JP2006279453A - Operating method of television receiver, television receiver operating system for implementing same method, and remote controller constituting system, and television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control operations for watching television programs such as restrictions on watching and settings of conditions by reverting priority and allowable condition of watching for control and operations of the television receiver to individual watcher in place of a remote controller. <P>SOLUTION: A watcher having the administrator right previously sets and registers, through a watching condition registering unit 530, watcher control data indicating IDs of the other watchers, priority of the control operations from the remote controller for watching, and condition such as an age for allowing the watching. Each watcher inputs own watcher ID from a watcher ID input unit 510. Thereby, watching of the broadcast programs is allowed under the control of the watching allowing condition based on the watching control data set and registered previously. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of operating a television receiver using a remote controller, a television receiver operating system that implements this method, a remote controller that constitutes this system, and a television receiver. Of operating a television receiver that allows different viewers to simultaneously operate one television receiver with a remote controller and view different programs, a television receiver operating system that implements this method, and this system The present invention relates to an improvement of a remote controller and a television receiver.

  In recent years, it has become possible for a plurality of viewers to view different programs on a large-screen television receiver. When multiple viewers try to select a channel with a remote controller in order to view different programs on the same television receiver screen at the same time, a plurality of windows are displayed on the television receiver screen. It is necessary to set so-called multi-screen display, and to operate each window separately by a remote controller.

In such a case, for example, by using a plurality of remote controllers, a unique ID is assigned to each remote controller, and a plurality of remote controllers that have issued remote control signals on the television receiver side are discriminated. Even if the remote controllers are used at the same time, it has already been proposed that the windows corresponding to the respective IDs can be operated separately from each other (see Patent Document 1).
On the other hand, remote control signals from a plurality of remote controllers can be identified by their accompanying IDs, and the priority order (priority) when operating the television receiver at the same time for each of these IDs (and hence each remote controller). It is proposed to set the order of the size of the display area (window) in the multi-screen display (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-270238 A (paragraphs 0006 to 0007, FIG. 1) JP 2001-61110 A (paragraphs 0006 to 0008, paragraph 0025, FIG. 6)

  However, all of the proposed technologies as described above assign an ID in association with each of a plurality of remote controllers, so that any viewer can use the same priority as long as the remote controller is used. Can have. That is, in these proposals, since the priority belongs to each remote controller, it is possible to restrict the viewing of the program corresponding to the viewer who is primarily the viewer of the television receiver. There is a problem that you can not.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and assigns the priority order and viewing permission conditions regarding the control operation of the television receiver to each viewer who is the main viewer of the television receiver. The purpose is to make it possible to perform control related to viewing such as regulation or setting of conditions.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present application proposes the following techniques.
(1) Viewing in which a priority order and viewing permission conditions relating to a control operation of the television receiver are defined in a predetermined order related to the ID corresponding to each ID assigned to the television receiver for each viewer. When the control data is registered and a viewer ID signal indicating a viewer ID for identifying one viewer operating the remote controller transmitted from the remote controller corresponding to the television receiver is received, The television set is characterized in that the operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller by the one viewer is controlled by comparing the viewing control data according to the ID represented by the viewer ID signal on the receiver side. How to operate the receiver.

  In the operation method of the television receiver of (1) above, an ID is assigned to the television receiver for each viewer, and a control operation (for example, a channel selection operation) of the television receiver corresponding to each of these IDs. ) Is registered (stored in memory) for viewing control data that defines the priority order and viewing permission conditions (for example, viewing permission age, etc.) in a predetermined order related to the ID, and this television receiver corresponds to this remote control. When a viewer ID signal indicating a viewer ID specifying one viewer who operates the remote controller transmitted from the controller is received, the television receiver side uses the ID represented by the viewer ID signal. In contrast to the above-mentioned viewing control data, it is possible to operate from a remote controller by one viewer specified by this ID. To control the operation mode of the response (e.g., to define the priority according to the tuning operation, or performs regulation according to whether the viewing age-appropriate).

