JP2004215288A - Display control apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speedily and surely select a desired image out of a number of images. <P>SOLUTION: In an electronic program guide for selecting a program, the electronic program guide (data stream) composed of a still picture resulting from reducing the representative picture of a program is displayed while being superimposed on a picture of a program that is originally received and displayed. When a command for moving a cursor upward or downward is inputted while the cursor is positioned on a predetermined category, a still picture of the category is scrolled downward or upward. When no command is inputted longer than a preset fixed time, still pictures of respective categories are automatically scrolled at the same time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control device and method, and more particularly, to a display control device and method that enables a desired image to be quickly and reliably selected from many images.

  Recently, systems for digitizing and transmitting television signals via satellites such as broadcasting satellites and communication satellites and receiving the signals at homes have become widespread. In this system, for example, nearly 80 channels can be secured, so that an extremely large number of programs can be broadcast.

In such a system, an electronic program guide (EPG: Electronic Program Guide) is transmitted and received on a receiving side to ensure that a desired program can be selected from many programs. It is proposed to display a desired program from the electronic program guide.
JP-A-6-217271

  However, in the conventional EPG system, when a predetermined program is displayed, the electronic program guide is displayed on the electronic program guide, so that the image of the original program is interrupted and the program is difficult to see. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. For example, it is possible to quickly and reliably select a desired program by minimizing the image of a program being viewed. Things.

  The display control device of the present invention is a display control device that controls the display of images belonging to an arbitrary category. The display control device displays icons representing a plurality of different categories in a band shape and displays a category selected by a user operation. Each time an instruction is given to move the cursor in a predetermined direction, the entire icon displayed in a band shape is moved by one icon in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction. It is characterized by comprising display control means for scrolling by the amount of the icon.

  The display control means can further scroll the images belonging to the category selected by the user operation.

  The display control means can scroll the image in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the icons are arranged.

  The display control means can further display information on one image on which the cursor is superimposed.

  The display control means can further display the icons arranged in a band so as to be superimposed on the image of the program.

  A display control method according to the present invention is a display control method for controlling display of an image belonging to an arbitrary category, in which icons representing a plurality of different categories are arranged in a band and displayed, and a category selected by a user operation is displayed. Each time an instruction is given to move the cursor in a predetermined direction, the entire icon displayed in a band shape is moved by one icon in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction. A display control step of scrolling by an icon is included.

  In the display control device and method according to the present invention, icons representing a plurality of different categories are displayed in a band shape, and a cursor is displayed so as to be superimposed on one image belonging to a category selected by a user operation. Every time it is instructed to move in a predetermined fixed direction, the entire icons displayed in a band are scrolled by one icon in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

  According to the present invention, a desired image can be quickly and reliably selected from many images.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a transmission device to which the present invention is applied. The transmitting apparatus includes a switcher 301. For example, in the United States, the switcher 301 includes CNN, GAORA, Asahi, STAR, TRY, MTV, Super, Sports, BBC, CSNI, Green (trademark or service mark), etc. Video data and audio data supplied from broadcasting stations such as NHK, Nippon Television, TBS Television, Fuji Television, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo, and WOWOW (trademark or service mark) are digital data. Is entered as

  Alternatively, a digital video signal and an audio signal reproduced by a digital video tape recorder (DVTR) (not shown) are input to the switcher 301.

  The switcher 301 is controlled by the program transmission control device 308 and, among the input video signal and audio signal, a plurality of predetermined broadcast channels (however, in this case, the video signal and the audio signal are counted as one broadcast channel. ) Is output to the promotion channel generation device 302.

  Further, the switcher 301 selects five predetermined broadcast channels from the input signals and outputs the selected broadcast channels to the MPEG video / audio encoder block 303-1. Similarly, signals for five predetermined broadcast channels are selected and output to the MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 303-2 to 303-7.

  Further, a predetermined video signal output from the switcher 301 is supplied to a JPEG encoder block 310 incorporated in the EPG data generation device 309.

  The promotion channel generating device 302 independently processes signals of two predetermined channels among the input signals of a plurality of broadcast channels.

  The promotion channel generation device 302 also stores bitmap data such as icons, station logos, and category logos to be transmitted generated by the EPG data generation device 309 under the control of the program transmission control device 308 (these are described later). (It can be stored in advance on the IRD2 side in FIG. 20). The promotion channel generation device 302 superimposes this bitmap data on the video signal input from the switcher 301.

  The promotion channel generation device 302 outputs the processed data to the multiplexer (MUX) 304-1. The details of the promotion channel generation device 302 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 303-1 to 303-7 encode five channels (five units) of MPEG so as to encode video signals and audio signals of five broadcast channels each input from the switcher 301. Built-in video / audio encoder. The MPEG video / audio encoders 303-1 to 303-7 encode the input video data and audio data and output them to the corresponding multiplexers 304-2 to 304-8.

  The JPEG video encoder block 310 incorporated in the EPG data generation device 309 selects a predetermined representative screen from the video signals input from the switcher 301 in response to a command from the program transmission control device 308, The representative screen is reduced to a small screen, and the data of the reduced screen is compressed and output to the multiplexers 304-1 to 304-8 as first EPG data (EPG1).

  Further, other EPG data (EPG2) generated by the EPG data generation device 309 is supplied to the multiplexers 304-2 to 304-8. This EPG 2 includes EPG data centering on text for a relatively short period of time. Further, the multiplexer 304-1 is supplied with the EPG data of the EPG2 and the third EPG data (EPG3) centered on the text in a period after the EPG data.

  The multiplexers 304-2 to 304-8 and the multiplexer 304-1 receive these EPG1 to EPG3 or EPG1 and EPG2 from the MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 303-1 to 303-7 or the promotion channel generation device 302. Multiplexed with the video data and audio data to be output to the digital modulation circuits 305-2 to 305-8 or the digital modulation circuit 305-1. The digital modulation circuits 305-1 to 305-8 digitally modulate the input digital data by a predetermined method (for example, QPSK method). Outputs of these digital modulation circuits 305-1 to 305-8 are respectively assigned to satellite transponders (transponders 1 to 8 in FIG. 12 described later).

  The combining circuit 306 combines the outputs of the digital modulation circuits 305-1 to 305-8 and transmits the combined output to the satellite via the antenna 307.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration example of the promotion channel generation device 302. The data of one broadcast channel output from the switcher 301 is processed as a single screen by the single screen generation device 332-1. Then, the output is input to the superimposer 333-1, and the data supplied from the EPG data generator 309 is superimposed. Then, the output of the superimposer 333-1 is output to the MPEG video / audio encoder block 334-1.

  Similarly, the data for the remaining one broadcast channel output from the switcher 301 is independently processed by the single screen generation device 332-2, and then input to the super imposer 333-2, where the EPG data generation device 309 The input data is superimposed. The data output from the superimposer 333-2 is input to the MPEG video / audio encoder block 334-2 and is encoded.

  The audio data for each channel taken into the single screen generation devices 332-1 and 332-2 are encoded by the MPEG video / audio encoders 334-1 and 334-2, respectively.

  The data output from the MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 334-1 and 334-2 are multiplexed by the multiplexer 335 and output to the multiplexer 304-1.

  In this way, the European standard of digital video broadcasting performed to the receiving device (IRD2 in FIG. 20) located in each home via a satellite is set to about 150, mainly by European broadcasters and manufacturers. It was compiled by the project DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) in which the company participated. On the receiving side, a screen of the electronic program guide was generated from the EPG data transmitted in this way according to this standard, and the monitor device Can be displayed.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. The switcher 301 is controlled by the program transmission control device 308, selects signals for two channels to be broadcast for promotion, and outputs the signals to the promotion channel generation device 302.

  The data of one channel output from the switcher 301 is subjected to predetermined processing in the single screen generation device 332-1, and then input to the super imposer 333-1. This single-screen program introduces a part of a predetermined program, for example, in order to advertise the program. FIG. 3 shows a display example of this promotion program.

