JP2004120089A - Receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a receiver whereby a use can easily select stream contents or a television broadcast to view the selected medium. <P>SOLUTION: The receiver is adapted such that display is switched to a video image related to the television broadcast when a channel switching to the television broadcast is instructed in the case of receiving a stream broadcast via a network and the reception of the stream broadcast is temporarily interrupted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a receiving device, and more particularly, to a device capable of receiving a stream broadcast via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the improvement of video / audio data compression technology and the increase in the capacity of network lines using ADSL or optical fibers, Internet broadcasting that distributes video / audio data from servers via Internet lines has been realized.
[0003]
In addition, regarding Internet broadcasting, reproduction is started only by buffering data for a few seconds at first, and thereafter, a technique called streaming reproduction, which is capable of continuing reproduction while continuously receiving data, has become widespread. A program that can be viewed using such streaming reproduction is referred to as stream content, and video / audio data transmitted from a server via the Internet is referred to as stream data.
[0004]
At present, such Internet broadcasting is generally viewed by a personal computer. On the other hand, ordinary television broadcasts such as terrestrial television broadcasts and BS digital broadcasts are viewed by a dedicated television receiver.
[0005]
Therefore, it has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-94966, for example, that an Internet connection function is provided for a television receiver so that normal television broadcasting and Internet broadcasting are viewed only by the television receiver.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when trying to watch Internet broadcasting and ordinary television broadcasting with one television receiver, the following problems are conceivable.
[0007]
That is, when viewing a television broadcast program while interrupting the viewing of the stream content, an operation of temporarily stopping the stream content being reproduced, an operation of switching to a television viewing screen, an operation of switching a channel to a desired television program, and the like. Must be done, which is very time-consuming.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.
[0009]
It is another object of the present invention to easily switch between stream content and television broadcast to enable viewing.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, there is provided a communication unit that receives a stream broadcast via a network, a receiving unit that receives a television broadcast, video data related to the stream broadcast, and the television broadcast. Output means for outputting the video data to the display device, switching instruction means for instructing the switching of the broadcast channel, and instruction for switching the channel to the television broadcast by the switching instruction means during reception of the stream broadcast. Controlling the output means to output the video data related to the television broadcast received by the receiving means to the display device, and controlling the communication means to temporarily suspend the reception of the stream broadcast. A receiving device comprising a control means is presented.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television receiving system according to the present invention.
[0013]
4 includes the receiver 101 and the remote controller 134.
[0014]
A line connection server 131 for connecting the line and providing use of the Internet 130, a WEB server 132 for holding HTML document information and transmitting HTML document information, and a stream distribution for holding stream data of the content and transmitting the stream data The server 133 and the receiver 101 that communicates with the line connection server 131, the WEB server 132, and the stream distribution server 133 to receive stream data are connected to the Internet 130.
[0015]
First, an internal block of the receiver 101 will be described.
[0016]
The communication unit 112 connects to the line connection server 131 to use the Internet 130, and receives HTML document information and content information from the WEB server 132. In addition, with the stream distribution server 133, a session establishment request and a response are communicated, a control request for content reproduction and the like are communicated, and stream data is exchanged.
[0017]
The HTML browser unit 110 holds the HTML document information received from the communication unit 112 in accordance with an instruction from the system control unit 108 described later, and configures a display screen based on the HTML document information and the focus position information from the user IF unit 109. And outputs it to the display voice control unit 105. When a selection decision request is received from the system control unit 108, the content information and the HTML document information are communicated with the web server 132 via the communication unit 112 based on the link information of the image area focused on the screen. get.
[0018]
A FIFO (First In First Out) memory 102 temporarily stores stream data received via the communication unit 112 for a relatively short predetermined time, and then passes the stream data to a buffer memory 103 at a subsequent stage. The buffer memory 103 accumulates the stream data from the FIFO 102 and sequentially passes the stream data to the decoder 104. The decoder 104 decodes and reproduces the received stream data, and outputs it to the display audio control unit 105.
[0019]
On the other hand, the antenna 140 receives the digital television broadcast wave and outputs it to the television signal processing unit 114 via the input terminal 113. The television signal processing unit 114 receives the digital television signal input from the antenna 140, receives the channel switching request from the system control unit 108, decodes the video data and audio data of the desired channel program, and sends the decoded data to the display audio control unit 105. Output. In the present embodiment, the antenna 140 and the television signal processing unit 114 deal only with digital television broadcast waves. However, the antenna 140 and the television signal processing unit 114 may have a function of receiving analog television broadcasts.
