JP2006271003A - Display control apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly and reliably select a desired image from among a large number of images. <P>SOLUTION: In an electronic program guide for selecting a program, the electronic program guide (data stream) composed of a still image in which the representative screen of a program is reduced is superposed and displayed on the screen of the program while viewing. When a command for moving a cursor upward or downward is inputted while the cursor is positioned on a predetermined category, a still image of the category is scrolled downward or upward. When no command is inputted for a time longer than a preset fixed time , still images of the respective categories are automatically scrolled at the same time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  Recently, systems for digitizing and transmitting television signals via satellites such as broadcasting satellites and communication satellites and receiving them at home are becoming widespread. In this system, for example, it is possible to secure nearly 80 channels, so that a very large number of programs can be broadcast.

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

  The present invention makes it possible to quickly and reliably select a desired image from many images.

  A first display control device according to the present invention is a display control device that controls display of an image belonging to an arbitrary category, displays icons representing a plurality of different categories arranged in a strip shape, and displays icon positions. Display control means for scrolling an image belonging to a category selected by a user operation displayed at a position corresponding to the icon in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the icons are arranged.

  The display control means can further display the cursor over one image belonging to the category selected by the user operation.

  The display control means can further display information related to one image displayed with the cursor superimposed.

  Each time the display control means is instructed to move the cursor in a predetermined fixed direction, the entire icon displayed in a strip shape is scrolled by one icon in a direction opposite to the fixed direction. be able to.

  The display control means can further display icons arranged in a strip shape superimposed on the image.

  The display control means may scroll the images belonging to the category selected by the user operation in a direction orthogonal to the icon arrangement direction without scrolling the images belonging to the category not selected by the user operation. it can.

  A first display control method according to the present invention is a display control method for controlling the display of an image belonging to an arbitrary category, in which icons representing a plurality of different categories are arranged and displayed in a strip shape, and the display position of the icon And a display control step of scrolling an image belonging to the category selected by the user operation displayed at a position corresponding to the icon in a direction orthogonal to the icon arrangement direction.

  A second display control device of the present invention is a display control device that controls display of an image belonging to an arbitrary category, and displays icons representing a plurality of different categories arranged in a strip shape, and the arrangement direction of the icons. Display control means for switching an image to be displayed surrounded by a cursor belonging to a category selected by a user operation among images arranged for each category in a direction orthogonal to the display.

  The display control means can further display information related to one image displayed by being surrounded by the cursor.

  Each time the display control means is instructed to move the cursor in a predetermined fixed direction, the entire icon displayed in a strip shape is scrolled by one icon in a direction opposite to the fixed direction. be able to.

  The display control means can further display icons arranged in a strip shape superimposed on the image.

  A second display control method of the present invention is a display control method for controlling the display of an image belonging to an arbitrary category, in which icons representing a plurality of different categories are arranged and displayed in a strip shape, and the arrangement direction of the icons A display control step of switching images to be displayed surrounded by a cursor belonging to the category selected by a user operation among images arranged in a direction orthogonal to the category.

  In the first display control apparatus and the display control method of the present invention, icons representing a plurality of different categories are displayed in a band and displayed at positions corresponding to the display positions of the icons. The images belonging to the category selected by are scrolled in the direction orthogonal to the icon arrangement direction.

  In the second display control apparatus and display control method of the present invention, images representing a plurality of different categories are displayed in a strip shape and are arranged for each category in a direction orthogonal to the icon arrangement direction. Of these, images to be displayed surrounded by the cursor belonging to the category selected by the user operation are switched.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a transmission apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This transmission apparatus includes a switcher 301. For example, in the case of the United States, the switcher 301 includes CNN, GAORA, Asahi, STAR, TRY, MTV, Super, Sport, BBC, CSNI, Green (trademark or service mark), etc. In Japan, video data and audio data supplied from NHK, NTV, TBS TV, Fuji TV, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo, WOWOW (trademark or service mark) are digital data. Is entered as

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

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

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

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

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

  Further, the promotion channel generating device 302 includes bitmap data such as an icon, a station logo, and a category logo to be transmitted generated by the EPG data generating device 309 under the control of the program transmission control device 308 (these will be described later). 20 may be stored in advance on the IRD2 side in FIG. The promotion channel generator 302 superimposes this bitmap data on the video signal input from the switcher 301.

