JP2006050507A - Digital broadcast content display device and display method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display program information of a digital television broadcast combining an HD broadcast and a multiplexed SD broadcast easily to watch even on a television broadcast receiver with a small-sized screen, for example, in a digital broadcast content display device related to a digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving broadcasting signals in a plurality of different broadcasting modes. <P>SOLUTION: Each of program information mixing an HD broadcast program and an SD broadcast program that become features of a digital television broadcast, is displayed by a single channel on a simplified list type EPG picture 20 and further, each of program information of the SD broadcast multiplexed at the same time therein can be displayed while being surrounded with a frame (W) of intensified indication or while changing the background color. Thus, even on a small-sized display screen, a viewer is capable of easily recognizing a broadcasting mode and its program contents and instantaneously obtaining program information required for program selection, thereby remarkably contributing to simplification of a program selection operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving a plurality of broadcast signals in different broadcast formats, and a plurality of SDTV (Standard Definition Television) broadcast programs are broadcast between mainstream HDTV (High Definition Television) broadcast programs. Even in such a case, the present invention relates to a digital broadcast content display device capable of displaying each broadcast form as an EPG screen that can be instantly identified, and a display method thereof.

  In recent years, with the advancement of digitalization and high-efficiency compression encoding technology, digital satellite digital broadcasting and the like have begun to be started all over the world in the broadcasting industry.

  In digital satellite broadcasting, by dividing the channel using a digital compression technique, 4 to 8 channels of television broadcasting can be accommodated for one channel of conventional analog television. In Japan, the policy of digitizing all television broadcasting such as terrestrial television, satellite broadcasting, and CATV has been adopted.

  In the satellite broadcasting form based on digital transmission (hereinafter referred to as “digital broadcasting”) that has already been implemented, the number of channels is greatly increased by adopting a high-efficiency compression encoding technique as compared with the conventional analog broadcasting form. That is, since a plurality of programs are multiplexed in one bit stream and a plurality of such bit streams are transmitted, a very large number of programs (for example, several hundred channels) are broadcast as a whole. Such multi-channeling increases the number of specialized channels for broadcasting movies or broadcasting news throughout the day, so there is more choice for users and it is expected as a broadcasting format that satisfies viewers' viewing requirements. The degree is large.

  However, on the contrary, the fact that the range of channel selection has expanded has made it difficult to search for what channel is being broadcast on which channel.

  Therefore, conventionally, in satellite digital broadcasts in Japan and satellite digital broadcasts in the United States, program information data has been sent in addition to image data. Correspondingly, the receiver side displays all the information from this program information data. As a program information display method using a screen, one having a function of displaying an EPG has been put into practical use.

  For example, in order to easily select a desired program from a large number of programs, the broadcast station side adds and transmits SI information (SI: Service Information) including program information for program search to program data. On the other hand, on the receiving side, a program screen (for example, an abbreviation of Electronic Program Guide, hereinafter referred to as EPG) that separates SI information added from received data and is based on program information included in the SI information is shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a conventional latte column type EPG screen.

  The viewer searches for the program while looking at the latte column type EPG display screen, and selects the channel of the searched program by the channel selection means, thereby enabling viewing of the desired program.

  The SI information includes program information indicating the attribute of the program based on the broadcast signal. This program information is data useful for the viewer to select a program for each program at the broadcasting station. For example, program title name, genre information necessary to classify programs by genre, program start / end time information, transmission channel information, information indicating broadcasting service forms such as pay broadcasting, program series information, and program viewing Such as limited age information. If the broadcast signal to be transmitted is a pay broadcast, billing information for billing may be added to the program information.

  By the way, in next-generation digital satellite broadcasting (BS digital) in Japan, digital terrestrial broadcasting (US-DTV) started in the United States in the fall of 1998, etc., the resolution is, for example, 1920 × 1080 for each program. One normal broadcast (SD broadcast) for each of a plurality of shooting angles in high-definition broadcasts (HD broadcasts) such as pixels, for example, baseball broadcasts, and the like. The multi-SD broadcast (multi-angle broadcast) and the normal broadcast (SD broadcast) with a resolution of, for example, 720 × 480 pixels are scheduled to be broadcast. Such a broadcast format in which the HD broadcast and the SD broadcast are mixed for each time slot or program is commonly called a “mottled broadcast”, and is attracting attention as a broadcast format that satisfies the viewing request.