[0020]
The display audio control unit 105 generates an HTML screen related to the portal site in FIG. 2, or a stream viewing screen and a television viewing screen in FIG. And the audio data are output to the display unit 106 and the audio output unit 107.
[0021]
The content information storage unit 111 holds the received content information.
[0022]
The user interface unit 109 (hereinafter, referred to as a user IF unit) includes a portal site button operation signal, a focus movement button operation signal, a determination button operation signal, a stream content button operation signal, a television channel switching signal, a Portal site access request, focus position information, selection decision request, stream content viewing screen switching request, television viewing screen switching request, Various control requests are passed to the system control unit 108. In this embodiment, various instructions are given by the remote controller 134, but a configuration in which each operation button is provided on the main body of the receiver 101 may be adopted.
[0023]
The system control unit 108 outputs the portal site access request, the focus position information, and the selection determination request from the user IF unit 109 to the HTML browser unit 110, and controls the HTML browser unit 110 to communicate with the WEB server 132. The content information acquired by the HTML browser unit 110 is stored in the content information storage unit 111.
[0024]
The communication unit 112 also requests the stream distribution server 133 to play or stop the stream data, passes the stream data received by the communication unit 112 to the FIFO 102, monitors the time stamp information, and sets a time every time the stream data is received. Store the stamp information in the internal memory. Further, the system control unit 108 switches the output image from the display audio control unit 105 according to a television channel switching signal or the like from the user IF unit 109.
[0025]
Further, a 1-bit reproduction flag indicating the reproduction state of the stream data is generated and stored in an internal register. Here, if the reproduction flag is 0, it indicates that the reproduction of the stream content has been completed, and if the reproduction flag is 1, it indicates that the reproduction of the stream content has started. However, the initial value is 0, and is set to 0 when the user instructs to stop the reproduction or at the end of the stream reproduction.
[0026]
Further, the system control unit 108 controls the communication unit 112, the HTML browser unit 110, the FIFO 102, the buffer unit 103, the decoder unit 104, the display audio control unit 105, and the user IF unit 109.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of the remote controller 134. It comprises a stream content button 323, a television channel button 314-322, a focus shift button 309, 310, 311, 312, and a decision button 313.
[0028]
A power button 302 is a toggle button for turning on and off the power of the receiver 101, and a portal site button 308 is a button for connecting to a predetermined portal site and instructing display of a portal site screen. The focus shift buttons 309, 310, 311 and 312 are buttons for instructing shift of focus on the portal site screen, and the enter button 313 is a button for instructing selection of a focused portion. A stop button 303, a pause button 304, a play button 305, a rewind button 306, and a fast forward button 307 are various control buttons for stream contents. The stream content button 323 is a button for instructing switching to the stream content viewing screen. The TV channel buttons 314 to 322 are buttons for instructing switching to a viewing screen of a desired TV channel. Then, the remote controller 134 transmits the operation signals of the various buttons from the transmission unit 301 to the user IF unit 109 by infrared rays or the like.
[0029]
Next, a process of receiving a stream broadcast and a process of receiving a digital television broadcast in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
[0030]
After turning on the power, when a desired TV channel is designated by the remote controller 134, the system control unit 108 controls the television signal processing unit 114 to receive a TV broadcast signal of the designated channel, and to transmit image data and audio data of the designated program. Get data. Then, the system control unit 108 controls the display audio control unit 105 to output the data of the display screen generated based on the image signal from the television signal processing unit 114 to the display unit 106 and to output the audio data to the audio output unit 107. Output to
[0031]
When the user operates the portal site button 308 of the remote controller 134 while watching a television program in this way, the user IF unit 109 outputs a portal site connection request signal to the system control unit 108. Upon receiving the signal, the system control unit 108 instructs the communication unit 112 to connect to the portal site, and connects the line connection server 131 to the Internet line via the communication unit 112.
[0032]
Next, the control unit 110 controls the HTML browser unit 110 to acquire the HTML document of the portal site from the web server 132 via the communication unit 112. The HTML browser unit 110 that has obtained the HTML document generates an HTML screen and outputs it to the display audio control unit 105. The system control unit 108 controls the display voice control unit 105 and outputs a portal site screen 401 as shown in FIG.
