JP2001006259A - Operational guidance method and operational guidance device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operational guidance method and device therefor for assisting the user's comprehension by performing the detailed operational guidance of an equipment by the same language as the reproducing language of media. SOLUTION: By a media reproducing language setting part 11, a reproducing signal including the multi-language reproducing information is inputted, and the reproduction signal of the language set in accordance with the user's instruction (set reproduction signal) is produced and outputted, and also the language setting information is transmitted to a guidance signal generating part 12. By an operation instructing part 13, when the operation of the device in company with the guidance display is instructed by the user, the guidance signal generating part 12 is instructed to perform this operation of the device. A guidance information storage part 14 preliminarily stores the guidance information corresponding to each operation of the device concerning various kinds of languages. By the guidance signal generating part 12, the guidance information regarding the operation of the device of the language same as the set language is read out from the guidance information storage part 14 and outputted in accordance with the language setting information. By a guidance signal composite part 15, the guidance signal is superposed to the set reproduction signal and outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation guidance method and an operation guidance device, and more particularly, to an operation guidance method.
The present invention relates to an operation guidance method for providing detailed guidance on device operation contents in accordance with a language to be reproduced when a medium having multilingual reproduction information is reproduced, and an operation guidance apparatus using the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there have been many media systems for recording video signals and audio signals on a medium at a high density and reproducing them. One of them is DVD (Digital Vers
atileDisc) system. There are a plurality of standards for the DVD system, and among them, the DVD video standard for reproducing audio-attached video information such as a movie or a music program has become widespread especially for consumer use. Hereinafter, D
DVD system having the VD video standard (hereinafter simply referred to as D
VD) will be described as an example, and a conventional media system will be described.

[0003] This DVD has a unique function not found in other media systems up to now. As one of the functions, there is a multi-speech function that can select and reproduce a desired language from among a plurality of languages (up to eight languages). This function is used, for example, when it is desired to reproduce a foreign movie with Japanese dubbed sound.
To realize this function, a D
The VD device determines the audio stream language information in the audio stream (signal including audio information) defined by the DVD video standard, and reproduces only the audio stream corresponding to Japanese.

[0004] In the DVD video standard, as a method of setting a language, a language for a sub-picture stream can be set in addition to the language setting for the audio stream. The sub-picture stream is information such as a caption image of a movie, and is recorded separately from the main video in correspondence with a plurality of languages (up to 32 languages). Therefore, when displaying subtitles, it is set which subtitle stream of which subtitle language is to be reproduced.

[0005] As one of the other functions, there is a multi-angle function capable of selecting and reproducing a desired angle (up to 9 angles) from images using a plurality of cameras. Further, other functions realized by the DVD include a screen size (4: 3 screen, 16: 9 screen) change function, a surround effect change function, a screen brightness change function,
There is also a device-specific differentiation function such as a karaoke auxiliary voice switching function for karaoke. in this way,
2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional apparatus for reproducing media, various functions of each media system are realized.

[0006]

Here, in a conventional apparatus for reproducing media, in order to set and execute these functions, a user inputs a dedicated button such as a remote controller or a menu on a setting screen. It is necessary to perform operations such as inputting according to the contents.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, a plurality of functions are assigned to one button due to limitations on the number of input key buttons on a remote controller or the size of a character display, etc. It supports device operation. For this reason, even if the function name or the like is displayed on the remote control button (for example, simply displayed as multi-angle), it is difficult to fully understand what the function means without receiving the explanation, or the function is executed. In some cases, input of a plurality of buttons may be performed by this time, resulting in a new problem that the operation becomes complicated and the confusion of the user increases. Furthermore, functions that cannot be operated without referring to a manual separately are highly likely not to be used by the user, and there is a problem that the original performance of the device cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation that assists a user's understanding by providing detailed guidance on device operation in the same language as the media playback language when a user requests operation guidance. A guidance method and an operation guidance device are provided.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention The first invention is an operation guidance method for providing optimal guidance on the contents of device operation when using a medium having multilingual reproduction information, A step of outputting information on a language type at the time of playback of a medium set in accordance with an instruction or the like (hereinafter, referred to as language setting information); And a step of outputting a guidance information signal for operating the pointing device in the same language as the set language in accordance with the language setting information.

As described above, according to the first aspect, when the user requests the operation guidance, guidance information in the same language as the language set as the playback language from among multiple languages is output. This makes it possible to provide guidance on device operation contents whose operation contents are difficult to understand using a language in which the user can understand appropriate information.

