JPH1042217A - Picture display controller and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speedily and surely select the other program while confirming the picture of a viewing program by regulating an area on which electronic program guide is displayed and overlapping guide information on the translucent program picture background so as to display it. SOLUTION: A screen 101 regulates the area 102 on which electronic program guide is displayed and displays the picture of the program in a translucent state where it is translucently viewed as the background. Electronic program guide information on the title of the guided program, the date and a channel number by which the broadcasting is executed is overlapped on the program picture background and they are displayed in the screen area 102. When the program has age restriction, a symbol 107 which is representative of the graphic of a rule is displayed. A user inputs and stores a previously decided password into a receiver, and inputs the prescribed password from a remote commander at the reception. Thus, it is compared with the password and the program can be received. Consequently, the other program can speedily and surely be selected while confirming the picture of the viewing program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display control device and method, and more particularly to an image display control device and method for displaying electronic program guide information in an easily viewable manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in Japan, digital television broadcasting is being carried out using satellites. Since this broadcast is performed digitally, a very large number of channels, such as 100 channels, can be secured. Therefore, it has been proposed to transmit electronic program guide information together with program information so that a desired channel can be selected from many channels. The user can display the electronic program guide on a display and select a desired program while watching the display.

[0003]

Conventionally, it has been proposed to display an image of the electronic program guide on the entire screen when displaying the electronic program guide on a display. However, in such a case, the user cannot view the image of the program that has been received until then,
There has been a problem that it is not possible to perform an operation of selecting another program while checking the program that was being viewed until then.

[0004] As another display method, it has been proposed to superimpose a character or the like as an electronic program guide on an image of a program received and displayed at that time.
However, according to this method, for example, when characters of a telop or the like are displayed as information of a program being received at that time, it is difficult to determine the characters of the electronic program guide from the characters of the telop, and the desired Has been difficult to select quickly and reliably.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object of the present invention to be able to quickly and reliably select a desired program using an electronic program guide.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display control device, wherein the generating means generates a screen defining an area for displaying electronic program guide information so that the image of the program can be seen through. And displaying an image of the electronic program guide information on the screen.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display control method, wherein a screen defining an area for displaying electronic program guide information is generated so that a program image can be seen through, and an image of the electronic program guide information is displayed on the screen. Is displayed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the program to be guided requires a password for viewing the program, the generating means intuitively recognizes that a password is required as electronic program guide information. And displaying a symbol to be displayed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display control method, wherein when a program to be guided requires a password for viewing, a symbol for intuitively indicating that a password is required is displayed as electronic program guide information. It is characterized by making it.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image display control apparatus, when the program to be guided is charged, a symbol for intuitively indicating that the program is charged is displayed as electronic program guide information. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the program to be guided is paid, a symbol for intuitively indicating that the program is paid is displayed as electronic program guide information.

In the image display control device according to the first aspect and the image display control method according to the third aspect, the image of the electronic program guide is displayed on a screen generated so that the image of the program can be seen through. You.

[0013] In the image display control apparatus and the image display control method according to the fifth aspect, when a program to be guided requires a password for viewing the program, a password is provided as electronic program guide information. A symbol is displayed that intuitively indicates that a number is required.

In the image display control apparatus and the image display control method according to the present invention, when a program to be guided is charged, a symbol for intuitively indicating that the program is charged is used as electronic program guide information. Is displayed.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an AV system to which the present invention is applied.
1 shows an example of the configuration of an (Audio Video) system. In the case of this embodiment, the AV system uses an IRD (Integrated Receiver / Decoder) for demodulating a radio wave transmitted from a transmitting device (not shown) via a satellite (broadcast satellite or communication satellite) to a signal received by the parabolic antenna 1. 2) and a television receiver 3.

IRD 2 (or television receiver 3)
To the infrared (IR: IR:
Infrared) signals can be input. That is, when a predetermined switch of the remote commander 6 is operated, an IR signal corresponding thereto is emitted from the IR signal transmitting section 72 (FIG. 4), and the IRD
The second IR signal receiving unit 54 (FIG. 2).

