JP2003533139A - Electronic content guide to make content resources transparent - Google Patents

Abstract

  (57) [Summary] A data management system on a home network collects data describing content information that can be used by various resources on the network. This data is combined in one menu, allowing the user to select from the content regardless of the resource.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a system that allows a consumer to select between content information available from a TV broadcast and to select from other resources that provide the content information. Regarding

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional electronic program guides (EPGs) display on screen a listing of TV programs scheduled for broadcast on channels that a user can select. Such EPGs for television systems are known in the art, especially for cable and satellite television systems. See, for example, US Pat. No. 5,666,645, US Pat. No. 5,751,282 and US Pat. No. 6,005,631. These are all incorporated herein by reference.

EPG is provided by a service provider called an EPG distributor. For example, EPG data is converted into a video signal at the headend,
For example, in the form of SI (system information) data via a dedicated channel, OOB (
Via the out-of-band channel or internet connection to the user's TV set.

In another example, an EPG can be utilized through a server via a data network. PTV 100 Per jointly developed by Philips Electronics and Tivo
The sonal TV Receiver is a hard disk drive (HDD) based video recorder for TV programs that requires the use of a telephone connection to receive daily program guide updates from a remote server. Based on the EPG, the user can select what to watch and what to record, for example, in the HDD.

International application WO 97/34413, which is hereby incorporated by reference, relates to a television system having a television viewing mode and a guidance mode. The guide mode includes an EPG that provides viewers with program information about scheduled broadcast programs, and a tape index guide that provides information about programs recorded on videocassettes.

In both guides, picture-in-picture (PI
In the window of P), a real-time image of the program is displayed and the program information is displayed in the background. In both guides, the viewer may switch between the current televised or recorded program.

The viewer may access any program from the television mode,
Conversely, the television mode may be accessed from any program. In the guide mode, the viewer can independently switch the guide information and the type of program selected or recorded in the PIP window.

By pressing the guide / TV button on the remote controller, the viewer
You may enter either the EPG or tape index guide from the normal television mode and return to television mode from either type of guide. In either the television mode or the guide mode, the program source button toggles the program display between the tuned program and the recorded program played on the VCR.

In the guide mode, the guide / index button toggles between the EPG and the tape index guide. In television mode, press the PIP button
Viewers can watch programs being output from one program source, a tuner or VCR, while watching program output from other program sources in full screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Known EPGs combine data about scheduled broadcasts. That is, the conventional EPG has a time axis. Also, known EPGs typically have a limited, organized view to allow for easy selection or easy customization by the end user.

The system discussed in WO97 / 34413 combines an EPG with a tape index guide in that either or the other on-screen display can be switched between the EPG and the tape index guide.

The inventor has found that known guides, regardless of their source and / or their effectiveness of broadcasting, for example, still focus on the device or apparatus that provides the content information rather than the content information. I am aware of That is, known guides are device-centric and broadcast-centric, rather than content-centric, and users are typically interested in "what" content information rather than "from" content information. is there.

The inventor has confirmed that, in a recording device such as the above-mentioned personal TV receiver having a personalization feature in a digital environment, the viewpoint of selecting content information is changing. However, this is no longer of concern to the consumer in case of which programs are broadcast by the broadcast station or provided by another service provider. With such a digital recorder, there is always content information available for selection, and there is always content information available now.

In addition, the content information is not limited to video or audio. In addition, the content includes Internet pages, previews, addresses, emails, and the like. Also, the content is not limited to being delivered in a broadcast, but could alternatively come from any resource locally recorded, for example, on previous occasions, interactive internet sites, DVD or CD jukeboxes, etc. . Relevant is that the content is immediately available to consumers regardless of its resources, transfer mechanism or transfer time.

Another aspect tends to be more diversified content that is accessible to consumers. For example, consumers can gain access to hundreds of different TV broadcast channels, especially over cables. As another example, most of the 10,000 wireless bases are currently broadcasting over the Internet. As a result, more services are emerging, classifying, recommending and / or previewing and / or advertising certain programs or channels or websites.

Within this context, Mark Hoffberg et al., US Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 345,339 (Attorney Docket Number PHA23,700) filed on Jan. 7, 1999, "CONTENT-DRIVEN S
Reference is made to "PEECH-OR AUDIO-BROWSER", which is incorporated herein by reference. This invention relates to the classification of resources on the Internet. Resources that provide streamable audio, such as live Internet broadcasts The Internet is searched to discover resources that are identified based on their file extension and categorized according to, for example, natural language or musical style.Users may browse collections based on textures or music input. It will be possible.

