JP6775454B2 - Recording reservation device, recording playback device and recording reservation method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording reservation device, a recording / playback device, and a recording reservation method.

Recording / playback devices for digital broadcasting whose recording destination is a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a digital multipurpose disk (DVD) include a recorder having an HDD and a DVD drive, a television having an HDD, and the like. In recent recording / playback devices, it is often possible to display an electronic program guide (EPG), search for a program to be viewed from the displayed EPG, and make a recording reservation for the found program.

On the other hand, viewing of digital broadcasting is often done passively. For this reason, a viewer who watches a digital broadcast happens to be interested in the program being watched, and as a result, wishes to watch the next broadcast program of the program being watched, and makes a recording reservation for the next broadcast program to be watched. The usage scene of doing it is assumed. However, according to the conventional recording / playback device, in the usage scene, it is necessary to perform a time-consuming operation of searching for the next broadcast program from the EPG in order to know the presence / absence of the next broadcast program and the broadcast time. For example, the EPG is displayed to know whether the next broadcast program will be broadcast at the same time of the next day or the same day of the next week, and the next broadcast program will be broadcast at the same time of the next day and the next week from the displayed EPG. I had to find out which of the same days it would be broadcast on the same day, and make a recording reservation for the next broadcast program, which was a time-consuming operation.

The technique described in Patent Document 1 relates to a digital broadcast receiving device (the name of the invention of Patent Document 1). In this technique, the broadcaster sends out the next broadcast date and time information, and the next broadcast date and time information is extracted based on the program arrangement information (SI) included in the digital broadcast signal (Patent Document 1, paragraphs 0012-0014). A screen notifying the date and time of the next broadcast is displayed (Patent Document 1 paragraph 0017), and a message confirming the intention of recording reservation for the next broadcast is displayed (Patent Document 1 paragraph 0021).

In addition, products with a recording reservation function that records at the same time every day or at the same time on the same day of the week are also on the market. The recording reservation function is used in a usage scene in which the viewer knows the broadcast time of a regular program that is broadcast at the same time every day or at the same time on the same day of the week, and makes a recording reservation for the regular program. Useful, but not always useful in the usage scenes mentioned above.

JP-A-2002-171455

According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to perform a time-consuming operation of searching for the next broadcast program from the EPG in order to know the presence / absence of the next broadcast program and the broadcast time. However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is premised on the broadcaster sending the next broadcast date / time information, and cannot be realized if the broadcaster does not send the next broadcast date / time information.

An object of the present invention is to solve these problems. The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the viewer can easily confirm the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched and is watching regardless of whether or not the broadcaster sends the broadcast time of the next broadcast program. This is to make it easy to make a recording reservation for the next broadcast program of the program.

The present invention relates to a recording reservation device and a recording reservation method.

In the present invention, an electronic program guide generation database is generated from the program arrangement information included in the signal for transmitting the broadcast content. In addition, information on the program being viewed is acquired from the program arrangement information.

The database for generating an electronic program guide is searched for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program, which is each of at least one program broadcast today.

From the search results, a next broadcast database containing information indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program is generated.

If the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is determined from the information of the program being watched and the next broadcast database, and it is determined that there is the next broadcast program of the program being watched, the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is made. A request is made to generate an accepting interface.

The interface is generated when a request is made.

The present invention is also directed to a recording / playback device including a recording reservation device.

According to the present invention, regardless of whether or not the broadcaster sends the broadcast time of the next broadcast program, when there is the next broadcast program of the program being watched, the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is reserved. Since the accepting interface is provided to the viewer, the viewer can easily confirm the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched, and can easily instruct the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched.

Further, according to the present invention, the next broadcast database smaller than the electronic program guide generation database is generated in advance, and the next broadcast database is used to determine the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched. The presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program is quickly determined, and the display information regarding the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is promptly provided to the viewer.

Objectives, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

It is a block diagram which illustrates the recording / reproduction apparatus of Embodiments 1 and 2. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a recording reservation unit provided in the recording / playback device of the first embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the example of the next broadcast database generated in the recording-playback apparatus of Embodiments 1 and 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when there is no next broadcast program of the program being viewed in the recording / playback device of the first and second embodiments. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when there is a next broadcast program of the program being viewed in the recording / playback device of the first and second embodiments. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the example of the next broadcast EPG displayed in the recording / playback apparatus of Embodiments 1 and 2. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process of generating the EPG and the next broadcast database in the recording-playback apparatus of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process of generating the next broadcast database when a new day comes in the recording / playback apparatus of Embodiments 1 and 2. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process of generating the next broadcast EPG in the recording / reproduction apparatus of Embodiments 1 and 2. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process when the recording-playback apparatus is activated in the recording-playback apparatus of Embodiments 1 and 2. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process which provides the display information about the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched, and accepts the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched in the recording / reproduction apparatus of Embodiments 1 and 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a screen displayed when there is a next broadcast program of the program being viewed in the recording / playback device of the first and second embodiments. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a recording reservation unit provided in the recording / playback device of the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process of generating the EPG and the next broadcast database in the recording-playback apparatus of Embodiment 2.

1 Embodiment 1
1.1 Recording / playback device FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a recording / playback device according to the first embodiment.

