is possible to judge and watch programs that match the user's preference. As a result, the user does not miss a program that more suits his / her preference. That is, according to the television 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the user of program information that matches the user's preference in a notification form that is more useful to the user.

  In particular, the television 100 of the present embodiment sequentially notifies the user of a plurality of pieces of program information one by one. Thus, even when a plurality of program information is displayed and notified to the user, the space on the screen for displaying them can be minimized. Therefore, a plurality of program information can be notified to the user without unnecessarily hindering viewing of the video currently displayed on the screen.

  In addition, the television 100 according to the present embodiment notifies the user of the extracted plurality of program information when the television 100 is activated. When the television 100 is activated, it can be said that the user is particularly concerned about which program to watch. Therefore, according to the television 100 of the present embodiment, a plurality of program information is notified at such timing, so that a plurality of program information can be notified at a more useful timing for the user.

  Further, the television 100 of the present embodiment determines a plurality of program information to be preferentially displayed from among the plurality of program information, and notifies the user of the plurality of program information to be preferentially displayed. did. Thereby, the space and display time on the screen for displaying a plurality of program information can be minimized. Therefore, a plurality of program information can be notified to the user without unnecessarily hindering viewing of the video currently displayed on the screen.

  In addition, when a plurality of program information is notified to the user, the television 100 according to the present embodiment displays a list of the extracted plurality of program information when a predetermined operation is performed by the user. . As a result, it is possible to notify the user of a plurality of program information without unnecessarily preventing viewing of the video currently displayed on the screen, and the user is not notified only by performing a predetermined operation. The remaining program information can be confirmed by the user without omission.

  In particular, the television 100 according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of extracted program information is notified to the user, when a predetermined operation is performed by the user, of the extracted plurality of program information, A list of a plurality of program information in which the same broadcast date as the broadcast date set in the program information notified to the same day is set is displayed.

  When a program information is being displayed, an operation for displaying a list of the program information is performed. This means that there is other program information as the program information and the broadcast date on the same day. It can be said that there is a high possibility that the user is seeking. Therefore, according to the television 100 of the present embodiment, when an operation for displaying a list of program information is performed, a list of program information on the same day as the displayed program information and broadcast date is displayed. That is, it is possible to notify a plurality of program information having contents more useful to the user.

  In addition, when a plurality of pieces of program information having the same start time are extracted, the television 100 according to the present embodiment notifies the user of the plurality of pieces of program information a predetermined time before the start times of the plurality of pieces of program information. It was decided. When the program starts broadcasting, it can be said that the user is particularly interested in which program to watch. According to the present invention, since a plurality of program information is notified at such timing, a plurality of program information can be notified at a more useful timing for the user.

  In addition, when a user performs a predetermined operation when a plurality of pieces of program information having the same start time are notified to the user, the television 100 according to the present embodiment relates to the program information notified at that time. It is preferable to further include a channel selection unit that performs a channel selection operation for viewing a program. Thus, even when a plurality of program information is displayed, there is no need to perform a selection operation such as selecting the program information of the program to be viewed from the plurality of program information, but the program information of the program to be viewed When “” is displayed, the channel selection operation for viewing the program can be easily performed only by performing a predetermined operation.

  In addition, the television 100 of the present embodiment does not notify the user of the program information on the day of the week preset as the non-notification target day among the plurality of program information, and program information on the day of the week preset as the notification target day. To the user. Thereby, since the program information of the channel that is highly likely not to be viewed by the user is not notified, a plurality of program information more useful to the user can be notified to the user.

Also, the television 100 of the present embodiment does not notify the user of program information of a channel preset as a non-notification target channel among a plurality of program information, and program information of a channel preset as a notification target channel. To the user. As a result, the program information of the day of the week that is unlikely to be viewed by the user is not notified, and therefore a plurality of program information more useful to the user can be notified to the user.
(Program, storage medium)
Each block of the program information notification device (television 100) described in each embodiment may be realized in hardware by a logic circuit formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). You may implement | achieve by software using.

  As a specific example, a program information notification device includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of a program information notification apparatus, which is software that realizes the above-described functions, is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the program information notification apparatus and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM, PLD (Programmable logic device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. Logic circuits or the like can be used.

