JP2006229494A - Information processing apparatus, method thereof and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily specify a channel broadcasting a program to be processed in an external apparatus, with simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: A signal outputted from a TV 4 and inputted into a video input terminal 3C of PVR 3 represents a program which a user is now viewing. In the PVR 3, a video image acquired from the signal input into the video input terminal 3C is compared with a video image acquired from a signal to be input into an antenna terminal 3A when selecting a predetermined channel with a built-in tuner. If both the video images approximate, the number of the channel selected with a built-in tuner is specified as the number of the channel also selected in the TV 4. This apparatus is applicable to an apparatus to be connected to an external apparatus for displaying and video-recording television programs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and in particular, information that allows a channel for broadcasting a program to be processed in an external device to be easily specified with a simple configuration. The present invention relates to a processing apparatus and method, and a program.

  In recent years, the history of programs watched or recorded by the user has been recorded, and the features of those programs are extracted from EPG (Electronic Program Guide) etc., and another program having the same or similar features as the extracted features can be obtained. PVR (Personal Video Recorder) that makes recommendations based on user preferences has appeared.

  According to such a PVR, the user usually learns his / her preference as the user views or records the program, and recommends a program more suitable for his / her preference. Will be able to receive.

  By the way, a user's usage history managed by a remote controller (remote controller) used when operating each home appliance is transmitted from the remote controller to a server device connected via a network, and a recommended program is transmitted from the server device. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 discloses a technique for presenting information and advertisement information to the user.

Also, there is a technology for automatically judging a program that a user is watching normally and automatically recording the program when the television receiver is turned off during the broadcast time of the program that the user is watching normally. It is disclosed in Patent Document 2.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-203168 JP-A-4-162242

  In the conventional PVR, only the viewing or recording history performed using the tuner built in the PVR is used as information from which the user's preference is judged for program recommendation. That is, when a program is viewed directly using a tuner built in a television receiver (TV) as an external device, not through the PVR, the history is not used to determine the user's preference by the PVR. Not utilized.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a connection example between a conventional PVR and a TV that is an external device.

  A signal obtained in response to the broadcast wave being received by the antenna 1 is supplied to the antenna terminal 3A of the PVR 3 and the antenna terminal 4A of the TV 4 via the distributor 2. The PVR 3 and TV 4 each have a built-in tuner.

  A video output terminal 3B (for example, composite output, component output) of the PVR 3 is connected to the video input terminal 4B of the TV 4, and an output signal from the PVR 3 is input to the TV 4.

  Therefore, for example, the user can operate the remote controller of the PVR 3 to select a predetermined channel on the PVR 3, display the TV broadcast on the channel on the TV 4, or view the TV 4 remotely. By operating the controller, the TV 4 can directly select a predetermined channel and watch a program broadcast on that channel. The user can also record a predetermined program on the PVR 3 and display the recorded program on the TV 4 for viewing.

  When PVR3 and TV4 are connected in this way, PVR3 can use PVR3 as information from which the user's preference is determined. The history of the recorded program, the history of the program recorded on the PVR 3, and the history of the program viewed by reproducing the recorded program, that is, the history of viewing or recording through the PVR 3, Thus, it is impossible to obtain a history of a program that has been viewed using the tuner of the TV 4 directly, and the history cannot be used as information from which a user's preference is determined.

  As described above, the viewing history and the recording history are useful information for recommending a program suitable for the user's preference. For example, the viewing history and the recording history may include a history of programs that are viewed directly using the tuner of the TV 4. If it can be used as information to determine the user's preference, it may recommend a program that matches the user's preference with higher accuracy (closer to the actual user's preference). It is considered possible.

  Here, for example, as in the server device described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to acquire the usage history of home appliances that are external devices from a remote controller via a network. Both the server device that acquires the usage history and the remote controller that transmits the usage history need to be connected to the network.

  In recent years, various TVs and PVRs that comply with the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) standard have been proposed. According to this, PVRs can acquire information on programs being viewed on TVs. Again, both the TV and the PVR need to be connected to the network. Also, PVR cannot acquire information on programs viewed on a TV that does not support the DLNA standard.

