JP2007096605A - Information display method using electronic program guide and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To preferentially display highly recommended information among pieces of information matching preferences of a user who uses an electronic program guide together with program guide data in the electronic program guide or an electronic program list. <P>SOLUTION: Information of the electronic program guide obtained by broadcasting or through a communication line is displayed (92). User use states (93, 94, and 95) of the electronic program guide including information on use time zones (96) are grasped. Content information corresponding to the user use states is gathered (97). The content information is displayed together with the information of the electronic program guide (99). Where, processing (97) for gathering content information mainly in time zones of high view frequencies of the user is carried out according to users preferences and degrees of recommendation that providing sources of content information intend. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display method and apparatus using an electronic program guide.

  In recent years, digital video recorders typified by DVDs have been widely used in place of conventional analog video cassette recorders. In such a digital video recorder, an electronic program guide or an electronic program guide (EPG) or a dynamic electronic program guide (DEPG) can be used for TV broadcast program viewing and program recording.

  By the way, other than the display of the broadcast program, there is a method of using the EPG, and an example is an advertisement providing method using the EPG (see Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2).

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for providing an appropriate advertisement for each user in an EPG, and monitors TV programs, TV channels, or interactions with the EPG, and collects information on user interests. Thus, an advertisement corresponding to the interest is displayed at the same time as the program guide, and an advertisement product and an advertisement service can be ordered. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228867 allows an advertisement to be displayed simultaneously in a horizontal relationship or a vertical relationship with respect to a program guide of an electronic program guide, and products and services can be ordered by selecting the advertisement.
JP2004007850A JP 2004-194344 A

  In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, consideration cannot be given to the recommendation level of information (advertisement etc.) provided to the user (user), and there is room for improvement. That is, there is a disclosure about a mechanism for displaying an advertisement of interest to the user in the program guide and ordering it. However, it is possible to associate (meaning) the importance with respect to a plurality of advertisements and the time zone for displaying the advertisement, or the program There is room for improvement in the method of putting advertisements in the table.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its problems is to extract highly recommended information from a vast amount of information out of information tailored to the user's preference using the electronic program guide. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic program guide or a system capable of displaying the program guide data preferentially in the electronic program list.

  In the information display method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the information (EPGI in FIG. 4) of the electronic program guide obtained through the broadcast and / or communication line is displayed (92 in FIG. 9). The user usage status (93, 94, 95 in FIG. 9) of the electronic program guide is grasped including information on the usage time zone (which time zone belongs, etc.) (96 in FIG. 9). Then, content information corresponding to the user usage status is collected (97 in FIG. 9), and the content information (CI) is displayed together with the information (EPGI) in the electronic program guide (99 in FIG. 9).

  In this (97), a process (97) for collecting the content information according to the preference of the user and / or the recommendation level intended by the provider of the content information, mainly in a time zone in which the user is frequently viewed. Can be done.

  An environment in which information with a high recommendation level can be preferentially displayed simultaneously with the electronic program guide according to the preference of the user and the recommendation level of the information provider, mainly in a time zone with a high viewing frequency, is obtained.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an outline of a recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, recording media (or information storage media) such as DVD-RAM, DVD ± RW, DVD ± R, DVD-ROM (DVD video), CD-RW, CD-R, CD-ROM (music CD), etc. Although shown as an apparatus capable of handling both optical disks and hard disks, these hard disks and optical disks may be replaced (or used together) with other recording media such as semiconductor memory.

  In the configuration of FIG. 1, when each block is roughly divided, the left side shows the main block configuration of the recording system, and the right side shows the main block configuration of the reproduction system. The recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 1 has two types of disk drive units, a disk drive unit 1002 and a hard disk drive unit 2001. The disk drive unit 1002 rotationally drives an optical disk 1001 as a first medium that can construct a video file, and reads and writes information. The disk drive unit 1002 includes a rotation control system, a laser drive system, an optical system, and the like for the optical disk 1001. The hard disk drive unit 2001 drives a hard disk as a second medium.

