WO2014034167A1

WO2014034167A1 - Electronic device and video content reproduction method

Info

Publication number: WO2014034167A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/059806
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazuki Kuwahara; Takuya Shiki; Masami Tanaka
Original assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Priority date: 2012-08-31
Filing date: 2013-03-26
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Also published as: JP5992265B2; JP2014049984A; EP2865176A1

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes display processing means (211) for allowing a display (14) to display a first item and a second item, allowing the display (14) to display, in response to selection of the first item, a first list based on the first item, and allowing the display (14) to display, in response to selection of the second item, a second list based on the second item, and reproduction processing means (212) for consecutively reproducing a first reproducible video content in the first list and another reproducible video content in the first list which succeeds the first reproducible video content.

Description

D E S C R I P T I O N

ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND VIDEO CONTENT REPRODUCTION METHOD

Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-192425, filed August 31, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Field

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic device capable of reproducing video content and a video content reproduction method for reproducing video content.

Background

In recent years, various broadcasting services have been available such as digital terrestrial

broadcasting, digital satellite broadcasting, CATV, and Internet broadcasting. Users can view broadcast content on a desired channel by operating an electronic device such as a television broadcast receiver, a set- top box, or a DVD recorder.

Furthermore, electronic devices have recently been developed in which a large number of broadcast content items can be simultaneously recorded.

Moreover, techniques have been developed which support the user' s operations of recording a broadcast content via a timer and reproducing recorded content.

A large number of reproducible video content items such as recorded broadcast content may include video content in which the user is not interested as well as video content in which the user is interested.

Thus, a new technique needs to be implemented which allows a large number of reproducible video content items such as recorded broadcast content to be effectively utilized.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a video content reproduction method which allow a desired video content to be easily found and reproduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A general architecture that implements the various features of the embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate the embodiments and not to limit the scope of the

invention .

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram showing a configuration of a system including an electronic device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a configuration of the electronic device according to the embodiment .

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram showing a viewing processor, a recording processor, and a

reproduction control processor which are provided in the electronic device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing a plurality of icons (tags) displayed on a screen by the electronic device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram showing a

consecutive reproduction list displayed in response to selection of one of the icons in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing a content search and reproduction screen displayed by the

electronic device according to the embodiment when a "surfing" icon is selected.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing a content search and reproduction screen displayed by the

electronic device according to the embodiment when a "golf" icon is selected.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing a keyword list popped up by the electronic device according to the embodiment when a "hot word" icon is selected.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram showing a screen displayed by the electronic device according to the embodiment to allow a user to set or change a search conditio .

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing a video content view screen displayed by the electronic device according to the embodiment as a "my program guide". FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart showing a procedure for a content reproduction control process carried out by the electronic device according to the embodiment .

FIG. 12 is an exemplary flowchart showing a procedure for a surfing process carried out by the electronic device according to the embodiment when the "surfing" icon is selected.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary flowchart showing a procedure for a content reproduction control process carried out by the electronic device according to the embodiment and using a user specified search condition.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary flowchart showing a procedure for a reproduction control process carried out by the electronic device according to the

embodiment when a "recommended program for you" icon is selected .

FIG. 15 is an exemplary flowchart showing a procedure for a reproduction control process carried out by the electronic device according to the

embodiment when a "usual program" icon is selected.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary flowchart showing a procedure for a reproduction control process carried out by the electronic device according to the

embodiment when the "hot word" icon is selected.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary flowchart showing a procedure for a reproduction control .process carried out by the electronic device according to the

embodiment when an "everyone' s recommended program" icon is selected.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary flowchart showing a procedure for a "my program guide" display process carried out by the electronic device according to the embodiment .

Detailed Description

Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In general, according to one embodiment, an electronic device includes display processing means for allowing a display to display a first item and a second item, allowing the display to display, in response to selection of the first item, a first list based on the first item, and allowing the display to display, in response to selection of the second item, a second list based on the second item; and reproduction processing means for consecutively reproducing a first

reproducible video content in the first list and another reproducible video content in the first list which succeeds the first reproducible video content.

FIG. 1 shows a system including an electronic device according to the embodiment. The electronic device is implemented, for example, as a digital television broadcast receiver 11. The electronic device may also be implemented as any of various consumer devices such as a personal video recorder and a personal computer. The digital television broadcast receiver 11 includes a display 14 such as a flat panel display.

The digital television broadcast receiver 11 can display various broadcast content items, for example, broadcast content contained in digital satellite broadcast signals and broadcast content contained in digital terrestrial broadcast signals. Digital

satellite broadcast signals are received by a digital satellite broadcast receiving antenna 47. Furthermore., digital terrestrial broadcast signals are received by a digital terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna 52.

The digital television broadcast receiver 11 is connected to a wired or wireless network 20. The network 20 is a home wired or wireless LAN. The digital television broadcast receiver 11 can

communicate with various home devices via the network 20. The digital television broadcast receiver 11 can be connected to Internet 30 via the network 20.

The network 20 connects to, for example, an information terminal 21 and at least one DMP/DMR device 22. The DMP/DMR device 22 complies with the DLNA standard and can transmit various video content items such as video clips, home movies, and DVD video titles to the digital television broadcast receiver 11 via the network 20. The digital television broadcast receiver 11 can display not only broadcast content but also various video content items received from an external device such as the DMP/D R device 22. Furthermore, the digital television broadcast receiver 11 can display various video content items from a content distribution site 31 on the Internet 30.

Moreover, the digital television broadcast receiver 11 has a cloud cooperation function for allowing cooperation with a server 32 on the Internet 30. The cloud cooperation function can be used to receive various types of information, for example, metadata on broadcast content, a tag list for broadcast content, and ranking information on popular broadcast content. Like electronic program guide information (EPG) , the metadata on broadcast content may include guidance information on broadcast programs (program titles, genres, broadcast dates and times, cast, and the like) . Moreover, the metadata on broadcast content may include detailed information on the broadcast content. The detailed information may include some images concerning each program and a text describing the program. The tag list corresponding to a certain broadcast program is information including the title of the program and a plurality of tags (bookmarks)

designating a plurality of cueing positions within the program. The use of the tag list enables a process of reproducing only a number of scenes where a particular person appears.