The recording / reproducing device 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured to record a digitally broadcast program and reproduce the recorded program, and includes a main body 1020 and a remote controller 1021. The main body 1020 includes a tuner 1040, a demodulation unit 1041, a central processing unit (CPU) 1042, a video display unit 1043, an audio output unit 1044, a memory 1045, a hard disk drive (HDD) 1046, and a remote control receiving unit 1047. The recording / playback device 1000 may include components other than these components. All or part of the HDD 1046, the video display unit 1043, and the audio output unit 1044 built in the recording / playback device 1000 may be external devices connected to the recording / playback device 1000. The remote controller 1021 which is an operation unit separated from the main body 1020 may be replaced with an operation unit built in the main body 1020. HDD 1046 may be replaced with another type of recording medium.

The CPU 1042 is a control unit that controls according to a program, and controls components provided in the recording / playback device 1000, video display control, audio output control, recording / playback control using the HDD 1046, and the like. .. Further, the CPU 1042 is a processing unit that performs processing according to a program, and performs processing for providing a function corresponding to an operation on the remote controller 1021, processing for performing recording reservation, and the like. Further, the CPU 1042 refers to and acquires the next broadcast database described later, and performs a process of notifying the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed.

The CPU 1042 includes a demultiplexer (Demux) 1060, a decoder unit 1061, a video processing unit 1062, an audio processing unit 1063, a recording reservation unit 1064, and a recording unit 1065 in order to perform these controls and processes. The CPU 1042 may include components other than these components. All or part of these components may be implemented by hardware that does not execute the program.

In the recording / reproducing device 1000, the broadcast wave received by the antenna 1080 electrically connected to the recording / reproducing device 1000 is input to the tuner 1040. The input broadcast wave is demodulated by the demodulation unit 1041. The signal generated by demodulation is separated into a video signal, an audio signal, and program arrangement information (SI) by Demux1060. As a result, the SI included in the signal is extracted from the signal for transmitting the broadcast content. The video signal and audio signal generated by the separation are decoded by the decoder unit 1061. The decoded video signal is supplied to the video processing unit 1062. Various image quality processing and the like are applied to the supplied video signal by the video processing unit 1062. The video signal to which various image quality processing and the like are applied is supplied to the video display unit 1043. An image corresponding to the supplied image signal is displayed on the image display unit 1043. The decoded voice signal is supplied to the voice processing unit 1063. Various sound quality processing and the like are applied to the supplied voice signal by the voice processing unit 1063. The audio signal to which various sound quality processes are applied is supplied to the audio output unit 1044. From the audio output unit 1044, audio corresponding to the supplied audio signal is output. The image display unit 1043 is a liquid crystal panel, an organic electroluminescence EL (EL) panel, or the like. The audio output unit 1044 is a speaker or the like.

Further, in the recording / playback device 1000, the recording reservation of the program is accepted by the recording reservation unit 1064, and the program for which the recording reservation is accepted is recorded by the recording unit 1065. In recording a program, video data and audio data indicating the content of the program are written in the HDD 1046.

Further, in the recording / playback device 1000, a signal corresponding to the operation on the remote controller 1021 is transmitted by the remote controller 1021, the transmitted signal is received by the remote controller receiving unit 1047, and the signal corresponding to the received signal is received by the remote controller receiving unit 1047. Is output from. Therefore, the CPU 1042 detects the operation on the remote controller 1021 by the signal output from the remote controller receiving unit 1047.

1.2 Recording reservation unit FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a recording reservation unit provided in the recording / playback device of the first embodiment.

The recording reservation unit 1064 is a recording reservation device, and is an SI analysis unit 1100, an EPG generation unit 1101, the next broadcast search unit 1102, the next broadcast management unit 1103, a date change notification unit 1104, and a generation request unit 1105 shown in FIG. To be equipped. The recording reservation unit 1064 may include components other than these components.

The SI analysis unit 1100 analyzes the SI extracted by Demux 1060. Further, the SI analysis unit 1100 generates an electronic program guide (EPG) generation database 1140 from the SI by the SI analysis, and sends a generation completion notification indicating that the generation of the EPG generation database 1140 is completed to the EPG generation unit 1101 and the EPG generation unit 1101. It is sent to the next broadcast search unit 1102 and manages the generated EPG generation database 1140. Further, the SI analysis unit 1100 acquires the information of the program being viewed from the SI by the analysis of the SI.

The EPG generation database 1140 is held by the SI analysis unit 1100 that generates and manages the EPG generation database 1140, and its substance is stored in the memory 1045. The entity of the EPG generation database 1140 may be stored in a storage medium other than the memory 1045.

The EPG generation unit 1101 generates an EPG from the EPG generation database 1140 and manages the generated EPG.

The next broadcast search unit 1102 searches the EPG generation database 1140 for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of at least one program broadcast today. Today is the day when the recording / playback device 1000 is started when the search is performed in response to the recording / playback device 1000 being started, and a new day comes after the recording / playback device 1000 is started. If the search is done in response to, it is a new day to come. At least one program broadcast today is all or part of a program scheduled to be broadcast between the time the search starts and 0:00 am the next day.

The next broadcast management unit 1103 is a database generation unit that generates the next broadcast database 1141 from the results of the search performed, and also manages the generated next broadcast database 1141. The next broadcast database 1141 includes information indicating the presence or absence of each next broadcast program of at least one program broadcast today, but does not include information indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of a program that is not broadcast today. Therefore, the next broadcast database 1141 is a smaller database than the EPG generation database 1140, and the search for the next broadcast database 1141 is completed in a shorter time than the search for the EPG generation database 1140. This feature of the next broadcast database 1141 is used to promptly provide the viewer with display information regarding the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed.