  Promotion channel generating apparatus 302 outputs the processed data to multiplexer (MUX) 304-1. Details of the promotion channel generating apparatus 302 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 303-1 through 303-7 are provided with five channels (five units) of MPEG so that video signals and audio signals of five broadcast channels respectively input from the switcher 301 can be encoded. Built-in video / audio encoder. MPEG video / audio encoders 303-1 through 303-7 encode the input video data and audio data, and output the encoded video data and audio data to corresponding multiplexers 304-2 through 304-8.

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

  The multiplexers 304-2 to 304-8 are supplied with other EPG data (EPG2) generated by the EPG data generation device 309. The EPG 2 includes EPG data centered on text of a relatively short period. The multiplexer 304-1 is supplied with EPG data of EPG 2 and third EPG data (EPG 3) centered on text in a later period.

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

  The synthesis circuit 306 synthesizes the outputs of the digital modulation circuits 305-1 to 305-8 and transmits it to the satellite via the antenna 307.

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

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

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

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

  In this way, the European standard for digital video broadcasting performed via a satellite toward a receiving device (IRD2 in FIG. 20) installed in each home is about 150, mainly by European broadcasters and manufacturers. Although the company has been compiled by the project DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) in which the company participates, on the receiving side, in accordance with this standard, a screen of the electronic program guide is generated from the EPG data transmitted in this way, and is displayed on the monitor device. Can be displayed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The multiplexer 304-1 multiplexes the EPG data EPG <b> 1 to EPG <b> 3 input from the EPG data generation device 309 with the data input from the promotion channel generation device 302, packetizes them, and outputs them. The digital modulation circuit 305-1 digitally modulates the data input from the multiplexer 304-1. The data output from the digital modulation circuit 305-1 is assigned to the guide transponder (transponder 1 in FIG. 12) of the satellite.

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

  Hereinafter, similarly, the multiplexers 304-3 to 304-8 respectively encode the other five broadcast channel data encoded by the MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 303-2 to 303-7, and the EPG data EPG1, EPG1. EPG2 is packetized and multiplexed, and input to corresponding digital modulation circuits 305-3 to 305-8. The digital modulation circuits 305-3 to 305-8 digitally modulate input data. Data numbers modulated by these digital modulation circuits 305-3 to 305-8 are assigned to the remaining six normal transponders (transponders 3 to 8 in FIG. 12), respectively.

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

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

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

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

  Further, when the info button switch 145 (FIG. 24) of the remote commander 5 is operated, an info screen for explaining the program in more detail is displayed as shown in FIG. As in the case of the data stream shown in FIG. 4, a title bar is displayed at the top of the info screen.

  On the lower left of the title bar, a reduced image of the still image of the representative screen is displayed, and on the upper and lower right sides, the broadcast date and time of this program and the name of the performer (person) of this program are displayed. Further, a content explanation text explaining the content of the program is displayed on the lower side.

  Of these, EPG1 is still image data constituting the program window shown in FIG. 6, EPG2 and EPG3 are data such as the program title, broadcast date and time, performers, description of contents, etc. EPG2 is from the present. EPG3 relates to programs that will be broadcast in the near future than the program represented by EPG2. These EPG1 to EPG3 are displayed as OSD.

  8 to 10 show electronic programs displayed on a receiving apparatus (IRD2 in FIG. 29) that can mainly process and display only characters (characters) as OSD (cannot process still images). A display example of the guide is shown.