The IRD 2 supplies its output to the television receiver 3 via an AV line 4 composed of three lines, for example, a composite video signal line, an audio L signal line, and an audio R signal line. I have. Furthermore, I
The RD 2 has an AV device control signal transmitting / receiving unit 2A, and the television receiver 3 has an AV device control signal transmitting / receiving unit 3A. These are wired SIRCS (Wire
d interconnected by a control line 5 of Sony Infrared Remote Control System (trademark).

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the front of the IRD 2. A lid 52 is provided at the center of the housing 51 so as to be openable and closable so that the IC card 33 can be mounted inside. A power key 53 is provided on the left side of the IRD 2. The power key 53 is operated when the power is turned on or off. An IR signal receiving unit 54 for receiving an IR signal from the remote commander 6 is provided below the power key 53.
Is provided.

The LED 55 is connected to the IRD via a satellite.
When a predetermined message is transmitted for 2,
It is made to light. When the user outputs this message to the television receiver 3 and displays it, and confirms it, the LED 55 is turned off. An LED 56 located below the LED 55 is lit when the IRD 2 is communicating via a telephone line.

Program guide key 57 and menu key 58
Are operated when the television receiver 3 displays an electronic program guide or menu.

Up, down, left and right around the enter key 65 are an up key 61, a down key 62, and a left key 63, respectively.
And the light key 64 are arranged in a ring shape. The up key 61, the down key 62, the left key 63, and the right key 64 (hereinafter, these keys are also appropriately referred to as direction keys) are operated when the cursor is moved in the up, down, left, and right directions. The enter key 65 is operated when deciding the selection (when selecting). The channel up key 59 and the channel down key 60 are operated when raising or lowering the receiving channel.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the internal configuration of the IRD 2. Parabolic antenna 1 LNB (Low Noise Block)
The RF signal output from the downconverter 1a is supplied to the tuner 21 of the front end 20 (receiving means) and demodulated. The output of the tuner 21 is supplied to a QPSK demodulation circuit 22, where the output is subjected to QPSK demodulation. The output of the QPSK demodulation circuit 22 is supplied to an error correction circuit 23,
Errors are detected, corrected, and corrected as needed.

I consisting of CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.
The key necessary for decrypting the code is stored in the C card 33.
Stored with the decryption program. If the signal transmitted via the satellite is encrypted, a key and a decryption process are required to decrypt the code. Then, the key is read from the IC card 33 via the card reader interface 32 and supplied to the demultiplexer 24. The demultiplexer 24 uses this key to decrypt the encrypted signal.

The IC card 33 stores a key and a decryption program required for decryption, as well as billing information.

The demultiplexer 24 receives a signal output from the error correction circuit 23 of the front end 20 and converts the signal into a data buffer memory (DRAM (Dynamic)).
Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random)
Access Memory)) 35. Then, this is read out as appropriate, the decoded video signal is supplied to the MPEG video decoder 25, and the decoded audio signal is
This is supplied to the PEG audio decoder 26.

The MPEG video decoder 25 stores the input digital video signal in the DRAM 25a as appropriate, and executes a decoding process of the video signal compressed by the MPEG system. The decoded video signal is
Supplied to the NTSC encoder 27 (superimposing means)
It is converted into a luminance signal (Y), a chroma signal (C), and a composite signal (V) of the SC system. The luminance signal and the chroma signal are output as S-video signals via buffer amplifiers 28Y and 28C, respectively. The composite signal is output from the buffer amplifier 28V via the AV line 4.

The MPEG video decoder 25 is an MPEG2 decoder manufactured by SGS-Thomson Microelectronics.
A decoding LSI (STi3500) can be used. An outline thereof is, for example, Nikkei BP “Nikkei Electronics” 1994. 3.14 (No. 603) No. 101
Introduced by Martin Bolton on pages 110-110.

The MPEG2-Transportstream is described in "Latest MPEG Textbook", ASCII, Inc., Aug. 1, 1994, pp. 231 to 253.

The MPEG audio decoder 26 appropriately stores the digital audio signal supplied from the demultiplexer 24 in the DRAM 26a, and executes a decoding process of the audio signal compressed by the MPEG system. The decoded audio signal is D / A converted by the D / A converter 30, the left channel audio signal is output from the buffer amplifier 31L via the AV line 4, and the right channel audio signal is output from the buffer amplifier 31R. Via the AV line 4.

