JP2003179919A - Program-viewing apparatus and system, and program information supply apparatus and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program-viewing apparatus, a program-viewing system, a program information supply apparatus, and a program information supply system, that can display and record not only program information that is broadcasted in a residence area but also one that is broadcasted in a remote place. <P>SOLUTION: A remote server 300 is controlled from a in house server 100 via the Internet, the remote server 300 is allowed to receive the program information of a corresponding area, and the received program information is compressed for coding and transferring to the in house server 100. The program information concerned is decoded by the in house server 100 for displaying on a display 200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a program viewing device, a program viewing system, a program information providing device, and a program information providing system, and more particularly to viewing program information broadcast in a remote place.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art By accessing a program guide site via the Internet, it is possible to obtain in advance not only a program area of one's own residence but also a program table broadcast in a remote place. By browsing the program guide, the user can know the broadcast date and time and the contents of the program in the area.

However, there is a regional limitation in viewing program information, and normally, it is not possible to receive program information broadcast in a remote place at a place of residence. Therefore, as described above, even if the program guide to be broadcast in a predetermined region can be acquired in advance, normally, the program in the region cannot be viewed / recorded.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention solves the above inconvenience, and can display and record program information broadcast not only in the place of residence but also in a remote place, a program viewing device, a program viewing system, and a program. It is intended to realize an information providing device and a program information providing system, and thereby solve the above-mentioned new problem caused by the recent spread of the Internet.

[0005]

The present invention installs broadcast program receiving servers (regional servers) in various regions, and
The program information of the area can be displayed effectively at the place of residence by effectively controlling it via a network. The features of each claim are as follows.

[0006] The invention of claim 1 relates to a program viewing apparatus, comprising control means for controlling a regional server via a network to transfer program information of the region, and program information transferred from the regional server. Display means for displaying.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the program viewing apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means includes regional server starting means for activating a control program of the regional server.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the program viewing apparatus according to the second aspect, the control means includes page creating means for creating a program guide page based on program guide information, and the regional server starting means is the Linking means embedded in a function button in the program guide page created by the page creating means, wherein when the function button is operated, the control program of the linked regional server is started. To do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the program viewing apparatus according to the third aspect, the function button is a display button and / or a storage button associated with the program in the program table page, Is characterized in that a display program and / or a storage program of a regional server installed in the region where the program is broadcast are linked.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the program viewing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the page creating means creates a stored program list page based on the stored program information, and the program information is stored in the regional server. In this case, the function button of the stored program list page created by the page creating means is linked to the reproduction program of the regional server storing the program, and when the function button is operated, The program information is read out from the regional server and transferred to the display means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program viewing system in which a main server and an area server installed in a predetermined area are connected by a network, the main server controlling the area server to control the area. Of the program information transferred from the area server, and a display means for displaying the program information transferred from the area server, wherein the area server receives the program information of the area and the received program information. Transfer means for transferring to the main server.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the program viewing system according to the sixth aspect, the control means of the main server is
Including a regional server starting means for activating a control program of the regional server, wherein the transfer means of the regional server comprises:
It is characterized by including a control program activated by the area server activation means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the program viewing system according to the seventh aspect, the control means includes a page creating means for creating a program table page based on program table information, and the regional server starting means includes the page creating means. Linking means embedded in a function button in the program guide page created by the page creating means, wherein when the function button is operated, the control program of the linked regional server is started. To do.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the program viewing system according to the eighth aspect, the control program of the regional server is
The program listing page created by the page creating means includes a display program for transferring the received program information to the main server and a storage program for storing the received program information in the area server. The function buttons include a display button and a storage button associated with the program in the program guide page, and the button includes a display program and a storage program of the area server installed in the area where the program is broadcast. The feature is that they are linked respectively.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the program viewing system according to the ninth aspect, the control program of the regional server includes a reproduction program for reproducing the stored program information and transferring it to the main server. The creating means creates a stored program list page based on the stored program information, and the function button of the stored program list page created by the page creating means includes the reproduction program of the regional server storing the program. Is linked.