  However, in consideration of the start of such a mottled broadcast, the mottled broadcast is different from the current broadcast form. Therefore, the conventional two-dimensional latitudinal column type EPG display method does not support such a service. There is a possibility that effective contents cannot be expressed. In other words, since current broadcasting is only SD-based broadcasting, for example, EPG display is performed as shown in FIG. 6 using a two-dimensional matrix adapted to this broadcasting format. When started, such a conventional two-dimensional latte column type EPG display method cannot be used as an EPG display which is the maximum means for searching a program for the user, or is a display method that is difficult for the user to see. There is a risk that the display method is extremely inconvenient for the user.

  Therefore, as a display method for next-generation digital broadcasting, it is possible to display program information suitable for mottled broadcasting by adopting a configuration capable of discriminating EPG display for HD broadcasting, multi-SD broadcasting, and SD broadcasting. The “mottled broadcast content display device” has been considered (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of a latte column type EPG screen 30 in which HD broadcast, multi-SD broadcast, and SD broadcast are displayed in an identifiable manner by a conventional mottled broadcast content display device.

In this conventional latte column type EPG screen 30 suitable for mottled broadcasting, a channel axis is formed by dividing a plurality of SD broadcast channels that can be multiplexed for different HD broadcast channels in the vertical direction, and individual HD broadcast programs are displayed. HD broadcast display frames 30B and 30E, individual SD broadcast programs are controlled as SD broadcast display frames 30A and 30D, and multi-organized multi-SD broadcast programs are controlled as multi-SD display frames 30C.
JP 2000-152114 A

  In the conventional latte column type EPG screen, even if it is an EPG screen that does not correspond to the mottled broadcasting shown in FIG. 6, it is long and short along the time axis in the horizontal direction for each channel column divided in the vertical direction. Various broadcast program information frames are displayed and there is a sense of randomness. In the mottled broadcast-compatible latte column type EPG screen 30 shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of SD broadcast channels that can be further multiplexed for each HD broadcast channel column EPG screen with a higher sense of messiness that is divided into two parts, so it has a small display screen, such as a portable terminal device or an in-vehicle terminal device equipped with a reception function for terrestrial digital broadcasting, which is expected to spread rapidly in the future. However, the TV broadcast receiver has a problem that program information becomes very difficult to see.

  Moreover, even for a recent television broadcast receiver with a large screen, the above-mentioned conventional latte column type EPG screen still has a sense of messiness for elderly people who only see a predetermined channel such as public broadcasting. There is a problem that inevitably feels difficult to see.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. For example, even a television broadcast receiver with a small screen can display program information of a digital television broadcast combining HD broadcast and multiplexed SD broadcast in an easy-to-view manner. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcast content display device and a display method thereof.

  A digital broadcast content display device (display method) according to claim 1 (Claim 6) of the present invention is a digital broadcast content display device for displaying an EPG screen based on program information included in a broadcast signal of a digital television broadcast. (Display method), wherein the broadcast signal is input by the broadcast signal input means, the program information is extracted from the input broadcast signal by the program information extraction means, and the list frame display control means has a constant interval in the row direction. Get a list-type display frame and display it. Then, the individual program information of the designated channel is read out in order of broadcast time by the program information reading means from the program information extracted by the program information extracting means, and whether the read program information is HD broadcast program information or SD. The broadcast mode determination means determines whether the program information is broadcast. When the broadcast mode determining means determines that the program information is HD broadcast, the list displayed by the list frame display control means in association with the broadcast time by the first display control means. If it is determined that the program information of the SD broadcast is displayed in a single line on the mold display frame and multiplexed at the same broadcast time by the broadcast mode determination means, the plurality of multiplexed information is displayed by the second display control means. The program information of the SD broadcast is displayed on a plurality of continuous lines of the list type display frame displayed by the list frame display control means in association with the broadcast time. The second display control means identifies and displays the program information of a plurality of SD broadcasts respectively displayed on a plurality of continuous lines of the list type display frame by the identification display control means.

  According to this, each program information in which an HD broadcast program and an SD broadcast program, which are characteristic of digital television broadcast, are displayed on a single-channel simplified list-type EPG screen, and at the same time Each program information of the SD broadcast multiplexed on the screen is identified and displayed.

  According to the digital broadcast content display apparatus (display method) according to the present invention, each program information obtained by mixing the HD broadcast program and the SD broadcast program, which is a feature of digital television broadcast, is simplified by a list-type EPG screen. In addition to being displayed, each program information of the SD broadcast multiplexed at the same time is identified and displayed, so that even a small-screen TV broadcast receiver, for example, HD broadcast and multiplexed SD broadcast It is possible to display digital TV broadcast program information that is easy to view.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of a television receiver equipped with a digital broadcast content display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an EPG display screen 20 according to the first embodiment of the television receiver on which the digital broadcast content display device is mounted.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an EPG content display control process according to the first embodiment of the television receiver equipped with the digital broadcast content display device.

