JP2007074169A - Device for extracting program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for extracting a program capable of extracting programs whose contents are substantially the same since television broadcasts are recently diversified and the number of channels which can be viewed increases. <P>SOLUTION: The device is provided which can extract programs whose program contents are substantially the same based upon program array information. The programs which are substantially the same may be extracted by cutting out keywords of a plurality of pieces of program information included in the program array information and calculating similarities of the cut-out keywords. To avoid extracting a program other than the programs which are substantially the same, keywords which should not be used for the program extraction is held and even when those keywords are included in cut-out keywords, they are not used to extract programs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program extraction apparatus capable of extracting a program having substantially the same content using program arrangement information included in a digital broadcast wave or the like.

In addition to conventional analog terrestrial broadcasts, analog BS broadcasts, digital BS broadcasts, etc., terrestrial digital broadcasts have also started, and television broadcasts are becoming increasingly diverse. In accordance with this, the number of channels that can be viewed has increased, and the same program and programs aimed at the same content are often broadcast on a plurality of channels. For example, topical content such as the World Cup and the Olympics may not be exactly the same, but may be broadcast on a plurality of channels with similar content that can be said to be substantially the same. Also, analog terrestrial broadcasting and terrestrial digital broadcasting often broadcast the same program with exactly the same content. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of extracting a similar program of a program designated by a viewer using EPG (Electronic Program Guide). The program attributes such as broadcasting stations, genres, and titles are weighted, and the similarity is compared by calculating the sum of the weighting scores of the attributes of the program specified by the viewer and the attributes of other programs. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a method of extracting the same program selected by a viewer using EPG. For example, it is determined that programs having the same program name are the same program. In Patent Document 3, a receiving apparatus capable of receiving digital broadcast and analog broadcast at the same time performs the same program at the same time by comparing the digital broadcast signal with a signal obtained by digitally converting the analog broadcast. A method of determining whether or not is disclosed.
JP-T-2004-505561 JP 2004-229188 A JP 2004-297819 A

  However, in the invention of Patent Document 1, in addition to the same program or a program whose content is substantially the same, for example, a program whose program content is not the same but accidentally has the same genre or program name is extracted. There is a possibility. In the invention of Patent Document 2, the same program can be extracted, but a program whose program content is substantially the same other than the same program cannot be extracted. In the invention of Patent Document 3, since the received signals are compared, the same program can be extracted only from the program currently being broadcast.

  Therefore, the present invention proposes a program extracting apparatus capable of extracting programs whose program contents are substantially identical based on the program arrangement information. The program sequence information is assumed to be EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data included in SI (Service Information) multiplexed in TS (Transport Stream) of MPEG2 or VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval) data of analog broadcast waves. is doing. As a method for extracting a program having substantially the same relationship, a plurality of program information keywords included in the program arrangement information may be extracted and extracted by calculating the similarity of the extracted keywords. In addition, in order to avoid extracting programs other than programs having substantially the same relationship as much as possible, keywords that should not be used for program extraction are retained, and these keywords are included in the extracted keywords. However, it may not be used for program extraction.

  In the program extracting apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to mainly extract programs whose program contents are substantially the same, and consideration is given so that other similar programs and the like are not extracted. Thereby, for example, the viewer can select not only a program selected by the viewer but also a program having substantially the same relationship. Further, since the program extraction is performed based on the program arrangement information, not only the currently broadcasted program but also the scheduled broadcast program can be extracted. It is possible to select a program.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the relationship between the following embodiment and a claim is as follows. The first embodiment will mainly describe Claims 1, 2, 9, 10 and the like. In the second embodiment, claims 3 and 11 will be mainly described. In the third embodiment, claims 4 and 12 will be mainly described. In the fourth embodiment, claims 5 and 13 will be mainly described. In the fifth embodiment, claims 6 and 14 will be mainly described. In the sixth embodiment, claims 7 and 15 will be mainly described. In the seventh embodiment, claims 8 and 16 will be mainly described.
(Embodiment 1)

  (Embodiment 1: Overview) This embodiment relates to a program extracting apparatus capable of extracting a program whose program contents are substantially identical based on acquired program arrangement information. Further, as an extraction method, a method is proposed in which keywords of a plurality of program information included in program arrangement information are extracted, and programs having substantially the same relationship are extracted based on the similarity of the extracted keywords.

  (Embodiment 1: Configuration) FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate functional blocks of a program extracting apparatus according to this embodiment. The program extraction apparatus (0100) shown in FIG. 1 includes a “program arrangement information acquisition unit” (0101) and an “extraction unit” (0102). As shown in FIG. 2, the program extraction device (0202) includes a “program arrangement information acquisition unit” (0201) and an “extraction unit” (0202), and the extraction unit (0202) “Keyword extraction means” (0203), “similarity calculation means” (0204), and “similarity extraction means” (0205) may be included.

  Each unit which is a component of the present invention is configured by hardware, software, or both hardware and software. For example, as an example for realizing these, when a computer is used, there are hardware constituted by a CPU, a bus, a memory, an interface, a peripheral device, and the like, and software that can be executed on the hardware. As software, the functions of each unit are realized by sequentially executing a program developed on the memory, and processing, storing, and outputting data on the memory and data input via the interface. More specifically, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a general computer. The computer mainly includes a CPU (0310), an input / output interface (I / O) (0320), a hard disk (HDD) (0330), Although shown to be composed of RAM (0340), ROM (0350), etc., the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention is realized by the same configuration as that of FIG. (The same applies throughout the specification.)

