BRPI0622237A2 - control device, information device, method and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

CONTROL DEVICE, INFORMATION DEVICE, METHOD AND CONTROL PROGRAM. The present invention relates to a control device that detects an instruction operation for viewing a television broadcast including a first broadcast band and a second broadcast band. In addition, the control device stores electronic program table information including information indicating a broadcast time band for each of the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band and information specifying the broadcast program in the broadcast time band. diffusion. The present invention judges the relationship between the broadcast programs of the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band in the current time. When the display instruction operation of the first broadcast band is detected and the relationship between the broadcast programs of the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band satisfies a predetermined condition, the present invention instructs a screen processing unit to combine the reception video of the first broadcast band with the reception video of the second broadcast band.

Description

Report of the Invention Patent for "CONTROL DEVICE, INFORMATION DEVICE, METHOD AND CONTROL PROGRAM".

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a technology for controlling a television set.

Background of the Invention

In terrestrial digital broadcasting, high definition broadcasting and segment broadcasting are performed. Under the current broadcast system, the same program is broadcast through high definition broadcast and single segment broadcast. This diffusion system is called simultaneous diffusion. If simultaneous broadcasting is canceled in the future, different programs will have to be broadcast on high definition broadcast and one segment broadcast.

In this case, it happens that the amount (amount of information) of the electronic program guide (EPG) of the TV broadcast increases. In addition, high definition broadcast EPG and single segment broadcast EPG are often provided separately. This being the case, it is assumed that it increases a degree of time consumption for which a user searches for a program he wishes to watch from the high definition broadcast EPG and the segment broadcast EPG. In addition, if similar content is contained in these programs, the user should compare similar programs with each other, which makes for considerable work.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication disclosed 2006-041982.

Revelation of the Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention provides a technology related to a TV set allowing a user to watch programs in a manner that reduces the user's work to the greatest extent possible even in a case in which different programs are broadcast by high frequency broadcasting. definition and diffusion of a segment. Means to solve the problem

The present invention adopts the following device to solve the problems presented above. Namely, the present invention is the invention of an information device control technology comprising: a first receiving unit receiving a first broadcasting band; a second receiving unit receiving a second broadcast band whose bandwidth is narrower than the bandwidth of the first broadcast band; an image processing unit synthesizing an image received from the first broadcast band with an image received from the second broadcast band; and an image output interface with a display device displaying any of the image received from the first broadcast band, the image received from the second broadcast band, and the synthesized images.

In control technology, an instructional operation for watching television from television broadcast including the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band is detected. Additionally, according to the present invention, there are stored electronic program guide information containing information representing a broadcast time zone and information for designating a broadcast program in the broadcast time zone with respect to the first broadcast band and the second diffusion band. Then, according to the present invention, a relationship between the first broadcast band broadcast program and the second broadcast band broadcast program at the present time is determined. Thus, according to the present invention, when detecting the TV watch instruction operation of the first broadcast and when the relationship in the broadcast programs between the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band meets a predetermined condition, The image processing unit is instructed to synthesize the first broadcast band with the second broadcast band.

Thus, according to the present invention, if the ratio in the broadcast programs between the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band meets the predetermined condition, the first broadcast band program is synthesized with the second broadcast band program. - are. In this document, the term "synthesization" means that a small screen of the second broadcast band is embedded in a screen, displayed as a large screen, of the first broadcast band, for example, in an image mode within the image (" picture-in-picture ").

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, even when different programs are broadcast by the two types of tele-broadcasts (first digital broadcast, second digital broadcast) related to each other as in the case of high definition broadcast and segment broadcast, a work Selecting the program to watch due to an increase in the number of program categories can be reduced to the greatest degree possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a typical example of using a television set according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a diagram of a schematic configuration of the TV set.

Figure 3 is a diagram of a detailed configuration of the TV set.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic of a detailed configuration of a broadcast receiving unit.

Figure 5 is a flowchart of the processing steps when the TV watcher according to the embodiment begins to receive TV broadcasting.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

A television watcher according to a better manner (which will hereinafter be referred to as an embodiment) for carrying out the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings. One embodiment in the following embodiment is an embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment in the embodiment.

Essence of the Invention

Terrestrial digital broadcasting is such that a single channel (a bandwidth is 6 MHz) is frequency segmented into 14 segments, and the 13 segments of the 14 segments are used for broadcasting. Then, the 12 segments of the 13 segments are used for high definition broadcasting (corresponding to a first broadcasting band according to the present invention), and a remaining segment is employed for broadcasting a segment (corresponding to a second broadcasting band). diffusion band according to the present invention). The present invention proposes a TV watching technology in which a case where different programs are provided via the high definition broadcast and the segment broadcast, which constitutes a terrestrial digital broadcast channel.