A second invention is an invention according to the first invention, wherein the language setting information is information relating to a language type of a reproduced voice.

As described above, according to the second aspect, the first aspect
In the present invention, guidance can be provided in the same language as the language type of the reproduced sound.

A third invention is an invention according to the first invention, wherein the language setting information is information on a language type of caption display.

As described above, according to the third aspect, the first aspect
In the invention of the above, the guidance can be performed in the same language as the language type of the caption display.

A fourth invention is an invention according to the second and third inventions, wherein the guidance information signal is a signal for outputting the contents of the guidance information by voice.

As described above, according to the fourth aspect, the second aspect
In the third invention, the guidance can be provided by the sound of the familiar language that is the same as the language type of the reproduced sound or the language type of the caption display.

A fifth invention is an invention according to the second and third inventions, wherein the guidance information signal is a signal for displaying the contents of the guidance information in an image such as a character or a figure. I do.

As described above, according to the fifth aspect, the second aspect
In the third invention, guidance can be provided by displaying an image in a familiar language that is the same as the language type of the reproduced sound or the language type of the subtitle display.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the fourth aspect, further comprising a step of attenuating an audio signal at the time of reproducing the medium when outputting the guidance information signal.

As described above, according to the sixth aspect, the fourth aspect
According to the invention, it is possible to prevent the sound of the operation guidance from being difficult to hear due to the sound signal at the time of reproducing the media.

A seventh invention is an operation guidance apparatus for providing appropriate guidance on the contents of device operation by using a reproduction signal of a medium having multilingual reproduction information. The operation guidance apparatus inputs a reproduction signal and gives an instruction from a user. Generates and outputs a playback signal corresponding to the playback language set according to
Media playback language setting means for outputting language setting information;
When the user requests operation guidance, operation instruction means for instructing the guidance signal generation means of an instruction device operation from the user, and guidance information storage means for previously storing guidance information corresponding to each device operation in various languages. And guidance signal generating means for reading and outputting guidance information for operating the pointing device in the same language as the set language from the guidance information storage means according to the language setting information.

As described above, according to the seventh aspect, when the user requests the operation guidance, the guidance information in the same language as the language set as the reproduction language from among the multiple languages is output. This makes it possible to provide guidance on device operation contents whose operation contents are difficult to understand using a language in which the user can understand appropriate information.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention can be used for a reproduction signal of various media having multilingual reproduction information.
The case where a DVD disk satisfying the D-video standard is used will be described as an example.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing composition of an operation guidance device using an operation guidance method concerning an embodiment. In FIG. 1, the operation guidance device according to the first embodiment includes a media playback language setting unit 11, a guidance signal generation unit 12,
An operation instruction unit 13, a guidance information storage unit 14, and a guidance signal synthesis unit 15 are provided.

First, an outline of each configuration of the operation guidance apparatus using the operation guidance method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Media playback language setting unit 1
1 inputs a reproduction signal including multilingual reproduction information obtained by reproducing a DVD disk, and generates and outputs a reproduction signal of a language set according to an instruction from a user or the like (hereinafter, referred to as a setting reproduction signal). . Further, the media playback language setting unit 11 transmits information on the set language (hereinafter, referred to as language setting information) to the guidance signal generation unit 12. The operation instructing unit 13 instructs the guidance signal generating unit 12 to perform the instructed device operation (hereinafter referred to as “instruction device operation”) when the user instructs the device operation accompanied by the display of the operation guidance. The guidance information storage unit 14 is, for example, a database or the like, and previously stores guidance information corresponding to each device operation for various languages. The guidance signal generation unit 12 reads, from the guidance information storage unit 14, guidance information in the same language as the language set for the instruction device operation instructed by the operation instruction unit 13 according to the language setting information transmitted by the media playback language setting unit 11. Output as a signal. Guidance signal synthesizer 15
Superimposes the guidance signal on the set reproduction signal and outputs it to the image display unit (not shown).

Next, an operation guidance method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the operation guidance method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As a premise, first, the media playback language setting section 11 sets a language for playing a DVD disc in accordance with an instruction from a user or the like. In this example, the DVD
Since the target is a DVD disc that satisfies the video standard, the media playback language setting unit 11 performs the setting of the language for the audio stream and the setting of the language for the sub-picture stream described in the related art. In the case where the user does not set the language by himself, default values such as the original language may be set in advance. When the language is set, the media playback language setting unit 11 transmits language setting information of either the set audio stream language or sub-picture stream language to the guidance signal generation unit 12.
Here, which language setting information is to be transmitted by the media playback language setting unit 11 may be freely set in advance by the user according to the purpose. Now, in this example, it is assumed that both the audio stream language and the sub-picture stream language are set to Japanese as the playback language.