[0033]
Next, when the user operates the remote controller 134 to move the focus on the display screen 401 of the portal site and selects “natural” 406, the HTML browser unit 110 causes the thumbnail image of the content related to the natural category as shown in FIG. , 359, 360, 361, and 362 are displayed. Further, by operating the focus shift buttons 309, 310, 311 and 312 on this display screen, the focus 403 is moved to the "wild great country" 409, and when the determination button 313 is further operated, the user IF unit 109 is determined. The request signal is output to the system control unit 108.
[0034]
Upon receiving the signal, the system control unit 108 controls the HTML browser unit 110 to acquire the content information, and acquires the content information in which the position, the content name, and the protocol of the stream distribution server regarding the selected content are described. . Then, the acquired content information is stored in the content information storage unit 111.
[0035]
Subsequently, the system control unit 108 establishes a connection (session) to the stream distribution server 133 specified in the content information based on the acquired content information, and sets the playback flag in the playback flag storage unit 116 to 1. At this time, it is possible to control the reproduction, stop, fast forward, and rewind building of the stream content by using a protocol such as RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol).
[0036]
The stream distribution server 133 responding to the reproduction request transmits a response including information such as the reproduction end time of the content, and starts transmission of the stream data by a protocol such as UDP (User Datagram Protocol). The system control unit 108 stores the information on the reproduction end time transmitted at this time in an internal memory. When distribution of the content data is started from the stream distribution server 133, the content data is transmitted to the decoder 104 via the FIFO 102 and the buffer memory 103, decoded, and output to the display audio control unit 106. Then, the system control unit 108 controls the display audio control unit 105 to switch from the display screen of the television broadcast to the display screen of the stream content from the decoder 104, and outputs the image data from the decoder 104 to the display unit 106. , And outputs the audio data from the decoder 104 to the audio output unit 107.
[0037]
Further, the system control unit 108 detects the time stamp information added to the stream data every time the stream data is received, and stores the time stamp information in an internal memory.
[0038]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of a display screen of a stream broadcast. In the present embodiment, bar information 422 indicating the current reproduction position is obtained from the reproduction end time of the received stream broadcast and the time stamp of the currently received stream data. Is displayed.
[0039]
Then, the system control unit 108 repeats the transmission request and reception of the stream data by a predetermined amount via the communication unit 112 while monitoring the data amount of the stream data stored in the buffer memory 103, and And the time stamp storage process are repeated.
[0040]
Thereafter, when the user operates the channel button 319 of the remote controller 134 to view the TV program while viewing the stream content such as the screen 431 in FIG. 8, the system control unit 108 controls the television signal processing unit 114 first. , Receiving the broadcast data of the channel “BS8” and obtaining the video and audio data of the received TV broadcast program.
[0041]
Next, since the reproduction flag is 1, it is determined that the stream content is being watched, and the stream distribution is performed via the communication unit 112 based on the content information in the content information storage unit 111 in order to suspend the viewing. The server 133 is requested to pause.
[0042]
Then, the system control unit 108 controls the display audio control unit 105 to switch the display screen of the display unit 105 to image data of a TV broadcast program from the television signal processing unit 114. The state of the display screen at this time is shown on screen 440 in FIG.
[0043]
Upon receiving the pause request, the stream distribution server 133 stops transmitting the stream content data, and stores the ID of the receiver of the request destination and stop position information, for example, a time stamp in association with each other.
[0044]
Next, a description will be given of a process when the reproduction of the stream data is resumed while the reproduction of the stream data is suspended and the TV broadcast program is displayed.
[0045]
When the user operates the stream content button 323 of the remote controller 134 while displaying a TV broadcast program, the system control unit 108 checks the value of the reproduction flag. In this case, since the playback flag is 1, it is determined that there is stream content whose viewing has been interrupted first, and playback is started from the continuation. Therefore, the system control unit 108 uses the content information in the content information storage unit 111 based on the content information. , Requesting the stream distribution server 133 to reproduce.
[0046]
When receiving the reproduction request from the receiver 101, the stream distribution server 133 compares the transmitted ID of the receiver with the previously held ID, and restarts the transmission of the stream data from the corresponding reproduction start position.
[0047]
When the stream data is received by the receiving unit 112, the system control unit 108 sends the stream data to the decoder 104 via the FIFO 102 and the buffer memory 103, generates image data of the stream content, and outputs it to the display audio control unit 105. Then, the display audio control unit 105 is controlled to switch the display screen of the display unit 106 from TV broadcast programs to images of stream contents.