A user can not only use a remote control unit 12 to remotely control the digital television broadcast receiver 11 but also use an information terminal 21 to remotely control the digital television broadcast receiver 11. In this case, the information terminal 21 uses Internet Protocol (IP) to transmit various

commands to the digital television broadcast receiver 11. Furthermore, the information terminal 21 can receive the above-described various types of

information from the server 32.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a configuration of the digital television broadcast receiver 11.

The digital television broadcast receiver 11 includes broadcast signal input terminals 48 and 53, a digital satellite broadcast tuner 49, a plurality of digital terrestrial broadcast tuners 54, a phase-shift keying (PSK) demodulator 50, a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) demodulators 55, a signal processor 51, a sound processor 59, a graphic processor 58, an OSD signal generator 61, a video processor 62, and a controller 65.

The broadcast signal input terminal 48 and the broadcast signal input terminal 53 connect to a digital satellite broadcast receiving antenna 47 and a digital terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna 52. The controller 65 controls operations of the sections in the digital television broadcast receiver 11. The controller 65 includes a CPU 71, a ROM 66, a RAM 67, and a nonvolatile memory 68. The ROM 66 stores control programs executed by the CPU 71. The

nonvolatile memory 68 stores various types of setting information and programmed recording information. The CPU 71 executes the control programs to control the operations of the sections in the digital television broadcast receiver 11. This allows the following to be carried out: a process of allowing various video content items such as broadcast content to be viewed, a process of allowing various video content items to be recorded, and a process of allowing various recorded video content items to be reproduced. Here, the viewing process means a process of allowing a broadcast content being broadcast to be displayed (live

reproduction process) . Furthermore, the reproduction process means a process of acquiring a recorded

broadcast content from a storage medium and reproducing the broadcast content or a process of reproducing video content received from another device in the form of streaming video.

The digital satellite broadcast receiving antenna 47 receives digital satellite television broadcast signals. The digital satellite broadcast receiving antenna 47 outputs a received digital satellite television broadcast signal to a satellite digital broadcast tuner 49 via the input terminal 48. The tuner 49 tunes in to a broadcast signal on any channel from the broadcast signal. The tuner 49 outputs the tuned-in broadcast signal to the PSK demodulator 50. The PSK demodulator 50 demodulates the broadcast signal tuned in by the tuner 49 to generate a digital video signal and a digital sound signal. The PSK demodulator 50 outputs the digital video and sound signals

generated by demodulation to the signal processor 51.

The terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna 52 receives digital terrestrial television broadcast signals. The terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna 52 outputs the digital terrestrial television broadcast signals to each of the tuners 54 via the input terminal 53. The tuner 54 tunes in to a broadcast signal on any channel included in the output broadcast signals. The tuner 54 outputs the tuned-in broadcast signal to the corresponding OFDM demodulator 55. The OFDM

demodulator 55 demodulates the broadcast signal tuned in by the corresponding tuner 54 to generate a digital video, signal and a digital sound signal. The OFDM demodulator 55 outputs the digital video and sound signal generated by demodulation to the signal

processor 51.

Furthermore, the signal processor 51 connects to a plurality of external input terminals 60. The external input terminals 60 allow external video and sound signals to be input to the digital television broadcast receiver 11.

The signal processor 51 carries out predetermined digital signal processing on a video signal and a sound signal input via the external input terminal 60 or a video signal and a sound signal output by the PSK demodulator 50 or the OFDM demodulator 55. The signal processor 51 outputs the video and sound signals subjected to the predetermined digital signal

processing to the graphic processor 58 and the sound processor 59.

The sound processor 59 converts the input digital sound signal into an analog sound signal that can be reproduced by the speaker 15. The sound processor 59 outputs the analog sound signal to the speaker 15. The speaker 15 outputs a sound corresponding to the input analog sound signal.

The graphic processor 58 superimposes, on the digital video signal output by the signal processor 51, an OSD signal such as a menu which is generated by the on-screen display (OSD) signal processor 61. The graphic processor 58 outputs the video signal with the OSD signal superimposed thereon to the video processor 62. The graphic processor 58 may selectively output the video signal output by the signal processor 51 and the OSD signal output by the OSD signal generator 61. The video processor 62 carries out various image quality improving processes on the input digital video signal. The video processing signal 62 supplies the digital video signal subjected to the image quality improving processes to the display 14.

An operation module 80 is an operation panel including various operation switches such as a main power supply switch and a channel switch. A light receiving module 81 receives an infrared remote control signal (receives light) transmitted by the remote controller unit 12. A card interface 82 is a

controller which accesses a memory card removably installed in a card holder 83. A communication

interface 84 is a LAN controller connected to a router or the like in the network 20 via a LAN cable connected to a LAN terminal 85.

The USB interface 86 is a controller which

accesses a storage device 100 connected to a USB terminal 87. The storage device 100 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) . An HDMI interface 88

communicates with an external HDMI device.

FIG. 3 is a viewing processor 201, a recording processor 202, and a reproduction control processor 203 which are provided in the digital television broadcast receiver 11. The viewing processor 201, recording processor 202, and reproduction control processor 203 may be implemented as computer programs executed by the CPU 17.

The viewing processor 201 carries out a process of showing, on the display 14, one of the content items being broadcast (broadcast program data) which is tuned in by the tuner 49 or the tuner 54. The recording processor 202 carries out a "normal recording process" and a "time shift machine recording process". The "normal recording process" allows the recording, in the storage device 100, of individual broadcast program data specified or programmed by the user to be

recorded. Based on a channel number, a day of the week, and a time zone which are set by the user, the "time shift machine recording process" allows broadcast program data on a recording target channel to be broadcast on the set day of the week in the set time zone to be automatically recorded in a particular storage area in the storage device 100. For example, when all the channel numbers, all days of the week, and the time zone 19:00 to 23:00 are set, the broadcast programs on all the channels which are to be broadcast in the time zone 19:00 to 23:00 are recorded every day. Furthermore, all 24 hours of the day may be set to be the recording target time zone.

When a sufficient free space is not present in the particular storage area, the oldest broadcast program data in the particular storage area is automatically deleted (loop recording)^'. The use of a massive^' storage device 100, for example, allows a large number of broadcast programs (time shift recording programs) for the past several weeks to be constantly stored in the particular storage area.

