JP2004072782A - Television set, and broadcast reception control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make viewing possible retroactively in the passage of time by recording broadcast contents in a memory while a viewer leaves his/her seat. <P>SOLUTION: The television set is provided with a receiving part 7 for receiving a first control signal which is generated when the user operates a leave switch 24, and a second control signal which is generated when the user operates the leave switch 24; a memory 12 for storing broadcast contents data of a program that the user views and a recording ID specifying the broadcast contents data based upon the first control signal; and a system controller 10 for stopping the storage operation based on the first control signal based upon the second control signal, reproducing and displaying the broadcast contents data stored in the memory 12 based upon the recording ID at higher speed than ordinary reproduction until catching up with normal broadcast now under broadcast, and performing control for switching and displaying normal broadcast now under broadcast after catching up with normal broadcast now under broadcast. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a television apparatus and a broadcast reception control method that enable a viewer to store broadcast contents while a viewer is away from a memory and to view broadcast contents of an elapsed time retroactively. It is about the method.

In recent years, due to the remarkable development of telecommunication technology, wireless and wired new media have been appearing one after another. High-definition high-definition (HDTV), clear-vision (EDTV), still image broadcasting, text broadcasting, 24-hour satellite broadcasting (BS / CS), and cable television (CATV) in the era of interactive services are also expected to spread. I have. Broadcast contents (program software) broadcast by these new media are also diverse, taking advantage of new interactive features in addition to conventional program software centered on entertainment viewing such as movies, sports and news programs. For example, experiments for providing game software, home shopping information, program software reservation, and event reservation services have also been started. In such a situation, the emergence of a new-media-compatible television device is expected.

On the other hand, recording media have been remarkably developed, and the capacity of semiconductor memories has been increased, and the capacity and speed of recording devices using disk-shaped recording media have been further advanced. A rewritable magneto-optical disk (MO: Magneto Optical) and a phase change optical disk (PC: Phase Change) system for recording / reproducing data by newly changing the light intensity have also been developed. In addition, the development of digital video discs (hereinafter simply referred to as “DVD”) and recordable / reproducible compact discs (hereinafter simply referred to as “CDs”) has been remarkable. A device capable of recording / reproducing a moving image for about two hours is being developed. Further, a digital video tape recorder (hereinafter simply referred to as "DVTR") for recording digital signals on a magnetic tape medium is expected to be developed in the future.

In addition, the development of compression coding technology for images and audio signals has been remarkable, and this compression coding technology has been used to compress and reduce the amount of data actually required. A technology for transmitting a large amount of images, audio signals, and data information in a short period of time and recording / reproducing the information is also being developed. This compression coding technique for image and audio signals has been put into practical use by the world standard method of image / audio compression called MPEG2 (Moving Picture Image Coding Experts Group Phase 2) which has been extended from MPEG1, which is already in practical use. Has reached the stage of.

By using these compression coding technologies, moving pictures can be recorded for about 2 hours for the CD or DVD, about 21 hours for a DVTR using a standard tape, and about 20 minutes for a memory card using a semiconductor memory. Devices capable of recording / reproducing each are being developed.

However, in the changing environment and situation surrounding such a television device, a demand for a television device of a viewer (user) is increasing, and a television which is not only multifunctional but also has a more user interface. John devices are needed. That is, at present, it is expected that a television device compatible with a variety of lifestyles of a user will appear.

On the other hand, in the viewing mode of the user's television device, there are cases where the user leaves the seat uncontrollably or suddenly overlooks and feels frustrated. In addition, there are many cases where leaving a seat obscures the story development and halves interest, and often overlooks the result of a missed match. In this case, there is a case where the user wants to look back the broadcast content for several minutes, for example. In order to respond to such a request, the broadcast content may be constantly recorded on a recording device such as a VTR. However, since the VTR is rewound and played back, it takes a long time to access, and a series of operations is complicated and practical. It is not an appropriate response.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide a television device that enables a user to view broadcast content that a user has overlooked retroactively, and a control method for controlling broadcast reception. Things.

A television apparatus according to the present invention is configured to receive a first control signal generated by a user operating a first switch and a second control signal generated by a user operating a second switch. Means, based on the first control signal, a memory for storing broadcast content data of a program being viewed by the user and a recording ID for specifying the broadcast content data, and based on the second control signal, The storage operation based on the first control signal is stopped, and the broadcast content data stored in the memory based on the recording ID is reproduced and displayed at a higher speed than during normal reproduction until catching up with the currently broadcasted normal broadcast. And control means for controlling to switch to and display the currently broadcasted ordinary broadcast after catching up with the currently broadcasted ordinary broadcast.