The next broadcast database 1141 is one of the features of the recording reservation unit 1064, but the search method performed by the next broadcast search unit 1102 to generate the next broadcast database 1141 is not limited. In the search, for example, the channel of the program to be broadcast today, the channel matching the broadcast time and the program name, the program having the broadcast time and the program name and being broadcast after tomorrow is the next broadcast program of the program to be broadcast today. It is determined that there is. The three comparison items consisting of the channel, the broadcast time and the program name may be replaced with one comparison item or two comparison items selected from the channel, the broadcast time and the program name. The search method may be replaced by another search method.

The EPG generation database 1140, EPG and the next broadcast database 1141 may be generated by creating a new EPG generation database 1140, EPG and the next broadcast database 1141, respectively, or existing EPG generation databases, respectively. This may be done by updating 1140, the EPG and the next broadcast database 1141.

The date change notification unit 1104 sends a date change notification indicating that the date has been changed to the next broadcast search unit 1102.

The generation requesting unit 1105 determines whether or not there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched from the information of the program being watched and the next broadcast database 1141, and generates the next broadcast EPG when it is determined that there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched. Request. The next broadcast EPG includes display information about the next broadcast program of the program being watched, and accepts a recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched. The EPG generation unit 1101 generates the next broadcast EPG from the EPG generation database 1140 when the generation of the next broadcast EPG is requested.

1.3 Outline of EPG Generation In the EPG generation, the recording / playback device 1000 receives a broadcast wave containing information necessary for generating the EPG.

The SI analysis unit 1100 generates the EPG generation database 1140 from the SI, and sends a generation completion notification indicating that the generation of the EPG generation database 1140 is completed to the EPG generation unit 1101 and the next broadcast search unit 1102.

The EPG generation unit 1101 generates an EPG from the EPG generation database 1140 in response to receiving the generation completion notification.

In response to receiving the generation completion notification, the next broadcast search unit 1102 searches the EPG generation database 1140 for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each broadcast, which is each of at least one broadcast broadcast today. .. Further, when the next broadcast search unit 1102 determines that there is a next broadcast program of each broadcast, there is a next broadcast program of each broadcast, the broadcast time of the next broadcast program of each broadcast, and the next broadcast program of each broadcast. The program name is notified to the next broadcast management unit 1103. On the other hand, when the next broadcast search unit 1102 determines that there is no next broadcast program of each broadcast, it notifies the next broadcast management unit 1103 that there is no next broadcast program of each broadcast.

The next broadcast management unit 1103 generates the next broadcast database 1141 from these notifications.

As a result, the recording reservation unit 1064 generates the EPG generation database 1140 from the SI, and further generates the EPG and the next broadcast database 1141 from the generated EPG generation database 1140.

The next broadcast database 1141 must include information indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program for each program broadcast today. Therefore, even if the next broadcast search unit 1102 does not receive the generation completion notification, each broadcast that is broadcast today to the EPG generation database 1140 in response to receiving the date change notification from the date change notification unit 1104. Search for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program, and the next broadcast management unit 1103 generates the next broadcast database 1141 from the result of the search.

1.4 Generation of next broadcast EPG In the generation of the next broadcast EPG, when the recording / playback device 1000 is started, the generation request unit 1105 acquires the next broadcast database 1141 from the next broadcast management unit 1103, and obtains the next broadcast database 1141. After the acquisition, the information of the program being viewed is acquired from the SI analysis unit 1100. In addition, the generation requesting unit 1105 compares the acquired information on the program being watched with the acquired next broadcast database 1141 to determine whether or not the program being watched is on the next broadcast, and provides the result of the determination to the viewer. The EPG generation unit 1101 is made to perform the display processing of.

When the generation requesting unit 1105 determines that there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched and the viewer requests a recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched, the generation requesting unit 1105 displays the next broadcast program of the program being watched. The EPG generation unit 1101 is requested to generate the next broadcast EPG including the information.

When the generation of the next broadcast EPG is requested, the EPG generation unit 1101 generates the next broadcast EPG from the information of the EPG generation database 1140 and the next broadcast program of the program being viewed.

As a result, the next broadcast EPG including the display information about the next broadcast program of the program being watched is provided to the viewer, the viewer can confirm the content of the next broadcast program of the program being watched by the next broadcast EPG, and the viewer can check the content of the next broadcast program of the program being watched next time. The broadcast EPG can be used to instruct the recording / playback device 1000 to schedule recording of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed.

The next broadcast EPG is generated when the generation request unit 1105 requests the EPG generation unit 1101 to generate the EPG. In the next broadcast EPG, a mark indicating that the program is being watched is the next broadcast program is added to the display information about the next broadcast program of the program being watched. The addition of the mark is performed based on the information of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed, which the generation request unit 1105 has notified the EPG generation unit 1101.

The next broadcast EPG, which includes not only display information about the next broadcast program of the program being watched but also display information about programs other than the next broadcast program of the program being watched, is generated and managed by the EPG generation unit 1101 and provided to the viewer. As a result, display information about other programs to be broadcast near the broadcast time of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is provided to the viewer, and display information useful for determining the necessity of a recording reservation instruction is viewed. Provided to the person.

1.5 Example of Next Broadcast Database FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the next broadcast database generated in the recording / playback apparatus of the first embodiment.

The next broadcast database 1141 illustrated in FIG. 3 is just an example. The next broadcast database 1141 may be replaced by a next broadcast database with other data structures.

The next broadcast database 1141 includes information 1160 indicating a channel.

Further, the next broadcast database 1141 contains information 1161 indicating the broadcast time of each program and information 1162 indicating the program name of each program for each program which is each of at least one program broadcast today on the channel indicated by the information 1160. And further includes information 1163 indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program.

