JP2004134859A - Broadcast receiver and recording reserver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely reserve a desired program to be recorded, even if a program table shown by an EPG includes omitted information. <P>SOLUTION: The broadcast receiver 1 extracts and collects character signals superposed on broadcast waves sent from a broadcast station to acquire an EPG and shows a program table based on the acquired EPG on a monitor 16. Upon input of an instruction for registering a reservation from a user according to the program table, the receiver decides whether a selected program includes a plurality of reserving codes, and, if including, displays a select screen 162 showing the program name, the start and end date and time, and reserving codes for every program. It prompts to select desired programs according to the select screen 162 and reserves them to be recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving apparatus and a recording reservation apparatus using an electronic program guide (EPG: Electronic Program Guide).
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique of superimposing a character signal on a broadcast wave of a terrestrial analog broadcast and transmitting an electronic program guide (EPG) regarding a genre, a broadcast time, and the like of a program to be broadcast has been widely used. This EPG is taken out by a receiver in each home and displayed on a television screen as a program guide, so that it can be used for searching for a program that matches the viewer's preference.
[0003]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration of a G guide system 100 for displaying an EPG on a television screen. As shown in FIG. 6, on the transmitting side, the G guide system 100 converts the program guide information created by the broadcaster into a predetermined file format, compresses and encrypts the program guide information, and then converts the VBI (Vertical Blanking) of the television wave. A character signal is inserted into Interval (vertical blanking feedback) and transmitted to each receiver. On the other hand, the receiving side receives the broadcast radio wave by the receiver, extracts the character signal from the VBI as data, temporarily stores the data in a memory or the like, decodes and decompresses the data, and stores the predetermined file described above. Take it out and display it as a program guide on the TV screen.
[0004]
Usually, the EPG obtained as described above includes a code conforming to a predetermined standard such as a G code as a reservation code for causing the recording / recording device to record a program. Based on this, the recording of the recording and recording device is scheduled. For example, based on the acquired EPG, the time information and the like related to the program title are displayed on a television screen so that the user can easily grasp the information, and the user selects a program while browsing the television screen, and responds to the selected program. There is known an electronic program guide display control device that can easily make a reservation by using a reservation code to be made (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
Another form of making a recording reservation of a program using the EPG is to distribute the EPG to the portable information terminal by a WEB service or a mail service for the portable information terminal, and to display a program selection screen on the display screen of the portable information terminal. Is displayed. Then, a desired program is selected from the displayed program selection screen, and infrared communication or the like is performed between the portable information terminal and the recording / recording device, thereby transmitting the reservation code of the selected program to the recording / recording device. A system for making a recording reservation of a program is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0006]
Further, the user obtains an EPG via a site established on the Internet by a wireless telephone, displays a simple EPG on a display screen of the wireless telephone, and selects a desired program from the displayed simple EPG. There is known a program recording system that transmits a reservation code of a received program to a pager by wireless communication, and the pager makes a recording reservation of a recording device based on the received reservation code, thereby making a recording reservation of a program from a remote place. (For example, see Patent Document 3)
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-29897 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-309288 A [Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-145140 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described EPG program recording reservation (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3), when displaying a program guide or a simple EPG on a display screen, program guide information may be omitted and displayed. In some cases, when a recording reservation is made based on an omitted program table or simple EPG, a program other than the desired program may be recorded. That is, since the amount of information displayed on the display screen is limited (particularly, a portable information terminal or the like), two or more programs with a short unit time may be displayed collectively as one program. When a proper program is selected, a plurality of reservation codes included in the selected program are transmitted to the recording and recording device, and the recording of the plurality of programs is reserved.
[0009]
In this case, at the stage of performing the recording reservation, the user has to manually correct the registered recording reservation, or skip unnecessary portions and reproduce the recorded programs after recording a plurality of programs. For this reason, there is a problem that not only is it troublesome and inconvenient to use, but also when a recording of an unnecessary program is performed, a recording medium such as a video tape or an electric bill is wasted.