  The data processor unit 1003 can supply recording data to the disk drive unit 1002 and the hard disk drive unit 2001, and can receive a reproduced signal. The data processor unit 1003 handles recording or reproduction unit data, and includes a buffer circuit, a modulation / demodulation circuit, an error correction unit, and the like.

  Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 1 includes an encoder unit 50 constituting the recording side, a decoder unit 60 constituting the reproducing side, and a microcomputer block 30 for controlling the operation of the apparatus main body as main components. The encoder unit 50 includes a transport stream processing unit and a plurality of MPEG encoders.

  The encoder unit 50 basically includes an analog-to-digital converter for video and audio that digitizes an input analog video signal or analog audio signal, a video encoder, and an audio encoder. Furthermore, a sub-picture encoder that represents subtitles and pictures as bitmap data can be included as appropriate.

  The encoded output from the encoder unit 50 is converted into a predetermined DVD-RAM format by a formatter 51 including a buffer memory (when a digital broadcast transport stream (MPEG2-TS) is recorded as a stream, the format is not converted). This is supplied to the previous data processor unit 1003. Note that the packet elementary stream extracted from the transport stream may be recorded directly on the hard disk of the hard disk drive unit 2001 from the encoder unit 50.

  An external analog video signal and an external analog audio signal from the AV input unit 41a can be input to the encoder unit 50 via a switch (signal selector) 53. In addition, the encoder unit 50 can selectively receive received signal (s) from the terrestrial analog tuner 41b, the terrestrial digital tuner 41c, the satellite BS / CS tuner 41d, and the satellite analog tuner 41e. .

  Here, when the encoder unit 50 includes, for example, two MPEG encoders, a program received by the terrestrial analog tuner 41b is DVD-VR recorded by the hard disk drive unit 2001, and at the same time, a program received by the satellite analog tuner 41e is recorded on the hard disk drive. DVD-VR recording is possible with the unit 2001 or the optical disc 1001. Even when the encoder unit 50 has only one MPEG encoder, the program (MPEG2-TS) received by the terrestrial digital tuner 41c is stream-recorded by the hard disk drive unit 2001 and simultaneously received by the terrestrial analog tuner 41b. It is also possible to view the program while recording the DVD-VR on the hard disk drive unit 2001 or the optical disc 1001.

  The encoder unit 50 can also supply the compressed digital video signal or digital audio signal directly to the formatter 51 when a compressed (encoded) digital video signal or digital audio signal is directly input. The encoder unit 50 can also directly supply the digital video signal and audio signal that have been converted from analog to digital to the video mixing unit 71 and the audio selector 76.

  In the MPEG video encoder included in the encoder unit 50, the digital video signal is compressed at a variable bit rate based on the MPEG2 or MPEG1 standard, and converted into a digital video signal to be recorded on a hard disk or on an optical disk. The digital audio signal is converted into a digital audio signal compressed at a fixed bit rate based on the MPEG or AC-3 standard, or an uncompressed linear PCM digital audio signal.

  When a sub-video signal is input from the AV input unit 41a (for example, a signal input from a DVD video player with an independent output terminal of a sub-video signal), or a DVD video signal having such a data structure is broadcast and is transmitted to a TV When received by the tuner unit 42, the sub-picture signal in the DVD video signal is encoded by the sub-picture encoder (run-length encoding based on the DVD standard) and becomes sub-picture bitmap data.

  The encoded digital video signal, digital audio signal, and sub-picture data are packed by the formatter 51 to become a video pack, an audio pack, and a sub-picture pack, and these are assembled into a format defined by the DVD video standard. (DVD-Video format) or a format (DVD-VR format) defined by the DVD-recording standard. The formatter 51 uses the buffer memory 52 as a work area during the above conversion process.

  The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 receives information formatted in the formatter 51 (packs of video, audio, sub-picture data, etc.) and created management information via a data processor unit 1003 and a hard disk drive unit 2001 and / or a data disk. It can be supplied to the drive unit 1002 and recorded on the hard disk or the optical disc 1001. Further, information recorded on the hard disk or the optical disk 1001 can be recorded on the optical disk 1001 or the hard disk via the data processor unit 1003 and the disk drive unit 1002.