  The “program sequence information acquisition unit” (0101, 0201) has a function of acquiring program sequence information. Specifically, the “program arrangement information” is, for example, SI multiplexed in MPEG2 TS generally used in digital television broadcasting, EPG data based on SI, and analog broadcast wave VBI. General information including information related to a broadcast program such as EPG data included in the data is applicable. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a reception process of terrestrial digital broadcast waves. First, a digital broadcast signal is received by an antenna (0401), and the received broadcast signal is subjected to processing such as demodulation, and a TS is output (0402). The output TS is separated into section data (S) including an audio stream (AS), a video stream (VS), SI, and the like (0403). Further, the separated audio stream (AS), video stream (VS), and section data (S) are separately decoded (decoded) (0404). Specifically, the processing of the program arrangement information acquisition unit corresponds to, for example, the section data decoding process (0404) in FIG. Further, the program arrangement information obtained by executing the decoding process is stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD. The program arrangement information acquisition unit may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  The “extracting unit” (0102, 0202) has a function of extracting a program whose program contents are substantially the same based on the program arrangement information. “Based on program sequence information” means that all or part of the program sequence information is used. For example, a case where a program name, program content, etc. included in the program arrangement information is used corresponds. The “substantially identical relationship” means a case where the program contents are exactly the same as in a rebroadcast program or a case where they are not the same but are substantially the same. For example, when a single professional baseball game is relayed by a plurality of different broadcasting stations, the shooting angle and commentator are often different, but it can be said that such programs are substantially identical. . However, even if it is a professional baseball game relay, it cannot be said that the programs of the game relay between different teams are substantially the same, and it is premised that the program extracting device of the present invention does not extract as much as possible. In addition, there are various methods for extracting programs having substantially the same relationship. For example, a method in which main keywords are extracted from the program names and program contents of a plurality of programs and compared with each other to include many of the same keywords. When a plurality of keywords are extracted from the program name of a certain program, which is judged to have a substantially identical relationship, and the other keywords in which the plurality of keywords are included in the program name, program content, etc. are in a substantially identical relationship The method of judging etc. can be considered. As specific processing of the extraction unit, the program arrangement information acquisition unit (0101, 0201) reads out program arrangement information stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD, and all or part of the program arrangement information is read out. A program having a substantially identical relationship is extracted by utilizing the information, and information uniquely indicating a program such as a program name and an identifier of the extracted program is stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or an HDD. The extraction unit may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  The extraction unit may include a “keyword extraction unit” (0203), a “similarity calculation unit” (0204), and a “similarity extraction unit” (0205).

  The “keyword cutting means” (0203) has a function of cutting out keywords of multiple program information included in the program arrangement information. “Program information” refers to general information related to a broadcast program, and includes, for example, information such as a program name, program content, and performers. “Multiple program information” usually means that the program arrangement information includes information such as program names and program contents for a plurality of programs. Further, the “keyword for multiple program information” may be a keyword included in a part of program information. For example, a keyword cut out only from the program name or a keyword cut out only from the program content may be used. “Plural” means one or more. The case where “plurality” is one means, for example, that keywords are extracted from only the program name of one program and the degree of these keywords being included in the program name, program content, etc. of other programs is substantially the same. This is the case when the criteria are used. Moreover, as a method for cutting out a keyword, for example, morphological analysis, syntax analysis, a combination of both, or the like can be used. As an example of extracting a program having substantially the same relationship, three programs of program P1, program P2, and program P3 have substantially the same relationship with respect to program A using FIGS. The case where it is judged whether or not is shown. FIG. 5 shows a specific example of processing in the keyword extracting means (FIGS. 6 and 7 will be described in detail later). Further, it is assumed that the keyword is cut out only from the program name. For example, program A has the program name “Professional Baseball Relay Giant vs. Hanshin Nighter” and the keywords “Professional”, “Baseball”, “Relay”, “Giant”, “Hanshin”, and “Nighter” have been extracted. To do. It is assumed that the keywords “Pro”, “Baseball”, “Relay”, “Chunichi”, “Daiei”, and “Nighter” are extracted from the program P1 “Professional baseball broadcast Chunichi vs Daiei Nighter”. Further, it is assumed that the keywords “professional”, “baseball”, “relay”, “giant”, “Hanshin”, “Nighter” are extracted from the program P2 “Professional Baseball Relay Giant VS. Hanshin Nighter”. It is assumed that keywords “high school”, “baseball”, “second round”, “A high school”, and “B high school” are cut out from the program P3 “High school baseball second round A high school vs. B high school”. More specifically, for example, the keyword cutout means reads the program arrangement information stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD in the program arrangement information acquisition unit (0101, 0201), and sets the program arrangement information. The morphological analysis is executed on the plural program information included in the keyword to cut out the keyword, and the extracted keyword is stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD. Further, the keyword cutout means may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  The “similarity calculating means” (0204) has a function of calculating the similarity of the extracted keyword. The “keyword similarity” refers to, for example, the number of the same keyword obtained by cutting out and comparing the main keywords from the program names and program contents of a plurality of programs, or from the program name of a certain program, etc. It is conceivable that the above keywords are extracted and calculated based on how many character strings of the plurality of keywords are included in the program names and program contents of other programs. Moreover, when calculating the similarity, each extracted keyword may be weighted. For example, general keywords such as “drama”, “sports”, “news”, etc. are easy to be used for many programs, so the weight is lightened. Other keywords specialized for other program contents are heavily weighted. To make a difference in the extracted keywords. FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the similarity calculation means. The keywords extracted by the keyword extraction means (0601) in FIG. 6 are the same as the keywords described in FIG. In the similarity calculation means (0602) of this example, whether or not the keyword extracted in program A is included in the keywords of program P1, program P2, and program P3 based on program A is compared. Assume that the similarity is calculated. In the comparison table shown in the similarity calculation means (0602), for each keyword of program A, “◯” is included in the keyword of each program, and “×” is included in the keyword of each program. Indicates not. Assuming that “◯” is 1 point, “×” is 0 point, and the total score is similarity, the program P1 is “4”, the program P2 is “6”, and the program P3 is “1”. More specifically, the similarity calculation means reads, for example, keywords of a plurality of program information stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or an HDD in the keyword extraction means (0203), and reads the keywords. And the comparison result is stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM. The above processing is repeated for the number of keywords, the similarity in each program is calculated based on the comparison result, and the calculation result is stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD. Moreover, the similarity calculation means may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  The “similarity extracting means” (0205) has a function of extracting programs having substantially the same relationship based on the calculated similarity. “Based on the calculated similarity” means, for example, whether or not the similarity calculated by the similarity calculation means (0204) has a substantially identical relationship depending on whether or not the similarity is greater than a certain threshold. If, for example, a judgment is made or the extracted keyword is weighted, a program including many more heavily weighted keywords may be extracted with higher priority. In addition, since the number of keywords extracted from the program information seems to change each time, for example, the threshold value may be changed according to the number of extracted keywords. FIG. 7 shows a specific example of the similarity extraction means. Assume that the similarity calculated by the similarity calculation means (0701) in FIG. 7 is the same as the similarity described in FIG. Further, the number of keywords extracted in program A is 6, and in this example, it is determined that a program having a calculated similarity of 5 or more is a program that is substantially identical to program A. According to this criterion, the similarity of the program P1 calculated by the similarity calculation means (0701) is “4”, the similarity of the program P2 is “6”, and the similarity of the program P3 is “1”. Therefore, the program extracted by the similarity extraction means (0702) is only the program P2. More specifically, the similarity extraction unit reads out the similarity stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD in the similarity calculation unit (0204), for example, in the case of FIG. For example, the threshold value stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD is read, and the read similarity is compared with the threshold value (here, “5”). As a result of the comparison, if the degree of similarity is larger than the threshold value, the program name, program identifier, etc. of the corresponding program are stored as extraction results in a predetermined storage area such as RAM or HDD. Further, the similarity extraction unit may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  (Embodiment 1: Process Flow) FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate flow charts showing the process flow in the program extracting apparatus according to this embodiment. 8 corresponds to the configuration of the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 corresponds to the processing flow of the configuration of the functional block diagram of FIG.