[0048]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the system control unit 108 of the receiver 101 when a user selects and operates a content on the portal site screen.
[0049]
First, when a decision request signal for selecting and deciding content on the portal site is received from the user IF unit 109, focus position information and a decision request are output to the HTML browser unit 110, and content information on the selected stream content is obtained ( Step S201). Then, the acquired content information is stored in the content information storage unit 111 (step S202).
[0050]
Next, a session is established with the stream distribution server 133 based on the content information (step S203), a request is made to the stream distribution server 133 to perform reproduction (step S204), and the reproduction flag is changed to 1 (step S204). Step S205). Next, the output of the display audio control unit 105 is changed to the image data from the decoder unit 104, that is, the stream viewing screen, and the process ends (step S206).
[0051]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the system control unit 108 when the channel button 319 of the remote controller 134 is operated.
[0052]
When a signal for operating the channel button 319 is received via the user IF unit 109, the television signal processing unit 114 is controlled to decode broadcast data of a channel number corresponding to the channel button 319 (step S701). Next, the reproduction flag is checked (step S702). If the reproduction flag is 1, a pause request is made to the stream distribution server 133 (step S703). Then, the display audio control unit 105 is controlled to change the display screen of the display unit 105 to the screen of the TV broadcast program from the television signal processing unit 114. If the reproduction flag is 0 in step S702, the television signal processing unit 104 is controlled to receive the data of the designated channel and display the data on the display unit 105 (step S705).
[0053]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the system control unit 108 when the stream content button 323 is operated after switching to the TV broadcast program in FIG.
[0054]
When a signal for operating the stream content button 323 is received via the user IF unit 109, the reproduction flag is checked (step S801). If the reproduction flag is 0, the reproduction flag is checked based on the content information stored in the content information storage unit 111. It requests the stream distribution server 133 to reproduce the stream data (step S802). Then, when the stream data is received, the display audio control unit 105 is controlled to switch the display screen of the display unit 105 to the stream broadcast screen from the decoder 104 (step S803). If the reproduction flag is 0 in step S801, it is determined that there is no stream content whose reproduction is temporarily suspended, and the process ends.
[0055]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when switching from viewing the stream content to viewing a TV broadcast program, it is possible to display the TV broadcast program of the desired channel only by switching the TV channel. After that, it is possible to switch to the stream content viewing screen only by operating the stream content button. Then, at this time, it is possible to restart the viewing of the stream content from the continuation of the position where the viewing was previously stopped.
[0056]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving system according to the present embodiment, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0057]
First, an internal block diagram of the receiver 101 will be described.
[0058]
In this embodiment, each of the FIFO 102, the buffer memory 103, and the decoder 104 has a function capable of processing stream data for a plurality of channels.
[0059]
The table storage unit 117 holds a table as shown in FIG. In the table of FIG. 10, the content Nos. And the content No. And the playback state corresponding to the content No. And corresponding content information. As shown in FIG. 10A, the playback state is “initial” when the user makes a stop request or when the stream playback ends, and the content information at that time is an undefined value. In addition, the reproduction state takes values of “pause” and “reproduction”.
[0060]
The icon generator 115 generates an icon image indicating that the viewing of the stream content has been interrupted. The focus generator 116 generates a focus image to be drawn on the icon image.
[0061]
Next, the system control unit 108 in the receiving apparatus 101 of the present embodiment will be described.
[0062]
The system control unit 108 changes the value of the table in the table storage unit 117 according to an instruction from the remote controller 134. Then, according to the content information in the table, the stream distribution server 133 is requested to play or pause, etc., and the icon image generated by the icon generator 115 according to the state in the table is set to the focus image from the focus generator 116. In addition, it outputs to the display audio control unit 105.
[0063]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the remote controller 134 according to the present embodiment. The remote controller shown in FIG. 11 has a configuration obtained by removing the stream content button 323 from the remote controller 134 shown in FIG.
[0064]
Next, a description will be given of a process according to the present embodiment accompanying the reception switching of the stream broadcast data.
[0065]
As described above, when the portal site connection is instructed and the portal site screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 105, and the user performs an operation of selecting the content “wild power” 409, the HTML is displayed. Content information from the web server 132 by the browser unit 110
"Rtsp: //audio.contents.com/yasei_no_taiikoku/audio.en
, Rtsp: // video. contents. com / yasei_no_taikoku / video "
To get.