  Furthermore, by connecting the TV and PVR with an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 cable, etc., and allowing two-way communication, the PVR can acquire the information of the program viewed on the TV. However, it is also necessary that both the TV and the PVR have a terminal for the IEEE1394 cable and software for managing communication performed through the terminal.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and for connecting a channel for broadcasting a program to be processed in an external device to a network or an IEEE1394 cable. Even when special hardware such as hardware is not provided, it is possible to easily specify with a simple configuration.

  Moreover, this invention enables it to judge a user's preference with higher precision using the specific result.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention receives a signal from an antenna, and selects a first channel selection unit that selects a predetermined channel and an external device that is output from an external device that processes a broadcast program received by the antenna. Receiving means for receiving a signal representing an image or sound of a broadcast program to be processed in the above, an image or sound of a program broadcast on a channel selected by the first channel selecting means, and a receiving means Channel identification means for identifying a channel for broadcasting a broadcast program to be processed in an external device based on a difference from an image or sound of the broadcast program represented by the received signal. .

  The channel specifying means determines a difference between the image or sound of the program broadcast on the channel selected by the first channel selecting means and the image or sound of the broadcast program represented by the signal received by the receiving means. If it is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold, the channel for broadcasting the broadcast program to be processed in the external device may be specified as the same channel as the channel selected by the first channel selection means. it can.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention refers to an electronic program guide, and broadcast programs that are processed by an external device from the channel specified by the channel specifying unit and the time when the channel is specified by the channel specifying unit. It is possible to further include a program specifying means for specifying.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a determination unit that uses information related to a broadcast program to be processed in the external device specified by the program specifying unit included in the electronic program guide for determining the user's preference. Can be.

  If the determination means further determines from the result of the program identification by the program identification means that the program that meets the user's preference is being broadcast but is not currently subject to processing in the external device, the user's preference It is possible to show that a program that matches is being broadcast.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention can further include recording means for recording a program. In this case, if the determination unit further determines from the program identification result by the program identification unit that the program that meets the user's preference is being broadcast, the external device is not currently subject to processing. The program that meets the user's preference is recorded by the recording means.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording unit that records a program, and a second channel selection unit that receives a signal from an antenna and selects a channel that broadcasts a program to be recorded by the recording unit. Can be further provided.

  A signal representing an image or sound of a broadcast program to be processed in the external device can be output from an analog output terminal provided in the external device.

  The information processing method of the present invention includes a channel selection step of receiving a signal from an antenna and selecting a predetermined channel, and an external device that is output from an external device that processes a broadcast program received by the antenna. Is received by the reception step of receiving the signal representing the image or sound of the broadcast program, and the image or sound of the program broadcast on the channel selected by the channel selection step processing and the reception step processing. A channel specifying step of specifying a channel for broadcasting the broadcast program to be processed in the external device based on a difference from the image or sound of the broadcast program represented by the received signal.

  The program of the present invention is a processing target in an external device that receives a signal from an antenna and selects a predetermined channel and is output from an external device that processes a broadcast program received by the antenna. A receiving step for receiving a signal representing the image or sound of a broadcast program being broadcast, an image or sound of a program being broadcast on the channel selected by the processing of the tuning step, and the signal received by the processing of the receiving step And a channel specifying step for specifying a channel for broadcasting a broadcast program to be processed in an external device based on a difference from an image or sound of the broadcast program represented by And

  In the information processing apparatus and method and the program of the present invention, the image or sound of the program broadcast on the channel selected by the channel selection means and the image of the broadcast program represented by the signal received by the reception means Alternatively, a channel for broadcasting a broadcast program to be processed in the external device is specified based on the difference from the sound.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the channel which broadcasts the program used as the process target in an external apparatus can be easily specified with a simple structure.