The first switch and the second switch that constitute the television device according to the present invention are provided on a remote controller.

The control means controls the size of the display screen on which the broadcast content data reproduced and displayed from the memory is continuously enlarged or reduced.

(4) The control means controls the broadcast content data reproduced and displayed from the memory and the currently broadcast normal broadcast content data to be displayed as two or more display screens. At this time, the control means performs control so that the display screen is replaced with the two or more display screens.

Further, according to the present invention, based on a first control signal generated by a user operating a first switch, broadcast content data of a program being viewed by a user and a recording ID for specifying the broadcast content data are determined. Storing the information in a memory, stopping a storage operation based on the first control signal based on a second control signal generated by a user operating a second switch, and storing the memory based on the recording ID. The above-mentioned broadcast content data stored in is reproduced and displayed at a higher speed than during normal reproduction until catching up with the currently broadcasted normal broadcast, and after catching up with the currently broadcasted normal broadcast, the current broadcast is switched to the currently broadcasted normal broadcast. To control.

According to the present invention, if the user operates the first switch and emits the first control signal while the user is watching a normal broadcast, even if the user leaves, the broadcast content data of the period during which the user is away is stored in the memory. It is memorized. Then, when the user operates the second switch to emit the second control signal, the broadcast content data during the absence period is reproduced and displayed at a higher speed than during the normal reproduction until catching up with the currently broadcast normal broadcast, After catching up with the current broadcast, the display is switched to the current broadcast.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION Since the television apparatus and control method concerning this invention can call and reproduce the scene which the user missed in the received broadcast content instantaneously, without having to overlook and feel disappointed, The development of the story is unknown and the interest is not halved. Further, since there is no need for troublesome operation as in the case of the VTR, quick and easy access is possible, and the user can enjoy the television device in a wider manner.

When the present invention is applied to a television device compatible with multimedia, a user can specially determine the existence of a large-capacity memory by incorporating a “CD”, “DVD, DVTR”, and a semiconductor memory that can be used as a large-capacity memory. It is possible to record and reproduce the received broadcast contents without being aware of the broadcast.

Hereinafter, a television device and a control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a television device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a remote controller of the television device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a television device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a display example of a display unit provided in the television set, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a leaving mode of the television device according to the present invention.

First, the configuration and operation of the television device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the television device 1 according to the present invention can display a desired image on a multi-screen or a small screen that can be freely enlarged and reduced, as well as a remote controller 2 for mainly operating the television device 1. And a display unit 3. The operation status of the television device 1 is displayed on the display unit 3.

The television apparatus 1 includes the receiving unit 4 and receives various broadcast signals. The detailed configuration of the receiving means includes an optical cable adapter 4A for receiving an analog broadcast signal or a digital broadcast signal, an NTSC, BS, CS tuner 4B, a digital TV tuner 4C, a CATV converter 4D for receiving cable television, and the like. I have. Analog broadcast signals and digital broadcast signals received by the various receiving means 4 are input to a program selector 5. The program selector 5 selects a broadcast signal in response to the control of the system controller 10 and obtains specified data. The remote controller 2 transmits the control data converted into infrared rays or the like. The transmitted control data is received by the remote control receiver 7 and sent to the system controller 10. The system controller 10 controls the television device 1 by performing a decoding process according to the remote control format. Further, the system controller 10 refers to a built-in timer 19 to capture the current date and time.

If the broadcast signal is an analog broadcast signal, the received content is demodulated by the decoder 6 and transmitted to the image intermediate processing unit 8 at the next stage. Intermediate processing such as chroma processing and intermediate frequency amplification is performed in the image intermediate processing unit 8, A / D converted by the A / D converter 9, and sent to the signal processing unit 11. The signal processor 11 encodes, for example, data of an MPEG2 system (or MPEG2 video, MPEG2 audio) in order to encode the input analog broadcast signal into a recording format that matches the large-capacity memory 12. However, since a digital broadcast signal received by a digital TV tuner or the like does not require A / D conversion processing or encoding processing, the signal processing unit 11 processes the digital broadcasting signal as a digital broadcasting signal without performing encoding processing. Recorded in. The present invention covers all compression methods including the MPEG2 method.