An aspect of the invention is the use of personalized features such as those provided by, for example, Personal TV Receivers and home networks, more than ever possible.
It allows for more customized display of the wider range of content information available to individual users.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a data management system that combines EPG data with other data for other types of content information, typically within the context of a home entertainment system. The system comprises a database representing schedule information associated with scheduled content information from content providers such as broadcasters or video-on-demand (VOD) services.

In addition, this database may be used, for example, by a consumer's Digital Personal TV Rece
Represents inventory information associated with content information as recorded during a previous broadcast on iver or available from another resource, such as from a CD or DVD jukebox. . Therefore, the present invention introduces a general guide. Hereinafter, in this specification, an electronic content guide (EC
G).

In a more general aspect, the present invention provides a data management system for a home network having multiple resources. The system stores respective data describing respective content information available from each one of the plurality of resources on the network. The system combines the respective data in one menu so that the user can select from the available content information.

The plurality of resources are, for example, a receiver for receiving the first content information from outside the home network, and a second content information that can be locally used in a pre-recorded format. And a playout device for outputting.

Furthermore, the menu can represent content information that can be used on a website having a specific URL, or content information that can be used as an electronic mail content information, an electronic advertisement, or a video game. . By providing content information that can be collectively used regardless of its resources, only by the fact that it does not provide content information recorded locally by individual consumers in one menu or locally It offers consumers a wider range of options than EPGs can provide.

The term “local” is taken to include a recording location that is accessed by a particular individual consumer, such as having access to a LAN, electronic library, or for preferences or social relationships. be able to.

US Patent Application Serial No. 09 / filed Jan. 4, 1999 by Eugene Shteyn
No. 283,545 (Agent reference number PHA23,633) “TIME-AND LOCATION-DRIVEN PERSONALI
ZED TV ", which is incorporated herein by this reference. The present invention provides for the selection of a particular broadcast program for recording and a particular position and time frame for playback of the recorded program. It discusses a server system that enables subscribers.

Preferably, the system organizes the options to represent various content information entities, eg, for his / her selection in an array, such as a GUI or other suitable for this purpose, an ECG Allows consumers to edit

Within this context, Willen Bulthuis et al. US serial number 09 / 464,855 (agent reference number PHA23,875) “HAND-EAR USER INTERFACE FOR HAND-HELD DEVIC
Reference is made to "E", which is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention provides a simple user interface (UI) that provides audible feedback of available menu options. Handheld information processing devices, such as mobile phones, have a thumb wheel that allows the user to scan an optional circular array.

Each one of the options is represented by a respective audio output when the wheel is notched up or notched down for tuning. This allows the user to select the option with one hand without having to look at the device. A smaller form factor than conventional mobile phones is possible because no keypad is needed for digit entry to make calls from a personalized directory.

A system according to the present invention may typically typify categories, themes, trends, modalities (eg, “video” or “audio”), depending on the user's customization possibilities.
, "Passive" (no interactivity), or "active" (interactivity as in a video game or desired website), temporary (news topics and historical issues), entertainment / educational, etc. It is preferable to allow the ECG to display essential content information.

The display of content can be customized or personalized, either through editing the features accessible to the consumer, or by being delegated a dedicated service depending on defined user preferences. Preferably there is. Regarding the latter,
US Patent Application Serial Number 09/519 filed June 3, 2000 by Erik Ekkel et al.
, 546 (Agent reference number PH-US000014) “PERSONALIZING CE EQUIPMENT CONFIGUR
ATION AT SERVER VIA WEB-ENABLED DEVICE ”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Preferably, the system enables the consumer to customize the graphical or auditory display of the ECG as provided to the consumer via the UI on the consumer's home network.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding features.

As noted above, aspects of embodiments of the present invention include conventional EPGs associated with scheduled content information and unscheduled content information (eg, locally recorded in the ECG). , Or available in any desired practical example). This will be explained below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a home entertainment system 100 according to the present invention. The system 100 includes, in this example, an information processing subsystem 102, a cable connection 104, a telephone line 106, a satellite connection 108, a CD jukebox 110, a DV.
A D jukebox 112, a recording device 114, a display monitor 116, and a loudspeaker 118 are provided.

The recording device 114 is, for example, a VCR or DC-R, DVD-R, DVD-R.
Devices based on W, memory stick or HDD. Both the jukeboxes 110 and 112 have a recording function. Through cable 104, subsystem 102 receives content information from a content provider and returns data to enable, for example, interactive content delivery or interactive data delivery of interactive TV programs or VODs.