(2) The viewing control data is set and registered in advance in the television receiver by an administrator who is a specific viewer as an administrator authority not permitted to other viewers (1). ) Television receiver operation method.
In the operation method of the television receiver of the above (2), in particular, in the operation method of the television receiver of (1), the control operation such as the channel selection operation of the television receiver corresponding to the ID for each viewer. The administrator who is a specific viewer, sets and registers the viewing control data (stored in memory) that defines the viewing permission conditions such as the priority order and viewing permission age in a predetermined order related to the ID. As an administrator authority that is not granted to viewers. In the case of a home-use television receiver or the like, it is possible to manage the viewing of television broadcasting with discipline by having a parent for a minor child play the specific manager as described above.

(3) The television according to (1), wherein the viewing control data is set so as to impose restrictions on a type of program that is allowed to be viewed according to the age of each viewer corresponding to each ID. How to operate the receiver.
In the operation method of the television receiver of (3) above, particularly in the operation method of the television receiver of (1), for example, depending on the age of each viewer corresponding to an ID that identifies a minor child or the like. By setting the viewing control data so as to impose restrictions on the types of programs that are allowed to be viewed, it is possible to reduce the anxiety that unreasonable or harmful programs are viewed openly.

(4) The viewing control data is set for each viewer corresponding to each ID so as to define an order of priority selection rights related to a channel selection operation in the television receiver. (1) The operation method of the television receiver.
In the operation method of the television receiver of the above (4), particularly in the operation method of the television receiver of (1), it relates to the channel selection operation in the television receiver for each viewer corresponding to each ID. By setting the viewing control data so as to prescribe the order of priority selection rights, even when a plurality of viewers desire different channel selections (programs) on the same television receiver, the ordering is performed. Watching is performed in a channel that maintains a certain order.

(5) The viewing control data is set so as to define an order regarding the size of a display area allocated for multi-screen display for each viewer corresponding to each ID. How to operate a television receiver.
In the operation method of the television receiver of (5) above, in particular, in the operation method of the television receiver of (1), assignment is made for each viewer corresponding to each ID when displaying the multi-screen on the television receiver. By setting viewing control data as defining the order of the size of the display area to be displayed, a plurality of viewers can watch the program while using different display areas (windows) in the multi-screen display of the television receiver Even if such a case occurs, viewing can be performed in a state where a certain order according to the order is maintained and an appropriate display size is shared.

  (6) A television receiver operating system including a remote controller and a television receiver, wherein the remote controller receives an input operation of a viewer ID representing an ID for identifying a viewer. And a viewer ID signal transmitting unit that generates a viewer ID signal in response to an operation on the viewer ID input operation unit and transmits the viewer ID signal to the television receiver, and the television receiver includes the viewer ID A viewer ID signal receiving unit that receives an ID signal and pre-registered viewing control data that prescribes the priority order and viewing permission conditions related to control operations in the television receiver for each ID assigned to each viewer The viewing control data holding unit, and the viewing control data according to the ID of the viewer ID signal received by the viewer ID signal receiving unit. A television receiver operation comprising: a system controller that controls an operation mode of a response to an operation from the remote controller by one viewer by contrasting the viewing control data held in the holding unit system.

  In the television receiver operation system of (6) above, the remote controller side accepts an input operation of a viewer ID representing an ID for identifying a viewer at the viewer ID input operation unit, and an ID for identifying the received viewer In response, the viewer ID signal transmitter generates a viewer ID signal and transmits it to the television receiver. On the television receiver side where the viewer ID signal is received by the viewer ID signal receiving unit, the system controller compares the viewing control data held in the viewing control data holding unit according to the ID of the viewer ID signal. Thus, the operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller by one viewer is controlled. A certain order is maintained with respect to the priority order related to the control operation such as the channel selection operation as the operation mode of the response and the viewing permission conditions such as the viewing permission age.

  (7) A viewer ID input operation unit that receives an input operation of a viewer ID that represents an ID for specifying a viewer, and a viewer ID signal that represents the viewer ID in response to an operation on the viewer ID input operation unit. A remote controller, comprising: a viewer ID signal transmission unit that generates and transmits to a television receiver corresponding to itself.