The invention of claim 11 relates to a program information providing device, and a page providing means for creating a program table page based on program table information and providing it to a user terminal.
When a predetermined program in the program table page is selected, the local server installed in the area where the program is broadcast acquires control information for the program.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the program information providing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, the control means includes area server starting means for starting a control program of the area server.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program information providing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the regional server starting means is a link means embedded in a function button in the program guide page created by the page providing means. Then, when the function button is operated, the control program of the linked regional server is activated.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program information providing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the function button is a display button and / or a storage button associated with the program in the program table page. Is linked with a display program and / or a storage program of an area server installed in an area where the program is broadcast.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program information providing apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, the page providing means creates a stored program list page based on the stored program information and transfers it to the user terminal. When the program information is stored in the area server, the function program of the stored program list page created by the page providing means is linked with the reproduction program of the area server storing the program, When the function button is operated, the corresponding program information is read from the area server and is transferred.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program information providing system in which a main server and a regional server installed in a predetermined area are connected by a network, and the main server has a program guide page based on the program information. A page providing means for creating a program and providing it to a user terminal via the network, and in response to selection of a predetermined program in the program table page, the program was installed in an area where the program is broadcast. Control means for causing the area server to acquire the program information, and the area server includes receiving means for receiving the program information of the area and transfer means for transferring the received program information. To do.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the program information providing system according to the sixteenth aspect, the control means of the main server includes area server starting means for starting a control program of the area server, The transfer means includes a control program activated by the area server activation means.

The invention of claim 18 is the program information providing system of claim 17, wherein the regional server starting means is
Linking means embedded in a function button in the program guide page created by the page providing means, wherein when the function button is operated, the control program of the linked regional server is activated. Characterize.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program information providing system according to the eighteenth aspect, the control program of the regional server transfers the received program information to the regional server and a display program for transferring the received program information. A function button in the program guide page created by the page providing means, including a storage program for storing, includes a display button and a storage button associated with the program in the program guide page. Is characterized in that the display program and the storage program of the regional server installed in the region where the program is broadcast are linked to each other.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the program information providing system according to the nineteenth aspect, the control program of the regional server includes a reproduction program for reproducing the stored program information and transferring the stored program information, and the page providing means. , A stored program list page is created based on stored program information, transferred to the user terminal, and the function button of the stored program list page created by the page providing means includes the area where the program is stored. The reproduction program of the server is linked.

The invention as claimed in claim 21 is as claimed in claim 16 or 2.
0, the control program transfers the program information received by the receiving unit of the regional server directly to the user terminal, or the program information is transmitted to the main server. It is characterized in that it is transferred to or is executed.

In the above claims, "program information" includes not only TV program information but also radio program information. When the program viewing apparatus or the main server according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is used as a user's home server, these may be combined with a function of a regional server (reception of program information of a residential area). .

The features of the present invention will be further clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 is an embodiment of the invention of claims 1 to 10. Here, the "control means" in the claims is the CPU 10 of FIG.
2 and the page creation unit 105 (embedding link information) mainly correspond to each other. The "display means" in the claims means the display device 200 and the video display control unit 111 and M shown in FIG.
The PEG decoder unit 110 mainly corresponds. Further, the "page creating means" in the claims corresponds to the page creating unit 105 in FIG. Further, the "function button" in the claims means "select", "record" in the page screen shown in FIG.
Each button of "play" corresponds. The "reception means" of the regional server corresponds to the broadcast receiving unit 104 in FIG. Further, the control program of the regional server is a CGI program (hereinafter, referred to as a CGI program stored in the control program memory 306 of FIG. 3).
(It may be written as "CGI" in the meaning of "CGI program") corresponds. Further, the "main server", "regional server" and "network" in the claims correspond to the home server 100, the remote server 300 and the Internet in FIG. 1, respectively.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 20 is an embodiment of the invention of claims 11 to 21. Here, the “page providing unit” in the claims means the web server unit 703 and the page creation unit 704 of FIG.
Corresponds mainly. The "control means" in the claims mainly corresponds to the CPU 702 and the page creation unit 703 (embedding of link information) in FIG. Further, the "main server", "regional server" and "network" in the claims correspond to the portal server and server 700, the program servers 311 to 313 and the Internet in FIG. 10, respectively.

However, the following embodiment is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the meanings of the terms of the present invention and each constituent element are limited to those described in the following embodiment. Not something.

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a network system according to the present embodiment. In the figure, 100 is a server computer (home server) installed at home, 200 is a display device for receiving program information from the home server 100 and displaying it on a monitor, 3
Reference numeral 00 is a server computer (remote location server) installed in a remote location, and 400 to 600 are program listing sites that supply program listings of program information broadcast in each region. Here, the home server 100, the remote server 300, and the program guide sites 400 to 600 are connected to the Internet.