  Moreover, according to this invention, a user's preference can be judged with higher precision using the specific result.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The correspondence relationship between the invention described in this specification and the embodiments of the invention is exemplified as follows. This description is intended to assure that embodiments supporting the claimed invention are described in this specification. Therefore, although there is an embodiment which is described in the embodiment of the invention but is not described here as corresponding to the invention, it means that the embodiment is not It does not mean that it does not correspond to the invention. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to an invention, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to an invention other than the invention. Absent.

  Further, this description does not mean all the inventions described in this specification. In other words, this description is for the invention described in the present specification and not claimed in this application, i.e., the existence of an invention that will be filed in the future or added by amendment. There is no denial.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 (for example, the viewing channel specifying apparatus 12 in FIG. 3) receives a signal from an antenna and selects a first channel selection unit (for example, in FIG. 4). It is output from the tuner 31) and an external device (for example, TV 4 in FIG. 2) that processes a broadcast program received by the antenna, and is a processing target (for example, a display target or a recording target) in the external device. An image of a program broadcast on the channel selected by the receiving means (for example, the video input unit 32 in FIG. 4) that receives a signal representing the image or sound of the broadcast program and the first channel selecting means. Alternatively, the broadcast program that is to be processed in the external device based on the difference between the sound and the image or sound of the broadcast program represented by the signal received by the receiving means Channel specifying means for specifying a channel that broadcasts (e.g., video comparator 33 of FIG. 4); and a.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the external device refers to the electronic program guide, and the processing target in the external device is determined based on the channel specified by the channel specifying unit and the time when the channel is specified by the channel specifying unit. It further comprises program specifying means (for example, viewing program specifying unit 14 in FIG. 3) for specifying the broadcast program.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information related to the broadcast program to be processed in the external device specified by the program specifying means included in the electronic program guide is used to determine a user's preference. Further, it is characterized by further comprising judgment means to be used (for example, the preference information management unit 15 in FIG. 3).

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 further includes recording means for recording a program (for example, the recording / playback processing unit 17 in FIG. 3), and the determining means is further based on a result of specifying the program by the program specifying means. When it is determined that the program that meets the user's preference is being broadcast, but the external device is not currently subject to processing, the program that meets the user's preference is recorded by the recording means. To do.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a recording unit that records a program (for example, the recording / playback processing unit 17 in FIG. 3) and a channel that broadcasts a program to be recorded by the recording unit are assigned to the antenna. And a second channel selecting means (for example, the tuner 11 in FIG. 3) for receiving and selecting a signal from the receiver.

  A signal representing an image or sound of the broadcast program to be processed in the external device, which is processed by the information processing apparatus according to claim 8, is an analog output terminal (for example, FIG. 2) provided in the external device. Video output terminal 4C).

  The information processing method according to claim 9 receives a signal from an antenna and selects a predetermined channel (for example, step S11 in FIG. 6), and processes a broadcast program received at the antenna. Receiving step for receiving a signal representing an image or sound of the broadcast program which is output from the external device (for example, TV 4 in FIG. 2) and is a processing target (for example, display target or recording target) in the external device. (For example, step S12 in FIG. 6), an image or sound of a program broadcast on the channel selected by the process of the channel selection step, and a signal received by the process of the reception step. Based on the difference between the image or sound of the broadcast program, the channel that broadcasts the broadcast program that is the processing target in the external device is specified. That channel specifying step (e.g., step S17 in FIG. 6), it characterized in that it comprises a.

  Also in the program according to claim 10, the embodiment (however, an example) to which each step corresponds is the same as the information processing method according to claim 9.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a connection example between a PVR to which the present invention is applied and a TV as an external device. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  A signal obtained in response to the broadcast wave being received by the antenna 1 is supplied to the antenna terminal 3A of the PVR 3 and the antenna terminal 4A of the TV 4 via the distributor 2.