The reproduction controller 203 has a content search and reproduction function to allow the user to easily find a desired one of a large number of

reproducible video content items. The reproducible video content may be recorded broadcast content such as programs recorded by the above-described "time shift machine recording process" (time shift recording programs). Alternatively, the reproducible video content may be video content which can be received from an external device such as the DMP/DMR device 22 or the content distribution site 31. Alternatively, both video content which can be received from the external device or the content distribution site 31 and recorded broadcast content may be used as reproducible video content .

The content search and reproduction function finds reproducible video content items which match a certain particular search condition and consecutively reproduce the found reproducible video content. A plurality of different search conditions are prepared, and any of a plurality of search conditions is selected depending on the user's operation.

The search conditions used may include one which depends on video content (broadcast program) being viewed or reproduced and those which do not depend on the content being viewed or reproduced.

The search condition depending on the video content (broadcast program) being viewed or reproduced may indicate the attributes (genre, title, keyword, cast, and the like) of the video content (broadcast program) being viewed or reproduced. This allows other reproducible video content related to the broadcast program being viewed (for example, recorded programs related to the broadcast program being viewed) to be presented to the user. Furthermore, other reproducible video content related to the recorded broadcast program being reproduced may be presented to the user.

The search conditions not depending on the video content being viewed or reproduced may be any search condition not related to the attributes of the video content being viewed or reproduced.

The content search and reproduction function presents the user with items with which the search condition indicating the attributes of the video content being viewed or reproduced is associated and some items with which any respective search conditions not related to the attributes of the video content being viewed or reproduced are associated. Thus, the user can selectively use an operation of finding other programs related to the program being watched by the user and an operation of finding other programs not related to the program being watched by the user.

A list of the found reproducible video content (consecutive reproduction list) is shown on the display 14. The consecutive reproduction can be started with any video content selected from the consecutive

reproduction list by the user.

For example, it is assumed that four video content items which match a certain particular search condition have been found. In this case, the consecutive

reproduction list is generated by arranging the four video content items in an order based on a

predetermined criterion. For example, when the user selects the second video content in the consecutive reproduction list, first, reproduction of the second video content is started. Then, when the reproduction of the second video content is completed, reproduction of the third video content is automatically started unless the user performs a operation for stopping the reproduction of the third video content. Then, when the reproduction of the third video content is

completed, reproduction of the fourth video content is automatically started unless the user performs an operation for stopping the reproduction of the third video content.

As described above, the video content items are automatically consecutively reproduced in the same manner as that in which the video content items are a group of programs sequentially broadcast on a certain particular channel. Since all of the four video content items match the search condition selected by the user, the "certain particular channel" is a virtual channel on which the group of programs suitable for the user's preference is broadcast. The^' user can

sequentially view each of the video content items in the consecutive reproduction list simply by performing one operation for selecting a certain video content from the consecutive reproduction list.

As described above, the programs recorded by "time shift machine recording process" are automatically deleted in chronological order. Thus, if any content on the consecutive reproduction list is to be deleted soon, the content may be provided with a mark

indicating that the content is "to be deleted soon".

The reproduction controller 203 includes a content list display processor 211, a reproduction processor 212, and a my program guide display processor 213.

The content list display processor 211 displays a plurality of items (for example, a plurality of icons or the like) on a screen of the display 14. A

plurality of items are associated with the above- described respective search conditions. The content list display processor 211 finds reproducible video content items which match a search condition associated with an item selected by the user (search). Then, the content search and reproduction function generates a list of the found video content items, that is, the consecutive reproduction list, which is displayed on the screen of the display 14.

If the user selects the first video content in the consecutive reproduction list, the reproduction

processor 212 consecutively reproduces the first video content and the succeeding other video content items in the consecutive reproduction list.

Now, it is assumed that a first search condition and a second search condition are prepared. In this case, the content list display processor 211 shows the first and second items on the display 14. Then, if the user selects the first item, the content list display processor 211 finds reproducible video content items which match the first search condition associated with the first item, and allows the display 14 to display a first list showing the found reproducible video content items (first consecutive reproduction list). On the other hand, if the user selects the second item, the content list display processor 211 finds reproducible video content items which match the second search condition associated with the second item, and allows the display 14 to display a second list showing the found reproducible video content items (second

consecutive reproduction list) . Simply by performing a simple operation of selecting one of the first and second items, the user can easily know what content items matching the desired search condition are present without the need to perform, for example, an operation for inputting the search condition.

If the user selects one of the video content items in the first or second consecutive reproduction list, the reproduction processor 212 consecutively reproduces the selected one video content item and the other video content items in the first or second consecutive reproduction list which succeed the selected one video content .

The my program guide display processor 213

arranges a plurality of consecutive reproduction lists corresponding to a plurality of different search conditions to generate a video content view screen ("my program guide") in program guide form in which a plurality of search conditions are likened to different channels. The my program guide display processor 213 ^■ allows the display 14 to display the video content view screen ("my program guide") .

FIG. 4 shows a content search and reproduction screen displayed by the reproduction controller 203. The content search and reproduction screen is displayed on the screen of the display 14' when a particular button on the remote control unit 12 is depressed. An icon display area 301 and an icon name display area 302 are defined in the content search and reproduction screen. The icon display area 301 displays a plurality of icons as a tag list. The icons correspond to the above-described items. The search conditions are associated with the icons. The group of icons (tag list) on the icon display area 301 is scrolled through leftward or rightward in response to an operation of a left arrow key or a right arrow key, respectively, on the remote control unit 12. An icon (tag) positioned in the center is automatically focused on (selected) . The icon name display area 302 is located under the focused-on icon. The icon name display area 302 shows the name of the focused-on icon, that is, the name of a content search and reproduction function corresponding to the search condition associated with the focused-on icon .

The present embodiment provides the following content search and reproduction functions.

(1) "Surfing" function

The "surfing" function allows the use of a search condition based on the attributes (genre, title, keyword, cast, and the like) of video content being viewed (or reproduced) . Then, reproducible video content items related to the video content being viewed (or reproduced) are found. The found reproducible video content items are rearranged in order of

decreasing degree of association with the video content being viewed (or reproduced) . A list of the

reproducible video content items arranged in order of decreasing degree of association is generated and displayed as the above-described consecutive

reproduction list.