[0066]
In the table of the table storage unit 117, the system control unit 108 determines the content whose reproduction state is “end”, for example, the content No. in FIG. 1 is stored in the content information corresponding to 1.
[0067]
Then, after establishing a session with the stream distribution server 133 based on the acquired content information, the system control unit 108 issues a stream content reproduction request, and requests the content No. in the table shown in FIG. The value of the reproduction state of 1 is changed to “reproduction”. The stream distribution server 133 that has responded to the reproduction request starts transmitting stream data. FIG. 10B shows the table stored in the table storage unit 1772 at this time. Next, the system control unit 108 controls the display audio control unit 105, switches the display screen of the display unit 106 to a stream data viewing screen, and reproduces and displays the received stream data as shown in FIG.
[0068]
After continuing to view the stream data in this way, when the channel button 319 of the remote controller 134 is operated to view the TV broadcast program on the stream viewing screen such as the screen 601 in FIG. 12, the system control unit 108 sets the first Similarly to the embodiment, the television signal processing unit 114 is controlled to receive data of the channel “BS8” and perform a decoding process.
[0069]
At this time, the system control unit 108 interrupts the reproduction of the stream content, so that the table No. 117 in FIG. 1 and then the content No. 1 Requests a temporary stop to the stream distribution server 133 specified in the content information corresponding to No. 1. The stream distribution server 133 that has received the suspension request suspends the transmission of the stream data, and the system control unit 108 transmits the content No. in the table of the table storage unit 117. 1 is changed to "pause". The state of the table at this time is shown in FIG.
[0070]
Then, the system control unit 108 controls the display audio control unit 105 to switch the display screen of the display unit 106 to a TV broadcast program viewing screen. Further, in the table of the table storage unit 117, the content No. whose reproduction state is “pause” is displayed. No. 1 and its No. 1 is searched. , An icon image indicating that the reproduction of the stream data has been interrupted is generated, and a focus image is generated by controlling the focus generation unit 116. The icon image and the focus image are multiplexed. Display on the TV broadcast program viewing screen.
[0071]
A screen 611 in FIG. 12 shows a state of the display screen at this time. On the screen 611, 612 is an icon image, and 613 is a focus image. In this embodiment, “stream 1” is described in the icon 612 so that a plurality of icons can be distinguished when displayed. However, another image may be used.
[0072]
If the user selects the icon 612 by operating the remote controller 134 on the TV viewing screen, the system control unit 108 determines from the table stored in the table storage unit 117 the content indicated by the content information corresponding to the stream 1 A request is made to the distribution server 133 to transmit stream data. When the stream data is transmitted, the stream data is decoded by the decoder 104, and the display screen of the stream content is displayed on the display unit 106 instead of the screen of the TV broadcast program. .
[0073]
When the user operates the portal site button 308 on the remote controller 134 while the screen 611 in FIG. 12 is displayed, the system control unit 108 controls the HTML browser unit 110 to generate the portal site screen as shown in FIG. 4 again. And displays it on the display unit 106. As shown in FIG. 13, when the user moves the focus 803 to the content “100 selections of plants” 812 and performs a selection operation, the HTML browser unit 110 sends the content information from the WEB server 132 to the content information.
"Rtsp: //audio.contents.com/shokubutsu_hyakusen/audio.en
, Rtsp: // video. contents. com / shokubutsu_hyakusen / video "
To get. Then, in the table of the table storage unit 117, the content whose reproduction state is “end”, in this case, the content No. in FIG. 2 is stored in the content information column corresponding to 2.
[0074]
Next, after establishing a session with the stream distribution server 133 based on the acquired content information, the system control unit 108 requests reproduction of the stream content. Then, the content No. shown in FIG. The reproduction state of No. 2 is changed to “reproduction”. Upon receiving the reproduction request, the stream distribution server 133 starts transmitting the stream data. FIG. 10D shows the state of the table stored in the table storage unit 117 at this time.
[0075]
Next, the system control unit 108 controls the display audio control unit 105 to switch the display screen of the display unit 106 to a stream viewing screen, and is viewing another stream content in addition to the stream content currently being reproduced. In order to present the fact to the user, from the table stored in the table storage unit 117, the content No. whose reproduction state is “pause” is displayed. Search for 1. And that No. , And generates a focus image by controlling the focus generation unit 116, and multiplexes the icon image and the focus image on the TV broadcast program viewing screen. Synthesize display.