Although FIG. 1 shows the configuration in which only one remote server 300 is installed, the remote server can be installed in another remote location as required.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the home server 100. In the figure, 101 is a network communication unit that transfers data from the Internet to a web (WWW) server unit 102, and also transfers information from the Web server unit 102 to the Internet, and 102 is a CP that controls each unit.
U and 103 are web server units for transmitting information to the Internet, 104 is a broadcast receiving unit for receiving program information, 105 is a program guide page based on program guide information, and is based on recorded program list information. A page creation unit that creates a recorded program list page, and 106 is a hard disk that stores predetermined information.

Here, in the hard disk 106, in addition to the program information, the program guide information and the recorded program list information,
Area ID of home server 100 and remote server 300
And the addresses of the control programs (display CGI, recording CGI, and reproduction CGI) of each of these servers are stored.
Further, the area IDs of the home server 100 and the remote server 300 and the addresses of the respective control programs are preset by the user when the respective servers are installed.

Reference numeral 107 denotes an input unit including, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, 108 is a control program memory storing control programs (display CGI, recording CGI and reproduction CGI) for controlling display, recording and reproduction, and 109 is broadcast reception. An MPEG encoder section for compressing and coding the program information received by the section 104, 110 for an MPEG decoder section for demodulating the compressed and coded program information, and 111 for reading out the program information stored in the hard disk 106 for video / video. A video display control unit for outputting to the HTML output unit 112, and 112 is a video / HTML output unit for transferring program information read from the hard disk 106 or page information (HTML) created by the page creating unit 105 to the display device 200. is there.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the remote server 300. The configuration of the remote server 300 is the same as the home server 10 described above.
Of 0, blocks related to reproduction and blocks related to page creation are omitted. However, when displaying the program information on the remote server 300, such as when the remote server 300 is installed in a villa, the remote server 300 needs to have the same configuration as the home server 100. is there. The function of each unit is similar to that of the corresponding block in FIG. Note that the control of the control programs (display CGI, recording CGI, and reproduction CGI) stored in the control program 306 follows the flowchart described later.

Next, the operation of the above network system will be described.

First, the user accesses the predetermined program guide sites 400 to 600 from the home server 100, and the program guide information of a predetermined area (home server installation area: area A, remote server installation area: area B). To get. The program guide information is stored in the hard disk 106 of the home server 100. In addition, the program guide information includes the content (program ID, broadcast date, etc.) of the program broadcast in the area, and the area ID of the area.

After the program guide information is acquired, when the user inputs a program guide display command via the input unit 107, the page creation unit 105 causes the page creation unit 105 to acquire the region ID of the acquired program guide information, the home server 100, and the remote location. Region ID of server 300
Compare with. Then, only the program guide information having the same ID is read from the hard disk 106 to create a program guide page. The program guide information is video / HTM.
It is supplied to the display device 200 via the L output unit 112, whereby the program guide page as shown in FIG. 4A is displayed.

The program guide page shown in FIG. 4A is composed of a program name, a broadcast area, and "select" and "record" buttons. Among these, the control program of the server installed in the area where the program is broadcast is hyper-linked to the "select" and "record" buttons, respectively.

For example, if area A is the area where the home server 100 is installed and area B is the area where the remote server is installed, the address of the display program (display CGI) of the home server 100 is displayed in the "select" button of program 1. Is linked, and the address of the recording program (recording CGI) of the home server 100 is linked to the “record” button of the program 1. Similarly, the address of the display program (display CGI) of the remote server 300 is linked to the “select” button of program 2, and the recording program (record CGI of the remote server 300 is connected to the “record” button of program 2. ) Address is linked. A link to such a function button is provided by the page creation unit 105 to the page (HTM
L) is described when it is created.

Therefore, when a predetermined function button is clicked, the content of the program (program ID, broadcast date, etc.)
Is transferred to the control program at the link destination, and the control program is activated. Thereby, the program information of the program is received by the home server 100 or the remote server 300, and the program is displayed or recorded.

Next, the control when the "select" or "record" button is clicked will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the program guide page is displayed as described above (steps S101 and S102), it is next determined whether or not the display button (the "select" button) has been clicked (step S103). If it is determined that the button has been clicked, the link embedded in the button is followed (step S104). If the link destination of the link is the display program (display CGI) of the home server 100, the display program is activated (step S10).
5), content information of the program (program ID, broadcast date, etc.)
Based on, the broadcast receiving unit 104 of the home server 100 receives the program information (step S106). Then, the received program information is supplied to the display device 200 via the video / HTML output unit 112. Then, the selected program is displayed on the display device 200 (step S
107).