Figure 1 is an outline of the functions of the TV set. Although the TV set, although each of the high definition broadcast and the segment broadcast included in the same channel has a relationship in their content, it detects a condition in which the two broadcasts are not the same in terms of content. . Then, in a case where high definition broadcast and one segment broadcast are broadcast under this condition, the TV watcher displays both broadcasts in a picture mode within picture mode.

Namely, the TV watcher displays a high definition broadcast program on a large screen that occupies a large proportion of the video device's screen. Additionally, simultaneously, the TV set provides a small screen within the large screen and displays a broadcast program in one segment on this small screen.

An example of presumed use by the TV watcher will be described hereinafter.

Usage Example 1

For example, this is a case in which a news program (broadcast time is 30 minutes) is broadcast via high definition broadcast, while one has or message digest (broadcast time is 5 minutes) extracted from The news program is broadcast six times repeatedly in the broadcast of a segment.

The TV watcher acquires the high definition broadcast electronic program guide (EPG) data in advance and the segment broadcast EPG data from a predetermined server, for example, a web site on the Internet. Then, if it is determined that the content of the high definition broadcast program to be broadcasted below and the content of the one segment broadcast program are related in the EPGs but are not the same, the programmed high definition broadcast and the broadcast program. The diffusion of a segment are displayed in image mode within image.

Usage Example 2

Additionally, for example, it is considered that a film is diffused in high definition diffusion, while a filmmaking process (which is called filmmaking) is diffused in a segment diffusion. In such a case, a related but not the same case can be detected by comparing the high definition broadcast EPG data with the segment broadcast EPG data.

TV Watcher Configuration Sketch

Figure 2 illustrates a diagram of a configuration sketch of a TV watch apparatus 10 according to the embodiment. The TV watch apparatus 10 includes an operation unit 18 which operates the TV watch apparatus 10 upon receiving a user operation, a broadcast reception unit 14 which receives the TV broadcast according to an operation. operation unit 18, a video unit 21A displaying the broadcast program received by the broadcast receiving unit 14, an image processing unit 22 controlling the video unit 21 A, and a control device 10A which controls the TV set 10.

Among these components, the broadcast receiving unit 14 includes a first receiving unit receiving the first digital broadcast, and a second receiving unit receiving the second digital broadcast having a narrower bandwidth than this. of the first digital broadcast. In this document, the first digital broadcast is defined as the high definition broadcast, and the second digital broadcast is defined as the broadcast of a segment. The first digital broadcast involves using some (12 segments) out of several segments (e.g. 13 segments) constituting the single channel band, while the second digital broadcast involves employing the remaining segment (e.g. a segment) of this channel.

In addition, the control device 10A includes a detection unit 30 which detects an operating signal generated by the operation of the user in operation unit 18, a determination unit 33 which determines when the detection unit 30 detects an instruction. whether the first digital broadcast program and the second digital broadcast program have a relationship to each other, a program information storage unit 34 stored with the EPG data used for the determining unit 33 to determine the ratio, and a synthesizing control unit 31 instructing the image processing unit 22, when the determining unit 33 determines that the programmed first digital broadcast and the program of the second digital broadcast have the relationship, to synthesize the first digital broadcast program with the second digital broadcast program.

In this document, operation unit 18 is exemplified by a channel selector, an operation button, a computer input device, and the like.

Additionally, among these components, the control device 10A may be realized by the computer including a CPU, memory, etc., and by a program running on the computer. The operating unit 18, the video unit 21 A, the image processing unit 22 and the broadcast receiving unit 14 are connected via a predetermined interface with the control device 10A.

Detection unit 30 includes an interface between operation unit 18 and the CPU, a device controller that processes an interface signal, and the operating system (OS) that transmits and receives signals to and from operation unit 18 , and detects operation (for example, a change of receive channel) on operation unit 18 via the OS.

However, a dedicated piece of hardware may also be provided as detection unit 30. For example, the CPU process may be shared in a manner that provides an input signal processing circuit for operation unit 18. A Keyboard trolley, a mouse controller etc are known as this type of processing circuit.

In addition, for example, a dedicated input control processor for processing the signal from operation unit 18 may be separately provided. It is sufficient that the input control processor converts the signal from the operation unit 18 to a predetermined channel change signal and transmits the signal to the image processing unit 22 or the broadcast receiving unit 14. .

Image processing unit 22 outputs the screen from control device 10A to video unit 21A, the first digital broadcast program received by the first reception unit 14A, the second digital broadcast program received by the second receiving unit 14A, or images, etc., arranged by combining the first digital broadcast program with the second digital broadcast program in in-picture image mode. The image processing unit 22 is comprised of a processor or a dedicated image processing board for performing image processing.