Information 1163 takes a value "0" or a value "1". When the information 1163 takes a value "0", the information 1163 indicates that there is no next broadcast program of each program. When the information 1163 takes a value "1", the information 1163 indicates that there is a next broadcast program of each program. The value "0" or the value "1", which is an identifier indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program, may be replaced with another identifier indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program.

The next broadcast database 1141 further includes information 1164 indicating the broadcast time and program name of the next broadcast program of each program when the information 1163 takes the value "1".

The next broadcast database 1141 may include information other than this information. In the next broadcast database 1141 illustrated in FIG. 3, the channel indicated by the information 1160 is channel A, but the next broadcast database in which the channel indicated by the information 1160 is other than channel A is generated by the next broadcast management unit 1103. May be good.

The next broadcast search unit 1102 ends the search when the search for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program is completed, even if there are programs after the next broadcast program of each program, and broadcasts each program one after another. Do not search for the existence of programs after the program. Therefore, the information 1164 only indicates the broadcast time and program name of the next broadcast program of each program, and does not indicate the broadcast time and program name of the program after the next broadcast program of each program. As a result, the next broadcast database 1141 for the next broadcast program does not target the programs after the next broadcast program, the amount of information contained in the next broadcast database 1141 is suppressed, and the search for the next broadcast database 1141 can be performed. The time required is shortened.

The next broadcast database 1141 need not continue to maintain information 1161, 1162, 1163 and 1164 for all programs broadcast today until the end of today. Therefore, the next broadcast management unit 1103 may delete the information 1161, 1162, 1163 and 1164 of the program whose broadcast has ended today from the next broadcast database 1141. As a result, the usage of the memory 1045 in which the entity of the next broadcast database 1141 is stored is reduced, the time required for the generation request unit 1105 to acquire the next broadcast database 1141 is shortened, and the search for the next broadcast database 1141 is required. Time is reduced.

1.6 Calling a submenu When the generation requesting unit 1105 detects that the operation of pressing the submenu button 1180 is performed on the remote controller 1021 while the recording / playback device 1000 is in the viewing state, the viewing is performed. It is determined that the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the middle program has been confirmed by the viewer, and a submenu for providing the viewer with the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed is displayed on the video display unit 1043. The displayed submenu changes according to the value taken by the information 1163 indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed in the next broadcast database 1141. That is, the displayed submenu changes depending on the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed. The submenu may be called by an operation other than the operation of pressing the submenu button 1180.

1.7 Screen displayed when there is no next broadcast program of the program being watched FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a screen displayed when there is no next broadcast program of the program being watched in the recording / playback device of the first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram.

When it is detected that the operation of pressing the submenu button 1180 is performed when there is no next broadcast program of the program being watched, the submenu 1220 shown in FIG. 4 is superimposed on the screen 1200 of the program being watched. Is displayed on the image display unit 1043. The submenu 1220 may be displayed so as not to be superimposed on the screen 1200 of the program being viewed.

In the submenu 1220, the information 1163 indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched in the next broadcast database 1141 takes a value "0", and the generation requesting unit 1105 determines that there is no next broadcast program of the program being watched. Will be displayed if. For example, the submenu 1220 is displayed when the program being viewed is a program having the program name "program c" in the next broadcast database 1141 shown in FIG.

The submenu 1220 includes a menu item 1240 including the character string "next broadcast: none" indicating that there is no next broadcast program of the program being watched. The submenu 1220 may include other menu items relating to the function of the recording / playback device 1000. The character string "next broadcast: none" indicating that there is no next broadcast program of the program being watched may be replaced with another character string, icon, or the like indicating that there is no next broadcast program of the program being watched. The character string "next broadcast: none" may be included in the display object other than the submenu 1220. The character string "Next broadcast: None" may always be displayed regardless of the operation.

The viewer may be shown that the menu item 1240 is grayed out and the operation of selecting the menu item 1240 is not accepted. By indicating to the viewer that the menu item 1240 cannot be selected, it is possible to prevent the viewer from attempting an operation that the recording / playback device 1000 does not accept.

1.8 Screen displayed when there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a screen displayed when there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched in the recording / playback device of the first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram.

When it is detected that the operation of pressing the submenu button 1180 is performed when there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched, the submenu 1260 illustrated in FIG. 5 is superimposed on the screen 1200 of the program being watched. Is displayed on the image display unit 1043. The submenu 1260 may be displayed so as not to be superimposed on the screen 1200 of the program being viewed.

In the submenu 1260, the information 1163 indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched in the next broadcast database 1141 takes a value "1", and the generation requesting unit 1105 determines that there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched. Will be displayed if. For example, the submenu 1260 is displayed when the program being viewed is a program having the program name "program A" in the next broadcast database 1141 shown in FIG.

The submenu 1260 includes a menu item 1280 including the character string "next broadcast: Yes" indicating that there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched. The submenu 1260 may include other menu items relating to the function of the recording / playback device 1000. The character string "next broadcast: Yes" indicating that there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched may be replaced with another character string, an icon, or the like indicating that there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched. The character string "Next broadcast: Yes" may be included in the display object other than the submenu 1260. The character string "Next broadcast: Yes" may always be displayed regardless of the operation.

1.9 Generation of the next broadcast database for all channels The next broadcast management unit 1103 generates the next broadcast database 1141 for all the channels that can be viewed. In addition, the generation request unit 1105 acquires the next broadcast database 1141 for all channels that can be viewed when the recording / playback device 1000 is activated. As a result, even if the viewer randomly switches the channel to be viewed, the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched can be determined by a simple process of referring to the information 1163 indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched. The presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the identified and watched program is promptly provided to the viewer.