  In the present embodiment, in order to solve the above problem, when the program information obtained from the digital television broadcast signal is displayed as the two-dimensional EPG screen 20, the row direction which is the display for each designated channel and is the vertical axis is displayed. The structure of the display list frame is determined so that the program information of HD broadcast and SD broadcast at each program start time as a time direction is displayed in a list format for each line (21a, 21b,...), And multiplexed therein. With respect to the program information of the SD broadcast, it is configured so that EPG display control can be performed so that the range of the multiplexed SD broadcast program is surrounded by the identification frame W while being displayed continuously (21c1, 21c2, 21c3) for each program information. I try to achieve that goal.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, an antenna 1 that receives a digital broadcast signal (digital television signal) broadcast by a transmission means (not shown) is received by a television receiver in which a digital broadcast content display device is incorporated. And a digital broadcast signal is received by the antenna 1.

  In the present embodiment, the transmission means packetizes compressed program data obtained by compressing program data corresponding to a plurality of programs, and SI information (program information) to be added to these compressed program data. The broadcast signal obtained by doing so is transmitted. That is, the transmission means generates and transmits a broadcast signal by adopting a high-efficiency compression encoding process such as the MPEG2 method.

  The SI information includes program information indicating the attribute of the program based on the broadcast signal. This program information is data useful for the viewer to select a program for each program at the broadcasting station, and electronic information for selecting the program. Information necessary to display the program guide is also included. For example, program title name, genre information necessary to classify programs by genre, program start / end time information, broadcaster number information (transmission channel information), pay broadcast or mottled broadcast (HD broadcast, multi-SD broadcast, Data indicating broadcasting service forms such as (SD broadcasting), series information of programs, and restricted age information that allows viewing of programs. If the broadcast signal to be transmitted is a pay broadcast, billing information for billing may be added to the program information.

  The broadcaster number information means a transmission channel number. However, in digital broadcasting, for example, a plurality of programs may be broadcast on the same channel number. It is defined as a broadcaster number, not a channel number. Of course, in the case of the same broadcaster number, identification information for identifying them is also included. The multi-SD broadcast is a plurality of SD broadcasts grouped in the same program in multiple angles or multi-streams. For example, as described above, one SD broadcast for each angle in a baseball broadcast or the like. The plurality of SD broadcasts are gathered into one program. The simple SD broadcast is one SD broadcast when a plurality of different SD broadcast programs are multiplexed with the same channel number.

  A television signal including the program information is induced in the antenna 1, and the induced television signal is input to the tuner unit 2.

  The tuner unit 2 selects (tunes) a predetermined transmission channel from the received data including the program information based on a control signal from the host CPU 7 that responds to a remote control operation by a user (not shown), and selects the selected transmission channel. Received data is supplied to the demultiplexer 3.

  The demultiplexer 3 separates packets based on identification information (hereinafter referred to as ID) included in the received data of the selected transmission channel, and obtains a bit stream for each packet unit. At this time, when the demultiplexer 3 obtains a data stream including program information by packet separation, the demultiplexer 3 outputs the data stream to the host CPU 7 via the common bus 6. For the received data for each packet, that is, the video stream and the audio stream, the video stream is output to the video decoder 4 and the audio stream is output to the audio decoder 5, respectively.

  The video decoder 4 performs decoding processing such as decoding on the input video stream, thereby returning to the video signal before encoding at the time of transmission, and gives the obtained video signal to the back-end processor 8.

  On the other hand, the audio decoder 5 obtains an audio signal by subjecting the input audio stream to signal processing and amplification processing necessary for reproduction such as decoding, and the obtained audio signal is sent to the A / D converter 9. By giving it, it is output to the speaker 10 after analog conversion. Thereby, the sound based on the audio signal is reproduced.

  When the graphics image from the graphics generation unit 13 is supplied, the back-end processor 8 performs a synthesis process for synthesizing the graphics image with the input video signal, and the obtained synthesized signal is converted into a video signal. To the display 11. That is, by performing this synthesis process, it is possible to display a graphics image on the main screen based on the television signal of the current reception channel. In addition to the composition processing, the back-end processor 8 also has a processing function for freely enlarging or reducing the size of the graphic image displayed on the screen or the display size of the main video under the control of the host CPU 7. ing.

  The graphics image generated by the graphics generation unit 13 is an EPG (program information) display, an on-screen display (channel name, volume display, etc.) display image (OSD).

