JP2005045745A - Screen display apparatus, program and screen display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display apparatus, a program and a screen display method which can display information concerning each element of content information on a hierarchical display region. <P>SOLUTION: The screen display apparatus is provided with a content information acquiring section for acquiring content information consisting of one or more than two content elements and made into a portal site to search at least content elements; an icon forming section for forming one or more than two icons for classifying detailed information correlated to the content elements for each category, and displaying the detailed information for each content element; a screen display unit for displaying at least the content elements and icons on a display screen; a selection accepting section for accepting the selection of at least any one of the icons displayed on the display screen; and a detailed information acquiring section for acquiring detailed information correlated to the content element concerning the selected icon, and belonging to the category corresponding to the selected icon. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a screen display device capable of displaying content information.

  Conventionally, in addition to broadcast programs, there are display devices that display various content information such as EPG information or time information on a screen. A display area for displaying a broadcast program or the like is laid out on the display screen.

  In order to efficiently display a desired program or the like in a display area, an icon for selecting a program from a category such as a sports program, a program for children, or a movie is displayed on the display screen (for example, , See Patent Document 1). The technical literature information related to the present invention includes the following.

Special table 2002-521931 gazette

  However, since the icon is not displayed for each program that is an element of EPG information, when searching for other programs related to a program or searching for program information related to a program, all programs are brute force. The retrieval process such as confirming to was not efficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved information that can display information related to each element of content information in a hierarchical display area. A screen display device is provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a screen display device is provided. The screen display device includes one or more content elements, and at least a content information acquisition unit that acquires portalized content information for searching for content elements, and information associated with the content elements for each category. A display unit that displays one or more indexes for display classified and displayed for each content element, and a selection reception unit that receives that at least one of the indexes displayed by the display unit is selected And an information acquisition unit that acquires information that belongs to the category corresponding to the selected index and is associated with the content element related to the selected index.

  According to the present invention, the screen display device displays content information that triggers the acquisition of information on the display screen, and displays information associated with the content information element configured in the content information for each content element. By selecting the generated index, it can be displayed for each category on the display screen. With this configuration, it is possible to omit the process of searching for information related to each content element from the beginning, and to acquire detailed information related to the content element efficiently in units of categories.

  The display unit can be configured to display an index generated for each content element in an area of the content element displayed on the display screen. With such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently grasp the presence / absence of information for each category related to each content element, and efficiently acquire the related information of the content element for each category.

  The display unit may be configured to hierarchically display indexes composed of a plurality of categories, or may be configured to display the indexes in a line.

  The display unit may be configured to display the content element and the information associated with the content element in a hierarchical manner on one display screen, and the content element is associated with the content element. Information may be displayed side by side.

  Furthermore, the screen display device can be configured to include a meta information acquisition / storage unit that acquires meta information related to the content element and stores and manages it.

  The index generation unit can be configured to generate an index based on an attribute value related to a category of meta information.

  The content information is at least EPG information, and the content element configured in the EPG information can be configured as a program.

In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a screen display device is provided. The screen display device includes one or more content elements, and at least a content information acquisition unit that acquires portalized content information for searching for content elements, and information associated with the content elements for each category. 1 or 2 or more indicators for classifying and displaying each of the content elements, and 1 or 2 or more indicators for displaying at least one category of information associated with the content elements. A screen display for each content element;
, A selection accepting unit that accepts selection of at least one of the indicators displayed on the display screen, and detailed information that belongs to the category corresponding to the selected indicator and is associated with the content element related to the selected indicator And a detailed information acquisition unit for acquiring.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for causing a computer to function as a screen display device. The computer program is composed of one or more content elements, and at least content information acquisition means for acquiring portalized content information for searching for content elements, and information associated with the content elements for each category. Content of index generating means for generating one or more indexes for classification and display for each content element, and one or more indexes for displaying at least the category classification of information associated with the content element A screen display means for displaying each element, a selection receiving means for accepting that at least one of the indices displayed on the display screen is selected, and a content element related to the selected index. Detailed information for acquiring detailed information belonging to the category corresponding to the index It is characterized in that to function as a screen display device including an acquisition unit.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for causing a computer to function as a screen display device. The computer program is composed of one or more content elements, and at least content information acquisition means for acquiring portalized content information for searching for content elements, and information associated with the content elements for each category. Display means for displaying one or more indicators for classification and display for each content element; selection accepting means for accepting selection of at least one of the indicators displayed by the display means; It is characterized by functioning as a screen display device comprising information acquisition means for acquiring information belonging to the category corresponding to the selected index and associated with the content element related to the selected index.

  The display means may be configured to display the index generated for each content element within the area of the content element displayed on the display screen, and display the index composed of a plurality of categories in a hierarchical manner. You may comprise.

  The display means may be configured to display the indexes in a line, and the display means displays the content elements and the information associated with the content elements in a single display screen in a hierarchical manner. You may comprise.

  The display means may be configured to display the content element and information associated with the content element side by side.

  The content information is at least EPG information, and the content element configured in the EPG information may be configured as a program.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a screen display method is provided. The screen display method includes one or more content elements, and at least a content information acquisition step for acquiring portalized content information for searching for content elements, and information associated with the content elements for each category. 1 or 2 or more indices for classifying and displaying each of the content elements, and at least one or more indices for displaying and categorizing the information associated with the content elements. A screen display step for displaying each content element, a selection reception step for accepting that at least one of the indices displayed on the display screen is selected, and a content element related to the selected index. Detailed information belonging to the category corresponding to the selected index It is characterized in that it comprises a fine information acquisition step.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a screen display method is provided. The screen display method includes one or more content elements, and at least a content information acquisition step for acquiring portalized content information for searching for content elements, and information associated with the content elements for each category. A display step of displaying one or more indicators for classification and display for each content element, and a selection receiving step of accepting that at least one of the indicators displayed in the display step is selected And an information acquisition step of acquiring information belonging to the category corresponding to the selected index and associated with the content element relating to the selected index.

  The display step may be configured to display the index generated for each content element in the area of the content element displayed on the display screen, and display the index composed of a plurality of categories in a hierarchical manner. You may comprise.

  The display step may be configured to display the indexes in a line, and the display step displays the content elements and the information associated with the content elements in a hierarchical manner in one display screen. You may comprise.

  The display step may be configured to display the content element and information associated with the content element side by side.

  The content information is at least EPG information, and the content element configured in the EPG information may be configured as a program.

  As described above, according to the present invention, information such as detailed information associated with each element of the content information and classified for each category can be obtained by simply selecting an index attached to each element of the content information. It can be efficiently displayed on the display screen together with the content information.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(Screen display system)
First, a screen display system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a screen display system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the screen display system 100 according to the present embodiment includes at least a screen display device 101 (101a, 101b,..., 101n), a network 103, and an information providing device 104.

  In the screen display system 100 according to the present embodiment, the information providing device 104 provides a broadcast program guide (main content (main content)) such as an EPG (electronic program guide) to the screen display device 101 as a providing service. The main content is content information, but in addition to the broadcast program table, a book (book list) or a movie (movie broadcast list) can be exemplified.

  The main content includes one or more content elements. For example, when the main content is EPG information, the content element is “program”, and when the main content is a book list, the content element may be “book”. The content element is one or more elements configured in the content information, and details will be described later.

  Therefore, the main content serves as a portal for searching, browsing, etc., the content element. The portal main content serves as a clue or entrance for searching for a desired content element. By displaying the main content on the display screen, it is possible to efficiently select and browse a plurality of content elements.

  The screen display device 101 displays the main content, and when the displayed main content is selected, the sub-content related to the main content is searched through the meta information, and the sub-content such as detailed information is acquired. It should be noted that the detailed information according to the present embodiment is information that belongs under the main content hierarchy, and is not necessarily limited to detailed information.

  Furthermore, the screen display device 101 can display the acquired sub-contents in a display area in the display screen. The sub-content is located below the main content hierarchy and has a relationship between the main content and the master-slave. The main content, sub-content, or meta information will be described later.

  Hereinafter, the screen display system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example the case where the main content displayed on the screen display device 101 is a broadcast program guide such as EPG.

  The information providing apparatus 104 includes at least a broadcasting station 105, a directory service server 106, a content service server 107, or an EPG service server 108.

  The broadcast station 105 broadcasts various broadcast programs to the screen display device 101 and transmits basic EPG information and the like as data broadcasts. By receiving the basic EPG information, the screen display device 101 can display an EPG (electronic program guide) that is a broadcast program guide.

  The information providing apparatus 104 according to the present embodiment will be described by taking a case where the broadcasting station 105 is provided as an example, but is not limited to such an example. For example, when the main content is not “broadcast program guide or EPG” but “game software sales list”, “book browsing list”, etc., ISP (Internet Service Provider), game software, etc. are sold in the information providing device 104. Even if a product sales apparatus (not shown) is provided, the present invention can be implemented.

  The EPG service server 108 obtains organization information from each broadcasting station 105 and generates EPG information in an electronic program guide (EPG) format. Alternatively, externally generated EPG information is acquired. The organization information is information for broadcasting a program as scheduled and progressing the program.

  The basic EPG information is collectively delivered from the EPG service server 108 to the screen display device 101, but other additional ECG (Electronic Contents Guide) information such as sub meta information added to the sub content which is detailed information or the like. Can be independently managed in the broadcasting station 105 on the service providing side. The ECG information and sub meta information will be described later. Note that the present invention is not limited to the broadcasting station 105, and any other device may be used according to the service provided by the information providing device 104.

  The screen display device 101 includes an identification information receiving unit 102 (102a, 102b,..., 102n) that receives a broadcast wave including identification information such as a meta information reference ID, as indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. A broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 105 is received.

  Alternatively, the screen display device 101 transmits / receives data to / from the information providing device 104 via the network 103. Note that the screen display device 101 can also display a program such as a television program by receiving the broadcast wave.

  The screen display system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described by way of an example in which the information providing device 104 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a plurality of information providing devices for each broadcasting station Even if it is provided with 104, it can be implemented.

  Further, the screen display system 100 according to the present embodiment can be implemented even when an account aggregation server (not shown) is further provided. The account aggregation server broadcasts authentication performed when a viewer (user) uses the screen display system 100, or billing / settlement performed when a user using the screen display system 100 purchases sub-contents or the like. It has a function for performing it centrally without depending on the station 105 or the program.

  That is, by providing an account aggregation server, it is possible to unify user authentication information and perform integrated authentication, and similarly, it is possible to unify billing / settlement information for each user. The unification is performed based on an integrated user ID obtained by integrating a plurality of user IDs.

  When the user intends to purchase various sub contents based on the sub meta information, the sub contents may be managed by various content holders and sales companies.

  All services such as billing / settlement are grouped together, and based on one integrated user ID, it has a function of performing authentication for accessing all services. For example, it is realized by a dedicated server.

  In addition, when it is necessary to disclose customer information for marketing activities of a content holder who is a copyright holder of copyrighted works such as video, music, and game software, the user information can be used effectively. In the above case, the content service is notified by including the user ID in the electronic certificate.

(Display area control processing)
Here, the display area control processing of the screen display device 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-7 is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of the control processing applied to the screen display apparatus 101 concerning this Embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the screen display unit 508 displays the first display area and the second display area so as to fit within one screen.

  In the first display area, EPG (electronic program guide) information is displayed. Note that the EPG information shown in FIG. 2 shows that only programs in the time zone “19: 00-21: 00” when the broadcasting station is “A station” to “C station” are displayed in the first display area. By selecting a scroll icon having a shape such as that from the input unit, programs of other broadcasting stations and programs of other time zones are displayed.

  In the first display area according to the present embodiment, the case where EPG information is displayed will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, content related to a radio program in the first display area. This can be implemented even when information or the like is displayed.

  Also, nothing is displayed in the second display area and is blank. Of the EPG information displayed in the first display area, various detailed information associated with the program in the second display area by aligning the mouse pointer or the like with the area within the frame of each program serving as a content element. Sub-content information is displayed.

  When detailed information related to a program exists in an area such as the second display area, an icon 600 is displayed in the frame of each program. The icons 600 are displayed by being classified into a plurality of categories. Therefore, when the icon 600 is selected by the input unit, detailed information belonging to the category is displayed in the second display area or the like according to the category of the icon 600. Note that the icon 600 according to the present embodiment is not limited to an icon as long as it is a display form that symbolizes a category associated with each program. For example, even in the case of a linked text, symbol, index, etc., it can be implemented.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, in the frame of the program “Musashi” broadcast from 20:00 of the broadcasting station A, icons 600 of five categories are displayed. The category of the icon 600-1 is “program content”, for example, the content of the program broadcast last time, the content of the program scheduled to be broadcast next time, and the like.

  When the icon 600-1 is selected by an input unit such as a mouse, as shown in FIG. 3, sub-content information indicating the content of the program associated with the program “Musashi” is displayed in the second display area. .

  The program “Musashi” and the sub-content information of the program content displayed in the second display area shown in FIG. 3 have a parent-child relationship. The program “Musashi” is the parent information, and the sub-content information of the program content is the child information. Therefore, the sub-content information of the program content belongs as one of the child information under the hierarchy of the program “Musashi”.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the category of the icon 600-2 displayed in the frame of the program “Musashi” broadcast from 20:00 of the broadcasting station A is “performer”. This includes a list of names of performers who have appeared.

  When the icon 600-1 is selected by an input unit (not shown) such as a mouse, as shown in FIG. 4, a list of names of performers associated with the program “Musashi” is displayed in the second display area. Is displayed.

  When the items 603-1 to 603-8 displaying the names of the performers displayed in the second display area are selected by the input unit or the like, the first display area or the second display area is reduced and newly added. The third display area is allocated, and detailed information associated with the selected item 603 is displayed. Note that the item 603 displayed in the second display area corresponds to one of the content elements configured in the content information displayed in the second display area.