  It is also possible to perform an editing process such as deleting a part of video objects of a plurality of programs recorded on the hard disk or the optical disc 1001 or connecting objects of different programs.

  The microcomputer block 30 includes an MPU (micro processing unit) or CPU (central processing unit), a ROM in which a control program and the like are written, a RAM for providing a work area necessary for program execution, and the like. The microcomputer block 30 receives information on an electronic program guide from an electronic program service of terrestrial analog broadcasting (ADAMS: TV-Asahi Data and Multimedia Service in the Tokyo area) or an electronic program guide (EPG) of terrestrial / satellite digital broadcasting ( (Including various information services as well as broadcast programs). The microcomputer block 30 can be connected to the external network NT via the network interface 30a. Thereby, it is also possible to take in electronic program guide information (DEPG) from an external server (B in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 described later).

  Further, the MPU of the microcomputer block 30 uses a RAM as a work area according to a control program (firmware) stored in the ROM, and detects a defect location, unrecorded area detection, recording information recording position setting, UDF recording, Performs AV address setting and the like. The microcomputer block 30 has an information processing unit necessary to control and control each block of the apparatus, and includes a work RAM 31, a directory detection unit 32, a VMG (total video management information) information creation unit, and a copy. A related information detection unit, a copy and scrambling information processing unit (RDI processing unit), a packet header processing unit, a sequence header processing unit, an aspect ratio information processing unit, and the like are provided. The microcomputer block 30 also includes a management information control unit 34 for recording and a management information control unit 33 for editing.

  Further, the microcomputer block 30 is provided with a series program reservation / recording control unit 35 and a GUI (graphic user interface) screen control unit 36. The operations of the series program reservation / recording control unit 35 and the GUI screen control unit (including an EPG processing unit and a purchase processing unit) 36 will be described later.

  Among the execution results of the MPU of the microcomputer block 30, the contents to be notified to the user are displayed on the display unit 43 of the video data recording / reproducing apparatus or are displayed on the monitor display 3001 by OSD (on-screen display).

  The microcomputer block 30 also has a key input unit 44 for giving an operation signal for operating this apparatus. The key input unit 44 corresponds to, for example, operation switches provided on the main body of the recording / reproducing apparatus or a remote controller. Also, a personal computer connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus by means of wired communication, wireless communication, optical communication, infrared communication, or the like can be used for the operation of the apparatus of FIG. Regardless of the form, when the user operates the key input unit 44, the received or inputted video / audio signal is recorded, the recorded content or the optical disc is reproduced, or the recorded content is edited. Processing can be performed.

  The timing at which the microcomputer block 30 controls the disk drive unit 1002, the hard disk drive unit 2001, the data processor unit 1003, the encoder unit 50, and / or the decoder unit 60 is time data from an STC (system time clock) 38. Can be performed based on. Recording and playback operations are normally executed in synchronization with the time clock from the STC 38, but other processes may be executed at a timing independent of the STC 38.

  Although not shown, the decoder unit 60 separates and extracts each pack from a DVD format signal having a pack structure, a memory used when performing pack separation and other signal processing, and main video data separated by the separator. V decoder that decodes (contents of video pack), sub-picture decoder that decodes sub-picture data (sub-picture pack contents) separated by a separator, and audio data (audio pack contents) separated by a separator And an A decoder for decoding. The decoder unit 60 also includes a video processor that appropriately synthesizes the decoded sub-video with the decoded main video and outputs a menu, a highlight button, subtitles, and other sub-videos superimposed on the main video.

  The output video signal of the decoder unit 60 is input to the video mixing unit 71. In the video mixing unit 71, for example, text data is synthesized. The video mixing unit 71 is also connected to a line that directly takes in a signal from the TV tuner or the AV input unit 41a. A frame memory 72 used as a buffer is connected to the video mixing unit 71. When the output of the video mixing unit 71 is an analog output, it is output to the outside via an I / F (interface) 73, and when it is a digital output, it is output to the outside via a digital / analog converter 74.