If the link destination of the link embedded in the selected display button is the display program (display CGI) of the remote server 300 (step S104), the display program of the remote server 300 is activated ( In step S108), the program information of the program is received by the broadcast receiving unit 304 of the remote server 300, similarly to the above (step S109). The program information is sent to the MPEG encoder unit 30 of the remote server 300.
After being compression coded by 7, the home server 1
00 (step S110). Then, the program information transferred to the home server 100 is the home server 1
After being demodulated by the MPEG decoder unit 110 of No. 00, it is supplied to the display device 200 via the video / HTML output unit 112 as in the above. As a result, the selected program is displayed on the display device 200 (step S10).
7).

Next, the control when the "record" button is clicked will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S201, it is determined whether the recording button has been clicked. If it is determined that the button has been clicked, then the link embedded in the button is followed (step S202). If the link destination of the link is the recording program (recording CGI) of the home server 100, the recording program is started (step S203), and the content information of the program (program I).
Based on D, broadcast date and time, etc., it waits until the program starts (step S204). Then, at the start time of the program, the broadcast receiving unit 104 of the home server 100.
Starts receiving the program information (step S10).
6). The program information received in this way is MP
After being compression-coded by the EG encoder unit 109 (step S206), they are sequentially stored in the hard disk 106 of the home server 100 (step S207). Then, when the end time of the program comes, the recording process is ended, and the program ID of the program is stored in the hard disk 106 as a recorded program list (step S20).
8).

If the link destination of the link embedded in the selected recording button is the recording program (recording CGI) of the remote server 300 (step S202), the recording program of the remote server 300 is activated ( In step S209), similar to the above, the program information of the program is received by the broadcast receiving unit 304 of the remote server 300 (steps S210 and S211). Then, the program information is compressed and coded by the MPEG encoder unit 307 of the remote server 300, and then sequentially transferred to the home server 100 (step S212). Then, the program information transferred to the home server 100 is sequentially stored in the hard disk 106 of the home server 100 of the home server 100 as in the above (step S20).
7). Then, when the end time of the program comes, the recording process is ended, and the program ID of the program is transferred from the remote server 300 to the home server 100. Then, the program ID of the program is stored in the hard disk 106 as a recorded program list (step S20).
8).

Next, the control for reproducing and displaying the recorded program information will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the user inputs a reproduction display command via the input unit 107, the recorded program list information is read from the hard disk 106, and the page creation unit 105 is read.
By this, a recorded program list page (HTML) is created. Such page information is supplied to the display device 200 via the video / HTML output unit 112, whereby a page as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the display device 200 (step S301).

The recorded program list page shown in FIG. 4B is composed of a program name, a broadcast area, and a "select" button. Of these, the "select" button is used to reproduce the home server 100. The program (playback CGI) is hyperlinked.

Therefore, when the "select" button is clicked (step S302), the home server 100
Is started, and the program information of the program is read from the hard disk 106 based on the program ID of the program (step S303). Then, the read program information is demodulated by the MPEG decoder unit 110 (step S304) and then sequentially supplied to the display device 200. As a result, reproduction display of the program information is executed (step S305).

The above is the operation of displaying, recording, and reproducing program information by the network system of FIG. According to such a network system, it is possible to efficiently receive, record and display the program information of a remote place by using the Internet.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the program information received by the remote server 300 is also transferred to the home server 100 and recorded at the time of recording. The received program information may be recorded in the remote server 300. Figure 8
The control flowchart in such a case is shown in FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the processing steps (steps S201 to S208) when the link destination of the record button is the recording program of the home server 100 are the same as those of the flowchart of FIG. In this flowchart,
Processing steps when the link destination of the recording button is the recording program of the remote server 300 (step S220-
S225) is different from the flowchart of FIG.

The link destination of the recording button is the remote server 30.
If the recording program is 0 (step S202),
The recording program of the remote server 300 is activated (step S220). Then, at the start time of the program (step S221), the program information of the program is received by the broadcast receiving unit 304 of the remote server 300 (step S222), and is compressed and encoded by the MPEG encoder unit 307. (Step S223). Then, the compression-coded program information is sequentially stored in the hard disk 305 in the remote server 300. Then, when the end time of the program is reached, the recording process is ended, and the program content information (program ID, broadcast date, etc.) of the program is stored in the hard disk 305 (step S225).

At the same time, the program content information of the program is read from the hard disk 106 of the home server 100 and added to the recorded program list information storage area allocated to another area of the hard disk 106. As a result, the recorded program list information in the hard disk 106 is updated (step S208).

The program information recorded as above is shown in FIG.
It is reproduced and displayed according to the flowchart of.

