CN112640477B - Broadcast receiver and nonvolatile storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a broadcast receiver and a nonvolatile storage medium, which can watch the content broadcasted during the period that the real-time watching is obstructed even if the user obstructs the real-time watching of the broadcast program due to the undesirable display of the picture. The broadcast receiver includes: a broadcast receiving unit that receives a broadcast program by a broadcast signal; a first display control unit that displays the broadcast program on a display device in real time; a second display control unit that displays information that interferes with display of the broadcast program when a predetermined event occurs; and a recording control unit that starts recording of the broadcast program at a first timing associated with start of display of the information.

Description

Broadcast receiver and nonvolatile storage medium

The present application claims priority of filing japanese patent application having application number 2019-208128, entitled "broadcast receiver and program", from japanese patent office at 11/18/2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present application relates to a broadcast receiver and a nonvolatile storage medium.

Background

In recent years, iot (internet of things) devices have become widespread.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2004-536527.

Disclosure of Invention

A utilization form in which a television receiver is used as a means for displaying information from an IoT device can be conceived. In such a utilization form, a situation may occur in which the screen of the television receiver is forcibly switched by the IoT device. If such a situation occurs while the user is watching the broadcast program in real time, the screen is switched regardless of the user's intention, and the opportunity to watch the broadcast program while the screen is switched is deprived.

An object of one embodiment of the present application is to provide a broadcast receiver and a program as follows: even if the user prevents the real-time viewing of the broadcast program due to the display of an undesired screen, the user can view the content broadcast during the period in which the real-time viewing is prevented.

According to one embodiment, a broadcast receiver includes: a broadcast receiving unit that receives a broadcast program by a broadcast signal; a first display control unit that displays the broadcast program on a display device in real time; a second display control unit that displays information that interferes with display of the broadcast program when a predetermined event occurs; and a recording control unit that starts recording of the broadcast program at a first timing associated with start of display of the information.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a television receiver to which a broadcast receiver according to a first embodiment is applied;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a television receiver to which the broadcast receiver of the first embodiment is applied;

fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a television receiver to which the broadcast receiver of the first embodiment is applied;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of switching of display contents realized by a series of operations of the first embodiment shown in fig. 3;

fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a television receiver to which the broadcast receiver of the second embodiment is applied;

fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a television receiver to which the broadcast receiver according to the third embodiment is applied;

fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a television receiver to which the broadcast receiver according to the fourth embodiment is applied.

Description of the reference numerals

10 ･ ･ ･ broadcast receiving part, 11 ･ ･ ･ external input part, 12 ･ ･ ･ first display control part, 13 ･ ･ ･ second display control part, 14 ･ ･ ･ video recording control part, 100 ･ ･ ･ television receiver, 101 ･ ･ ･ control device, 102 ･ ･ ･ external input device, 103 ･ ･ ･ recording device, 104 ･ ･ ･ communication control device, 105 ･ ･ ･ broadcast receiving device, 106 ･ ･ ･ remote control receiving device, 107 ･ ･ ･ operation button, 108 ･ ･ ･ display device, 109 ･ ･ ･ speaker, 110 ･ ･ ･ system memory, 200 ･ ･ ･ home network system, 201 ･ ･ ･ lighting device, 202 ･ ･ ･ refrigerator, 203 ･ ･ ･ washing machine, 204 ･ ･ ･ air conditioner, 205 ･ ･ ･ door sensor, 206 ･ ･ ･ smartphone, 207 ･ ･ ･ PC, 208 ･ ･ ･ BD video recorder, 209 ･ ･ ･ wireless AP, 210 ･ ･ ･ home router, 300 ･ ･ ･ dynamic image distribution server.

Detailed Description

The broadcast receiver of the embodiments can be applied to a television receiver, a set-top box, or the like that can receive a broadcast program. Hereinafter, a television receiver to which the broadcast receiver of the embodiment is applied will be described as an example.

(first embodiment)

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a television receiver 100 to which the broadcast receiver of the first embodiment is applied. Hereinafter, the television receiver 100 is referred to as a television 100.

The tv 100 is connected to a home network system 200 built in a house where the tv 100 is installed. The home network system 200 includes, for example, a lighting device 201, a refrigerator 202, a washing machine 203, an air conditioner 204, a door sensor 205, a smartphone 206, a pc (personal computer) 207, a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc) recorder 208, and a wireless ap (access point) 209. The lighting apparatus 201, the refrigerator 202, the washing machine 203, the air conditioner 204, the door sensor 205, the smartphone 206, the PC207, and the BD recorder 208 can communicate with any device in the home network system 200 via the wireless AP209 or without via the wireless AP 209. The television 100 may be one of the devices constituting the home network system 200.

The home network system 200 includes a home router 210, and some or all of the devices constituting the home network system 200 can communicate with devices outside the house via the home router 210. For example, when the moving picture distribution server 300 is provided at a remote place, the smart phone 206, the PC207, or the television 100 can receive a moving picture distributed by the moving picture distribution server 300 via the home router 210.

The lighting apparatus 201, the refrigerator 202, the washing machine 203, the air conditioner 204, the door sensor 205, and the BD recorder 208 are so-called IoT devices. That is, the lighting apparatus 201, the refrigerator 202, the washing machine 203, the air conditioner 204, the door sensor 205, and the BD recorder 208 have a communication function, and can notify other devices of an event such as a change in the state of the device using the communication function.

For example, the door sensor 205 can transmit a notification of the detected content when the opening and closing of the door is detected. The washing machine 203 can transmit a notification indicating that washing is completed when washing is completed. Further, the air conditioner 204 can send a notification urging cleaning of the filter.