  In the remote controller of the above (7), for the viewer ID representing the ID for identifying the viewer who has accepted the input operation by the viewer ID input operation unit, the viewer ID signal transmission unit displays the viewer ID representing the viewer ID. A person ID signal is generated and transmitted to the television receiver corresponding to the person ID signal. By supplying data representing the viewer ID to the television receiver corresponding to the self, the operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller by one viewer specified by the ID on the television receiver side is set. It is possible to control (for example, the priority order related to the channel selection operation or the regulation related to the availability of viewing according to age).

  (8) A viewer ID signal receiving unit that receives the viewer ID signal when a viewer ID signal representing an ID for identifying the viewer is transmitted from the remote controller corresponding to the viewer ID signal, and the television that is registered in advance A viewing control data holding unit for holding viewing control data for each ID assigned to each viewer, and a viewing control received by the viewer ID signal receiving unit. A system controller for controlling an operation mode of a response to an operation from the remote controller by one viewer by contrasting the viewing control data held in the viewing control data holding unit according to the ID of the viewer ID signal; A television receiver characterized by comprising.

  In the television receiver of (8) above, the viewer ID signal receiving unit receives the viewer ID signal when the viewer ID signal indicating the ID for identifying the viewer is transmitted from the remote controller corresponding to the viewer ID signal. To do. The viewing control data that prescribes the priority order and the viewing permission conditions related to the control operation in the television receiver and is defined for each ID assigned to each viewer is held in the viewing control data holding unit, and the system controller The response to the operation from the remote controller by one viewer by comparing the viewing control data held in the viewing control data holding unit according to the ID of the viewer ID signal received by the viewer ID signal receiving unit Control the operation mode. A certain order is maintained with respect to the priority order related to the control operation such as the channel selection operation as the operation mode of the response and the viewing permission conditions such as the viewing permission age.

  (9) A viewer ID signal receiving unit that receives a viewer ID signal when a viewer ID signal indicating an ID for identifying a viewer is transmitted from a remote controller corresponding to the viewer ID signal, and the television receiver The viewing control data that prescribes the priority order and the viewing permission condition regarding the control operation for each ID assigned to each viewer is set and registered in advance as an administrator authority that is not permitted to other viewers by an administrator who is a specific viewer. The viewing control data input operation guide unit for guiding the input operation to perform the input operation to be held in the viewing control data holding unit, and the input operation according to the guide by the viewing control data input operation guide unit is executed. When the viewing control data is held in the viewing control data holding unit, the viewer received by the viewer ID signal receiving unit A system controller that controls the operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller by one viewer by comparing the viewing control data held in the viewing control data holding unit according to the ID of the D signal. A television receiver characterized by that.

  In the television receiver of (9) above, the viewer ID signal is received by the viewer ID signal receiving unit when the viewer ID signal indicating the ID for identifying the viewer is transmitted from the remote controller corresponding to the viewer ID signal. To do. Management in which an administrator who is a specific viewer does not permit other viewers to control viewing control data that defines the priority order and viewing permission conditions for control operations in each television receiver for each viewer. A viewing control data input operation guide unit is provided for guiding the input operation to perform an input operation to be set and registered in advance as a user authority and held in the viewing control data holding unit, and this viewing control data input operation guide unit When the input operation according to the guide by is executed and the viewing control data holding unit holds the viewing control data, the system controller responds to the ID of the viewer ID signal received by the viewer ID signal receiving unit. Therefore, the remote control by one viewer is compared with the viewing control data held in the viewing control data holding unit. To control the operational aspects of the response to the operation from the controller. The input operation can be appropriately executed according to the guide by the viewing control data input operation guide unit, and such appropriate viewing control data can be held in the viewing control data holding unit. The operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller is controlled based on such viewing control data. A reasonable order is maintained with respect to the priority order related to the control operation such as the channel selection operation and the viewing permission conditions such as the viewing permission age as the operation mode of the response.