  On the other hand, the data stream divided by the demultiplexer 3 is temporarily stored in the main memory 12 via the host CPU 7. At this time, the host CPU 7 performs write control so that only program information stored in, for example, an EIT (Event Information Table) in the data stream is extracted and stored in the main memory 12. Writing and reading of data such as program information in the main memory 12 is controlled by the host CPU 7.

  When executing the EPG display mode, which is a feature of the present embodiment, the host CPU 7 controls to read out the program information written in the main memory 12, and to perform OSD display control, display position control, etc. of the read program information. It is.

  Specifically, the host CPU 7 is configured to include a memory or the like in which character information such as characters and figures is stored in advance, although not shown. When executing the program display mode, the host CPU 7 reads out the program information necessary for displaying the EPG screen from the main memory 12 by the read control of the main memory 12, fetches it into the host CPU 7, performs data analysis of the program information, OSD display control is performed so that an OSD display form based on the analysis result is obtained. That is, the host CPU 7 displays the image corresponding to the character information to be displayed, which is the output of the graphics generation unit 13 (for example, RGB signal), horizontal, vertical, and so that the program information to be displayed becomes an OSD display form based on the analysis result. Bitmap data for changing the reading position such as the size is given to the graphics generation unit 13. As a result, the graphic image (RGB signal) from the graphics generation unit 13 whose read position is controlled by the host CPU 7 is supplied to the back-end processor 8, for example, on the main screen based on the television signal of the current reception channel. In addition, the graphics image can be OSD-displayed in the OSD display form based on the analysis result.

  In addition, the host CPU 7 controls the size change of the graphics screen and the main screen by the back-end processor 8 and superimposes the displayed graphics screen (watermark level) so that the OSD display form is based on the analysis result of the program information to be displayed. ) Adjustment control is also possible. As a result, it is possible to OSD display a graphics screen (for example, an EPG screen) in an optimal display area according to the program information to be displayed, and to control to change the watermark level according to the size of the display area. Thus, it is possible to perform an ideal graphics screen OSD display without obstruction of the main screen image affected by the graphics screen OSD display.

  The graphics generation unit 13 also has a function of adjusting the thickness and frame color of each display frame (also referred to as a program frame) in the EPG screen displayed by OSD under the control of the host CPU 7. The adjustment of the thickness and frame color of each display frame is freely controlled based on each program information displayed on the OSD.

  Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, when the EPG display mode is executed, that is, when an EPG display button of a remote controller (not shown) is pressed, the EPG display generated by the graphics generation unit 13 is OSD-displayed by the EPG display control of the host CPU 7. By supplying the image signal (RGB signal) to the back-end processor 8 described above, on the screen of the display 11, for example, on the display screen based on the video signal of the current reception channel, HD broadcast, SD broadcast, multi-SD The broadcast can be identified, and an EPG screen suitable for digital television broadcasting in which HD broadcasting is mainstream and multiplexed SD broadcasting is combined can be OSD-displayed. A display example of this EPG screen is shown in FIG.

  For example, as an example of the EPG screen, as shown in FIG. 2, a mottled broadcast-compatible EPG screen 20 on which program information capable of receiving each broadcast signal in the mottled broadcast is displayed on the display 11 as an OSD. The The EPG screen 20 is an independent list-type EPG screen 20 with a designated single channel in which the program start time and each program information are associated with each other (21a, 21b,...) In the row direction along the vertical axis. A range in which a plurality of different SD broadcast programs are multiplexed at the same time is displayed in continuous rows (21c1, 21c2, 21c3) and is highlighted by being surrounded by a multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W.

  In the designated channel display field at the top of the EPG screen 20, channel switching buttons 22a and 22b are displayed and arranged, and at the bottom of the screen, a date / time switching button 23 and a next screen button 24 are displayed and arranged.

  That is, on this EPG screen 20, a list-type display frame having a row size of a certain interval for each HD broadcast and each SD broadcast in the time direction is configured and displayed, and the multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W is The multiplexed SD broadcast program information is displayed along the list frame of the range displayed in continuous rows.

  As a result, when the OSD display mode of the EPG is executed, the program title names of the HD broadcast as a mottled broadcast that can be viewed on the channel and date currently specified by the user and the multiplexed SD broadcast are listed. Thus, even if the display screen size of the display 11 is small, the user follows the EPG screen 20 simplified to the list type, and the configuration of the display frame instantly displays the same channel. It is possible to distinguish and recognize each HD broadcast program and each multiplexed SD broadcast program.