In an embodiment, the IoT devices described above are capable of notifying the television 100 of events. The television 100 can display information associated with an event on a display device (the display device 108 in fig. 1). The information related to the event includes, for example, a notification indicating that the event has occurred, the content of the event, a description of the event that has occurred, or a description of processing of the device that transmitted the notification of the event. The information related to the event is not limited to this.

Note that the notification of the event may be transmitted wirelessly or may be transmitted by wire. For example, the BD recorder 208 may be connected to the television 100 by a cable, and transmit the notification of the event to the television 100 by the cable.

The smartphone 206 or the PC207 can project (cast) the image signal onto the television 100. That is, the smartphone 206 or the PC207 can transmit an image displayed on its own display device to the television 100 wirelessly or by wire, and display the image on the display device 108 of the television 100.

The television 100 includes a control device 101, an external input device 102, a recording device 103, a communication control device 104, a broadcast receiving device 105, a remote control receiving device 106, operation buttons 107, a display device 108, a speaker 109, and a system memory 110.

The system memory 110 is a memory in which a firmware program for realizing control of the television 100, various data used for the control, and the like are stored. The system memory 110 may include a non-volatile memory that holds the firmware program and the data in a non-volatile manner, a volatile memory that loads the firmware program, or caches the data. The nonvolatile memory may be, for example, a rom (read Only memory) or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be, for example, a ram (random Access memory) or the like. The examples of the nonvolatile memory and the volatile memory are not limited to these.

The control device 101 is a processor such as a cpu (central Processing unit). The control device 101 executes the firmware program stored in the system memory 110, thereby realizing various functions for controlling the television 100. Various functions realized by the control device 101 will be described later.

The broadcast receiving apparatus 105 is an interface apparatus for receiving a broadcast program transmitted by a broadcast signal from a broadcast station. A broadcast program may also be referred to as broadcasted content. The broadcast receiving device 105 receives a broadcast signal by wire or wirelessly.

The recording device 103 is a nonvolatile memory that stores recorded data of broadcast programs received via the broadcast receiving device 105. The recording device 103 may be configured by a medium of relatively large capacity such as an ssd (solid State drive), hdd (hard Disk drive), or BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc) drive. The example of the recording device 103 is not limited to this. Note that the recorded broadcast program or the recording data of the recorded broadcast program may be marked as recording content.

The display device 108 is a device that displays an image. The display device 108 may be configured by, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an OLED panel. Examples of the display device 108 are not limited thereto.

The speaker 109 is a device that outputs sound.

The communication control device 104 is an interface device that performs communication with devices constituting a part or all of the home network system 200 by wire or wireless.

The external input device 102 is an interface device to which an external device such as the BD recorder 208 that can input and output image signals is connected.

The remote control receiving device 106 is an interface device for receiving an operation signal from a remote controller for operating the television 100.

The operation buttons 107 are hardware buttons for operating the television 100. The operation button 107 may be configured by a touch panel. The operation buttons 107 may include a power button or a channel operation button, etc.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the television 100 to which the broadcast receiver of the first embodiment is applied. The television 100 includes a broadcast receiving unit 10, an external input unit 11, a first display control unit 12, a second display control unit 13, and a recording control unit 14.

The broadcast receiving unit 10 can receive a broadcast program by a broadcast signal. The broadcast receiving unit 10 is, for example, a broadcast receiving apparatus 105.

The external input unit 11 can receive an input signal from an external device. The external device specifically means a device constituting a part or all of the home network system 200. The input signal refers to a signal different from the broadcast signal. The input signal may include a notification of an event from an IoT device. Alternatively, the input signal may include an image signal projected from the smartphone 206 or the PC 207. The external input unit 11 is, for example, the communication control device 104 or the external input device 102.

The first display control unit 12 can display the broadcast program received by the broadcast receiving unit 10 on the display device 108 in real time. Displaying the broadcast program in real time means: the received broadcast program is not played after recording but displayed immediately. Note that a delay may occur due to various processing such as image quality adjustment during a period from reception of a broadcast program to display. The first display control unit 12 displays the broadcast program in real time, so that the user can view the broadcast program in real time.

When an input signal is input to the external input unit 11, the second display control unit 13 displays information related to the input signal on the display device 108. The information associated with the input signal is as previously described.

More specifically, for example, when the notification indicating that the door sensor 205 has detected opening/closing of the door is received as the input signal, the second display control unit 13 can display information indicating that the opening/closing of the door has been detected on the display device 108. In another example, when a notification indicating that the washing machine 203 has finished washing is received as an input signal, the second display control unit 13 can display information indicating that the washing is finished on the display device 108. In still another example, when a notification of prompting the air conditioner 204 to clean the filter is received as an input signal, the second display control unit 13 can display information prompting the filter to be cleaned on the display device 108.

In another example, when an image is received as an input signal from the smartphone 206 or the PC207 by the user's operation of the smartphone 206 or the PC207, the second display control unit 13 can display the received image on the display device 108.

The second display control unit 13 may display information related to the input signal on the entire screen of the display device 108. Alternatively, the second display control unit 13 may display information related to the input signal on a part of the screen of the display device 108 in a small size.

In the case where the first display control part 12 is displaying a broadcast program, the second display control part 13 may stop the display of the broadcast program and display information associated with the input signal on the entire screen. Alternatively, the second display control unit 13 may display information related to the input signal in a small size so as to overlap with a broadcast program displayed in real time.

Alternatively, the second display control unit 13 may display information related to the input signal in a small size so as to overlap with the broadcast program displayed in real time, and then display the information on the entire screen in accordance with a remote control from the user or an operation performed via the operation button 107.

Alternatively, the second display control unit 13 may display the first information related to the input signal in a small size so as to overlap with the broadcast program displayed in real time, and then display the second information related to the input signal on the entire screen in accordance with a remote control from the user or an operation performed via the operation buttons 107.