[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast receiving apparatus and a recording reservation apparatus capable of accurately performing a recording reservation of a desired program even if there is omitted information in a program table displayed based on the EPG. is there.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 uses extraction means (for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) for extracting an electronic program guide superimposed on a broadcast wave transmitted from a broadcast station. The EPG extraction unit 13 shown in FIG. 1) and the display control unit (for example, the process shown in step S1 of FIG. 3) for selectively displaying the electronic program guide on a display unit (for example, the monitor 16 shown in FIG. 1). CPU 14a), an input control means (for example, a CPU 14a for performing the processing shown in step S7 of FIG. 3) for selecting and inputting a program to be scheduled for recording from the electronic program guide displayed on the display means, and the input control means. And a recording reservation unit (for example, a CPU 14a that performs the processing shown in step S8 of FIG. 3) for performing a recording reservation based on a reservation code included in the program selected by the user. Communication apparatus (e.g., a broadcast receiving apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1) at,
Determining means (for example, a CPU 14a for performing the processing shown in step S4 in FIG. 3) for determining whether or not a plurality of reservation codes are included in the program selected by the input control means;
The display control means, if the selected program includes a plurality of reservation codes, program information including a program name, a broadcast date, a program start time, a program end time, and a reservation code of the plurality of programs for each program. Is displayed on the display means.
[0012]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a program guide according to the electronic program guide is displayed on the display means, even when a plurality of programs are omitted and displayed as one program, this program is selected. In this case, a plurality of programs are individually displayed based on a plurality of reservation codes, so that only a desired program can be accurately selected to make a recording reservation. This eliminates the need for the user to correct the scheduled recording once, records a program other than desired, and does not waste a recording medium such as a video tape or an electricity bill.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, a receiving unit (for example, the receiving unit 10 shown in FIG. 1) for receiving program guide information and the program guide information are selected as a display unit. Control means for selectively displaying a program to be scheduled for recording from the program guide information displayed on the display means, and recording based on a reservation code included in the program selected by the input means. Recording reservation means for making a reservation,
A determination unit configured to determine whether the program selected by the input control unit includes a plurality of reservation codes,
The display control means causes the display means to display a selection screen for selecting a desired program from the plurality of programs.
[0014]
Here, the receiving unit may be configured to receive program guide information included in the broadcast wave by selectively receiving a broadcast wave transmitted from a broadcast station, for example, through a wired or wireless communication line. Alternatively, the program guide information may be received by accessing an e-mail, a homepage, or the like.
[0015]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the program guide information is displayed on the display means, even when a plurality of programs are omitted and displayed as one program, this program is selected. In order to separately display a plurality of programs based on a plurality of reservation codes, for example, not only when making a recording reservation through a television screen, but also to make a recording reservation through a portable information terminal having a small display device. Even in the case of performing the recording, it is possible to accurately select only a desired program and make a recording reservation. That is, the present invention is a highly versatile technology applicable to various devices, and can improve the operability and convenience of the device to which the present invention is applied.
[0016]
In the invention according to claim 3, the receiving means receives a broadcast radio wave transmitted from a broadcasting station and extracts electronic guide information superimposed on the received broadcast radio wave (for example, an EPG extraction unit 13). It is characterized by having.
[0017]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, for example, in a device such as a television for receiving broadcast radio waves, program guide information can be extracted from the received broadcast radio waves and displayed on the display means.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 4, wherein the display control means displays at least one of a program name, a broadcast date, a program start time, a program end time, a reservation code, and a channel for each program on the selection screen. It is displayed.
[0019]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, information such as a program name, a broadcast date, a program start time, a program end time, a reservation code, and a channel is displayed for each program, so that information about the program can be easily obtained. A desired program can be selected.
[0020]
The program guide information according to claim 5, wherein the program guide information includes at least one of a broadcast station broadcasting the program, a broadcast date, a program name, a program start time, a program end time, a reservation code, and a program genre. And
[0021]
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the user can easily search for a desired program and make a recording reservation based on various information included in the program guide information. Further, since the reservation code is included, the troublesome work of the recording reservation operation can be omitted.
[0022]
The invention according to claim 6, wherein the program guide information is an electronic program guide.
[0023]
According to the invention of claim 6, for example, an electronic program guide provided by an existing G guide system can be used, so that costs such as initial investment costs can be suppressed.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example.
[0025]
First, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the broadcast receiving device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows only the components necessary for the present invention, and omits other components unnecessary for the description. As shown in FIG. 1, the broadcast receiving apparatus 1 includes a receiving unit 10, an audio detecting circuit 11, a video detecting circuit 12, an EPG extracting unit 13, a control unit 14, a speaker 15, a monitor 16, a light receiving unit 17, a remote control 18, and the like. It is provided with. The broadcast receiving apparatus 1 is connected to an external device 20 for recording a program reserved for recording.