The image processing unit 22 may, however, also be constituted as a part of the control device 10A without assuming a different configuration of the control device 10A. For example, the image processing unit 22 may also be configured by a program in the CPU that is built into the control device 10A.

The synthesizing control unit 31 instructs the image processing unit 22 to generate the combined images in in-image image mode or to output the normal images. Synthesizing control unit 31 is performed as a program executed by the CPU constituting the control device 10A. However, a dedicated processor can be provided as the synthesizing control unit 31.

Program information storage unit 34 is stored with EPG data acquired, for example, via the network. Program information storage unit 34 is constructed of a memory or hard disk.

The determining unit 33 reads the first digital broadcast program information and the second digital broadcast program information from the program information storage unit 34, and determines the relationship between the two programs. Determination unit 33 is performed as a program executed by the CPU constituting the control device 10A. A processor dedicated to accessing program information storage unit 34 and comparing program information thereof may also, however, be provided as the determining unit 33.

A configuration including the control device 10A, the broadcast receiving unit 14, and the interface for connecting the video unit 21A with the image processing unit 22 corresponds to an information device according to the present invention. However, the information device may be configured to include the video unit 21A and the image processing unit 22 in response to a request from the user using the TV set 10.

Detailed Set Up of TV Watcher

Figure 3 illustrates a detailed configuration of the TV watch 10. As shown in Figure 3, the TV watch 10 includes a CPU 11 which controls the TV watch 10 by running a computer program, a memory 12 stored with computer program run by CPU 11 or data processed by CPU 11, an interface 13 for connecting CPU 11 with a variety of devices, and devices such as broadcast receiving unit 14, communication unit 15 , a hard disk drive 16, a portable media drive 17, operation unit 18, image processing unit 22, which are connected via interface 13.

In this document, CPU 11 controls the respective units of the TV watcher 10 by executing the computer program, thereby providing the functions of the TV watcher 10. Memory 12 is stored with the program executed by the CPU. 11 and data processed by CPU 11. Memory 11 includes a volatile RAM (Random Access Memory) and a nonvolatile ROM (Read Only memory). The ROM adopts rewritable semiconductor memory such as flash memory, EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Memory), and EEPROM (Read-Only Erasable Programmable Memory).

Interface 13 can be any of serial interfaces such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) and parallel interfaces such as Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), EISA (Understood ISA), ATA ( AT), IDE (IDE Interface), IEEE1394, and Microcomputer Systems Interface (SCSI) connection. Incidentally, although the interface is described as interface 13 in Figure 2, the connections between CPU 11 and its devices may be established by a different interface. Additionally, a bridging can also be established by using multiple interfaces.

The broadcast reception unit 14 has a function of receiving at least the digital broadcast. In this case, the broadcast receiving unit 14 includes, in addition to the high frequency unit including a tuning circuit and an amplifier, a digital signal decoder (e.g., an OFDM (Freeway Division Multiplexing) demodulator. Orthogonal Outputs) and an MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group; MPEG-i (i is one of 1, 2, 4)) decoder. Note that the TV 10 watch apparatus in the embodiment is not limited to the type from MPEG, and consequently, in the following discussion, this decoder is simply calling from an MPEG decoder.

In this document, the high frequency unit converts high frequency electromagnetic waves to baseband signals. Additionally, the OFDM demodulator includes an FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) processing circuit and an orthogonal demodulator, and generates digital signals from the baseband signals. The MPEG decoder generates video data from the digital signals generated according to the standard MPEG rule. These processes (processing circuits) can be configured by dedicated digital circuits that perform a product sum operation. Additionally, the configuration can also be obtained by a processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and a program. In addition, a demodulation LSI manufactured based on TV broadcast standards and placed on the market can also be employed.

Note that although omitted in Figure 3, the broadcast receiver unit 14 is connected with an antenna or interface, etc., with a broadband network, and receives terrestrial waves, terrestrial digital broadcast, satellite and signals from broadband network etc. Then, the broadcast reception unit 14 generates dynamic images and sounds (voices) from the received signals and uses video 21 to display the images.

Communication unit 15 is an interface with the broadband network. The broadband network is exemplified by a cable network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a cable TV network, an xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line x), an ADSL (Digital Subscriber Line). ) and an optical network, or a wireless accessible network such as a wireless LAN and fixed wireless access (FWA). Communication unit 15 acquires, from the server on the network, for example, the computer program installed on the hard disk drive 16, the TV broadcast EPG, a video data file recorded with the program itself. (dynamic images and sounds) to be broadcast or reception data from the online broadcast program. These broadband networks can usually be connected to the Internet.