  The superimposer 333-1 superimposes the data input from the EPG data generator 309 on the video data. In the display example of FIG. 3, the characters “promotion channel 1 NHK” as the item names displayed in the upper left, the characters “program introduction” as the item contents, and the broadcast actually broadcasting this program The logo of the station (station) is superimposed (“NHK” in this embodiment) (however, the station logo is not superimposed if stored in the IRD 2).

  Then, the output of the superimposer 333-1 is input to the MPEG video / audio encoder block 334-1 and encoded by the MPEG2 system.

  Similar processing is performed on the signal of the other remaining one channel selected by the switcher 301 by the independent screen generation device 332-2, the super-imposer 333-2, and the MPEG video / audio encoder block 334-2. Done. Therefore, two promotion channels for introducing a program on a single screen are generated in this embodiment.

  The multiplexer 335 multiplexes the data of the promotion channel composed of two independent screens output from the MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 334-1 and 334-2, and outputs the multiplexed data to the multiplexer 304-1.

  The multiplexer 304-1 multiplexes the EPG data EPG1 to EPG3 input from the EPG data generation device 309 with the data input from the promotion channel generation device 302, packetizes and outputs the packets. The digital modulation circuit 305-1 digitally modulates the data input from the multiplexer 304-1. The data output from the digital modulation circuit 305-1 is assigned to the satellite guide transponder (transponder 1 in FIG. 12).

  On the other hand, the MPEG video / audio encoder block 303-1 encodes video data and audio data for five broadcast channels input from the switcher 301 and outputs the encoded data to the multiplexer 304-2. The multiplexer 304-2 packetizes the data for these five broadcasts and the EPG data EPG1 and EPG2 supplied from the EPG data generation device 309, multiplexes them, and outputs them to the digital modulation circuit 305-2. The digital modulation circuit 305-2 digitally modulates the data input from the multiplexer 304-2. The data digitally modulated by the digital modulation circuit 305-2 is assigned to the first transponder (transponder 2 in FIG. 12) among the normal transponders.

  In the same manner, the multiplexers 304-3 to 304-8 similarly transmit the data of the other five broadcast channels encoded by the MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 303-2 to 303-7 and the EPG data EPG1, EPG2 is packetized and multiplexed, and input to corresponding digital modulation circuits 305-3 to 305-8. The digital modulation circuits 305-3 to 305-8 digitally modulate the input data. The data signals modulated by the digital modulation circuits 305-3 to 305-8 are assigned to the remaining six normal transponders (transponders 3 to 8 in FIG. 12).

  The combining circuit 306 combines the data output from the digital modulation circuits 305-1 to 305-8 and outputs the combined data to the satellite via the antenna 307. The satellite processes this data with eight transponders and transmits it to each receiving device (IRD2).

  Here, the EPG data EPG1 to EPG3 will be described. In this embodiment, as will be described later, when the program guide button switch 144 (FIG. 24) of the remote commander 5 is operated, a normal screen is displayed on the monitor device 4 (FIG. 20) as shown in FIG. The data stream screen is superimposed. This data stream is composed of a title bar and a program window as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.

  In the title bar, as shown in FIG. 5, a genre icon that symbolically represents the genre of the program is displayed on the leftmost side. Next to the genre icon, a station logo is displayed as a symbol of a broadcasting station broadcasting the program. Then, the title of the program is displayed next to the station logo.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the case of this embodiment, the program window is composed of still images obtained by reducing representative screens of five broadcast channels. On each reduced screen, a genre icon representing the genre to which the program belongs is displayed.

  When the info button switch 145 (FIG. 24) of the remote commander 5 is operated, as shown in FIG. 7, an info screen for explaining the program in more detail is displayed. At the top of this information screen, a title bar is displayed as in the case of the data stream shown in FIG.

  In the lower left of the title bar, a reduced screen of the still image of the representative screen is displayed, and on the upper and lower right sides, the broadcast date and time of this program and the names of the performers (persons) of this program are displayed. Further, below the content, a content description describing the content of the program is displayed.

  Among them, EPG1 is still image data constituting the program window shown in FIG. 6, EPG2 and EPG3 are data such as a program title, broadcast date and time, performers, description, and the like. EPG3 is for programs that will be broadcast in the distant future than the program represented by EPG2. These EPG1 to EPG3 are displayed as OSD.

  FIGS. 8 to 10 show an electronic program displayed on a receiving device (IRD2 in FIG. 29) capable of processing only characters (characters) and displaying (cannot process still images) as an OSD. 7 shows a display example of a guide.

  FIG. 8 shows an electronic program guide (entire program guide) for all channels, in which the vertical axis represents the name of a broadcasting station, the horizontal axis represents time, and the position is defined by the two axes. At the broadcast station, the title of the program broadcast at that time is displayed.

  FIG. 9 shows a display example of an electronic program guide (channel program guide) of one broadcasting station. In this example, the title and the broadcast start time of the program being broadcast on the broadcast channel are displayed from top to bottom.

  The entire program table shown in FIG. 8 and the channel program table shown in FIG. 9 are the minimum information (program outline description) required to select a desired program. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, information (detailed program description) that describes the contents of a predetermined program (or a predetermined broadcast station (broadcast channel)) is not always necessary for selecting a program. This information is not used, but is helpful in selecting a program. Therefore, the detailed program description is also transmitted as EPG data.

  If both the program guide (program description) and the program contents (program description) are transmitted from each transponder for a long time, the transmission rates of video data and audio data that should be transmitted are correspondingly increased. It will get worse. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11A, the EPG data generation device 309 supplies the transponders (multiplexers 304-2 to 304-8) of the transmission channel for transmitting the data of the normal program as EPG2 with a maximum of 80 Broadcast channels (10 transponders per transponder, and eight transponders are assigned to one satellite, the number of broadcast channels is 80. However, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 1, 37 (= 5) × 7 + 2) for 24 hours of program table data), 80 broadcast channels (37 broadcast channels) of currently broadcasted programs (at that time), and the next program Transmit the program content data.

  This prevents each transponder from deteriorating the transmission rate of the video signal and audio data to be transmitted.

  On the other hand, the transmission channel (the transmission channel corresponding to the digital modulation circuit 305-1) of the promotion channel generation device 302 is broadcast on another transmission channel (the transmission channel corresponding to the digital modulation circuits 305-2 to 305-8). It is a channel for mainly (prioritized) transmission of promotional programs, such as introduction of programs, programs for encouraging broadcast reception, and advertisement of program providers. Unlike other normal transponders, the transponder (guide transponder) for transmitting the information of the promotion channel transmits a larger number of program guide data and program content data even if a normal program is transmitted. It is possible.

  Therefore, in this promotion channel, the EPG data generation device 309 transmits program guide data and program content data for a longer time as EPG3 as shown in FIG. 11B. In this embodiment, the program guide data is data for 150 hours, and the program content data is data for 70 hours.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the guide transponder (transponder 1) transmits program guide data of 150 hours of each broadcast channel of 80 broadcast channels and program content data of 70 hours of 80 broadcast channels. You.

  On the other hand, in a normal transponder (transponders 2 to 8), program table data for 24 hours of 80 broadcast channels, and program content data for 80 broadcast channels from the current program to the next program are stored. Transmitted.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 11, still image data (data stream) is indispensable for program selection, and therefore, like a program guide (program outline description), a normal transponder requires 24 hours ( EPG1-2) is transmitted, and 150 hours (EPG1-2 and EPG1-3) are transmitted in the guide transponder.

  Next, details of the EPG data will be further described. The EPG data is transmitted together with other accompanying data as a kind of service information SI (Service Information) in the DVB system. Data necessary for creating an electronic program guide from the EPG data is shown in FIG. The data shown in FIG.

  A service provider that specifies a provider that supplies a service (broadcast channel), a service name that indicates a service name, and a service type that indicates a service type (service type) are respectively described in an SDT (Service Description Table) in the EPG data. It has been described. In this service type, for example, a description indicating whether it is a single screen (promotion_service) or not is provided.

  The title indicating the program name is defined as an event_name of the Short Event Descriptor of the EIT (Event Information Tabl). The subtitle (type) is described in the EIT's Component Descriptor.

  The current date and time is defined as UTC_time in a TDT (Time and Date Table).