The RF modulator 41 converts a composite signal output from the NTSC encoder 27 and an audio signal output from the D / A converter 30 into an RF signal and outputs the RF signal. When the TV mode is set, the RF modulator 41 passes an NTSC system RF signal input from an AV device such as a cable box,
The data is directly output to a VCR or other AV equipment (neither is shown).

In the case of this embodiment, these video signals and audio signals are supplied to the television receiver 3 via the AV line 4.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 29
Executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 37. For example, tuner 21, QPSK
It controls the demodulation circuit 22, the error correction circuit 23, and the like. Also, it controls the AV device control signal transmission / reception section 2A, outputs a predetermined control signal to another AV device (the television receiver 3 in this embodiment) via the control line 5, and outputs another control signal. Receives control signals from AV equipment.

A predetermined command can be directly input to the CPU 29 by operating various keys (FIG. 2) of the front panel 40. Also, remote commander 6
When (FIG. 4) is operated, the IR signal transmitting section 72 outputs I
An R signal is emitted, and the IR signal is transmitted to an IR signal receiving unit 39.
, And the light receiving result is supplied to the CPU 29.
Therefore, a predetermined command can be input to the CPU 29 by operating the remote commander 6.

The demultiplexer 24 (extraction means)
Is an EPG (Electrical PPG) in addition to the MPEG video data and audio data supplied from the front end 20.
(Rogram Guide) data is taken in, supplied to the EPG area 35A of the data buffer memory 35, and stored. The EPG information is 24 hours after the current time (in the case of EPG2 and EPG1-2) or 150 hours (EPG
2, EPG3 and EPG1-2, EPG1-3)
Information on programs on each broadcast channel up to (for example,
In addition to the program's still images, the channel, broadcast time, title,
Category etc.). Since this EPG information is frequently transmitted, the latest EPG can always be held in the EPG area 35A.

An EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Pr)
In the gramable read only memory (38), data to be retained even after the power is turned off (for example, the reception history of the tuner 21 for four weeks, the channel number (last channel) received immediately before a predetermined operation is performed) Are stored as appropriate. This memory is used, for example, when the power is turned on and when the same channel as the last channel is received again. If the last channel is not stored, the channel stored as the default in the ROM 37 is received.

When the sleep mode is set, the CPU 29 activates a minimum number of circuits such as the front end 20, the demultiplexer 24, and the data buffer memory 35 even when the power is turned off, and receives the received signal. , The current time is measured from the time information included in, and control for causing each circuit to perform a predetermined operation at a predetermined time is also executed. For example, timer automatic recording is executed in conjunction with an external VCR.

Further, the CPU 29 sets a predetermined OSD (On
-Screen Display) When you want to generate data, use MPEG
The video decoder 25 (generation means) is controlled. MPEG
The video decoder 25 performs a predetermined OS
D data is generated in the OSD area 2 of the DRAM 25a.
5, and then read and output. As a result, predetermined characters, graphics, images (for example, characters, symbols, icons, and screens superimposed on a normal screen in FIGS.
Can be output and displayed.

The SRAM 36 is used as a work memory of the CPU 29. The modem 34 exchanges data via a telephone line under the control of the CPU 29.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the remote commander 6. An IR signal transmitting section 72 for generating an IR signal corresponding to the operation of various keys is provided at an upper portion thereof. The power key 73 is operated when the power of the IRD 2 is turned on or off, and the television power key 74 is operated when the power of the television receiver 3 is turned on or off. The mute key 75 is operated when muting the audio signal or canceling the mute. Switch key 76
Is operated when the IRD 2 is remotely controlled by the remote commander 6, and the switching key 77 is operated when the television receiver 3 is remotely operated by the remote commander 6.

The input switch key 78 is operated when switching the input to the IRD 2 or the television receiver 3. The screen display key 79 is operated when switching the state in which predetermined electronic program guide characters and the like are displayed on the television receiver 3. The dual sound key 80 is operated when there are a plurality of channels as sound channels and when switching between them.

The ten keys 81 are operated when inputting numbers from 0 to 9. The key of the number 0 and the key of “tuning” are operated when inputting the number 10 or 12, and the key arranged between them is operated when the number 11 is input.