  In the present embodiment, the display control for the graphics generation unit 13 by the host CPU 7 can also control the display so that the background colors in the listed line display frames are color-coded according to the broadcasting form. It is. In this case, for example, instead of the multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W, the background color of each line of the list display range by the continuous lines of the multiplexed SD broadcast program is used as the background of the list display range of other HD broadcast programs. The EPG screen displayed in color and color-coded manner is OSD-displayed. In such an EPG screen, the background color of the display range of the HD broadcast program and the display range of the multiplexed SD broadcast program are displayed in different colors, and is a simple list type independent of a single channel. In combination with the EPG screen, it becomes possible to distinguish more effectively.

  In the present embodiment, the operation of switching the designated channel while viewing the EPG screen 20 displayed on the screen by operating an operation unit or a remote controller (not shown) provided in the television receiver. In addition to the operation of switching the date and the date, input operations such as program designation, program selection, and program tuning for explaining the outline of the program are possible. For example, when the user operates the remote control (or the main body operation unit) to execute the execution mode, a remote control signal from the remote control indicating the execution mode is captured by a key input circuit (not shown) provided in the main body. The operation signal is supplied to the host CPU 7, and the host CPU 7 recognizes the operation signal, and OSD display control, channel selection control, and the like are possible so as to execute the mode based on the operation signal.

  Next, processing of the digital broadcast content display method, which is a feature of the present embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Note that, assuming that the mottled broadcast is actually started, it is assumed that the program information corresponding to each of the mottled broadcast signals is already taken into the main memory 12 after receiving the mottled broadcast signal.

  Now, assume that the viewer has made a request to display an EPG screen corresponding to the mottled broadcast from a remote controller (not shown), for example. Then, the host CPU 7 instructs the graphics generation unit 13 to prepare for EPG display (step S1).

  Thereafter, the host CPU 7 reads the program information stored in the main memory 12 from the main memory 12 again, and only the information necessary for EPG display in the read program information (here, only the program name is taken as an example). .) Is extracted (step S2), and an empty list frame for displaying the list-type EPG is determined by associating each program start time with the program name at regular intervals in the row direction (step S3).

  Then, the host CPU 7 sequentially reads out the program information corresponding to the designated channel (default is the first channel after the current date and time) on the designated date from the program information extracted in step S2 (step 1). S4) The broadcast mode of the read program (HD broadcast, multiplexed normal SD broadcast or multi-SD broadcast) is determined (step S5). The determination process of HD broadcast and SD broadcast in this step S5 can be performed by detecting identification data such as a header included in program information transmitted together with program data.

  Here, if it is determined that the broadcast is HD, the corresponding program information is controlled to be displayed in association with the program start time on the empty top line in the list frame (step S6).

  At this time, the host CPU 7 develops the character data (bitmap data), and transfers the bitmap data of the program information to be displayed corresponding to the determined list-type display frame to the graphics generation unit 13. . On the other hand, the graphics generation unit 13 performs character display based on the bitmap data with the size of the list type display frame determined in the process of step S3.

  That is, at this stage, the list-type EPG screen 20 for the first channel “1. NHK synthesis” of “10/14 (Thu)” on the day is displayed on the display 11 as shown in FIG. The program start time “9:00” of the HD broadcast read in the order of the current date and time of the designated channel and the program name “Metropolitan area network” are displayed in association with each other in the top row 21a.

  Then, the host CPU 7 determines whether there is program information at the next time for the program information sequentially read out corresponding to the designated channel on the designated date (step S7), and the program at the next time on the same day. If there is information, the process returns to step S4.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the broadcast is SD broadcast, each corresponding SD broadcast program information multiplexed within the same time is stored for each row from the empty top row in the list frame. Control is performed so that continuous lines are displayed in association with each program start time at the same time (step S8).

  At the same time, the list frame surrounding the multiplexed SD program information displayed in continuous rows is controlled to be highlighted and displayed as a multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W having a different display color with a thick frame (step S9).

  For example, on the list type EPG screen 20 for the first channel “1. NHK synthesis” of “10/14 (Thursday)” on the day as shown in FIG. 2, the program information of the previous HD broadcast is displayed in the list frame. For each of the three consecutive rows 21d1, 21d2, and 21d3 that follow the row 21c, the program start time “12:00” and the program name “ “World events”, “News 100”, “Tomorrow's weather” are continuously displayed in association with each other, and the range is surrounded and displayed by the multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W.

  Thereafter, the host CPU 7 repeats the display processing of the HD broadcast program and the SD broadcast program on the list-type EPG screen 20 in steps S4 to S9, so that the HD broadcast and SD broadcast on the designated channel on the designated date are performed. Each mixed program information is displayed in a list in the order of each program start time, and each SD broadcast program multiplexed at the same time is clearly identified and displayed by the multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W.