  (10) A viewing condition restriction data detection unit for detecting viewing restriction data such as viewing age restriction added to the broadcast program, and reception of the viewer ID signal among the viewing control data held in the viewing control data holding unit. A viewing restriction data comparison unit that compares the viewing control data corresponding to the ID of the viewer ID signal received by the unit with the viewing restriction data detected by the viewing condition restriction data detection unit, and the system controller includes: (8) to (9) are configured to control an operation mode of a response to an operation from the remote controller by one viewer according to a comparison result by the viewing restriction data comparison unit. A television receiver according to any one of the above.

  In the television receiver of the above (10), in the operation of the television receiver according to any one of (8) to (9), the viewing restriction data such as the viewing age restriction added to the broadcast program is particularly obtained. A viewing condition restriction data detection unit to detect; viewing control data corresponding to an ID by a viewer ID signal received by the viewer ID signal reception unit among the viewing control data held in the viewing control data holding unit; A viewing restriction data comparison unit that compares the viewing restriction data detected by the viewing condition restriction data detection unit, and the system controller uses one viewer according to the comparison result in the viewing restriction data comparison unit. Controls the operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller. Using the viewing restriction data such as viewing age restriction added to the broadcast program as a guide, the operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller is controlled. A certain order is maintained with respect to viewing permission conditions such as viewing permission age related to the control operation such as the channel selection operation which is the operation mode of the response.

  (11) Video display for setting a plurality of predetermined video display areas having different sizes in accordance with an order related to the size of the video display area allocated as the one corresponding to each ID based on the viewing control data The television receiver according to any one of (8) to (9), further including an area setting unit.

  In the television receiver of the above (11), in particular in the operation of the television receiver according to any one of (8) to (9), the size is increased according to the order regarding the size of the video display area allocated in the multi-screen display. Since the video display area setting unit for setting a plurality of predetermined video display areas of different sizes is provided, the video display area in the multi-screen display corresponding to each ID can be set with a size corresponding to the order.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings to be referred to below, for the sake of convenience, the main part that is the subject of the description is exaggerated as appropriate, and other than the main part is appropriately simplified or omitted.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a general configuration of a digital television receiver which is an example of a television receiver to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, the digital broadcast received by the channel selection control unit 220 through the antenna 100 is selected, and the data (TS: transport stream) generated by the channel selection processing is further processed by an error correction processing unit 231. And supplied to the stream separation unit 251 through the descrambling unit 241. Each of these signal processing function units is known per se.

  The above-described channel selection control unit 220 in the digital television receiver of this example has a so-called double tuner type configuration including a plurality of tuner units, that is, a first tuner 221 and a second tuner 222. Therefore, each signal processing function unit subsequent to the channel selection control unit 220 has a configuration capable of functioning independently and in parallel with respect to the respective systems of both tuners 221 and 222, and each so-called multi-screen has a different program. Can be projected.

  The stream separation unit 251 separates the supplied output signal of the descrambling unit 241 into a video data transport stream and an audio data transport stream. The transport stream of the separated video data is subjected to predetermined processing through the video decoder 261 and the video control unit 263, and is supplied to the display 265 to display the video.

On the other hand, the audio data stream is subjected to predetermined processing through the audio decoder 262 and the audio control unit 264, and is supplied to the speaker 266 to output audio.
Each of the signal processing function units described above is centrally controlled by a system controller 310 mainly composed of a microprocessor through a bus 300. A memory 321 and a hard disk 322 are connected to the bus 300 to hold and exchange required data.

  The bus 300 also includes a network interface (I / F) 331 connected to an external network 400, a remote control interface (I / F) 332 that receives a signal from a remote controller, and recording information among a plurality of information recording devices. A bridge media interface (I / F) 333 for exchanging information through a so-called bridge media, which is applied to the exchange of data, and an IC card interface 334 for exchanging data to the IC card are connected.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining functions related to the present invention in the digital television receiver of FIG. These functions are realized by the cooperation of the corresponding functional blocks in the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the corresponding functional units of the various functions of the system controller 310.
The outline of FIG. 2 will be described first. The viewer ID input unit 510 receives an input of the viewer ID from a remote controller or the like. For each received ID, a priority order (and will be described in detail later) registered in advance by the operation of an administrator who is a specific viewer from the viewing condition registration unit 530 in the priority order determination unit 520 (Refer to viewing control data including conditions relating to various viewing)), according to the priority order based on the viewing control data, the channel selection unit 540 including the first channel selection unit 541 and the second channel selection unit 542 The output is output as corresponding to the ID.