  The program start time is described as start_time of the EIT. The program time length is described as an EIT duration.

  Further, for example, in a case where viewing by only a person of a predetermined age or more is permitted, a parental (parental) rate (Parental Rate) that defines the age is described in a Parental Descriptor of the EIT.

  The video mode is described in EIT's Component Descriptor, and the provided language is described in PMT's ISO639 language Descriptor. Further, the provided audio mode is described in the EIT's Component Descriptor.

  The category is described in the Content Descriptor of the EIT.

  Further, for example, the performer shown in FIG. 7 and the outline of the program such as the entire program table and the channel program table shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are described in the Short Event Descriptor of the EIT. The detailed program description such as the detailed program description of FIG. 10 is described in the Extended Event Descriptor of the EIT.

  Further, the promotion information such as the item name (promotion channel 1 NHK), the item contents (program introduction), and the station logo (NHK) (when transmitting) described with reference to FIG. 3 is described in the SDT Promotion Descriptor. You.

  FIG. 14 shows a configuration of the SDT. The SDT includes data describing a service in the system such as a service name and a service provider. In the figure, the numbers in parentheses indicate the number of bytes.

  The first 10 bytes are used as a header and include a common structure 1 (3), a transport stream ID (transport_stream_id (2)), a common structure 2 (3), and an original network ID (original_network_id (2)). I have. The transport stream ID provides a label to identify the transport stream from which the SDT provides information from other transport streams multiplexed in the same delivery system.

  The original network ID is a label that identifies the network ID that is the source of the delivery system.

  The header is followed by a service descriptor loop (service descriptor loop) [0] to service descriptors loop [N], and finally a CRC_32 (4) for error correction.

  In each service descriptor loop, service_id (2), EIT_schedule_flag, EIT_pre / fol_flag, running_status, and free_CA_mode are arranged.

  service_id provides a label to identify the service from other services in the same transport stream. The service_id is the same as the program number (program_number) in the corresponding program map section (program_map_section).

  EIT_schedule_flag indicates whether or not EIT_schedule information is present in its own transport stream.

  EIT_present / following_flag indicates the presence / absence of EIT_present / following information in its own transport stream.

  The running_status indicates whether the service has not yet started, will start a few minutes later (to prepare for VCR recording), has already started, has already started, or is currently suspended, and so on. Show.

  free_CA_mode indicates whether the service can be accessed free of charge or controlled by a conditional access system.

  Next to this, descriptor_loop_length is arranged. This indicates the total length of the following descriptors.

  The next service_descriptor [i] supplies the service_provider (service provider) name and the service name in text format along with the service_type.

  The next country_availability_descriptor [i] indicates a permitted country list and a non-permitted country list, and can be inserted up to twice.

  Next, "descriptors" are arranged, and include the above-mentioned promotion descriptors and the like.

  FIG. 15 shows a configuration of the EIT. A common structure 1 (3), service_id (2), common structure 2 (3), and transport_stream_id (2) are arranged in the header of the first 10 bytes.

  Next, original_network_id (2) is arranged, and next, last_table_id (1) is arranged. This last_table_id (1) identifies the final (= maximum) table_id. When only one table is used, table_id of the table is set. When table_id takes a continuous value, the information is also kept in chronological order. Hereinafter, event descriptors loop [0] to event descriptors loop [N] are arranged, and finally, CRC_32 (4) is arranged.

  In each event descriptors, an event_id (2) for providing an identification number of an event to be described is arranged, followed by a start_time (5) for displaying the start time of the event in UTC and MJD. This field gives 16 LSBs of MJD in 16 bits, and the next 24 bits represent 6 digits of 4-bit BCD. For example, 93/10/12 12:45:00 is encoded as 0XC078124500.

  The next duration (3) represents the duration of the event (program) in hours, minutes, and seconds.

  Next, running_status is arranged, and further, free_CA_mode is arranged.

  Next, descriptor_loop_length (1.5) is arranged, followed by Short_event_descriptor [i] (7 + α). It provides the event name and a short description of the event (program listing) in text format.

  The following Extended_event_descriptor [i] (11 + α) provides a more detailed event description (program content) than that provided by the above-mentioned Short event descriptor.

  Furthermore, audio_component_descriptor [i] (6), video_component_descriptor [i] (3), and subtitle_component_descriptor [i] (6) are described.

  The next CA_identifier_descriptor [i] (4) describes whether or not scrambling is performed and whether conditional access such as charging is conditioned.

  Further below that, other descriptors are described. In the descriptors, an event_still_image_descriptor [i] for recording data (still image data) of the program window shown in FIG. 6 is arranged.

  FIG. 16 shows the format of this event_still_image_descriptor [i] (still image format). As shown in the figure, an 8-bit descriptor_tag indicating that the type of information is still image data is arranged at the head of the information, followed by 8 indicating the entire length represented by this format. Descriptor_length of bits is arranged.

  An 8-bit descriptor_number is arranged after the descriptor_length, and an 8-bit last_descriptor_number is arranged next to the descriptor_length. These represent the number of this descriptor and the number of the last (maximum) descriptor, respectively.

  Finally, image_structure as substantial image data of a still image is arranged. This image_structure is composed of 8-bit format_identifier, 32-bit image_size and image_data.

  The format_identifier indicates the ID of the image_data. When the format_identifier is 0x10, the image_data is monochrome binary image data. If the format_identifier is 0x11, the image_data is monochrome 256-gradation image data. If the format_identifier is 0x12, the image data is RGB 8-bit image data. If the format_identifier is 0x20, the image data is JPEG-compressed image data. Therefore, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, since the reduced screen constituting the program window is an image compressed by the JPEG method, the format_identifier is set to 0x20.

  When image_data is binary black and white image data, the value may not be divisible by 8 bits. In this case, the dummy data is stuffed.

  “image_size” indicates the size of “image_data”.

  FIG. 17 shows a configuration of the TDT. As shown in the figure, the TDT includes a common structure 1 (3) and UTC_time (5).

  In addition to the above tables, the SI includes a PAT (Program Association Table) shown in FIG. 18 and a PMT (Program Map Table) shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the PAT includes a common structure 1 (3), a transport_stream_id (2), a common structure 2 (3), and program_map_id_loop [0] (4) to program_map_id_loop [N] (4). Finally, CRC_32 (4) is arranged.

  Each program_map_id_loop [i] (4) is composed of program_number [i] (2) and program_map_PID [i] (2) (or network_PID).

  The program_number indicates a program for which the corresponding program_map_PID is valid. If this is set to 0x0000, the next referenced PID will be the network_PID. In all other cases, the value of this field is user defined. This field never takes the same value more than once in one version of PAT. For example, program_number is used as a broadcast channel designation.

  The network_PID defines a PID of a transport stream packet including a NIT (Network Information Table). The value of network_PID is user defined (0x0010 in DVP), but cannot take a value reserved for other purposes. The presence or absence of network_PID is optional.

  The program_map_PID specifies the PID of a transport stream packet including a PMT valid for the program specified by the program_number. No program_number has more than one program_map_PID assignment. The value of program_map_PID is defined by the user, but cannot take a value reserved for other purposes.

  In the PMT, as shown in FIG. 19, a 10-byte header including a common structure 1 (3), a program_number (2), a common structure 2 (3), and a PCR_PID (1.375) is arranged at the top. The PCR_PID indicates a PID of a transport stream packet including a PCR field valid for a program specified by the program_number. If there is no PCR associated with the program definition for the private stream, this field takes the value of 0x1FFF.

  Next, program_info_length (1.5) is arranged. This defines the number of bytes of the descriptor immediately following this field.

  The next program info descriptors describes CA_descriptor, Copyright_descriptor, Max_bitrate_descriptor, and the like.

  Then, stream type loop [0] (5 + α) to stream type loop [N] (5 + α) and CRC_32 (4) are arranged.

  Each stream type loop has a stream_type (1) and an elementary_PID (2). The stream_type specifies an elementary stream carried by a packet having a PID having a value specified by elementary_PID or a type of a payload. The value of stream_type is defined by MPEG2.