Note that when communication unit 15 receives the broadcast program on the broadband network, it may be sufficient for the receiving data to be transmitted to broadcast receiving unit 14 from communication unit 15. In addition, broadcast reception unit 14 may also be connected to the broadband network via a different interface from communication unit 15.

Hard disk drive 15 is stored with the program which is loaded into memory 12. In addition, hard disk drive 16 saves the data processed by CPU 11. In addition, hard disk drive 16 connects to the receiving unit. 14 and thus records the program (video data) of the TV broadcast received on the hard disk. In addition, hard disk drive 16 plays the program recorded on the hard disk and displays the program played on video 21.

Note that multiple hard disk drives 16 may be provided to be limited to one drive. For example, a disk stored with the computer program and a disk stored with the video data file may involve using different hard disk drives 16.

Portable media drive 17 is a drive such as a compact disc (CD), a versatile digital disc (DVD), an HD-DVD, a Blu-ray disc, and so on. Additionally, the portable media unit 17 may also be a card media input / output device having non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The medium driven by the portable media unit 17 retains, for example, the computer program, the video data file, etc., which are installed on the hard disk drive 16.

Operation unit 18 is exemplified by several keys, a button for manipulating the channel and so on. In addition, operation unit 18 adopts the computer input device, such as the keypad and pointing device. An appropriate type of pointing device may be, without being particularly limited to the type thereof, used corresponding to the characteristics of the TV set 10 and the user's needs, such as a mouse, a TrackBaII, a unit of dial-type operation, a rod-type device for moving a pointer in the video, a device (called a flat point) for sensing user manipulation with electrostatic capability, a touch panel and a joystick .

The keyboard transmits, in response to the user's input operation, an electrical signal corresponding to the key entered for an un-illustrated keyboard controller. The keyboard controller transmits a code corresponding to this electrical signal to CPU 11. The CPU 11 device controller forms an edge line of a source (which is called True Source) corresponding to the data-based code. (representing the coordinates of some points to represent the borderline and an equation of a curve connecting the dots) embedded in the OS (Operating System), and displays the borderline in video 21. In addition, the CPU 11 displays a character cursor indicating an on-screen character input destination and moves the cursor according to the user input operation.

The pointing device detects user operation and transmits the operating signal to an un-illustrated pointing device controller (for example, a non-illustrated mouse controller, or interface 13, etc.). The pointing device controller receiving the operation signal transmits the bits of information to generate a direction of operation and an amount of operation for CPU 11. The device controller of CPU 11, based on the operating signal from the pointing device controller, displays a pointer on the video 21 screen and moves the pointer on the screen.

Additionally, the CPU 11 OS determines a position relationship between the pointer and the object (the window, the button, the menu, the list, etc.) on the screen. Then the object at the position where the pointer exists is placed in a selection condition or a focus condition. In addition, a selection setting operation for the pointing device is performed; For example, object selection is established by pressing the mouse button.

Image processing unit 22 synthesizes the output data for video 21, which includes character data, graphic data, etc., output from CPU 11, with program data received by the video receiving unit. 14, and outputs the synthesized data to the video 21.

Video 21 is exemplified as a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display panel, a cathode ray tube (CRT), and an electroluminescent panel.

Additionally, video 21 is connected with a speaker from which the output of sounds (including voices and acoustic sounds other than voices) generated by the broadcast receiving unit 14 and sounds read from the disk unit 16 or portable media unit 17 and reproduced by a sound synthesizer card, not shown. The sound synthesizer card converts, for example, digital data from MP3 etc to sounds.

The infrared ray detection unit 19 detects and converts the infrared-based operating signal from an infrared remote control 20 to the electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to each of the units of the assistive device. TV 10. The CPU 11 may, however, temporarily accept the operation signal via interface 13 and may send an instruction to each of the units of the TV 10 watch. The user may operate the TV 10 watch via the drive 13. infrared detection system 19 by manipulating the operation button on the infrared remote control 20.

The TV watcher 10 described above may be configured as, for example, a personal computer including the broadcast receiving unit 14. The TV watcher 10 may, however, be without being limited to the personal computer. , other types of devices having the same functions as a TV receiving device including hard disk 16. In addition, the TV set 10 may be operated by a DVD recorder, a hard disk recorder, a tuner for receiving TV broadcast, a set-top box, a mobile phone with TV broadcast reception function, a mobile information terminal (PDA: Digital Personal Assistant), a game machine and a device in a vehicle with TV broadcast reception function.

Figure 4 depicts detailed configurations of broadcast reception unit 14 and image processing unit 22.