  The video output terminal 3B of the PVR 3 is connected to the video input terminal 4B of the TV 4, and an output signal from the PVR 3 is input to the TV 4. From PVR 3 to TV 4, a signal of a program broadcast on a channel selected by PVR 3, or a signal of a program that is recorded once on PVR 3 and played back is supplied.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the video output terminal 4 </ b> C of the TV 4 is connected to the video input terminal 3 </ b> C of the PVR 3. The video output terminal 4C of the TV 4 is a terminal that outputs an analog signal (for example, a component signal or a composite signal) representing a program displayed on the TV 4.

  Thus, instead of displaying based on the input from the PVR 3, when the TV 4 displays a program using the built-in tuner and the user is watching it, the signal of the program being viewed by the user is displayed. The video output terminal 4C of the TV 4 is supplied to the video input terminal 3C of the PVR 3.

  The PVR 3 connected to the TV 4 in this way, when the user is watching a program using the TV 4 tuner, from the signal input to the video input terminal 3C and the signal input to the antenna terminal 3A, The channel of the program that the user is currently viewing is specified.

  Since the signal input to the video input terminal 3C represents the program that the user is currently viewing, for example, the PVR 3 has a video (image) obtained from the signal input to the video input terminal 3C, an antenna, and the like. An image obtained when a predetermined channel is selected by a built-in tuner from a signal input to the terminal 3A is compared. As a result of the comparison, if the two images are close, the PVR 3 determines that the program broadcast on the channel currently selected by the tuner built in the PVR 3 is displayed on the TV 4, and the built-in tuner The number of the selected channel is specified as the number of the selected channel in the TV 4.

  Thereby, the PVR 3 can easily specify the channel of the program displayed on the TV 4 which is an external device with a simple configuration without performing bidirectional communication via an IEEE1394 cable or the like. TVs are often equipped with not only input terminals for receiving external inputs but also output terminals for outputting video and audio analog signals to the outside. These output terminals are compared to IEEE1394 cable terminals and network terminals. It can be said that the configuration is simple.

  In addition, the PVR 3 refers to the EPG acquired in advance, and from the channel specified as being selected by the TV 4 and the time at which the channel is specified, which program the user is currently viewing. Is identified. The information of the program specified here obtained from the EPG is used by the PVR 3 to determine the user's preferences together with the information of the program viewed using the tuner of the PVR 3 and the information of the recorded program. It is done. The EPG includes, for example, metadata such as the genre and performers of each program.

  In general, as the number of pieces of information from which the user's preference is determined increases, the user's preference can be determined with higher accuracy. Thus, the PVR 3 can determine the program viewed using the tuner of the TV 4. Compared to the case where the history is not used, the user's preference can be determined with higher accuracy. Further, the PVR 3 can recommend a program that better meets the user's preference based on the determined preference.

  The channel of the program being viewed using the tuner of the TV 4 and the processing of the PVR 3 for specifying the program being viewed will be described later with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the PVR 3.

  A signal supplied from the antenna 1 (distributor 2) and received at the antenna terminal 3A is supplied to the tuner 11 and the viewing channel specifying device 12. The viewing channel specifying device 12 is also supplied with a signal output from the TV 4 (video output terminal 4C) and received at the video input terminal 3C.

  The tuner 11 selects a predetermined channel in accordance with control from the recording / playback processing unit 17 or a control unit (not shown), and outputs the obtained signal to the EPG extraction unit 13 and the recording / playback processing unit 17. Since the recording / playback processing unit 17 records and plays back (displays) the program based on the signal supplied from the tuner 11, the tuner 11 specifies the channel selected on the TV 4. This is a recording / playback tuner different from the tuner used.

  As described above, the recording / playback tuner is provided separately from the tuner (the tuner 31 of FIG. 4 provided in the viewing channel specifying device 12) used for specifying the channel selected in the TV 4. By doing so, the PVR 3 can perform, for example, recording of a program and specifying a channel selected on the TV 4 in parallel.

  The viewing channel specifying device 12 has a tuner inside, and selects a predetermined channel from the signal supplied from the antenna 1 by this tuner.

  Also, when the video obtained from the signal output from the TV 4 is close to the video obtained by tuning with the internal tuner, the viewing channel specifying device 12 is the channel currently selected with the built-in tuner. It is determined that the program being broadcast is displayed on the TV 4, and the channel number selected by the built-in tuner is specified as the channel number selected by the TV 4.