The first information is, for example, an icon that prompts cleaning of the filter of the air conditioner 204. If the user performs a predetermined operation while the icon is displayed, the second display control unit 13 may display a description indicating a method of cleaning the filter of the air conditioner 204 on the entire screen as second information.

When an event that interferes with the real-time display of the broadcast program occurs, the recording control unit 14 starts recording of the broadcast program. In the first embodiment, the fact that the real-time display of the broadcast program is hindered specifically means that information associated with the input signal is displayed.

In the event that the real-time display of the broadcast program is prevented due to the display of information associated with the input signal, the user is deprived of the opportunity to view the content broadcast during the time that the information is displayed. The recording control unit 14 records the broadcast program broadcast during the period, thereby enabling the user to view the content of the program broadcast during the period later.

The trigger for starting recording of the broadcast program may be when information related to the input signal is displayed on a part of the screen of the display device 108, or when information related to the input signal is displayed on the entire screen of the display device 108, or both of them. In addition, when it is determined that information associated with a certain input signal is to be displayed on the display device 108, the reception of the input signal may be triggered by the start of recording of the broadcast program.

The timing of starting display of the information related to the input signal is not necessarily the same as the timing of starting recording of the broadcast program. A time lag (time lag) required for processing for starting recording may be present between the timings of the both.

That is, it is sufficient that the recording of the broadcast program is started at a timing associated with the start of the display of the information associated with the input signal, so that the recording of the broadcast program can be performed for as long as possible of the period during which the information is displayed.

The display of the information related to the input signal may be ended in response to an operation of ending the display by the user, or may be ended by the second display control unit 13 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the display. Alternatively, the display of the information in the display may also be ended in the event that the event associated with the information is eliminated.

The recording control unit 14 starts playing the recorded content (i.e., the recorded broadcast program) at the timing when the display of the information associated with the input signal is completed. At this time, the operation of the user for starting the playback is not required.

The timing at which the display of the information related to the input signal is ended and the timing at which the recorded content is played back are not necessarily the same. A time difference required for processing of playback start or the like may exist between both timings. It is sufficient if the content of the program that has been interrupted in real time can be provided to the user at the earliest possible timing after the end of the display of the information by starting the playback of the recorded content at the timing associated with the end of the display of the information by the second display control unit 13.

The timing of the recording end is arbitrary. For example, the recording control unit 14 may continue recording until the broadcast of the broadcast program whose real-time display is interrupted ends, or may continue recording until a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the display of the information associated with the input signal. The recording control unit 14 may terminate the recording when the free space of the recording device 103 is exhausted.

Further, the recording control unit 14 may repeat the stop of recording and the restart of recording a plurality of times. For example, the recording control unit 14 may stop recording the video at a timing when the display of the information associated with the input signal is ended, and immediately thereafter, start recording the video again.

The recording control unit 14 can record the broadcast program received from the broadcast receiving unit 10 and play back the recorded data of the broadcast program.

In the first embodiment, the recording control unit 14 plays the recorded content at the same speed as the normal playing speed, that is, the speed of progress of the broadcast program. After the playback is started at the normal playback speed, the recording control unit 14 can change the playback speed in accordance with the user operation. The recording control unit 14 can temporarily stop the playback and end the playback in response to a user operation performed during the playback.

The functions of the first display control unit 12, the second display control unit 13, and the recording control unit 14 are realized by the control device 101 executing a firmware program, for example.

Alternatively, a part or all of the functions of the first display control unit 12, the second display control unit 13, and the recording control unit 14 may be realized by a logic circuit. Some or all of the functions of the first display control unit 12, the second display control unit 13, and the recording control unit 14 may be realized by analog circuits. Some or all of the functions of the first display control unit 12, the second display control unit 13, and the recording control unit 14 may be implemented by an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an asic (application Specific Integrated circuit).

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the television 100 to which the broadcast receiver of the first embodiment is applied. Here, a case of receiving an input signal transmitted from an IoT device constituting the home network system 200 will be described as an example. However, even if the input signal is an image signal transmitted from the smartphone 206 or the PC207, the same operation as described below is performed.

In S101, the first display control unit 12 displays the broadcast program on the display device 108 in real time, and the user can view the broadcast program in real time. If the external input unit 11 receives an input signal for notifying an event from an IoT device in this state (yes in S102), the first display control unit 12 stops the real-time display of the broadcast program (S103), and the second display control unit 13 displays information associated with the input signal from the IoT device (in other words, information associated with an event notified by the input signal) on the display device 108 (S104).

The information displayed on the display device 108 associated with the input signal from the IoT device is marked as an IoT screen. In addition, a picture on which a broadcast program is displayed in real time is marked as a broadcast picture. Through S103 and S104, the display content of the display device 108 is switched from the broadcast screen to the IoT screen. Here, as an example, the IoT screen is designed to be displayed on the entire screen of the display device 108.

When the display content of the display device 108 is switched from the broadcast screen to the IoT screen, the recording control unit 14 starts recording of the broadcast program (S105). During recording, the received broadcast program is stored as recording data in the recording device 103.

Next, when the second display control unit 13 ends the display of the IoT screen at some opportunity (S106), the recording control unit 14 starts playing the recorded content (that is, the recorded data obtained by recording the broadcast program stored in the recording device 103) (S107). Thereby, the content of the broadcast program is displayed on the display device 108 from the point (point) interrupted by S104.

When the playback of the recorded content by the recording control unit 14 is completed (S108), the first display control unit 12 resumes the real-time display of the broadcast program currently being received (S109). The series of operations ends at S109.