  The elementary_stream-PID defines the associated elementary stream and the PID of a transport stream packet carrying data.

  Next, ES_info_length (1.5) is placed, which is a 12-bit field, the first two bits of which are 00, defining the number of bytes in the descriptor of the associated elementary stream immediately following this field.

  Next, ES info descriptors [N] are defined. Here, CA_descriptor and other descriptors are described.

  FIG. 20 shows a configuration example of an AV (Audio Video) system to which the present invention is applied. In the case of this embodiment, the AV system 1 uses an IRD (Integrated) that demodulates a radio wave transmitted from the transmission device of FIG. 1 through a parabolic antenna 3 through a satellite (broadcast satellite or communication satellite) not shown. (Receiver / Decoder) 2 and a monitor device 4. The monitor device 4 and the IRD 2 are mutually connected by an AV line 11 and a control line 12.

  The remote commander 5 can input a command to the IRD 2 by an infrared (IR) signal. That is, when a predetermined one of the button switches of the remote commander 5 is operated, a corresponding infrared signal is emitted from the IR transmitting section 51 and is incident on the IR receiving section 39 (FIG. 23) of the IRD 2.

  FIG. 21 shows an electrical connection state of the AV system 1 of FIG. The parabolic antenna 3 has an LNB (Low Noise Block downconverter) 3a, converts a signal from a satellite into a signal of a predetermined frequency, and supplies the signal to the IRD 2. The IRD 2 supplies its output to the monitor device 4 via an AV line 11 composed of three lines, for example, a composite video signal line, an audio L signal line, and an audio R signal line.

  Further, the IRD 2 has an AV device control signal transmitting / receiving section 2A, and the monitor device 4 has an AV device control signal transmitting / receiving section 4A. These are connected to each other by a control line 12 composed of a wired SIRCS (Wired Sony Infrared Remote Control System).

  FIG. 22 illustrates a configuration example of the front of the IRD 2. A power button switch 111 is provided on the left side of the IRD 2. The power button switch 111 is operated when the power is turned on or off. The LED 112 is turned on when the power is turned on. The LED 113 on the right side of the LED 112 is turned on when the DSS mode is set and turned off when the TV mode is set by operating the TV / DSS switch button switch 123. Here, the DSS (Digital Satellite System) mode is a mode for receiving a radio wave transmitted via a satellite in the above-described method, and the TV mode is a mode for receiving a normal terrestrial television broadcast. is there.

  The LED 114 is turned on when a predetermined message is transmitted to the IRD 2 via a satellite. When the user outputs and displays this message on the monitor device 4 and confirms it, the LED 114 is turned off.

  The menu button switch 121 is operated when a menu is displayed on the monitor device 4. The exit button switch 122 is operated when deleting the OSD display.

  An up button switch 117, a down button switch 118, a left button switch 119, and a right button switch 120 are arranged on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the select button switch 116, respectively. These up button switch 117, down button switch 118, left button switch 119, and right button switch 120 are operated when the cursor is moved in the up, down, left, and right directions. The select button switch 116 is operated when finalizing the selection (when selecting).

  FIG. 23 shows an example of the internal configuration of the IRD 2 for performing reception in the DSS mode described above. The RF signal output from the LNB 3a of the parabolic antenna 3 is supplied to the tuner 21 of the front end 20 and demodulated. The output of the tuner 21 is supplied to a QPSK demodulation circuit 22, where the output is subjected to QPSK demodulation. The output of the QPSK demodulation circuit 22 is supplied to an error correction circuit 23, where an error is detected, corrected, and corrected if necessary.

  In a CAM (Conditional Access Module) 33 composed of an IC card composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, a key necessary for decrypting a code is stored together with a decryption program. If the signal transmitted via the satellite is encrypted, a key and a decryption process are required to decrypt the code. Then, this key is read from the CAM 33 via the card reader interface 32 and supplied to the demultiplexer 24. The demultiplexer 24 uses this key to decrypt the encrypted signal.

  The CAM 33 stores, in addition to a key and a decryption program required for decryption, billing information and the like.

  The demultiplexer 24 receives a signal output from the error correction circuit 23 of the front end 20 and temporarily stores the signal in a data buffer memory (DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory)) 35. Then, this is read out as appropriate, the decoded video signal is supplied to the MPEG video decoder 25, and the decoded audio signal is supplied to the MPEG audio decoder 26.

  The MPEG video decoder 25 appropriately stores the input digital video signal in the DRAM 25a, and executes a decoding process of the video signal compressed by the MPEG system. The decoded video signal is supplied to the NTSC encoder 27 and is converted into a luminance signal (Y), a chroma signal (C), and a composite signal (V) of the NTSC system. The luminance signal and the chroma signal are output as S-video signals via the buffer amplifiers 28Y and 28C. Further, the composite signal is output via a buffer amplifier 28V.

  Note that, as the MPEG video decoder 25, an MPEG2 decoding LSI (STi3500) manufactured by SGS-Thomson Microelectronics can be used. The outline is introduced by, for example, Mr. Martin Bolton in Nikkei BP “Nikkei Electronics”, 1994. 3.14 (no. 603), pp. 101-110.

  Further, MPEG2-Transportstream is described in “Latest MPEG Textbook”, pp. 231 to 253, published by ASCII Corporation on August 1, 1994.

  The MPEG audio decoder 26 stores the digital audio signal supplied from the demultiplexer 24 in the DRAM 26a as appropriate, and executes a decoding process of the audio signal compressed by the MPEG method. The decoded audio signal is D / A converted by the D / A converter 30, the left channel audio signal is output via a buffer amplifier 31L, and the right channel audio signal is output via a buffer amplifier 31R. Is done.

  The RF modulator 41 converts a composite signal output from the NTSC encoder 27 and an audio signal output from the D / A converter 30 into an RF signal and outputs the RF signal. When the TV mode is set, the RF modulator 41 passes an RF signal of an NTSC system input from an AV device such as a cable box to a VCR or another AV device (neither is shown). Output as is.

  In the case of this embodiment, these video signals and audio signals are supplied to the monitor device 4.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 29 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 37. For example, it controls a tuner 21, a QPSK demodulation circuit 22, an error correction circuit 23, and the like. In addition, it controls the AV device control signal transmission / reception unit 2A, outputs a predetermined control signal to another AV device (in this embodiment, the monitor device 4) via the control line 12, and outputs the other AV device. Receives the control signal from

  A predetermined command can be directly input to the CPU 29 by operating the operation button switch (FIG. 22) on the front panel 40. When the remote commander 5 (FIG. 24) is operated, an infrared signal is emitted from the IR transmitting section 51, the infrared signal is received by the IR receiving section 39, and the light receiving result is supplied to the CPU 29. Therefore, a predetermined command can be input to the CPU 29 also by operating the remote commander 5.

  Further, the demultiplexer 24 takes in EPG data and the like in addition to the MPEG video data and audio data supplied from the front end 20, supplies the data to the EPG area 35 A of the data buffer memory 35, and stores it. The EPG information is information (for example, information about a program on each broadcast channel up to 24 hours (in the case of EPG2 and EPG1-2) or 150 hours (in the case of EPG2, EPG3 and EPG1-2, EPG1-3) from the current time. , Broadcast time, title, category, etc.) in addition to the still image of the program. Since this EPG information is frequently transmitted, the latest EPG can always be held in the EPG area 35A.

  In an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 38, data to be retained even after the power is turned off (for example, the reception history of the tuner 21 for four weeks, the channel number (last channel) received immediately before the power was turned off) ) Are stored as appropriate. Then, for example, when the power is turned on, the same channel as the last channel is received again. If the last channel is not stored, the channel stored as the default in the ROM 37 is received.

  When the sleep mode is set, the CPU 29 activates the minimum circuits such as the front end 20, the demultiplexer 24, and the data buffer memory 35 even when the power is off, and is included in the reception signal. The current time is measured from the time information, and control for causing each circuit to perform a predetermined operation at a predetermined time is also performed. For example, timer automatic recording is performed in conjunction with an external VCR.