  First, the flow of processing illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described in detail. First, program arrangement information is acquired. This process is mainly executed by the program arrangement information acquisition unit (step S0801). Next, based on the program arrangement information acquired in step S0801, programs having substantially the same program content are extracted. This process is mainly executed by the extraction unit (step S0802).

  Next, the flow of processing illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described in detail. First, program arrangement information is acquired. This process is mainly executed by the program arrangement information acquisition unit (step S0901). Next, the keywords of the plurality of program information included in the program arrangement information acquired in step S0901 are cut out. This process is mainly executed by the keyword extracting unit (step S0902). Next, the similarity of the keyword extracted in step S0902 is calculated. This process is mainly executed by the similarity calculation means (step S0903). Finally, programs having substantially the same relationship are extracted based on the similarity calculated in step S0903. This process is mainly executed by the similarity extraction unit (step S0904).

(Embodiment 1: Effect) In the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, a program selected by the viewer by EPG or the like for the viewer by extracting a program whose program contents are substantially the same. It is possible to present a program having substantially the same relationship as In addition, since the program extraction is performed based on the program arrangement information, not only the program currently being broadcast but also the program scheduled to be broadcast can be extracted. For example, even when making a viewing reservation or the like, the relationship is substantially the same. It is possible to present a certain program.
(Embodiment 2)

  (Embodiment 2: Overview) In this embodiment, in order to prevent programs other than programs having substantially the same relationship from being extracted as much as possible, repelling keywords that are not used for program extraction are held, and based on program arrangement information. The present invention relates to a program extracting apparatus that prevents a keyword extracted from the above and a repelling keyword from being used for program extraction.

  (Embodiment 2: Configuration) FIG. 10 illustrates functional blocks of a program extraction apparatus according to this embodiment. The program extraction device (1000) includes a “program arrangement information acquisition unit” (1001) and an “extraction unit” (1002). In addition, the extraction unit (1002) includes a “keyword extraction unit” (1003), a “similarity calculation unit” (1004), a “similarity extraction unit” (1005), and a “aversion keyword holding unit” (1006). ) And “comparison means” (1007). That is, the configuration of the program extraction apparatus according to the present embodiment is obtained by adding “repel keyword holding means” (1006) and “comparison means” (1007) to the configuration of the program extraction apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment. It has a configuration.

  “Repelling keyword holding means” (1006) has a function of holding a repelling keyword. “Aversion keyword” means a keyword that is not used for program extraction. For example, when general keywords such as “drama”, “sports”, “news”, etc. that are often used in many programs are used for program extraction, it is easy to extract programs other than programs that have substantially the same relationship. Therefore, such a keyword is not used for program extraction as a repellent keyword. Specifically, the repelling keyword holding unit is realized, for example, by holding a set of repelling keywords as a database or the like in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD. Further, it may include a program for causing the CPU to execute processing for holding the avoidance keyword, such as execution of an SQL query for a database or the like.

