JPH08336096A - Terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To realize the terminal equipment which has high usefulness for the user and in which ease of operation convenience is furthermore improved. CONSTITUTION: In a terminal equipment 2 in which a retrieval signal to retrieve desired information (video program) is fed to a master set 3 and information data (video data) corresponding to the desired information (video program) are fed from the master set 3, a keyword relating to desired information is entered to the terminal equipment 2 and the information data (video data) fed from the master set 3 via a communication line 5 are displayed based on the keyword. Thus, the terminal equipment 2 in which the desired information (video program) is easily retrieved and displayed is realized.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Table of Contents] The present invention will be described in the following order. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION Prior Art Problems to be Solved by the Invention Means for Solving the Problems Embodiments of the Invention (1) Overall Configuration of Video Program Search System (FIG. 1) (2) Configuration of Video Program Database ( Fig. 2) (3) Video program search operation (Fig. 3) (4) Effect of the embodiment (5) Other embodiment Effect of the invention

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device, and particularly to information (video program) supplied based on a keyword.
It is suitable to be applied to a terminal device that receives and displays from the main device.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to watch a desired television program, a user needs to be at the place where the television receiver is installed at the date and time when the television program is broadcast. To solve the problem, a video tape recorder (VTR) can be used to record a desired television program.

That is, the user first refers to the television section of a newspaper or a television guide broadcast information such as a program guide magazine to know the broadcast station, the broadcast date and time, and the broadcast time of a desired television program, and directly sets the VTR at this broadcast date and time. Recording operation,
In addition, the reserved recording operation is executed according to a predetermined procedure, and thereafter, the user can watch the desired television program at a free time by playing back the television program recorded in this way on the VTR. Has been done.

[0005]

However, in this way, V
When recording a desired television program by using the TR, there is a trouble that it is necessary to obtain the television broadcasting information in advance and to know what program will be broadcast. In this way, even if a TV program that is of interest is known, only one of the TV program can be recorded when another program of the TV program that is more interesting is broadcast at the same time. In addition, if for some reason you forget to record or if you cannot record due to a power failure, you may not be able to watch it again.

In such a case, a program center for recording, for example, all broadcast television programs on a video tape is provided, and the video program recorded on the video tape is dubbed by a technique such as a user's request. It is considered that the usability for the user can be further improved by supplying it to the user. However, even in this case, the user needs to check the broadcasting station, the broadcasting date and time, and the broadcasting time of the desired television program by himself, and since the complexity remains correspondingly, it is still insufficient in terms of usability.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and proposes a terminal device which solves the problems of the prior art at once and has higher utility for the user and further improved usability. It is what

[0008]

In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, a search signal DT _SD0 for searching for desired information (video program) is supplied to the main unit 3 so that the main unit 3 receives a desired signal. In the terminal device 2 to which the information data (video data) DT _VD (DT _DSP ) corresponding to the information (video program) is supplied, the terminal device 2 inputs the keyword relating to the desired information (video program). 12 and
Search signal DT for keyword via communication line 4 (5)
Control means 7 and 6 for supplying _SD0 to the main unit 3 and information data (video data) DT _VD (DT) supplied from the main unit 3 via the communication line 4 (5) based on the keyword.
Display means 9 (11) for displaying _DSP ).

As described above, when the user operates the input means 12 to input a keyword relating to desired information (video program), the main unit 3 transmits the keyword based on the keyword via the communication line 4 (5). The information data (video data) DT _VD (DT _DSP ) supplied by the display means 9 (1
It can be displayed in 1).

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall Configuration of Video Program Retrieval System In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates the overall configuration of the video program retrieval system as a whole. Between the terminal device 2 and the program center device 3 operated by the user, for example, a general subscriber telephone is used. The line 4 and the large capacity public line 5 are connected.

The terminal device 2 has a personal computer 7 connected to a subscriber telephone line 4 via a modem 6 as a communication means, and a decoder 8 as a video display means.
Via connected to the mass public line 5, a video tape recorder for recording the monitoring device 9 and the video data DT _VD for displaying video data DT _VD input (VTR) 1
Has zero.

The personal computer 7 is provided with a display 11 and a keyboard 12 for displaying the reception data DT _RS0 obtained from the subscriber telephone line 4 through the modem 6 as display data DT _DSP .
Key input data D input according to the user's key operation
T _KIN is sent to the subscriber telephone line 4 through the modem 6 as transmission data DT _SD0 .