  In this way, when the list-type EPG screen 20 according to the designated channel is displayed on the designated date and the channel switching buttons 22a and 22b are operated by the user to instruct switching of the designated channel (step S10). The designated channel to be controlled for EPG display is switched, and the processing from step S3 onward is executed again (step S11).

  Further, when the date / time switching button 23 is operated by the user and the switching of the designated date / time is instructed with the list-type EPG screen 20 being displayed (step S12), the designated date / time to be controlled for EPG display is switched. Then, the processes after step S3 are repeated (step S13).

  As a result, for example, a list-type EPG screen 20 in units of channels as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. That is, on the list-type EPG screen 20, only program information in which HD broadcast and SD broadcast of a designated desired channel are mixed is displayed in a list in the row direction in the order of program start time, and the mainstream is displayed. Each of the SD broadcast program information that is multiplexed and broadcasted at the same time with respect to the HD broadcast program information is displayed surrounded by a multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W.

  In the first embodiment, the list-type EPG screen 20 simplified by a single channel is used not only to make the EPG screen easy to see even on a small display screen, but also to control the display of the multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W. Thus, it is possible to surely distinguish between the main HD program display line and the multiplexed SD broadcast program display line, but by controlling the background color of the multiplexed SD broadcast program display line. The positive identification may be possible. Further, the display control of the multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W may be combined with the background color change control for the SD broadcast program display line, thereby enabling more reliable identification.

  Therefore, according to the digital broadcast content display device and the display method thereof according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, each program information obtained by mixing the HD broadcast program and the SD broadcast program, which are characteristic of digital television broadcast, is simplified by a single channel. In addition to being displayed on the list-type EPG screen 20, each program information of the SD broadcast multiplexed at the same time is surrounded by a highlight frame (W), or the background color is changed. Even if it is a small display screen, the viewer can easily recognize the broadcast mode and the contents of the program, and obtain program information necessary for instantaneous program selection. Can greatly contribute to simplification of the program selection operation.

  By the way, in the digital broadcast content display apparatus and the display method thereof according to the first embodiment, a plurality of SDs multiplexed with mainstream HD broadcast program information on the list-type EPG screen 20 simplified by a designated channel. In order to allow the user to easily identify and recognize broadcast program information, the range of each SD broadcast program information displayed in continuous lines is surrounded by a highlight display frame (W), or the background color is changed. However, as will be described in the next second embodiment (see FIG. 4), the identification mark “SDTV” of the multiplexed SD broadcast is displayed on each display row of each SD broadcast program information displayed in the continuous row. "May be additionally displayed to identify and recognize the program information of each SD broadcast.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an EPG display screen 20 according to a second embodiment of a television receiver on which the digital broadcast content display device is mounted.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an EPG content display control process according to the second embodiment of the television receiver equipped with the digital broadcast content display device.

  In the second embodiment, in order to easily identify and recognize HD broadcast program information and multiplexed SD broadcast program information on the list-type EPG screen 20 in the first embodiment, each SD broadcast program A multiplexed SD broadcast identification mark “SDTV” is added to each information display line for display.

  The specific system configuration is substantially the same as in the first embodiment, and is implemented using a television receiver incorporating the digital broadcast content display device shown in FIG.

  That is, in the list-type EPG display control process in the host CPU 7, when the broadcast mode is SD broadcast, the identification mark “SDTV” indicating the broadcast form is displayed in the display frame of each row for displaying the program information of the SD broadcast. The process for displaying (step S9 ′) is added in place of the process for displaying the multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W in the list-type EPG display control of the first embodiment (step 9). .

  The list type EPG display control operation of the second embodiment in the host CPU 7 will be described with reference to FIG. In the flowchart of the list type EPG screen control shown in FIG. 5, the same processes as those in the control flowchart in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Is omitted.

  Now, assume that the viewer has made a request to display an EPG screen corresponding to the mottled broadcast from a remote controller (not shown), for example. Then, the host CPU 7 sequentially performs the processing from step S1 to step S8 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and a mottled list type in which HD broadcast program information and SD broadcast program information for a specified channel are mixedly organized. The EPG screen 20 is displayed.

  Then, for each display line of the multiplexed SD program information displayed in the continuous line in step S8, an SD broadcast identification mark “SDTV” for identifying that the display line is a display line of the SD broadcast program information. Then, control is performed so as to additionally insert and display (step S9 ').