[0076]
FIG. 14 shows the state of the display screen at this time. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 823 denotes an icon image, and 824 denotes a focus image.
[0077]
When the user operates the channel button 319 of the remote controller 134 to view the TV broadcast program on the stream viewing screen such as the screen 841 in FIG. 15 after continuing to watch the stream data, the system control unit 108 In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the TV signal processing unit 114 is controlled to receive the data of the channel “BS8” and perform the decoding process.
[0078]
Further, in order to interrupt the reproduction of the stream content, the system control unit 108 determines in the table of FIG. 10D stored in the table storage unit 117 that the content No. whose reproduction state is “reproduction”. Find out 2. Next, the content No. A request is made to the stream distribution server 133 specified by the content information corresponding to No. 2 to temporarily stop.
[0079]
The stream distribution server 133 that has received the suspension request suspends the transmission of the stream data, and the system control unit 108 transmits the content No. in the table. Change the playback state of No. 2 to "pause". FIG. 10E shows the state of the table stored in the table storage unit 117 at this time.
[0080]
Next, the system control unit 108 controls the display audio control unit 105 to switch the display screen of the display unit 106 to a TV broadcast program viewing screen. Then, in the table of FIG. 10E stored in the table storage unit 117, the content No. whose reproduction state is “pause” is displayed. 1 and No. 1 No. 2 and its No. The icon generation unit 115 is controlled based on the 1 and No. 2 is generated, and the focus generation unit 116 is controlled to generate focus image data, and the icon image and the focus are multiplexed and combined and displayed on the TV viewing screen.
[0081]
A screen 861 in FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state of the display screen at this time. On the screen 861, the icon 862 of stream 1, the icon 863 of stream 2, and the focus image 864 are combined and displayed.
[0082]
The user can move the focus image 864 between the icons 862 and 863 by operating the directional keys 310 and 311 of the remote controller 134, and an icon indicating a desired stream content while viewing the TV broadcast program, for example, “stream” When the focus image 864 is moved to the icon 863 of “2” and selected, the system control unit 108 determines in the table shown in FIG. The content distribution server 133 requests the content distribution server 133 specified in the content information corresponding to 2 to transmit stream content data.
[0083]
When receiving the transmission request from the receiver 101, the content distribution server 133 restarts the transmission of the stream data from the position where the previous reproduction was stopped. When the data of the stream 2 is transmitted, the system control unit 108 decodes the data by the decoder 104 and displays a stream viewing screen such as a screen 841 in FIG. 15 on the display unit 106 instead of the TV broadcast viewing screen.
[0084]
Also, when the icon 862 of the stream 1 is selected, similarly, when the icon No. 862 is selected from the table of FIG. 1 is read, and transmission of the content data of stream 1 is requested. When the stream data of stream 1 is received, the stream data is decoded to generate a stream broadcast viewing screen, an icon indicating stream 2 is generated, and the display screen of display unit 106 is changed to screen 861 in FIG. The screen is switched to the stream viewing screen of “wild powers” in which the icon 883 of “stream 2” and the focus image 884 are combined and displayed, and the viewing of the stream data is resumed.
[0085]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the system control unit 108 when a content is selected and operated on the portal site screen.
[0086]
When a decision request signal for selecting and deciding content on the portal site is received from the user IF unit 109, focus position information and a decision request are output to the HTML browser unit 110, and content information is acquired (step S1701). Next, in the table stored in the table storage unit 117, it is determined whether or not there is a content whose playback state is “finished” (step S1702). The content No. whose status is “finished” The content is stored in the content information column corresponding to X (X is an arbitrary number) (step S1703).
[0087]
Next, a session is established with the stream distribution server 133 based on the content information (step S1704). Next, reproduction is requested to the stream distribution server 133 (step S1705), and the content No. in the table is displayed. The reproduction state corresponding to X is changed to “reproduction” (step S1706). Next, the display audio control unit 105 is controlled to display the display screen of the display unit 106 with the content No. from the decoder 104. The screen is switched to the stream data of X, that is, the stream viewing screen (step S1707). Also, in the process of step S1702, if there is no content whose playback state is “end” in the table, information indicating that is displayed on the display unit 106, and the process ends (step S1708).