Note that, in fig. 3, the following example is illustrated: upon receiving the input signal, the real-time display of the broadcast program is stopped, the IoT screen is displayed on the entire screen, and the video recording is started. The timing of displaying the broadcast program in real time, the timing of displaying the IoT screen on the entire screen, and the timing of starting recording are not limited to the above examples.

For example, when receiving an input signal for notifying an event, the second display control unit 13 may display a small IoT screen, such as an icon, associated with the input signal so as to overlap with a broadcast program, and then display the IoT screen on the entire screen at some chance. In this case, the process of S103 by the first display control unit 12 and the process of S105 by the recording control unit 14 may be executed when the IoT screen is displayed on the entire screen. That is, when the IoT screen is displayed in a small size so as to overlap with the broadcast program, the recording may be stopped and the broadcast program may be stopped in real time and the recording may be started when the IoT screen is displayed over the entire screen without starting the recording. Alternatively, the process of S105 by the recording control unit 14 may be executed when a small IoT screen related to the input signal, for example, an icon is displayed, and then the process of S103 by the first display control unit 12 may be executed when the IoT screen is displayed on the entire screen.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of switching of display contents realized by a series of operations of the first embodiment shown in fig. 3. In the example shown in the present figure, a broadcast Schedule (Schedule) is designed in which the program # 1 is broadcast and then the program # 2 is broadcast.

The display device 108 initially displays the broadcast screen of the program # 1. When the television 100 receives an event from the IoT device at time t0, the display content is switched from the broadcast screen of the program # 1 to the IoT screen. Then, recording of program # 1 is started from point p0 of program # 1, which is broadcast at time t 0.

The recording is ended at a point p1 at the end of program # 1. As described above, the timing of recording completion is not limited to the timing of reaching the end of the broadcast program interrupted in real time (program # 1 in this case).

The broadcast of program # 2 is started after the broadcast of program # 1. In this example, the display of the IoT screen is continued at the timing when the broadcast of the program # 2 is started.

After that, when the display of the IoT screen is finished at time t1, the playback of the recorded program # 1 is started. The playback starts from point p0 of program # 1, which is the point at which the real-time viewing was interrupted. When the program # 1 is played to the point p1, the display content of the display device 108 is switched to the broadcast screen of the program # 2 being broadcast at that time. The user can view the program # 2 in real time from the point p2 of the program # 2 being broadcast at the time when the playback of the program # 1 is finished after the program # 1 is viewed last (time-shift viewing).

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the television 100 as a broadcast receiver includes: a broadcast receiving unit 10 that receives a broadcast program by a broadcast signal; an external input unit 11 that receives an input signal different from a broadcast signal from an external device; a first display control unit 12 that displays a broadcast program on a display device in real time; a second display control unit 13 that displays information indicating information related to an input signal when the input signal is input; and a recording control unit 14 that starts recording of the broadcast program at a first timing associated with the start of display of the information.

Thus, even if the user is prevented from viewing the broadcast program in real time due to an undesired screen being displayed, the user can view the content broadcast during the period in which the real-time viewing is prevented.

The second display control unit 13 may execute the display of the opportunity to start recording upon reception of the input signal, or may execute the display of the opportunity to start recording upon satisfaction of some condition after the input signal is input. That is, the second display control unit 13 does not necessarily display the start of recording immediately after the input signal is input.

For example, when the input signal is input, the second display control unit 13 first displays the first information associated with the input signal in a small size so as to overlap with the broadcast program. Then, the second display control section 13 displays the second information associated with the input signal on the entire screen in accordance with an input of an operation by the user or the like. The display of the second information may be a trigger for starting recording. It is needless to say that the display of the first information may be a trigger for starting the recording.

In the above description, information associated with an input signal from an IoT device and information (i.e., an image) generated based on an image signal projected from the smartphone 206 or the PC207 are given as examples of screens that are not desired by the user. The screen that becomes a trigger for starting recording is not limited to this. In addition, any of these screens may be used as a trigger for starting recording.

The user operating smartphone 206 or PC207 (labeled first user) is sometimes the same as, and sometimes different from, the user watching television 100 (labeled second user). In the case where the first user is the same as the second user, even if the image is projected from the smartphone 206 or the PC207 and the real-time display of the broadcast program is interrupted, the screen newly displayed by the projection does not correspond to a screen not intended by the user.

However, in the case where the first user is different from the second user, the image projected from the smartphone 206 or the PC207 may correspond to a screen different from the intention of the second user. In this case, the opportunity for the second user to watch the broadcast program is deprived of undesired display of images.

The television 100 is configured to start recording when an image projected from the smartphone 206 or the PC207 is displayed, and thereby, even if the second user is prevented from viewing in real time by displaying an image projected by an operation of another user, it is possible to view, at a later time, a content broadcast during the period in which viewing in real time is prevented.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the recording control unit 14 starts playing the recorded content at the second timing associated with the end of the display of the information associated with the input signal.

Thus, the user can view the contents of the broadcast program whose display has been interrupted without performing any special operation after the display of the information associated with the input signal is completed.

Note that, after the display of the information associated with the input signal is completed, the recording control unit 14 may display a screen on the display device 108 that prompts selection of whether to start playing the recorded content. Further, the recording control unit 14 may start playback after the playback of the start recorded content is selected.

The recording control unit 14 may be configured to be able to specify in advance from a setting screen or the like whether or not to start playing of the recorded content after the display of the information associated with the input signal is completed.

(second embodiment)

In the first embodiment, after the display of the information associated with the input signal is finished, the playback of the recorded content at the normal playback speed is started. In the second embodiment, after the display of the information associated with the input signal is ended, the video-recorded content is fast-forwarded. Fast-forward playback refers to playback of recorded content at a speed faster than the normal playback speed. The television 100a will be described with reference to a television 100a as a television to which the broadcast receiver of the second embodiment is applied.