  For example, in the list-type EPG screen 20 for the first channel “1. NHK synthesis” of “10/14 (Thu)” on the day as shown in FIG. 4, the program information of the previous HD broadcast is displayed in the list frame. For each of the three consecutive rows 21d1, 21d2, and 21d3 that follow the row 21c, the program start time “12:00” and the program name “ “World events”, “News 100”, “Tomorrow's weather” are continuously displayed in association with each other, and the SD broadcast identification mark “SDTV” is added to each display row of the SD broadcast program. .

  Thereafter, the host CPU 7 repeats the display processing of the HD broadcast program and the SD broadcast program on the list-type EPG screen 20 in steps S4 to S9 ′, so that the HD broadcast and SD on the designated channel on the designated date are performed. Each broadcast broadcast program information is displayed in a list in the order of each program start time, and each SD broadcast program multiplexed at the same time is clearly identified and displayed by the SD broadcast identification mark “SDTV”.

  As a result, for example, a list-type EPG screen 20 in units of channels as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. That is, on the list-type EPG screen 20, only program information in which HD broadcast and SD broadcast of a designated desired channel are mixed is displayed in a list in the row direction in the order of program start time, and the mainstream is displayed. The SD broadcast program information that is multiplexed and broadcasted at the same time with respect to the HD broadcast program information is displayed with the SD broadcast identification mark “SDTV” added.

  In the second embodiment, the list-type EPG screen 20 simplified by a single channel not only makes the EPG screen easy to see even on a small display screen, but also displays each program information display line of the multiplexed SD broadcast program. The SD broadcast identification mark “SDTV” is added to each of the images to control the display so that the main HD broadcast program display line and the multiplexed SD broadcast program display line can be reliably identified. More reliable identification may be made possible by combining the display control of the multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W and the control for changing the background color of the program display line in one embodiment.

  Therefore, according to the digital broadcast content display device and display method of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, each program information obtained by mixing the HD broadcast program and the SD broadcast program, which are the characteristics of digital television broadcast, is simplified by a single channel. In addition to being displayed on the list-type EPG screen 20, each program information of the SD broadcast multiplexed at the same time is displayed with a multiplexed SD broadcast identification mark “SDTV” added, or a background color. Can be displayed or surrounded by the multiplexed SD broadcast identification mark W, so that the viewer can easily recognize the broadcast mode and its program contents even on a small display screen. This makes it possible to obtain program information necessary for instantaneous program selection, greatly contributing to simplification of the program selection operation.

  In each of the above embodiments, on the list type EPG screen 20 simplified by a single channel, each multiplexed SD broadcast program information is displayed in a continuous line in association with the program start time at the same time. The continuous row range is surrounded by a multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame W for identification display or an SD broadcast identification mark “SDTV” is added to each row for identification display. The SD broadcast program information is not displayed as a continuous line, but only the first program information of the multiplexed SD broadcast programs is displayed in one line, and this one-line range is multiplexed as in the above embodiments. The program information display line of the SD broadcast is displayed by being identified and displayed by being surrounded by the broadcast identification frame W, or by adding the SD broadcast identification mark “SDTV”. By moving the cursor may be configured to check a plurality of SD broadcasting program information corresponding to the user by pop-up display.

  Furthermore, the HD broadcast program information and the SD broadcast program information displayed for each row of the list-type EPG screen 20 in each of the above embodiments is the number m of the total number n of programs on the same day / channel. By adding the program number mark “m / n” to indicate and displaying, within the same channel that can be switched and displayed by operating the next screen button 24 outside the range of program information currently visible on the list-type EPG screen 20 The continuity with continuous HD and SD broadcast program information can be easily confirmed.

  Note that each processing method by the digital broadcast content display function in the television receiver described in each of the above embodiments, that is, the list type EPG screen display control processing of the first embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, Each method such as the list type EPG screen display control processing of the second embodiment shown in the flowchart is a program that can be executed by a computer, such as a memory card (ROM card, RAM card, etc.), magnetic disk (floppy disk, Hard disk or the like), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD or the like), semiconductor memory or other external recording medium can be distributed. Various computer terminals having a digital television broadcast receiving function read the program stored in the external recording medium from the main memory 12 to the host CPU 7, and the operation is controlled by the read program. The display function of the list-type EPG screen 20 described in each embodiment can be realized, and the same processing by the method described above can be executed.