1.10 Next broadcast EPG
A general EPG includes a program guide of a channel on which the program being watched is broadcast on the day the program being watched is broadcast. In the program guide, the broadcast time of the program being watched is the starting point, and the display information about the program being watched is displayed at the beginning. The EPG can accept operations to change the date and time of the program guide.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the next broadcast EPG displayed in the recording / playback device of the first embodiment.

When the EPG generation unit 1101 detects that the operation of selecting the menu item 1280 indicating that the next broadcast program of the program being viewed is present is performed on the remote controller 1021, the next broadcast EPG1300 illustrated in FIG. 6 Is displayed on the image display unit 1043.

The next broadcast EPG1300 includes a date display 1320, a channel display 1321, a channel display 1322, a channel display 1323, and a time display 1324. Further, the next broadcast EPG1300 is a broadcast scheduled program display 1325 of the channel indicated by the channel display 1321 of the day indicated by the date display 1320, and a broadcast scheduled program display 1326 of the channel indicated by the channel display 1322 of the day indicated by the date display 1320. And the scheduled broadcast program display 1327 of the channel indicated by the channel display 1323 of the day indicated by the date display 1320. Further, the next broadcast EPG 1300 includes a mark 1360 indicating that the display information of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed is 1340.

Scheduled broadcast program displays 1325, 1326 and 1327 constitute a program guide for the channels indicated by channel displays 1321, 1322 and 1323, respectively.

In the scheduled broadcast program display 1325, the broadcast time of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is the starting point, and the display information 1340 about the next broadcast program of the program being watched is displayed at the beginning. Further, in the broadcast scheduled program display 1325, the display information 1340 is highlighted by adding the mark 1360 to the display information 1340. The display information 1340 may be highlighted by other than adding the mark 1360 to the display information 1340. For example, the display information 1340 may be highlighted by setting the font of the character string to a specific font, setting the color of the character string or the background to a specific color, and the like.

In the next broadcast EPG1300 illustrated in FIG. 6, the date indicated by the date display 1320 is October 2, and the next broadcast program of the program being viewed is a program having the program name “program a”.

The next broadcast EPG 1300 illustrated in FIG. 6 may be replaced by another next broadcast EPG.

By highlighting the display information 1340 at the beginning of the program guide 1325, the display information 1340 is provided in a format that is easy for the viewer to recognize, and it is necessary for the viewer to perform an operation of searching for the display information 1340 from a general EPG. Therefore, the viewer can easily instruct the recording / playback device 1000 to make a recording reservation for the next broadcast program of the program being viewed.

In the display of the next broadcast EPG1300, it is detected that the operation of selecting the menu item 1280 indicating that there is the next broadcast program of the program being watched is performed on the remote control 1021, and the viewer is broadcasting the next broadcast of the program being watched. When it is determined that the content of the program is confirmed and it is determined that the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed is desired, the generation request unit 1105 requests the EPG generation unit 1101 to generate the next broadcast EPG 1300. The EPG generation unit 1101 generates the next broadcast EPG 1300 from the information of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed in response to the request to generate the next broadcast EPG 1300.

The next broadcast EPG 1300 also serves as an interface for accepting recording reservations for the next broadcast program of the program being watched, and the EPG generation unit 1101 also serves as an interface generation unit for generating an interface for accepting recording reservations for the next broadcast program of the program being watched. .. Therefore, when it is detected that a specific operation has been performed on the remote control 1021, the content of the next broadcast program of the program being watched can be confirmed, and the viewer can check the content of the next broadcast program of the program being watched next time. When it is detected that the operation for instructing the recording / playback device 1000 to make a recording reservation of a broadcast program is performed on the remote control 1021, the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is accepted, and the next time of the program being watched A recording reservation for a broadcast program is made. When the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is accepted, the recording unit 1065 records the next broadcast program of the program being watched.

1.11 Generation of EPG and Next Broadcast Database FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing for generating the EPG and the next broadcast database in the recording / playback apparatus of the first embodiment.

In the generation of the EPG and the next broadcast database 1141, as shown in FIG. 7, the SI analysis unit 1100 responds to the recording / playback device 1000 receiving a broadcast wave containing information necessary for generating the EPG. Then, in step S101, the received SI is analyzed, the EPG generation database 1140 is generated from the SI, and in step S102, the generation completion notification indicating that the generation of the EPG generation database 1140 is completed is sent to the EPG generation unit 1101. And next time it is sent to the broadcast search unit 1102.

Subsequently, in response to receiving the generation completion notification, the EPG generation unit 1101 generates the EPG from the EPG generation database 1140 in step S103, and ends the process.

In parallel with the generation of the EPG, the next broadcast search unit 1102 responds to the generation completion notification, and in step S104, whether or not there is a next broadcast program of the program to be broadcast today to the EPG generation database 1140. Do a search.

Subsequently, the next broadcast management unit 1103 generates the next broadcast database 1141 from the search results in step S105.

Subsequently, the next broadcast search unit 1102 determines in step S106 whether or not the search for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program to be searched has been completed. The programs to be searched are, for example, all programs scheduled to be broadcast from the time when the search is started to 0:00 on the next day.

When the search is completed, the next broadcast search unit 1102 ends the process.

On the other hand, if the search is not completed, the next broadcast search unit 1102 further searches for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program to be broadcast today in step S104.