  Next, when the item 603-2 shown in FIG. 4 is selected, as shown in FIG. 5, the item “OK” indicated by the pointer 602 displayed in the second display area becomes active and the color is inverted. To do.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first display area is reduced and a new third display area is allocated, and the third display area is associated with “communication” selected in the second display area. Displayed content information is displayed.

  The content information displayed in the third display area includes a plurality of content elements. For example, among the content elements, the icons 600-3 and 600-4 are icons that can be purchased by clicking “CD1” and “CD2” composed by “Kura Ryoko”, the performer “Otsu”. It is displayed.

  Similarly, icons 600-5 and 600-6 are displayed as icons so that they can be purchased by clicking “Book 1” and “Book 2” written by “Ryoko Kura” who is the performer “Otsu”. ing.

  Therefore, the content information displayed in the third display area has a master-slave relationship with the content information displayed in the second display area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the category of the icon 600-7 displayed in the frame of the program “Musashi” broadcast from 20:00 of the broadcasting station A is “book”, for example, the original of the program The list of books related to is applicable.

  When the icon 600-7 is selected by an input unit such as a mouse (not shown), as shown in FIG. 4, the second display area is associated with the program “Musashi” associated with the program “Musashi”. Sub-content information indicating a list of books to be displayed is displayed.

  When the item 603-9 to the item 603-12 in which the book name of each book displayed in the second display area is displayed is selected by the input unit or the like, the first display area or the second display area is reduced and newly added. The third display area is allocated, and detailed information associated with the selected item 603 is displayed. Note that the item 603 displayed in the second display area corresponds to one of the content elements configured in the content information displayed in the second display area.

  Next, when the item 603-9 shown in FIG. 6 is selected, as shown in FIG. 7, the item “New theory Musashi” indicated by the pointer 602 displayed in the second display area becomes active and the color is inverted. To do.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the first display area is reduced and a new third display area is allocated. The third display area is associated with the “new theory Musashi” selected in the second display area. Displayed content information is displayed.

  The content information displayed in the third display area includes a plurality of content elements. For example, among the content elements, the icon 600-3 and the icon 600-4 are displayed as icons so that they can be purchased by clicking “CD3” and “CD4” written by the author of the book “Shinshu Musashi”. .

  Similarly, the icons 600-5 and 600-6 are displayed as icons so that they can be purchased by clicking “Book 3” written by the author of the book “Shinshin Musashi”.

  Accordingly, the content information displayed in the third display area has a parent-child relationship with the content information displayed in the second display area.

  Note that, when the program or icon 600 according to the present embodiment is selected, the case where the program or icon 600 is displayed in the second display area will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. May be displayed.

  Next, the configuration of each component constituting the screen display system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8 to 10. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the broadcasting station according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the data structure of ECG information according to the present embodiment. These are explanatory drawings which show the outline of the meta-information contained in the ECG information concerning this Embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the network 103 according to the present embodiment will be described. The network 103 is connected to the information providing apparatus 104 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. Typically, the network 103 is an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber). Line) or FTTH (Fiber To The Home) or the like. The connection medium may be a fiber optic cable using FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), a coaxial cable using Ethernet (registered trademark) or a twisted pair cable, or wireless using a wired communication such as IEEE802.11b, a satellite communication network, etc. Including.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the broadcasting station 105 according to the present embodiment includes a program organization unit 201, a sub meta information adding unit 202, a program meta information adding unit 203, in addition to normal broadcasting facilities, A meta information reference ID adding unit 204, a meta information storage unit 205, an information association unit 206, and an identification information transmitting unit 207 are configured.

  When the service provided by the screen display system 100 according to the present embodiment is “broadcast”, the screen display system 100 includes the broadcast station 105 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the main content (main content) provided to the viewer by the broadcasting station 105 is EPG information.

  Further, the case where the main content according to the present embodiment is EPG information has been described as an example. However, the main content is not limited to this example. For example, the main content is a game software sales list, a CD sales list, a book sales list, or It may be the case of a movie schedule.

  The program organization unit 201 organizes a program broadcast on the broadcast station 105 and generates organization information and the like.

  The sub meta information adding unit 202 generates sub meta information, and adds the sub meta information to the sub content, the sub content entity, or the organization information. The sub-content is detailed information associated with the main content, and the substance of the sub-content is at least product, program, package, service, still image data, video data, music data associated with the sub-content. , Or content composed of at least one of texts, and provided from the content service server 107.

  The sub meta information is meta information belonging to the main meta information (or program meta information) associated with the main content. Therefore, when accessing the main meta information, the screen display device 101 can derivatively access the sub meta information related to the main meta information.

  Therefore, it is possible to access sub-contents such as detailed information from the main content, and further access the target sub-content entity (hereinafter referred to as goods). The user can purchase the goods by charging / settlement.

  The program meta information adding unit 203 generates program meta information which is main meta information, and adds the program meta information to the organization information generated by the program organization unit 201. The program meta information added to the organization information is configured as basic EPG information distributed to the screen display device 101. The basic EPG information is configured in the format of an electronic program guide (EPG). The program meta information or sub meta information is meta information indicating information about the information, and the program meta information belongs to main meta information. The main meta information will be described later.

  The basic EPG information includes program meta information and has structure information as a program table. When the basic EPG information is transmitted via the network 103, for example, it is distributed in a format such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), and when it is transmitted by broadcast waves, for example, SI (Service Information). Sent in the form

  The meta information reference ID adding unit 204 assigns a meta information reference ID, and adds the meta information reference ID to the organization information generated by the program organization unit 201 and the sub meta information. In order to associate ECG information including program meta information or sub meta information with a program, the meta information reference ID is assigned to each program, for example. Therefore, the program meta information or the sub meta information can be acquired based on the meta information reference ID by giving the meta information reference ID to the program meta information added to the organization information and the sub meta information.

  By referring to the meta information reference ID, the screen display apparatus 101 can acquire the program meta information or the sub meta information, and can access the related information of the sub content or each broadcast program. The meta information reference ID only needs to be unique within the broadcasting station 105.

  The meta information storage unit 205 stores at least the organization information, sub meta information, program meta information, meta information reference ID, or sub content. The sub meta information, program meta information, meta information reference ID, or sub content belongs to ECG information. The ECG information will be described later.

  The information association unit 206 associates the basic EPG information added to the organization information with the meta information reference ID. By associating the meta information reference ID with the basic EPG information, the screen display apparatus 101 can acquire broadcast station information or the like for identifying the broadcast station 105 included in the basic EPG information based on the meta information reference ID. Broadcast station information will be described later.

  The identification information transmission unit 207 transmits the basic EPG information and the meta information reference ID of each program via the broadcast wave or the network 103. The meta information reference ID is distributed from the identification information transmitting unit 207 together with the basic EPG information.

  In order to deliver the meta information reference ID from the identification information transmitting unit 207 by broadcast waves, for example, an attribute value of a descriptor indicating the meta information reference ID is defined in SI which is a method for transmitting basic EPG information. There is a need.

  In addition, in order to transmit basic EPG information or meta information reference ID, etc. via the network 103 such as the Internet, it is necessary to define a distribution format of a format that can be supported by the screen display apparatus 101 side, a distribution mechanism, and the like There is.

  Examples of the distribution format include an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) format or an XML (extensible Markup Language) format. Therefore, when delivering in the HTML format or the XML format, an attribute indicating the meta information reference ID is included in the meta information.

  Further, when distributed in the HTML format or the XML format, the attribute value of the meta information reference ID is added to the basic EPG information compliant with the distribution format format.

  The sub meta information or program meta information stored in the meta information storage unit 205 is transmitted to the directory service server 106 as needed. Further, the sub content or the sub meta information stored in the meta information storage unit 205 is transmitted to the content service server 107.

  Next, ECG information according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 9, ECG information is composed of main meta information and sub meta information belonging to meta information.

  ECG information extends basic EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information as data for searching TV (television) programs, and retrieves not only TV programs but also various contents such as on the Internet to obtain necessary information. It becomes possible.

  The ECG information includes the above-described program meta information, basic EPG information, sub meta information, sub sub meta information,. The program meta information or basic EPG information is information belonging to EPG information. The EPG information is electronic program guide data for searching for TV programs. When the EPG information is displayed in the first display area of the screen display unit 508, the EPG information corresponds to main content information.

  By using the ECG with the EPG information expanded, the search target is not limited to a TV program, and detailed information that can be acquired via the network 103 and various goods can be searched. , Various goods can be obtained.

  The main meta information shown in FIG. 9 is meta information added to main content among meta information provided as ECG information. The main content is content provided by the information providing apparatus 104 as the main content. For example, when the information providing apparatus 104 includes the broadcast station 105, the main content is broadcast program, EPG information, or organization information. When a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) sales apparatus is provided instead of 105, the main content is a DVD software sales list, and the goods are DVD software or the like.

  When the main content is EPG information or organization information, the main meta information according to the present embodiment is particularly “program meta information”. Program meta information (program name, genre, category, performer, etc.) is meta data distributed by SI (Service Information) in the current broadcast wave and EPG services on the Internet (contents vary partially for each service). Similar to information. Meta information is information about certain information.

  When various kinds of meta information such as program meta information and sub meta information are displayed in the display area of the screen display unit 508, the meta information also corresponds to content information. For example, program titles displayed in the first display area of the screen display unit 508, program meta information such as broadcast times and performers correspond to content information.

  In addition, the sub meta information such as the book name and the name of the performer related to the program displayed in the second display area corresponds to the sub content information.

  Further, the sub meta information shown in FIG. 9 belongs to the first hierarchy below the main meta information. The sub meta information is meta information added to the sub content among the meta information provided as ECG information. The sub content is content such as one or more detailed information associated with the main content, and can be acquired by referring to the sub meta information.

  The sub-content includes sub-sub-contents that are linked to the sub-content and belong to a level lower than the sub-content (third layer). Similarly, it exists below the sub-sub-content hierarchy such as detailed information. Accordingly, there are one or more hierarchies such as a first hierarchy, a second hierarchy,... From the main content, and detailed information and the like exist under each of the above hierarchies.

  Examples of sub-contents (goods) may include, for example, products, packages, electronic data of moving images and music, services, and the like. The sub-content entity according to the present embodiment is not limited to this example.

  Further, the program meta information shown in FIG. 9 is meta information related to a program among meta information provided as ECG information. The program meta information can exemplify, for example, a program name, a genre, or a performer related to the program.

  The program meta information is similar to information distributed by SI in the current broadcast wave or by the EPG service server 108 on the Internet (contents are partially different for each EPG service). The program meta information is different from the data structure of the basic EPG information, but the content is substantially the same even if the program meta information is expressed as basic EPG information.

  The sub meta information is meta information included in the ECG information. The sub meta information is added to the sub content provided from the content service server 107 described later.

  The sub meta information includes, for example, location information (location information) of a sub-content that is a URI (Universal Resource Identifier), name, name of the author, author name of the sub-content, service expiration date for providing the sub-content, etc. It can be illustrated. The URL is included in the URI system.

  Next, program meta information and sub meta information according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of program meta information and sub meta information according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the program meta information included in the ECG information includes program meta information belonging to a program such as “program name”, “program genre”, “broadcast time”, or “rebroadcast”, and “name”.・ Program meta information belonging to performers such as “abbreviation”, “performer genre”, “affiliation office”, “meta information version” indicating the version of the program meta information, and a plurality of program meta belonging to the meta information reference ID Examples of the program meta information belonging to the control related to controlling main meta information such as “updating possibility” indicating the possibility that the information group is updated or “update timing” indicating the timing when the program meta information group is updated be able to.

  The “broadcast time” represents the time (broadcast start time, broadcast end time) when the program is broadcast. The “genre” related to the program indicates the genre of the program to be broadcast, and can be exemplified by drama, music, variety, or the like. “Name / abbreviation” indicates the name or abbreviation of the main performer appearing in the program, and can include program meta information such as “Takuya Kimuro” and “Kimta”.

  The “rebroadcast” is set when there is a program to be rebroadcast, and is used to indicate the original program (original program) of the rebroadcast program. Therefore, the rebroadcast program of the original program can be listed by searching for the above “rebroadcast”. Note that the above rebroadcast program is not only for re-broadcasting the same program as the original program, but also for programs such as sequels, specials, and omnibuses of the original program, as well as DVDs that contain the original program. Included in the program.

  The above-mentioned “genre” related to the performer indicates the genre of the performer appearing in the broadcast program, and includes program meta information such as “actor”, “singer”, “comedy”, “comedian”, or “painter”. It can be illustrated. In addition, although the program meta information according to the present embodiment has been described by taking as an example the case of belonging to a program or performer, it is not limited to such an example.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the sub meta information included in the ECG information includes sub meta information belonging to music related items such as “music name”, “artist name”, “record company name”, or “music purchase site URL”, Sub meta information belonging to the store such as “Store name” or “Location”, sub meta information belonging to the product such as “Product name” or “Product purchase site URL”, and “ Sub meta information belonging to the solicitation relation such as “URL” and “meta information version” indicating the version of the sub meta information, “updating possibility” indicating the possibility of updating a plurality of sub meta information groups belonging to the meta information reference ID, or Example of program meta information belonging to control related to sub meta information such as “update timing” indicating the timing at which the sub meta information group is updated Rukoto can.

  The program meta information has a master-slave relationship with the sub meta information, and can be added so as to associate the sub meta information below the level of the program meta information. In addition, the sub meta information related to the program meta information is previously stored. It can also be included in the program meta information. Similarly, the sub meta information can be added so as to associate the sub sub meta information below the hierarchy, and the sub sub meta information can be included. The same applies to the subsequent layers.