That is, when the user inputs a reproduction display command through the input unit 107, the recorded program list information is read from the hard disk 106, and the page creation unit 1
05, recorded program list page (HTML)
Is created. Such page information is supplied to the display device 200 via the video / HTML output unit 112, whereby a page as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the display device 200 (step S301).

The recorded program list page shown in FIG. 4B is composed of a program name, a broadcast area, and a "selection" button as in the above. Among these, the "selection" button includes Unlike the above, the reproduction program (reproduction CGI) of either the home server 100 or the remote server 300 is hyperlinked.

For example, if the area A is the area where the home server 100 is installed and the area B is the area where the remote server is installed, as in the above case, the "select" button of the program A has a reproduction program (reproduction) of the home server 100. The CGI) address is linked, and the “select” button of the program B is linked to the address of the playback program (playback CGI) of the remote server 300. The link to the function button is a page (HTML) by the page creation unit 105.
Described when is created.

Therefore, if the link destination of the clicked "select" button is the reproduction program of the home server 100, the content information of the program (program ID, broadcast date, etc.)
The command information including "" is transferred to the reproduction program of the home server 100, and the reproduction program is activated (steps S310 and S311). Thereby, the program information of the program is read from the hard disk 106 of the home server 100 (step S312), sequentially demodulated by the MPEG decoder unit 110 (step S313), and then supplied to the display device 200. As a result, the program information is displayed on the display device 200 (step S31).
4).

If the link destination of the clicked "select" button is the reproduction program of the remote server 300, the command information including the content information (program ID, broadcast date, etc.) of the program is sent from the home server 100. Remote server 30
It is transferred to the reproduction program of 0 and the reproduction program is activated (steps S310 and S315). As a result, the program information of the program is read from the hard disk 305 of the remote server 300 (step S316),
This is sequentially transferred to the home server 100 (step S317). The program information transferred in this manner is sequentially demodulated by the MPEG decoder unit 110 of the home server 100 (step S313) and then supplied to the display device 200. Thereby, the program information is displayed on the display device 200 (step S314). Next, another embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In this embodiment,
The portal site server 700 controls the program servers 311 to 313 installed in each area to acquire the program information of the area and provide it to the user terminal 100.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the network system according to this embodiment. In the figure, 700 is a server computer (portal site server) which is a main server, 311 to 313 are server computers (program servers) installed in various places, and 400 to 600 are program guides of program information broadcast in each region. Program guide site to do, 8
Reference numeral 00 is a terminal computer (user terminal) operated by the user, and 200 is a display device which receives program information supplied from the user terminal 800 and displays it on a monitor.

Here, the portal site server 700, the program servers 311 to 313, and the program listing sites 400 to 600
And the user terminal 800 is connected to the Internet. Further, the user terminal 800 has a built-in MPEG decoder function, demodulates the MPEG-encoded program information transferred from the portal site server 700 or the program servers 311 to 313 and supplies the demodulated program information to the display device 200. The program servers 311 to 313 have the same configuration as the remote server shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of the portal site server 700. Note that, in the figure, the functions of the network communication unit 701, the CPU 702, the web server unit 703, the page creation unit 704, and the input unit 706 are the same as those shown in FIG. In addition, the control program memory 70
Control programs stored in 5 (display CGI, recording CG
I, reproduced CGI) follows a control flowchart described later.

In the figure, 707 is a user management database for managing users, and 708 is the program server 31.
1 to 313, the program server database for managing the installation areas and the address of the program server (including the address of the control program), 709 is the program guide site 400 to 6
00 is an all-program guide database storing program guide information of all regions that can be acquired, and 710 is program content information (program ID, broadcast date, etc.) of program information recorded according to a user's instruction.
Is a recorded program guide database, and 711 is a program file database that stores the program information by classifying each file.

FIG. 12 shows the user management database 707.
Shows the contents of the information stored in. As illustrated, the user management database 707 stores a user ID, an address of the user terminal, and a program file number designated by the user for recording, separately for each user.

FIG. 13 shows the recorded program list database 7
10 shows the contents of the information stored. As shown in the figure, the recorded program list database 707 stores the program file number, the area where the program is broadcast, and the program content information of the program separately for each program file.

The all program guide database 709 contains
As described above, the program guide information of all areas that can be acquired from the program guide sites 400 to 600 is stored. The portal site server 700 accesses the program guide sites 400 to 600 at a predetermined timing, sequentially acquires the program guide information, and updates and stores the program guide information in the all program guide database 707. Further, the program server management database 708 includes
When the program server 708 is installed, its installation area and the address of the program server (including the address of the control program) are appropriately registered.