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

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

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

  If both the program guide (program outline description) and the program content (program detail description) are transmitted from each transponder for a long time, the transmission rate of video data and audio data to be originally transmitted is increased by that amount. It will get worse. Therefore, each transponder (multiplexer 304-2 to 304-8) of the transmission channel for transmitting normal program data is converted into EPG2 from the EPG data generation device 309 as shown in FIG. Broadcast channels (10 broadcast channels per transponder, and 8 transponders assigned to one satellite results in 80 broadcast channels. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, 37 (= 5 X7 + 2) 24 hours of program guide data), 80 broadcast channels (37 broadcast channels) of the current program (at that time), and the next program Program content data is transmitted.

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

  On the other hand, the transmission channel (transmission channel corresponding to the digital modulation circuit 305-1) of the promotion channel generating apparatus 302 is broadcast on the other transmission channels (transmission channels corresponding to the digital modulation circuits 305-2 to 305-8). It is a channel for mainly (priority) transmission of promotional programs such as introduction of existing programs, programs that encourage broadcast reception, and promotions of program providers. Unlike other ordinary transponders, the transponder (guide transponder) that transmits information on the promotion channel transmits a larger amount of program guide data and program content data because the number of ordinary programs transmitted is small. It is possible.

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

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

  On the other hand, in a normal transponder (transponder 2 to transponder 8), program schedule data for 24 hours of 80 broadcast channels and program content data for 80 broadcast channels up to the next program are included. Is transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the still image data (data stream) is essential for selecting a program. Therefore, like a program table (overview of program outline), a normal transponder has 24 hours ( EPG1-2) is transmitted, and 150 hours (EPG1-2 and EPG1-3) are transmitted in the guide transponder.

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

  A service supplier that identifies a supplier that supplies a service (broadcast channel), a service name that represents the name of the service, and a service type (service type) that represents the type of the service are respectively stored in SDT (Service Description Table) in the EPG data. is described. In this service type, for example, a description indicating whether or not it is a single screen (promotion_service) is given.

  A title representing a program name is defined as an event_name of a Short Event Descriptor of EIT (Event Information Table). The subtitle (type) is described in the EIT Component Descriptor.

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

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

  Furthermore, for example, in the case of allowing viewing only by persons over a predetermined age, a parental rate that defines the age is described in the Parent Rating Descriptor of the EIT.

  The video mode is described in the EIT's Component Descriptor, and the provided language is described in the PMT's ISO 639 language Descriptor. The provided voice mode is described in the EIT Component Descriptor.

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

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

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

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

  The first 10 bytes are used as a header, and are composed of a common structure 1 (3), a transport stream ID (transport_stream_id (2)), a common structure 2 (3), and an original network ID (original_network_id (2)). Yes. The transport stream ID provides a label for identifying the transport stream for which SDT provides information from other transport streams multiplexed within the same delivery system.

  The original network ID is a label for identifying the network ID that is the generation source of the delivery system.

  Next to the header, service descriptor loop (service descriptors loop) [0] to service descriptors loop [N] are arranged, and finally, CRC_32 (4) for error correction is arranged.

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

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

  EIT_schedule_flag indicates the presence or absence of EIT_schedule information in its own transport stream.

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

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

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

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

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

  The next country_availability_descriptor [i] represents a permitted country list and a non-permitted country list, and can be inserted twice at the maximum.

  Next, descriptors are arranged, and the above described promotion descriptor and the like are included therein.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The next CA_identifier_descriptor [i] (4) describes whether it is scrambled, whether conditional access such as charging is conditioned, or the like.

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

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

  Next to descriptor_length, 8-bit descriptor_number is arranged, and then, 8-bit last_descriptor_number is arranged. These represent the descriptor number and the last (maximum) descriptor number, respectively.

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

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

  If image_data is binary black and white image data, the value may be a value that cannot be divided by 8 bits. In this case, the dummy data is stuffed.

  image_size represents the size of image_data.

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

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

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

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

  program_number represents a program in which the corresponding program_map_PID is valid. When this is set to 0x0000, the PID to be referred to next is network_PID. In all other cases, the value of this field is user defined. This field does not take the same value more than once in one version of PAT. For example, program_number is used as a broadcast channel designation.