  The output of the channel selection unit 540 is supplied to any one of the video decoding units 550 including the first decoding unit 551 and the second decoding unit 552. The output of the video decoding unit 550 is supplied to an image composition unit 560 that forms a so-called multi-screen, and the output is supplied to the display 600 to display a video. On the other hand, viewing conditions for detecting viewing information such as a viewing age limit related to the broadcast program included in the broadcast signal from the outputs of the first channel selection unit 541 and the second channel selection unit 542 of the channel selection unit 540. A viewing information detection unit 571 serving as a restriction data detection unit is provided, and the output of the viewing information detection unit 571 performs a comparison determination between the detected viewing information and the viewing condition (viewing control data) registered in advance as described above. , And supplied to a viewing restriction determination unit 572 as a viewing restriction data comparison unit.

  The system controller 310 (FIG. 1) controls the operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller by one viewer according to the comparison result in the viewing restriction data comparison unit. Using the viewing restriction data such as viewing age restriction added to the broadcast program as a guide, the operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller is controlled. A certain order is maintained with respect to viewing permission conditions such as viewing permission age related to the control operation such as the channel selection operation which is the operation mode of the response.

  A window control unit 573 is provided for setting the window set in the display 600 in consideration of the outputs of the priority order determination unit 520 and the output of the viewing restriction determination unit 572. This output is configured to be supplied to the image composition unit 560.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote controller corresponding to the digital television receiver of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller includes an input operation unit 701 including an ID button for receiving an input operation of a viewer ID representing an ID for specifying a viewer, and remote control for the digital television receiver using infrared rays. An infrared light projection unit 702 that projects a signal, and a control unit 703 that exchanges and processes signals with the input operation unit 701 and the infrared light projection unit 702 to realize a predetermined function as a remote controller. Consists of.

The infrared light projection unit 702 and the corresponding functional unit of the control unit 703 generate a viewer ID signal representing the viewer ID in response to an operation on the input operation unit 701 and transmit the viewer ID signal to the corresponding television receiver. A viewer ID signal transmission unit is configured.
In FIG. 2, a viewer ID input unit 510 inputs a viewer ID by pressing an ID button of a remote controller corresponding to the digital television receiver.

  When the ID button of the remote controller is pressed, a guidance display requesting input of the viewer ID is displayed on the television screen (display), and the viewer operates the input operation unit 701 of the remote controller according to this guidance display. And enter a 4-digit number. The numbers entered here are displayed on the screen as an asterisk string such as “***” so that other viewers cannot see the ID. The remote control operation until the ID button is pressed again is performed with this viewer ID.

  FIG. 4 shows the priority order related to the control operation (for example, channel selection operation) of the television receiver, which is set (registered) corresponding to each viewer ID, and viewing permission conditions (for example, viewing permission age). And it is a figure showing the relationship of the viewing-and-listening list | wrist mentioned later. The data representing the relationship in FIG. 4 includes the priority order and the viewing permission conditions (for example, viewing) for the control operation (for example, channel selection operation) of the television receiver corresponding to the ID assigned to each viewer of the television receiver. Viewing control data in which a predetermined age related to the ID is defined in a predetermined order, for example, is stored (set registered) in the hard disk 322 of FIG. 1 and can be accessed from the system controller 310 as required.

  In the example of FIG. 4, a viewer ID, priority order, viewing restriction, and viewing reservation list are set as viewing control data. The lower the number, the higher the priority. Priority 0 indicates an administrator ID. Viewing restrictions are in three stages from 1 to 3, and the larger the number, the more restrictive. However, in the case of 0, there is no limit. The “viewing reservation list” is a viewing reservation list corresponding to each viewer ID, and will be described later with an example.