  The sub-meta information according to the present embodiment has been described by taking as an example the case of belonging to music-related, shop-related, prize-related, or solicitation-related, but is not limited to such an example. Further, the sub-sub meta information according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the sub-meta information, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Content Service Server 107)
Next, the screen display device 101, the directory service server 106, and the content service server 107 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the screen display device 101, the directory service server 106, and the content service server 107 according to the present embodiment.

  The content service server 107 according to the present embodiment holds main content or various detailed information provided to viewers by content providers such as broadcast stations for each layer. In some cases, the detailed information includes information for purchasing goods, information indicating the location and obtaining method of detailed information under the detailed information, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the content service server 107 includes at least a storage unit 301, a meta information management unit 302, a control unit (not shown) that controls processing of each unit, and a transmission unit that transmits data via the network 103. 300 or a receiving unit (not shown) that receives data via the network 103.

  The storage unit 301 stores detailed information (sub-contents) provided from the broadcasting station 105. The sub content is detailed information associated with the main content. For example, when the main content is EPG information, the sub-content is information associated with the EPG information program. Therefore, of the information related to the program, the child information whose parent is the main content is the sub-content.

  When the main content is EPG information, the sub-content can be exemplified by the previous story information of the program, the performer information of the program, the book information related to the program, the music information related to the program, and the like. Main content, sub-content, etc. are content information.

  The storage unit 301 also stores, as detailed information, Web site information for selling goods such as books and CDs related to the main content. The storage unit 301 stores Web site information particularly related to the program.

  Further, the sub-content according to the present embodiment exists in, for example, the storage unit 301 of the content service server 107 on the network 103 in addition to the storage unit 301 of the content service server 107 installed in the broadcasting station. It may exist in a dispersed manner.

  Sub meta information provided as ECG information can be added to the sub content. The meta information management unit 302 stores the sub meta information. Therefore, the sub-content may be provided after the sub-meta information is provided to the screen display device 101.

  Note that the storage unit 301 according to the present embodiment stores main content and the like in addition to the sub content, and the meta information management unit 302 stores main meta information and the like in addition to the sub meta information.

  Further, when the screen display system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of broadcasting stations 105, the present invention can be implemented even when one content service server 107 is shared by the plurality of broadcasting stations 105.

(Directory service server 106)
Next, the directory service server 106 according to the present embodiment is operated as a server dedicated to the directory service, for example. As shown in FIG. 11, the directory service server 106 includes a storage unit 303, a meta information management unit 304, a transmission unit 305 that transmits data via the network 103, and a control unit (not shown) that controls processing of each unit. And a transmission unit (not shown).

  The meta information management unit 304 relates to various attributes such as the location, title, genre, related person name (performer, author, etc.), price, or service expiration date of various sub contents provided from the content service server 107 as ECG information. It holds a sub meta information group that is a collection of a plurality of sub meta information and a main meta information group (program meta information group).

  Further, the meta information management unit 304 holds program meta information related to a normal program and the sub meta information group in association with each other. The program meta information may also be configured as a program meta information group including a plurality of program meta information.

  The meta information management unit 304 can be implemented even when the program meta information, sub meta information, or meta information reference ID is stored and managed independently for each broadcasting station 105.

  The sub meta information is edited in units of programs on the broadcasting station 105 side, and is configured as a sub meta information group including one or more sub meta information. Also, a meta information reference ID for referring to the sub meta information group is assigned.

  The screen display device 101 acquires meta information such as sub meta information by accessing the directory service server 106 based on the meta information reference ID. Note that the directory service server 106 can acquire access information that occurs every time there is an access from the screen display device 101, and can store the access information for each screen display device 101.

  When the screen display system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of broadcasting stations 105, the present invention can be implemented even when one directory service server 106 is shared by the plurality of broadcasting stations 105.

(Screen display device 101)
Next, the screen display apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 11 will be described. The screen display device 101 includes, for example, a broadcast STB (set top box), information appliances, video recorders, or other CE devices such as a game machine, a PC (personal computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a mobile phone. A mobile device can be exemplified.

  The screen display device 101 includes a receiving unit (not shown) that receives identification information and the like, an acquisition request unit 502, a meta information acquisition / storage unit 503, a selection reception unit 504, a content information acquisition unit 505, A display screen generation unit 507, a display area generation unit 509, a screen display unit 508, a partial acquisition unit 510, a display area control unit 511, an icon generation unit 514, and an input unit (not shown) are provided. .

  Note that the content information acquisition unit 505 according to the present embodiment corresponds to, for example, a detailed information acquisition unit that acquires detailed information or the like, or an information acquisition unit that acquires information, and the icon generation unit according to the present embodiment. 514 may be an index generation unit that generates an index or the like. The icon generation unit 514 and / or the screen display unit 508 according to the present embodiment corresponds to a display unit according to the present invention.

  A receiving unit (not shown) that receives the identification information and the like receives and stores the basic EPG information and the meta information reference ID via the broadcast wave from the antenna or the like. A receiving unit (not shown) that can receive via the network receives and stores the basic EPG information and the meta information reference ID via the network 103.

  The screen display device 101 according to the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case of receiving from a broadcasting station 105 that broadcasts a data broadcast. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and an ISP other than the broadcasting station 105 or the like. Even when the meta information reference ID or the like is received from.

  Further, the screen display apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment has been described by taking the case where the meta information reference ID is acquired from the receiving unit (not shown) as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Is a CD sales list, and if the goods is a “CD” such as a music CD, the screen display device 101 capable of reproducing the CD reads the meta-information reference ID stored in the extended storage area of the CD to obtain information. Even if it has a function of acquiring the meta information reference ID from the providing device 104, the present invention can be implemented.

  Further, for example, when the main content is a book publication list and the goods are books, when the meta information reference ID is directly described on the cover of the book, the screen display device 101 displays the meta information reference ID on the screen. Even when the meta information reference ID is acquired by the input unit 511 such as a keyboard provided in the apparatus 101, the present invention can be implemented. The meta information reference ID may be a one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional barcode.

  The receiving unit receives location information such as the URI of the directory service server 106 via the network 103 and stores the URI. Further, location information such as a URI may be input from the input unit 511 provided in the screen display device 101 and stored. The screen display apparatus 101 can access the directory service server 106 by the URI.

  The screen display device 101 can be connected to the network 103 by a dial-up connection or a similar method such as ADSL / FTTH.

  The screen display apparatus 101 receives basic EPG information distributed via broadcast waves or the network 103, and also receives a meta information reference ID added to each program.

  The screen display device 101 manages location information (URI, etc.) on the Internet of the directory service server 106 corresponding to each station. When the URI is changed, the latest URI is always stored by updating the URI. The URI is updated by update data received via the broadcast wave or the network 103.

  The broadcast wave receiving unit 102 or the reception unit (not shown) receives the basic EPG information to which the meta information reference ID transmitted via the broadcast wave SI or the network 103 is added, and sets each meta information reference ID. save.

  When acquiring the meta information reference ID, in order to be able to determine which broadcast station the program corresponding to the received meta information reference ID is, when storing the meta information reference ID, Stored in association with broadcast station information (not shown).

  When acquiring the meta information reference ID from SI, it is possible to determine which broadcast station the program is by receiving the broadcast station information. For example, according to a broadcasting standard defined by ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses), SI always includes a service ID indicating a broadcasting station. The broadcast station information including the service ID is associated with the meta information reference ID.

  When the EPG service server 108 provides broadcast station information via the network 103, the broadcast station information is distributed in a discriminable format. Hereinafter, EPG data distributed via the network 103 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of EPG data according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the data structure of EPG data is in XML format. The EPG data includes a tag indicating basic EPG information, a tag indicating broadcast station information, a tag indicating program meta information, and the like. The data structure of the EPG data according to the present embodiment has been described by taking the case of the XML format as an example. However, the data structure of the EPG data is not limited to such an example, and the data structure of the EPG data is, for example, an HTML format. Even if it is, it can be implemented.

  The meta information reference ID distributed together with the basic EPG information is always distributed together with the broadcast station information representing the broadcast station. The broadcast station information is meta information, but is not limited to this example.

  Note that the meta information reference ID shown in FIG. 12 is described as an example of an attribute, but is not limited to this example. For example, the meta information reference ID is an index indicating that it is a meta information reference ID. Even in the case of a tag having a functional function, it can be implemented.

  As shown in FIG. 12, “broadcast station ID” indicates a broadcast station. In addition, “TPS” or “Bushi TV” is set in the “broadcast station ID”. Note that the present invention is not limited to this example, and an appropriate ID may be assigned to the “broadcast station ID”.

  In the broadcast station information shown in FIG. 12, “broadcast station tag (<broadcast station>)” and “program tag (<program>)” have a hierarchical structure. The meta information reference ID for each program is defined as a child element of an element indicating a broadcast station (“broadcast station ID”).

  In the case of the data structure shown in FIG. 12, when acquiring the meta information reference ID, it is possible to determine which broadcast station belongs by referring to the “broadcast station ID” that is the parent element of the hierarchical structure.

  Other broadcast station information distributed via the network 103 includes broadcast station information that provides a naming rule for the meta information reference ID. The meta information reference ID is defined so that a character string for identifying the broadcasting station is always placed at the top of the ID.

  The screen display apparatus 101 can determine to which broadcast station 105 it belongs by referring to the meta information reference ID in which the predetermined character string is set. However, there is a possibility that the advantage that each broadcasting station 105 can independently manage IDs may be lost.

  Therefore, when the EPG service server 108 distributes the meta information reference ID uniquely named by the broadcasting station 105 (not including the character string for determining the broadcasting station 105), the character string for determining the broadcasting station is used. Append.

  When the screen display apparatus 101 acquires data such as a meta information reference ID, it is necessary to add a process of deleting a character string for determining the broadcast station 105 and returning to the meta information reference ID designated by the broadcast station 105. .

  The screen display device 101 that has acquired the basic EPG information displays an EPG display screen on the screen display unit 508. When the viewer instructs to display the program meta information or the sub meta information regarding an appropriate program displayed on the EPG display screen, the screen is based on the meta information reference ID and the URI information of the directory service server 106 of the corresponding broadcasting station 105. The display device 101 acquires the corresponding sub meta information.

  Note that the directory service server 106 and the content service 107 according to the present embodiment can be implemented even when they are operated independently for each broadcasting station 105. The screen display device 101 distinguishes the meta information reference ID, the sub meta information, and the like for each broadcasting station 105, and acquires sub content that is detailed information.

  For example, the program meta information or sub meta information of the broadcast station 105-B can be searched based on keywords included in the program meta information or sub meta information acquired from the broadcast station 105-A. It is possible to acquire program meta information or sub meta information without being conscious of the difference.

  Further, the directory service server 106 and the content service 107 according to the present embodiment can be implemented even when they are operated independently for each program sponsor or content provider, for example. Even when the program is operated for each program sponsor or content provider, the broadcasting station 105 assigns a meta information reference ID.

  When operating independently for each program sponsor or content provider, for example, the directory service server 106-A holds the meta information reference ID or sub meta information related to the sponsor of the A program, and the directory service server 106-B. Holds meta information reference ID sub-meta information and the like related to the sponsor of the B program.

  Next, an input unit (not shown) provided in the screen display device 101 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 11 includes a mouse, a trackball, a trackpad, a stylus pen that can receive an operation instruction from the user. Alternatively, it includes a pointing device such as a joystick or a keyboard, but is not limited to such an example.

  An input unit (not shown) selects an appropriate broadcast program from the EPG display screen displayed on the screen display unit 508, acquires detailed information such as sub-contents related to the selected broadcast program, and displays the screen. A new display area on the display unit 508 is allocated and displayed. The display process for displaying content on the screen display unit 508 will be described later.

  The input unit can acquire sub meta information related to the program by selecting the broadcast program. Therefore, desired sub meta information can be acquired from the main meta information displayed on the screen display unit 508, and sub contents associated with the sub meta information can be acquired. Note that the input unit 511 can select main meta information without being limited to the sub meta information.

  Based on the operation instruction information transmitted from the input unit, the selection receiving unit 504 generates inquiry information in which an attribute value such as a meta information reference ID to which the selected broadcast program belongs and a “title” of the broadcast program is set. To do.

  The acquisition request unit 502 transmits the inquiry information transmitted from the selection receiving unit 504 to the directory service server 106 via the network 103. Note that the transmission destination of the inquiry information is all the URIs of the directory service server 106 held by the screen display device 101.

  The meta information acquisition / storage unit 503 requests the directory service server 106 to transmit the program meta information or sub meta information below the hierarchy of the program inquired by the acquisition request unit 502, and transmits the program via the network 103. Receive and store meta information or sub-meta information.

  The content information acquisition unit 505 accesses the meta information management unit 302 via the network 103 based on the program meta information or the sub meta information searched by the inquiry information from the acquisition request unit 502, and the meta information associated with the sub meta information. Get information (sub-sub meta information, etc.).

  In addition to acquiring the corresponding meta information, the content information acquisition unit 505 also acquires link destination sub-content information (detailed information or the like) from the URI information included in the acquired meta-information. Note that the content information acquisition unit 505 according to the present embodiment also corresponds to a detailed information acquisition unit that acquires detailed information such as sub-contents.

  The display screen generation unit 507 generates data to be displayed on the screen display unit 508 using a template or the like based on the information received from the servers 106 and 107. For example, the sub meta information or sub content received from the servers 106 and 107 is acquired and generated by template conversion using XML and XSLT.

  The display area generation unit 509 generates a display area by assigning each display area for displaying the data generated by the display screen generation unit 507 on the screen display unit 508.

  When the EPG information (main content) is reduced, the part acquisition unit 510 extracts only a necessary part. For example, the partial acquisition unit 510 exemplifies a case where the main content of the same broadcasting station whose time changes in the selected program is acquired, or the case where the main content of each broadcasting station in the same time zone of the selected program is acquired. Can do.