In this example, the telephone line 106 includes an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) connection that receives the content information and enables bidirectional communication.
ADSL is a technique for transmitting digital data over a real telephone line with a wide bandwidth. Two-way communication via satellite could be used within the CE area.

The system 100 may have all three interconnects 104, 106 and 108 depending, for example, on which delivery mechanism is needed with the service provider or content distributor. Display monitor 116
And loudspeaker 118 is a playback output device for content information received via connections 104, 106 and 108 and for content information available from jukeboxes 110 and 112 as well as from recorder 114. .

The recorder 114 may be, for example, a component such as an HDD-based device connected to the subsystem 102, or a functional part of the subsystem 102. Similarly, one or both of jukeboxes 110 and 112 may be a functional component of subsystem 102.

Subsystem 102 acts as a gateway for routing content information to and from various sources 104-118. The functions associated with communicating via cable 104, telephone line 106 or satellite 108 are individually known from the set top box.

Typically, the functionality of such a set top box is over a cable 104 or telephone line 106 by a remote server (not shown) via appropriate user controls 124 and display monitor 116 for visual feedback. , A browser 120 and an email program 122 that enables user interactivity.

Typically, a Pe such as a set top box or HDD-based Tivo box
The rsonal TV Receiver (PTV) allows the user to receive data about the EPG during a scheduled program overview. Programs are provided via cable 104 or channels on satellite 108. EPG data is provided, for example, on telephone line 106 or VBI, or via an out-of-band (OOB) channel on cable 104, or via a cable modem (not shown), or in-band information on the satellite to display the EPG and the user. Control interactions.

Resources 104, 106 and 108 provide TV programs or video-on-demand programs, ie, content information that is scheduled for delivery and is not controlled by a user of system 100. Resource 110 of system 100
, 112, 114, 120 and 122 give access to content information under full user control regardless of the moment in time.

The present invention provides, from the resources 110, 112, 114, 120 and 122, data describing scheduled content that is available from the EPG, resources 104 and 108, for the reasons already mentioned above. Supports combining with data that describes unscheduled content that is available.

Data describing scheduled content and data describing unscheduled content are combined in database 126. The database 126 and its cross section may be graphically or audibly electronic content guide (EGC), for example, as a GUI on the monitor 116, or as a listing of items in prerecorded or synthesized speech through the loudspeaker 118.
Can be displayed as

In the latter case, a text-to-speech converter is needed if the described data is available in text format or is convertible to text. Text-to-speech converters are known in the prior art and will not be mentioned further in this embodiment. The ECG provides users with an overview of content information that facilitates selection of content from resources that are “now” available and available.

The ECG selects an item at the beginning of the ECG either graphically or, for example, similar to current interactive EPGs, via the user's voice input and displays the content information of that item for playback output or recording. It is preferably interactive in the sense of searching. The binding of descriptive data for all resources is described in further detail below.

DVDs and CDs are, for example, identification data enabling the identification of prerecorded content, either directly via a text file on a disc or indirectly via a dedicated server, eg on the Internet. have. Jukeboxes 110 and 112 have access to this data and provide this data to subsystem 102.

Subsystem 102 optionally interprets this data as data associated with CDs and DVDs. For example, the subsystem 10 connecting the jukeboxes 110 and 112 because the identification data itself contains this information.
This interpretation is feasible because the two ports allow identification of the data source, for example when the system is built by explicit assignment or through its port address. As a result, subsystem 102 can identify content information obtained from jukeboxes 110 and 112.

This identification data, which may be after reformatting, is
26. About Jukebox 1 by Pieter van der Meulen
Reference is made to US Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 326,506 (Attorney Docket Number PHA23,417) “VIRTUAL JUKEBOX” filed April 6, 999. This reference is incorporated herein by reference.

Scheduling information received from service providers or distributors via cable, telephone, terrestrial or satellite is formatted as conventional EPGs for TV programs and VOD series, for example. This scheduling information is stored in the database 126 after potentially reformatting. Preferably, the database 126 is refreshed with respect to the conventional EPG when the service provider updates the conventional EPG after at least a portion of it has been decommissioned. This technique is known in the art and will not be further described in this embodiment.

The browser 120 allows the user to surf the web to bookmark the archive sites of interest in the bookmark log or, for example, Ne
User history of visited sites can be maintained as in tscape Communicator. Archiving is done, for example, on the recording device 114 or on another storage component.