The menu key 82 is operated when displaying a menu, and is used for a promotion key (promo key) 8.
3 is operated when displaying a promotion channel. The program explanation key 84 is operated when displaying program explanation information in the electronic program guide. The multi key 85 is operated as an electronic program guide when a reduced screen of each broadcast channel is displayed in one screen as, for example, 4 × 4 multi screens. The program guide key 86
Operated when displaying the electronic program guide. The jump key 87 is operated when shifting to the last channel.

The up key 88, the down key 89, the left key 90, and the right key 91 (these keys are also referred to as direction keys as appropriate) are operated when the cursor is moved in the up, down, left, and right directions, respectively. Is operated when inputting the decision of selection. The channel up / down key 94 is operated to increment or decrement the channel to be received by one. The up key 88, the down key 89, the left key 90, the right key 91, and the enter key 92 are an up key 61, a down key 62, a left key 63, a right key 64, and an enter key provided on the main body of the IRD 2 shown in FIG. It corresponds to the key 65, and its arrangement shape also corresponds. The channel up / down key 94 corresponds to the channel up key 59 and the channel down key 60 in FIG.

The volume up / down key 93 is operated to increase or decrease the volume by a fixed amount.

Next, the basic operation will be described. When the user operates the remote commander 6, for example, the numeric keypad 8
When the user operates 1 to input a predetermined channel number, an IR signal corresponding to the input number is output from the IR signal transmitting section 72. This IR signal is IRD2 I
The signal is received by the R signal receiving unit 39. When receiving the signal corresponding to the IR signal from the IR signal receiving unit 39, the CPU 29 controls the tuner 21 to receive the channel corresponding to the input number.

The tuner 21 demodulates a signal corresponding to the channel number designated by the CPU 29 from the signal supplied from the LNB 1 a and outputs the signal to the QPSK demodulation circuit 22. The signal QPSK-demodulated by the QPSK demodulation circuit 22 is further input to an error correction circuit 23, and after being subjected to error correction processing, is input to a demultiplexer 24. In the demultiplexer 24, the input data is separated into video data and audio data, and the video data is supplied to an MPEG video decoder 25 and the audio data is supplied to an MPEG audio decoder 26, respectively. The MPEG video decoder 25 decodes the input video data by the MPEG method, and outputs the decoded video data to the NTSC encoder 27. The NTSC encoder 27 converts the input video data into an NTSC video signal. This video signal is output as a composite video signal via an amplifier 28V, for example.
It is supplied to the television receiver 3 via the AV line 4.

The MPEG audio decoder 26
Decodes the input audio data by the MPEG method and outputs the decoded data to the D / A converter 30. D / A converter 3
0 indicates that the input audio data is D / A converted and converted into left and right analog audio signals by the amplifiers 31L and 3L.
Output via 1R. This audio signal is also output to the television receiver 3 via the AV line 4. In this way, the image and sound of the program that the user has commanded by operating the remote commander 6 are output to the television receiver 3.

When the demultiplexer 24 detects EPG data from the received signal, it supplies it to the data buffer memory 35 and stores the EPG area 35A on the data buffer memory 35.

When reading of the EPG information is instructed by operating a predetermined key of the remote commander 6, the CP
U29 stores the E stored in the EPG area 35A.
The PG data is read out, and the MPEG video decoder 25
Is converted to OSD data. This OSD data is
It is output to the NTSC encoder 27, superimposed on the image of a normal program, and output.

When the user operates the program explanation key 84 of the remote commander 6, program explanation information on a predetermined program is displayed on the television receiver 3 as electronic program guide information, for example, as shown in FIG. You.

As shown in FIG. 5, the screen 101 comprises
It is displayed as a frame that defines an area for displaying the electronic program guide. The screen 101 is displayed in a translucent state so that the image of the program can be seen through as a background.

In the area 102 on the screen 101, the title of the program to be guided ("Satellite Star Movie Theater") and the date and time (Friday, December 15, 8: 00-1pm)
0:20) is displayed. Also, the number of the channel on which the broadcast is performed (“155”) is displayed.

Further, in this area 102, a symbol 107 symbolizing a lock figure is displayed. This symbol 107 indicates that this program is a program to which age restriction is given. This symbol 107 is not displayed when the program has no age restriction.