  The “comparison means” (1007) has a function of comparing the extracted keyword with the repelling keyword. FIG. 11 shows a specific example of the comparison means. It is assumed that the keywords extracted by the keyword extracting means (1101) in FIG. 11 are the same as the keywords described in FIG. 5 and FIG. Also, it is assumed that “sports”, “baseball”, and “relay” are held as repelling keywords in the repelling keyword holding means (1102). In such a case, the comparison means (1103) first compares each keyword extracted in the program A with the avoidance keyword. As a result, it can be seen that the repelling keywords “baseball” and “relay” match in the keywords of program A. It can also be seen that the repellent keywords “baseball” and “relay” match in the keywords of the programs P1 and P2, and the repellent keyword “baseball” matches in the keywords of the program P3. More specifically, the comparison means reads, for example, the avoidance keyword held in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD as a database in the avoidance keyword holding means (1006), and further extracts the keyword extraction means. In (1003), one of a plurality of keywords stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD is read and compared with the avoidance keyword. As a result of the comparison, if the read keyword matches the repelling keyword, processing such as storing a flag indicating that the keyword matches is stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD. For example, if a database for holding such a comparison result is held in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD, insert and update of an SQL query for inserting or updating the comparison result in this database. A sentence may be executed. Further, at this point, the keyword extracting means (1003) executes a process of deleting a keyword that matches the avoidance keyword from a plurality of keywords stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD. May be. The comparison process as described above is executed for each keyword of each program. Further, the comparison means may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  In addition, the similarity extraction unit (1005) is characterized in that, if the comparison result in the comparison unit (1007) matches the comparison result, the keyword is not used for program extraction. Specifically, “not used for program extraction” means that, for example, when the similarity of the keyword extracted by the similarity calculation means (1004) is calculated, the avoidance keyword is extracted from the extracted keyword. A method of calculating the similarity after the exclusion is considered. An example is shown in FIG. The similarity calculation means (1201) in FIG. 12 excludes keywords that match the avoidance keyword from the keywords of program A shown in the similarity calculation means described in FIG. 6, and the remaining keywords are program P1 and program P2. And whether or not they are included in the keyword of the program P3. As a result, the similarity of each program to program A is “2” for program P1, “4” for program P2, and “0” for program P3. Further, there are four keywords of program A excluding the repelling keywords, and in this example, it is determined that a program having a calculated similarity of 3 or more is a program having substantially the same relationship with program A. According to this criterion, the similarity extracting means (1202) determines that only the program P2 is the same program as the program A. Here, when the similarity calculated in the example of FIG. 6 for the program P1 is compared with the similarity calculated in the present example, in the example of FIG. On the other hand, the same four keywords are included in the program P1, but in the example of FIG. 12, only two keywords are included in the program P1 as opposed to the four keywords in the program A. Therefore, it is considered that the similarity calculated by the similarity calculation means in FIG. 12 more clearly indicates that the program P1 is not a program to be extracted.

  (Embodiment 2: Process Flow) FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart showing a process flow in the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, program arrangement information is acquired. This process is mainly executed by the program arrangement information acquisition unit (step S1301). Next, the keywords of the plurality of program information included in the program arrangement information acquired in step S1301 are cut out. This process is mainly executed by the keyword extracting unit (step S1302). Next, the keyword extracted in step S1302 is compared with the repellent keyword that is held. This process is mainly executed by the comparison means (step S1303). Next, similarities are calculated by excluding keywords that are comparison results that match the comparison results in step S1303 from the keywords extracted in step S1302. This process is mainly executed by the similarity calculation means (step S1304). Finally, programs having substantially the same relationship are extracted based on the similarity calculated in step S1304. This process is mainly executed by the similarity extraction unit (step S1305).

(Embodiment 2: Effect) In the program extraction apparatus according to the present embodiment, repelling keywords that are not used for program extraction are held, and the keywords extracted based on the program arrangement information are repelling keywords. By not using the keyword for program extraction, there is an effect that it becomes difficult to extract programs other than programs having substantially the same relationship.
(Embodiment 3)

  (Embodiment 3: Overview) In the present embodiment, when searching for program arrangement information for program extraction, programs are searched in order from the programs whose broadcast times are close to each other, for example, when a viewer tries to watch a television broadcast. The present invention relates to a program extracting apparatus capable of presenting substantially the same program whose broadcasting time is closer.

  (Embodiment 3: Configuration) FIG. 14 illustrates functional blocks of a program extraction apparatus according to this embodiment. The configuration of the program extraction device according to the present embodiment is a configuration obtained by adding “close order search means” (1408) to the configuration of the program extraction device according to the first or second embodiment. In FIG. 14, the structure which added the said near order search means (1408) to the structure of the program extraction apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 is illustrated. The program extraction device (1400) includes a “program arrangement information acquisition unit” (1401) and an “extraction unit” (1402). The extraction unit (1402) includes a “keyword extraction unit” (1403), a “similarity calculation unit” (1404), a “similarity extraction unit” (1405), and a “aversion keyword holding unit” (1406). ), “Comparison means” (1407), and “close order search means” (1408).

  The “close order search means” (1408) has a function of searching in order from programs whose broadcast times are close to each other in searching for program arrangement information for extraction. For example, as in the above-described example, if it is determined whether or not another program is substantially identical to program A, the program whose broadcast time is closer to the broadcast time of program A is ordered in order. This is a function for searching. As specific processing of the close order search means, for example, information in which other programs are arranged in order of the broadcast time with respect to the program A is generated, and the generated information is passed to the keyword extracting means (1403). Is assumed. More specifically, the near-sequence search means extracts the broadcast time of program A from the program sequence information stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD in the program sequence information acquisition unit (1401), for example. And stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM. Also, the broadcast time of programs other than program A is extracted from the program arrangement information and stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM. Thus, the broadcast time of program A and the broadcast time of other programs stored in the predetermined storage area are read out, and the difference between the broadcast times is stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM. Similarly, for other programs in the program arrangement information, the broadcast time is extracted from the program arrangement information, and the difference from the broadcast time of program A is stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM. The smaller the difference from the broadcast time of the program A obtained in this way, the closer the broadcast time is, so the program name is arranged in order from the smallest difference, and a predetermined storage such as a RAM or HDD is used as a database. Store in the area. Further, the near-order search means may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  (Third Embodiment: Process Flow) FIG. 15 exemplifies a flowchart showing a process flow in the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, program arrangement information is acquired. This process is mainly executed by the program arrangement information acquisition unit (step S1501). Next, the broadcast time of each program is extracted from the program arrangement information acquired in step S1501 and compared. This process is executed mainly by the forward search means (step S1502). Next, keywords of multiple program information included in the program arrangement information acquired in step S1501 are cut out in order from the program with the closest broadcast time based on the comparison result in step S1502. This process is mainly executed by the keyword extracting means (step S1503). Next, the keyword extracted in step S1503 is compared with the repellent keyword held. This process is mainly executed by the comparison means (step S1504). Next, similarities are calculated by excluding keywords that are comparison results that match the comparison results in step S1504 from the keywords extracted in step S1503. This process is mainly executed by the similarity calculation means (step S1505). Finally, programs having substantially the same relationship are extracted based on the similarity calculated in step S1505. This process is mainly executed by the similarity extraction unit (step S1506).