Bookmarking, bookmark log management, web of interest to users
The archive content of the site is a dedicated server on the Internet (not shown)
Be delegated to. See, for example, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 345,339 (Attorney Docket PHA23,700) referenced above. Therefore, the URL of the web page
And the title is stored in the database 126 while the subsystem 102
Can be used against.

The subsystem 102 further has an e-mail function 122. Traditional email programs allow users to sort, filter, and archive messages in file and folder formats according to date received, sender name, subject name, and so on. Thus, the bibliographic email information is available as a text file and possibly stored in the database 126 later for reformatting.

Subsystem 102 further includes or is connected to a PC (not shown). The PC may have additional browser and email capabilities, video game storage capabilities, and so on. The descriptive data is transferred to database 126, possibly after reformatting.

Thus, the database 126 contains content information available to individual consumers, as well as CD and DVD jukeboxes, email logs and PTs.
It includes an inventory of data describing content information from resources, including remote servers and broadcast stations, as well as local means such as V-records and other resources. In other words, the database 126 contains data describing the content information available from the remote supplier and the content information available from the user his / her own distributed home network.

The descriptive data in the database 126 can be categorized and presented graphically according to the user's selections. The example, as mentioned above, is to facilitate selection among the available items. The item of content information may be a monitor 1 like a conventional EPG, ie, a two-dimensional array or alternative.
16 can be presented graphically.

For example, the database can be represented as a decision tree, or checkboxes, and the user can view his / her tendency, date / time, subject matter, interests, keywords, etc. via the user controls 124. select. For example, users are interested in ice hockey news, score stats, players and actual matches.

The subsystem 102 then generates an ECG optimized for user input. It should be noted that this choice is no longer "device centric" but "content centric" and it no longer matters which device or resource provides which content. Instead, it is the content that guides the user to the choices and the appeal that they have to the user.

With respect to reformatting the database 126, generally different file formats are used for data describing content information from various resources. Jukeboxes 110 and 112, email program 12
2. Conventional EPGs provided by service providers, inventory of bookmarked websites in subject files in browser 120, etc. may all have different data formats.

The file format is preferably converted to a valid intermediate format. This intermediate format allows the subsystem 102 to easily manipulate the data. This can typically be referred to as comma separated variables (CSV) format.

This format can be used to pass data between databases that do not use a common file format. For example, each resource 110, 112, 120, 122, and EPG from the service provider.
Has a local database with an inventory of data describing the content information associated with each of these resources.

The subsystem 102 can query these databases and copy the descriptive data into its own database 126. Resource 110 provides audio content information, resource 112 primarily provides video content information, and resource 122 (may have multimedia files attached).
Resources 104 and 108 that typically provide text-based content information.
Is typically known in advance to provide video content information. Thus, the identifier of the resource itself helps distinguish between types of multimedia content such as audio, video, text, graphics.

FIG. 2 provides a functional block diagram of portion 20 of system 100 showing an example of creating and using database 126. Portion 20 contains inventory information for multiple resources in system 100. Part 20 is a conventional EPG 20
2 and is provided by the service provider via a scheduled TV broadcast. Portion 20 may be MP3, eg, on a PC or another device (not shown) that may be interrogated by subsystem 102 specifically for MP3.
It also has an inventory of files 204.

Portion 20 also has a catalog of CDs 206 and DVDs 208 associated with jukeboxes 110 and 112, respectively. The portion 20 is, for example, HD
It has an inventory 210 showing what is recorded on the recorder 114 such as a D-based PTV or DVD-RW.

The inventory 202-210 need not, but can be contained in the resources to which they belong. In distributed networks, it is not relevant if these inventories are physically present. For example, the identifier of CD or DVD is CD or DV
The playback output of D can be sent to the lookup service of a dedicated server on the Internet upon initiation, upon storage in jukebox 110 or 112, or upon another operation by the end user. The server then finds a matching descriptor of the content information, either to the jukebox or to the database 12
Download to subsystem for further use in 6.

Each inventory 202-210 may have its own format. If the CSV format described above is not a feasible solution to combine the data into the shared database 124, then the dedicated translation / translation software modules 212, 214, 216, 218 and 220 may, for example, translate to XML format. Can be used.

The XML format has the advantage of allowing easy conversion to HTML via XSL. This allows, for example, a database or a portion thereof to be communicated to a handheld remote 222 having a touch screen 224. Selection and guidance in a menu of graphically displayed items in the GUI is done in a similar manner as browsing and clicking between hyperlinks on a web page.