That is, to actually view the program on which the symbol 107 is displayed, the user inputs a password in advance and stores the password in the EEPROM 38. When the user instructs reception of this program, the CPU 29
Detects from the EPG data that this program is an age-restricted program, causes the MPEG video decoder 27 to generate a message urging the input of a personal identification number, and causes the television receiver 3 to display the message.

When the user operates the numeric keypad 81 of the remote commander 6 in accordance with the message and inputs a predetermined password, the CPU 29 determines that the currently input password is the same as the password already stored in the EEPROM 38. It is determined whether they match. If they match, the tuner 21 is controlled to receive the program.
On the other hand, if the PINs do not match,
The CPU 29 does not instruct the tuner 21 to receive the program, and instructs the MPEG video decoder 25 to, for example,
A message such as "Program cannot be received because password is different" is displayed on the television receiver 3.

As described above, by displaying the symbol 107 representing that a program requires input of a personal identification number to receive the program, it is possible to determine what kind of program the program is. The user can intuitively recognize. Therefore, operability is improved.

In an area 108 above the area 102,
At this time, the title of the movie to be broadcasted, "My town", is displayed, and in the area 103 below the area 102, the director, performers, rough lines, and the like of this program, "My town" are displayed as characters.

Further, in the vertically long area 104 on the right side of the screen 101, a channel number "155"
On the lower side, a button (icon) 106 operated when a predetermined command is input is displayed. This button 106 is displayed so that the image of the program cannot be seen through as a background. It is possible to make the button 106 transparent, but in such a case, some of the buttons include
Since a character or a figure representing the function of the button is displayed, the character or figure becomes difficult to read. Therefore, the button 106 is displayed so that the background cannot be seen through.

FIG. 6 shows another display example of the EPG. In this display example, video, audio,
Many buttons (icons) 106 for selecting a desired type from data and the like are displayed. The button 106 is also configured so that the image of the program cannot be seen through. Therefore, it is prevented that the characters in the buttons become difficult to see.

FIG. 7 shows still another display example.
In this display example, an independent area 115 is provided above the screen 101, and the title of the program "Charlotte Gainsbourg Unknown Confession" and the channel number "155" are displayed therein.

A button 106 is displayed on the screen 101, and a symbol 114 representing a circle mark (￥) is displayed at a predetermined button at that position.
This symbol 114 indicates that the information selected by the button (icon) is paid information. The fact that the predetermined information is charged can be recognized by the user, for example, by displaying a character of “paid”. However, in such a case, it is complicated to identify the button with the character representing the function of the button. Become. Therefore, by displaying the symbol 114 that allows the user to intuitively recognize that the information is charged, the user can quickly and intuitively recognize that the information is charged. Is preferred.

Note that, in FIG.
Is designed so that the background program image cannot be seen.

In this display example, an area 111 is provided below the screen 101, and symbols 112 and 113 are displayed therein. This symbol 1
Reference numerals 12 and 113 denote direction keys including an up key 61, a down key 62, a left key 63, and a right key 64 shown in FIG. 6, a direction key composed of an up key 88, a down key 89, a left key 90, and a right key 91, and a shape corresponding to the enter key 92). Then, in the symbol 112, the symbol corresponding to the surrounding direction key is displayed in a color brighter than the symbol corresponding to the center determination key,
It indicates that the selection operation can be performed with the arrow keys.
On the other hand, in the symbol 113, the symbol corresponding to the determination key arranged at the center of the direction key is
It is displayed brighter than the symbol corresponding to the arrow key,
It is shown that a determination operation can be performed by operating the determination key.

Thus, the symbols 112 and 113 are
By displaying a part to be operated of a symbol expressed in a shape corresponding to a key provided on the main body of the IRD 2 or the remote commander 6 in a state different from other parts, it is possible to operate the part, The user can intuitively recognize that the operation can be performed.

[0065]

As described above, according to the image display control device according to the first aspect and the image display control method according to the third aspect, a screen generated so that an image of a program can be seen through the background is displayed on the screen. Since the image of the electronic program guide information is displayed, it is possible to quickly and reliably select another program while checking the image of the program being viewed at that time.