  The display area control unit 511 reduces or enlarges one or more allocated display areas based on the generated display screen data, and displays EPG information and detailed information such as sub-contents in each display area. It is displayed so as to fit within the screen of the display unit 508.

  The icon generation unit 514 generates icon data for each category related to content information such as detailed information. The category is included as an attribute value in the sub meta information of the content information. The icon generation unit 514 instructs the screen display unit 508 so that the icons 600 are displayed in a horizontal row as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the icon generation unit 514 generates icon data based on the attribute value of the category that is the attribute of the content information from the storage unit or the directory service server 106 provided in the screen display device 101. The icon data is displayed as an icon 600 by the screen display unit 508.

  The icon generation unit 514 according to the present embodiment has been described by way of an example in which the generated icon data is instructed to be arranged in a horizontal row. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The generation unit 514 can be implemented even when it is instructed to be arranged in a vertical row, or instructed to be arranged based on the priority order of categories registered in advance in the setting information.

  When the icon 600 is selected by an input unit such as a mouse, the category corresponding to the selected icon 600 is acquired, and other meta information belonging to a hierarchy that matches the category or URI information included in the meta information is acquired. Search and get.

  It should be noted that an image made up of at least one of characters, figures, patterns, or the like included in the icon 600 may be stored in advance in a storage unit or may be received from the directory service server 106.

  In addition, the display area control unit 511 according to the present embodiment has been described by taking the case of controlling the display area as an example. However, the display area control unit 511 is not limited to such an example. Even when the text or the text of the content such as the sub-content or the image is reduced and stored in the screen of the screen display unit 508, the present invention can be implemented.

  Next, modified examples of the screen display device 101, the directory service server 106, and the content service server 107 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a first modification of a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the screen display device 101, the directory service server 106, and the content service server 107 according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, differences between the screen display device 101, the directory service server 106, and the content service server 107 shown in FIG. 11 and the screen display device 101, the directory service server 106, and the content service server 107 shown in FIG. 13 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 13, compared to the content service server 107 shown in FIG. 11, the content service server 107 shown in FIG. 13 further includes a display screen generation unit 306, a URI information transmission unit 307, and an icon generation unit 308. Is different.

  The content service server 107 according to the present embodiment has been described by taking as an example the case where the display screen generation unit 306, the URI information transmission unit 307, and the icon generation unit 308 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The directory service server 106 may also be provided.

  The display screen generation unit 306 generates display screen data (detailed information, sub-content) in advance for display on the screen display unit 508 provided in the screen display device 101. For example, display screen data (detailed information) such as a Web screen composed of still images, moving images, texts, and the like can be exemplified. The display screen data includes URI information.

  The display screen data according to the present embodiment is not limited to detailed information as sub-contents, and may be, for example, sub-sub-contents that belong to a sub-content hierarchy, sub-sub-sub-contents that belong to a lower hierarchy, or the like.

  The URI information transmission unit 307 generates a display screen when a CPU (not shown) starts a CGI program stored in the storage unit 301 in accordance with inquiry information transmitted from the screen display device 101. The display screen data can be dynamically generated by the display screen generation unit 306 by controlling the unit 306.

  Further, the URI information transmission unit 307 transmits the URI information of the detailed information generated dynamically via the network 103.

  Therefore, the image display apparatus 101 can display detailed information such as sub-contents on the screen display unit 508 by receiving the URI information from the content service server 107.

  The icon generation unit 308 generates icon data based on the attribute value of the meta information indicating the category attribute managed by the meta information management unit 302. As for the generation timing, icon data may be generated in advance and stored in the storage unit 301. However, the icon data may be generated when the icon data is transmitted to the screen display device 101. The generated icon data is displayed as an icon 600 on the screen of the screen display device.

  Further, as compared with the screen display device 101 shown in FIG. 11, the screen display device 101 shown in FIG. 13 does not include the display screen generation unit 507, but further includes a URI information reception unit 512 and a URI access unit 513. Is different.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the detailed information as the display screen data is not generated by the screen display device 101 but is generated by the content service server 107.

  The URI information receiving unit 512 receives the URI information transmitted from the URI information transmitting unit 307 provided in the content service server 107 via the network 103.

  The URI access unit 513 accesses detailed information held by the content service server 107 or the directory service server 106 corresponding to the URI information via the network 103 based on the URI information transmitted from the content service server 107.

  The detailed information accessed by the URI access unit 513 is transmitted to the screen display device 101 via the network 103, and a display area is allocated to the screen display unit 508 and displayed.

  Next, modified examples of the screen display device 101, the directory service server 106, and the content service server 107 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a second modification of the block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the screen display device 101, the directory service server 106, and the content service server 107 according to the present embodiment.

  The content service server 107 shown in FIG. 14 is a server that combines the content service server 107 shown in FIG. 11 and the content service server 107 shown in FIG.

  14 is a combination of the screen display device 101 shown in FIG. 11 and the screen display device shown in FIG. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 14, detailed information as display screen data is generated by either the screen display device 101 or the content service server 107.

  The content service server 107 according to the present embodiment has been described by way of an example in which the display screen generation unit 306 and the URI information transmission unit 307 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the directory service server 106 includes May also be provided.

(Configuration of display screen)
Next, the configuration of the display screen displayed on the screen display unit 508 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display screen according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the screen display unit 508 includes one or more display areas. First, a main display area (first display area) is assigned to the screen display unit 508. When an area for displaying a plurality of related information such as main contents and sub contents is necessary, the main display area is a main display area, which is a parent element such as a root as the top layer. In particular, an area displaying the first parent element is called a first display area.

  In the main display area according to the present embodiment, EPG information that is a program guide of a broadcast program is displayed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, the sub display area (second display area) is related information when a certain content element is selected from the group of content elements (subjects) displayed in the main display area. This area displays detailed information. In particular, the sub display area of the first display area is referred to as a second display area.

  Note that the content elements according to the present embodiment are content elements such as a plurality of items and topics configured in the main content. For example, when the main content is EPG information, the contents of each program configured in the EPG information. And performers and music.

  In addition, “selection” according to the present embodiment refers to, for example, a state in which a content element is specified by clicking a mouse as an input unit (not shown) or pressing a button, a mouse cursor, or the like. For example, a state in which the frame is positioned on the content element (onMouse), or a state in which a frame (cursor) for selection by remote control operation is displayed on the content element.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, a third display area can be assigned to the screen display unit 508 in addition to the main display area and the sub display area.

  The display area allocated to the screen display unit 508 can be configured in a plurality of hierarchical structures such as a first display area, a second display area, and a third display area shown in FIG. Therefore, the display area between each layer has a parent-child relationship. For example, for the third display area below the second display area, the second display area is the parent area.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the display area is assigned to the screen display unit 508 by various patterns. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a display area allocated to the screen display unit according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, the screen display unit 508 may have a main display area and a sub display area arranged vertically.

  As shown in FIG. 16B, the screen display unit 508 may have a sub display area on the upper side and a main display area on the lower side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16C, a sub display area on the left side and a main display area on the right side may be arranged on the left and right. The layout in which the main display area and the sub display area according to the present embodiment are arranged is not limited to this example.

  There may be a plurality of hierarchies such as a third display area in addition to the main display area and the sub display area. Therefore, in the following, the parent-child relationship of the display areas in the hierarchy is represented by numbers, and the sub display area when the sub display area of the first display area is the second display area and the second display area is the main display area is the third display area The sub display area when the Nth display area is the main display area is distinguished as the (N + 1) th display area.

  In addition, the screen display unit 508 according to the present embodiment is assigned a display area classified into a main display area and a sub display area, but the characteristics of each display area are the same. Accordingly, there is no particular limitation on the relationship between the display areas and the like. As the relationship, for example, the main display area has the largest area.

(Content element arrangement pattern)
Next, with reference to FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B, the arrangement pattern of content elements according to the present embodiment will be described. 17A and 17B are explanatory diagrams showing a schematic configuration of content elements displayed in the display area according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B. As will be described later, a plurality of content elements included in the content information are displayed in the display area. Examples of the display pattern include a list type and a table type, such as a combination of them, such as EPG information, or an irregular type. The display pattern may be in a format that can identify a target content element from a plurality of content elements.

  When content elements are further displayed in the display area by areas, child content elements such as icons can be arranged therein. For example, a plurality of related icons can be arranged in the display area of one content element of a list or table, and can be hierarchized.

  First, as shown in FIG. 17A (a), in the display area, content elements are arranged in the form of a list on top and bottom of elements A, B, C, and D in order from the top. The display area corresponds to the main display area, the sub display area, and the like described above.

  The element A, element B, element C, and element D further include icons 600 (600-1, 600-2,..., 600-7) as child elements.

  Detailed information associated with the selected content element is displayed in another display area by selecting one of the elements A, B, C, and D with a mouse click or the like. Can be made.

  Further, by selecting each icon 600 by clicking or the like, various detailed information related to the content element provided with the icon 600 can be displayed by assigning a display area. Note that when there is no detailed information associated with the content element, the content element does not include the icon 600 at all.

  By displaying an icon for displaying detailed information that is sub-content as related information of the content element in each content element, it becomes easier to visually recognize that the more information there is, the more detailed information there is. . Also, there are more opportunities to intentionally access such content elements and obtain information.

  One content element can be provided with one or more icons 600 for each category of detailed information to be displayed. Therefore, by selecting the icon 600, detailed information of a desired category can be efficiently displayed.

  As a category according to the present embodiment, for example, when the main content is EPG information, program contents, performers, books, music, and the like can be exemplified. Therefore, by providing the program content icon 600, the performer icon 600, the book icon 600, or the music icon 600 for each program corresponding to the content element, detailed information on performers related to the program can be obtained. It can be displayed in the display area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17A (b), in the display area, the content elements are arranged in the form of a list on the left and right of the elements A, B, C, D, E, and F in order from the left. Is arranged. The element A, element B, element C, element D, element E, and element F further include an icon 600 (600-8, 600-2,..., 600-14). It is displayed. The rest of the configuration is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17A (c), in the display area, content elements are arranged in a table shape like a grid, and elements A, B, C, and D are arranged in order from the upper left corner to the bottom. Arranged, and subsequently arranged as an element E, an element F, an element G, an element H,. In addition, the element A, element B, element C,..., P include icons 600 (600-15, 600-16,..., 600-26) as child elements (child content elements). Displayed in the content element. The rest of the configuration is substantially the same as that of FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17B (d), in the display area, the content elements are arranged in a format for displaying EPG information with the vertical axis representing time and the horizontal axis representing a broadcasting station as a modification of the table format. Yes.

  Each content element in the EPG information is arranged at broadcasting station A as element A, element B, element C, and element D in order of broadcasting time, and then at broadcasting station B, element E, element F, Element G is arranged, and broadcasting station C arranges element H, element I, and element J in order of increasing time.

  In addition, the element A, element B, element C,..., Element J further include icons 600 (600-30, 600-31,..., 600-39) and are displayed. The rest of the configuration is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17B (e), content elements are irregularly arranged (irregular form) in the display area. Elements A, B, C, and D are arranged in order from the upper left. The element A, element B, element C, and element D further include icons 600 (600-40, 600-16,..., 600-43), which are displayed on the respective content elements. The rest of the configuration is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

(Display area allocation variation)
Next, a variation in which each display area is assigned to the screen display unit 508 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18A to 18F. 18A to 18F are explanatory diagrams schematically showing transitions to which the display area according to the present embodiment is assigned.

  First, as shown in FIG. 18A (a), the screen display unit 508 displays a first display area. In the first display area, content information such as EPG information that is the main content is displayed.

  Next, when a content element such as a program is selected from the first display area shown in FIG. 18A (a), a display area for displaying detailed information associated with the content element is newly allocated.

  As shown in FIG. 18A (b), the newly allocated second display area is arranged below the first display area. Therefore, the first display area is reduced by the amount that displays the second display area. It should be noted that when the first display area is reduced, it is possible to reduce the first display area while leaving only a necessary portion. Such processing will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 18A (b), the first display area and the second display area are allocated on the screen display unit 508 so as to fit within one screen, so that the entire display area is visually recognized. be able to.

  Since the detailed information related to the content element (program etc.) in the first display area is displayed in the second display area, the first display area and the second display area have a master-slave relationship. Such a display area has a master-slave relationship even when the number of layers increases, such as the second layer and the third layer. For example, the fifth display area and the sixth display area have a master-slave relationship.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18A (c), when a content element displayed in the second display area is selected, a display area for displaying detailed information associated with the content element is newly displayed in the third display area. Displayed as an area. Note that the content elements displayed in the second display area can exemplify various items, topics, etc., such as the profile of the performers of the program and the previous story of the program.

  As shown in FIG. 18A (c), after the first display area and the second display area are assigned to the screen display unit 508, the third display area is further placed under the second display area. It is allocated so that it can fit in the screen of 508.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18B (a), the first display area is displayed on the screen display unit 508. In the first display area, content information such as EPG information that is the main content is displayed. Note that differences from FIG. 18A will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 18B (b), the second display area is arranged on the first display area. Therefore, the first display area is reduced by the amount that displays the second display area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18B (c), when a content element displayed in the second display area is selected, a display area for displaying detailed information associated with the content element is newly displayed in the third display area. Displayed as an area.

  As shown in FIG. 18B (c), after the first display area and the second display area are assigned to the screen display unit 508, the third display area is further below the first display area, and the screen display unit It is allocated so that it can fit in the screen of 508.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18C (a), the screen display unit 508 displays the first display area. In the first display area, content information such as EPG information that is the main content is displayed. Note that differences from FIG. 18A will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 18C (b), the second display area is arranged to the right of the first display area. Therefore, the first display area is reduced by the amount that displays the second display area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18C (c), when a content element displayed in the second display area is selected, a display area for displaying detailed information associated with the content element is newly displayed in the third display area. Displayed as an area.