  The output audio signal of the decoder unit 60 is analog-converted by the digital-analog converter 77 via the selector 76 and output to the outside. The selector 76 is controlled by a select signal from the microcomputer block 30. Thus, the selector 76 can directly select a signal that has passed through the encoder unit 50 when directly monitoring digital signals from the TV tuners 41b to 41e and the AV input unit 41a.

  Note that the formatter 51 of the encoder unit 50 creates each piece of segmentation information during recording and periodically sends it to the MPU of the microcomputer block 30 (information at the time of GOP head interrupt, etc.). The segmentation information includes the number of VOBU packs, the end address of the I picture from the beginning of the VOBU, and the playback time of the VOBU.

  At the same time, information from the aspect information processing unit is sent to the MPU at the start of recording, and the MPU creates VOB stream information (STI). Here, the STI stores resolution data, aspect data, and the like, and at the time of reproduction, each decoder unit is initialized based on this information.

  In this apparatus, one video file is recorded on a DVD. In order to continue playback without interruption while accessing (seeking) data, a minimum continuous information unit (size) is determined. This unit is called CDA (Contiguous Data Area). The CDA size is a multiple of an ECC (error correction code) block (16 sectors), and the file system records in this CDA unit.

  The data processor unit 1003 receives data in VOBU units from the formatter of the encoder unit 50 and supplies data in CDA units to the disk drive unit 1002 or the hard disk drive unit 2001. Further, the MPU of the microcomputer block 30 creates management information necessary for reproducing the recorded data. When the MPU recognizes a data recording end command, it sends the created management information to the data processor unit 1003. Thereby, the management information is recorded on the disc. Therefore, when encoding is performed, the MPU of the microcomputer block 30 receives data unit information (eg, segmentation information) from the encoder unit 50. The MPU of the microcomputer block 30 recognizes the management information (file system) read from the optical disk and the hard disk at the start of recording, recognizes the unrecorded area of each disk, and sets the data processor area to the data processor unit 1003. Is set to disk via.

  The recording system of the apparatus of FIG. 1 includes means (36) for performing processing for displaying information of an electronic program guide obtained via broadcasting and / or a communication line, and a broadcast program or information corresponding to the information of the electronic program guide. Means (50 to 51, 1001 to 1003, 2001) for performing processing for recording a program, and means (37) for performing processing for grasping the user usage status of the electronic program guide including information on the usage time zone. Means (37) for performing processing for collecting content information according to the user usage status, and means (36) for performing processing for displaying the content information (CI) together with information (EPGI) in the electronic program guide. I have.

  In addition, the reproduction system of the apparatus of FIG. 1 includes means (36) for performing processing for displaying electronic information obtained via broadcasting and / or communication lines, and an information storage medium (1001 or 2001) on which a video program is recorded. ) (1001 to 1003, 60 to 77), a means (37) for processing to grasp the user usage status of the electronic information including information on the usage time zone, and the user Means (37) for performing processing for collecting content information according to the usage status, and means (36) for performing processing for displaying the content information (CI) together with the electronic information (EPGI).

  Further, when the viewpoint is changed, the video receiving apparatus such as a digital TV including the main part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 performs a process of displaying information of the electronic program guide obtained through the broadcast and / or communication line ( 36), tuners (41b to 41e) for receiving broadcasts, and a monitor for displaying on screen the video of information processed by the means (36) for performing the display and / or the video of broadcasts received by the tuner (3001), means (37) for performing processing for grasping the user usage status of the electronic program guide including information on the usage time zone, and processing for collecting content information corresponding to the user usage status Means (37) and means (3) for displaying the content information (CI) on the monitor (3001) together with the information (EPGI) of the electronic program guide ) And it can be configured with a.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an overview of the remote controller 20. Main operation keys will be described. 20a is a power key for turning on / off the power, and 20b is a program navigation key for starting program navigation. (20b may be used as a top menu key for displaying a top menu screen.) The menu key 20c is an operation key operated when displaying a menu recorded on a medium such as a DVD. 20DE is an enter key, and 20UP, 20DW, 20R, and 20L are cursor operation keys for moving the cursor up, down, right, and left, respectively.