  Further, the CPU 29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25 when generating predetermined OSD (On-Screen Display) data. The MPEG video decoder 25 generates predetermined OSD data in response to this control, writes it in the OSD area 25aA (FIG. 28) of the DRAM 25a, reads it out, and outputs it. Thereby, predetermined characters, figures, images, etc. (eg, characters superimposed on a normal screen, station logo, genre icons, still images of a program window, etc. in FIGS. 3 to 10) are output to the monitor device 4 as appropriate. And can be displayed.

  The SRAM 36 is used as a work memory of the CPU 29. The modem 34 exchanges data via a telephone line under the control of the CPU 29.

  FIG. 24 illustrates a configuration example of a button switch of the remote commander 5. The select button (decision key) switch 131 can be pressed (selected) in the vertical direction with respect to the upper surface of the remote commander 5. The up button switch (up key) 135, down button switch (down key) 136, left button switch (left key) 137, and right button switch (right key) 138 are used to move a cursor or the like up, down, left, or right (direction operation). Is operated. The menu button switch 134 is operated when the monitor device 4 displays a menu screen.

  The channel up / down button switch 133 is operated when the number of the broadcast channel to be received is up or down. The volume button switch 132 is operated when raising or lowering the volume.

  The numeric button (numerical key) switch 138 on which the numbers 0 to 9 are displayed is operated when inputting the displayed numbers. When the operation of the number button switch 138 is completed, the tuning button switch 158 is operated subsequently to indicate the end of the number input and to indicate that the input number represents a channel. The promotion channel button switch 157 is operated when selecting a promotion channel. The program guide button switch 144 is operated when displaying a data stream as shown in FIG. 4, and the info button switch 145 is operated when displaying an info screen as shown in FIG.

  The input switching button switch 154 is operated when switching the input to the IRD2. When the mute button switch 151 is operated, the sound is muted, and when it is operated again, the mute is released. The TV power button switch 152 and the power button switch 153 are operated when the power of the monitor device (television receiver) 4 or the IRD 2 is turned on or off.

  FIG. 25 shows another example of the arrangement of the button switches. In this embodiment, the select button switch 131 is arranged at the lower right of the up button switch 135 to the light button switch 138.

  FIG. 26 illustrates an example of the internal configuration of the remote commander 5. The CPU 72 constituting the microcomputer 71 constantly scans the button switch matrix 82 to detect the operation of various button switches of the remote commander 5 shown in FIG.

  The CPU 72 executes various processes in accordance with the program stored in the ROM 73 and stores necessary data in the RAM 74 as appropriate.

  When outputting the infrared signal, the CPU 72 drives the LED 76 via the LED driver 75 to output the infrared signal.

  FIG. 27 schematically shows how video data, audio data, and SI data (including EPG data) are packetized, transmitted, and then demodulated by IRD2. As shown in FIG. 27, the transmission-side encoder packetizes the SI data, video data, and audio data and transmits them to a high-power transponder for the BSS band of 12.25 GHz to 12.75 GHz mounted on a satellite. I do. In this case, a packet of a predetermined frequency assigned to each transponder is multiplexed with packets of a plurality of (up to 10) channels and transmitted. That is, each transponder transmits signals of a plurality of broadcast channels on one carrier (transmission channel). Therefore, for example, if the number of transponders is 23, data of a maximum of 230 (= 10 × 23) broadcast channels can be transmitted.

  In the IRD 2, the front end 20 receives a carrier having one frequency corresponding to one predetermined transponder and demodulates the carrier. As a result, packet data of up to 10 broadcast channels (5 broadcast channels in the embodiment) can be obtained. Then, the demultiplexer 24 temporarily stores each packet obtained from the demodulated output in the data buffer memory 35 and reads it. As for the SI packet including the EPG data, the data portion excluding the header is stored in the EPG area 35A. The video packet is stored in the DRAM 25a, and is decoded by the MPEG video decoder 25. The audio packet is stored in the DRAM 26a, and is decoded by the MPEG audio decoder 26.

  Each transponder performs scheduling so that the transfer rates are the same. The transmission rate per carrier assigned to each transponder is 30 Mbits / sec.

  For fast-moving images, such as sports programs, MPEG video data occupies many packets. Therefore, when such programs increase, the number of programs that can be transmitted by one transponder decreases.

  On the other hand, MPEG video data of an image with little motion, such as a scene of a news program announcement, can be transmitted with a small number of packets. Therefore, when there are many such programs, the number of programs that can be transmitted by one transponder increases.

  FIG. 28 schematically illustrates data processing until the screen of the program guide is displayed on the monitor device 4.

  The CPU 29 sets in advance a transfer destination of data input from the front end 20 in a register 24a built in the demultiplexer 24. Then, the data supplied from the front end 20 is temporarily stored in the data buffer memory 35, read out by the demultiplexer 24, and transferred to the transfer destination set in the register 24a.

  As described above, the header is added to each packet, and the demultiplexer 24 supplies the MPEG video data to the MPEG video decoder 25 with reference to the header, and transfers the MPEG audio data to the MPEG audio decoder 26. When the PID (Packet ID) included in the header is SDT or EIT, these EPG data (SI data) are stored at a predetermined address of the EPG area 35A set in the register 24a. .

  Note that the header becomes unnecessary when this transfer is completed, and is therefore discarded.

  In this way, for example, when receiving a radio wave from a normal transponder (a transponder other than the guide transponder for the promotion channel), the reduced still image data from the current time of the 80 (37) broadcast channel to 24 hours after the current time , The program outline explanation data (program table), and the program details explanation (program contents) of the current program and the next program are taken into the EPG area 35A. This EPG data must be received from any ordinary transponder. Is possible. That is, the same EPG data is transmitted from any normal transponder.

  On the other hand, when the radio wave from the guide transponder is received (when the promotion channel is received), the reduced still image data from the current time of 80 (37) channels to 150 hours later, the outline of the program Data and detailed program description data up to 70 hours later are captured.

  The CPU 29 determines a predetermined range of broadcast channels (for example, five broadcast channels in the example of FIG. 4 and 15 broadcast channels in the example of FIG. 8) of the predetermined display area 250 from the entire EPG table 240. The program data of the time (the current time in the example of FIG. 4, the time from about 4 hours after the current time in the example of FIG. 8) is read from the EPG area 35A and stored in the OSD area 25aA of the DRAM 25a. Write as data. Then, the MPEG video decoder 25 reads out the bitmap data of the OSD area 25aA and outputs the read bitmap data to the monitor device 4, so that the monitor device 4 displays the EPG such as the reduced still image (FIG. 4) and the entire program table (FIG. 8). Can be displayed.

  The MPEG video decoder 25 can also decode image data compressed by the JPEG method. However, the size of the screen is processed as a normal size. Therefore, the CPU 29 takes in the decoded still image data, converts it into the size of the reduced screen, outputs the data again to the MPEG video decoder 25, and displays the data as a reduced screen using the OSD function.

  When characters or the like are displayed as OSD data, since the character data stored in the EPG area 35A is compressed, a process of restoring the characters using the dictionary is performed. For this reason, the ROM 37 stores a compression code conversion dictionary.

  The ROM 37 also stores a correspondence table (address conversion table) between the character codes and the storage positions of the font bitmap data. By referring to this conversion table, bitmap data corresponding to a predetermined character code can be read and written to the OSD area 25aA. Of course, in the ROM 37, the bitmap data itself is also stored at a predetermined address.

  Further, when the logo (logo) data is not transmitted, the ROM 37 stores the logo data (various logo data including a category logo and a station logo) for displaying the logo (logo), as well as the logo ID and the logo ID. An address conversion table for calling the Logo data (bitmap data) corresponding to the ID is stored. When the Logo ID is found, the Logo data stored at the address corresponding to the ID is read out and written in the OSD area 25aA, so that the Logo indicating the category of each program can be displayed on the monitor device 4. It has been made. That is, when the logo data is transmitted, the logo data is superimposed by the super imposers 333-1 to 333-4 in FIG. 2 and transmitted from the transmission side, but when the logo data is not transmitted, The ID is transmitted, and the bitmap data corresponding to the ID is read from the ROM 37.