(Embodiment 3: Effect) In the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment, in the search for program arrangement information for program extraction, for example, viewers can watch TV broadcasts by searching in order from programs whose broadcast times are close to each other. When trying to view, it is possible to present a substantially identical program with a shorter broadcast time.
(Embodiment 4)

  (Embodiment 4: Overview) In the present embodiment, program arrangement information is acquired from various media such as digital television broadcast, analog broadcast, digital radio broadcast, DVD and other recording media, and programs provided by these different media are recorded. The present invention relates to a program extracting apparatus capable of extracting programs having substantially the same relationship from the inside.

  (Embodiment 4: Configuration) FIG. 16 illustrates a functional block of a program extracting apparatus according to this embodiment. The configuration of the program extraction device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the program extraction device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, except that “cross media arrangement information acquisition unit” (1609) and “cross media search unit” (1610). It becomes the composition which added. In FIG. 16, the structure which added the said cross media arrangement | sequence information acquisition means (1609) and the said cross media search means (1610) to the structure of the program extraction apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 is illustrated. The program extraction device (1600) includes a “program arrangement information acquisition unit” (1601) and an “extraction unit” (1602). The program sequence information acquisition unit (1601) includes a “cross media sequence information acquisition unit” (1609). In addition, the extraction unit (1602) includes a “keyword extraction unit” (1603), a “similarity calculation unit” (1604), a “similarity extraction unit” (1605), and a “aversion keyword holding unit” (1606). ), “Comparison means” (1607), “close order search means” (1608), and “cross media search means” (1610).

  The “cross media arrangement information acquisition unit” (1609) has a function of acquiring a plurality of program arrangement information corresponding to different media. “Different media” refers to all media that can provide programs, such as broadcasting media such as digital television broadcasting, digital radio broadcasting, and analog broadcasting, and recording media such as DVD and HDD. “Multiple program arrangement information corresponding to different media” means, for example, if the media is digital TV broadcasting, EPG data based on SI or SI multiplexed on the broadcast wave, and if the media is analog broadcasting If so, the EPG data included in the VBI data is applicable. If the medium is a DVD, information such as a VTS (Video Title Set) may be used. Further, if the medium is an HDD, program information in a format unique to the HDD may be used. In addition, when it cannot be obtained directly from the media, the program arrangement information may be obtained separately from other means such as the Internet. Further, the program arrangement information may be acquired by wire or wirelessly. Specifically, the processing of the cross media arrangement information acquisition means acquires, for example, program arrangement information acquired from the media via a communication interface and stores it in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD. The cross media arrangement information acquisition unit may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  “Cross-media search means” (1610) has a function for searching for different types of program arrangement information acquired by the cross-media arrangement information acquisition means across and extracting substantially the same programs. "Different types of program arrangement information" is because each program arrangement information acquired from different media is assumed to have a different data format. “Searching across” means not only program arrangement information acquired from a single medium but also programs that are substantially identical from the entire program included in each program arrangement information acquired from different media. Means to extract. As specific processing of the cross-media search means, for example, each program arrangement information acquired from different media may have different data formats, so that the media that can be acquired in advance and the data format of the program arrangement information are stored in association with each other. In addition, processing such as passing a data format corresponding to the medium from which the program arrangement information has been acquired to the keyword extracting means (1603) is assumed. The keyword cutout means (1603) can acquire the plural program information from the program arrangement information based on the passed data format. More specifically, the cross media search means obtains the cross media arrangement information by holding the data format of the program arrangement information corresponding to each medium in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD as a database, for example. When the program arrangement information is acquired by the means (1609), information indicating the medium is acquired, and the data format of the corresponding program arrangement information is read from a database or the like based on the acquired information, and stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM. Store. The cross media searching means may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  (Embodiment 4: Process Flow) FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart showing a process flow in the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, a plurality of program arrangement information corresponding to different media is acquired. This process is mainly executed by the cross media arrangement information acquisition unit (step S1701). Next, the keywords of the plurality of program information included in the plurality of program arrangement information acquired in step S1701 are cut out. This process is mainly executed by the cross media searching unit and the keyword extracting unit (step S1702). Next, the keyword extracted in step S1702 is compared with the repellent keyword that is held. This process is mainly executed by the comparison means (step S1703). Next, similarities are calculated by excluding keywords that are comparison results that match the comparison results in step S1703 from the keywords extracted in step S1702. This process is mainly executed by the similarity calculation means (step S1704). Finally, programs having substantially the same relationship are extracted based on the similarity calculated in step S1704. This process is mainly executed by the similarity extraction unit (step S1705).

(Embodiment 4: Effect) In the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment, since it is possible to extract different types of program arrangement information from various media and perform program extraction, broadcasting provided by various media It is possible to present programs having substantially the same relationship from among the programs.
(Embodiment 5)

  (Embodiment 5: Overview) This embodiment relates to a program extracting apparatus capable of outputting information relating to a program extracted by an extracting unit to a display or the like.