Broadcast receiving unit 14 includes a tuner 141 (which is also referred to as a high frequency unit) that receives the high frequency (RF: Radio Frequency) via an AN antenna or 15A communication card, a one-segment decoder 142 for which tuner reception signals 141 are reported, and a high definition decoder 143.

Tuner 141 extracts the baseband signal from a bandwidth corresponding to the receiving channel at the high frequency input via the AN antenna or communication unit 15. Tuner 141 includes, for example, an amplifier and a bandpass filter.

The TV broadcast in the embodiment is digital broadcast including the 13 segments for one channel. Each segment is transported in the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers.

The one-segment decoder 142 includes, for example, an OFDM decoder and an MPEG decoder that decode only one segment into 13 segments. The OFDM decoder generates from the baseband signals digital signals for a segment that this decoder controls. The MPEG decoder generates digital video signals and digital audio signals from digital signals to a segment.

The high definition decoder 143 includes an OFDM decoder and an MPEG decoder that decodes the 12 segments excluding one segment described above in the 13 segments. In this case, the MPEG decoder generates the digital video signals and the digital audio signals from the digital signals for the 12 segments. Note that any inconvenience cannot be caused by sharing the MPEG decoder with either a single segment decoder 142 or high definition decoder 143.

Incidentally, each of the one-segment decoder output signal 142 and the high definition decoder output signal 143 is provided to the image processing unit 22 (which is alternatively referred to as a graphics card).

Processing unit 22 has an image memory 221 stored with the image data, an image synthesizing unit 222 which synthesizes two or more data categories into various data categories in the image memory 221, for example, screen data from CPU 11, receive program data from a one-segment decoder 142, and receive program data from high definition decoder 143, and a trigger 223 which generates a display trigger signal from the image data in the image memory 221.

The respective pieces of data are recorded in picture memory 221 via a bus from CPU 11, one-segment decoder 142 and high definition decoder 143.

The image synthesizer unit 222 synthesizes the screen information (for example, a window layout, graphical objects within the window, images, text, etc., displayed in the window) from CPU 11 with the information to be displayed. about the TV screen containing one or more data categories (which are the so-called television picture) in the reception program data from a segment decoder 142 and the reception program data from the decoder high definition 143. This type of image synthesizer unit 222 is constructed, for example, from a graphics processor performing a variety of operations with respect to images within image memory. A processed result of the image synthesizer unit 222 unit is transferred to the drive circuit 223 via the image memory 221. The drive circuit 223 reads data from the image memory 221 through the bus. The drive circuit 223 includes, for example, a D / A converter, and generates the drive signal to drive video 21 from the image data. Namely, the drive circuit 223 drives the pixel circuits in video 21, for example, transistors etc., which constitute the liquid crystal display according to predetermined synchronous signals.

Processing Flow

The steps of the TV program reception process by the TV set 10 will be described hereinafter. Figure 5 illustrates the processing steps when the TV set 10 begins to receive TV broadcasting.

In this process, the TV watch 10 detects an onset of watching the TV program from user operation via operation unit 18 (S1). At this time, the user informs a channel that must be received for the TV set 10.

Then, the TV watch 10 compares, based on the pre-purchased electronic program guide data (which is abbreviated as EPG), a program content of high-definition broadcast with a program content of broadcast of a segment on this channel (S2). In this document, the EPG contains, for example, chunks of information (channel numbers) to define between high definition broadcast and segment broadcast, program titles, program genre speci fi c information and other additional chunks. information (actors, a producer etc). Consequently, in the S2 process, for example, strings contained in the program title fields in the EPG data can be compared with one another.

Then, the TV set 10 determines whether or not the content of the high definition broadcast program is the same as the content of the one segment broadcast program (S3). In the embodiment, if the strings in the program title fields match each other, the TV set 10 determines that the content of the high definition broadcast program is the same as the content of the broadcast program. of a segment.

Meanwhile, if the program content of the high definition broadcast is not the same as the program content of a segment broadcast, the TV set 10 determines whether or not the content of the high definition broadcast program is related to the content of the one-segment broadcast program (S4). In the embodiment, the character string in the high definition broadcast program title field and the character string in the segment broadcast program title field contain a predetermined or greater number of common words, the TV watcher 10. determines that the program content of the high definition broadcast is related to the program content of a segment broadcast.

To be specific, the TV watch apparatus 10 decomposes the character string into the title field (corresponding to the information for specifying a broadcast program according to the present invention) of the word program. Then, with respect to the words in the title field, a ratio in which the words in the high definition diffusion match the words in the diffusion of a segment is calculated. So if this ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, it is determined that the two programs are related. For example, this is the case where the movie title is the title of the high definition broadcast program, and the movie title containing the movie title is the segment broadcast program title. .