  As described above, when the program guide button switch 144 of the remote commander 5 is operated while a normal program is being received and displayed on the monitor device 4, the display screen of the monitor device 4 is displayed as shown in FIG. , A data stream composed of five reduced screens is displayed. A cursor is displayed on a predetermined reduced screen in the data stream. By operating the left button switch 137 or the right button switch 138, the cursor can be moved right and left. On the reduced screen where the cursor has been moved, the genre icons are deleted to make the entire screen easier to see. The genre icon, station logo, and title of the program where the cursor is located are displayed on the title bar.

  When the user further operates the select button switch 131, the CPU 29 controls the tuner 21 so as to receive the program where the cursor is located at that time. As a result, the image of the program selected and designated is displayed large (in a normal size) on the monitor device 4.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the info button switch 145 of the remote commander 5 is operated in a state where the data stream is displayed, more detailed information (info screen) of the program where the cursor is located at that time is shown in FIG. It is displayed as shown in FIG. That is, the genre icon, the station logo, and the title are displayed on the title bar, and the still image is displayed larger than in FIG. Further, the broadcast date and time of this program, performers, a description of the contents, and the like are displayed. The user can grasp the outline of the contents of the program by looking at the display.

  When the user operates the select button switch 131 while the information screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, the program is received and displayed.

  The above is the operation in the case where the IRD 2 has the function of processing a still image. For example, when the IRD 2 is configured as shown in FIG. When the program guide button switch 144 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the entire program guide as shown in FIG. Is done. By operating the up button switch 135 to the light button switch 138 to move the cursor to a predetermined broadcast channel of the entire program guide displayed in FIG. 8 and operating the select button switch 131, the monitor device 4 displays As shown in FIG. 9, a program guide of the broadcast channel is displayed.

  When the cursor is moved to a predetermined current program and the select button switch 131 is operated while the entire program table as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, the CPU 29 controls the tuner 21 to receive the program. .

  FIG. 30 shows a processing example when various button switches of the remote commander 5 are operated. In step S1, whether the numeric button switch 138 and the tuning button switch 158 have been operated, in step S2 whether the program guide button switch 144 has been operated, and in step S3, whether the info button switch 145 has been operated It is determined whether or not. Further, in step S4, whether the up button switch 135 to the light button switch 138 has been operated, in step S5, whether the select button switch 131 has been operated, and in step S6, the promotion channel button switch 157 has been operated It is determined whether or not it has been performed. Further, in step S7, it is determined whether or not another button switch has been operated.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the numeric button switch 138 and subsequently the channel selection button switch 158 have been operated, the process proceeds to step S8, and a process of selecting a channel corresponding to the number is executed. That is, the CPU 29 controls the tuner 21 to receive the channel of the number corresponding to the input number.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the program guide button switch 144 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S9, where a program guide process is executed. Details of this program guide processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If it is determined in step S3 that the info button switch 145 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S10, and an info screen display process is executed. Details of the information screen display processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If it is determined in step S4 that any one of the up button switch 135 to the light button switch 138 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S11, and a process of moving the cursor in a direction corresponding to the operation is performed.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the select button switch 131 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S12, in which a selection process corresponding to the state where the cursor is located at that time is executed.

  If it is determined in step S6 that the promo channel button switch 157 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S13, and a process of selecting a promotion channel is executed. That is, the CPU 29 controls the tuner 21 to receive the promotion channel.

  If it is determined in step S7 that another button switch has been operated, the process proceeds to step S14, and processing corresponding to the operated button switch is executed.

  Next, details of the program guide processing in step S9 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S21, it is determined whether the data stream is currently being displayed. If the data stream is not being displayed, the process proceeds to step S22, where a data stream display process is executed. That is, the CPU 29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25 to generate OSD data of a data stream as shown in FIG.

  In step S23, after the data stream is displayed, it is determined from the remote commander 5 whether or not a state in which a command is not particularly input has continued for a predetermined time or more. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S30, and a process of scrolling up (overall) the data stream for each genre is executed.

  Next, in steps S24 to S28, whether the left button switch 137 or the right button switch 138 of the remote commander 5 has been operated, whether the up button switch 135 or the down button switch 136 has been operated, and whether the select button switch 131 is It is determined whether the operation has been performed, whether the info button switch 145 has been operated, or whether the program guide button switch 144 has been operated.

  If it is determined in step S24 that the left button switch 137 or the right button switch 138 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S31, and a process of moving the cursor is performed.

  That is, when displaying a data stream, the CPU 29 (still image display control means) displays a still image in which a representative screen of a program broadcast on each broadcast channel is reduced for each genre, as shown in FIG. Then, a cursor is displayed on a still image of a predetermined genre. When selecting a genre, the user operates the left button switch 137 or the right button switch 138 (designating means) to move the cursor leftward or rightward. The cursor is moved to the left or right one still image each time the button switch is operated once.

  In the state where the cursor is positioned on the leftmost or rightmost still image, when a further operation of moving the cursor leftward or rightward is performed, the still images are scrolled one by one rightward or leftward.

  That is, for example, when the left button switch 137 is operated and a command to move the cursor further left is input in a state where the cursor is positioned on the program 1 of the genre B, the still image of the program 1 of the genre B is displayed. Is moved to the right side. The still image of the genre C program 4 is also moved to the right by one position. Hereinafter, similarly, each still image is moved and displayed one by one to the right, and the program 9 of the genre E is displayed as the rightmost still image. Then, the still image of the program 11 of the genre F displayed on the right end is deleted. A still image of genre A is newly displayed at the left end where the still image of program 1 of genre B has been displayed.

  Similarly, when the light button switch 138 is operated in a state where the cursor is positioned on the still image of the genre F program 11 at the right end in FIG. 32, the still image of the genre F program 11 is moved to the left by one. The still images of the program 9 of the genre E, the program 6 of the genre D, and the program 4 of the genre C are sequentially moved and displayed to the left. Then, the still image of the program 1 of the genre B at the left end is deleted, and a still image of the genre G is newly displayed at the right end position.

  As described above, when the cursor is moved over a still image of a predetermined genre, the display of the title bar is rewritten each time. That is, the title bar displays the genre icon, station logo, and title of the program where the cursor is located at that time.

  The genre icon is deleted on the still image where the cursor is located. Since the genre icon of the program is displayed on the title bar, the user can recognize the genre of the program from the genre icon. Further, by deleting the genre icon from the still image, the still image can be more easily viewed and the program can be easily confirmed.

  Further, instead of displaying only the title of the program specified by the cursor on the title bar as in this embodiment, the title of each program may be displayed at a position corresponding to each still image. It is possible. However, in such a case, the display area of the data stream becomes larger, and the range in which the image of the program being received and displayed is originally concealed becomes larger. Therefore, as shown in this embodiment, it is preferable to display only the title of the program designated by the cursor on the title bar.

  When it is determined in step S25 that the up button switch 135 or the down button switch 136 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S32, and a process of scrolling the still image of the genre downward or upward is performed.

  For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 32, three programs of programs 1 to 3 are set as genre B, two programs of programs 4 and 5 are set as genre C, and programs 6 to 8 are set of genre D. , Two programs of a program 9 and a program 10 are taken as a genre E, and one program of a program 11 is taken as a genre F. When still images of programs of genres B to F are displayed as data streams, still images of program 1, program 4, program 6, program 9, and program 11 are displayed.

  When the up button switch 135 is operated in a state where the cursor is positioned on the still image of the program 6 of the genre D, the still image of the program 6 is deleted and the still image of the program 8 is displayed. When the up button switch 135 is further operated, the still image of the program 7 is displayed instead of the still image of the program 8, and when the up button switch 135 is further operated, the still image of the program 6 is displayed instead of the still image of the program 7. Is displayed.

  Conversely, when the down button switch 136 is operated in a state where the still image of the program 6 is displayed, the still image of the program 7 is displayed instead of the still image of the program 6. The still image of the program 8 is displayed instead of the still image of, and when further operation is performed, the still image of the program 6 is displayed instead of the still image of the program 8.

  As described above, even when a still image is scrolled within a predetermined genre, the display of the title bar is rewritten to that of the currently displayed program (in this case, since the genre is the same, the title bar is substantially In general, the station logo and title are rewritten).