  As shown in FIG. 18C (c), after the first display area and the second display area are assigned to the screen display unit 508, the third display area is further displayed below the second display area. Assigned to fit on the screen of the section 508. Therefore, the second display area is reduced by an amount corresponding to the display of the third display area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18D (a), the screen display unit 508 displays the first display area. In the first display area, content information such as EPG information that is the main content is displayed. Note that differences from FIG. 18A will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 18D (b), the second display area is arranged to the right of the first display area. Accordingly, the first display area is reduced by the area for displaying the second display area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18D (c), when a content element displayed in the second display area is selected, a display area for displaying detailed information associated with the content element is newly displayed in the third display area. Displayed as an area.

  As shown in FIG. 18D (c), after the first display area and the second display area are assigned to the screen display unit 508, the third display area is further displayed below the first display area. Assigned to fit on the screen of the section 508. Therefore, the first display area is reduced by an amount corresponding to the display of the third display area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18E (a), the screen display unit 508 displays a first display area. In the first display area, content information such as EPG information that is the main content is displayed. Note that differences from FIG. 18A will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 18E (b), the second display area is arranged on the right side of the first display area. Accordingly, the first display area is reduced by the area for displaying the second display area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18E (c), when a content element displayed in the second display area is further selected, a display area for displaying detailed information associated with the content element is newly added. It is displayed as 3 display areas.

  As shown in FIG. 18E (c), after the first display area and the second display area are allocated to the screen display unit 508, the third display area is further below the first display area and the second display area. To the screen display unit 508. Therefore, the first display area and the second display area are reduced by the area for displaying the third display area.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18F (a), the screen display unit 508 displays a first display area. In the first display area, content information such as EPG information that is the main content is displayed. Note that differences from FIG. 18A will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 18F (b), the second display area is arranged in the lower right direction of the first display area. Accordingly, the first display area is reduced by the area for displaying the second display area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18F (c), when a content element displayed in the second display area is further selected, detailed information associated with the content element in the second display area is displayed. Display area is newly allocated as the third display area.

  As shown in FIG. 18F (c), after the first display area and the second display area are assigned to the screen display unit 508, a third display area is further arranged inside the second display area. When the third display area is arranged, the second display area further secures an area for displaying necessary information in the second display area while securing a predetermined area in which the third display area can be displayed.

  Therefore, the second display area is not completely deprived of the area by the third display area. The expanded area of the second display area and the area of the third display area are secured by reducing the first display area. Note that the first display area, the second display area, and the third display area are allocated so as to fit on the screen of the screen display unit 508.

  18A to 18F, the screen display unit 508 according to the present embodiment has been described by taking as an example the case where only the first display area is first displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. First, the screen display unit 508 may display the first display area and the second display area.

  In the display area of each layer shown in FIGS. 18A to 18F, the size of the display area to be allocated is dynamically changed according to the information amount and attributes of the content information. In addition, the display area is allocated to an area that matches the size of the allocated display area. Therefore, the layout of the display area to be allocated differs depending on the information amount of the content information at that time. The information amount corresponds to the size (size) of an area necessary for displaying content information, the data capacity of content information, and the like, and is obtained based on at least one of the size or the data capacity.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, a transition in which each display area in the screen display unit 508 according to the present embodiment is allocated when EPG information is displayed in the first display area will be described. FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the allocation transition of the display area when EPG information is displayed in the first display area according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the screen display unit 508 is assigned only the first display area. In the first display area, EPG information is displayed, and the broadcast time schedule of the program of each broadcast station is displayed. In the EPG information shown in FIG. 19, only the programs of each broadcasting station in the time zone from 19:00 to 21:00 are displayed, but the program table of EPG information is moved up and down by an input unit (not shown). By scrolling to, it is possible to display programs of each broadcasting station in other time zones.

  The display area of the screen display unit 508 shown in FIG. 19 corresponds to the display area shown in FIG. 18A described above. For example, the first display area shown in FIG. 19A corresponds to the first display area shown in FIG. Further, the first display area and the second display area shown in FIG. 19B also correspond to the first display area and the second display area shown in FIG. 18A (b).

  As shown in FIG. 19, “A station”, which is a broadcasting station, is scheduled to broadcast programs A1 and A2 as elements constituting the content between 19:00 and 21:00. Similarly, “B station”, which is a broadcasting station, is scheduled to broadcast program B1 and program B2 between 19:00 and 21:00, and “C station”, which is a broadcasting station, includes program C1. , Program C2 is scheduled to be broadcast.

  Next, when the program B2 is selected by the input unit, programs of other broadcasting stations (program A1, program A2, program C1, program C2) broadcast in the same time zone as the program B2 are displayed in the first display area. The first display area is reduced so as to be partially displayed on the screen. Therefore, when the first display area is reduced, the programs other than the program in the same time zone as the program B2 are excluded and are not displayed in the first display area. Note that the corresponding program is acquired by the partial acquisition unit 510 in order to partially display the program in the EPG information.

  The first display area according to the present embodiment has been described by taking as an example a case where the first display area is reduced so as to leave a selected program and a program of another station broadcast in the same time zone. It is not limited to. For example, when the first display area is reduced so as to leave the selected program and a program broadcast in another time zone within the same broadcasting station, the category or attribute is the same as the selected program. Even when the program is reduced to leave another program, it can be implemented. When a program that is broadcast in another time zone of the same broadcasting station is left, only the vertical direction area that is the same broadcasting station remains in the reduced first display area. For example, when the selected program is program B2, the vertical region is a region where program B1 and program B2 remain.

  Also, the reduction of the first display area is reduced to an area where programs in the same time zone of the selected program are displayed, or reduced to an area where programs broadcast in other time zones within the same broadcasting station are displayed. Which pattern is to be selected is determined by registering the pattern selection in setting information (not shown) recorded in advance in a storage unit (not shown) provided in the screen display device 101. It becomes possible.

  As described above, when the first display area is reduced, the reduced first display area becomes an area displayed by a broken line. Since the reduced first display area is located at the center of the screen of the screen display unit 508, the first display area slides to the top of the screen of the screen display unit 508. The transition that moves while sliding will be described later.

  By moving the reduced first display area to the upper part of the screen of the screen display unit 508, the display area can be allocated to the lower part of the screen of the screen display part 508.

  As shown in FIG. 19B, the reduced first display area is moved to the upper part of the screen of the screen display unit 508. Furthermore, a second display area for displaying detailed information associated with the program B2 is newly allocated at the bottom of the screen of the screen display unit 508. The detailed information is displayed in the assigned second display area.

  In the screen display unit 508 shown in FIG. 19B, a first display area and a second display area are allocated vertically. Another program (program A1,..., Program C2) whose time axis is linked to the selected program B2 is displayed in the first display area, and the program B2 selected in the first display area is displayed in the second display area. Detailed information associated with is displayed.

  Therefore, since the content element in the first display area displayed on the screen display unit 508 and the detailed information displayed in the second display area are in a hierarchical relationship, the recollection of the relationship between the content element and the detailed information is considered. In addition, since the information of the display areas of each layer such as the first display area and the second display area is displayed on the entire screen, the entire information can be easily viewed and the thought process can be efficiently organized.

  The screen display unit 508 shown in FIG. 19 has been described by taking as an example the case where the first display area and the second display area are assigned, but the present invention is not limited to this example. Or even if two or more display areas are allocated, the present invention can be implemented.

  Further, the display area allocation pattern of the screen display unit 508 shown in FIG. 19 has been described by taking the case corresponding to FIG. 18A as an example, but is not limited to such an example. For example, the display area allocation pattern Even in the case of 18B to FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 20A, only the first display area is assigned to the screen display unit 508. In the first display area, EPG information is displayed, and the broadcast time schedule of the program of each broadcast station is displayed. In the EPG information shown in FIG. 20, only the programs of each broadcasting station in the time zone from 19:00 to 21:00 are displayed, but the program table of EPG information is moved up and down by an input unit (not shown). By scrolling to, it is possible to display programs of each broadcasting station in other time zones.

  The display area of the screen display unit 508 shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to the display area shown in FIG. 18F described above. For example, the first display area shown in FIG. 20A corresponds to the first display area shown in FIG. Further, the first display area and the second display area shown in FIG. 20B also correspond to the first display area and the second display area shown in FIG. 18F (b).

  As shown in FIG. 20, a broadcast station “A station” is scheduled to broadcast program A1 and program A2 as elements constituting the content between 19:00 and 21:00. Similarly, “B station”, which is a broadcasting station, is scheduled to broadcast program B0, program B1, program B2, and program B3 from 19:00 to 21:00. ”Is scheduled to broadcast program C1 and program C2.

  Next, when the program B2 is selected by the input unit, as shown by the broken line area in FIG. 20A, the program B2 and the broadcast programs (program C1, program C2, program around the program B2) are displayed. The first display area is reduced so that B3) is displayed in the first display area. The displayed program is adjusted according to the size of the reduced first display area. When the first display area is reduced, programs other than those arranged in the periphery of the program B2 are excluded and are not displayed in the first display area. Of the EPG information displayed in the first display area, the partial acquisition unit 510 acquires the corresponding program in order to partially display the program.

  For example, when there is room in the reduced first display area, a program arranged in the direction of arrow A (program D1, program D2, etc.) or a program arranged in the direction of arrow B (program B4, etc.). Is displayed in the first display area.

  Note that the reduced first display area shown in FIG. 20A has been described by taking the case of the program B2, the program C1, the program C2, and the program B3 as an example, but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and FIG. As shown in (a), the first display area to be reduced may be an area “” (program B0, program B1, program B2, program A1, program A2).

  Next, when the program B2 is selected by the input unit, the program B2 and the programs in the peripheral part of the program B2 (program B3, program C1, program C2) are displayed in the first display area. The display area is reduced to "". Note that the layout pattern of the display area reduced to the ““ ”shape is registered in advance in the setting information described above.

  Further, as described above, when the first display area is reduced to ““ ”, the reduced first display area is an area displayed by the broken lines extending in the arrow A direction and the arrow B direction. Since the reduced first display area is located at the center of the screen of the screen display unit 508, the first display area slides to the upper left of the screen of the screen display unit 508. The transition that moves while sliding will be described later.

  By moving the reduced first display region to the upper part of the screen of the screen display unit 508, the display region can be allocated to the lower right part of the screen of the screen display unit 508.

  As shown in FIG. 20B, the reduced first display area is moved to the upper left portion of the screen of the screen display unit 508. Furthermore, a second display area for displaying detailed information associated with the program B2 is newly allocated in the lower right portion of the screen of the screen display unit 508. The detailed information is displayed in the assigned second display area.

  In the second display area shown in FIG. 20B, an icon 600 including detailed information associated with the program B2, a “book 1” icon, a “book 2” icon, a “book 3” icon, and a “book 4” icon. Is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 20B, the detailed information is a message made up of text such as “Books related to program B2 are book 1, book 2, and book 3.” Note that the detailed information is not limited to such an example, and may be a case where the detailed information is composed of a still image, a moving image, audio, or the like.

  In the screen display unit 508 shown in FIG. 20B, the second display area is allocated so as to be arranged in the lower right direction of the first display area. In the first display area, the selected program B2 and programs in the peripheral part of program 2 (program B3, program 4, program C1, program C2, program D1, program D2) are displayed. Detailed information associated with the program B2 selected in one display area is displayed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 20C, a desired icon 600 is selected from the icons 600 displayed in the second display area by the input unit. When the icon 600 is selected by the input unit, the icon border becomes thick and becomes active as in the “book 2” icon.

  When the icon 600 is selected, detailed information associated with the selected icon 600 is displayed in the third display area. The detailed information displayed in the second display area including the icon 600 is the detailed information displayed in the third display area. Therefore, detailed information with a narrower range than the detailed information in the second display area is displayed in the third display area.

  As shown in FIG. 20D, when the “book 2” icon is selected, the detailed information associated with “book 2” is displayed in the third display area. Reduced. The second display area is reduced so as to correspond to the second display area shown in FIG. Note that the reduction of the second display area varies depending on the amount of detailed information displayed in the third display area, but a detailed description will be given later.

  By reducing the second display area, it is possible to display detailed information associated with “Book 3” by allocating the third display area to the empty space. As in the second display area, the third display area includes an icon 600 such as a “purchase” icon that can be purchased by selecting an icon, and detailed information related to “book 2”. Is displayed.

  In the second display area and the third display area shown in FIG. 20, the case where the detailed information category is displayed is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The second display area and the third display area can be implemented even when the detailed information category displays detailed information regarding the program content, music, performers, and the like. At that time, an icon 600 is displayed for each category in the first display area.

  The content element of the first display area displayed on the screen display unit 508, the detailed information displayed in the second display area, and the detailed information displayed in the third display area have a hierarchical relationship and are closely watched. Since the lower right detailed information is the lowermost detailed information at the lower right of the screen, it is easy to recall the relationship between content elements such as programs and detailed information, and the first display area, the second display area, and the third display area The information of the display area of each hierarchy is displayed on the entire screen, so that the entire information can be easily viewed. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently organize thought processes such as motivation to select information sequentially for each layer.

  Note that the screen display unit 508 illustrated in FIG. 20 has been described by taking as an example the case where the first display area, the second display area, and the third display area are allocated, but the present invention is not limited to this example. Even when one or more display areas such as the fifth display area are allocated, the present invention can be implemented.

  In addition, the display area allocation pattern of the screen display unit 508 illustrated in FIG. 20 has been described by taking the case corresponding to FIG. 18F as an example, but is not limited thereto. For example, the display area allocation pattern can be implemented even in the case of FIGS. 18B to 18F.