A dictionary for defining related programs (which corresponds to a relation definition dictionary according to the present invention) can, however, be prepared separately. For example, data such as (string 1, string 2) is recorded in the dictionary. So if string 1 in the high-definition broadcast program title field and string 2 in the one-segment broadcast program title field are set to (string 1, string 2) In the dictionary, it can be determined that the two programs are related. For example, this is the case as (news, topics).

In addition, as substitutes for program titles, other information items such as genre etc (corresponding to the information for specifying a broadcast program according to the present invention) contained in the EPG may also be compared in the same. steps as described above. In addition, for example, subtitles of the programs, information broadcast during a vertical screen blanking interval and information (corresponding to the character information broadcast along with the broadcast program according to the present invention) contained in the data broadcast such as as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and XML (Extensible Markup Language) transmitted along with the broadcast of the program can also be compared in the same steps as described above.

Then, when determining that the content of the high definition broadcast program is related to the program content of a segment broadcast, the TV set 10 consults the user whether display in picture in picture mode is required or not. (S5). The query is given in a way that displays the query in video 21 or broadcasts the query by voice.

Subsequently, the TV set 10 determines whether the picture instruction within picture is given or not (S6). If the instruction within picture in picture is given, the TV set 10 displays the program in picture in picture mode (S7). To be specific, the segment broadcast program is displayed on the small screen within the high definition broadcast screen displayed as the large screen. Whereas if the image instruction within image is not given, the high definition diffusion is displayed on the large screen according to the instruction in S1 (S8).

However, any inconvenience cannot be caused by displaying the diffusion of a segment according to the instruction in S1.

As discussed above, the TV watch apparatus 10 in the embodiment, if the program content of the high definition broadcast is not the same but is related to the program content of a segment broadcast, displays the program in picture mode. inside image.

As a result, the user does not have to check the broadcast program of a segment while watching high definition broadcast. Additionally, the single-segment broadcast program, which is displayed in the image-in-image mode, is the program related to the high-definition broadcast program and thus serves as a support for watching high-definition broadcast. . For example, there are relationships between news and news topics, and between the movie and the making of the movie, and as a result, the content of a segment broadcast program becomes the support for watching the high-definition broadcast program. Finition

In the embodiment discussed above, as in S5, S6 of Figure 5, the user is asked whether image implementation within image is required or not. A scheme available instead of these steps is, however, that the user previously establishes the need for image implementation within image and writes this parameter to memory on hard disk drive 16 and so on. Therefore, if the high definition broadcast program is related to the single segment broadcast program, the in-picture mode can be implemented based on this register.

Modified Example of Embodiment

The embodiment has discussed the TV-watch apparatus to which the present invention is applied by exemplifying high definition broadcast and segment broadcast in digital broadcast. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Namely, the essence of the present invention resides in such a way that if the content of the broadband broadcast program is different but related to the content of the narrowband broadcast program, the two types of received images are synthesized and displayed. in image mode within image. Consequently, with respect to a case in which programs are broadcast on two broadcast channels (for example, broadband broadcasting and narrowband broadcasting) of analog broadcasting, similarly the relationship between the contents of If the contents of the programs on both broadcast channels are related, the two types of received images can be synthesized and displayed in image mode within images.

Computer Readable Recording Medium

A program for making a computer, other machines and devices (which will be referred to hereafter as a computer, etc.) perform any of the functions may be recorded on a computer readable recording medium etc. Then, the computer, etc., is led to read and execute the program on this recording medium, whereby its function can be provided.

In this document, computer readable recording medium etc. means a recording medium capable of storing information such as data and programs electrically, magnetically, optically, mechanically or chemically which can be read from the computer etc. . Among these recording media, for example, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disc, a CD-ROM, a CD-R / W, a DVD, a DAT, an 8 mm tape, a memory card etc, are data like these removable from your computer.

Additionally, a hard disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., are given as the fixed recording media inside the computer etc.