  The channel number (viewing channel) and the specific date / time (viewing date / time), which are the specific results of the viewing channel specifying device 12, are stored and read by the viewing program specifying unit 14 at a predetermined timing.

  If the video obtained from the signal output from the TV 4 is not close to the video obtained by tuning with the internal tuner, the viewing channel specifying device 12 sequentially selects the channel to be selected with the built-in tuner. In the same manner, the video comparison is repeated.

  The EPG extraction unit 13 extracts the EPG from the signal output from the tuner 11 and outputs the extracted EPG to the viewing program specifying unit 14 and the preference information management unit 15.

  The viewing program specifying unit 14 refers to the EPG supplied from the EPG extracting unit 13 and is broadcast on the viewing channel at the viewing date and time based on the viewing date and time and the viewing channel read from the viewing channel specifying device 12. Identify the programs that are present. The viewing date and time read from the viewing channel identification device 12 represents the date and time when the user was viewing the program on the TV 4, and the viewing channel represents the channel of the program that the user was viewing on the TV 4. The program represents the program that the user was watching on the TV 4.

  The title of the program (viewed program name) specified by the viewing program specifying unit 14 and metadata that is information about the program acquired from the EPG are output to the preference information management unit 15.

  The preference information management unit 15 includes the program name recorded in the recording / playback processing unit 17 and the program / playback processing unit 17, in addition to the program name and metadata supplied from the viewing program specifying unit 14. The user's preference is determined based on the program information, the program selected by the tuner 11 and viewed on the TV 4 (via the recording / playback processing unit 17), and the user's preference is expressed. Generate preference information. The preference information management unit 15 stores the generated preference information in the preference information storage unit 16 for management.

  The preference information management unit 15 performs various processes based on the information supplied from the viewing program specifying unit 14.

  For example, the preference information management unit 15 confirms the program currently being broadcast on each channel from the EPG output by the EPG extraction unit 13, and the program being broadcast has a program that meets the user's preference. First, when the name of the program being broadcast is different from the program name identified by the program identification unit 14, that is, when the user is viewing a program different from the program that meets the user's preference, A message for notifying that a program that suits the user's preference is being broadcast is displayed on the TV 4. In this case, the channel identification by the viewing channel identification device 12 and the program identification by the viewing program identification unit 14 are performed in parallel with the time when the user is viewing the program on the TV 4.

  Note that the programs that meet the user's preference include programs that the user normally watches, as well as programs that the user seems to like, as determined from the preference information.

  Since the message with such contents is displayed, the user does not need to miss the program that suits his / her preference by switching the channel according to the message being displayed.

  Further, the preference information management unit 15 controls the recording / playback processing unit 17 when the program name specified by the program specifying unit 14 is different from the program name of the program that is currently being broadcast and meets the user's preference. The program that meets the user's preference is recorded.

  Also by this, the user does not need to miss the program that suits his / her preference by viewing the recorded video later.

  The preference information storage unit 16 stores the preference information generated by the preference information management unit 15.

  The recording / playback processing unit 17 causes the tuner 11 to select a predetermined channel and acquires program data from a signal output from the tuner 11. The recording / playback processing unit 17 stores the obtained program data in the content storage unit 18 after performing compression processing or the like. The recording / playback processing unit 17 appropriately plays back the program data stored in the content storage unit 18 and outputs the obtained signal from the video output terminal 3B to the TV 4 (video input terminal 4B).

  Further, when displaying a broadcast program on the TV 4 without recording the program, the recording / playback processing unit 17 outputs a signal output from the tuner 11 to the TV 4 from the video output terminal 3B as it is.

  The content storage unit 18 stores the program data supplied from the recording / playback processing unit 17.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the viewing channel specifying device 12 of FIG.

  A signal output from the antenna 1 (distributor 2) and received at the antenna terminal 3A is supplied to the tuner 31. In addition, a signal output from the TV 4 and received at the video input terminal 3 </ b> C is supplied to the video input unit 32.