(Screen display operation)
Next, the screen display operation applied to the screen display system 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an outline of the screen display operation of the screen display system according to the present embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIG. 21, the screen display apparatus 101 receives meta information from the directory service server 106 or the content service server 107 (S1501). Note that the image display apparatus 101 needs to receive a meta information reference ID from the broadcast station 105 before receiving the meta information. The reception of the meta information reference ID will be briefly described below.

  In order to transmit the meta information reference ID to the image display apparatus 101, the broadcasting station 105 first executes program organization processing by the program organization unit 201. When the program organization is determined by the broadcast station 105, main meta information (program meta information), sub meta information, etc. (sub sub meta information, etc.) related to the program are generated. A meta information reference ID for identifying the program is assigned in advance.

  Next, the program meta information adding unit 203 and the sub meta information adding unit 202 add the program meta information and the sub meta information to the scheduling information generated by the scheduling process. Note that attribute information is set in each piece of meta information during composition processing.

  Of the sub-contents related to the program, sub-contents and the like are selected as detailed information to be presented to the viewer, and the sub-contents and the like are associated with the meta information reference ID. Further, by adding a meta information reference ID corresponding to the program to the composition information, as shown in FIG. 9, the program meta information or the sub meta information is associated.

  The meta information reference ID is associated with program meta information and sub meta information. Therefore, the program meta information, sub meta information, sub sub meta information, and the like associated with the meta information reference ID have a hierarchically integrated data structure shown in FIG. 9 using the meta information reference ID as a key.

  By acquiring the meta information reference ID, only necessary program meta information or sub meta information can be extracted and partially acquired from the meta information group linked to the meta information reference ID.

  By associating the meta information reference ID with the sub meta information, the sub sub meta information, and the like, the sub meta information, the sub sub meta information, or the program meta information can be accessed. The directory service server 106 collectively holds meta information such as meta information reference ID, program meta information, and sub meta information.

  Further, the sub-meta information (sub-sub-meta information or the like) and the content information related to the sub-meta information or the like, detailed information, or goods related to the content element are held by the content service server 107.

  When the composition process is completed, the identification information transmission unit 207 then transmits the basic EPG information and the meta information reference ID associated with the basic EPG information via a broadcast wave. Note that the identification information transmission unit 207 can be implemented even when the basic EPG information and the meta information reference ID are transmitted via the network 103.

  Further, the identification information transmitting unit 207 is not limited to the case where the meta information reference ID is distributed simultaneously with the broadcast of the broadcast program, but adds or includes the meta information reference ID to the basic EPG information distributed by various EPG information distribution services or the like. Thus, the meta information reference ID may be distributed in advance.

  The identification information transmission unit 207 according to the present embodiment has been described with reference to an example in which the meta information reference ID is transmitted together with the basic EPG information. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and depending on the main content to be provided, The identification information transmission unit 207 can be implemented even when only the meta information reference ID is transmitted.

  The meta information acquisition / storage unit 503 provided in the screen display device 101 stores and holds the meta information reference ID transmitted via the broadcast wave or the network 103 for each broadcasting station 105.

  That is, after transmitting the meta information reference ID and program meta information to the screen display device 101, the directory service server 106 displays the sub meta information associated with the meta information reference ID on the screen in response to a request from the screen display device 101 side. Transmit to the display device 101.

  When distributing by broadcast wave, for example, by assigning a meta information reference ID as a descriptor attribute value in the table information in SI, the meta information reference ID can be transmitted together with the basic EPG information via the broadcast wave. .

  The identification information transmission unit 207 according to the present embodiment has been described by taking as an example a case where a meta information reference ID is newly added and distributed. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and other than the meta information reference ID. A value that can uniquely identify the main content may be used as the meta information reference ID. For example, when the broadcast program is the main content, a value composed of a plurality of combinations such as a combination of a service ID and an event ID included in the broadcast wave SI information may be used as the meta information reference ID.

  Accordingly, when the content information acquisition unit 505 provided in the screen display device 101 receives the basic EPG information and the meta information reference ID, the content information acquisition unit 505 receives the program meta information from the directory service server 106 as shown in FIG. Various meta information such as information or sub meta information is acquired (S1501).

  As shown in FIG. 22A, the directory service server 106 or the content service server 107 stores / manages various meta information or sub meta information. The program meta information 1601 is the program meta information of the program A. The program meta information with the title “AAA”, the program meta information with the genre “drama”, and the broadcast date and time “2003 / XX / XX, 20:00 to 21”. Program meta information that is “time”, program meta information that is broadcast station “X”, and the like.

  Each meta information includes attribute information. The attribute information of the program meta information of the program A may illustrate, for example, a case where the attribute value of the “title” is “AAA” or a case where the attribute value of the “genre” is “drama”. it can.

  The program meta information 1601 is transmitted from the directory service server 106 to the screen display device 101 via the network 103.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22A, the sub meta information 1602 is sub meta information associated with the program A, and the sub meta information 1602-1 includes sub meta information having the title “BBB” and a category “CD”. The sub meta information 1602-2 includes the sub meta information having the title “CCC” and the sub meta information having the category “book”.

  The sub meta information 1602 is linked to the main program meta information using the meta information reference ID as a key. Therefore, when the program meta information is selected, the directory service server 106 can recognize the sub meta information associated with the program meta information.

  Upon receiving the program meta information, the meta information acquisition / storage unit 503 provided in the screen display device 101 stores the program meta information in association with the meta information reference ID and the basic EPG information.

  Further, the display screen generation unit 507 provided in the screen display device 101 generates a program frame in the EPG information (electronic program guide) based on the received program meta information and the meta information reference ID and basic EPG information (S1502). .

  As shown in FIG. 22B, the program frame in the EPG information (electronic program guide) is a frame of a program arrangement area which is a content element configured in the program guide. The program frame of program A shown in FIG. 22B is a program frame in which the broadcast station is “X”, the broadcast time zone is 20:00, the title is “AAA”, and the genre is “drama”.

  When the program frame is generated, the display screen generation unit 507 determines the display position of the program frame on the display screen from the broadcast station and broadcast time of the program meta information.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 21, the display screen generation unit 507 provided in the screen display device 101 determines whether or not there is sub-meta information associated with the program frame of the generated program A to the directory service server 106. Inquire.

  The directory service server 106 searches for the sub meta information associated with the program A and notifies the screen display device 101 of the search result.

  If information such as sub meta information related to the program A exists as a result of the search (S1503), the acquisition request unit 502 provided in the screen display apparatus 101 refers to the sub meta information corresponding to the search result. The service server 106 is accessed (S1504).

  After access by the acquisition request unit 502 included in the screen display device 101, the directory service server 106 stores the sub meta information of the category “CD” included in the sub meta information 1602-1 and the category “book” included in the sub meta information 1602-2. Send sub-meta information.

  Further, the icon generation unit 514 refers to the attribute value of a category that is attribute information included in the sub meta information, and generates icon data corresponding to the category. The generated items such as icon data or child content elements are added to the program frame by the screen display unit 508 and displayed. The position to be added may be within the program frame or outside the program frame, but a position where the correspondence with the program is easily visually recognized is desirable.

  The icon generation unit 514 may store templates corresponding to each category in advance in the storage unit of the screen display device 101 in order to generate the icon data. The icon generation unit 514 may store the icon data from the directory service server 106 or the content service server 107. The screen display device 101 may receive an icon that has already been generated. Note that the reception timing can be implemented even when the EPG information is displayed on the screen, sequentially received, or received every predetermined period.

  The content information acquisition unit 505 provided in the screen display device 101 acquires the sub meta information of the category “CD” and the sub meta information of the category “book”. After acquisition, the meta information acquisition / storage unit 503 stores the sub meta information in association with the already stored basic EPG information, program meta information, and meta information reference ID. Therefore, the meta information reference ID or the program meta information can be uniquely identified and acquired from the received sub meta information.

  Next, the icon generation unit 514 provided in the screen display device 101 generates icon data for representing a category of detailed information from the sub meta information. As shown in FIG. 22 (c), from the category attribute values “book” and “CD”, the icon data template is referenced to generate icon data of “book” and “CD”, respectively.

  The generated “book” icon data and “CD” icon data are displayed as “book” icons and “CD” icons at predetermined positions in the program frame. Note that the location of the icon 600 shown in FIG. 22C is not limited to the location where the icon 600 is placed, but may be placed in any other location. However, in order to improve visibility, it is desirable that the icons 600 are placed together at a certain location. . If no category exists, no icon is displayed in the program frame.

  If there is no information such as sub meta information related to the program A as a result of the search (S1503), the screen display unit 508 displays the program frame of the generated program A, and thereafter all the received program meta information is displayed. After the program frame is generated and displayed on the screen display unit 508, the screen display processing according to the present embodiment ends. The operation after the EPG information is displayed on the display screen will be briefly described below.

  When all program frames are generated and displayed on the screen display unit 508 as EPG information, a desired program or an icon 600 displayed in the program frame can be selected. When the user selects the icon 600 for each of these categories, the selection receiving unit 504 receives the selection, and the acquisition request unit 502 selects the meta information of the content included in the corresponding category among the content linked to the corresponding program. Request.

  Next, the content information acquisition unit 505 includes a storage unit provided in the screen display device 101 and a directory service server in order to acquire the corresponding meta information and the detailed information of the link destination from the URI information included in the meta information. 106 and the like are accessed, and corresponding meta information and detailed information are acquired.

  The acquired meta information, detailed information, and the like are displayed in the display area as content information. Further, by selecting further contents displayed in the list, it is possible to refer to and display more detailed information.

  Note that the screen display device 101 can make an inquiry to the directory service server 106 or the content service server 107 via the network 103, such as when there is no meta information or the like corresponding to the storage unit included in the screen display device 101. .

  The category attribute values here have been described by taking the case of a category such as a product such as “CD” or “book” as an example. However, the category attribute value is not limited to this example, and can be classified according to various other criteria. . For example, the category attribute value may be exemplified by a price range, a person, and the like.

  The second display area is used to display detailed information and related information of content elements in the first display area.

  For example, a mouse cursor or the like moves on the screen display unit 508 on which the EPG information is displayed, and detailed information and related information of the content element that matches the cursor are displayed in the second display area.

  When the cursor is positioned on the content element of “broadcast station”, that is, when the cursor is positioned on a rectangular area where the broadcast station “X” shown in FIG. 22B is displayed, information on the broadcast station, Recommended program information from is displayed.

  Further, when the cursor of the mouse moves on the screen display unit 508 on which the EPG information is displayed and the cursor is positioned on the “program” as the content element, the second display area is associated with the program. The displayed detailed information is displayed.

  In addition, when the icon 600 displayed for each category in the program frame is selected, in the second display area, detailed information that matches the category among the sub-contents associated with the program of the selected icon 600, etc. A list of sub-contents is displayed.

  The list of sub-content information, which is the detailed information, displays a list of various other meta information belonging to the sub-meta-information hierarchy related to the icon 600 stored in advance in the storage unit of the screen display device 101. Note that the screen display apparatus 101 inquires the directory service server 106 and the like via the network 103 for various meta information as needed.

  For example, when the “performer” icon 600 is selected from the icons 600 displayed in the program A, the selection receiving unit 504 of the screen display device 101 acquires the sub meta information from the attribute value related to the selected icon, The content information acquisition unit 505 is notified of the sub meta information.

  The content information acquisition unit 505 acquires the sub meta information associated with the sub meta information notified from the selection reception unit 504 from the storage unit.

  The screen display unit 508 displays a list of acquired sub meta information in the second display area. For example, a list of names of performers who appear in program A is displayed in the second display area.

  Next, from the list of “performers” which are content elements displayed in the second display area, the user pays attention to the names of performers related to the program A by using an input unit such as a mouse, and selects a desired one. Select the name of the performer. Detailed information including the profile information of the performers belonging to the hierarchy of the sub meta information relating to the selected name is displayed. Note that detailed information that is content information may be transmitted via the network 103 based on the URI information included in the sub meta information.

  Therefore, the display area generation unit 509 secures an area for displaying detailed information related to the selected performer on the display screen.

  In addition, the display area control unit 511 reduces the EPG information in the first display area. In order to store the EPG information in the reduced first display area, partial acquisition is performed from the EPG information, and the partially acquired EPG information is fitted into the reduced first display area. In addition, partial acquisition can illustrate the case where only the list | wrist of the broadcasting station (channel) to which the program currently selected belongs, for example is left.

  There are various other methods for acquiring the peripheral part of the selected program, such as “Leave only the specified program” and “Leave a program of another channel in the same time zone as the specified program”. Rules can be set. The partial acquisition rule can be registered in advance in the setting information of the storage unit provided in the screen display device 101.

  The partially acquired EPG information is moved and stored in the reduced first display area. At the time of the above movement, it can be carried out even when there is a transition effect that is easily watched by the user, such as a slide movement.

  At the same time, the display area control unit 511 changes the display position of the sub content in the second display area. The sub-content is moved to a space that is freed by reducing the first display area.

  As described above, the second display area moves with a transition effect due to slide movement, and at the same time, a new third display area is secured in the vacant space by the display area generation unit 509 and is selected. Detailed information such as the person's profile and other related information such as related information are displayed. The content information is stored in advance in a storage unit provided in the screen display device 101 or stored in the content service server 107.

  In addition, by selecting an item such as the icon 600 from the detailed information displayed in the third display area or a list of other related information, the fourth display area is secured and the detailed information and related information are displayed. In the following, it is possible to assign a display area composed of a plurality of hierarchies such as a first display area, a second display area,...

  Here, it should be noted that the display area 508 displays the display areas of all layers within one screen, even if the display area is composed of a plurality of layers. When there are a plurality of display area hierarchies, the information displayed in each display area is also associated with the information in each hierarchy as in the display area hierarchy.

  Therefore, by displaying information such as content information over all layers in one screen, it becomes easy to visually grasp the entire information. In addition, by displaying the information displayed in the display area of each hierarchy on a single screen, it becomes easy to grasp the information of each hierarchy in a multifaceted manner.