  Here, referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, scroll-up processing performed when a predetermined time has elapsed in step S30, and scroll processing performed when up button switch 135 or down button switch 136 is operated in step S32 The difference from the above will be described.

  The process of scrolling up the entire step S30 is performed as shown in FIG. That is, for example, after a certain period of time has elapsed while still images of programs 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11 are displayed as programs of genres B to F, genres B to genres E Are switched to the still images of program 2, program 5, program 7, or program 10, respectively. However, since there is only one program of the genre F, the program 11 is displayed as it is.

  When a certain period of time elapses from this state, the still images of genre B and genre D are switched from the still image of program 2 or the still image of program 7 to the still image of program 3 or program 8, respectively. On the other hand, in genre C and genre E, since only two programs exist, a still image of program 4 or program 9 is displayed again after program 5 or program 10, respectively. The still image of the program of the genre F is left as it is as in the case described above.

  Such an operation is sequentially and repeatedly executed each time a predetermined time elapses.

  On the other hand, the process in step S32 is performed as shown in FIG. That is, still images of program 1, program 4, program 6, program 9, and program 11 are displayed as still images of genre B to genre F, and in a state where the cursor is positioned on the still image of program 6 of genre D, When the down button switch 136 is operated, the still image of the genre D is switched from the still image of the program 6 to the still image of the program 7. On the other hand, the still images of the genres B, C, E, and F cannot be switched. As a result, the still images of program 1, program 4, program 7, program 9, and program 11 are displayed as the still images of genres B to F, respectively.

  When the down button switch 136 is further operated from this state, the still image of the program 7 of the genre D is switched to the still image of the program 8, and the still images of other genres are left as they are.

  In this manner, when the up button switch 135 or the down button switch 136 is operated, only the still image of the program on which the cursor is positioned is targeted for scrolling. Still images of all genres are targeted.

  Note that scrolling in these processes refers to switching the entire still image at once and displaying the image as well as gradually moving a part of the screen in a predetermined direction, and then gradually moving a part of the next screen. The display is performed, and finally, the case where the next screen is entirely displayed instead of the previous screen is included.

  If it is determined in step S26 that the select button switch 131 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S33, in which a process of selecting a broadcast channel broadcasting the program designated by the cursor at that time is executed, and the data stream is selected. Is executed. That is, the CPU 29 controls the tuner 21 to receive and display the still image program where the cursor is located at that time. Further, it controls the MPEG video decoder 25 to stop displaying the data stream. Thus, the user can select a desired program and view it on the monitor device 4.

  If it is determined in step S27 that the info button switch 145 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S34, and a process of deleting the data stream is performed. After the process of deleting the data stream is executed in step S34, the information screen display process is executed in step S35. This information screen display processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If it is determined in step S28 that the program guide button switch 144 has not been operated, the process returns to step S23, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed. That is, after a certain period of time has elapsed, or any of the left button switch 135, the right button switch 138, the up button switch 135 or the down button switch 136, the select button switch 131, the info button switch 145, and the program table button switch 144 Wait for operation.

  If it is determined in step S28 that the program guide button switch 144 has been operated, that is, if the program guide button switch 144 has been operated again during data stream display, the process proceeds to step S29, and the CPU 29 deletes the data stream. Execute the process. The same applies to the case where it is determined in step S21 that the data stream has already been displayed.

  Next, details of the information screen display processing in step S10 in FIG. 30 and step S35 in FIG. 31 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  First, in step S41, it is determined whether or not the information screen has already been displayed. Since the info screen display process is started when the info button switch 145 is operated, if the info screen is already displayed, the process proceeds to step S46, and a process for deleting the info screen is executed.

  If it is determined in step S41 that the information screen has not been displayed yet, the process proceeds to step S42, and processing for displaying the information screen is executed. That is, the CPU 29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25 to generate OSD data of an information screen as shown in FIG. When the info screen button switch 145 is operated in a state where a normal program is being watched (in the case of the processing in step S10 in FIG. 30), an info screen of the program being watched at that time is displayed. On the other hand, for example, when the info button switch 140 is operated during the display of the data stream as shown in FIG. 32 (in the case of the processing in step S35 of FIG. 31), the cursor is designated in the data stream at that time. The info screen of the program being displayed is displayed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 32, when the info button switch 145 is operated in a state where the cursor is positioned on a still image of genre D, the broadcast date and time of the program, personal information such as performers, and contents The description is displayed with the still image. The same title bar as that in the data stream is displayed on this info screen. By making the title bar display the same as that in the data stream, the user can be impressed that the program selected on the info screen is the same as the program previously selected in the data stream. Can be.

  Next, in step S43, it is determined whether or not the up button switch 135 or the down button switch 136 has been operated. If it is determined that the operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S47, and the content description on the information screen (FIG. 7) is displayed. A scrolling process is executed. If the content description does not exist so as to scroll, this scroll processing is not substantially performed.

  If it is determined in step S43 that the up button switch 135 or the down button switch 136 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S44, and it is determined whether the select button switch 131 has been operated. When it is determined that the select button switch 131 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S48, and the channel selection processing of the program displayed on the information screen is executed. That is, the CPU 29 controls the tuner 21 to receive the program displayed on the information screen.

  If it is determined in step S45 that the info button switch 145 has not been operated, the process returns to step S43, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed. That is, the process waits until one of the up button switch 135, the down button switch 136, the select button switch 131, and the info button switch 145 is operated.

  If it is determined in step S45 that the info button switch 145 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S46, and a process of deleting the currently displayed info screen is executed.

  The CPU 29 writes a still image of each broadcast channel in the EPG area 35A of the data buffer memory 35 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 36 so that the data stream divided for each genre can be displayed. Execute the process.

  That is, first, in step S51, 1 is initially set to a variable i, and in step S52, a desired genre is selected. For example, a movie genre is selected. Next, proceeding to step S53, a desired broadcast channel is selected. For example, the first channel is selected. Next, in step S54, a process of capturing the i-th (in this case, the first) still image is executed. That is, if the program currently being broadcast on the first channel is a movie, a still image of the program is captured and written to the EPG area 35A.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S55, where it is determined whether or not the same selection has been made for all broadcast channels. In this case, only one broadcast channel has been selected, so the process returns to step S53. , To select the next broadcast channel. That is, the second channel is selected. Then, proceeding to step S54, if the program being broadcast on the second channel is a movie, this is taken in as the second still image of the movie genre. If the program being broadcast is not a movie, the still image is not taken in here because the genre is different.

  The above processing is similarly performed for all broadcast channels. That is, for example, when the number of broadcast channels is 80, programs currently being broadcast from the first channel to the 80th channel are searched, and if the program is a movie, these are sequentially loaded.

  If it is determined in step S55 that the search for all the broadcast channels has been completed, the process proceeds to step S56, and it is determined whether the search for all the genres has been performed. In this case, since only a search for a movie has been performed, the process returns to step S52 to select the next genre, for example, music. Then, in step S53, the first channel is selected again. In step S54, if the program currently being broadcast on the first channel is a music program, this is taken in. If not, it is not taken in.

  Next, the process proceeds from step S55 to step S53, where the second channel is selected. If the program currently being broadcast on the second channel is a music program, this is fetched.

  The above processing is repeated, and when it is determined in step S55 that the search for the music program has been completed from the first channel to the 80th channel, the process proceeds from step S56 to step S52. Similar search processing is executed for the selected sports program.

  As described above, movies, music, sports, dramas, variety and specials, documentaries, culture and hobbies, animations and families, news, weather, program guides, information, shopping, games, karaoke, adults, etc. If it is determined in step S56 that the search for the program currently being broadcast has been completed for all genres that have been previously classified, the process proceeds to step S57, and the variable i is transmitted to the maximum value (that is, transmitted as an EPG). It is determined whether search has been completed for all programs broadcast after the current time). If there is still a still image of the program broadcast after the current time, the process proceeds from step S57 to step S58, in which the variable i is incremented by 1 and the processing from step S52 is executed. That is, a similar search is performed for the program broadcast next to the program broadcast at the current time.