According to the image display control device of the fourth aspect and the image display control method of the fifth aspect, when a program to be guided requires a personal identification number for viewing the program,
Symbols that intuitively indicate that a password is required are displayed as electronic program guide information, so that unnecessary selection of programs that cannot be viewed is suppressed, and a desired program can be quickly and reliably selected. It is possible to do.

According to the image display control apparatus and the image display control method of the present invention, when the program to be guided is charged, the electronic program guide information includes
Since the symbols that intuitively indicate that the user is paying are displayed, it is possible to suppress unnecessary selection of a program that the user does not want to view, and it is possible to quickly and reliably select a desired program. Becomes

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AV system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a front surface of an IRD 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of an IRD 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a remote commander 6 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example on the television receiver 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another display example on the television receiver 3 of FIG. 1;

7 is a diagram showing still another display example on the television receiver 3 of FIG. 1. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 parabolic antenna, 2 IRD, 3 television receiver, 6 remote commander, 21 tuner, 23 error correction circuit, 24 demultiplexer, 25 MPEG video decoder, 25a DR
AM, 26MPEG audio decoder, 26a
DRAM, 29 CPU, 35 data buffer memory, 35A EPG area, 36 SRAM, 3
7 ROM, 38 EEPROM, 39 IR signal receiving unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Akaike 6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation

Claims (7)

[Claims] A receiving unit that receives a transmission signal; an extraction unit that extracts electronic program guide information included in the transmission signal; and a generation unit that generates an image corresponding to the electronic program guide extracted by the extraction unit. Means, and an image display control apparatus comprising: superimposing means for superimposing the image of the electronic program guide generated by the generating means on an image of a program included in the transmission signal received by the receiving means. Generating a screen defining an area for displaying the electronic program guide information so that the image of the program can be seen through, and displaying the image of the electronic program guide information on the screen. Control device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generating unit displays an icon as a button for selecting a predetermined program, which is displayed as an image of the electronic program guide, so that the image of the program is not visible in the background. The image display control device according to claim 1, wherein 3. A receiving unit for receiving a transmission signal, an extracting unit for extracting electronic program guide information included in the transmission signal, and a generating unit for generating an image corresponding to the electronic program guide extracted by the extracting unit. Means for superimposing the image of the electronic program guide generated by the generating means on the image of the program included in the transmission signal received by the receiving means. An image display, wherein a screen defining an area for displaying the electronic program guide information is generated so that an image of the program can be seen through, and an image of the electronic program guide information is displayed on the screen. Control method. 4. A receiving unit for receiving a transmission signal, an extracting unit for extracting electronic program guide information included in the transmission signal, and a generating unit for generating an image corresponding to the electronic program guide extracted by the extracting unit. Means, and an image display control apparatus comprising: superimposing means for superimposing the image of the electronic program guide generated by the generating means on an image of a program included in the transmission signal received by the receiving means. An image display control device for displaying a symbol for intuitively indicating that a password is required as the electronic program guide information when the program to be guided requires a password for viewing the program. 5. A receiving unit for receiving a transmission signal, an extracting unit for extracting electronic program guide information included in the transmission signal, and a generating unit for generating an image corresponding to the electronic program guide extracted by the extracting unit. Means for superimposing the image of the electronic program guide generated by the generating means on the image of the program included in the transmission signal received by the receiving means. An image display control method, wherein, when the program to be guided requires a password for viewing, a symbol for intuitively indicating that a password is required is displayed as the electronic program guide information. 6. A receiving unit for receiving a transmission signal, an extracting unit for extracting electronic program guide information included in the transmission signal, and a generating unit for generating an image corresponding to the electronic program guide extracted by the extracting unit. Means, and an image display control apparatus comprising: superimposing means for superimposing the image of the electronic program guide generated by the generating means on an image of a program included in the transmission signal received by the receiving means. An image display control device for displaying, when the program to be guided is charged, a symbol intuitively indicating that the program is charged as the electronic program guide information. 7. A receiving unit for receiving a transmission signal, an extracting unit for extracting electronic program guide information included in the transmission signal, and a generating unit for generating an image corresponding to the electronic program guide extracted by the extracting unit. Means for superimposing the image of the electronic program guide generated by the generating means on the image of the program included in the transmission signal received by the receiving means. An image display control method, wherein, when the program to be guided is charged, a symbol for intuitively indicating that the program is charged is displayed as the electronic program guide information.