[0026]
The receiving unit 10 includes an antenna 10a, receives a broadcast radio wave (for example, a terrestrial analog broadcast radio wave) transmitted from a broadcast station by the antenna 10a, and selects and receives a desired broadcast program from the tuner. As a function. The receiving unit 10 extracts a video signal and an audio signal from the received broadcast radio waves, and outputs the video signal and the audio signal to the video detection circuit 18 and the audio detection circuit 19, respectively. Further, the receiving unit 10 outputs the broadcast radio wave to the EPG extraction unit 12 for extracting a character signal superimposed on the broadcast radio wave.
[0027]
The audio detection circuit 11 detects an audio signal from the video signal and the audio signal input from the receiving unit 10, amplifies the audio signal by an amplifier circuit (not shown), and outputs the amplified audio signal to the speaker 15.
[0028]
The video detection circuit 12 detects a video signal from the video signal and the audio signal input from the receiving unit 10, amplifies the video signal by an amplifier circuit (not shown), and outputs the amplified video signal to the monitor 16.
[0029]
The EPG extracting unit 13 extracts a character signal transmitted by being superimposed on a broadcast wave, acquires an EPG, and outputs the acquired EPG to the monitor 16 as a program table. Here, the EPG includes information such as a program name, a broadcast date, a program start time, a program end time, a reservation code, a channel, and the like of a program for about two weeks. It is displayed as a program guide. This EPG corresponds to an example of the program guide information described in the claims. The reservation code is composed of, for example, a code number such as a G code conforming to a predetermined standard, and compresses four pieces of information required for making a recording reservation, that is, a broadcast date, a program start time, a program end time, and a channel. Recording reservation can be made by inputting a code number, which has been replaced with a maximum of eight digits by a coding technique, to the recording / recording device.
[0030]
When a channel selection operation, a reservation operation, or the like transmitted from the remote controller 18 is input via the light receiving unit 17, the control unit 14 drives and controls each unit of the broadcast receiving device 1 according to a system program or a control program.
[0031]
The EPG extraction circuit 13 and the control unit 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the EPG extraction circuit 13 and the control unit 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the EPG extraction circuit 13 includes a data acquisition circuit 13a, a buffer memory 13b, a page memory 13d, an output IF 13e, and the like. The control unit 14 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 14a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14b, RAM (Random Access Memory) 14c, date and time data extraction circuit 14d, input IF (interface) 14e, external device control circuit 14f, page memory 13c, reservation memory 14h, and the like. They are connected by a bus 14i.
[0032]
The CPU 14a operates according to a control program stored in the ROM 14b and control data stored in the RAM 14c. The CPU 14a controls timing of a character signal in the data capturing circuit 13a and controls data transfer from the data capturing circuit 13a to the buffer memory 13b. Further, the CPU 14a transfers the character data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 13b to the page memory 13c in page units and stores the character data in the EPG storage unit 13d.
[0033]
When a display instruction for a program guide is input from the remote controller 18, the CPU 14a acquires the EPG from the EPG storage unit 13d in the page memory 13c, outputs the EPG from the output IF 13e, and displays the program guide on the monitor 16. Display. Further, the CPU 11 a controls ON / OFF of the video detection circuit 12 and the switching circuits 19 a and 19 b provided in the EPG extraction unit 13. That is, when displaying the program guide on the monitor 16, the switch of the EPG extracting unit 13 is turned on to output the EPG.
[0034]
Further, the CPU 14a executes a recording reservation process (see FIG. 3) described later. When executing the recording reservation process, the CPU 14a acquires a recording reservation instruction transmitted from the remote controller 18 via the input IF circuit 14k, and extracts a reservation code from the EPG of the selected program. The CPU 14a determines whether or not the acquired EPG includes a plurality of reservation codes. If the EPG includes one reservation code, the CPU 14a transfers the reservation code to the reservation memory 16i and stores the same. Further, the CPU 14a stores program data (for example, broadcast date, program start time, program end time, channel, etc.) of the selected program in the reserved program data storage unit 14g, and makes a recording reservation of the program.
[0035]
On the other hand, when a plurality of reservation codes are included in the EPG, date and time data indicating the start and end of each program are obtained from the reservation codes, and the program name, broadcast date, program start time, program end time, and reservation code are monitored. 16 and the user is made to select and input. When the CPU 14a acquires the reservation code of the selected program via the remote controller 18, the CPU 14a stores the reservation code in the reservation memory 14h, and stores the program data of the selected program in the reservation program data storage unit 14g. Make a recording reservation for.
[0036]
The data capturing circuit 13a extracts a character signal superimposed on the video data input from the receiving unit 10, performs synchronous reproduction and error correction on the character signal, and then temporarily stores the character signal in the buffer memory 13b. Remember. The buffer memory 13b outputs the stored data as an EPG to the page memory 13c on a page basis under the control of the CPU 14a.