When the viewer IDs are 0714 and 1121, viewing is restricted, so the viewing information detection unit 571 extracts the viewing age restriction added to the broadcast program selected by the channel selection unit in FIG. The viewing restriction corresponding to these IDs and the viewing restriction condition extracted by the viewing information detection unit 571 are compared by the viewing restriction determination unit 572. Viewing is not possible if the restriction conditions are met.
The “viewing restriction” in FIG. 4 is set such that, for example, viewing level 1 cannot be viewed at 18 years of age or younger, viewing level 2 is unviewable at 12 years of age or younger, and viewing level 3 is unviewable at 7 years of age or younger. .

  That is, by contrasting the above-described viewing control data corresponding to the ID represented by the viewer ID signal, the operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller by one viewer specified by this ID is controlled (for example, The priority order related to the channel selection operation is prescribed, or the restriction on whether or not viewing is possible according to the age is performed).

  When the viewer ID is 1118, since the priority is 0, the user has administrator authority, and other viewer IDs, viewing conditions, and priorities can be set and registered by an operation from the viewing condition registration unit 530. In other words, viewing control data setting registration in which the priority order related to the control operation such as the channel selection operation of the television receiver and the viewing permission conditions such as the viewing permission age are defined in a predetermined order related to the ID (stored in a memory) Is performed by an administrator who is a specific viewer as an administrator authority that is not permitted to other viewers. In the case of a home-use television receiver or the like, it is possible to manage the viewing of television broadcasting with discipline by having a parent for a minor child play the specific manager as described above.

  For convenience when performing the setting registration input operation, a viewing control data input operation guide section (functional section) for guiding the input operation is provided, and guide messages sequentially displayed on the display 600 (265). The input is guided by a graphic display. An input operation according to the guide by the viewing control data input operation guide unit is executed, and the viewing control data is held in a predetermined storage area of the hard disk 322 as the viewing control data holding unit. The input operation can be appropriately executed according to the guide by the viewing control data input operation guide unit, and such appropriate viewing control data can be held in the viewing control data holding unit.

  When viewing restriction is not imposed, the window control unit 573 generates a window having a size based on the priority order with respect to the viewer ID and outputs it from the channel selection unit 540 (the first channel selection unit 541 and the second channel selection unit 542). The decoded video is decoded through the video decoding unit 550 (the first decoding unit 551 and the second decoding unit 552), and is mapped (displayed) on the display 600 by being mapped to the window in the video synthesis unit 560.

  When only one viewer ID is input, the display and the window match. However, when another viewer ID is input next, the priority determination unit 520 determines the priority order of the two viewer IDs. The window size is determined based on The number of windows is determined by the number of tuning units. In the example shown in the figure, the channel selection unit 540 includes two line local portions, a first channel selection unit 541 and a second channel selection unit 542, so that two windows are set with a predetermined size. It is possible to view a program designated in the order of the viewer ID having the highest priority.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart summarizing the operation of the functional unit as the embodiment of the present invention of the digital television receiver of FIG. 5, whether the ID button of the remote controller described with reference to FIG. 3 has been pressed after the apparatus is activated, that is, the reception status of the input operation is monitored by the viewer ID input unit 510 of FIG. (S501).
If the ID button of the remote controller has not yet been pressed down and the input operation has not yet been accepted by the ID input unit 510, a guidance display prompting the viewer to input the ID is displayed on the display 600, and the ID corresponding to this is displayed. An input is made (S502). Next, the input ID is compared with the priorities registered in advance, and in the case of the corresponding priorities, it is determined whether or not there is a priority right to perform the channel selection operation at that time ( S503). Here, since the digital television receiver has the double tuner specification, it is determined that the channel selection operation up to the second priority order is allowed and the priority is given.

When it is recognized in step S501 that the ID button has been pressed and the input operation is accepted by the ID input unit 510, step S502 is skipped and the process immediately proceeds to step S503. When it is determined in step S503 that there is a priority, a guidance display for prompting channel selection is displayed on the display 600, and a channel selection operation corresponding to this is performed (S504). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S503 that there is no priority, the process returns to step S501.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the program selected by the channel selection operation in step S504 is accompanied by viewing restriction information (S505). If it is determined in step S505 that the viewing restriction information is attached, the content of the restriction based on the viewing restriction information is compared with the viewing restriction grade registered in advance corresponding to the viewer ID. Then, it is determined whether or not the selected program falls under the restriction regarding the viewer ID (S506).