Next, the operation of the network system will be described. First, the operation of displaying predetermined program information will be described with reference to FIG.

When the user accesses the portal site server 700 from the user terminal 800 and issues a program guide information acquisition command, the page creation unit 704 in the portal site server 700 retrieves the program guide information from the entire program guide database 709. Readout (step S401), and predetermined page information is created. Such page information is created according to a user's instruction, for example, in a form divided into regions or genres. The created page information is transferred from the portal site server 700 to the user terminal 800, and a page similar to that shown in FIG. 4A, for example, is displayed on the display device 200 (step S402).

In the displayed program guide page, the control program of the program server installed in the area where the program is broadcast is displayed in the "select" and "record" buttons, as described above.
Each is hyperlinked. The link to the function button is described when the page (HTML) is created by the page creation unit 704.

When the program guide page is displayed as described above, it is next determined whether or not the display button (the "selection" button) has been clicked (step S403). If it is determined that the button has been clicked, the link embedded in the button is followed (step S404), and the display program (display CGI) in the program server of the link destination is activated (step S406). At this time, the program content information (program ID, broadcast date, etc.) of the program is transferred from the portal site server 700 to the display program of the program server.

Based on the program content information, the program information is received by the program server (step S407),
This is MPEG compression coded (step S40).
8). The compressed coded program information is transferred from the program server to the portal site server 700 at any time (step S409). The portal site server 700 transfers the video information to the user terminal 800 (step S410). The video information is demodulated by the user terminal 800 and then supplied to the display device 200. Then,
The program information is displayed on the display device 200 (step S411).

When the user is charged for displaying the program information, the portal site server 700 transfers the page information regarding the charging to the user terminal 800 after the display button is clicked. When the purchase request is transferred from the user terminal 800 to the portal site server 700 in response to the page information, the transfer of the program information from the portal site server 700 to the user terminal 800 is started.

In the above display operation, the program information acquired by the program server is temporarily stored in the portal site server 7.
However, instead of this, the program information may be directly transferred from the program server to the user terminal. In this case, the address information of the transfer destination user terminal 800 is transferred from the portal site server 700 to the program server. Further, in the case of charging, the program server is put on standby until the purchase request is transferred from the user terminal 800 to the portal site server 700. When the purchase request is transferred, the portal site server 700
The address information of the user terminal 800 and the transfer start command are transmitted to the program information.

Next, the operation when the "record" button is clicked will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S501, it is determined whether the recording button has been clicked. If it is determined that the button has been clicked, then the link embedded in the button is followed (step S502), and the recording program (recording CGI) in the linked program server is activated (step S503). . At this time, the program content information (program ID, broadcast date, etc.) of the program is transferred from the portal site server 700 to the recording program of the program server.

Then, when the clock in the program server reaches the program start time (step S504), the program information is received by the program server (step S505), and this is MPEG-compressed and coded (step S506). The compressed coded program information is transferred from the program server to the portal site server 700 at any time (step S).
507). The portal site server 700 records the video information in the program file database 711 (step S508). Then, when the recording of the program is completed, the recording server sends a recording end response to the portal site server 700. By receiving such an end response, the program file database 7
Recording for 11 has been completed, and recorded database 7
The broadcast area of the program and the program content information are added to 10 (step S509). Further, the user ID, address, and program file of the user are added to the user management database 707 (step S510).

In the case of charging the user, similarly to the above, it is sufficient to wait until the purchase request is transmitted from the user terminal 800 and start the reception / transfer in the program server.

Next, the reproducing operation of the recorded program information will be described with reference to FIG.

When a reproduction request is made from the user terminal 800, the portal site server 700 refers to the stored information in the user management database 707 and recorded program list database 710, and refers to the program list page of the program recorded by the user. It is created (page creating unit 704) and transferred to the user terminal 800 (step S601). The program list page is configured as shown in FIG. 4B and is displayed on the display device 200 (step S
602). Portal site server 7 for the "Select" button
00 playback program (playback CGI) is linked.

When the user clicks the "select" button of any program (step S603), the link of the "select" button is followed (step S604), and the reproduction program of the portal site server 700 (step S60).
5) is activated. At this time, the program selection information is transferred from the user terminal 800 to the reproduction program. Based on the selection information, the portal site server 700 reads the program information from the program file database 711 (step S606), and transfers it to the user terminal 800 as needed (step S607). The user terminal 800 MPEG-demodulates the program information (step S608),
This is supplied to the display device 200. Then, the program information of the program is reproduced and displayed on the display device 200 (step S609).