  The tuner 31 selects a predetermined channel according to the control by the video comparison unit 33, and outputs a video signal of a program broadcast on the selected channel to the video comparison unit 33. Further, the tuner 31 outputs the channel number selected at that time to the viewing history storage unit 34.

  The video input unit 32 receives the signal output from the TV 4, and outputs the video signal of the program that the user is viewing on the TV 4 to the video comparison unit 33.

  The video comparison unit 33 compares the video signal supplied from the tuner 31 with the video signal supplied from the video input unit 32, and determines whether or not the difference is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. For example, when the video comparison unit 33 determines that the difference between the two video signals is equal to or less than the threshold value, the video comparison unit 33 determines that the program broadcast on the channel selected by the tuner 31 is being viewed on the TV 4. Then, the viewing history storage unit 34 stores the channel number.

  When it is determined that the difference between the video signal supplied from the tuner 31 and the video signal supplied from the video input unit 32 is larger than the threshold value, the video comparison unit 33 selects the channel selected by the tuner 31. However, it is determined that the channel is different from the channel of the program being viewed on the TV 4, and the tuner 31 receives the next channel.

  In response to an instruction from the video comparison unit 33, the viewing history accumulation unit 34 stores the channel number supplied from the tuner 31 in association with the current time supplied from the time measuring unit 35. The channel number (viewing channel) and the current time (viewing time) saved by the viewing history storage unit 34 are appropriately read out by the viewing program specifying unit 14 of FIG.

  The timer unit 35 outputs the current time to the viewing history storage unit 34.

  Next, the operation of the PVR 3 having the above configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  First, the preference information management process of the PVR 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is performed, for example, when a signal from the video output terminal 4C of the TV 4 is input to the video input terminal 3C of the PVR 3.

  In step S <b> 1, the viewing channel specifying device 12 performs a viewing channel specifying process for specifying the channel of the program being viewed on the TV 4. The viewing channel and the viewing date and time identified by the viewing channel identifying process are stored in the viewing history storage unit 34. Details of the viewing channel specifying process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S2, the viewing program identification unit 14 refers to the EPG supplied from the EPG extraction unit 13, and based on the viewing date and time and the viewing channel read from the viewing channel identification device 12, the viewing channel is set to the viewing channel. The program broadcasted by is identified as the program that the user was watching. The viewing program name and metadata identified by the viewing program identification unit 14 are output to the preference information management unit 15.

  The EPG is supplied from the EPG extraction unit 13 to the viewing program specifying unit 14 at a predetermined timing. Further, the EPG referred to by the viewing program specifying unit 14 for specifying a program may be acquired by downloading from a server on the Internet.

  In step S <b> 3, the preference information management unit 15 reflects the viewing program name and metadata content supplied from the viewing program specifying unit 14 in the user preference information stored in the preference information storage unit 16.

  Through the above processing, the PVR 3 can also use the history of the program viewed by the user using the tuner of the TV 4 as information from which the user's preference is determined, and determine the user's preference with higher accuracy. be able to.

  In addition, when the PVR 3 (preference information management unit 15) has a function of presenting a program that is considered to meet the user's preference as a recommended program from programs scheduled to be broadcast listed in the EPG, PVR3 can select a recommended program with higher accuracy.

  Next, the viewing channel specifying process performed in step S1 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S11, the video comparison unit 33 of the viewing channel specifying device 12 sets the reception channel of the tuner 31 to an initial value channel. From the tuner 11, the video signal of the program broadcast on the set channel is output to the video comparison unit 33, and the channel number is output to the viewing history storage unit 34.

  In step S <b> 12, the video input unit 32 receives a signal output from the TV 4, and outputs a video signal of a program that the user is viewing on the TV 4 to the video comparison unit 33.

  In step S13, the video comparison unit 33 compares the video signal supplied from the tuner 31 with the video signal supplied from the video input unit 32, and proceeds to step S14, where the difference between the two video signals is calculated. Then, it is determined whether or not it is below a predetermined level (threshold).