The large-capacity memory 12 has a predetermined user area, and the user can compress and record desired reception contents to form a library. Further, a ROM / RAM 13 is provided in association with the large-capacity memory 12, and the ROM / RAM 13 stores a predetermined control program of the system controller 10 and display data to be displayed on the display unit 3. . Thereby, the operation of the television device 1 of the present invention is smoothly promoted.

(4) The recording content of the large-capacity memory 12 is subjected to decoding processing (decoding) such as decompression in the signal processing unit 11, and is sent to the RGB output 15 via the D / A converter 14. The RGB output 15 restores a composite video signal or an RGB component signal and displays it on the display unit 3. Similarly, audio is also demodulated by the audio signal processing 16, power-amplified by the audio output 17, and then output from the speaker 18 as an audio signal.

光 デ ィ ス ク An optical disk is basically used as a large-capacity memory that may be built in the television device 1 according to the present invention. As a possibility of this large-capacity memory, all recording media such as CD (video CD), DVD, and DVTR, which are expected to be put into practical use in the development of short wavelength light sources such as SHG and blue laser, are expected. Target.

Next, the details of the remote controller 2 used in the television device 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the remote controller 2, and performs basic operations of the television apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The remote control unit 2 displays an infrared light emitting unit 20 that emits radio waves or infrared rays on which various control signals necessary for operating the television apparatus 1 are superimposed, and control information of the television apparatus 1 in a hierarchical structure. An LCD panel unit 21 for colorizing and highlighting the current operation point in response thereto, a cross key 22 as an operation unit, a trackball 23, a leaving selection switch 24, and an FF button 25 are provided.

ＦＦ The FF button 25 of the remote controller 2 is used to change the playback speed of the playback image displayed on the display 3 of the television device 1. For example, if the FF button 25 is continuously pressed, the playback speed of the playback image increases, and if the FF button 25 is released, the playback speed becomes a predetermined playback speed. The leaving selection switch 24 is operated by pressing "ON" when the user leaves the seat and "OFF" when returning from the user. The leaving selection switch 24 may be of a toggle switch type that repeats “ON” and “OFF” each time it is pressed.

The LCD panel 21 of the remote controller 2 can display the same content as the display content of the display unit 3 of the television set 1 by a predetermined instruction together with various control information.

(3) Further, a display example of the display unit 3 included in the television device 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a two-screen display in a picture and picture format shown as an example. At present, when a normal broadcast is displayed on the display portion of the landscape screen which is becoming mainstream, and when the “OFF” of the leave selection switch indicating the user's return is activated, the display portion is divided into right and left. On the left screen L, the currently broadcasted ordinary broadcast is displayed as it is, and on the right screen R, the playback image, the playback sound and the playback data called from the large-capacity memory of the television set 1 are traced back in time. This shows the displayed state. The playback speed of the playback image, the playback sound, and the playback data can be specified by the user at an arbitrary playback speed.

As another display function, the system controller 10 of the television device 1 stores the size of the small screen previously selected by the user and the playback speed, and uses the size of the previously selected small screen to select the previously selected small screen. A so-called picture-in-picture display with a learning function, which is displayed on the display unit at the playback speed, is also possible. Further, a "separation mode" indicating that the separation mode is selected is displayed in the margin of the display unit, and "high-speed reproduction" indicating high-speed reproduction is not shown in the reproduction screen of the right screen R or not shown. Can be displayed such as "20 times playback" indicating the playback speed.

{Similarly, the operation of the television apparatus according to the present invention in the unattended mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(4) The user operates the remote controller 2 or the like while receiving the television device 1 to select and start the unattended mode (step SP1). In step SP2, the user selects the "ON" leaving switch when standing up and "OFF" when returning to the seat. At this time, for example, when the user selects “ON”, the “separation mode” is displayed on the display unit 3 of the television apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 3E from the fixed data in the ROM / RAM 13 shown in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step SP3. If "OFF" is selected, the process proceeds to the reproduction loop of step SP5. However, if the user has previously selected the unattended mode by another means, that mode has priority, and the television apparatus 1 performs recording by FIFO (first in first out) operation up to the limit of the recording capacity of the large capacity memory, Prepare for playback operation.