(2) "User specified search" function

A "user specified search" function is a content search and reproduction function not depending on the broadcast program being viewed or reproduced. The "user specified search" function finds reproducible video content items which match a predetermined search condition not related to the attributes of the video content being viewed or reproduced. In this case, the search condition used is not associated with the video content being viewed or reproduced and can be set or changed by the user. The user can set the search condition to be any genre, any keyword, any cast member, any program symbol, or the like. The program symbol may indicate, for . example, a new program.

When the user newly sets a search condition, a new icon associated with the set search condition is displayed on the icon display area 301. Furthermore, when the user changes a search condition associated with an existing icon, the exiting icon is deleted, and a new icon associated with the resultant search

condition is displayed on the icon display area 301.

Some search conditions related to the "user specified search" may be set in the digital television broadcast receiver 11 before shipment. For example, the factory preset search conditions may be a search condition specifying the genre "golf" and a search condition specifying the genre "movie". In this case, an icon corresponding to the genre "golf" and an icon corresponding to the genre "movie" are displayed on the icon display area 301. When the user selects the icon corresponding to the genre "golf", those of the

reproducible video content items which match the search condition for the genre "golf" are found. A

consecutive reproduction list showing the found video content items is then shown on the screen of the display 14.

(3) "Recommended program for you" function

The "recommended program for you" function is a content search and reproduction function not depending on the broadcast program being viewed or reproduced. The "recommended program for you" function uses a search condition based on the preference of the user of the digital television broadcast receiver 11 to find reproducible video content items which match the user' s preference and to display a corresponding consecutive reproduction list. Information on the user's

preference can be obtained by learning the log of user operations for viewing, reproduction, recording, and dubbing of video content. For example, if the user views a broadcast program being broadcast, the attributes of the viewed broadcast program such as the genre, keyword, and cast are saved, and a predetermined point (for example, 1 point) is imparted to each of the attributes such as the genre, keyword, and cast. Furthermore, if any broadcast program is recorded, another point (for example,

3 points) is imparted to each of the attributes of the recorded broadcast program such as the genre, keyword, and cast. Additionally, if any recorded broadcast program is reproduced, another point (for example, 2 points) is imparted to each of the attributes of the reproduced broadcast program such as the genre,

keyword, and cast. In addition, if any recorded broadcast program is dubbed to an external storage medium, another point (for example, 5 points) is imparted to each of the attributes of the dubbed broadcast program such as the genre, keyword, and cast.

Counting the points of the attributes allows information indicative of the user' s preference to be obtained.

The process of learning the log of the user operations for viewing, reproduction, recording, and dubbing of video content may be carried out in the digital television broadcast receiver 11 Or by the server 32. (4) "Usual program" function

The "usual program" function is a content search and reproduction function not depending on the

broadcast program being viewed or reproduced. Based on the habit of the user of the digital television

broadcast receiver 11, that is, what kind of video content the user views and when the user views these video content items, the "usual program" function finds reproducible video content matching the user' s habit and displays a consecutive reproduction list by using a search condition. Information on the user's habits can be obtained by learning, for example, the attributes of video content on which the user has performed an operation for viewing or reproduction and timings (for example, days of the week and time zones) when the user performed the operation for viewing or reproduction.

When the user reproduces a recorded broadcast program, a flag may be imparted to recorded broadcast programs included in the same series as that in which the reproduced recorded broadcast program is included. Then, a consecutive reproduction list showing the recorded broadcast programs imparted with the flag may be displayed. In this case, the recorded broadcast programs imparted with the flag may be rearranged in order of decreasing number of flags imparted to each broadcast program.

The process for learning the user's habit may be carried out in the digital television broadcast

receiver 11 or by the server 32.

(5) "Hot word" function

The "hot word" function is a content search and reproduction function not depending on the broadcast program being viewed or reproduced. The "hot word" function uses a keyword (hot word) with the degree of attention thereto surging as the above-described search condition. Reproducible video content items containing a keyword (hot word) with the degree of attention thereto surging are found. Then, a consecutive

reproduction list showing the found reproducible video content is displayed.

The hot word may be determined based on a group of keywords extracted from each of the recorded broadcast programs. For example, keywords are extracted from a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the above-described "time shift machine recording process". A learning process is carried out to count the

appearance frequency of each of the keywords. Then, a keyword with the rate of increase in appearance

frequency higher than a reference value or several keywords with higher rates of increase in appearance frequency are each determined to be a hot word.

The process of learning the appearance frequency of each keyword may be carried out in the digital television broadcast receiver 11 or by the server 32. Furthermore, hot word information may be downloaded from various service sites on the Internet.

(6) "Everyone's recommended program" function The "everyone's recommended program" is a content search and reproduction function not depending on the broadcast program being viewed or reviewed. The

"everyone's recommended program" function allows the use of a search condition based on ranking information obtained by ranking video content items in each of a plurality of electronic devices registered in the server 32 based on the programmed recording status of each of the video content items. That is, reproducible video content items at higher ranks (broadcast programs with a large number of programmed recordings) are found. A consecutive reproduction list showing the found reproducible video content items is then

displayed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the consecutive

reproduction list displayed on the content search and reproduction screen.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a content item A, a content item B, a content item C, a content item D, and a content item E which match a certain search condition are searched for and a consecutive

reproduction list showing content items A to E is displayed. If the user selects one of the content items in the consecutive reproduction list 303, the selected content item and content item (or items) in the consecutive reproduction list 303 which succeed the selected content item are consecutively reproduced. For example, if the user selects content item B in the consecutive reproduction list 303, first, content item B is reproduced in full-screen mode. Then, when the reproduction of content item B is completed, content item C is reproduced in full-screen mode. Then, when the reproduction of content item C is completed, content item D is reproduced in full-screen mode .·

In this manner, content items B, C, D, and E are automatically consecutively reproduced in the same manner as that in which content items B, C, D, and E are programs consecutively broadcast on the same channel.