The above is the control operation when the program information is stored in the portal site server 700, but instead of this, the program server 311 to 313 may be made to store the program information. FIG. 17 shows a control flowchart in such a case. In the figure, step S501
~ S506 is the same as the control step of FIG. In this flowchart, steps S511 to S51
At 4, the process for storing the program information in the program server is performed.

First, in step S511, the program information designated by the user is stored in the hard disk of the program server as a program file. When the storage of the program information is completed, the program site server changes to the portal site server 70.
A recorded response is transmitted to 0 (step S512). Upon receiving the response, the portal site server 700 determines that the recorded program guide database 71
0 is the program content information of the program and the program server ID
Etc. are additionally stored (step S513). Further, the user ID, address, and program file number of the user are additionally stored in the user management database 707 (step S5).
14).

FIG. 18 shows the contents of the recorded program guide database 710 in such a case. Compared to the case of FIG.
The program server ID is added as information. this is,
This is for specifying the storage destination of the program information during reproduction.

Next, the reproducing operation when the program information is stored in the program server will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, steps S601 to S604 are the same as the control steps in FIG. However, the reproduction button (reproduction CGI) of the program server in which the program is recorded is linked to the function button (“select” button) in the page information. The link refers to the program server ID (FIG. 18) of the recorded database 710 and refers to the page creation unit 7
It is described by 04.

When the play button is clicked and the link of the play button is followed, the play program of the corresponding program server is started (step S611). On this occasion,
The program server includes program selection information and user terminal 800.
Address is also transferred. Upon receiving the selection information, the program server reads the program information from the hard disk and transfers it to the user terminal 800 (step S613). The user terminal 800 demodulates the video information (step S614) and supplies it to the display device 200. Then, the program information is displayed on the display device 200.

The above is the program server to the user terminal 800.
Although the program information is directly transferred to, the program information may be transferred to the user terminal via the portal site server 700. 21 shows a flowchart in the case of FIG.

Regarding the billing, similarly to the above, the transfer at the program server may be started after the purchase request is transmitted from the user terminal 800.

According to the above embodiment, a variety of program information can be viewed and listened to, compared with the embodiment of FIG. 1, so that the needs of the user can be more accurately met. In addition, a new network business can be established by constructing a network system using the portal site server 700.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the program information is stored in a server other than the home server 100, the remote server 300, the portal site server 700, and the program servers 311 to 313, and the program information is read from the server and reproduced. May be. Further, the number of installed remote servers 300 and program servers 311 to 313 and installation locations are not limited to the above, and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the type and content of information required for management can be changed according to each management mode.

The embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention, a program viewing device, a program viewing system, a program information providing device, and a program capable of efficiently displaying and recording program information broadcast not only in a place of residence but also in a remote place. It is possible to realize an information providing system, and thereby it is possible to accurately meet the new needs of users caused by the recent spread of the Internet. Further, the program information providing apparatus and the program information providing system according to the present invention can construct a new network business that can meet the needs of users, and contribute to the development of industry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a home server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a remote server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of page information according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart at the time of display according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a control flowchart at the time of recording according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a control flowchart during reproduction according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a control flowchart during recording according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a control flowchart during reproduction according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a portal site server according to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the contents of a user management database according to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of a recorded program guide database according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a control flowchart at the time of display according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a control flowchart during recording according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a control flowchart at the time of reproduction according to another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a control flowchart at the time of recording according to another embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the contents of a recorded program guide database according to another embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a control flowchart at the time of reproduction according to another embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a control flowchart at the time of reproduction according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 home server 200 display 300 remote server 311 Program server 312 Program server 313 Program server 700 Portal site server 800 user terminals