By repeating steps S104 to S106, the next broadcast search unit 1102 has the presence or absence of each next broadcast program of at least one program broadcast today to the EPG generation database 1140 in response to receiving the generation completion notification. The next broadcast management unit 1103 generates the next broadcast database 1141 from the result of the search.

According to steps S101 to S106, when a new EPG generation database 1140 is generated or when an existing EPG generation database 1140 is updated, the next broadcast program is searched for in the EPG generation database 1140. Since the next broadcast database 1141 is generated from the result of the search, the next broadcast database 1141 is always kept up to date, and the display information provided to the viewer based on the next broadcast database 1141 is appropriate. ..

1.12 Generation of Next Broadcast Database FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing for generating the next broadcast database when a new day arrives in the recording / playback apparatus of the first embodiment.

In the generation of the next broadcast database 1141 when a new day arrives, as shown in FIG. 8, step S104, except that the trigger for starting the process is changed from the generation completion notification to the date change notification. The same processing as the processing performed in S105 and S106 is performed in steps S111, S112 and S113, respectively, but the EPG is not generated.

By repeating steps S111 to S113, the next broadcast search unit 1102 has the presence or absence of each next broadcast program of at least one program broadcast today to the EPG generation database 1140 in response to receiving the date change notification. The next broadcast management unit 1103 generates the next broadcast database 1141 from the result of the search.

According to steps S111 to S113, when a new day arrives, the next broadcast program is searched for in the EPG generation database 1140, and the next broadcast database 1141 is generated from the search result. The database 1141 is always kept up to date, and the display information provided to the viewer based on the next broadcast database 1141 is appropriate.

1.13 Generation of next broadcast EPG FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing for generating the next broadcast EPG in the recording / playback device of the first embodiment.

In the generation of the next broadcast EPG1300, as shown in FIG. 9, the EPG generation unit 1101 is requested to generate the next broadcast EPG1300 from the generation request unit 1105, and the information of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed from the generation request unit 1105. In response to receiving, in step S121, the information of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is acquired. Further, in step S122, the EPG generation unit 1101 performs the EPG that manages the process of adding the mark 1360 to the display information 1340 for the next broadcast program of the program being viewed. Further, the EPG generation unit 1101 generates the next broadcast EPG 1300 including the program guide 1325 in which the display information 1340 is displayed first in step S123. As a result, the next broadcast EPG1300 is displayed.

1.14 Activation of the recording / playback device FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing when the recording / playback device is activated in the recording / playback device of the first embodiment.

When the recording / playback device 1000 is activated, as shown in FIG. 10, the generation request unit 1105 acquires the next broadcast database 1141 from the next broadcast management unit 1103 in step S131, and the program being viewed in step S132. Information is acquired from the SI analysis unit 1100.

Subsequently, in step S133, the generation requesting unit 1105 compares the acquired information on the program being viewed with the next broadcast database 1141 obtained, and determines whether or not there is a next broadcast program of the program being viewed.

When the generation requesting unit 1105 determines that there is a next broadcast program of the program being viewed, in step S134, the generation request unit 1105 prepares the display of the character string "next broadcast: Yes" and shifts the recording / playback device 1000 to the viewing state. To prepare for the display of the character string "Next broadcast: Yes", the submenu 1260 including the menu item 1280 including the character string "Next broadcast: Yes" can be displayed in response to the operation of pressing the submenu button 1180. It is to be.

On the other hand, when the generation requesting unit 1105 determines that there is no next broadcast program of the program being viewed, in step S135, the generation request unit 1105 prepares the display of the character string "next broadcast: none" and puts the recording / playback device 1000 into the viewing state. .. To prepare for the display of the character string "Next broadcast: None", the submenu 1220 including the menu item 1240 including the character string "Next broadcast: None" can be displayed in response to the operation of pressing the submenu button 1180. It is to be.

In steps S131 to S135, the generation requesting unit 1105 can easily respond to the operation when the viewer presses the submenu button 1180 in order to confirm the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed.

1.15 Provision of display information regarding the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched and acceptance of recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched FIG. 11 shows the next time of the program being watched in the recording / playback device of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process which provides the display information about the presence or absence of a broadcast program, and accepts the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched.

In the process of providing display information regarding the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched and accepting the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched, as shown in FIG. 11, the generation requesting unit 1105 is a recording / playback device. In step S141, it is determined whether or not there is confirmation of the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed while 1000 is in the viewing state.

When the generation requesting unit 1105 determines that the presence / absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched has not been confirmed, the generation requesting unit 1105 continues the determination of whether or not the presence / absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched has been confirmed in step S141. ..

On the other hand, when it is determined that the presence / absence of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed has been confirmed, the generation requesting unit 1105 determines in step S142 whether or not there is a next broadcast program of the program being viewed.

When the generation request unit 1105 determines that there is a next broadcast program of the program being viewed, in step S143, the generation request unit 1105 displays a submenu 1260 including a menu item 1280 including the character string “next broadcast: Yes” on the video display unit 1043. To do.

On the other hand, when the generation requesting unit 1105 determines that there is no next broadcast program of the program being viewed, in step S144, the video display unit 1043 displays the submenu 1220 including the menu item 1240 including the character string “next broadcast: none”. Is displayed, and the recording / playback device 1000 is shifted to the viewing state.

After displaying the submenu 1260 in step S143, the generation requesting unit 1105 determines whether or not the menu item 1280 including the character string “next broadcast: Yes” is selected in step S145.