  If it is determined in step S506 that the restriction is not met, the video of the selected program is displayed (presented) on the display 600 (S507). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S506 that the restriction is satisfied, the process returns to step S501. If it is determined in step S505 that viewing restriction information is not attached, the video of the selected program is displayed (presented) on the display 600 as it is.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the “viewing reservation list” in FIG.
As understood by comparing FIG. 6 with FIG. 4, on December 23, 2004, from time 20:00 based on the viewing reservation list T1 (corresponding to the viewer ID 0714 in FIG. 4, priority 2). For channel 4 that has been started (viewed), the priority shifts to T2 (corresponding to viewer ID 1118, priority 0 in FIG. 4) from time 21:00 (viewing of channel 6 is prioritized).
Also, on December 24, 2004, the priority shifts to T1 after viewing of channel 1 at time 21:00 based on the viewing reservation list T2 (viewing of channel 8 is prioritized).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram exemplifying the size and arrangement of windows (display areas) according to the priority order when the multi-screen display is performed in the digital television receiver of FIG. 1 having two channel selection units. In the example of FIG. 7A, a relatively large A area is allocated corresponding to an ID having a relatively high priority, and a relatively small B area corresponding to an ID having a relatively low priority. Allocated as a video display area. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 7B, the A area and the B area having the same size are assigned corresponding to two IDs having the same priority.

In the example of FIG. 7C, a relatively large area A corresponding to an ID having a relatively high priority is a relatively small area B corresponding to an ID having a relatively low priority. These are assigned as video display areas that do not overlap each other.
Each of the above display examples relates to a digital television receiver having specifications with two channel selection units. When using a viewing reservation list, an EPG (electronic program guide) or the like is displayed for a program that the user wants to view. When used and set, the viewing reservation list for all viewer IDs is referred to, and viewers with IDs up to the second rank can be viewed simultaneously in the order of IDs with relatively high priority.

It is a block diagram showing the general structure of the digital television receiver which is an example of the television receiver to which this invention is applied. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the function relevant to this invention in the digital television receiver of FIG. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the remote controller corresponding to the digital television receiver of FIG. It is a figure showing the relationship of the priority regarding the control operation of the said television receiver set corresponding to each viewer ID, viewing permission conditions, and a viewing reservation list. 2 is a flowchart summarizing operations of functional units as an embodiment of the present invention of the digital television receiver of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a “viewing reservation list” in FIG. 4. It is a figure which illustrates the magnitude | size and arrangement | positioning of a display area in the case of performing a multiscreen display in the digital television receiver of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Antenna 220 ... Channel selection control part 221 ... 1st tuner 222 ... 2nd tuner 231 ... Error correction processing part 241 ... Scramble release part 251 ... Stream separation part 261 ... Video decoder 262 ... Audio decoder 263 ... Video control part 264 ... Audio control unit 265 ... Display 266 ... Speaker 300 ... Bus 310 ... System controller 321 ... Memory 322 ... Hard disk 331 ... Network interface 332 ... Remote control interface 333 ... Bridge media interface 334 ... IC card interface 400 ... Network 510 ... View Listener ID input unit 520 Priority determination unit 530 Viewing condition registration unit 540 Tuning unit 541 First tuning unit 542 Second tuning unit 550 ... Video decoding unit 551 ... First decoding unit 552 ... Second decoding unit 560 ... Image composition unit 571 ... Viewing information detection unit 572 ... Viewing restriction determination unit 573 ... Window control unit 600 ... Display 70 1 ... Input operation unit 702 ... Red External light projection unit 703 ... control unit

Claims (11)