The television 100a has the same hardware configuration and similar functional configuration as those of the television 100 described in the first embodiment. The operation of a part of the functional components of the television 100a is different from that of the television 100. Hereinafter, the description will be given with emphasis on matters different from those of the first embodiment, and the description of the same matters as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the television 100a to which the broadcast receiver of the second embodiment is applied. Here, a case of receiving an input signal transmitted from an IoT device constituting the home network system 200 will be described as in the first embodiment. The input signal may be an image signal transmitted from the smartphone 206 or the PC207, and the same operation as described below can be performed.

In S201 to S206, the same processing as S101 to S106 is performed. When the display of the IoT screen is finished in S206, the recording control unit 14 starts fast-forwarding the recorded content, that is, the recorded data stored in the recording device 103 (S207). In S207, the recording control unit 14 performs playback at a speed higher than the normal playback speed, for example, 1.2 times or 1.5 times the normal playback speed.

The recording control unit 14 continues recording the received broadcast program even while the fast-forward playback is being executed. However, since the playback speed of the fast-forward playback is faster than the speed of recording the broadcast program being received, the difference between the playback point (point) and the recording point (point) becomes smaller as time passes. The difference is a minimum value that can be played while recording. The difference between the playback point and the recording point is the minimum value and is marked as the playback point and the recording point.

Next, in S207, the recording control unit 14 determines whether or not the playback point catches up with the recorded point (S208). If the playback point has not caught up with the recorded image point (no in S208), the process of S208 is executed again. When the broadcast point catches up with the recorded point (yes in S208), the recording control unit 14 ends the broadcast of the recorded content (S209), and the first display control unit 12 resumes the real-time display of the broadcast program currently being received (S210). The series of actions is ended by S210.

In this way, according to the second embodiment, the recording control unit 14 fast-forwards plays the recorded content.

Thus, the user can view the content broadcasted during the period in which the real-time viewing is interrupted in a short time, and can resume the real-time viewing.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the recording control unit 14 ends the playback of the recorded content when the playback point catches up with the recorded point, and the first display control unit 12 resumes the real-time display of the broadcast program when the playback of the recorded content ends.

Thus, the user can view the content broadcasted during the period in which the real-time viewing is interrupted in a short time, and can resume the real-time viewing.

It should be noted that the timing at which the playback point catches up with the recorded point and the timing at which playback of the recorded content ends are not necessarily the same. A time difference required for processing of the end of playback or the like may exist between both timings. That is, the recording control unit 14 may be any unit that can restart the real-time display of the broadcast program at the earliest possible timing after the playback point catches the recorded point by ending the playback of the recorded content at the timing associated with the playback point catching the recorded point.

The timing at which the playback of the recorded content is ended and the timing at which the real-time display of the broadcast program is resumed are not necessarily the same. A time difference between the timings may be required to display processing to be resumed in real time. That is, the first display control unit 12 may be any device as long as it can restart real-time display of the broadcast program at the earliest possible timing after the end of the broadcast of the recorded content by restarting real-time display of the broadcast program at the timing associated with the end of the broadcast of the recorded content.

Note that, after the display of the information associated with the input signal is completed, the recording control unit 14 may display a screen on the display device 108 that urges the selection of whether to start the fast-forward playback of the recorded content. Further, the recording control unit 14 may start the playback after the selection of the start of the fast-forward playback of the recorded content.

The recording control unit 14 may be configured to be able to designate in advance from a setting screen or the like whether or not to start fast-forward playback of the recorded content after the display of the information associated with the input signal is completed.

The recording control unit 14 may be configured to be able to restart the real-time display of the broadcast program when it is previously designated from a setting screen or the like whether or not the recording point is caught up at the playback point. When the real-time display of the broadcast program is set not to be started again when the broadcast point catches up with the recorded point, the recording control unit 14 may return the playback speed to the normal speed to continue the playback of the recorded content.

Further, it is not always necessary to restart real-time display immediately after the video point is caught up at the playback point.

For example, when the playback point catches up with the recorded point, the recording control unit 14 may display the information on the display device 108 using an icon or the like to return the playback speed to the normal speed and catch up the recorded point with the playback point. When recognizing that the broadcast point has caught up with the recording point, the user can perform an operation of ending the broadcast and moving to the real-time display of the broadcast program at an arbitrary timing.

Even when the recording point is caught up at the playback point, there is a slight difference between the playback point and the recording point. Thus, if the playback is terminated and the display is shifted to the real-time display when the playback point catches up with the recording point, a short period of time during which viewing cannot be performed occurs. By displaying the fact that the broadcast point catches up with the video point, the user can perform an operation for resuming the real-time viewing at a timing when the user cannot view or does not have a so-called content being broadcast.

(third embodiment)

In the third embodiment, after the display of the information associated with the input signal is finished, the video content is fast-forwarded. The playback speed is calculated so that the playback point catches up with the recording point at the broadcast end time when the broadcast program is displayed in real time, and the fast-forward playback is performed at the playback speed obtained by the calculation. The television 100b will be described with reference to the television 100b as a television to which the broadcast receiver of the third embodiment is applied.

The television 100b has the same hardware configuration and similar functional configurations as those of the television 100 and the television 100 a. The operation of a part of the functional components of television 100b is different from that of television 100 or television 100 a. Hereinafter, the description will be given with emphasis on the matters different from those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the description of the matters same as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be omitted.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the television 100b to which the broadcast receiver according to the third embodiment is applied. Here, a case of receiving an input signal transmitted from an IoT device constituting the home network system 200 will be described as an example. However, even if the input signal is an image signal transmitted from the smartphone 206 or the PC207, the same operation as described below is performed.