  In addition, even when browsing information of a relatively lower hierarchy, content information belonging to the upper hierarchy can be easily obtained by moving the cursor to the display area above the hierarchy and selecting an item such as the icon 600. Etc. can be displayed. For example, even when viewing detailed information of a person associated with a program, it is possible to easily select another program in the first display area. In addition, when the program in the reduced 1st display area is selected, even if it is a case where a 1st display area is expanded and EPG information is displayed on the whole display screen, it can implement.

(Display area allocation operation)
Next, a display area allocation operation applied to the screen display system 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an outline of the display area allocation operation of the screen display system according to the present embodiment.

  Note that in the display area allocation operation according to the present embodiment, the screen displayed in each display area of the screen display unit 508 of the screen display device 101 uses a template or the like based on information transmitted from the directory service server 106. When the screen display device 101 is used for generation, and when the display screen data is acquired by accessing the storage location of the display screen data generated on the directory service server 106 side from the screen display device 101 using URI information. Can be illustrated.

  In the case of generating on the client side, a process of acquiring meta information prepared in the server and generating it by template conversion using XML and XSLT is an example.

  In addition, when accessing and displaying a screen generated on the server side, when accessing a page prepared in advance on the server side, or by sending necessary information from the client to the server side application (CGI program, etc.) For example, the client can be notified of the URI of a page that is dynamically generated by starting the server, and the client that has received the notification can access the server.

  The above two patterns can be used together at any time within the same screen. For example, generation on the client side and generation on the server side are properly used depending on the display area and display contents.

  As shown in FIG. 23, first, the acquisition request unit 502 included in the screen display apparatus 101 determines whether there is a display request for the (N + 1) th area (S1701). For example, when the initial state (N = 0) is set, it is determined that there is a display request for the first display area (initial screen). Further, when N> 0, it is assumed that the user selects a certain item in the Nth display area and further requests display of related information.

  Here, for example, when there is a display request for the (N + 1) th display area (S1701), the acquisition request unit 502 next determines the value of N. When N = 0 (S1701), the display area generation unit 509 secures an area necessary for displaying the initial screen.

  When N> 0 (S1701), the display area control unit 511 determines display conditions such as display areas and display contents from the first display area to the (N + 1) th display area (S1703). The display conditions include, for example, display area allocation patterns as shown in FIGS. 18A to 18F, restrictions on the display size or data size of each display area, and icons 600 or texts, images, etc. configured in the content elements. Examples include the number of items and size restrictions. The number of display items can be determined from the display conditions of each display area.

  In addition, if the area occupied by the number of items configured in the information such as detailed information is larger than the area that can be displayed in the display area, in the relevant area, “Which range of information should be left and displayed in the display area. Is also determined. If the highest priority is to leave the content element such as the program selected by the user or the item such as the icon 600, and other items can be displayed, for example, the attribute information is the same or similar. Items that are highly relevant to the selected item, etc. are left and partial acquisition is performed.

  Here, as for the relevance of the display item, for example, a process of referring to meta information added to each item and selecting those having the same attribute value or those having the related attribute value is exemplified. be able to.

  For example, in the EPG information, a highly related program or item has the same attribute value of “broadcasting time zone” when the attribute value of “broadcasting station” is the same (program of the same channel). This is the case where the attribute value of “performer” is the same (program in which the same performer appears).

  Here, with reference to FIG. 24, the display area determination processing by the display area control unit 511 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of display area determination processing according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 24A, first, main content information such as EPG information in the first display area is displayed on the screen display unit 508 so as to fill the display screen. In the main content information, a plurality of content elements (element A-1, element A-2,..., Element C-3) including a moving image / still image such as a banner advertisement and text are displayed.

  When each content element has sub-content information such as detailed information associated therewith, an icon 600 is displayed for each category of the detailed information. Therefore, by browsing the displayed icon 600, it is possible to easily grasp the amount of detailed information associated with each content element.

  Next, the second display area shown in FIG. 24B includes detailed information associated with the content element. The detailed information belongs below the hierarchy of content elements included in the first display area shown in FIG.

  Further, the detailed information shown in FIG. 24B is composed of text information. When displaying detailed information that includes only text information, the area required to display the detailed information is calculated from the size (font size), character style (font style), or number of characters. be able to.

  Therefore, the display area control unit 511 determines in advance whether or not the detailed information is only text information before determining the size of the display area. If the detailed information is only text information, the font size, font style, Alternatively, information such as the number of characters is acquired, and the size of the display area is determined based on the information. When the determined size of the display area exceeds the maximum size of the display area preset in the setting information, the maximum size is determined as the size of the display area.

  The detailed information shown in FIG. 24C is composed of text information and image information (element D-1, element D-3). When displaying detailed information consisting of both text and images, as described above, detailed information is displayed from information such as font size, font style, or number of characters, and information such as image size or number of images. It is possible to calculate an area necessary for the operation. The image size information and the image number information can be obtained from header information included in the image file.

  Therefore, when the second display area shown in FIG. 24B is allocated, as shown in FIG. 24D, the screen display unit 508 fits the first display area and the second display area on one screen. Is displayed.

  Further, when the second display area shown in FIG. 24C is allocated, as shown in FIG. 24E, the screen display unit 508 fits the first display area and the second display area on one screen. Is displayed. In the reduced first display area, the content information of the element A-1, the element A-2, and the element A-3 is displayed.

  Next, when the sizes of the display areas from the first display area to the Nth display area are determined (S1703), the display area control unit 511 adds the area information determined in the size determination process of each display area (S1703). Based on this, each display area from the first display area to the Nth display area is reduced, enlarged, and moved (S1704).

  The display area control unit 511 partially acquires items such as content elements and icons 600 to be displayed in the reduced display area when each display area from the first display area to the Nth display area is reduced.

  At the same time, the display area generation unit 509 secures a new (N + 1) th display area (S1705). After S1705 ends, in order to generate a display screen including detailed information to be displayed in each display area, the counter (i) is initialized (S1706), and display screens are created for all the display areas (S1707). The display screen is generated.

  In the display screen generation process including the detailed information, a display screen display process to be displayed in each area is performed for each secured display area. Here, for each display area, whether the display screen generation processing is performed on the client side or the server side can be used properly.

  When the display screen is generated on the client side, as shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 14, the display screen generation unit 507 provided in the screen display device 101 displays the i-th display area from the directory service server 106. Necessary information such as meta information is acquired (S1709), and a display screen is generated from the information (S1710). Alternatively, a display screen is generated from information that has already been partially acquired by the display area control unit 511 during reduction.

  When the display screen of the i-th display area is generated, the screen display unit 508 displays the display screen in the allocated i-th display area (S1711). Accordingly, various information such as detailed information is displayed in the display area of the screen display unit 507.

  When the directory service server 106 generates a display screen (S1712) and the screen display device 101 acquires the display screen (S1713), the URI information of the display screen prepared on the server side is displayed on the screen display. The URI access unit 513 of the device 101 accesses (S1714).

  Alternatively, the screen display device 101 transmits request information for requesting various information such as an icon 600, text configured in a content element, or an image to the directory service server 106.

  Next, the URI information receiving unit 512 provided in the screen display device 101 acquires the URI information of the display screen generated from the execution process by starting the CGI program or the like on the directory service server 106 side (S1713), and the URI access unit 513 The display screen is acquired by means such as access by (S1714).

  By repeating the above processing (S1707 to S1714) over a plurality of hierarchies as necessary, the content information of each display area is displayed on the screen display unit 508 (S1711). When the content information of each display area is displayed, the value of N is incremented by one (S1715). This completes the display area allocation operation according to the present embodiment.

  If the display area is not always displayed and the number of display areas that can be displayed on the screen is limited to, for example, “up to the fourth display area”, and an area exceeding the fourth display area is required. The information contents displayed in the predetermined display area such as the first display area are switched to the information in the second display area, and thereafter the information contents in the (N + 1) th display area are sequentially displayed in the Nth display area. For example, the display area may be shifted.

  In addition, in the display area allocation operation according to the present embodiment, the display area for displaying on the screen is first secured and then each display screen is generated. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, even when a display screen is generated internally to be displayed in each display area, a display area is secured, and a screen including detailed information is displayed in the display area. Good.

(Display area transition operation)
Next, the display region transition operation in the screen display unit 508 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 25, 26, and 27. 25 to 27 are explanatory diagrams showing an outline of the transition operation of the display area according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 25A, the screen display unit 508 secures a first display area and displays EPG information. The EPG information includes program frames of program A-1, program A-2,..., Program D-3.

  In the program, items such as a plurality of selectable icons 600 or banner advertisements are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 25A, when the user selects a program B-2 from among the programs of the EPG information displayed in the first display area, first, the first display area is reduced and the selected program B is selected. -2 is secured for displaying sub-content information such as detailed information related to -2. When the first display area is reduced, the size of the first display area is determined by referring to the display conditions based on information such as the image size of the detailed information in the second display area.

  As shown in FIG. 25B, the second display area moves in the arrow direction so as to slide from the right end of the screen display unit 508. Accordingly, the detailed information displayed in the second display area is displayed as a whole after a predetermined time while gradually increasing the amount of information to be displayed.

  Here, the detailed information is one or more pieces of information belonging to the level below the selected content element (program B-2). In the detailed information, as shown in FIG. 25B, element B-2-1, element B-2-2, and element B-2-3, which are content elements, are displayed.

  The element B-2-1, the element B-2-2, and the element B-2-3 exemplify information such as the name of the performer associated with the program, the content of the program, and the original program. be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 25B, when the user pays attention to the element B-2-2 among a plurality of elements displayed in the second display area and selects it using an input unit such as a mouse, the screen display device In 101, the display area of the first display area is further reduced, and a third display area for displaying detailed information under the hierarchy of the element B-2-2 is secured in the free area.

  Here, when the display range of the first display area is reduced, the part acquisition unit 510 causes the program B-2, which is the part (selected part) selected in the first display area, and the part related to the program B-2 ( Acquire a part of the information of the program of (related part).

  The display area control unit 511 reduces the first display area so that the selected part and the related part that are partially acquired are displayed on the screen. Therefore, information related to the first display area and the second display area is displayed on the screen display unit 508, and it becomes easy to grasp the information relation between the layers.

  Therefore, when the first display area is reduced, first, only the content element other than the information related to the program B-2 or the program B-2 selected and the program B-2 selected as necessary is left. If necessary, the content elements are rearranged to match the size and shape of the reduced first display area, and the display position of each content element is moved. Further, by visually showing the transition state by a slide movement display or the like during movement, the user can improve the efficiency of grasping the positional relationship between the information before movement and the information after movement.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 25C, the second display area is moved to an area that is reduced by reducing the first display area. Also at this time, transition display by slide movement is performed. Further, the third display area is secured in an area which is moved by moving the second display area, and detailed information belonging to the lower layer of the element B-2-2 selected in the second display area is displayed there. Note that the second display area may be reduced as necessary depending on the size of the area necessary for the third display area in order to display the detailed information. The above processing can be continued with a plurality of layers (from the third display area to the fourth display area, from the fourth display area to the fifth display area, etc.). The shape of each display area and the position for securing the display area are not limited.

  Next, a modification of the display area transition operation according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the screen display unit 508 shown in FIG. 26 has the first display area and the second display area assigned in advance to the left and right as the initial screen, but is not limited to this example, and only the first display area is assigned. It may be the case.

  As shown in FIG. 26A (a), EPG information composed of a plurality of programs is displayed in the first display area. When the “book” icon displayed in the program B-2 is selected, the second display Detailed information on the “book” associated with the program B-2 is displayed in the area.

  As shown in FIG. 26A (b), in the detailed information displayed in the second display area, a list of a plurality of book names related to the program B-2 is displayed. Note that the present invention is not limited to the book name list, and an image such as a banner advertisement of a book may be displayed.

  When “Book B-2-2” is selected from the plurality of books, the first display area is reduced in the horizontal direction and slid to the left of the screen display unit 508. With the reduction, the second display area also slides to the left. A third display area is secured in a space vacated by the reduction of the first display area and the sliding movement of the second display area, and detailed information related to the book “B-2-2” is displayed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 26B (a), EPG information composed of a plurality of programs is displayed in the first display area, and when the “book” icon displayed in the program B-2 is selected, Detailed information of the “book” associated with the program B-2 is displayed in the second display area.

  As shown in FIG. 26B (b), in the detailed information displayed in the second display area, a list of a plurality of book names related to the program B-2 is displayed. Note that the present invention is not limited to the book name list, and an image such as a banner advertisement of a book may be displayed.

  When “Book B-2-2” is selected from the plurality of books, the first display area is reduced in the vertical direction, and the screen display unit 508 is slid upward. With the reduction, the second display area slides to the lower side of the first display area. Therefore, the top is the first display area and the bottom is the second display area. A third display area is secured in a space vacated by the reduction of the first display area and the sliding movement of the second display area, and detailed information related to the book “B-2-2” is displayed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 26C (a), EPG information composed of a plurality of programs is displayed in the first display area, and when the “book” icon displayed in the program B-2 is selected, Detailed information of the “book” associated with the program B-2 is displayed in the second display area. Note that the program constituted by the EPG information includes program meta information related to the program.

  Each program of EPG information includes program meta information representing the details of the program. Basic EPG information, program meta information, and the like are stored in the storage unit of the screen display device 101 in association with each other. In addition, sub-meta information representing sub-content information related to the program is stored in association with each other.

  In addition, these contents cover various categories such as Web sites, CD / DVDs, books, tickets, etc., and meta information for distinguishing the categories is also stored. Note that the screen display device 101 may receive meta information managed by the directory service server 106 or the content service server 107 without being stored in the storage unit.