If any of the content items in the consecutive reproduction list 303 is to be deleted soon, a "to be deleted soon" mark may be displayed in association with this content item. In this case, the reproduction controller 203 determines whether or not each of the found content items is to be deleted from the storage device 100 a predetermined period later, that is, whether or not the predetermined period has elapsed from the date and time of recording of the content.

Then, the reproduction controller 203 displays the "to be deleted soon" mark in association with the content item to be deleted soon. Furthermore, on the consecutive reproduction list 303, a plurality of content items may be displayed in chronological order or reverse chronological order in connection with the date and time of recording of the content items. However, on the consecutive

reproduction list 303 corresponding to the content search and reproduction function for the recommended program, a plurality of content items are preferably displayed in order of decreasing degree of

recommendation rather than in chronological order. For example, the consecutive reproduction list 303 may be created by rearranging the content items in order of decreasing degree of matching with the search

condition .

FIG. 6 shows an example of the content search and reproduction screen corresponding to the above- described "surfing" function.

For example, when the user operates a particular key on the remote control unit 12, a plurality of icons 401 to 407 are displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 6. The icon 401 is an item with which the search condition corresponding to the above-described "user specified search" function is associated. Here, the icon 401 is assumed to be associated with the genre "movie". The icon 402 is also an item with which the search condition corresponding to the above-described "user specified search" function is associated. Here, the icon 402 is assumed to be associated with the genre "golf".

The icon 403 is an item with which the search condition corresponding to the above-described

"recommended program for you" function is associated. The icon 404 is an item with which the search condition corresponding to the above-described "surfing" function ("other related programs" function) is associated. The icon 405 is an item with which the search condition corresponding to the above-described "hot word"

function is associated. The icon 406 is an item with which the search condition corresponding to the above- described "usual program" function is associated. The icon 407 is an item with which the search condition corresponding to the above-described "everyone's recommended program" function is associated.

As described above, the icons 401 to 407 are scrolled through leftward or rightward in response to an operation of the left arrow key or right arrow key, respectively, on the remote control unit 12. The icon positioned in the center is automatically focused on (selected) .

It is assumes that the icon 404 has been selected in FIG. 6. The name of the currently selected content search and reproduction function, in this case, "other related programs" is displayed under the focused-on icon 404. When the "surfing" function ("other related programs") is activated, a list of video content items related to a program being viewed or reproduced is displayed in the form of a main screen and a plurality of sub-screens (a plurality of related screens). That is, the video of a broadcast program 411 being viewed or reproduced is displayed in a first area (main screen) on the screen of the display 14. A consecutive reproduction list 412 showing a plurality of video content items related to the program 411 is displayed in a second area on the screen of the display 14. That is, in the second area, a plurality of sub-screens are arranged in the vertical direction. On a plurality of sub-screens, still images, various types of guidance information, and the like are displayed which

correspond to the respective plurality of related video content items .

The second area is set smaller than the first area (main screen) in size. On a plurality of sub-screens on the second area, the respective still images and the like corresponding to a plurality of related video content items related to the broadcast program 411 are displayed .

The reproducible video content may be recorded broadcast content (recorded broadcast programs) . In this case, the consecutive reproduction list 412 may display the thumbnail still images, titles, channel numbers, broadcast dates and times, and the like of recorded broadcast programs related to the program being viewed or reproduced.

When the "surfing" function is activated, the uppermost content (program) on the consecutive

reproduction list 412 is focused on. The focus can be moved to any other content on the consecutive

reproduction list 412 in response to an operation of an up arrow key or a down arrow key on the remote control unit 12. When an "enter" key on the remote control unit 12 is operated, the currently focused-on

(selected) content is reproduced in full-screen mode.

If the broadcast program 411 being viewed or reproduced is switched to a second broadcast program,_^ a list of content items related to the second broadcast program is newly generated and displayed as the

consecutive reproduction list 412.

Furthermore, video content related to the current scene of video content being viewed or reproduced may be found among reproducible video content items such as recorded broadcast program data so that the content items of the consecutive reproduction list 412 are changed according to a change in the scene of the video content being viewed or reproduced. In this case, for example, information (metadata, a tag list or the like) indicative of the lead position of a scene in which a certain particular person appears may be acquired from the server 32. When the currently viewed or reproduced position of the video content being viewed or

reproduced reaches a scene in which the certain

particular person appears, the content items of the current consecutive reproduction list are updated, a new consecutive reproduction list showing a list of video content items related to this scene is generated and displayed.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the consecutive

reproduction list 412 displayed when each of the functions other than the "surfing" function. It is assumed that the "golf" icon 402 has been selected in FIG. 7. The consecutive reproduction list 412 displays a list of reproducible video content items the genre of which is golf and which are shown in order of the degree of recommendation. For example, the consecutive reproduction list 412 may display the thumbnail images, titles, channel numbers, broadcast dates and times, and the like of recorded broadcast programs the genre of which is golf.

FIG. 8 shows a keyword list 413 popped up when the "hot word" icon 405 is selected. The keyword list 413 shows a list of keywords (including persons' names) determined to be "hot words". The user can select any keyword (or a person's name) in the keyword list 413. When a certain keyword (or a certain person's name) is selected, video content items (recorded broadcast programs or the like) corresponding to the selected keyword (selected person's name) are searched for. A consecutive reproduction list showing a list of the searched-for video content items (recorded broadcast programs) is generated and displayed.

FIG. 9 shows a screen allowing the user to set or changes the search conditions for the "user specified search" function. Here, it is assumed that the search condition assigned to the "golf" icon 402 is to be changed. A screen allowing the search condition to be set or changed displays a genre (sub-genre) setting field 421, a keyword setting field 422, an excluded keyword setting file 423, a program symbol setting field 424, a channel setting field 425, and the like. The user can set any search conditions by specifying the genre (sub-genre), keyword, excluded keyword, program symbol, channel, and the like. When a setting completion button 426 is selected by a user operation, search conditions are registered which are based on the settings of the genre (sub-genre) setting field 421, keyword setting field 422, excluded keyword setting field 423, program symbol setting field 424, and channel setting field 425.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the above-described "my program guide".

The "my program guide" in FIG. 10 is configured by arranging five consecutive reproduction lists corresponding to five search conditions set by the user. In the "my program guide" in FIG. 10, the channel names used are _.a golf channel, an AAAAA

channel, a BBBBB channel, a cartoon channel, and a recommended channel.