The same processing as S101 to S106 is performed in S301 to S306. When the display of the IoT screen is finished in S306, the recording control unit 14 calculates a playback speed at which the playback point catches up with the recording point at the broadcast end time when the real-time display of the broadcast program is interrupted (S307).

The recording control unit 14 may calculate the playback speed on the assumption that playback is performed at a fixed playback speed. Alternatively, the recording control unit 14 may determine the playback speed for each time interval on the premise that the playback speed is changed stepwise so that playback is performed at 1.5 times the speed in a certain time interval and playback is performed at 1.2 times the speed in the next time interval. The length of each time interval may also be different. The playback speed may be selected from a fixed value of 1 or more, or may be selected from any of continuous values. The recording control unit 14 calculates the playback speed so that the playback point catches up with the recording point at the broadcast end time. Calculating the playback speed may include calculating the playback speed for each time interval or calculating the length of each time interval.

Next, in S307, the recording control unit 14 starts fast-forwarding the recorded content, that is, the recorded data stored in the recording device 103 (S308). In the fast forward play, the play speed calculated in S307 is applied.

Also, the same processing as S208 to S210 is executed in S309 to S311, thereby ending a series of actions.

In this way, according to the third embodiment, the recording control unit 14 controls the playback speed so that the timing at which the playback point catches up with the recording point coincides with the broadcast end time of the broadcast program.

Thus, the user can view the contents of the broadcast program which is interrupted in real time at a high speed, and can view the other programs broadcasted next to the broadcast program in real time from the beginning.

It should be noted that the timing at which the playback point catches up with the recording point is not necessarily the same as the broadcast end time of the broadcast program. There may be a slight time difference between the timing at which the playback point catches up with the recording point and the broadcast end time of the broadcast program. By controlling the playback speed so that the timing associated with the point at which the playback point catches up with the recording point matches the broadcast end time of the broadcast program, it is preferable that the real-time viewing can be resumed at a timing close to the broadcast end time of the broadcast program.

Note that, when the fast-forward playback is interrupted and restarted or the fast-forward and fast-forward are stopped by the user' S operation, the recording control unit 14 may correct the playback speed by executing the processing of S307 and S308 each time.

(fourth embodiment)

When a situation occurs in which the broadcast point does not catch up with the recording point until the broadcast end time of the broadcast program (marked as the first program), the opportunity to view the program (marked as the second program) broadcast next following the first program from the beginning is deprived. In the fourth embodiment, by continuing recording the second program when the above situation occurs, the second program can be viewed from the beginning.

The television receiver to which the broadcast receiver of the fourth embodiment is applied is referred to as a television 100c, and the television 100c will be described.

The television 100c has the same hardware configuration and similar functional configurations as the televisions 100, 100a, and 100 b. The operation of a part of the functional components of television 100c is different from that of television 100, television 100a, or television 100 b. Hereinafter, the description will be given with emphasis on the matters different from the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment, and the descriptions of the matters same as the first embodiment, the second embodiment, or the third embodiment will be omitted.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the television 100c to which the broadcast receiver according to the fourth embodiment is applied. Here, a case of receiving an input signal transmitted from an IoT device constituting the home network system 200 will be described as an example. However, even if the input signal is an image signal transmitted from the smartphone 206 or the PC207, the same operation as described below is performed.

The same processing as S101 to S106 is executed in S401 to S406. Note that, in the description of the present figure, the broadcast program whose real-time display is interrupted due to S404 is marked as the first program.

When the display of the IoT screen is finished in S406, the recording control unit 14 determines whether or not the broadcast point will catch up with the recording point before the broadcast end time of the first program (S407). In S407, a determination is made on the assumption that fast-forward playback has been performed.

If the broadcast point does not catch up with the recorded point until the broadcast end time (no in S407), the recording control unit 14 displays a list of other programs that have started broadcasting until the broadcast point catches up with the recorded point on the display device 108 (S408). The user can perform an operation of selecting one program from the displayed list.

The recording control unit 14 may display all programs that start broadcasting until the playback point catches up with the recording point on the list, or may display a part of programs that start broadcasting until the playback point catches up with the recording point on the list. The recording control unit 14 may display only a program broadcasted by a specific type of broadcast among a plurality of types of broadcasts such as satellite broadcast and terrestrial broadcast. The recording control unit 14 may display only a program broadcasted through a specific channel. The recording control unit 14 may display only the broadcast of the type registered in advance or only the program broadcast through the channel registered in advance. Registration of the category or channel of the broadcast may be made by the user. The control device 101 may specify the broadcast type or channel and register the broadcast type or channel by machine learning or the like.

Next, when receiving a designation of one program in the list from the user (S409), the recording control unit 14 stores the designated program and starts fast-forward playback of the first program (more precisely, the recording data of the first program) (S410). Note that the program designated in S409 is marked as the second program.

When the broadcast of the first program is completed (S411), the recording control unit 14 starts recording of the second program to be broadcast next (S412). In the case where there is a time margin from the end of the broadcast of the first program to the start of the broadcast of the second program, the recording control unit 14 may end the recording of the first program and then start the recording of the second program at the timing at which the broadcast of the second program starts.

When the fast-forward playback of the first program is completed (S413), the recording control unit 14 starts the fast-forward playback of the second program (more precisely, the recording data of the second program) (S414).

Then, the recording control unit 14 determines whether or not the playback point has caught up with the recording point (S415). If the playback point has not caught up with the recorded point (no in S415), the process of S415 is executed again. When the broadcast point catches up with the image recording point (yes in S415), the image recording control unit 14 ends the broadcast of the second program (S416), and the first display control unit 12 starts the real-time display of the second program currently being received (S417). Then, the series of actions ends.