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

  The program_map_PID specifies the PID of the transport stream packet including the PMT effective for the program specified by the program_number. There is no program_number with one or more program_map_PID assignments. The value of program_map_PID is defined by the user, but cannot take a value reserved for other purposes.

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

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

  In the next program info descriptors, CA_descriptor, Copyright_descriptor, Max_bitrate_descriptor, and the like are described.

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

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

  The elementary_stream-PID defines the PID of the related elementary stream and the transport stream packet that carries the data.

  Next, ES_info_length (1.5) is arranged, which is a 12-bit field, the first 2 bits are 00, and specifies the number of bytes of the associated elementary stream descriptor that immediately follows this field.

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

  FIG. 20 shows a configuration example of an AV (Audio Video) system to which the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the AV system 1 demodulates a signal received by the parabolic antenna 3 via a satellite (broadcast satellite or communication satellite) not shown by the parabolic antenna 3 in the AV system 1. (Receiver / Decoder) 2 and monitor device 4. The monitor device 4 and the IRD 2 are connected to each other by an AV line 11 and a control line 12.

  A command can be input to the IRD 2 by an infrared (IR) signal by the remote commander 5. In other words, when a predetermined button switch of the remote commander 5 is operated, an infrared signal corresponding to the button switch is emitted from the IR transmitter 51 and incident on the IR receiver 39 (FIG. 23) of the IRD2.

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

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

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

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

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

  An up button switch 117, a down button switch 118, a left button switch 119, and a right button switch 120 are arranged on the top, bottom, left, and right of the select button switch 116, respectively. The up button switch 117, the down button switch 118, the left button switch 119, and the right button switch 120 are operated when the cursor is moved in the vertical and horizontal directions. The select button switch 116 is operated when the selection is confirmed (when selected).

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

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

  The CAM 33 stores accounting information as well as keys and decryption programs necessary for decryption.

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

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

  As the MPEG video decoder 25, an MPEG2 decoding LSI (STi3500) manufactured by SGS-Thomson Microelectronics can be used. The outline is introduced by Martin Bolton in Nikkei BP “Nikkei Electronics” 1994.14 (no. 603), pages 101 to 110, for example.

  The MPEG2-Transportstream is described in pages 231 to 253 of “Latest MPEG Textbook” issued on August 1, 1994 by ASCII Corporation.

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

  The RF modulator 41 converts the composite signal output from the NTSC encoder 27 and the audio signal output from the D / A converter 30 into an RF signal and outputs the RF signal. In addition, when the TV mode is set, the RF modulator 41 passes an NTSC RF signal input from an AV device such as a cable box to the VCR or other AV device (none of which is shown). Output as is.

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

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 29 executes various processes in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 37. For example, the tuner 21, the QPSK demodulation circuit 22, the error correction circuit 23, and the like are controlled. Further, the AV device control signal transmitting / receiving unit 2A is controlled to output a predetermined control signal to another AV device (in this embodiment, the monitor device 4) via the control line 12, and the other AV device. Receive control signal from.

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

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

  In an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 38, data to be retained even after the power is turned off (for example, reception history of the tuner 21 for 4 weeks, channel number received immediately before the power is turned off (last channel)). ) And the like are stored as appropriate. For example, when the power is turned on, the same channel as the last channel is received again. When the last channel is not stored, the channel stored as a default in the ROM 37 is received.

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

  Further, the CPU 29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25 when it is desired to generate predetermined OSD (On-Screen Display) data. In response to this control, the MPEG video decoder 25 generates predetermined OSD data, writes it to the OSD area 25aA (FIG. 28) of the DRAM 25a, further reads it, and outputs it. As a result, predetermined characters, graphics, images, etc. (for example, characters, station logos, genre icons, program window still images superimposed on a normal screen in FIGS. 3 to 10), etc. are output to the monitor device 4 as appropriate. And can be displayed.

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

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

  The channel up / down button switch 133 is operated to increase or decrease the number of a broadcast channel to be received. The volume button switch 132 is operated when the volume is raised or lowered.