The program code may be supplied to the program information notification device via a communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the program code. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, and the like can be used. The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, even with wired lines such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 8021 wireless, HDR (High Data Rate), NFC (Near Field Communication), DLNA, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network and the like can also be used.
(Modification)
Hereinafter, modifications of the embodiment will be described.
(Modification 1)
First, with reference to FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the modification 1 of embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 19 is a flowchart (modification) showing a procedure of program information notification processing by the television 100. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a display example (modification example) of program information when the TV is activated.

  FIG. 19 shows that, when the search condition is not set (step S602: No), a process (step S610) for performing a display prompting the user to set the search condition is added as a process executed by the television 100. , Different from FIG. That is, in the first modification, when the search condition is not set, the television 100 performs a display for prompting the search condition setting.

  An example of a display prompting the user to set search conditions is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 20, in the first modification, when the search condition is not set, the program information display area 714 of the program information notification screen 710 indicates “tomorrow's recommendation by setting the search condition. The message “The program can be displayed” is scrolled. Thereby, the television 100 prompts the user to set a search condition.

In the example shown in FIG. 20, the operation description 718 of the program information notification screen 710 only shows that the program information notification process can be ended when the “return” button on the remote control 104 is pressed. Furthermore, a button for displaying a screen for setting search conditions, an operation description, and the like may be displayed in the operation description 718.
(Modification 2)
Next, Modification 2 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the embodiment, a plurality of program information is displayed in the order of the start time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The priority order of each program information is determined based on the priority condition, and each program information is displayed according to the priority order. It may be.

  For example, based on viewing history, etc., a program that the user seems to be interested in (for example, a program that is often viewed, a program of a genre that is often viewed, a program of a channel that is frequently viewed, a program that was viewed last week, etc.) is specified. The program information of the program may be preferentially displayed.

  In addition, the priority condition may be arbitrarily set by the user. Hereinafter, an example of the priority condition setting screen will be described.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display example of a priority condition setting screen for determining the priority order of program information. A screen 2100 illustrated in FIG. 21 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 included in the television 100. This screen 2100 is a screen for setting priority conditions for determining the priority order of program information. On the screen 2100, a “program start order” button 2110, a “genre designation” button 2120, and a “channel designation” button 2130 are displayed.

  For example, the user can press the “program start order” button 2110 to display a plurality of program information on the television 100 in the order of the start times.

  Also, the user can press the “specify genre” button 2120 to display on the television 100 a setting screen for specifying the priority order of program information for each genre, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

Also, the user can press the “channel designation” button 2130 to display on the television 100 a setting screen for designating the priority order of program information for each channel, which will be described later with reference to FIG.
(Genre priority setting screen)
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a display example of a setting screen for designating the priority order of program information for each genre. A screen 2200 illustrated in FIG. 22 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 included in the television 100. This screen 2200 is a setting screen for designating the priority order of program information by genre. In this example, the screen 2200 is configured to determine the first to third ranks of priorities by genre.

  For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 22, the screen 2200 indicates that “sports” is set for the first priority. In addition, “drama” is set for the second priority. In addition, it is indicated that the third priority is not set.

  The screen 2200 displays a “change” button for each of the first to third priorities. On this screen 2200, the user selects a “change” button for the priority order for which the setting is to be changed, so that another setting screen for setting an arbitrary genre for the priority order (not shown). Is displayed on the television 100, and the setting can be changed from this other setting screen.

  The television 100 determines the priority order of a plurality of program information based on the setting made on the screen 2200, and displays each program information according to the priority order.

  For example, among the five pieces of program information A, B, C, D, and E, the genre of the program information A and C is “sports”, the genre of the program information B and D is “drama”, and the program information E If the genre is neither, the TV 100 displays the program information in the order of A, C, B, D, E.

Of the five pieces of program information A, B, C, D, and E, the genre of the program information A, B, D, and E is “sports” and the genre of the program information C is “drama”. The TV 100 displays program information in the order of A, B, D, E, and C.
(Channel priority setting screen)
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example of a setting screen for designating the priority order of program information for each channel. A screen 2300 illustrated in FIG. 23 is a screen displayed on the LCD 210 included in the television 100. This screen 2300 is a setting screen for designating the priority order of program information for each channel. In this example, the screen 2300 is configured to determine the first to third priority levels for each channel.