The golf channel is a virtual channel

corresponding to a search condition specifying the genre "golf". Under the virtual channel of the golf channel, a list of video content items (recorded broadcast programs or the like) which match the search condition for the genre "golf" is displayed. The AAAAA channel is a virtual channel corresponding to a search condition specifying an artist name (AAAAA) . Under the virtual channel of the AAAAA channel, a list of video content items (recorded broadcast programs or the like) in which the person with the specified artist name (AAAAA) appears is displayed. The BBBBB channel is a virtual channel corresponding to a search condition specifying another certain artist name (BBBBB) . Under the virtual channel of the BBBBB channel, a list of video content items (recorded broadcast programs or the like) in which the person with the specified artist name (BBBBB) appears is displayed..

The cartoon channel is a virtual channel

corresponding to a search condition specifying the genre "cartoon". Under the virtual channel of the •cartoon channel, a list of video content items (recorded broadcast programs or the like) which match the search condition for the genre "cartoon" is displayed. The recommended channel is a virtual channel corresponding to, for example, the above- described "recommended program for you" function.

When a certain content (program) in the "my program guide" is focused on, detailed information (thumbnail still image, channel number, broadcast date and time, title, subtitle, and the like) on the focused-on program is displayed on the screen. When the "enter" key on the remote control unit 12 is operated, the currently focused-on (selected) program is reproduced in full-screen mode.

When the reproduction of the currently focused-on (selected) program is completed, reproduction of the next program in the same virtual channel may be

automatically started. For example, if the second uppermost content in the content list corresponding to the BBBBB channel in FIG. 10 is selected, the

respective content items in the content list

corresponding to the BBBBB channel may be consecutively reproduced starting with the second content.

Now, with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 11, a procedure for a content reproduction control process carried out by the digital television broadcast

receiver 11 will be described.

When the user operates a particular button on the remote control unit 12 to which the above-described content search and reproduction function is assigned, the reproduction controller 203 displays the above- described plurality of icons 401 to 407 on the screen as a tag list (step Sll) . The icons 401 to 407 are associated with different search conditions. Then, the reproduction controller 203 uses a search condition associated with an icon selected from the icons 401 to 407 (selected tag) to, for example, search a particular storage area in the above-described storage device 100. The reproduction controller 203 thus finds video content items which match the search condition (step S12) . A large number of broadcast programs recorded by the "time shift machine recording process" are stored in the particular storage area in the storage device 100. Thus, a group of broadcast programs included in the large number of recorded broadcast programs and which match the search condition is found as video content items which match the search condition.

The reproduction controller 203 arranges the found video content items in a predetermined order to

generate a content list (consecutive reproduction list), and displays the generated consecutive

reproduction list on the screen (step S13) . Then, if the user selects a certain video content item in the consecutive reproduction list, the reproduction

controller 203 consecutively reproduces the respective video content items in the consecutive reproduction list starting with the selected video content item (step S14) .

Now, with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 12, a procedure for a process carried out by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when the "surfing" icon is selected will be described.

Here, it is assumed that the "surfing" icon is selected while a certain broadcast program being broadcast (live broadcast program). The reproduction controller 203 displays a video of a broadcast program being viewed in the first area (main screen) on the screen of the display 14 (step S21) . Then, the

reproduction controller 203 uses the search condition related to the "surfing" icon to, for example, search the particular storage area in the storage device 100. The reproduction controller 203 thus finds video content related to the broadcast program being viewed (step S22). As described above, a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the "time shift machine recording process" are stored in the particular storage area in the storage device 100. Thus, a group of broadcast programs are found which are included in the large number of recorded broadcast programs and which are associated with the broadcast program being viewed. In step S22, the reproduction controller 203 arranges the group of found broadcast programs in order of decreasing similarity to generate a content list

(consecutive reproduction list). The reproduction controller 203 displays the consecutive reproduction list in the second area on the screen of the display 14. Thus, on a plurality of sub-screens on the second area, thumbnail still images, channel images, program titles, and the like are displayed which correspond to the respective plurality of recorded programs

associated with the broadcast program being viewed.

Then, if any video content item in the consecutive reproduction list is selected by a user operation, the reproduction controller 203 consecutively reproduces the respective video content items in the consecutive reproduction list starting with the selected video content item (step S23).

The content items of the consecutive reproduction list may be automatically updated according to a change in the scene of the broadcast program being viewed or reproduced. In this case, the reproduction controller 203 finds recorded video content items or the like which are associated with the current scene of the video content being viewed or reproduced so that the content items of the consecutive reproduction list are changed according to a change in the scene of the video content being viewed or reproduced.

Here, the case has been described where the respective video content items shown by the consecutive reproduction on the screen corresponding to the

"surfing" function are consecutively reproduced.

However, the user may selectively determine whether or not to consecutively reproduce the respective video content items shown in the consecutive reproduction list on the screen corresponding to the "surfing" function. In this case, the reproduction controller 203 or the reproduction processor 212 may display a setting menu for the "surfing" function on the screen of the display 14. The setting menu includes a setting item allowing the user to selectively determine whether to enable or disable the consecutive reproduction of the reproducible video content items shown by the content search and reproduction list 412 on the screen for the "surfing" function. If the user has

selectively determined to enable the consecutive reproduction, the reproduction controller 203

consecutively reproduce the respective video content items in the consecutive reproduction list 412 starting with the selected video content item. On the other hand, if the user has selectively determined to disable the consecutive reproduction, the reproduction

controller 203 does not carry out the consecutive reproduction of the video content items. In this case, the reproduction controller 203 reproduces only one of the video content items in the consecutive reproduction list 412 which has been selected by the user. Now, with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 13, a procedure for a process executed by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when the icon

corresponding to the "user specified function" is selected will be described.

The reproduction controller 203 uses a search condition associated with a selected icon to, for example, search the particular storage area in the storage device 100. The reproduction controller 203 thus finds video content items which match the above- described search condition (genre, keyword, cast, or program symbol) (step S31) . As described above, a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the "time shift machine recording process" are stored in the particular storage area in the storage device 100. Thus, a group of broadcast programs included in the large number of recorded broadcast programs and which match the search condition is found. The reproduction controller 203 generates a consecutive reproduction list showing the found broadcast programs and displays the consecutive reproduction list on the screen of the display 14 (step S32) .