  Next, a characteristic configuration and operation regarding an operation using display of the electronic program guide in the apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described. When the program navigation key (top menu key) 20 b is operated, a main menu (guidance screen) as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the monitor 3001 under the control of the screen control unit 36. In the main menu of FIG. 3, “program guide”, “recording reservation list”, “My genre program list”, “recommended service”, “favorite program list”, “series program list” and the like are displayed as items. In the main menu of FIG. 3, when the cursor key of the remote controller 20 is operated to select, for example, “program guide” and the enter key 20DE is pressed, the screen display is changed to that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a program table that can be shifted from the main menu of FIG. In the program guide screen of FIG. 4, the electronic program guide information EPGI obtained via the broadcast and / or communication line, the date and time information DI corresponding to the display contents, and the usage status of the user who uses this program guide. The content information CI that can be prepared is displayed. In this display example, TV broadcast programs for 5 stations (EPGI compatible) are illustrated in the broadcast time zone (DI compatible) from 9:00 am to 12:00 on October 22, 2005, for example, and related sales products / Rental product advertisements (CI compatible) are displayed on the same screen.

  The user who saw this screen was planning to make a recording reservation for the old movie “Moon Wars Episode 2” scheduled to be broadcast from 10 o'clock on October 22, for example. Since there was a DVD sale advertisement, it can be a feeling to buy the DVD video disc. If this happens, you can apply for the DVD disc at the Internet shop from the same screen, or go to a nearby video shop to purchase the DVD disc. By the way, you can see the rental start advertisement of another topical work “Howl's Moving House”, so you can expect to see the rental software.

  In this case, content providers, merchandise distributors, etc. who have been informed in advance about which programs will be broadcast by which broadcasting station during the broadcast time zone from 9:00 am to 12:00 on October 22, 2005, The same program guide screen as a part of the content information CI includes advertisements of other products and / or software (video / music programs) that are likely to be of interest to users who are interested in the aired program. It is possible to apply to the creator of the electronic program guide (such as an industry affiliated company related to the advertising agency) so that it is displayed on the screen. In this way, it is possible to perform an advertisement with a high advertising effect more efficiently than repeatedly broadcasting a commercial video randomly (with the idea of a formula that hits a lot of guns).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a program list that can be shifted from the main menu of FIG. This figure exemplifies a program list (recommended list related to putting) obtained when, for example, rock singer “putting” is input as a specific keyword in the keyword setting of the main menu. Here, the contents shown in the figure are illustrated as recommended programs and advertisements obtained with “putting” as a specific keyword. That is, “Putting the Document 2005” is displayed as a document program in which Putting appears, along with the broadcasting station and its broadcast time zone, and the legendary rock group “Paris” where Putting tried to lead and the hit song of Putting himself A comprehensive “The Best Years” advertisement is displayed along with the rental start date and rental fee of the DVD software.

  In addition, this recommended list shows advertisements for “Paris” concert video “Single Concert” along with the start date and time of the paid download of the DVD software, and advertisements for “Birthday Concert” that was put out after Paris dissolved. It is displayed along with the sales start date and time of DVD software. For example, if the user wants to see “Paris and Putting The Best Years”, the user can apply for the rental from the screen of FIG. 5 or go to the rental shop in the neighborhood on the rental start date (the present invention). An example of a business model according to an embodiment of FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a software purchase screen that can be shifted from the display of FIG. 4 or 5. For example, if the program navigation (the entire service screen of the electronic program guide in FIG. 4 or the recommended list in FIG. 5) includes a DVD sales advertisement for a “putting” video clip, the remote controller operation in FIG. When the user moves the cursor and presses the enter button, a putting purchase guidance screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. Alternatively, if the program navigation includes a music video DVD sales advertisement of “BAAB”, the cursor is moved to the advertisement portion by operating the remote controller and the enter button is pressed, and the BAAB purchase guidance screen 610 of FIG. 6 is displayed. The