  For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 23, the screen 2300 indicates that “CH3” is set for the first priority. In addition, “CH5” is set for the second priority. In addition, it is indicated that the third priority is not set.

  The screen 2300 displays a “change” button for each of the first to third priorities. On this screen 2300, the user selects a “change” button for the priority order for which the setting is to be changed, so that another setting screen (not shown) for setting an arbitrary channel for the priority order. Is displayed on the television 100, and the setting can be changed from this other setting screen.

  The television 100 determines the priority order of a plurality of program information based on the setting made on the screen 2300, and displays each program information according to the priority order.

  For example, among the five pieces of program information A, B, C, D, and E, the channel of the program information A and C is “CH3”, the channel of the program information B and D is “CH5”, and the program information E If the channel is neither, the television 100 displays the program information in the order of A, C, B, D, E.

  Of the five pieces of program information A, B, C, D, and E, the channel of program information A, B, D, and E is “CH3”, and the channel of program information C is “CH5”. The TV 100 displays program information in the order of A, B, D, E, and C.

  Note that the television 100 may apply any one of “program start order”, “genre designation”, and “channel designation” shown in FIG. 21, and may apply any plurality of AND conditions. Also good. For example, when “genre designation” and “channel designation” are applied, according to the settings shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the program information whose genre is “sports” and whose channel is “CH3” It will be displayed with the highest priority.

In the second modification, the priority order can be set for each genre and for each channel. However, the priority order may be set by another attribute value of the program information. For example, the priority order may be set for each broadcast type (terrestrial digital, BS digital, CS digital, etc.).
(Supplementary information)
It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  That is, the configuration of the program information notification device is at least: “a plurality of program information that matches a preset search condition among a plurality of program information is determined as program information to be notified to the user, and the determined plurality As long as the function of "notifying the user of the program information of" can be realized, the present invention is not limited to the one described in each embodiment, and may be implemented with various modifications to the system configuration described in the embodiment. Anyway.

  For example, in the embodiment, the example in which the television receiver is adopted as the program information notification device has been described. However, the program information notification device is not limited thereto. As the program information notification device, any device having at least a tuner function may be used, and any device such as a personal computer, a mobile terminal device, a mobile phone, various recorder devices, a car navigation device may be adopted. The program information notification device may not include a display device for displaying the program information, and may be a device that displays the program information on an external display device.

  In the embodiment, the search condition is stored in the search condition storage unit 320. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the search condition may be stored in an external device, and the program information notification apparatus may acquire the search condition from the external device as necessary. That is, the program information notification apparatus may not have the function as the search condition storage unit 320. In this case, the external device may be directly connected to the program information notification device, or may be connected to the program information notification device via a network.

  In the embodiment, the program information is stored in the program information storage unit 310. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, program information may be stored in an external device, and the program information notification device may acquire program information from the external device as necessary. That is, the program information notification apparatus may not have the function as the program information storage unit 310. In this case, the external device may be directly connected to the program information notification device, or may be connected to the program information notification device via a network.

  In the embodiment, when there are a plurality of pieces of program information to be displayed, these pieces of program information are sequentially displayed one by one. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two or more pieces of these pieces of program information may be sequentially displayed. In the embodiment, the program information is horizontally scrolled, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the program information may be displayed in the vertical scroll, or the program information may be displayed without scrolling.

  In the embodiment, the day of the week and the channel are employed as the narrowing-down conditions for notifying / notifying the program information, but are not limited thereto. For example, a time zone or the like may be adopted as a narrowing-down condition for notifying / notifying program information.

  In the embodiment, the program information is notified immediately before (2 minutes before) the start time of the program, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the program information may be notified one hour before or one day before the program start time. If the program starts in the afternoon, the program information may be notified in the morning. In the embodiment, the program information is notified when the television 100 is started and when the program is started. However, other information may be notified, for example, at the timing when the currently viewed program ends. May be notified.

  The present invention provides a program information notification device, a program information notification system, a program information notification method, and a program information notification that can notify a user of program information that matches a preset search condition from among a plurality of program information. It can be applied to programs and recording media.