When reproduction of the DVD disk is started and the user gives an instruction for some device operation (change of angle, change of screen size, change of audio type, change of surround effect, change of screen brightness, etc.), FIG. The indicated process starts. When this process is started, the operation instruction unit 13 first determines whether or not the user has requested display of operation guidance (step S101). This step S1
The determination of 01 may be made based on, for example, whether or not a guidance button provided in advance on a remote controller or the like is pressed.
At this time, the operation of the guidance button may be required to be pressed each time the operation guidance display is requested, or the current setting state may be maintained until the guidance button is next input. Good. In particular, in the latter case, if the setting state of the guidance button is stored in a non-volatile memory or the like, the trouble of having to press the guidance button every time the power is turned on can be reduced.

If it is determined in step S101 that the user has requested the display of the operation guidance, that is, if the guidance button has been pressed, the operation instruction unit 13
Next, it is determined which device operation is instructed by the user,
The information on the operation of the pointing device is output to the guidance signal generator 12 (step S102). For example, when the user is instructing a multi-angle operation, the operation instructing unit 1
Reference numeral 3 outputs to the guidance signal generator 12 information on the operation of the pointing device, which is a multi-angle operation.

When the guidance signal generation unit 12 receives the instruction device operation information from the operation instruction unit 13, the guidance signal generation unit 12 responds to the instruction device operation in the same language as the set language according to the language setting information transmitted by the media playback language setting unit 11. The corresponding guidance information is obtained from the guidance information storage unit 14 (Step S103). When the pointing device operation is a multi-angle operation and the language setting information is Japanese as in this example, the guidance signal generation unit 12 acquires the guidance information on the Japanese multi-angle operation from the guidance information storage unit 14. . Then, the guidance signal generator 12 outputs the acquired guidance information to the guidance signal synthesizer 15 as a guidance signal. Here, the guidance information is, for example, an image display of contents such as "what kind of function is multi-angle, and which button should be pressed next to perform the desired operation?" Information to do.

The guidance signal output by the guidance signal generating unit 12 is superimposed on the setting reproduction signal output by the media reproduction language setting unit 11 in the guidance signal synthesizing unit 15, and its contents are displayed on the image display unit ( Step S104). This guidance signal synthesizer 15
Uses, for example, an overlay function, whereby it is possible to display an explanatory sentence, an operation procedure graphic, and the like so as to be superimposed on an image currently being output based on the set reproduction signal. If the operation guidance is displayed in conjunction with the content of the selection and the menu of the candidate to be input next, it becomes easier to understand.

Thereafter, the user actually performs the desired device operation in accordance with the display of the operation guidance (step S105). On the other hand, in the determination in step S101,
If the user has not requested the display of the operation guidance, that is, if the guidance button has not been pressed, the operation instruction unit 13 determines that the guidance regarding the device operation is not necessary, and does not display the operation guidance without actually displaying the operation guidance. The process proceeds to the device operation (step S105).

As described above, according to the operation guidance method and the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the operation guidance is requested, the same language as the language set as the reproduction language from among multiple languages is requested. Is displayed on the screen. This makes it possible to provide guidance on device operation contents whose operation contents are difficult to understand using a language in which the user can understand appropriate information. Further, when the language for the sub-picture stream is used as the setting language, there is an advantage that only the guidance display can be received in the setting language (for example, Japanese) while the original (for example, English) audio is used as the playback language. is there. In addition, since the guidance is performed using one of the language for the audio stream and the language for the sub-picture stream, it is possible to cope with a DVD in which either one has only one kind of original language information. For a DVD in which only one type of original information is recorded in both the language for the audio stream and the language for the sub-picture stream, the guidance signal generating unit 12 can select output language information that is not a playback language. It is good. Further, since the guidance is provided by an image signal such as a character or a figure, there is an advantage that the guidance can be received without changing the volume or the like of the original sound.

In the first embodiment, the case where the reproduction signal input to the media reproduction language setting unit 11 is a reproduction signal input from a recording medium such as a disk or a tape has been described. In addition, even for a reproduced signal input from a broadcast medium using a cable or wireless other than this, the above-described useful effects of the present invention can be obtained. In the first embodiment, the guidance information storage unit 1 stores guidance information.
4 is described in a configuration different from the guidance signal generation unit 12, but may be the same configuration.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing composition of an operation guidance device using an operation guidance method concerning an embodiment. In FIG. 3, the operation guidance device according to the second embodiment includes a media playback language setting unit 21 and a guidance audio signal generation unit 22.
, An operation instruction unit 23, and a guidance voice information storage unit 24
And a guidance voice signal synthesizing unit 25.