[0088]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the system control unit 108 when the channel button 319 of the remote controller 134 is operated.
[0089]
When a signal obtained by operating the channel button 319 of the remote controller 134 is received via the user IF unit 109, the television signal processing unit 114 is controlled to decode broadcast data of a channel number corresponding to the channel button 319 (step S1801). Next, in the table of the table storage unit 117, it is determined whether or not there is a content whose reproduction state is “reproduction” (step S1802), and if there is, the reproduction state is “reproduction”. Content No. in the table Based on the content information corresponding to X, a request is made to the stream distribution server 133 for a temporary stop (step S1803). Then, the content No. in the table is displayed. The reproduction state corresponding to X is changed to “pause” (step S1804), and the display audio control unit 105 is further controlled to change the display screen of the display unit 106 to the TV program viewing screen from the television signal processing unit 114. Switching is performed (step S1805).
[0090]
Next, the content No. in the table is displayed. For other than X, it is determined whether or not the playback state is “paused” (step S1807). The icon images are created in a number corresponding to the number of the images, and are synthesized and displayed on the TV program viewing screen (step S1807), and the focus images generated by the focus generation unit 116 are synthesized and displayed (step S1808).
[0091]
If there is no content whose reproduction state is "reproduction" in the table in step S1802, the television signal processing unit 114 is controlled to switch to the specified channel, and the process ends (step S1809). If there is no content whose playback state is “pause” in step S1806, the process ends.
[0092]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the system control unit 108 when an icon indicating that the reproduction of the stream content is interrupted is selected.
[0093]
When a determination request signal for selecting and determining an icon indicating the interruption of the reproduction of the stream content is received from the user IF unit 109, the content No. designated in the table is designated. A request is made to the stream distribution server 133 for reproduction based on the content information corresponding to X (step S1901), and the content No. The reproduction state corresponding to X is changed to "reproduction" (step S1902).
[0094]
Next, the display audio control unit 105 is controlled to display the display screen of the display unit 106 with the content No. from the decoder 104. Switching to the data of X, that is, the stream viewing screen (step S1903), the display voice control unit 105 is controlled to delete the icon image and the focus image of the content X (step S1904).
[0095]
Next, it is determined whether or not there is any content whose playback state is “pause” in the table (step S1905). Are created and displayed on the stream viewing screen by the display audio control unit 105 (step S1906), and further, the focus image from the focus generation unit 116 is displayed (step S1907).
[0096]
In the process of step S1905, if there is no content whose playback state is “pause”, the process ends.
[0097]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the display screen can be switched from the stream content to the TV broadcast program of the desired channel only by the switching operation of the TV channel. After that, it is possible to switch to the stream content viewing screen only by operating the stream content button. Then, at this time, it is possible to restart the viewing of the stream content from the continuation of the position where the viewing was previously stopped.
[0098]
In addition, even when a TV broadcast program is being viewed, an icon indicating that there is a stream content whose reproduction is temporarily suspended is displayed on the screen. The user can easily recognize that there is a stream content that exists. Further, by selecting the icon image, it is possible to switch from the TV broadcast program viewing screen to the stream content viewing screen, and to reproduce and display the stream content corresponding to the icon image from the point of interruption.
[0099]
In the first and second embodiments, one of the TV viewing screen and the stream viewing screen is switched and displayed. However, as shown in FIG. 20, a receiver capable of displaying two screens simultaneously is used. The present invention is also applicable to this. In FIG. 20, reference numeral 902 denotes a TV broadcast program viewing screen, and reference numeral 903 denotes a stream viewing screen. Reference numeral 904 denotes a bar indicating the playback position of the stream broadcast, and reference numeral 905 denotes a focus image.
[0100]
From the state of viewing the TV broadcast program and the stream content in the state of the two-screen display shown in FIG. 20, operating the remote control to move the focus image 905 and selecting and selecting the TV broadcast viewing screen 902, According to the procedure described above, the transmission of the stream data displayed on the stream viewing screen 903 is temporarily stopped, the display is switched from the two-screen display to the display of the TV viewing screen only, and the reproduction of the stream data is performed as shown in a screen 611 in FIG. An icon image 612 indicating the interruption and a focus image 613 are combined and displayed.
[0101]
When the stream viewing screen 903 is selected from the two-screen display state, the display is switched to display only this stream data.