The modules 212 to 220 can be used through services such as SmartConnect (TM). For example, US Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 160,490 (Attorney Docket PHA23,500) “CUS filed September 25, 1998 by Adrian Turner et al.
TOMIZED UPGRADING OF INTERNET-ENABLED DEVICES BASED ON USER-PROFILE ”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

This document discusses a server system that maintains the user profile of a particular end user of a consumer's electronic network-enabled device, and a database of new technical capabilities for this type of device. If there is a match between the user profile and the new technical features, and if it indicates that the user has been informed of updates and sales offers, the user will have the option to obtain this feature via a network. Be notified.

Within the context of the present invention, US Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 374,694 (Attorney Docket No. PHA23,737) filed August 16, 1999 by Chanda Dharap, “SEMANTIC CATH
ING ”, which is incorporated herein by reference. This document relates to caching electronic content information based on its semantic type. A cache management method uses different caching policies for different semantic types, Customized for each semantic type.

Semantic types that can be expected to include dynamic information such as news and weather are active caching where content information in cache memory is selected for exchanges based on how long the information is in cache memory. Policies can be used.

On the contrary, the semantic type that can be expected to include static content information such as encyclopedia information is LRU (Last Recently Used), which is substantially independent during the period when the information remains in the cache memory. And more conservative caching policies such as LFU (Least Frequently Used).

In addition, certain semantic types, such as communicated email messages, newsgroup messages, etc., may use caching policies that are a combination of policies. Here, the content information evolves from an active cache with a dynamic cache policy to a more static cache with a less dynamic cache policy. The relationship between the semantic content type and the caching policy associated with the type may be predetermined, may be determined directly by the user, or may be part of at least part of the profiling of user history and user interaction with content information. It can also be based.

Thus, for the ECG of the present invention, the database 126 may be, for example, locally recorded (email, recorded TV program), primary, under conditions dependent on local storage or storage and caching selections. A caching policy can be adopted as to which description data is temporarily stored based on the meaning of various content information.

FIG. 3 shows an example 30 of database 126. Example 30 identifies multiple dimensions, ie, independent quantities, for which content information is selected. One of the dimensions shown is a "type" of content such as "audio", "video", "text" (electronic text file), "still image" (eg digital photo album), "book", etc. 302.

Another dimension is “URL” 304, which identifies the resource that provides the content. The examples here are, for example, a book, a DVD or an online tape,
Or, it includes a "library" that can be a unique library that owns, or checks the availability of, a collection of books owned by a person.

For example, the user can download the descriptive data to his / her PC by scanning on the barcode of the book or DVD to which the lookup service on the Internet downloads this metadata accordingly. . Another dimension is the "trend" 306, which is related to how the user identifies his / her preferences.
For example, [duration] 308, which indicates a time slot associated with the length of the video content on the DVD or the length of the TV program recorded on the PTV 114.

Yet another dimension is between personal content information, such as personal e-mail and personal text files on a PC, or movies rated "R", and content about the whole family. It is the "access privilege" 310 distinguished by. Yet another dimension is to identify potential contexts 312. Content information related to business, entertainment content, educational issues, sports, etc. These dimensions allow the user to create arbitrary cross-sections through the content information based on qualitative or substantive issues, rather than devices or resources.

FIG. 4 shows that a user has “educated” through the GUI 224 in the context of his / her education.
An example cross section 400 selected through database 126 is shown after identifying desire to access "videos" associated with the subcategory "Documents" below.

The attributes specify, among other things, the current availability of the episode “Geographical”, entitled “Volcanoes”, and the history of the Dutch Navy, “The Seven Seas”. This content information is available in the current TV broadcast, or recorded during the early broadcast, or DV
It is irrelevant to the user in the first place whether it is available on D or is being streamed over the internet in a video-on-demand service.

Selecting the desired content, for example by clicking on the relevant item displayed on the GUI 224, is a macro macro for configuring the system 100 to show the selected content information to the user. To operate. he/
The user may want to know if the content information is pre-recorded so that she can decide whether or not to record it while she is currently viewing the content information.

Accordingly, the GUI 224 may be such that the content is volatile (eg, currently being broadcast on a public network) or static (eg, in a prerecorded format for the home network 100) or the Internet or another data network. It is preferable to notify the user of the status of whether it is available.

Once the descriptive data is extracted from various content information items in electronic format, or the descriptive data is associated with various content information items and extracted in electronic format, the ECG creation is fully automated. can do.