  A numeric button (ten-key) switch 138 on which numbers 0 to 9 are displayed is operated when a displayed number is input. When the operation of the numeric button switch 138 is completed, the channel selection button switch 158 is operated subsequent to the completion of the numeric input and indicating that the inputted numeric value represents a channel. The promo channel button switch 157 is operated when selecting a promotion channel. The program guide button switch 144 is operated when displaying a data stream as shown in FIG. 4, and the info button switch 145 is operated when displaying an info screen as shown in FIG.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  For example, in the case of a fast moving image such as a sports program, MPEG video data occupies many packets. For this reason, as the number of such programs increases, the number of programs that can be transmitted by one transponder decreases.

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

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

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

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

  Note that the header is discarded when this transfer is completed and is discarded.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Further, when not transmitting the logo data, the ROM 37 stores logo data for displaying the logo (a variety of logo data including a category logo and a station logo), a logo ID, An address conversion table for calling Logo data (bitmap data) corresponding to the ID is stored. When the Log ID is known, the Log data stored at the address corresponding to the ID is read and written in the OSD area 25aA so that the Log indicating the category of each program can be displayed on the monitor device 4. Has been made. That is, when the logo data is transmitted, it is superimposed by the superimposer 333-1 to 333-4 in FIG. 2 and transmitted from the transmission side, but when it is not transmitted, The ID is transmitted, and bit map data corresponding to the ID is read from the ROM 37.

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

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

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the info button switch 145 of the remote commander 5 is operated in the state where the data stream is displayed, more detailed information (info screen) of the program where the cursor is positioned at that time is displayed. 7 is displayed. That is, the genre icon, the station logo, and the title are displayed on the title bar, and the still image is displayed larger than in the case of FIG. In addition, the broadcast date and time of this program, performers, description of contents, etc. are displayed. The user can grasp the outline of the contents of the program by viewing this display.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  First, in step S21, it is determined whether the data stream is currently being displayed. If the data stream is not being displayed, the process proceeds to step S22, and the data stream display process is executed. That is, the CPU 29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25 to generate OSD data of a data stream as shown in FIG. 4 and output it to the monitor device 4 for display.

  In step S23, after the data stream is displayed, the remote commander 5 determines whether or not a state in which no command is input has continued for a predetermined time or more. If it is determined that a certain time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S30, and a process of scrolling up the data stream for each genre (overall) is executed.

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

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

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

  In the state where the cursor is positioned on the left end or right end still image, when an operation for further moving the cursor leftward or rightward is performed, the still image is scrolled one by one in the rightward or leftward direction.

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

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

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

  Also, the genre icon is deleted on the still image where the cursor is located. Since the genre icon of the program is displayed in the title bar, the user can recognize the genre of the program from the genre icon. Further, by deleting the genre icon from the still image, it becomes easier to see the still image and the confirmation of the program becomes easier.

  Further, as in this embodiment, not only the title of the program designated by the cursor is displayed on the title bar, but the title of each program may be displayed at a position corresponding to each still image. Is possible. However, by doing so, the display area of the data stream is increased accordingly, and the range where the image of the program being received and displayed is hidden is increased accordingly. Therefore, as shown in this embodiment, it is preferable to display only the title of the program designated by the cursor on the title bar.

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

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

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

  On the other hand, if the down button switch 136 is operated while the still image of the program 6 is displayed, the still image of the program 7 is displayed instead of the still image of the program 6, and if further operation is performed, the program 7 The still image of the program 8 is displayed instead of the still image, and when the operation is further performed, the still image of the program 6 is displayed instead of the still image of the program 8.

  Thus, even when a still image is scrolled within a predetermined genre, the title bar display is rewritten to that of the program currently displayed (in this case, since the genre is the same, The station logo and title can be rewritten).

  Here, referring to FIG. 33 and FIG. 34, the scroll-up process performed when the predetermined time has elapsed in step S30, and the scroll process in the case where the up button switch 135 or the down button switch 136 is operated in step S32. The difference is explained.