  (Embodiment 5: Configuration) FIG. 18 illustrates functional blocks of a program extracting apparatus according to this embodiment. The configuration of the program extraction device according to the present embodiment is a configuration obtained by adding an “extraction result output unit” (1811) to the configuration of the program extraction device according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments. In FIG. 18, the structure which added the said extraction result output part (1811) to the structure of the program extraction apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 is illustrated. The program extraction apparatus (1800) includes a “program arrangement information acquisition unit” (1801), an “extraction unit” (1802), and an “extraction result output unit” (1811). The program sequence information acquisition unit (1801) includes a “cross media sequence information acquisition unit” (1809). Further, the extraction unit (1802) includes a “keyword extraction unit” (1803), a “similarity calculation unit” (1804), a “similarity extraction unit” (1805), and a “repellent keyword holding unit” (1806). ”,“ Comparison means ”(1807),“ close order search means ”(1808), and“ cross media search means ”(1810).

  The “extraction result output unit” (1811) has a function of outputting the extraction result extracted by the extraction unit (1802). “Extraction result extracted by the extraction unit” refers to a program whose program contents are substantially the same, specifically, information for uniquely indicating the program, such as the program name and identifier of the extracted program To do. Further, detailed information related to the program such as the program content may be acquired based on the information and output and displayed on a display or the like. The extraction result may be output to another processing mechanism inside the program extraction device such as a display, or output to a device outside the program extraction device via a communication interface or the like. It may come to be. FIG. 19 shows a specific example of the extraction result output unit. FIG. 19 shows a case where the extraction result is displayed on a display or the like. The program table (1901) is configured based on the program name, broadcast start time, broadcast end time, and the like of each program included in the program arrangement information, and is, for example, a general EPG. Here, it is assumed that the viewer moves the cursor to “Pro Baseball Broadcasting Giant vs. Hanshin Nighter” scheduled to start broadcasting from 19:00 on CH1 (channel 1). Then, in areas 1902 and 1903, “pro-baseball broadcast giant vs. Hanshin night” scheduled to start from 19:00 on CH3 (channel 3), which is a substantially identical program, and CH6 (channel 6) 19: “Professional baseball broadcast giant VS. Hanshin Knight” scheduled to start from 00 is displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, not only the program name but also more detailed information such as information on the commentator and the resolution of the program is output. Since it is possible to confirm and select a favorite program, the convenience is enhanced. The specific processing of the extraction result output unit is, for example, a case where the extraction result is displayed on a display. For example, a program having substantially the same relationship with the program selected by the viewer by EPG or the like is sent to the extraction unit (1802). As a result of extraction, the program name, identifier, etc. of the extracted program are stored in a predetermined storage area such as RAM or HDD. To read the program name and identifier of the extracted program stored in a predetermined storage area, and to read out detailed information of the extracted program from a predetermined storage area such as HDD and display it together with image data such as EPG as necessary Image data is generated and stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD. Further, the image data generated from a predetermined storage area is read and sent to the graphic card. The image data sent to the graphic card is developed in a graphic memory by a GPU (Graphic Processor Unit), converted to a display output signal by analog conversion or the like as necessary, and output to the display. The extraction result output unit may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  (Embodiment 5: Process Flow) FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart showing a process flow in the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, a plurality of program arrangement information corresponding to different media is acquired. This process is mainly executed by the cross media arrangement information acquisition unit (step S2001). Next, the keywords of the plurality of program information included in the plurality of program arrangement information acquired in step S2001 are cut out. This process is mainly executed by the cross media searching unit and the keyword extracting unit (step S2002). Next, the keyword extracted in step S2002 is compared with the repellent keyword that is held. This process is mainly executed by the comparison unit (step S2003). Next, the degree of similarity is calculated by excluding the keyword that is the comparison result that the comparison result in step S2003 matches from the keyword extracted in step S2002. This process is mainly executed by the similarity calculation means (step S2004). Next, programs having substantially the same relationship are extracted based on the similarity calculated in step S2004. This process is mainly executed by the similarity extraction unit (step S2005). Finally, the extraction result extracted in step S2005 is output. This process is mainly executed by the extraction result output unit (step S2006).

(Embodiment 5: Effect) In the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, a program that is substantially identical to the program selected by the viewer in EPG or the like can be output and displayed on a display or the like. .
(Embodiment 6)

  (Embodiment 6: Overview) In this embodiment, the attribute information of the program extracted by the extraction unit is acquired from the program arrangement information and added, for example, for a program having substantially the same relationship with the viewer. The present invention relates to a program extracting apparatus capable of presenting detailed information.

  (Embodiment 6: Configuration) FIG. 21 illustrates a functional block of a program extraction apparatus according to this embodiment. The configuration of the program extraction device according to the present embodiment is a configuration in which “program attribute information adding means” (2112) is added to the configuration of the program extraction device according to the fifth embodiment. The program extraction device (2100) includes a “program arrangement information acquisition unit” (2101), an “extraction unit” (2102), and an “extraction result output unit” (2111). The program sequence information acquisition unit (2101) includes a “cross media sequence information acquisition unit” (2109). In addition, the extraction unit (2102) includes a “keyword extraction unit” (2103), a “similarity calculation unit” (2104), a “similarity extraction unit” (2105), and a “aversion keyword holding unit” (2106). ), “Comparison means” (2107), “close order search means” (2108), and “cross media search means” (2110). The extraction result output unit (2111) includes “program attribute information adding means” (2112).