[0037]
The page memory 13c includes an EPG storage unit 13d and a reserved program data storage unit 14g. The EPG storage unit 13d stores the EPG transferred from the buffer memory 13b in page units, and stores the EPG updated every predetermined time (for example, several times a day) under the control of the CPU 14a. The reserved program data storage unit 14g stores program data reserved for recording by the recording reservation process executed by the CPU 14a.
[0038]
The date and time data extraction circuit 14d calculates date and time data from the reservation code read from the reservation memory 14h, and stores the date and time data in the reserved program data storage unit 14g of the page memory 13c as a broadcast date, a program start time, and a program end time. The date and time data is compared with the current date and time data by the CPU 14a, and a control signal for starting the reservation is output from the CPU 14a to the external device 20 according to the comparison result.
[0039]
The input IF 14e outputs an operation instruction, a recording reservation instruction, and the like input via the light receiving unit 17 to the CPU 14a.
[0040]
The external device control circuit 14f controls the driving of the external device 20 by a control code output from the CPU 14a and corresponding to the type of the external device 20. This allows the external device 20 to record the program reserved for recording in the broadcast receiving device 1.
[0041]
The reservation memory 14h stores the reservation code of the program selected in the above-described recording reservation processing.
[0042]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
As a premise for the description of the operation, a program for realizing each process described in the following flowchart is stored in the ROM 14b in the form of a computer-readable program code, and the CPU 14a complies with the program code. Execute the operation sequentially.
[0043]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a recording reservation process executed by the CPU 14a. As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 14a displays a program table by the EPG on the monitor 16 according to the instruction sent from the remote controller 18 (step S1). Next, when acquiring the recording reservation instruction transmitted from the remote controller 18 (step S2), the CPU 14a extracts a reservation code from the EPG included in the acquired recording reservation instruction (step S3). The CPU 14a determines whether there is a plurality of extracted reservation codes (step S4), and if there is only one reservation code (step S4; YES), proceeds to step S8 to make a program recording reservation. .
[0044]
On the other hand, when there are a plurality of extracted reservation codes (step S4; NO), the CPU 14a acquires the program name from the EPG, and uses the time data extraction circuit 14d to extract the program broadcast date, program start time, program The end time is acquired (step S5), and the respective program name, program start time, program end time, and reservation code are displayed on the selection screen (step S6). Subsequently, on the displayed selection screen, the user selects a program for which recording reservation is to be made (step S7), stores the reservation code of the selected program in the reservation memory 14h, and stores the program data in the reservation program data storage unit 14g. , And make a scheduled recording of the program (step S8).
[0045]
Next, a selection screen displayed on the monitor 16 in the above-described recording reservation processing will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a program guide display screen 161 displayed on the monitor 16 in step S1. As shown in FIG. 4, on the display screen 161, programs broadcast at each time are displayed in a table format based on the channel and the broadcast time. The user can make a recording reservation by selecting a desired program while viewing the program table.
[0046]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen 162 displayed on the monitor 16 in step S6. For example, when the program C3 is selected and instructed in the program table shown in FIG. 4 and a plurality of reservation codes are included in the program C3, as shown in FIG. The name, start and end time, and reservation code are displayed for each program. The user selects a desired program (for example, program B) from the displayed selection screen 162, moves the cursor to the reservation key, and transmits an instruction, thereby making a recording reservation for the desired program. . In the selection screen 162, a plurality of displayed programs can be selected. The broadcast date may be displayed on the selection screen.
[0047]
As described above, the broadcast receiving device 1 extracts the character signal superimposed on the broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station, collects the character signal, and acquires the EPG. Then, the program table based on the acquired EPG is displayed on the monitor 16, and when the user inputs a recording reservation instruction from the program table, it is determined whether or not the selected program includes a plurality of reservation codes. When a plurality of reservation codes are included, a selection screen 162 displaying a program name, start and end date and time, and a reservation code is displayed for each program. Then, on this selection screen 162, a desired program is selected to make a recording reservation.
[0048]
Thereby, for example, even when a plurality of programs are omitted from the EPG program table and displayed as one program, when a plurality of reservation codes are included, the program names, start and end dates and times of the plurality of programs are included. , The reservation code is displayed on the selection screen 162, and the user can select a desired program. Therefore, since a program other than the desired program is not reserved for recording, the trouble of correcting the reservation at the time of recording reservation can be saved, and the broadcast receiving apparatus 1 with good operability can be provided. it can. In addition, since a program other than a desired program is not scheduled for recording and is not additionally recorded, there is no need to skip unnecessary portions during reproduction, and it is possible to eliminate waste of a video tape and an electric bill.