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

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

  Such an operation is sequentially repeated every time a predetermined time elapses.

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

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

  As described above, the scroll when the up button switch 135 or the down button switch 136 is operated is only for the still image of the program where the cursor is located, but the scroll performed when a certain time has elapsed is basically In addition, still images of all genres are targeted.

  Note that the scrolling in these processes means that the entire still image is switched and displayed at a time, and a part of the screen is gradually moved in a predetermined direction, and then a part of the next screen is gradually moved. This includes the case where the next screen is finally displayed instead of the previous screen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  If it is determined in step S41 that the info screen has not been displayed yet, the process proceeds to step S42, and processing for displaying the info screen is executed. That is, the CPU 29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25, generates OSD data of an info screen as shown in FIG. 7, and outputs and displays it on the monitor device 4. When the info screen button switch 145 is operated while viewing a normal program (in the case of the process in step S10 in FIG. 30), the info screen of the program being viewed at that time is displayed. On the other hand, for example, when the info button switch 140 is operated during the data stream display as shown in FIG. 32 (in the case of the process in step S35 in FIG. 31), the cursor is designated in the data stream at that time. The info screen of the program being played is displayed.

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

  Next, in step S43, it is determined whether or not the up button switch 135 or the down button switch 136 has been operated. If it is determined that the button has been operated, the process proceeds to step S47, and the content description on the info screen (FIG. 7) is displayed. A scrolling process is executed. In the case where there is not enough content description to scroll, this scrolling process is not substantially performed.

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

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

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

  The CPU 29 writes still images of the respective broadcast channels in the EPG area 35A of the data buffer memory 35 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Execute the process.

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

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

  The above processing is performed in the same manner for all broadcast channels. That is, for example, when there are 80 broadcast channels, the currently broadcast program from the first channel to the 80th channel is searched, and if the program is a movie, these are sequentially fetched.

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

  Next, the process proceeds from step S55 to step S53, the second channel is selected, and if the program currently broadcast on the second channel is a music program, it is captured.

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

  In this way, movies, music, sports, dramas, variety & specials, documentaries, culture & hobbies, animation & family, news, weather, program guides, information, shopping, games, karaoke, adults, etc. If it is determined in step S56 that the search for the currently broadcast program has been completed for all genres classified in advance, the process proceeds to step S57, and the variable i is transmitted as the maximum value (ie, EPG). It is determined whether or not the search for all programs broadcast after the present has been completed. When still images of programs broadcast after the current time still remain, the process proceeds from step S57 to step S58, the variable i is incremented by 1, and the processes after step S52 are executed. That is, the same search is performed for the program broadcast next to the program broadcast at the current time.

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

  In this way, still images as EPGs are classified by genre, and in each genre, programs that are arranged in the channel order from the currently broadcasted program, and programs that are broadcast at a later time are also sequentially channeled thereafter. They are arranged in order and stored as shown in FIG. Then, a predetermined range is written in the OSD area 25aA, read out from the OSD area 25aA, and displayed as a data stream.

  38 and 39 show these movies, music, sports, drama, variety & special, documentary, culture & hobby, animation & family, news, weather, program guide, information, shopping, game, karaoke, adult, etc. The genre icon of the genre and the display examples of the NHK general television, NHK educational television, Nippon television, TBS television, Fuji television, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo, and WOWOW are displayed. Note that these icons and logos are prepared for convenience of explanation, and are not necessarily used in actual broadcasting.

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

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

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

  In the embodiment of FIG. 40, the data stream is scrolled using the channel button switch 133 (operation means) as a trigger. However, the remote commander 5 is provided with a dedicated button switch, and the dedicated button switch is operated. Sometimes the data stream can be scrolled as a whole.

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

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

  Next, the process proceeds to step S74, where it is determined whether or not the search for all broadcast channels has been completed. If the search for all broadcast channels has not been completed, the process returns to step S72 and the second channel is selected. In step S73, a process of capturing still images of the currently broadcast program on the second channel is executed.