  The “program attribute information adding means” (2112) has a function of acquiring and adding attribute information of the extracted program from the program arrangement information to the extraction result. The “extraction result” is an extraction result in the extraction unit (2102), that is, a program whose program contents are substantially in the same relationship. More specifically, information for uniquely indicating a program such as a program name or an identifier of the extracted program is applicable. “Attribute information” refers to general information related to a program. For example, information indicating broadcast quality such as broadcast resolution (SD (Standard Definition) or HD (High Definition)) or the like. Applicable. In addition, it may be commentary information for a baseball broadcast, or caption translator information for a foreign movie. That is, in particular, if information relating to broadcast quality or viewer's preference is added, it is useful because it becomes a determination factor when a viewer selects one program from programs having substantially the same relationship. FIG. 22 shows a case where the extraction result obtained by adding the program attribute information by the program attribute information adding means is displayed on a display or the like. Similarly to FIG. 19, the program table (2201) is displayed, and programs that are substantially the same as the program on which the viewer has placed the cursor in the program table (2201) are presented in regions 2202 and 2203. At this time, by showing both the resolution (SD or HD) in each program, it is possible for the viewer to select a higher quality program when selecting the program. The specific processing of the program attribute information adding means is performed by, for example, extracting a program having substantially the same relationship with the program selected by the viewer by EPG or the like by the extraction unit (2202), and extracting the program name of the extracted program as an extraction result. And identifiers are stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD. The program name and identifier of the extracted program stored in the predetermined storage area are read out, and the attribute information of the extracted program is read out from the predetermined storage area such as RAM and HDD using the read program name as a key. Image data for displaying the read program name and the attribute information together with image data such as EPG is generated and stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or HDD. Further, the program attribute information adding means may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  (Embodiment 6: Process Flow) FIG. 23 illustrates a flowchart showing a process flow in the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, a plurality of program arrangement information corresponding to different media is acquired. This process is mainly executed by the cross media arrangement information acquisition unit (step S2301). Next, a keyword of the plurality of program information included in the plurality of program arrangement information acquired in step S2301 is cut out. This process is mainly executed by the cross media searching unit and the keyword extracting unit (step S2302). Next, the keyword cut out in step S2302 is compared with the repellent keyword held. This process is mainly executed by the comparison means (step S2303). Next, the similarity is calculated by excluding the keyword that is the comparison result that the comparison result in step S2303 matches from the keyword extracted in step S2302. This process is mainly executed by the similarity calculation means (step S2304). Next, programs having substantially the same relationship are extracted based on the similarity calculated in step S2304. This process is mainly executed by the similarity extraction unit (step S2305). Next, the attribute information of the extracted program is acquired from the program arrangement information and added to the extraction result extracted in step S2305. This process is mainly executed by the program attribute information adding means (step S2306). Finally, in step S2306, the extraction result with the attribute information added is output. This process is mainly executed by the extraction result output unit (step S2307).

(Embodiment 6: Effect) In the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, when a program having substantially the same relationship with the program designated by the viewer is output and displayed on a display or the like, more detailed information regarding the program is displayed Since the information can be displayed together, it is possible to provide a judgment element when the viewer selects a program.
(Embodiment 7)

  (Embodiment 7: Overview) This embodiment relates to a program extraction apparatus that performs program channel selection control based on the output result of the extraction result output section. For example, the program extraction device can automatically select a program with higher quality based on the output result, or the viewer can arbitrarily select a program.

  (Embodiment 7: Configuration) FIG. 24 illustrates a functional block of a program extraction apparatus according to this embodiment. The configuration of the program extraction device according to the present embodiment is obtained by adding an “extraction result-dependent program channel selection control unit” (2413) to the configuration of the program extraction device according to the fifth or sixth embodiment. In FIG. 24, the structure which added the said extraction result dependence program channel selection control part (2413) to the structure of the program extraction apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 6 is illustrated. The program extraction device (2400) includes a “program arrangement information acquisition unit” (2401), an “extraction unit” (2402), an “extraction result output unit” (2411), and an “extraction result-dependent program channel selection control unit”. (2413). The program sequence information acquisition unit (2401) includes a “cross media sequence information acquisition unit” (2409). The extraction unit (2402) includes a “keyword extraction unit” (2403), a “similarity calculation unit” (2404), a “similarity extraction unit” (2405), and a “aversion keyword holding unit” (2406). ), “Comparison means” (2407), “close order search means” (2408), and “cross media search means” (2410). The extraction result output unit (2411) includes “program attribute information adding means” (2412).

  The “extraction result dependent program channel selection control unit” (2413) has a function of performing program channel selection control based on the output result from the extraction result output unit (2411). Specifically, the “output result in the extraction result output unit” means information for uniquely indicating a program, such as a program name and an identifier of the extracted program, and further information such as program attribute information in the information. Applicable information etc. correspond. In addition, “the program tuning control is performed based on the output result” is assumed to be performed automatically by the program extracting device or arbitrarily performed by a viewer or the like. For example, if the program identifier and the resolution are output in association with each other, the program extraction device may automatically select a program with a higher resolution, or have substantially the same relationship as illustrated in FIG. A button (2204) may be displayed so that the viewer can select a program, and the viewer can select an arbitrary program by clicking the button. It is also convenient to automatically select a program that matches the hardware of the program extractor, such as automatically selecting a high-definition broadcast if the program extractor has a playback processing mechanism dedicated to HDTV. It is. The specific processing of the extraction result-dependent program channel selection control unit is, for example, a case where the viewer arbitrarily selects as shown in FIG. 22, and the extraction result output unit (2411) uses the image data such as EPG. At the same time, the program name and the attribute information of the program that has substantially the same relationship as the program on which the viewer has placed the cursor are displayed on the display or the like. When the viewer selects one program on the display, the identifier or the like of the selected program is acquired and stored in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM. Further, the program identifier stored in the predetermined storage area is read, and for example, the program identified by the read program identifier is switched to the channel being broadcast and received. The extraction result dependent program channel selection control unit may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  (Embodiment 7: Process Flow) FIG. 25 illustrates a flowchart showing a process flow in the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, a plurality of program arrangement information corresponding to different media is acquired. This process is mainly executed by the cross media arrangement information acquisition unit (step S2501). Next, the keywords of the plurality of program information included in the plurality of program arrangement information acquired in step S2501 are cut out. This process is mainly executed by the cross media searching unit and the keyword extracting unit (step S2502). Next, the keyword cut out in step S2502 is compared with the repellent keyword held. This process is mainly executed by the comparison means (step S2503). Next, similarities are calculated by excluding keywords that are comparison results that match the comparison results in step S2503 from the keywords extracted in step S2502. This process is mainly executed by the similarity calculation means (step S2504). Next, programs having substantially the same relationship are extracted based on the similarity calculated in step S2504. This process is mainly executed by the similarity extraction unit (step S2505). Next, the attribute information of the extracted program is acquired from the program arrangement information and added to the extraction result extracted in step S2505. This process is mainly executed by the program attribute information adding means (step S2506). In step S2506, the extraction result with the attribute information added is output. This process is mainly executed by the extraction result output unit (step S2507). Finally, program tuning control is executed based on the extraction result output in step S2507. This process is mainly executed by the extraction result-dependent program channel selection control unit (step S2508).