[0049]
The description in the present embodiment described above is an example of a suitable broadcast receiving device and recording reservation device according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0050]
For example, the broadcast receiving apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has been described as a configuration in which a character signal superimposed on a broadcast wave is extracted to acquire an EPG. For example, the broadcast receiving apparatus 1 receives an EPG via electronic mail or the Internet. The present invention can also be applied to portable information terminals and the like. That is, a program guide of an EPG is displayed on a display device such as a portable information terminal, a desired program is selected from the program guide, and a reservation code is transmitted to a recording / recording device via wireless communication, thereby recording the program. In portable information terminals and the like that make reservations, the amount of information that can be displayed is limited because the display device is downsized. For this reason, the displayed program is easily omitted as described above. However, by applying the present invention, the omitted information can be accurately displayed according to the user's instruction even in a miniaturized display device. The recording of a desired program can be reliably reserved.
[0051]
The broadcast receiving device 1 includes an external device control circuit 14f, and a program is recorded by the external device 20 connected to the broadcast receiving device 1. For example, the broadcast receiving device 1 has a large capacity. A configuration in which a hard disk device is provided and a program is recorded on the hard disk device may be employed.
[0052]
In addition, the detailed configuration and the detailed operation of the components of the broadcast receiving apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the program guide information is displayed on the display unit, even when a plurality of programs are omitted and displayed as one program, this program is selected. In this case, since a plurality of programs are individually displayed based on a plurality of reservation codes, recording reservation can be performed by appropriately selecting only a desired program. This eliminates the need for the user to correct the scheduled recording once, records a program other than desired, and does not waste a recording medium such as a video tape or an electricity bill.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a broadcast receiving device 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an EPG extraction unit 13 and a control unit 14 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a recording reservation process executed by a CPU 14a shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a diagram showing an example of a program guide display screen 161 displayed on a monitor 16. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen 162 displayed on a monitor 16.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conceptual diagram of a conventional G guide system.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 broadcast receiving apparatus 10 receiving section 10a antenna 11 audio detection circuit 12 video detection circuit 13 EPG extraction section 13a data acquisition circuit 13b buffer memory 13c page memory 13d EPG storage section 13e output IF
14 control unit 14a CPU
14b ROM
14c RAM
14d Date / time data extraction circuit 14e Input IF
14f External device control circuit 14g Reserved program data storage unit 14h Reserved memory 14i Bus 15 Speaker 16 Monitor 17 Light receiving unit 18 Remote control 19a, b Switching circuit 20 External device 100 G guide system

Claims (6)

Extracting means for extracting an electronic program guide superimposed on a broadcast wave transmitted from a broadcasting station, display control means for selectively displaying the electronic program guide on a display means, and electronic program guide displayed on the display means A broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: an input control unit that selects and inputs a program to be reserved for recording from; and a recording reservation unit that performs recording reservation based on a reservation code included in the program selected by the input control unit.
Determining means for determining whether or not the program selected by the input control means includes a plurality of reservation codes,
When the selected program includes a plurality of reservation codes, the display control means displays program information including the program name, broadcast date, program start time, program end time, and reservation code of the plurality of programs. A broadcast receiving apparatus characterized in that a selection screen displayed every time is displayed on a display means. Receiving means for receiving the program guide information; display control means for selectively displaying the program guide information on a display means; and input control means for selecting and inputting a program to be scheduled for recording from the program guide information displayed on the display means. And a recording reservation unit that performs recording reservation based on a reservation code included in the program selected by the input unit.
Determining means for determining whether or not the program selected by the input control means includes a plurality of reservation codes,
The recording reservation device, wherein the display control means causes a display screen to display a selection screen for selecting a desired program from the plurality of programs. 3. The recording reservation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiving means includes an extracting means for receiving a broadcast radio wave transmitted from a broadcast station and extracting electronic guidance information superimposed on the received broadcast radio wave. The display control means displays at least one of a program name, a broadcast date, a program start time, a program end time, a reservation code, and a channel for each program on the selection screen. Item 3. A recording reservation device according to Item 2. 3. The recording according to claim 2, wherein the program guide information includes at least one of a broadcast station broadcasting the program, a broadcast date, a program name, a program start time, a program end time, a reservation code, and a program genre. Reservation device. 6. The recording reservation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the program guide information is an electronic program guide.

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