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

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

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

  As described above, even when the data stream is configured for each channel, the scrolling is performed as shown in FIG. 43 in the same manner as described above. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the category and the channel are exemplified as the category, but in addition, any item can be set as the category as a category.

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

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

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

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the transmitter which applied this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the promotion channel production | generation apparatus 302 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a promotion channel. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a data stream. It is a figure which shows the structure of a title bar. It is a figure which shows the structure of a program window. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an info screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a whole program schedule. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a channel program guide. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of program detailed description (program content). It is a figure explaining the range of a program schedule and program content. It is a figure explaining transmission of EPG information in a transponder. It is a figure explaining EGP data. It is a figure explaining the structure of SDT. It is a figure explaining the structure of EIT. It is a figure which shows the format of a still image. It is a figure explaining the structure of TDT. It is a figure explaining the structure of PAT. It is a figure explaining the structure of PMT. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the AV system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection state of the AV system of FIG. It is a front view which shows the structural example of the front of IRD2 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of IRD2 of FIG. It is a top view which shows the structural example of the upper surface of the remote commander 5 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other arrangement state of the button switch of the remote commander. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the remote commander 5 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the outline of the process in the encoder of a transmission side, and the process of IRD2 which receives the output. It is a figure explaining the EPG data memorize | stored in the EPG area 35A of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example of IRD2. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of a remote commander. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the program schedule process in step S9 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement in step S31, S32 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the process of step S30 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the process of step S32 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the info screen display process in step S10 of FIG. 30 and step S35 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining a still image writing process. It is a figure showing the result of the process of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a genre icon. It is a figure which shows the example of a station logo. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the other program schedule process in step S9 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other process example which writes in a still image. It is a figure which shows the result of the write-in process of FIG. It is a figure explaining the scroll for every category.

Explanation of symbols

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

Claims (12)

In a display control device that controls display of images belonging to an arbitrary category,
The icons representing a plurality of different categories are arranged and displayed in a strip shape, and the images belonging to the category selected by the user operation displayed at a position corresponding to the display position of the icon are displayed in the arrangement direction of the icons Display control means for scrolling in a direction orthogonal to the display control device. The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit further displays a cursor on one image belonging to a category selected by a user operation. The display control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit further displays information related to the one image on which the cursor is superimposed. Each time the display control means is instructed to move the cursor in a predetermined fixed direction, the entire display of the icons arranged in a strip shape is scrolled by one icon in a direction opposite to the fixed direction. The display control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit further displays the icons arranged in a strip shape superimposed on an image. The display control means scrolls the image belonging to the category selected by the user operation in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the icons without scrolling the image belonging to the category not selected by the user operation. Item 4. The display control device according to Item 1. In a display control method for controlling display of images belonging to an arbitrary category,
The icons representing a plurality of different categories are arranged and displayed in a strip shape, and the images belonging to the category selected by the user operation displayed at a position corresponding to the display position of the icon are displayed in the arrangement direction of the icons A display control step of scrolling in a direction orthogonal to the display control method. In a display control device that controls display of images belonging to an arbitrary category,
A plurality of icons representing different categories are arranged and displayed in a band shape, and a cursor belonging to a category selected by a user operation is selected from the images arranged for each category in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the icons. A display control device comprising display control means for switching an image to be enclosed and displayed. The display control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display control unit further displays information regarding the one image displayed by being surrounded by the cursor. Each time the display control means is instructed to move the cursor in a predetermined fixed direction, the entire display of the icons arranged in a strip shape is scrolled by one icon in a direction opposite to the fixed direction. The display control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: The display control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display control unit further displays the icons arranged in a strip shape superimposed on an image. In a display control method for controlling display of images belonging to an arbitrary category,
A plurality of icons representing different categories are arranged and displayed in a band shape, and a cursor belonging to a category selected by a user operation is selected from the images arranged for each category in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the icons. A display control method comprising a display control step of switching an image to be enclosed and displayed.

Images