  Further, program data for realizing each of the above methods can be transmitted on a communication network (Internet) as a program code form, and from a computer terminal (program server) connected to the communication network (Internet). The program data can be downloaded and imported to realize the display function of the list-type EPG screen 20 described above.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention at the stage of implementation. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in each embodiment or some constituent features are combined, the problems described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved. When the effects described in the column of the effect of the invention can be obtained, a configuration in which these constituent elements are deleted or combined can be extracted as an invention.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic circuit of the television receiver which mounts the digital broadcast content display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the EPG display screen 20 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of the television receiver which mounts the said digital broadcast content display apparatus. The flowchart for demonstrating the EPG content display control process which concerns on 1st Embodiment of the television receiver carrying the said digital broadcast content display apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the EPG display screen 20 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of the television receiver carrying the said digital broadcast content display apparatus. The flowchart for demonstrating the EPG content display control process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of the television receiver carrying the said digital broadcast content display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the conventional latte column type | mold EPG screen. The figure which shows the example of a display of the latte column type | mold EPG screen 30 which displayed HD broadcast, multi SD broadcast, and SD broadcast so that identification was possible with the conventional mottled broadcast content display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... antenna, 2 ... tuner, 3 ... demultiplexer (DMUX),
4 ... Video decoder, 5 ... Audio decoder, 6 ... Common bus, 7 ... Host CPU,
8 ... Back-end processor, 9 ... A / D converter, 10 ... Speaker,
11 ... Display, 12 ... Main memory, 13 ... Graphics generator,
20 ... List type EPG screen, 21a, 21b, ... HD broadcast program display line,
21d1, 21d2, ... multiplexed SD broadcast program display line,
22a, 22b ... channel switching button, 23 ... date switching button,
24 ... Next screen button, W ... Multiplexed SD broadcast identification frame,
SDTV: multiplexed SD broadcast identification mark.

Claims (6)

A digital broadcast content display device for displaying an EPG screen based on program information included in a broadcast signal of a digital television broadcast,
Broadcast signal input means for inputting the broadcast signal;
Program information extraction means for extracting program information from the broadcast signal input by the broadcast signal input means;
List frame display control means for acquiring and displaying a list-type display frame at regular intervals in the row direction;
Program information reading means for reading individual program information of a specified channel from the program information extracted by the program information extracting means in order of broadcast time;
Broadcast mode determining means for determining whether the program information read by the program information reading means is HD broadcast program information or SD broadcast program information;
If it is determined by the broadcast mode determination means that the program information is HD broadcast, the program information is displayed in a line on the list type display frame displayed by the list frame display control means in association with the broadcast time. First display control means;
When it is determined by the broadcast mode determination means that the program information of the SD broadcast is multiplexed at the same broadcast time, the multiplexed program information of the plurality of SD broadcasts is associated with the broadcast time, respectively. Second display control means for displaying each of a plurality of consecutive lines in the list type display frame displayed by the list frame display control means;
Identification display control means for identifying and displaying program information of a plurality of SD broadcasts respectively displayed in a plurality of continuous rows of the list type display frame by the second display control means;
A digital broadcast content display device characterized by comprising: The identification display control means includes
2. The identification frame display control means for emphasizing and displaying a frame surrounding a plurality of SD broadcast program information respectively displayed on a plurality of continuous lines of the list type display frame. Digital broadcast content display device. The identification display control means includes
2. The identification mark display control means for adding and displaying an identification mark to a plurality of SD broadcast program information respectively displayed on a plurality of consecutive lines of the list type display frame. Digital broadcast content display device. The identification display control means includes
2. The background color display control means for changing and displaying a background color of a plurality of continuous lines of the list type display frame on which the program information of the plurality of SD broadcasts is displayed. Digital broadcast content display device. Channel switching means,
The digital broadcast content according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the designated channel is any one of a preset default channel and a channel switched by the channel switching means. Display device. A digital broadcast content display method for controlling a computer of a display device to display an EPG screen based on program information included in a broadcast signal of a digital television broadcast,
A program information extracting step for extracting program information from the broadcast signal of the digital television broadcast;
A list frame display control step for acquiring and displaying a list-type display frame at regular intervals in the row direction;
A program information reading step of reading individual program information of a specified channel from the program information extracted in the program information extraction step in order of broadcast time;
A broadcast mode determining step for determining whether the program information read in the program information reading step is HD broadcast program information or SD broadcast program information;
If it is determined in the broadcast mode determination step that the program information is HD broadcast, the program information is associated with the broadcast time and displayed in the list type display frame displayed in the list frame display control step. A first display control step for displaying;
When it is determined in the broadcast mode determining step that the program information is the SD broadcast multiplexed at the same broadcast time, the multiplexed program information of the plurality of SD broadcasts is associated with the broadcast time, respectively. A second display control step for displaying each of a plurality of consecutive lines in the list type display frame displayed in the list frame display control step;
An identification display control step of identifying and displaying program information of a plurality of SD broadcasts respectively displayed in a plurality of consecutive rows of the list type display frame in the second display control step;
A digital broadcast content display method comprising:

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