  As shown in FIG. 26C (b), in the detailed information displayed in the second display area, a list of a plurality of book names related to the program B-2 is displayed. Note that the present invention is not limited to the book name list, and an image such as a banner advertisement of a book may be displayed.

  When “Book B-2-2” is selected from the plurality of books, the first display area is reduced in the vertical direction, and the screen display unit 508 slides to the left. When the first display area is reduced, the partial acquisition unit 510 partially acquires a program having the same attribute as the attribute included in the program meta information included in the selected program B-2. For example, the program meta information can exemplify a program title, a program name, and the like.

  Accordingly, a program having the same attribute as that of the program B-2 is displayed in the first display area. As the first display area is reduced, the second display area is also slid leftward. A third display area is secured in a space vacated by the reduction of the first display area and the sliding movement of the second display area, and detailed information related to the book “B-2-2” is displayed.

  Next, a modification of the display area transition operation according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the screen display unit 508 shown in FIG. 27, only the first display area is assigned as the initial screen in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the first display area and the second display area are assigned to the left and right. It may be the case.

  As shown in FIG. 27A (a), the screen display unit 508 secures a first display area and displays EPG information. The EPG information includes program frames of program A-1, program A-2,..., Program C-3.

  In the program, items such as a plurality of selectable icons 600 or banner advertisements are displayed. The amount of detailed information related to the program can be grasped by the icon 600 or the number of items.

  As shown in FIG. 27A (a), when the user selects program B-2 from among the programs of the EPG information displayed in the first display area, first, the first display area is reduced and the selected program B is selected. -2 is secured for displaying sub-content information such as detailed information related to -2. When the first display area is reduced, the size of the first display area is determined by referring to the display conditions based on information such as the image size of the detailed information in the second display area.

  As shown in FIG. 27A (b), the first display area is first reduced. When the partial acquisition unit 510 partially acquires the program B-2 and the program B-1 and program B-3 related to the program B-2 at the same broadcasting station as the selected program B-2, the display of other programs disappears.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 27A (c), the reduced first display area slides in the direction of the arrow. In addition, during the transition of the first display area, the movement of the first display area is easily grasped visually by sliding so that afterimages of the programs B-1 to B-3 remain, and the first display is more vividly displayed. Impress the movement of the area.

  As shown in FIG. 27B (a), the screen display unit 508 secures a first display area and displays EPG information. The EPG information includes program frames of program A-1, program A-2,..., Program C-3.

  In the program, items such as a plurality of selectable icons 600 or banner advertisements are displayed. The amount of detailed information related to the program can be grasped by the icon 600 or the number of items.

  As shown in FIG. 27B (a), when the user selects a program B-2 from among the programs of EPG information displayed in the first display area, first, the first display area is reduced, and the selected program B is selected. -2 is secured for displaying sub-content information such as detailed information related to -2. When the first display area is reduced, the size of the first display area is determined by referring to the display conditions based on information such as the image size of the detailed information in the second display area.

  As shown in FIG. 27B (b), the first display area is first reduced. When the partial acquisition unit 510 partially acquires a program B-2 and a program B-3 related to the program B-2 at the same broadcasting station as the selected program B-2, other programs (program A-1 Program C-3) moves while sliding so as to be hidden under the programs B-1, B-2, and B-3.

  Next, when the program B-1, the program B-2, and the program B-3 are hidden under the program B-1, as shown in FIG. 27B (c), the reduced first display area is in the direction of the arrow. Move the slide. In addition, during the transition of the first display area, the movement of the first display area is easily grasped visually by sliding so that afterimages of the programs B-1 to B-3 remain, and the first display is more vividly displayed. Impress the movement of the area.

(Display area reservation processing)
Next, a modification of the display area securing process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a display area securing process according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 28A (a), the screen display unit 508 secures a first display area and displays EPG information. The EPG information includes program frames of program A-1, program A-2,..., Program C-3.

  In the program, items such as a plurality of selectable icons 600 or banner advertisements are displayed. The amount of detailed information related to the program can be grasped by the icon 600 or the number of items.

  As shown in FIG. 28A (a), when the user selects a program B-2 from among the programs of EPG information displayed in the first display area, first, the first display area is reduced and the selected program B is selected. -2 is secured for displaying sub-content information such as detailed information related to -2. When the first display area is reduced, the size of the first display area is determined by referring to the display conditions based on information such as the image size of the detailed information in the second display area.

  As shown in FIG. 28A (b), the first display area is first reduced. The partial acquisition unit 510 partially acquires the selected program B-2 and the number of programs that can be displayed in the determined first display area, and the display area control unit 511 reduces the first display area. Move while sliding to the left.

  Next, when the second display area is allocated, when the size of the second display area as the display condition is determined, the number displayed in the display area by the display area control unit 511 according to the determined area size. Content information such as detailed information associated with the program B-2 is displayed in the second display area. As shown in FIG. 28A (b), when the area size of the detailed information necessary for display is larger than the size of the reserved second display area, a scroll icon 610-for moving the screen is displayed. 1, a scroll icon 610-2 is displayed.

  By scrolling the display screen of the screen display unit 508 using the scroll icon 610-1 and the scroll icon 610-2, other content elements that could not be displayed, the icon 600, and the like can be displayed. When the scroll bar cannot be used, the content element, the icon 600, etc. may be reduced and displayed in the second display area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 28B (a), the screen display unit 508 secures a first display area and displays EPG information. The EPG information includes program frames of program A-1, program A-2,..., Program C-3.

  In the program, items such as a plurality of selectable icons 600 or banner advertisements are displayed. The amount of detailed information related to the program can be grasped by the icon 600 or the number of items.

  As shown in FIG. 28B (a), when the user selects a program B-2 from among the programs of EPG information displayed in the first display area, first, the first display area is reduced and the selected program B is selected. -2 is secured for displaying sub-content information such as detailed information related to -2. When the first display area is reduced, the size of the first display area is determined by referring to the display conditions based on information such as the image size of the detailed information in the second display area.

  As shown in FIG. 28B (b), the first display area is first reduced. The partial acquisition unit 510 partially acquires the selected program B-2 and the number of programs that can be displayed in the determined first display area, and the display area control unit 511 reduces the first display area. Move while sliding to the left.

  Next, when the second display area is allocated, the display area control unit 511 executes the first display area control unit 511 based on the restriction on the size of the image and the icon included in the content element that can be displayed in the second display area as the display condition. The number of content elements to be displayed at one time is determined in two display areas, and content information such as detailed information associated with the program B-2 is displayed in the second display area in accordance with the determined number. As shown in FIG. 28B (b), when the area size of the detailed information necessary for display is larger than the size of the secured second display area, the scroll icon 610-1 and the scroll icon 610- 2 is displayed.

  By scrolling the display screen of the screen display unit 508 using the scroll icon 610-1 and the scroll icon 610-2, other content elements that could not be displayed, the icon 600, and the like can be displayed. When the scroll bar cannot be used, the content element, the icon 600, etc. may be reduced and displayed in the second display area.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 28B (c), as a display condition, in the second display area, any restriction that can display only one content element has been set, or it is associated with program B-2. When there is one content element included in the detailed information, the display area generation unit 509 secures an area of the second display area that can display the detailed information including one content element.

  As described above, it is easy to visually determine the association of the content information displayed in each display area by providing the association with the information displayed in the plurality of display areas.

  In the content element display area, items such as icons and item names are displayed and linked to detailed information of other categories to visually determine the presence or absence of child content elements that belong to the content element hierarchy. And make it easier to access that information.

  In ECG, it is easy to check whether there is content associated with a program and to access the content information.

  When a new display area is secured, by selecting and displaying only the selected content element and detailed information related to it in the display area above the display area hierarchy to be secured, Even when viewing information, you can check the content elements in the upper hierarchy and easily understand the relationship between the two types of information. In addition, a display area of a hierarchy that becomes unnecessary as needed can be assigned to a display area of another hierarchy.

  In ECG, even if detailed information is displayed, the display area of each layer is displayed in one screen. Therefore, regardless of the detailed information of the display area of any layer, the information of which program is followed. It is easy to judge whether or not, and it is easy to return to the EPG display screen.

  In addition, the display area of each hierarchy is dynamically enlarged or reduced according to the amount of content information displayed in the display area, and the size of the display area of each hierarchy is adjusted so as to fit within one screen. Automatically controlled.

  When the display area is reduced, enlarged, moved, newly secured, etc., it is easy to grasp the relevance with the previous item while the display state changes by visually expressing the transition state such as slide display. become.

  Information across a larger number of layers can be efficiently displayed in a limited screen area.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, this invention is not limited to this example. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be envisaged within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

  In the above embodiment, the case where EPG information is displayed in the first display area has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example as long as an area capable of displaying content information is assigned. For example, portal site information for searching for merchandise (goods) such as books, music, and movies may be displayed in the first display area instead of EPG information.

  In the above embodiment, the case where each unit included in the directory service server 106, the content service server 107, and the screen display device 101 is made up of hardware has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, each of the above units may be a program.

  The present invention is applicable to a screen display device capable of displaying content information.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the screen display system concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of the control processing applied to the screen display apparatus concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of the control processing applied to the screen display apparatus concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of the control processing applied to the screen display apparatus concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of the control processing applied to the screen display apparatus concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of the control processing applied to the screen display apparatus concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of the control processing applied to the screen display apparatus concerning this Embodiment.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the broadcasting station concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the data structure of ECG information concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the meta information contained in the ECG information concerning this Embodiment.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the screen display apparatus, directory service server, and content service server concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the EPG data concerning this Embodiment.

It is a 1st modification of the block diagram shown in FIG.

It is a 2nd modification of the block diagram shown in FIG.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the display screen concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the display area allocated to the screen display part concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the content element displayed in the display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the content element displayed in the display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the transition to which the display area concerning this Embodiment is allocated.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the transition to which the display area concerning this Embodiment is allocated.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the transition to which the display area concerning this Embodiment is allocated.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the transition to which the display area concerning this Embodiment is allocated.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the transition to which the display area concerning this Embodiment is allocated.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the transition to which the display area concerning this Embodiment is allocated.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the allocation transition of a display area when EPG information is displayed on the 1st display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the allocation transition of a display area when EPG information is displayed on the 1st display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the screen display operation | movement of the screen display system concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the screen display operation | movement of the screen display system concerning this Embodiment.

It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the allocation operation | movement of the display area of the screen display system concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the determination process of the display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the transition operation | movement of the display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the transition operation | movement of the display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the transition operation | movement of the display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the transition operation | movement of the display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the transition operation | movement of the display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the transition operation | movement of the display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the securing process of the display area concerning this Embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the securing process of the display area concerning this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Screen display system 101 Screen display apparatus 103 Network 104 Information provision apparatus 105 Broadcast station 106 Directory service server 107 Content service server 108 EPG service server 504 Selection reception part 505 Content information acquisition part 508 Screen display part 510 Partial acquisition part 511 Display area control Part

Claims (21)

A screen display device:
A content information acquisition unit configured to acquire one or more content elements and acquire at least portalized content information for searching for the content elements;
A display unit for displaying, for each content element, one or more indicators for classifying and displaying information associated with the content element for each category;
A selection receiving unit that receives that at least one of the indicators displayed by the display unit is selected;
A screen display device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires information that is associated with a content element related to the selected index and belongs to a category corresponding to the selected index. The screen display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays an index generated for each content element in an area of the content element displayed on the display screen. The screen display device according to claim 2, wherein the display unit hierarchically displays an index composed of a plurality of categories. The screen display device according to claim 3, wherein the display unit displays the indicators in a line. The screen display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the content element and the information associated with the content element in a hierarchical manner on the one display screen. The screen display device according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays the content element and the information associated with the content element side by side. The content information is at least EPG information;
The screen display device according to claim 1, wherein the content element configured in the EPG information is a program. A computer program that causes a computer to function as a screen display device:
Content information acquisition means configured to acquire one or more content elements and acquire at least portalized content information for searching for the content elements;
Display means for displaying, for each content element, one or more indicators for classifying and displaying information associated with the content element for each category;
Selection accepting means for accepting that at least one of the indicators displayed by the display means is selected;
A computer program that functions as a screen display device that includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information that belongs to a category corresponding to the selected index and is associated with a content element related to the selected index. The computer program according to claim 9, wherein the display unit displays an index generated for each content element in an area of the content element displayed on the display screen. 9. The computer program according to claim 8, wherein the display means displays an index composed of a plurality of categories in a hierarchical manner. The computer program according to claim 10, wherein the display unit displays the indicators in a line. The computer program according to claim 9, wherein the display unit displays the content element and the information associated with the content element in a hierarchical manner on the one display screen. 13. The computer program according to claim 12, wherein the display means displays the content element and the information associated with the content element side by side. The content information is at least EPG information;
The computer program according to claim 9, wherein the content element configured in the EPG information is a program. Screen display method:
A content information acquisition step that includes one or more content elements and acquires at least portalized content information for searching for the content elements;
A display step of displaying, for each content element, one or more indicators for classifying and displaying information associated with the content element for each category;
A selection receiving step for receiving that at least one of the indicators displayed in the display step is selected;
An information acquisition step of acquiring information belonging to a category corresponding to the selected index and associated with a content element related to the selected index. The screen display method according to claim 15, wherein the display step displays an index generated for each content element in an area of the content element displayed on the display screen. The screen display method according to claim 16, wherein the display step hierarchically displays an index composed of a plurality of categories. The screen display method according to claim 17, wherein the display step displays the indicators in a line. The screen display method according to claim 15, wherein the display step displays the content element and the information associated with the content element in a hierarchical manner on the one display screen. The screen display method according to claim 19, wherein the display step displays the content element and the information associated with the content element side by side. The content information is at least EPG information;
The screen display method according to claim 15, wherein the content element configured in the EPG information is a program.

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