  If the video comparison unit 33 determines in step S14 that the difference between the video signal supplied from the tuner 31 and the video signal supplied from the video input unit 32 is not less than a predetermined level, the video comparison unit 33 proceeds to step S15. .

  In step S15, the video comparison unit 33 determines that the channel of the program being viewed on the TV 4 is different from the channel currently selected by the tuner 31, and proceeds to step S16, where the reception channel of the tuner 31 is set to the next channel. Switch to a channel (for example, the next channel in the order of the frequency of the channel on which the program is broadcast). Thereafter, the process returns to step S12, and the above processes are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the video comparison unit 33 determines in step S14 that the difference between the video signal supplied from the tuner 31 and the video signal supplied from the video input unit 32 is equal to or less than a predetermined level, step S17 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S17, the video comparison unit 33 determines that the channel of the program being viewed on the TV 4 and the channel currently selected by the tuner 31 are the same, and proceeds to step S18, where the received channel of the tuner 31 is selected. The number is stored in the viewing history storage unit 34 together with the date and time. Thereafter, the processing returns to step S1 in FIG. 2, and the subsequent processing is performed.

  Next, the notification / recording process of the PVR 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is performed after the program that the user is viewing on the TV 4 is specified.

  As described above, when a program that meets the user's preference is being broadcast, but the user is not viewing the program, the PVR 3 notifies that the program that meets the user's preference is being broadcast. Message is displayed or the program is recorded.

  In step S31, the preference information management unit 15 receives the viewing program name and metadata supplied from the viewing program specifying unit 14. At this time, the above-described preference information is also appropriately reflected.

  In step S <b> 32, the preference information management unit 15 determines whether or not the user is currently viewing a program that meets his / her preference from the viewing program name and metadata supplied from the viewing program specifying unit 14. .

  When the preference information management unit 15 determines in step S32 that the user is viewing a program that meets his / her preference, the preference information management unit 15 terminates the process, and on the other hand, determines that the user does not view the program that meets his / her preference. The process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the preference information management unit 15 causes the TV 4 to output a message notifying that a program that meets the user's preference is being broadcast. As a result, a message is displayed on the TV 4, and the user can confirm from the content that the program that suits his / her preference is being broadcast.

  Further, the preference information management unit 15 causes the recording / playback processing unit 17 to record a program that meets the user's preference during broadcasting, instead of displaying such a message or together with displaying the message. In response to an instruction from the preference information management unit 15, the recording / playback processing unit 17 causes the tuner 11 to select a channel on which a program that meets the user's preference is selected, and based on the signal supplied from the tuner 11. Get program data. The program data acquired by the recording / playback processing unit 17 is stored in the content storage unit 18, whereby a program that meets the user's preference is recorded.

  Note that the message displayed on the TV 4 may allow the user to select whether or not to record a program that is being broadcast and that suits his / her preference, or whether or not to view the program.

  With the above processing, the user does not have to miss a program that suits his / her preference.

  Note that the information of the program specified as being viewed on the TV 4 can be used for various purposes. For example, when a program frequently viewed (more than a predetermined number of times) by the user is confirmed from the history of the specified program, the same or similar feature as the feature of the program (for example, genre, performer, etc.) Recording reservation may be set for a program scheduled to be broadcast, and recording may be performed according to the setting.

  In the above description, the viewing channel specifying device 12 compares the video signal from the TV 4 with the video signal acquired by itself, and specifies the channel of the program being viewed on the TV 4. In addition, the program may be specified by comparing the audio signal from the TV 4 with the audio signal acquired by itself. Further, the viewing channel specifying device 12 compares both the video signal and the audio signal, and specifies the channel when both are close to each other, thereby improving the accuracy of the program specified as being viewed on the TV 4. May be.

  Furthermore, although the case where the external device is the TV 4 has been described above, the external device may be another PVR connected to the PVR 3 or a personal computer having a program recording function. In this case, the channel of the program being recorded by another PVR or personal computer is specified by the PVR 3 based on the output from the PVR.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software.