If it is determined in the determination process at S407 that the playback point catches up with the recording point by the broadcast end time of the first program (yes at S407), the recording control unit 14 starts fast-forward playback of the first program (S418). Then, the recording control unit 14 determines whether or not the playback point has caught up with the recording point (S419). If the playback point has not caught up with the recording point (no in S419), the process of S419 is executed again. When the broadcast point has caught up with the image recording point (yes in S419), the image recording control unit 14 ends the broadcast of the first program (S420), and the first display control unit 12 resumes the real-time display of the first program currently being received (S421). The series of operations ends at S421.

In this way, when it is assumed that there is a situation in which no recording point is caught up by the broadcast point until the end time of the broadcast of the first program, the recording control unit 14 may display a list of other programs that start until the broadcast point catches up by the recording point and receive a designation for the next program (second program) to be recorded.

Thereby, the user can watch the second program from the beginning.

The timing of displaying the list of programs that start until the playback point catches up with the recording point is not limited to the above timing. The recording control unit 14 may display the list at a timing earlier than the broadcast end time of the program being recorded by a predetermined time period, for example.

The recording control unit 14 may display the programs started after the recording point is traced at the playback point together with the list.

The recording control unit 14 may display a program that starts within a predetermined time from the broadcast end time of the first program together with the list, regardless of whether the program starts before the broadcast point catches up with the recording point.

(fifth embodiment)

In the first to fourth embodiments, an example of a case where real-time display of a broadcast program is prevented is described by displaying information related to an input signal. The matter that prevents the real-time display of the broadcast program is not limited to this.

For example, the broadcast receiver of an embodiment may have an alarm function, a timing function. The second display control unit 13 displays the alarm information by the alarm function or the time information indicating that the scheduled time by the time counting function has been reached, on the display device 108. Such alarm information or timing information may prevent the real-time display of the broadcast program at an opportunity not desired by the user. When alarm information or time information is displayed, the recording control unit 14 may start recording similarly to the case where information related to the input signal is displayed.

That is, the broadcast receiver according to the embodiment can display the alarm information or the time information as a screen that prevents the real-time display of the broadcast program when the alarm information or the time information is generated. In addition, the broadcast receiver according to the embodiment can execute the operations described in the first to fourth embodiments in the same manner as in the case where information related to the input signal is displayed when the screen is displayed.

In the first to fourth embodiments, an input signal is input from an IoT device constituting the home network system 200 to the broadcast receiver of the embodiment. The input signal may be input from a device in a network provided outside the house, which is different from the home network system 200.

As an example, an IoT server is installed in a network outside a house. The IoT devices constituting the home network 200 may also transmit the input signal to the broadcast receiver of the embodiment via the IoT server.

In another example, the IoT server collects the status of devices within the home network system 200 via the internet or the like. The IoT server can transmit an input signal to the broadcast receiver according to the embodiment when the collected result satisfies a predetermined condition. The input signal may be a signal for notifying disaster information occurring in a residential area as an event.

In yet another example, the IoT server may transmit the input signal to the broadcast receiver of an embodiment regardless of the state of the devices within the home network system 200.

In the broadcast receiver of the embodiment, when an input signal is received from the IoT server, the second display control unit 13 displays information associated with the input signal from the IoT server. When information associated with the input signal from the IoT server is displayed, the recording control unit 14 starts recording.

Note that the device capable of transmitting the input signal from outside the house is not limited to the IoT server.

In addition, as described above, the broadcast receiver of the embodiment may also be applied to a set-top box. The set-top box to which the broadcast receiver of the embodiment is applied can use the recording device 103 and the display device 108 by externally disposing the recording device 103 and the display device 108. The broadcast receiver according to the embodiment can be applied to devices other than a television receiver.

In addition, the broadcast receiver of the embodiment can record in a plurality of different modes. The mode of recording described in the first to fourth embodiments is referred to as backup recording. The plurality of modes may include a reserved recording mode, an automatic recording mode, a fast recording mode and the like in addition to the backup recording mode. The reservation recording is a mode for recording a program reserved in advance by a user. The automatic recording is a mode in which a program selected by machine learning or the like is recorded without a special operation by a user. The fast recording is a mode in which a user performs recording operation during real-time reception and viewing of a broadcast program, and the broadcast program is recorded from a point (point) at which the recording operation is performed.

The priority order may be set for the plurality of modes described above. For example, a case where the priority order is "reserved recording > backup recording > fast recording ═ automatic recording" is considered. In such a case, the recording control unit 14 may continue the backup recording until the remaining capacity obtained by subtracting the capacity required for the already set reservation recording from the free capacity of the recording apparatus 103 is used up. Further, when the remaining capacity is used up, if the recording data recorded by the quick recording or the automatic recording is stored in the recording device 103, the recording control unit 14 may delete the recording data recorded by the quick recording or the automatic recording and use the capacity released by the deletion in the backup recording.

The above three modes other than the backup recording are merely examples. The broadcast receiver may have any mode other than the backup recording mode. The order of priority of each mode is not limited to the above order. The behavior in the case where the free capacity of the recording apparatus 103 runs out can be set arbitrarily.

As described above, according to the first to fifth embodiments, the broadcast receiver includes: a broadcast receiving unit 10 that receives a broadcast program by a broadcast signal; a first display control unit 12 that displays a broadcast program on the display device 108 in real time; a second display control unit 13 that displays information that hinders display of the broadcast program when a predetermined event occurs; and a recording control unit 14 that starts recording of the broadcast program at a timing associated with the start of display of the information.

In one example, the predetermined item is information related to an input signal received from an external device, and the information that prevents the display of the broadcast program is information related to the input signal. The external device may be a device in the home network system 200 or may be a device such as an IoT server connected to a network outside the house. In another example, the predetermined event is that alarm information or time information is issued, and the information that prevents the display of the broadcast program is the alarm information or time information.