In step SP3, the system controller 10 shown in FIG. 1 is started to generate and register a record ID which is record data. In step SP4, the image and audio data together with the recording ID are compressed into the large-capacity memory of the television device 1 and recording is started. With such an operation, a recording loop for repeating recording by the FIFO operation up to the limit of the recording capacity of the large-capacity memory of the television device 1 is formed.

Next, the operation during reproduction will be described. When the user returns and activates the leave selection switch “OFF”, the process enters a reproduction loop. In step SP5, the ID of the image / audio data recorded in the large-capacity memory together with the recording ID is retrieved and read. Further, in step SP6, the recorded contents are read from the large-capacity memory and displayed on the display unit 3 of the television device 1. At this time, the user can operate the reproduction speed of the recorded contents. For example, when the FF button 25 in FIG. 2 is operated, the reproduction speed changes freely. When the user does not specify the reproduction speed, the reproduction is performed at a predetermined reproduction speed, and the high-speed reproduction operation is continued until catching up with the currently broadcast ordinary broadcast. In step SP7, the reproduced image is replaced with a normal broadcast, displayed as a small screen of picture-in-picture, or a two-screen or multi-screen of picture-and-picture. At this time, "high-speed playback" is displayed on the display unit 3 as shown in FIG. 3F.

In step SP8, the remaining amount of the reproduction time is verified (compared) with the data at the time of recording in the large-capacity memory, and if it does not reach the leaving start point specified by the user (NO), the large-capacity memory is deleted. It starts and plays back images at high speed to the user's leaving start point. If the user has reached the leaving point designated by the user (YES), the process proceeds to step SP9. In step SP9, when all the reproduction operations are completed, the operation returns to the original normal broadcast, and the operation in the recording / reproduction mode for a series of away periods is ended.

In the above example, the case where the user instructs to leave and return is described. However, it is automatically recorded at all times, and the user plays back for a certain period of time only by giving the instruction to return, or A user's leaving or returning may be automatically detected using various sensors. For example, it is also possible to instruct "cause" by voice recognition or the like. In the above description, image data processing has been mainly described. Strictly speaking, digital data of MPEG2 level is separated into image data and audio data and recorded in a large-capacity memory. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to image data and audio data but also to data information.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, but can be developed in various forms.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a television device according to the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of the remote control part of the television device concerning the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the example of a display on the display part which comprises the television apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a leaving mode of the television device according to the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 television apparatus, {2} remote controller, {3} display, {4} receiving means, {4A} optical cable adapter, {4B} NTSC, BS, CS tuner, {4C} digital TV tuner, {4D} CATV converter, {5} program selector, {6} decoder, {7} remote control receiver, 8 image intermediate processing unit, {9} A / D conversion, {10} system controller, {11} signal processing unit, {12} large capacity memory, {13} ROM / RAM, {14} D / A conversion, {15} RGB output, {16} audio signal processing, {20} light emitting unit, 21 LCD panel, {22} cross key, {24} away switch, L left screen, R right screen, E away mode, F high speed playback

Claims (6)

Receiving means for receiving a first control signal generated by a user operating a first switch and a second control signal generated by a user operating a second switch;
A memory for storing broadcast content data of a program being viewed by a user and a recording ID for specifying the broadcast content data based on the first control signal;
The storage operation based on the first control signal is stopped based on the second control signal, and the broadcast content data stored in the memory based on the recording ID is broadcasted at a higher speed than during normal playback. A television device, comprising: control means for controlling the display to reproduce and display until it catches up with the normal broadcast in progress, and to switch to and display the normal broadcast in current broadcast after catching up with the normal broadcast in current broadcast. The television device according to claim 1, wherein the first switch and the second switch are provided on a remote controller. The television apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means continuously enlarges or reduces the size of the display screen on which the broadcast content data reproduced and displayed from the memory is displayed. The television apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays the broadcast content data reproduced and displayed from the memory and the currently broadcast normal broadcast content data as two or more display screens. 5. The television device according to claim 4, wherein the control means performs display by replacing the two or more display screens. Based on a first control signal generated by a user operating a first switch, storing in a memory broadcast content data of a program being viewed by the user and a recording ID for specifying the broadcast content data;
The storage operation based on the first control signal is stopped based on a second control signal generated by a user operating a second switch, and the storage operation is performed based on the recording ID. A control method for displaying and displaying broadcast content data at a higher speed than during normal playback until catching up with the currently broadcasted normal broadcast, and switching to and displaying the currently broadcasted normal broadcast after catching up with the currently broadcasted normal broadcast. .

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