Then, if any video content item in the consecutive reproduction list is selected by a user operation, the reproduction controller 203 consecutively reproduces the respective video content items in the consecutive reproduction list starting with the selected video content item (step S33) .

Now, with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 14, a procedure for a process carried out by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when the icon

corresponding to the "recommended program for you" function is selected will be described.

The reproduction controller 203 carries out, in a background, a process for . learning the user's

preference based on the log of user operations for viewing, reproduction, recording, and dubbing of video content (step S41). This learning process allows generation of information indicating what attributes (genre, keyword, cast, and the like) are possessed by programs in which the user is interested.

When the icon corresponding to the "recommended program for you" function is selected, the reproduction controller 203 uses a search condition based on the user' s preference obtained by the learning to, for example, search the particular storage area in the storage device 100. The reproduction controller 203 thus finds video content items which match the search condition (genre, keyword, cast, or the like) based on the user's preference (step S42) . As described above, a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the "time shift machine recording process" are stored in the particular storage area in the storage device 100. Thus, a group of broadcast programs included in the large number of recorded broadcast programs and which match the user's preference is found. The reproduction controller 203 generates a consecutive reproduction list indicating the group of found broadcast program, and displays the consecutive reproduction list on the screen of the display 14 (step S43) .

Then, if any video content item in the consecutive reproduction list is selected by a^' user operation, the reproduction controller 203 consecutively reproduces the respective video content items in the consecutive reproduction list starting with the selected video content item (step S44) .

Now, with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 15, a procedure for a process carried out by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when the icon

corresponding to the "usual program" function is selected will be described.

The reproduction controller 203 carries out, in the background, a process of learning the user' s habit indicating what kind of programs the user usually reproduces and when the user reproduces these programs, based on the attributes of and reproduction timings (dates and times and time zones) for the video content items reproduced by the user (step S51) . This learning process enables generation of information indicating what kind of attributes (genre, keyword, cast, and the like) are possessed by the programs reproduced by the user and when the user reproduced the programs. Here, the case has been described where the user's habit is learned by using the log of reproduction operations performed by the user. However, instead of or in addition to the log of reproduction operations, the log of viewing operations performed by the user may be learned .

When the icon corresponding to the "usual program" function is selected, the reproduction controller 203 uses the search condition corresponding to the user' s habit obtained by the learning to determine the

attributes (genre, keyword, cast, and the like) of programs on which a viewing or reproduction operation was performed by the user on a day of the week and in a time zone corresponding to the current date and time to be search conditions corresponding to the user's habit. Then, the reproduction controller 203, for example, searches the particular storage area in the storage device 100 to find video content items which match the search conditions (genre, keyword, cast, and the like) corresponding to the user's habit (step S52) . As described above, a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the "time shift machine recording process" are stored in the particular storage area in the storage device 100. Thus, a group of broadcast

programs included in the large number of recorded broadcast programs and which match the user' s preference is found. The reproduction controller 203 generates a consecutive reproduction list indicating the group of found broadcast program, and displays the consecutive reproduction list on the screen of the display 14 (step S53) .

Then, if any video content item in the consecutive reproduction list is selected by a user operation, the reproduction controller 203 consecutively reproduces the respective video content items in the consecutive reproduction list starting with the selected video content item (step S54).

Now, a with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 16, a procedure for a process carried out by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when the icon

corresponding to the "hot word" function is selected will be described.

The reproduction controller 203 carries out, in the background, a process of extracting a keyword from each of a large number of recorded broadcast programs to determine keywords with rapidly increasing

appearance frequencies to be hot words (step S61). The process of extracting a keyword may be carried out using metadata on broadcast programs or EPG

information. Furthermore, the process of . determining hot words may be carried out by the server 32.

When the icon corresponding to the "hot word" function is selected, the reproduction controller 203 displays a list of keywords determined to be hot words on the screen of the display 14 (step S62) . When a certain keyword (certain hot word) in the list of keywords selected by the user, the reproduction

controller 203, for example, searches the particular storage area in the storage device 100 to find video content items containing the keyword (hot word) (step

563) . A large number of broadcast programs recorded by the "time shift machine recording process" are stored in the particular storage area in the storage device . 100. Thus, a group of broadcast programs included in the large number of recorded broadcast programs and which match the selected keyword is found. The

reproduction controller 203 generates a consecutive reproduction list indicating the group of found

broadcast program, and displays the consecutive

reproduction list on the screen of the display 14 (step

564) .

Then, if any video content item in the consecutive reproduction list is selected by a user operation, the reproduction controller 203 consecutively reproduces the respective video content items in the consecutive reproduction list starting with the selected video content item (step S65) .

Now, with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 17, a procedure for a process carried out by the digital television broadcast receiver 11 when the icon corresponding to the "everyone's recommended program" function is selected will be described.

The reproduction controller 203 transmits (or uploads), to the server 32, programmed recording information indicating programs reserved for recording based on a "normal recording process". Based on the programmed recording information uploaded from each electronic device, the reproduction controller 203 generates the above-described ranking information (step S71) .

When the icon corresponding to the "everyone's recommended program" function is selected, the

reproduction controller 203 acquires ranking

information from the server 32 (step S72) . The

acquisition of the ranking information may be carried out before the icon corresponding to the "everyone's recommended program" is selected.

The reproduction controller 203, for example, searches the particular storage area in the storage device 100 to find video content items which match a search condition based on the ranking information (step S73). As described above, a large number of broadcast programs recorded by the "time shift machine recording process" are stored in the particular storage area in the storage device 100. Thus, a group of broadcast programs included in the large number of recorded broadcast programs and recorded via a timer by a large number of users is found. The reproduction controller 203 generates a consecutive reproduction list

indicating the group of found broadcast program, and displays the consecutive reproduction list on the screen of the display 14 (step S74).

Then, . if any video content item in the consecutive reproduction list is selected by a user operation, the reproduction controller 203 consecutively reproduces the respective video content items in the consecutive reproduction list starting with the selected video content item (step S75) .

Now, with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 18, a procedure for a "my program guide" display process will be described. Here, a case will be described where a "my program guide" containing two search conditions, a first search condition and a second search condition, which are selected by the user, is generated.