  When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a network or a recording medium into a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  This recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the main body of the apparatus, and includes a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory). ), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), magneto-optical disk (including MD (registered trademark) (Mini-Disk)), or removable media such as semiconductor memory.

  In the present specification, each step includes not only processing performed in time series according to the described order but also processing executed in parallel or individually, although not necessarily performed in time series.

It is a figure which shows the connection example of conventional PVR and TV which is an external apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection of TV which is PVR and the external device to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of PVR of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the viewing-and-listening channel specific apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the preference information management process of PVR. It is a flowchart explaining the viewing-and-listening channel specific process performed in step S1 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the notification / recording process of PVR.

Explanation of symbols

  3 PVR, 3A antenna terminal, 3B video output terminal, 3C video input terminal, 4 TV, 4A antenna terminal, 4B video input terminal, 4C video output terminal, 11 tuner, 12 viewing channel specifying device, 13 EPG extraction unit, 14 viewing Program identification unit, 15 preference information management unit, 16 preference information storage unit, 17 recording / playback processing unit, 18 content storage unit, 31 tuner, 32 video input unit, 33 video comparison unit, 34 viewing history storage unit, 35 timing unit

Claims (10)

First channel selection means for receiving a signal from an antenna and selecting a predetermined channel;
Receiving means for receiving a signal representing an image or sound of the broadcast program to be processed in the external device, output from an external device that processes the broadcast program received at the antenna;
Based on the difference between the image or sound of the program broadcast on the channel selected by the first channel selecting means and the image or sound of the broadcast program represented by the signal received by the receiving means. An information processing apparatus comprising: channel specifying means for specifying a channel for broadcasting the broadcast program to be processed in the external device. The channel specifying means includes an image or sound of a program broadcast on the channel selected by the first channel selection means and an image of the broadcast program represented by a signal received by the reception means or When the difference from the audio is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the channel for broadcasting the broadcast program to be processed in the external device is the same channel as the channel selected by the first channel selection means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is specified as being present. A program that refers to the electronic program guide, and that identifies the broadcast program that is to be processed in the external device from the channel identified by the channel identifying means and the time when the channel is identified by the channel identifying means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a specifying unit. The information processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that uses information related to the broadcast program to be processed in the external device identified by the program identification unit, included in the electronic program guide, for determining a user's preference. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3. If the determination means further determines from the program identification result by the program identification means that the program that meets the user's preference is being broadcast, but is not currently subject to processing in the external device, The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a program that meets the user's preference is presented as being broadcast. A recording means for recording the program;
If the determination means further determines from the program identification result by the program identification means that the program that meets the user's preference is being broadcast, but is not currently subject to processing in the external device, The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a program that meets user preference is recorded by the recording unit. Recording means for recording a program;
2. The channel selection unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a second channel selection unit that selects a channel for broadcasting a program to be recorded by the recording unit by receiving a signal from the antenna. Information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a signal representing an image or sound of the broadcast program to be processed in the external device is output from an analog output terminal provided in the external device. A channel selection step of receiving a signal from an antenna and selecting a predetermined channel;
A reception step of receiving a signal representing an image or sound of the broadcast program to be processed in the external device, output from an external device that processes the broadcast program received at the antenna;
The difference between the image or sound of the program broadcast on the channel selected by the process of the channel selection step and the image or sound of the broadcast program represented by the signal received by the process of the reception step And a channel specifying step of specifying a channel for broadcasting the broadcast program to be processed in the external device. A channel selection step of receiving a signal from an antenna and selecting a predetermined channel;
A reception step of receiving a signal representing an image or sound of the broadcast program to be processed in the external device, output from an external device that processes the broadcast program received at the antenna;
The difference between the image or sound of the program broadcast on the channel selected by the process of the channel selection step and the image or sound of the broadcast program represented by the signal received by the process of the reception step And a channel specifying step of specifying a channel for broadcasting the broadcast program to be processed in the external device.

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