The program center device 3 is also provided with a host computer 1 connected to a subscriber telephone line 4 via a modem 13.
4 to access the video program database DB _VD stored in the disk device 15 by executing a video program search processing procedure in accordance with the received data DT _RS1 obtained from the subscriber telephone line 4 through the modem 13. The search result is sent to the subscriber telephone line 4 through the modem 13 as transmission data DT _SD1 .

The host computer 14 also selects the tape selection data DT _TAPE according to the video program database DB _VD instructed from the terminal device 2 based on the search result.
Is sent to the video cart machine 16.

In this video cart machine 16,
A plurality of tape cassettes in which video programs corresponding to the video program database DB _VD are recorded are stored in the video rack section, and the tape cassette based on the tape selection data DT _TAPE input from the host computer 15 is automatically video tracked. It is carried out from the unit and loaded into the VTR for reproduction. As a result, the video data DT _VD corresponding to the video program transmitted from the video cart machine 16 is transmitted to the large capacity public line 5 through the encoder 17.

(2) Structure of Video Program Database In the case of this embodiment, the program center device 3 records all the television programs to be broadcast, and in addition to the program information corresponding to each television program, the television program concerned. The video program database DB _VD as shown in FIG. 2 is formed by adding the keyword information representing the characteristics of the Jiyoung program and the identification information of the recorded tape cassette to the disc device 15 and storing them. ing.

That is, this video program database DB
_{The VD} has a plurality of records DT1, DT2, DT3, ... Corresponding to each video program obtained by recording a television program.
Consists of each record DT1, DT2, DT
3, ..., Under the record identification number RID, which is numerical data sequentially provided with serial numbers, the program information I of the video program is displayed.
NF _TV , keyword information INF _KEY, and tape cassette identification information INF _TAPE are stored.

Here, in the program information INF _TV , the recorded program name PNAME of the television program and the broadcasting station name ST are recorded as character data of a predetermined length, and the broadcast start time BTM of the television program is the date and time. Recorded as numerical data in units of CTV
Is recorded as numerical data in minutes. In the case of this video program database DB _VD , keyword information IN
In the F _KEY , n keywords KEY1, KEY2, ..., KEYn each consisting of character data of a predetermined length are recorded.

The keywords KEY1, KEY2, ...
..., KEYn is a program category such as drama, movie, news or document, director name or producer name, performer name, viewer type desired by the broadcasting station, and word indicating the outline of the video program as keywords. It is recorded.

Further, this video program database DB _VD
In this case, the tape cassette identification information INF _TAPE is
Tape cassette identification number TID representing the tape cassette stored in the video rack of the video cart machine 16
And a time code TCD indicating the start position of the video program in the tape cassette is recorded.

(3) Video Program Retrieval Operation When the user wishes to view a desired video program using the video program retrieval system 1 as described above, the user first operates the keyboard 12 of the terminal device 2 to display a personal computer. A communication line is set up between the computer 7 and the host computer 14. Then, when the user instructs a video program search, the host computer 14 displays a prompt ">" for requesting command input on the screen of the display 11, as shown in FIG.

Here, a plurality of (two in this case) keywords "abc, def" are separated by a space together with a logical operation character "AND" together with a command "K" indicating that the user inputs a keyword, and the first search condition is satisfied. , The host computer 14 will enter each keyword K of the keyword information INF _KEY of the video program database DB _VD.
KEY1, KEY2, ... Which match the first search condition by searching EY1, KEY2, ..., KEYn
..., records DT1, DT2, DT having KEYn
Count the number of 3 ...

Subsequently, the host computer 14 displays the number of cases thus obtained on the screen of the display 11 together with the display symbol "\ 1" indicating the detection result of the first search condition, and the subsequent command input The requested prompt “>” is displayed on the screen of the display 11.

In this state, the user further inputs the first search condition "¥" together with the command "K" indicating the keyword input.
In addition to "1", separate with the logical operation character "AND" by a space, specify any year, month, day, hour, "890601-0000 or later" as the search condition for the broadcast start time "T" and specify the second search condition. If you enter as
Is the keyword information I of the video program database DB _VD
Records DT1 and DT that match the second search condition by searching NF _KEY and program information INF _TV
2, the number of DT3 ... is counted, the number of cases obtained in this way is displayed together with the display symbol "\ 2" indicating the detection result of the second search condition, and the prompt ">" for requesting the subsequent command input Is displayed.

If the user inputs the second search condition "¥ 2" together with the command "T" for instructing the display of contents, the host computer 14 causes the records DT1, DT2, DT3 that match the second search condition. , Record identification number RID and program information INF _TV are displayed 1
1 is displayed on the screen to form a list, and a prompt ">" for requesting subsequent command input is displayed.