First, an outline of each configuration of the operation guidance apparatus using the operation guidance method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Media playback language setting unit 2
1 inputs an audio reproduction signal including multilingual reproduction information obtained by reproducing a DVD disk, and generates an audio reproduction signal in a language set according to an instruction from a user or the like (hereinafter, referred to as a set audio reproduction signal). Output. Further, the media playback language setting unit 21 transmits information on the set language (hereinafter, referred to as language setting information) to the guidance audio signal generation unit 22. The operation instructing unit 23 instructs the guidance sound signal generating unit 22 to perform the instructed device operation (hereinafter, referred to as an instruction device operation) when the user instructs the device operation accompanied by the output of the operation guidance. The guidance voice information storage unit 24 is, for example, a database or the like, and previously stores guidance information (hereinafter referred to as guidance voice information) by voice corresponding to each device operation in various languages. The guidance voice signal generation unit 22 outputs the guidance voice information in the same language as the language set for the instruction device operation instructed by the operation instruction unit 23 from the guidance voice information storage unit 24 according to the language setting information transmitted from the media playback language setting unit 21. Read and output as guidance audio signal. The guidance audio signal synthesizing unit 25 superimposes the guidance audio signal on the set audio reproduction signal and outputs the superposed guidance audio signal to an audio output unit (not shown).

Next, an operation guidance method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the operation guidance method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As a premise, first, the media playback language setting section 21 sets a language for playing a DVD disc in accordance with an instruction from a user or the like. In this example, the DVD
Since the target is a DVD disc that satisfies the video standard, the media playback language setting unit 21 sets the language for the audio stream described in the above-described conventional technique. If the user does not set the language,
A default value such as the original language may be set in advance. When the language is set, the media playback language setting unit 21 transmits the language setting information of the set audio stream language to the guidance audio signal generation unit 22. Now, in this example, it is assumed that Japanese is set as the audio playback language.

When the reproduction of the DVD disk starts and the user gives an instruction for some device operation (change of angle, change of screen size, change of audio type, change of surround effect, change of screen brightness, etc.), FIG. The indicated process starts. When this process is started, the operation instruction unit 23 first determines whether or not the user has requested the output of the operation guidance (step S201). This step S2
The determination of 01 may be made based on, for example, whether or not a guidance button provided in advance on a remote controller or the like is pressed.
At this time, the operation of the guidance button may be required to be pressed each time the operation guidance display is requested, or the current setting state may be maintained until the guidance button is next input. Good. In particular, in the latter case, if the setting state of the guidance button is stored in a non-volatile memory or the like, the trouble of having to press the guidance button every time the power is turned on can be reduced.

If it is determined in step S201 that the user has requested the output of the operation guidance, that is, if the guidance button has been pressed, the operation instruction unit 23
Next, it is determined which device operation is instructed by the user,
Guidance audio signal generation unit 2
2 (step S202). For example, when the user has instructed a multi-angle operation, the operation instructing unit 23 outputs to the guidance voice signal generating unit 22 information on an instruction device operation called a multi-angle operation.

The guidance voice signal generator 22
When the information of the instruction device operation is input from the operation instruction unit 23, the guidance audio information corresponding to the instruction device operation in the same language as the set language is provided in accordance with the language setting information transmitted by the media playback language setting unit 21. It is obtained from the storage unit 24 (step S203). As in this example, when the pointing device operation is a multi-angle operation and the language setting information is Japanese, the guidance voice signal generation unit 22
Acquires the guidance voice information on the Japanese multi-angle operation from the guidance voice information storage unit 24. Then, the guidance voice signal generation unit 22 outputs the acquired guidance voice information to the guidance voice signal synthesis unit 25 as a guidance voice signal. Here, the guidance voice information is, for example, a content such as “what kind of function is multi-angle and what button should be pressed next to perform the desired operation?” Information to be output. The guidance audio signal may be the audio signal itself, or may be output in an encoded signal format and converted into an audio signal in the guidance audio signal synthesis unit 25.