The reproduction controller 203 searches the particular storage area in the storage device 100 to find video content items which match the first search condition selected by the user, as well as to find video content items which match the second search condition selected by the user (step S81). The

reproduction controller 203 arranges a consecutive reproduction list showing the video content items which match the first search condition in juxtaposition with a consecutive reproduction list showing the video content items which match the second search condition. Thus, the reproduction controller 203 generates a "my program guide" in which the first search condition (tag corresponding to the first search condition) and the second search condition (tag corresponding to the second search condition) are assumed to be different channels (virtual channels). The reproduction

controller 203 then displays the "my program guide" on the screen of the display 14 (step S82).

If any video content item in the "my program guide" is selected by a user operation, the

reproduction controller 203 consecutively reproduces respective video content items belonging to the same virtual channel as that tO' which the selected video content item belongs (step S83) .

The content search and reproduction according to the. present embodiment enables the effective use of a large number of programs recorded by the "time shift machine recording process". That is, the "time shift machine recording process" has the advantages of, for example, eliminating the need for programmed recording operations for the respective individual programs and enabling the user to be prevented from forgetting to carry out programmed recording. In contrast, the use of the "time shift machine recording process" may cause even programs in which the user is not interested to be recorded. The content search and reproduction function according to the present embodiment may filter recorded video content items under various conditions including one associated with the video content being viewed or reproduced and those which are not associated with the video content being viewed or reproduced. Thus, the content search and reproduction function may easily search for and reproduce content items related to the- content being viewed or reproduced and content items unrelated to the content being viewed or reproduced (for example, content items which match the user's preference or content items meeting a general trend) . Furthermore, instead of simple content reproduction, the consecutive reproduction of programs in which the user is interested may be carried out based on a consecutive reproduction list of content items matching the search condition and without any user operation once the reproduction is started. Hence, the user's convenience can be improved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first and second items (icons) may be displayed. Then, in response to the selection of the first item, the first list may be displayed which shows video content items matching the first search condition associated with the first item. In response to the selection of the second item, the second list may be displayed which shows video content items matching the second search condition associated with the second item. Then, if one of the video content items in either the first list or the second list is selected, the selected video content item and the other video content items in either the first list or the second list which succeed the selected one video content are consecutively reproduced. · Hence, the desired one of the reproducible video content items can be easily found and reproduced.

The content search and reproduction function according to the present embodiment can be implemented by a computer program. Thus, effects similar to the effects of the present embodiment can be easily exerted simply by installing a computer program in a computer with, for example, a function to record and reproduce content, through a computer readable storage medium with the computer program stored therein, and then executing the computer program.

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be

implemented in various other forms, and various

omissions, replacements, and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and modifications thereof are included not only in the scope and spirit of the invention but also in the invention set forth in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Various modules in the system may be realized as software applications, hardware, software modules, an components on one or more computers. Although the various modules in the system are shown as separate modules, they may share some or all of the same logic or codes .

Claims

C L A I S

1. An electronic device characterized by

comprising:

display processing means (211) for allowing a display (14) to display a first item and a second item, allowing the display (14) to display, in response to selection of the first item, a first list showing reproducible video contents which match a first search condition associated with the first item, and allowing the display (14) to display, in response to selection of the second item, a second list showing reproducible video contents which match a second search condition associated with the second item; and

reproduction processing means (212) for

consecutively reproducing a first reproducible video content in the first list and another reproducible video content in the first list which succeeds the first reproducible video content if the first

reproducible video content in the first list is

selected, and consecutively reproducing a second reproducible video content in the second list and another reproducible video content in the second list which succeeds the second reproducible video content if the second reproducible video content in the second list is selected.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that in response to the selection of the first item, the display processing means (211) displays video content being viewed or reproduced in a first area on a screen of the display (14), detects reproducible video contents related to the video content being viewed or reproduced to generate the first list, and displays the first list in a second area on the screen of the display (14) .

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that the reproduction processing means (212)· allows the display (14) to display a setting menu which allows a user .to selectively enable or disable consecutive reproduction of the reproducible video contents shown in the first list, and if the user selectively disables the consecutive reproduction, the reproduction processing means (212) does not carry out the consecutive reproduction of the reproducible video content shown in the first list.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first search condition comprises a search condition based on an attribute of the video content being viewed or reproduced, and the second search condition comprises a search condition unrelated to the attribute of the video content being viewed or reproduced.

5. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that the display processing means (211) is configured to detect reproducible video contents related to a current scene of the video content being viewed or reproduced so that the first list is changed according to a change in the scene of the video content being viewed or reproduced.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reproducible video contents comprise a broadcast content recorded by the electronic device .

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second search condition is configured to be set or changed by a user.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second search condition is based on a user' s preference obtained by learning a log of user' s operations for viewing, reproduction,

recording, and dubbing of a video content.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second search condition is based on a user' s habit obtained by learning an

attribute of a video content on which a user has performed an operation for viewing or reproduction and a timing for the operation for viewing or reproduction.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second search condition comprises a keyword with a degree of attention thereto surging, and the display processing means (211) is configured to detect reproducible video contents containing the keyword in response to the selection of the second item.

11. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second search condition comprises ranking information obtained by ranking video contents based on a status of programmed recording of the video contents in each of a plurality of electronic devices, and the display processing means (211) is configured to detect reproducible video contents at higher ranks in response to the selection of the second item.

12. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first list and the second list are arranged in uxtaposition to generate a video content view screen in a program guide form in which the first search condition and the second search condition correspond to different channels.

13. A video content reproduction method

characterized by comprising:

allowing a display (14) to display a first item and a second item;

allowing the display (14) to display, in response to selection of the first item, a first list showing reproducible video contents which match a first search condition associated with the first item;

allowing the display (14) to display, in response to selection of the second item, a second list showing reproducible video contents which match a second search condition associated with the second item; and

consecutively reproducing a first reproducible video content in the first list and another

reproducible video content in the first list which succeeds the first reproducible video content if the first reproducible video content in the first list is selected, and

consecutively reproducing a second reproducible video content in the second list and another

reproducible video content in the second list which succeeds the second reproducible video content if the second reproducible video content in the second list is selected .