  (Embodiment 7: Effect) In the program extracting apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, a high-quality program is automatically selected based on the output result in the extraction result output unit, or the viewer arbitrarily selects a program. It is possible to make a selection.

Functional block diagram of the program extracting apparatus according to the first embodiment Functional block diagram of the program extracting apparatus according to the first embodiment The figure which illustrates the composition of a general computer Schematic diagram showing digital terrestrial television wave reception processing Specific examples of keyword extraction means Specific examples of similarity calculation means Specific examples of similar extraction means FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the program extracting apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the program extraction device according to the second embodiment. Functional block diagram of a program extraction apparatus according to Embodiment 2 Specific examples of comparison means Specific Example of Similarity Extraction Unit According to Embodiment 2 FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the program extraction device according to the second embodiment. Functional block diagram of a program extraction apparatus according to Embodiment 3 FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the program extraction device according to the third embodiment. Functional block diagram of a program extraction apparatus according to Embodiment 4 FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the program extracting device according to the fourth embodiment. Functional block diagram of a program extraction device according to Embodiment 5 Specific example of the extraction result output unit FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a program extraction device according to the fifth embodiment. Functional block diagram of a program extraction device according to Embodiment 6 Specific example when adding program attribute information to the extraction result by program attribute information adding means FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the program extraction device according to the sixth embodiment. Functional block diagram of a program extraction device according to Embodiment 7 FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the program extraction device according to the seventh embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

0100 Program Extraction Device 0101 Program Sequence Information Acquisition Unit 0102 Extraction Unit 0203 Keyword Extraction Unit 0204 Similarity Calculation Unit 0205 Similarity Extraction Unit 1006 Avoidance Keyword Holding Unit 1007 Comparison Unit 1408 Close Order Search Unit 1609 Cross Media Sequence Information Acquisition Unit 1610 Cross Media Search means 1811 Extraction result output section 2112 Program attribute information addition means 2413 Extraction result dependent program channel selection control section

Claims (16)

A program sequence information acquisition unit for acquiring program sequence information;
An extraction unit for extracting a program having substantially the same program content based on the program arrangement information;
A program extraction apparatus having The extractor
A keyword extracting means for extracting a keyword of plural program information included in the program arrangement information;
A similarity calculation means for calculating the similarity of the extracted keywords;
Similarity extracting means for extracting programs having substantially the same relationship based on the calculated similarity,
The program extracting device according to claim 1, comprising: The extractor
Repellent keyword holding means for holding repellent keywords;
A comparison means for comparing the extracted keyword with the avoidance keyword,
Have
3. The program extracting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the similarity extracting unit does not use the keyword for program extraction when the comparison result indicates that the comparison result of the comparing unit matches. The extractor
The program extracting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a close order search means for searching for program arrangement information for extraction in order from a program whose broadcast times are close to each other. The program sequence information acquisition unit
Cross media arrangement information acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of program arrangement information corresponding to different media,
The extractor
5. The program extraction according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a cross media search means for cross-searching different types of program arrangement information acquired by the cross media arrangement information acquisition means and extracting substantially the same program. apparatus.   6. The program extracting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an extraction result output unit that outputs an extraction result extracted by the extracting unit. The extraction result output part
7. The program extracting apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising program attribute information adding means for acquiring and adding attribute information of the extracted program from the program arrangement information to the extraction result.   The program extraction apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising an extraction result dependent program channel selection control unit that performs program channel selection control based on an output result of the extraction result output unit. A program sequence information acquisition step for acquiring program sequence information;
An extraction step of extracting programs whose program contents are substantially identical based on the program sequence information;
A program extraction method comprising: The extraction step is
A keyword extraction step of extracting keywords of the multiple program information included in the program arrangement information;
A similarity calculation step for calculating the similarity of the extracted keywords;
A similarity extraction step of extracting programs having substantially the same relationship based on the calculated similarity;
The program extracting method according to claim 9. The extraction step is
A comparison step that compares the extracted keyword with the repellent keyword that it holds,
Have
The program extraction method according to claim 10, wherein the similarity extraction step does not use the keyword for program extraction when the comparison result indicates that the comparison results in the comparison step match. The extraction step is
The program extraction method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a close order search step of searching for a program sequence information for extraction in order from a program whose broadcast times are close to each other. The program sequence information acquisition step includes:
A cross media arrangement information acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of program arrangement information corresponding to different media;
The extraction step is
The program extraction method according to claim 9, further comprising a cross media search step of extracting a substantially identical program by traversing different types of program sequence information acquired in the cross media sequence information acquisition step. .   The program extraction method according to claim 9, further comprising an extraction result output step of outputting the extraction result extracted in the extraction step. The extraction result output step is
The program extraction method according to claim 14, further comprising a program attribute information adding step of acquiring attribute information of the extracted program from the program arrangement information and adding it to the extraction result.   16. The program extraction method according to claim 14, further comprising an extraction result dependent program channel selection control step for performing program channel selection control based on an output result in the extraction result output step.

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