Reference Listing

10 TV Watcher

10A control device

11 CPU

12 memory

13 interface

14 broadcast reception unit

15 communication unit

16 hard disk drive 17 portable media drive

18 operation unit

19 infrared ray detection unit

20 infrared ray remote control

21 video

22 image processing unit

141 tuner

142 single segment decoder

143 high definition decoder

Claims (20)

An information device control device, said information device comprising: a first receiving unit receiving a first broadcasting band; a second receiving unit receiving a second broadcast band whose bandwidth is narrower than the bandwidth of the first broadcast band; an image processing unit synthesizing an image received from the first broadcast band with an image received from the second broadcast band; and an image output interface with a video device displaying any of the image received from the first broadcast band, the image received from the second broadcast band and the synthesized images, said control device comprising: detection unit detecting a television broadcast display instruction operation including the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band; a program information storage unit stored with electronic program guide information containing information to represent a broadcast time zone and information to designate a broadcast program in the broadcast time zone with respect to the first broadcast band and to the second diffusion band; a unit of determination determining a relationship between the first broadcast band broadcast program and the second broadcast band broadcast program at the present time; and a synthesizing control unit instructing when the first broadcast band display instruction operation is detected and when the ratio in broadcast programs between the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band meets a predetermined condition. - da, said image processing unit for synthesizing the image received from the first broadcast band with the image received from the second broadcast band, and outputting the consequently synthesized images to said image output interface. . Control device according to claim 1, wherein said determining unit determines the relationship between broadcast programs based on whether or not a partially overlapping string is contained in the information to specify the broadcast program. broadcasting of the first broadcasting band and in the information to specify the broadcasting program of the second broadcasting band, which are specified at the same broadcasting time with respect to the electronic program guide information. Control device according to claim 1, additionally comprising a relation definition dictionary for defining the relationship between the pieces of character information, wherein said determining unit determines the relationship between the programs. based on whether or not said relation definition dictionary defines a relationship between a string contained in the information to specify the broadcast program of the first broadcast band and a string contained in the information to specify the program. second broadcast band which are specified at the same time as the broadcast with respect to the electronic program guide information. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said determining unit determines the relationship between broadcast programs based on whether or not a partially overlapping string is contained in the character information broadcast along with the broadcast program of the first broadcast band and in the character information broadcast together with the broadcast program of the second broadcast band. Control device according to claim 1, further comprising a relation definition dictionary for defining the relationship between pieces of character information, wherein said determining unit determines the relationship between the diffusion programs based on whether or not said relation definition dictionary defines a relationship between a character string contained in the diffused character information along with the first rate band diffusion program and a character string contained in the character information broadcast along with the broadcast program of the second broadcast band. An information device, comprising: a first receiving unit receiving a first broadcasting band; a second receiving unit receiving a second broadcast band whose bandwidth is narrower than the bandwidth of the first broadcast band; an image processing unit generating synthesized images by synthesizing an image received from the first broadcast band with an image received from the second broadcast band; an image output interface with a video device displaying any of the image received from the first broadcast band, the image received from the second broadcast band, and the synthesized images, a detection unit detecting an instruction operation - television broadcast display including the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band; a program information storage unit stored with electronic program guide information containing information to represent a broadcast time zone and information to designate a broadcast program in the broadcast time zone with respect to the first broadcast band and to the second diffusion band; a unit of determination determining a relationship between the first broadcast band broadcast program and the second broadcast band broadcast program at the present time; and a synthesizing control unit instructing when the first broadcast band display instruction operation is detected and when the ratio in broadcast programs between the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band meets a predetermined condition. - da, said image processing unit for synthesizing the image received from the first broadcast band with the image received from the second broadcast band, and outputting the consequently synthesized images to said image output interface. . The information device of claim 6, wherein said determining unit determines the relationship between the broadcast programs based on whether or not a partially overlapping string is contained in the information to specify the broadcast program. broadcasting of the first broadcasting band and in the information to specify the broadcasting program of the second broadcasting band, which are specified at the same broadcasting time with respect to the information of the electronic program guide. An information device according to claim 6, further comprising a relation definition dictionary for defining the relationship between the character information chunks, wherein said determining unit determines the relationship between the broadcast based programs. whether or not said relation definition dictionary defines a relationship between a string contained in the information to specify the first broadcast band broadcast program and a string contained in the information to specify the second broadcast program broadcast band, which are specified at the same time as the broadcast, with respect to the electronic program guide information. An information device according to claim 6, wherein said determining unit determines the relationship between the diffusion programs based on whether or not a partially overlapping string is contained in the character information broadcast along with the broadcast program of the first broadcast band and the character information broadcast along with the broadcast program of the second broadcast band. An information device according to claim 6, further comprising a relation definition dictionary for defining the relationship between chunks of character information, wherein said determining unit determines the relationship between the broadcast programs based on whether said relation definition dictionary defines or not a relationship between a character string contained in the character information broadcast along with the first broadcast band broadcast program and a character string contained in the character information broadcast along with the broadcast