100 TV 310 Program information storage unit 320 Search condition storage unit 330 Determination unit 350 Timer unit 340 Notification unit 360 Channel selection unit

Claims (18)

A determination unit that determines, as program information to be notified to the user, a plurality of program information that matches a preset search condition from the plurality of program information;
A notification unit for notifying the user of the determined plurality of program information,
The notification unit
From the program information determined by the determination unit , based on a predetermined priority condition, a predetermined number of program information whose broadcast date should be displayed with priority on the current day, and the broadcast date with priority on the next day Decide a certain number of program information to be displayed,
The broadcast date program information of a predetermined number to be preferentially displayed in the day, after notifying sequentially the user one by one program information, the broadcast date predetermined number program information to be displayed next day preferential, A program information notifying apparatus for sequentially notifying the user one program information at a time. The notification unit
After the notification of the predetermined number of program information on the current day and after the notification of the predetermined number of program information on the next day, if there is further program information on the same day, the user is notified accordingly. The program information notification device according to claim 1. The notification unit
If the search condition is not set at a predetermined timing at which program information should be notified, a message prompting the user to set the search condition is displayed in a display column provided for displaying the program information. The program information notification device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that 4. It is possible to set whether to notify the program information for each input type supported by the program information notification device. 5. Program information notification device. The program information notification device according to claim 4, wherein the input type includes at least one of external input, HDD (Hard disk drive) playback, and BD (Blu-ray Disc) playback. The notification unit
The program information notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the user is notified of a plurality of pieces of extracted program information when the program information notification device is activated. The notification unit
The list of the plurality of extracted program information is displayed when a predetermined operation is performed by the user when the plurality of extracted program information is notified to the user. The program information notification device according to any one of items 1 to 6. The notification unit
When a predetermined operation is performed by the user when the extracted plurality of program information is notified to the user, the program information notified at that time among the plurality of extracted program information. 8. The program information notification device according to claim 7, wherein a list of a plurality of program information in which a broadcast date on the same day as the set broadcast date is set is displayed. The notification unit
When a plurality of program information having the same start time is extracted, the plurality of program information is notified to the user a predetermined time before the start time of the plurality of program information. The program information notification device according to claim 8. When a plurality of program information having the same start time is notified to the user, if a predetermined operation is performed by the user, channel selection for viewing the program related to the program information notified at that time The program information notification device according to claim 9, further comprising a channel selection unit that performs an operation. The notification unit
Of the determined plurality of program information, the user is not notified of the program information of the day of the week preset as the non-notification target day, and the user is notified of the program information of the day of the week preset as the day of notification target The program information notification device according to claim 1, wherein the program information notification device is a program information notification device. The notification unit
Of the determined plurality of program information, program information of a channel preset as a non-notification target channel is not notified to the user, but program information of a channel preset as a notification target channel is notified to the user. The program information notification device according to claim 1, wherein the program information notification device is a program information notification device. When a predetermined operation for executing a predetermined function is performed when a plurality of pieces of program information are sequentially notified, the predetermined function is executed for the program related to the program information notified at that time. The program information notification device according to claim 1, wherein the program information notification device is a program information notification device. The program information notification apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined function includes at least one of channel selection, recording, detailed information display, and two-screen display.   A television receiver comprising the program information notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A determination step of determining a plurality of pieces of program information matching a preset search condition from among a plurality of pieces of program information as program information to be notified to the user;
A notification step of notifying the user of the determined plurality of program information,
In the notification step,
From the program information determined in the determining step, based on a predetermined priority condition, a predetermined number of program information whose broadcast date should be displayed with priority on the current day, and the broadcast date with priority on the next day Decide a certain number of program information to be displayed,
The broadcast date program information of a predetermined number to be preferentially displayed in the day, after notifying sequentially the user one by one program information, the broadcast date predetermined number program information to be displayed next day preferential, A program information notification method, wherein the program information is sequentially notified to the user one by one.   A program information notification program for causing a computer to function as the program information notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the program causes the computer to function as each of the functional units included in the program information notification device. Information notification program.   The computer-readable recording medium which has recorded the program information notification program of Claim 17.

Images