  Viewing control data defining priority and viewing permission conditions related to the control operation of the television receiver in a predetermined order related to the ID corresponding to the ID assigned to the television receiver for each viewer. When a viewer ID signal indicating a viewer ID for identifying one viewer who operates the remote controller registered and transmitted from the remote controller corresponding to the television receiver is received, the television receiver side Then, according to the ID represented by the viewer ID signal, the viewing control data is compared to control the operation mode of the response to the operation from the remote controller by the one viewer. Method of operation.   2. The viewing control data is set and registered in advance in the television receiver by an administrator who is a specific viewer as administrator authority not permitted to other viewers. To operate a TV receiver.   2. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the viewing control data is set so as to impose restrictions on a type of program that is allowed to be viewed according to an age of each viewer corresponding to each ID. How to operate the machine.   2. The viewing control data is set for each viewer corresponding to each ID so as to define an order of priority selection rights related to a channel selection operation in the television receiver. The operation method of the television receiver as described in 2.   2. The television according to claim 1, wherein the viewing control data is set so as to define an order regarding a size of a display area allocated for multi-screen display for each viewer corresponding to each ID. How to operate John receiver.   A television receiver operation system including a remote controller and a television receiver, wherein the remote controller receives a viewer ID input operation unit that receives an input operation of a viewer ID representing an ID for identifying a viewer, A viewer ID signal transmitting unit that generates a viewer ID signal in response to an operation on the viewer ID input operation unit and transmits the viewer ID signal to the television receiver, and the television receiver receives the viewer ID signal. A viewer ID signal receiving unit for receiving, and viewing control data that holds viewing control data that defines, for each ID assigned to each viewer, priority and viewing permission conditions related to control operations in the television receiver registered in advance. Data holding unit and the viewing control data holding according to the ID of the viewer ID signal received by the viewer ID signal receiving unit Television control system, characterized in that and a system controller that control the operational aspects of the response to the operation from the remote controller according to an audience in contrast viewing control data held in the.   A viewer ID input operation unit that accepts an input operation of a viewer ID that represents an ID for specifying a viewer, and a viewer ID signal that represents the viewer ID in response to an operation on the viewer ID input operation unit. A remote controller comprising: a viewer ID signal transmitting unit that transmits to a television receiver corresponding to the self.   A viewer ID signal receiving unit for receiving the viewer ID signal when a viewer ID signal representing an ID for identifying the viewer is transmitted from a remote controller corresponding to the viewer ID signal; and the television receiver registered in advance A viewing control data holding unit for holding viewing control data for each ID assigned to each viewer, and a viewer ID signal received by the viewer ID signal receiving unit. A system controller that controls the operation mode of a response to an operation from the remote controller by one viewer by comparing the viewing control data held in the viewing control data holding unit according to the ID of A television receiver characterized by.   A viewer ID signal receiving unit for receiving a viewer ID signal when a viewer ID signal representing an ID for identifying a viewer is transmitted from a remote controller corresponding to the viewer ID signal, and a control operation in the television receiver Viewing control data that prescribes the priority order and viewing permission conditions for each ID assigned to each viewer is set and registered in advance as an administrator authority that is not permitted to other viewers by an administrator who is a specific viewer. A viewing control data input operation guide unit that guides the input operation to perform an input operation to be held in the control data holding unit, and an input operation according to the guide by the viewing control data input operation guide unit is executed and the viewing When the viewing control data is held in the control data holding unit, the viewer ID signal received by the viewer ID signal receiving unit is stored. A system controller that controls the operation mode of a response to an operation from the remote controller by one viewer by comparing the viewing control data held in the viewing control data holding unit according to the ID of A television receiver characterized by.   A viewing condition restriction data detecting unit for detecting viewing restriction data such as a viewing age restriction attached to a broadcast program, and the viewer ID signal receiving unit among the viewing control data held in the viewing control data holding unit. A viewing restriction data comparison unit that compares the viewing control data corresponding to the ID based on the viewer ID signal and the viewing restriction data detected by the viewing condition restriction data detection unit, and the system controller includes the viewing controller 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the operation mode of a response to an operation from the remote controller by one viewer is controlled according to a comparison result by the restriction data comparison unit. The television receiver described in 1.   Video display area setting for setting a plurality of predetermined video display areas having different sizes according to an order regarding the size of the video display area allocated for multi-screen display as corresponding to each ID based on the viewing control data The television receiver according to claim 8, further comprising a unit.

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