The guidance voice signal output from the guidance voice signal generation unit 22 is output to the guidance voice signal synthesis unit 25.
In step S204, the content is superimposed on the set audio playback signal output by the media playback language setting unit 21, and the content is output as audio by a speaker device or the like (step S204). Here, the guidance voice signal synthesizing unit 25 not only adds the voice signals of both, but also performs the guidance when performing the guidance.
If the addition ratio can be changed in a timely manner so as to reduce the addition level of the set audio reproduction signal, it is possible to solve the problem that the guidance sound is difficult to hear in the reproduction signal.
In addition, as a method of outputting the contents of the guidance by voice,
A method of outputting a voice using a utterance unit that reads out the content stored as text information, a method of decoding a signal obtained by encoding and compressing a recorded guidance content in advance, and the like are conceivable.

Thereafter, the user actually performs a desired device operation in accordance with the display of the operation guidance (step S205). On the other hand, in the determination of step S201,
When the user does not request the output of the operation guidance, that is, when the guidance button is not pressed, the operation instruction unit 23 determines that the guidance regarding the device operation is not necessary, and does not display the operation guidance and does not perform the actual operation guidance. The operation shifts to device operation (step S205).

As described above, according to the operation guidance method and apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the operation guidance is requested, the same language as the language set as the reproduction language from among the multiple languages is requested. Is output from the speaker device or the like. This makes it possible to provide guidance on device operation contents whose operation contents are difficult to understand using a language in which the user can understand appropriate information. In addition, when the guidance audio signal is output using the set language information that is the language for the audio stream, the effect is obtained that the guidance can be received with the voice of the same familiar language. For a DVD on which only one type of original information is recorded as an audio stream language, the guidance audio signal generation unit 2
In 2, it is sufficient that output language information other than the reproduction language can be selected.

In the second embodiment, the case where the audio playback signal input to the media playback language setting section 21 is an audio playback signal input from a recording medium such as a disk or a tape will be described. However, other than this, for example, even if it is an audio playback signal input from a broadcast medium using a wire or wireless,
The advantageous effects of the present invention described above can be obtained. In the second embodiment, the guidance voice information storage unit 24 that stores guidance voice information is described as having a different configuration from the guidance voice signal generation unit 22, but may have the same configuration.

In the first embodiment, the method of providing guidance by image display using characters, figures, and the like has been individually described, and in the second embodiment, the method of providing guidance by voice output has been individually described. The guidance may be performed in combination with both the image display and the sound output.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an operation guidance device using an operation guidance method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the operation guidance method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an operation guidance device using an operation guidance method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of an operation guidance method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 21 ... media playback language setting unit 12 ... guidance signal generation unit 13, 23 ... operation instruction unit 14 ... guidance information storage unit 15 ... guidance signal synthesis unit 22 ... guidance voice signal generation unit 24 ... guidance voice information storage unit 25 ... Guidance voice signal synthesizer

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An operation guidance method for performing optimal guidance of device operation contents when using a medium having multilingual reproduction information, wherein a language type at the time of reproducing the medium is set according to an instruction from a user or the like. Outputting information about the user (hereinafter referred to as language setting information), receiving a device operation instructed by the user (hereinafter referred to as instruction device operation) when the user requests operation guidance, Outputting a guidance information signal for the operation of the pointing device in the same language as the set language. 2. The operation guidance method according to claim 1, wherein the language setting information is information on a language type of a reproduced sound. 3. The operation guidance method according to claim 1, wherein the language setting information is information on a language type of caption display. 4. The operation guidance method according to claim 2, wherein the guidance information signal is a signal for outputting the contents of the guidance information by voice. 5. The operation guidance method according to claim 2, wherein the guidance information signal is a signal for displaying the contents of the guidance information as an image such as a character or a graphic. 6. The operation guidance method according to claim 4, further comprising, when outputting the guidance information signal, attenuating an audio signal during reproduction of the media. 7. An operation guidance device for performing appropriate guidance on device operation contents using a reproduction signal of a medium having multilingual reproduction information, wherein the reproduction guidance signal is input and set in accordance with an instruction from a user or the like. Media playback language setting means for generating and outputting a playback signal corresponding to the language at the time of playback and outputting information on the set language type (hereinafter referred to as language setting information); In some cases, the device operation instructed by the user (hereinafter referred to as instruction device operation)
Operation instruction means for instructing the guidance signal generating means, guidance information storage means for previously storing guidance information corresponding to each device operation for various languages, and the instruction in the same language as the set language according to the language setting information. An operation guidance device comprising: a guidance signal generation unit that reads out the guidance information on device operation from the guidance information storage unit and outputs the guidance information.