program diffusion of the second diffusion band. A control method performed by a computer controlling an information device, said information device comprising: a first receiving unit receiving a first broadcasting band; a second receiving unit receiving a second broadcast band whose bandwidth is narrower than the bandwidth of the first broadcast band; an image processing unit synthesizing an image received from the first broadcast band with an image received from the second broadcast band; and an image output interface with a display device displaying any of the image received from the first broadcast band, the image received from the second broadcast band, and the synthesized images, said computer performing: step of detecting a television broadcast display instruction operation including the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band; a step of reading the electronic program guide information from a program information storage unit stored with the electronic program guide information containing information to represent a broadcast time zone and information to designate a broadcast program in the broadcast time zone with respect to the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band; a determining step for determining, based on the read electronic program guide information, a relationship between the first broadcast band broadcast program and the second broadcast band broadcast program at the present time; and an instructing step, when detecting the display instruction operation of the first broadcast band and when the ratio in the broadcast programs between the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band meets a predetermined condition, said broadcast unit. image processing to synthesize the image received from the first broadcast band with the image received from the second broadcast band, and output the consequently synthesized images to said image output interface. The control method of claim 11, wherein said determining step includes determining the relationship between broadcast programs based on whether or not a partially overlaid string is contained in the information to specify the broadcast program of the first broadcast band and in the information to specify the broadcast program of the second broadcast band, which are specified at the same broadcast time with respect to the information of the electronic program guide. A control method according to claim 11, wherein said computer further comprises a relation definition dictionary for defining the relationship between chunks of character information, wherein said determination step includes determining the relationship between broadcast programs based on whether or not said relationship definition dictionary defines a relationship between a string contained in the information to specify the broadcast program of the first broadcast band and a contained string in the information to specify the broadcast program of the second broadcast band, which are specified at the same time as the broadcast, with respect to the information of the electronic program guide. A control method according to claim 11, wherein said determining step includes determining the relationship between diffusion programs based on whether or not a partially overlapping string is contained in the character information broadcast along with it. with the first broadcast band broadcast program and the character information broadcast together with the second broadcast band broadcast program. The control method of claim 11, wherein said computer further comprises a relation definition dictionary for defining the relationship between chunks of character information, wherein said determining step includes determining the relationship between broadcast programs based on whether or not said relationship definition dictionary defines a relationship between a string contained in the broadcast character information along with the first broadcast band broadcast program and a contained string in character information broadcast along with the broadcast program of the second broadcast band. A program for composing a computer controlling an information device comprising: a first receiving unit receiving a first broadcasting band; a second receiving unit receiving a second broadcast band whose bandwidth is narrower than the bandwidth of the first broadcast band; an image processing unit synthesizing an image received from the first broadcast band with an image received from the second broadcast band; and an image output interface with a display device displaying any of the image received from the first broadcast band, the image received from the second broadcast band, and the synthesized images perform: a step of detecting a television broadcast display instruction operation including the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band; a step of reading the electronic program guide information from a program information storage unit stored with the electronic program guide information containing information to represent a broadcast time zone and information to designate a broadcast program in the broadcast time zone with respect to the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band; a determining step for determining, based on the read electronic program guide information, a relationship between the first broadcast band broadcast program and the second broadcast band broadcast program at the present time; and an instructing step, when detecting the display instruction operation of the first broadcast band and when the relationship in the broadcast programs between the first broadcast band and the second broadcast band meets a predetermined condition, said broadcast unit. image processing to synthesize the image received from the first broadcast band with the image received from the second broadcast band, and output the consequently synthesized images to said image output interface. The program of claim 16, wherein said determining step includes determining the relationship between broadcast programs based on whether or not a partially overlapping string is contained in the information to specify the first broadcast program. broadcast band and information to specify the broadcast program of the second broadcast band, which are specified at the same broadcast time, with respect to the information of the electronic program guide. The program of claim 16, wherein said computer further comprises a relation definition dictionary for defining the relationship between the character information chunks, wherein said determining step includes determining the relationship between broadcast programs based on whether or not said relation definition dictionary defines a relationship between a string contained in the information to specify the broadcast program of the first broadcast band and a string contained in the information. to specify the broadcast program of the second broadcast band, which are specified at the same time as the broadcast, with respect to the electronic program guide information. The program of claim 16, wherein said determining step includes determining the relationship between broadcast programs based on whether or not a partially overlapping string is contained in the character information broadcast along with the program. gram of the first broadcast band and in the character information broadcast together with the second broadcast band broadcast program. The program of claim 16, wherein said computer further comprises a relation definition dictionary for defining the relationship between chunks of character information, wherein said determining step includes determining the relationship between the characters. diffusion programs based on whether or not said relation definition dictionary defines a relationship between a character string contained in the diffused character information along with the first rate band diffusion program and a character string contained in the character information merged with the broadcast program of the second broadcast band.