With the above configuration, even if the user is prevented from viewing the broadcast program in real time due to the screen display that the user does not desire, the user can view the content that is broadcast during the period in which the real-time viewing is prevented.

In addition, according to the first to fifth embodiments, the television 100 as a broadcast receiver includes the control device 101 as a processor and the system memory 110 as a memory. That is, the television 100 as a broadcast receiver has a configuration of a general computer capable of executing a computer program. Then, by the control device 101 executing a firmware program as a computer program, the control device 101 realizes the functions as the first display control unit 12, the second display control unit 13, and the recording control unit 14.

That is, the firmware program may be a program for causing a computer to function as the first display control unit 12, the second display control unit 13, and the recording control unit 14, in which the first display control unit 12 displays a broadcast program received by a broadcast signal on the display device 108 in real time, the second display control unit 13 displays information that hinders the display of the broadcast program when a predetermined event occurs, and the recording control unit 14 starts the recording of the broadcast program at a timing associated with the start of the display of the information.

The firmware program is supplied in a state stored in the system memory 110. However, the firmware program may be provided by recording a file in an installable or executable form in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD (compact Disc) -ROM (read Only memory), a Floppy Disk (FD), a CD-R (recordable), a DVD (digital Versatile Disc), a USB (Universal Serial bus) memory, and an SD (secure digital) card.

Further, the firmware program may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet and downloaded via the network. The firmware program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the internet.

Several embodiments of the present application have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. These new embodiments may be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present application. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the application, and are included in the inventions described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.

Claims (10)

1. A broadcast receiver includes:

a broadcast receiving part that receives a broadcast program including a first broadcast program and a second broadcast program by a broadcast signal;

a first display control unit that displays the first broadcast program on a display device in real time;

a second display control unit that displays information that interferes with display of the first broadcast program when a predetermined event occurs; and

a recording control unit that starts recording of the first broadcast program at a first timing associated with start of display of the information and determines whether or not a playback point will catch up with a recording point before a broadcast end time of the first broadcast program when information display of the first broadcast program is ended, the recorded first broadcast program being configured to fast forward;

displaying, on a display device of the broadcast receiver, a list of other programs that start broadcasting until a broadcast point catches up a recording point, the list including a second broadcast program and being configured to be selectable by a user, in a case where the broadcast point does not catch up the recording point until a broadcast end time of the first broadcast program;

the fast-forward playing of the first broadcast program is started when a play point catches up with a recording point by the broadcast end time of the first broadcast program, and the fast-forward playing of the first broadcast program is ended when the play point catches up with the recording point, and the real-time display of the first broadcast program is restarted.

2. The broadcast receiver of claim 1, wherein,

the broadcast receiver further includes an external input unit that receives an input signal different from the broadcast signal from an external device,

the prescribed event is the receipt of the input signal from an external device,

the information is information associated with the input signal.

3. The broadcast receiver of claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the recording control unit starts playing the recorded first broadcast program at a second timing associated with ending the display of the information.

4. The broadcast receiver of claim 1, wherein the recording control section is further configured to receive a designation of a second broadcast program in the list from the user, store the designated second broadcast program, and start fast-forward play of the first broadcast program recorded portion.

5. The broadcast receiver according to claim 4, wherein the recording control unit is further configured to start recording of the second broadcast program that is being broadcast when the broadcast of the first broadcast program is ended, start fast-forward playback of the recorded data of the second broadcast program when the fast-forward playback of the first program is ended, determine whether or not a playback point catches up with a recording point during the fast-forward playback of the second broadcast program, and if so, end the fast-forward playback of the second broadcast program and start real-time playback of the second broadcast program; if not, whether the playing point catches up with the image recording point is continuously judged.

6. A method for a broadcast receiver, the method comprising:

receiving a broadcast program through a broadcast signal, the broadcast program including a first broadcast program and a second broadcast program;

a display device that displays the first broadcast program in real time on the broadcast receiver;

displaying, on the display device, information that hinders display of the first broadcast program when a predetermined event occurs; and

starting recording of the first broadcast program at a first timing associated with a start of display of the information, and when ending of obstructing display of the information of the first broadcast program, determining whether a playback point will catch up with a recording point before a broadcast end time of the first broadcast program, the recorded first broadcast program being configured to fast forward playback;

displaying, on a display device of the broadcast receiver, a list of other programs that start broadcasting until a broadcast point catches up a recording point, the list including a second broadcast program and being configured to be selectable by a user, in a case where the broadcast point does not catch up the recording point until a broadcast end time of the first broadcast program;

the fast-forward playing of the first broadcast program is started when a play point catches up with a recording point by the broadcast end time of the first broadcast program, and the fast-forward playing of the first broadcast program is ended when the play point catches up with the recording point, and the real-time display of the first broadcast program is restarted.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving an input signal different from the broadcast signal from an external device,

the prescribed event is the receipt of the input signal from an external device,

the information is information associated with the input signal.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the method further comprises:

beginning playing the recorded first broadcast program at a second opportunity associated with ending the display of the information.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:

a designation of a second broadcast program in the list is received from the user, the designated second broadcast program is stored and fast-forward play of the recorded portion of the first broadcast program is started.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:

when the broadcasting of a first broadcast program is finished, starting to record a second broadcast program which is next to the broadcasting, when the fast-forward playing of the first program is finished, starting to fast-forward play the record data of the second broadcast program, judging whether a play point catches up with the record point during the fast-forward playing of the second broadcast program, if so, finishing the fast-forward playing of the second broadcast program, and starting to play the second broadcast program in real time; if not, whether the playing point catches up with the image recording point is continuously judged.

Images