[0102]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, in response to a channel switching instruction from a stream broadcast to a television broadcast, reception of the stream broadcast is paused and the television broadcast video is displayed. A television program of a desired channel can be displayed only by the switching operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a receiving system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a channel switching process.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of a remote controller.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a portal site screen.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a stream broadcast screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of switching between a stream broadcast screen and a television broadcast screen.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a channel switching process.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a channel switching process.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another configuration of a receiving system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of a content information table.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state of a remote controller.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state of switching between a stream broadcast screen and a television broadcast screen.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a portal site screen.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a stream broadcast screen.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state of switching between a stream broadcast screen and a television broadcast screen.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a stream broadcast screen.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a channel switching process.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a channel switching process.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a channel switching process.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing display screens of a stream broadcast and a television broadcast.

Claims (15)

Communication means for receiving a stream broadcast via a network;
Receiving means for receiving television broadcasts;
Output means for outputting video data related to the stream broadcast and video data related to the television broadcast to a display device,
Switching instruction means for instructing the switching of the broadcast channel;
During reception of the stream broadcast, in response to a channel switching instruction to the television broadcast by the switching instruction unit, outputting the video data related to the television broadcast received by the receiving unit to the display device. A receiving unit comprising: a control unit that controls an output unit and controls the communication unit so as to temporarily suspend reception of the stream broadcast. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit selects one of the video data related to the stream broadcast and the video data related to the television broadcast and outputs the selected data to the display device. The control unit, in response to an instruction to switch channels to the television broadcast by the switching instruction unit, the output unit to output the video data of the television broadcast instead of the video data of the stream broadcast. The receiving device according to claim 2, wherein the receiving device is controlled. The control unit further controls the communication unit to resume receiving the stream broadcast from the interrupted position in response to an instruction to switch a channel from the television broadcast to the stream broadcast by the switch instruction unit. 2. The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is controlled so as to output video data relating to the stream broadcast whose reception has been resumed by the communication unit. The switching instruction means has a single operation key for instructing switching to the stream broadcasting, and outputs a channel switching instruction to the stream broadcasting in response to operation of the single operation key. The receiving device according to claim 4, wherein Storage means for storing content information indicating the location on the network of the distribution source of the stream broadcast whose reception has been interrupted, wherein the communication means receives the stream broadcast based on the content information stored in the storage means The receiving device according to claim 4, wherein the receiving device is restarted. The switching instruction means has a plurality of channel designation keys respectively corresponding to the television broadcasting of a plurality of channels, and instructs a channel switching to the television broadcasting in accordance with an operation of any one of the plurality of channel designation keys. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein The control unit further suspends reception of the first stream broadcast in response to an instruction to switch a channel to a second stream broadcast of a program different from the first stream broadcast being received by the communication unit. And controlling the communication means so as to start receiving the second stream broadcast and controlling the output means so as to output video data relating to the second stream broadcast. Receiving device. The control unit further controls the communication unit so as to temporarily suspend reception of the second stream broadcast in response to an instruction to switch a channel to the television broadcast during reception of the second stream broadcast. 9. The receiving apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said output means is controlled to output video data relating to a television broadcast received by said receiving means. The control unit further controls the output unit to output information indicating that reception of the first stream broadcast or the second stream broadcast is interrupted to the display device. Item 10. The receiving device according to Item 9. The control unit may further include a position at which reception of the first stream broadcast or the second stream broadcast is interrupted, respectively, in response to an instruction to switch a channel to the first stream broadcast or the second stream broadcast. The receiving device according to claim 9, wherein the communication unit is controlled so as to restart the communication. The control unit further controls the output unit to display image information indicating that reception of the first stream broadcast or the second stream broadcast is interrupted on the display device, and the switching instruction unit Selects one of the image information corresponding to the first stream broadcast and the second stream broadcast displayed on the display device to select the first stream broadcast or the second stream broadcast. The receiving apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the receiving apparatus outputs a channel switching instruction. The control unit erases the display of the image information corresponding to the first stream broadcast in response to the restart of the reception of the first stream broadcast, and restarts the reception of the second stream broadcast. 13. The receiving apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the output unit is controlled to delete the display of the image information corresponding to the second stream broadcast. The control means, in response to an instruction to switch channels from the stream broadcast to the television broadcast, the output means to output information indicating that the reception of the stream broadcast is interrupted to the display device. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device performs control. The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network is the Internet, and the stream broadcast is distributed from a server connected to the Internet.

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