For example, TV broadcast description data can be used from a conventional EPG. The descriptive data about the contents on the CD and DVD can be used as stored on the disc itself or indirectly via a lookup service on the Internet. Further examples have been mentioned above. EPC is
The database 126 or its graphical representation on GUI 224 is preferably user-editable according to the organization to allow for personal annotation and identification of one or more dimensions.

The system 100 preferably allows consumers further preferred scenarios or filtering. For example, in response to selecting "Sports" under context 312, system 100 automatically seeks, tunes, or prepares for a consumer's favorite team's ice hockey game broadcast. This approach can be conveniently used if the user knows that a match is being broadcast around this time, or if it is being broadcast.

The user can, for example, via a dedicated application, select a macro-based user input <ice hockey>, <TV
>, <San Jose Shark> programmed subsystem 10 to execute
Have two. It is also preferable for the consumer to be able to automatically filter certain content information.

For example, a consumer may PT all documents broadcast on one or more particular topics, such as “History of the Navy” and “Cosmology”.
It is possible to record on V and store on, for example, an HDD array (not shown). These linguistic terms or their equivalents occur in conventional EPG descriptive data and set up system 100 for recording.

The consumer is preferably able to customize the graphical display of the ECG. For example, the ECG can appear as a semi-transparent overlay when watching TV. Or the text color of the selectable item, or the graphical item in the ECG, its background (“wallpaper”)
, Or the arrangement can be customized under software control.

The graphical representation of the ECG on the display preferably facilitates user navigation between menu selections that represent the various items of content information available. For example, the ECG is displayed as a hierarchical menu. here,
This item is sorted and clustered under the icon at the higher level.

A higher level of category and cluster selection is provided, for example, by the PRONTO (TM) Universal Programmable drop-down menu known in the Windows® operating system or manufactured by Philips Electronics. Emits the next lower level, such as the next panel in a multi-layer panel organization as is known from remote controls.

The assignment of items to clusters and / or categories is preferably at least user controllable via user programming or possibly delegation to an application server. In this context, US Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 271,200 filed on 17 March 1999 by Jan van Ee (Attorney Docket PHA23,607).
“FULLY FUNCTIONAL REMOTE CONTROL EDITOR AND EMULATOR” is referenced. This document relates to a universal programmable remote control device with programmable features that allow the end user to customize the device through editing or programming of the control functions of the device.

Programming can be accomplished via a PC. The control configuration created via the editor on the PC can be downloaded to the device. PC is
It has PC emulator software to test the configuration before downloading. The emulator software and the remote control software are created identically as a result of the software layers extracted from the remote hardware. Therefore, an emulator for the end user is obtained as a by-product of the software development stage in production.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   It is a block diagram of the system in this invention.

[Fig. 2]   It is a block diagram which illustrates the aspect of ECG.

[Figure 3]   It is a block diagram which illustrates the aspect of ECG.

[Figure 4]   It is a block diagram which illustrates the aspect of ECG.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme Coat (reference) H04N 7/03 7/035 (72) Inventor Ross, Rudolf The Netherlands, 5656 Aer Eindaufen, Prof. Holsstrahn 6 F term (reference) 5C025 CA09 CB10 DA05 DA08 5C063 AB05 DA03 EB33 5C064 BD02 BD07

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A data management system for a home network having a plurality of resources, each of which describes respective content information available from each one of the plurality of resources. A system for storing each of the data and combining the respective data in one menu to enable a user to select from the available content information. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first respective content information comprises scheduled content and the second respective content information comprises unscheduled content information. 3. The plurality of resources are a receiver for receiving first content information from the outside of the home network, and a playout device for reproducing and outputting prestored second content information. The system of claim 1, comprising: 4. The system of claim 1, which allows a user to customize the display of a menu with a UI. 5. The system of claim 1, enabling a user to edit the respective data. 6. The system of claim 1, enabling a user to identify at least one dimension that comprises the menu. 7. Software for a data management system for a home network having a plurality of resources, wherein said software describes respective content information available from each one of said plurality of resources. The system combining the respective data in one menu to enable the system to store the respective data and to allow the user to select from the available content information. Software that enables you to: 8. Software according to claim 7, which allows the user to customize the display of the menu with a UI. 9. Software according to claim 7, enabling a user to edit the respective data. 10. The software of claim 7, which enables a user to identify at least one dimension that makes up the menu. 11. A method for enabling management of data relating to a home network having a plurality of resources, each of which describes respective content information available from each one of the plurality of resources. Storing the respective data, and combining the respective data in one menu to enable the user to select from the available content information.