  Then, in step S57, the same processing is repeatedly executed until it is determined that the search for all future programs transmitted as the EPG has been completed.

  In this way, the still images as the EPG are classified by genre, and in each genre, the programs that are currently being broadcast are arranged in the order of the channels, and the programs that are broadcast at a later time are also sequentially placed in the channels. They are arranged in order and stored as shown in FIG. Then, a predetermined range of the data is written to the OSD area 25aA, read out therefrom, and displayed as a data stream.

  Figures 38 and 39 show these movies, music, sports, dramas, variety & specials, documentaries, culture & hobbies, animation & family, news, weather, program guides, information, shopping, games, karaoke, adults, etc. A genre icon of the genre and a display example of station logos of NHK General TV, NHK Educational TV, Nippon Television, TBS TV, Fuji TV, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo, and WOWOW are shown. Note that these icons and logos are provided for convenience of explanation, and are not necessarily used in actual broadcasting.

  In the above embodiment, when a state where no special command is input from the remote commander 5 for a certain period of time while the data stream is displayed, the still image is automatically scrolled. It is also possible to scroll when a manual operation is performed. FIG. 40 shows a processing example of the program guide processing in that case.

  The processing in steps S21 to S35 in FIG. 40 is basically the same as the processing in steps S21 to S35 in FIG. However, in step S23 of FIG. 31, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed, whereas in step S23 of FIG. 40, it is determined whether or not the channel button switch 133 has been turned on. In step S30, scrolling corresponding to the determination result is performed. Other processes are the same as those in FIG.

  That is, in the processing example of FIG. 40, when the user operates the channel button switch 133 in the up or down direction while the data stream is displayed, the process proceeds to step S30, and the still image is scrolled in the operated direction. . In this way, the entire data stream can be scrolled upward or downward at the timing desired by the user without waiting for a certain time to elapse.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 40, the data stream is scrolled by using the channel button switch 133 (operation means) as a trigger. However, a dedicated button switch is provided on the remote commander 5, and the dedicated button switch is operated. Sometimes it is also possible for the data stream to be entirely scrolled.

  In the above embodiment, each still image is classified based on the genre, but it is also possible to classify and display based on the channel. In this case, the CPU 29 executes a process of writing still image data to the EPG area 35A by a process as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S71, the variable i is initially set to 1, and in step S72, the first broadcast channel (first channel) is selected. Next, in step S73, a process of capturing the i-th (in this case, the first) still image is executed. That is, a process of capturing a still image of a currently broadcast program of the first channel is executed.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S74, where it is determined whether or not the search for all broadcast channels has been completed. If the search for all broadcast channels has not been completed, the process returns to step S72 to select the second channel. Then, in step S73, a process of capturing a still image of the currently broadcasted program of the second channel is executed.

  Hereinafter, the same processing is repeated. If it is determined in step S74 that the search for all broadcast channels has been completed, the process proceeds to step S75 to determine whether the variable i has become equal to MAX. That is, it is determined whether or not the search for all programs broadcasted from the current time in the future transmitted from the EPG has been completed. If all the programs have not been searched, the process proceeds to step S76, the variable i is incremented by 1, and the process returns to step S72 to repeatedly execute the same processing.

  In this way, programs broadcast next to the current time are sequentially taken in for each channel. Then, in step S75, the same processing is repeatedly executed until it is determined that the search for all programs transmitted as the EPG has been completed.

  As a result, in the EPG area 35A, as shown in FIG. 42, the still images are divided for each channel, and the still images are collectively stored in chronological order in each channel. Then, a predetermined range thereof is read out and displayed as a data stream.

  Thus, even when the data stream is configured for each channel, scrolling is performed as shown in FIG. 43 in the same manner as in the above-described case. That is, in the above embodiment, the genre and the channel are taken as examples of the category, but other than that, any item can be used as a category as a unit of division.

  In the above embodiment, the genre icon is displayed in the still image of the data stream. In particular, as shown in FIG. 42, when the still image is displayed for each broadcast channel, the station logo is displayed in the still image. It can be superimposed on the image. Alternatively, when a still image is displayed as shown in FIG. 37 or FIG. 42, both the genre icon and the station logo may be displayed in a superimposed manner.

  Although various commands are input by operating the remote commander 5, it is also possible to input commands by directly operating a button switch or the like provided on the front of the IRD 2. . In addition, a pointing device such as a joystick can be used for the operation unit provided on the front of the remote commander 5 or the IRD 2.

  As described above, the case where the present invention is applied to the IRD 2 has been described as an example. However, the IRD can be substantially built in the monitor device 4 (television receiver). Further, the present invention can be applied to a set-top box of a cable television system, a VCR, a personal computer, and the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of the transmission device to which this invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a promotion channel generation device 302 in FIG. 1. It is a figure showing an example of a display of a promotion channel. It is a figure showing the example of a display of a data stream. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a title bar. It is a figure showing composition of a program window. It is a figure showing the example of a display of an information screen. It is a figure showing the example of a display of the whole program guide. It is a figure showing the example of a display of a channel program table. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a detailed program description (program content). It is a figure explaining the range of a program table and program contents. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating transmission of EPG information in a transponder. It is a figure explaining EGP data. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an SDT. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an EIT. It is a figure showing the format of a still picture. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a TDT. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a PAT. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a PMT. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an AV system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection state of the AV system of FIG. 20. 21 is a front view showing a configuration example of the front of the IRD 2 of FIG. 20. FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the IRD 2 of FIG. 21 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of the upper surface of the remote commander 5 in FIG. 20. FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another arrangement state of the button switches of the remote commander 5. FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of a remote commander 5 in FIG. 24. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a process in an encoder on a transmission side and a process of an IRD 2 for receiving an output thereof. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating EPG data stored in an EPG area 35A of FIG. 23. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of a structure of IRD2. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process of a remote commander. 31 is a flowchart showing details of a program guide process in step S9 of FIG. 30. FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining operations in steps S31 and S32 of FIG. 31. FIG. 32 is a view for explaining the processing in step S30 in FIG. 31. FIG. 32 is a view for explaining the processing in step S32 in FIG. 31. 31 is a flowchart showing details of an information screen display process in step S10 of FIG. 30 and step S35 of FIG. 31. It is a flowchart explaining a still image writing process. FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a result of the processing in FIG. 36. It is a figure showing the example of a genre icon. It is a figure showing an example of a station logo. 31 is a flowchart illustrating details of another program guide process in step S9 of FIG. 30. 11 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing for writing a still image. FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a result of the writing process of FIG. 41. It is a figure explaining scroll for every category.

Explanation of reference numerals

  1 AV system, 2 IRD, 3 parabolic antenna, 4 monitor device, 5 remote commander, 21 tuner, 23 error correction circuit, 24 demultiplexer, 25 MPEG video decoder, 25a DRAM, 26 MPEG audio decoder, 26a DRAM, 29 CPU, 35 data buffer memory, 35A EPG area, 36 SRAM, 37 ROM, 38 EEPROM, 39 IR receiver, 131 select button switch, 144 program guide button switch, 145 info button switch

Claims (6)

In a display control device that controls the display of images belonging to an arbitrary category,
It is instructed that icons representing a plurality of different categories are arranged in a band and displayed, and a cursor is superimposed on one image belonging to the category selected by the user operation, and the cursor is moved in a predetermined fixed direction. Display control means for scrolling the entire icon displayed in a band shape by one icon in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction each time the icon is displayed. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit further scrolls the image belonging to a category selected by a user operation. The display control device according to claim 2, wherein the display control means scrolls the image in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the icons. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit further displays information on one of the images on which the cursor is superimposed. 2. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit further displays the icons arranged in a band so as to be superimposed on an image of the program. 3. In a display control method for controlling display of an image belonging to an arbitrary category,
It is instructed that icons representing a plurality of different categories are arranged in a band and displayed, and a cursor is superimposed on one image belonging to the category selected by the user operation, and the cursor is moved in a predetermined fixed direction. A display control step of scrolling the entire icon displayed in a band shape by one icon each time the icon is displayed.

Images