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A program viewing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a regional server via a network to transfer program information of the region; and a display unit that displays the program information transferred from the regional server. apparatus. 2. The program viewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes area server starting means for starting a control program of the area server. 3. The program control method according to claim 2, wherein the control means includes page creating means for creating a program guide page based on program guide information, and the regional server starting means is a program guide created by the page creating means. A program viewing device, which is a linking means embedded in a function button in a page, wherein when the function button is operated, a control program of the linked regional server is started. 4. The function button according to claim 3,
A display button and / or a storage button associated with the program in the program guide page, and the button includes:
A program viewing apparatus, wherein a display program and / or a storage program of an area server installed in an area where the program is broadcast are linked. 5. The page creation means according to claim 4, wherein the page creation means creates a stored program list page based on stored program information, and when the program information is stored in the regional server,
The function button of the stored program list page created by the page creating means is linked to the reproduction program of the area server storing the program, and when the function button is operated, it corresponds from the area server. A program viewing apparatus, wherein program information is read out and transferred to the display means. 6. A program viewing system in which a main server and a regional server installed in a predetermined region are connected by a network, wherein the main server controls the regional server to transfer program information of the region. Control means, and display means for displaying the program information transferred from the area server, wherein the area server receives the program information of the area, and transfers the received program information to the main server. A program viewing system, comprising: 7. The control unit of the main server according to claim 6, further comprising: a regional server starting unit that activates a control program of the regional server; and the transfer unit of the regional server by the regional server starting unit. A program viewing system including a control program to be started. 8. The program control method according to claim 7, wherein the control means includes page creating means for creating a program guide page based on program guide information, and the regional server starting means is a program guide created by the page creating means. A program viewing system, which is a link means embedded in a function button in a page, wherein when the function button is operated, a control program of the linked regional server is started. 9. The control program of the regional server according to claim 8, wherein the display program for transferring the received program information to the main server, and the storage program for storing the received program information in the regional server. The function button in the program guide page created by the page creating means includes a display button and a storage button associated with the program in the program guide page, and the program broadcasts in the button. A program viewing system, wherein a display program and a storage program of the regional server installed in a designated area are linked to each other. 10. The control program of the regional server according to claim 9, further comprising a reproduction program for reproducing stored program information and transferring the program information to the main server, wherein the page creating unit stores the stored program information. A stored program list page is created on the basis of the stored program list page, and the function button of the stored program list page created by the page creating means is linked to the playback program of the regional server storing the program. Program viewing system. 11. A page providing means for creating a program guide page based on the program guide information and providing it to a user terminal,
Program information including a control means for causing a regional server installed in a region where the program is broadcast to acquire the program information in response to the selection of a predetermined program in the program table page. Providing device. 12. The program information providing device according to claim 11, wherein the control means includes area server starting means for starting a control program of the area server. 13. The area server starting means according to claim 12, wherein the area server starting means is a link means embedded in a function button in a program guide page created by the page providing means, and when the function button is operated. A program information providing device, wherein a control program of the linked regional server is started. 14. The function button according to claim 13, wherein the function button is a display button and / or a storage button associated with a program in the program guide page, and the button is an area where the program is broadcast. A program information providing device characterized in that a display program and / or a storage program of a regional server installed in the program are linked. 15. The page providing means according to claim 14, wherein the stored program list page is created based on the stored program information and transferred to the user terminal, and the program information is stored in the regional server. If yes,
The function program of the stored program list page created by the page providing unit is linked to the reproduction program of the regional server storing the program, and when the function button is operated, the corresponding regional server corresponds. A program information providing device, characterized in that program information is read and transferred. 16. A program information providing system in which a main server and a regional server installed in a predetermined area are connected by a network, wherein the main server creates a program guide page based on program information, and The page providing means for providing the program to the user terminal via the network, and the program information in the regional server installed in the region where the program is broadcast in response to the selection of the predetermined program in the program table page. The program information providing system, wherein the regional server includes a receiving unit that receives the program information of the region and a transfer unit that transfers the received program information. 17. The control means of the main server according to claim 16, includes a regional server starting means for activating a control program of the regional server, and the transfer means of the regional server is configured by the regional server starting means. A program information providing system including a control program to be activated. 18. The area server starting means according to claim 17, wherein the area server starting means is a link means embedded in a function button in the program guide page created by the page providing means, and when the function button is operated. A program information providing system, wherein a control program of the linked regional server is started. 19. The control program of the regional server according to claim 18, including a display program for transferring the received program information, and a storage program for storing the received program information in the regional server. The function button in the program guide page created by the page providing means includes a display button and a storage button associated with the program in the program guide page, and the button includes the display button and the storage button in the area where the program is broadcast. A program information providing system, wherein the display program and the storage program of the installed regional server are linked to each other. 20. The control program of the regional server according to claim 19, further comprising a reproduction program for reproducing stored program information and transferring the stored program information, wherein the page providing means stores the stored program information based on the stored program information. A program list page is created and transferred to the user terminal, and the function button of the stored program list page created by the page providing means is linked to the playback program of the regional server storing the program. A program information providing system characterized by the above. 21. The control program according to claim 16, wherein the control program directly transfers the program information received by the receiving means of the regional server to the user terminal, or the program information. Is transferred to the main server or any one of the controls is executed, the program information providing system.