In this state, the record DT1, along with the command "S" instructing the user to reproduce the video program,
When the record identification number RID of DT2, DT3, ... Is input, the host computer 14 records DT1, DT2, DT corresponding to the record identification number RID.
The tape cassette identification information INF _TAPE of 3, ... Is sent to the video cart machine 16 as tape selection data DT _TAPE . As a result, the video cart machine 16 sends the video data DT _VD obtained by reproducing the searched video program to the encoder 17 based on the tape selection data DT _TAPE .

Thus, the user can view the desired video program searched by the keyword by displaying the video data DT _VD received through the decoder 8 on the monitor device 9, and in this way, the program center By recording the video data DT _VD transmitted from the device 3 in the VTR 10, a desired video program can be viewed at any timing.

(4) Effects of the Embodiments With the above configuration, the program center apparatus 3 records all broadcast television programs on a video tape, and various keyword information INF _KEY and tape identification information INF. Video program database D stored with _TAPE
B _VD is formed, and the user uses the combination of various keywords from the terminal device 2 as a search condition and the video program database D
Since the B _VD is searched to reproduce the desired video program, the video program search system 1 that can further improve the usability of the user can be realized.

Further, according to the above configuration, the user can know the broadcasting station, broadcasting date and time and broadcasting time of a desired television program by searching the video program database DB _VD by combining various keywords. Is unnecessary, and utility can be further improved for the user.

(5) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the personal computer 7 having the modem 6 as the communication means in the terminal device 2 is used.
The case where the monitor device 9 and the VTR 10 are independently provided as the video display means has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the monitor device 9 or the VTR 10 may have a personal computer incorporated therein as the communication means. .

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the video program database DB _VD is formed as shown in FIG. 2 has been described, but the structure of the database is not limited to this. If it is possible to search for, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the above-described embodiment.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the procedure shown in FIG. 3 is executed as the search procedure of the video program database DB _VD , but the procedure is not limited to this, and a procedure similar to other database search procedures is used. Also, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be realized.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, all television programs are recorded to record the video program database DB.
_Although the case of forming a _VD was described, instead of this or in addition to this, program information on an already recorded soft tape,
The video program database DB _VD may be formed by adding keyword information and tape cassette information. By doing so, instead of or in addition to the television program, the video program on the soft tape can also be searched for by the keyword and reproduced, thereby further improving the usability for the user.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where one set of terminal devices 2 is connected to the program center device 3 has been described, but a plurality of terminal devices 2 may be provided, and the line type to be connected is further increased. Is not limited to the subscriber telephone line and the large capacity public line, and various types can be applied.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the tape cassette is used as the recording medium has been described.
The present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to disk-shaped recording media such as optical disks and recording media such as memories. In this case, on the terminal device 2 side, a recording / reproducing device (not shown) corresponding to the disk-shaped recording medium or the like may be connected to the decoder 8 and the monitor device 9 instead of or in addition to the VTR 10. Good.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, a search signal for searching for desired information (video program) is supplied to the main device, and information corresponding to the desired information (video program) is supplied from the main device. In a terminal device to which data (video data) is supplied, this terminal device inputs a keyword related to desired information, and based on this keyword, information data (video data) supplied from the main device via a communication line. ) Is displayed, it is possible to realize a terminal device that can easily retrieve and display desired information (video program).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video program search device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a video program database stored in the disk device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a video program search processing procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Video program search system, 2 ... Terminal device, 3 ...
... Program center device, 4 ... Subscribed telephone line, 5 ... Large-capacity public line, 6, 13 ... Modem, 7 ... Personal computer, 8 ... Decoder, 9 ... Monitor device, 10 ...
VTR, 11 ... Display, 12 ... Keyboard, 14 ... Host computer, 15 ... Disk device, 16 ... Video cart machine, 17 ... Encoder.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device for supplying a search signal for searching desired information to a main device, and the information data corresponding to the desired information is supplied from the main device, wherein the terminal device is a desired device. Input means for inputting a keyword relating to information, control means for supplying the keyword as the search signal to the main device via a communication line, and supply from the main device via the communication line based on the keyword And a display unit for displaying the above-mentioned information data. 2. A terminal device which supplies a search signal for searching for a desired video program to a main device, and video data corresponding to the desired video program is supplied from the main device, wherein the terminal device comprises: Input means for inputting a keyword relating to a desired video program, control means for supplying the keyword as the search signal to the main device via a communication line, and the communication line from the main device to the main device based on the keyword. A display device for displaying the video data supplied via the terminal device.