When the generation request unit 1105 determines that the menu item 1280 is not selected, the generation request unit 1105 shifts the recording / playback device 1000 to the viewing state.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the menu item 1280 is selected, the generation requesting unit 1105 requests the generation of the next broadcast EPG 1300 in step S146. As a result, the next broadcast EPG1300 is displayed on the video display unit 1043. The display of the next broadcast EPG1300 is performed according to the processing flow illustrated by the flowchart of FIG.

The generation requesting unit 1105 determines in step S147 whether or not the recording reservation of the program has been accepted after requesting the generation of the next broadcast EPG 1300 in step S146. The program that accepts the recording reservation may be the next broadcast program of the program being watched, or may not be the next broadcast program of the program being watched.

When the generation requesting unit 1105 determines that the recording reservation has not been accepted, the generation requesting unit 1105 shifts the recording / playback device 1000 to the viewing state.

On the other hand, when the generation requesting unit 1105 determines that the recording reservation has been accepted, in step S148, the program for which the recording reservation has been accepted is registered in the recording reservation list, and the recording / playback device 1000 is shifted to the viewing state.

1.16 Advantages of the first embodiment According to the first embodiment, the submenus 1220 and 1260 indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched and the next broadcast EPG1300 accepting the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched Since it is provided to the viewer, the viewer can easily confirm the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched, and the viewer can easily instruct the recording / playback device 1000 to reserve the recording of the next broadcast program of the program being watched.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the next broadcast database 1141 smaller than the EPG generation database 1140 is generated in advance by the next broadcast management unit 1103, and the next broadcast database is used to determine whether or not there is a next broadcast program of the program being viewed. Since 1141 is used, the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is quickly determined, and display information regarding the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is promptly provided to the viewer.

Further, according to the first embodiment, since the next broadcast EPG1300 including the display information 1340 about the next broadcast program of the program being watched is provided to the viewer, the viewer can easily read the content of the next broadcast program of the program being watched. The viewer can accurately determine whether or not to instruct the recording / playback device 1000 to make a recording reservation for the next broadcast program of the program being watched.

According to the first embodiment, these advantages occur regardless of whether or not the broadcaster sends the broadcast time of the next broadcast program.

1.17 Another example of the interface FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the screen displayed when there is a next broadcast program of the program being viewed in the recording / playback device of the first embodiment.

The next broadcast EPG 1300 may be replaced with another interface, and the recording reservation unit 1064 may include an interface generation unit that generates the other interface. For example, the next broadcast EPG 1300 may be replaced with the submenu 1380 shown in FIG. 12, and the recording reservation unit 1064 may include a submenu generation unit that generates the submenu 1380.

The submenu 1380 is displayed when it is detected that the operation of pressing the submenu button 1180 is performed on the remote controller 1021 when there is a next broadcast program of the program being viewed, and the character string "Reserve next broadcast" is displayed. Includes menu item 1400 including "to do".

When it is detected that the operation of selecting the menu item 1400 has been performed on the remote controller 1021, the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed is accepted.

2 Embodiment 2
FIG. 1 is also a block diagram illustrating the recording / playback device of the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a recording reservation unit provided in the recording / playback device of the second embodiment. 3-6 and 8-12 also explain the recording / playback device of the second embodiment.

The main difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that in the second embodiment, the recording reservation unit 1064 further includes the viewing management unit 1110 shown in FIG. 13, and the viewing management unit 1110 is provided with preference information. The point is that the process of generating and the process of using the preference information generated by the browsing management unit 1110 are performed.

The technique adopted in the first embodiment may be adopted in the second embodiment as long as the adoption of the configuration causing the above-mentioned main difference is not hindered.

In the following, the main differences mentioned above will be described exclusively.

In the second embodiment, when the EPG generation unit 1101 displays the next broadcast EPG1300, it notifies the viewing management unit 1110 of the information indicating that the next broadcast EPG1300 is displayed and the information of the next broadcast program of the program being viewed. ..

The browsing management unit 1110 accumulates the information of the next broadcast program of the notified program being watched when the information indicating that the next broadcast EPG1300 is displayed and the information of the next broadcast program of the program being watched are notified. By repeating this accumulation, information on a plurality of next broadcast programs can be obtained.

Since the obtained information on the plurality of next broadcast programs is information on programs that the viewer is interested in, it reflects the taste of the viewer. Therefore, the preference of the viewer can be grasped by analyzing the tendency of the information of the obtained plurality of next broadcast programs. There are no restrictions on how to analyze trends in information for multiple next broadcast programs. For example, genre information generally included in the information of a plurality of next broadcast programs is used, the plurality of next broadcast programs are classified according to the genre, and the number of next broadcast programs belonging to each genre is specified. As a result, the viewer's genre preference is grasped.

The browsing management unit 1110 functions as a preference information generation unit that grasps the viewer's preference from the obtained information of the plurality of next broadcast programs and generates the preference information indicating the grasped viewer's preference. The browsing management unit 1110 notifies the next broadcast search unit 1102 of the generated preference information.

The next broadcast search unit 1102 uses the notified preference information as filter information to limit the search range for the EPG generation database 1140 and reduce the number of programs to be searched. As a result, the time required for the search for the EPG generation database 1140 is shortened, and the time required for the generation of the next broadcast database 1141 is shortened as compared with the case where the search range for the EPG generation database 1140 is not limited.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing for generating the EPG and the next broadcast database in the recording / playback apparatus of the second embodiment.

In the generation of the EPG and the next broadcast database, as shown in FIG. 14, the SI analysis unit 1100 analyzes the received SI in step S201 and analyzes the received SI from the SI to generate the EPG database, as in the first embodiment. 1140 is generated, and in step S202, a generation completion notification is sent to the EPG generation unit 1101 and the next broadcast search unit 1102.

Subsequently, in step S203, the EPG generation unit 1101 generates an EPG from the EPG generation database 1140 in response to receiving the generation completion notification, and ends the process.

In parallel with the generation of the EPG, the next broadcast search unit 1102 acquires preference information from the browsing management unit 1110 in step S204 in response to receiving the generation completion notification, and enters the EPG generation database 1140 in step S205. On the other hand, the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program broadcast today is searched. In the search, preference information is used as filter information.

Subsequently, the next broadcast management unit 1103 generates the next broadcast database 1141 from the search results in step S206.

Subsequently, the next broadcast search unit 1102 determines in step S207 whether or not the search for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program to be searched has been completed.

When the search is completed, the next broadcast search unit 1102 ends the process.

On the other hand, if the search is not completed, the next broadcast search unit 1102 further searches for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program to be broadcast today in step S205.

According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the viewer can easily confirm the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched, and the viewer can record and reproduce the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched. It can be easily instructed to the device 1000.

Further, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the presence / absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is quickly determined, and the display information indicating the presence / absence of the next broadcast program of the program being watched is viewed. Promptly provided to the person.

Further, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the viewer can easily confirm the content of the next broadcast program of the program being watched, and the recording reservation of the next broadcast program of the program being watched can be recorded and played back. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not to instruct 1000.

In addition, according to the second embodiment, since the range of the search for the EPG generation database 1140 is limited by the viewer's preference grasped from the programs that the viewer has been interested in in the past, the next broadcast database 1141 The time required for generation is shortened.

According to the second embodiment, these advantages occur regardless of whether or not the broadcaster sends the broadcast time of the next broadcast program.

In the present invention, each embodiment can be freely combined, and each embodiment can be appropriately modified or omitted within the scope of the invention.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, the above description is exemplary in all aspects and the invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that a myriad of variations not illustrated can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the invention.

1000 recording / playback device, 1060 demultiplexer (Demux), 1064 recording reservation unit, 1065 recording unit, 1100 SI analysis unit, 1101 EPG generation unit, 1102 next broadcast search unit, 1103 next broadcast management unit, 1104 date change notification unit, 1105 Generation request unit, 1140 Electronic program guide (EPG) generation database, 1141 Next broadcast database, 1220, 1260, 1380 submenu, 1300 Next broadcast EPG, 1360 mark.

Claims (10)

Program sequence information analysis unit that analyzes the program sequence information included in the signal that transmits the broadcast content, generates an electronic program guide generation database from the program sequence information, and acquires the information of the program being watched from the program sequence information. When,
The next broadcast search unit that searches the database for generating the electronic program guide for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program that is each of at least one program that is broadcast today.
A database generation unit that generates a next broadcast database including information indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program from the search results, and
When it is determined from the information of the program being watched and the next broadcast database whether or not there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched and it is determined that there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched, the next broadcast program of the program being watched is determined. A generation request unit that requests the generation of an interface that accepts recording reservations for
An interface generator that generates the interface when the request is made,
Recording reservation device equipped with. The program sequence information analysis unit sends a generation completion notification indicating that the generation of the electronic program guide generation database has been completed to the next broadcast search unit.
The recording reservation device according to claim 1, wherein the next broadcast search unit performs the search in response to receiving the generation completion notification. It also has a date change notification unit that sends a date change notification indicating that the date has been changed to the next broadcast search unit.
The recording reservation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the next broadcast search unit performs the search in response to receiving the date change notification. The next broadcast database further includes information indicating the channel on which each program is broadcast, the broadcast time of each program, and the program name, and the next broadcast of each program is based on the information indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program. The recording reservation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further including information indicating the broadcast time and program name of the next broadcast program of each program when it is indicated that there is a program. The database generation unit is a recording reservation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which deletes information indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of the program whose broadcast has ended today from the next broadcast database. The interface is an electronic program guide that includes display information about the next broadcast program of the program being watched.
The interface generation unit is any recording reservation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is an electronic program guide generation unit that generates the electronic program guide from the electronic program guide generation database. The recording reservation device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic program guide includes a program guide in which the display information is highlighted at the beginning. The interface generation unit displays the interface, and when the display is performed, notifies the information of the next broadcast program of the program being watched.
The recording reservation device accumulates information on the next broadcast program of the program being watched when the notification is given, and preference information indicating the viewer's preference from the information on the plurality of next broadcast programs obtained by the accumulation. Further equipped with a preference information generation unit that generates
The next broadcast search unit is a recording reservation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which limits the scope of the search by using the preference information. A recording reservation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and
A demultiplexer that extracts the program sequence information from the signal,
A recording unit that records the next broadcast program of the program being watched when the interface accepts a recording reservation for the next broadcast program of the program being watched.
A recording / playback device equipped with. a) The process of generating a database for generating an electronic program guide from the program sequence information included in the signal that transmits the broadcast content, and
b) The process of acquiring the information of the program being viewed from the program arrangement information and
c) A process of searching the database for generating an electronic program guide for the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program, which is each of at least one programs broadcast today.
d) A process of generating a next broadcast database containing information indicating the presence or absence of the next broadcast program of each program from the search results, and
e) When it is determined from the information of the program being watched and the next broadcast database whether or not there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched and it is determined that there is a next broadcast program of the program being watched, the next time of the program being watched is determined. The process of requesting the generation of an interface that accepts recording reservations for broadcast programs,
f) The process of generating the interface when the request is made, and
Recording reservation method including.