  When the user wants to know other title information of “putting” or “BAAB”, the related title can be searched and displayed by the cursor operation of the remote controller. When the user wants to purchase a DVD having the displayed title, for example, the user selects a purchase icon from the putting purchase guide screen 600 shown in FIG. Then, for example, a DVD of a “putting” video clip can be delivered to the user's home from the seller by courier service (payment on delivery) (another example of the business model according to the embodiment of the present invention).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a movie appreciation ticket purchase screen that can be shifted from the display of FIG. 4 or FIG. For example, if a user who knows “Howl's Moving House” from the advertisement of the program navigation shown in FIG. 4 wants to see it in a movie theater rather than watching it in a home video, (if appropriate, the movie theater that performs the movie) The movie appreciation ticket can be purchased from the user's screen (after searching) (a further example of a business model according to an embodiment of the present invention).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a system configuration to which the recording / reproducing method according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. In this system, the first client device (DVD recorder or the like) A1 and / or the second client device (digital TV or the like) A2 is appropriately connected to the server B via the network NT such as the Internet. ing. Server B provides a program guide (EPG), provides content information (CI), analyzes client data, and the like. Further, the client device A1 performs the operation of the device (the operation of the CD / DVD playback device 941, the recording on the recording medium 1201 such as the HDD or DVD-R / RW / RAM, the display on the GUI display system (monitor) 991). Data storage unit (database) 911 for storing information on user operations via the server B or storing information from the server B. Further, the client device A2 performs the operation of the device (the operation of the TV tuner and the video processing unit 942, the recording on the recording medium 1202 such as the HDD or DVD-R / RW / RAM, the display on the GUI display system (monitor) 992). The data storage unit (database) 912 that stores information on a user operation via the server B or stores information from the server B is provided.

In the system configuration of FIG. 8, the client device (A1 / A2) side is configured to have the following functions:
-Integrated display of non-broadcasting content and service information, with program table, program list, program search operation functions and display interface functions;
-With user settings and server-side settings (users can also make server settings), it has the ability to specify display / non-display of specific content and services, display order, display information amount, and display content;
・ Has a database that stores user preferences;
・ Recording reservation, execution of reservation, playback of recorded content, deletion of recorded content, saving of recorded content to portable media (DVD-R / RW / RAM, etc.), management of library (metadata) information, CD / It has the function of reproducing portable media such as DVDs, and further storing contents and service purchase history information, information search, automatic search keywords, etc. and / or server transmission;
-It has a function capable of automatically or manually acquiring information recommended by a content provider or a merchandise distributor and / or information required by a user from a server.

Further, in the system configuration of FIG. 8, the server (B) side is configured to have the following functions:
・ Has a function to identify clients;
・ Has a function to store client information;
・ Has a function to store and transmit program data for the program guide system;
・ Has a function to collect and store various content data other than program data;
-Analyzes and associates the accumulated client information with various content information, adds recommendations, and delivers to clients;
・ Has functions that can handle content purchases and rental applications from clients;
・ Has a billing system.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation example (an operation procedure example) of the system configuration of FIG.

[Operation overview]
<1> Client device (A1 / A2) side • Acquires and stores program guide data from the server B side (91) and identifies the program based on the unique channel code and date / time information from the program guide data Possible recording reservation information is accumulated (91-93, 96). The accumulated data is periodically transmitted to the server (d);
-Accumulate metadata (information acquired using a data service such as CDDB) of commercial software such as DVD and CD viewed by the user (94, 96);
Accumulate keywords for automatic search specified by the user (95, 96);
-Transmit the above usage information to the server continuously and periodically (d);
-Send supplementary information to the server as necessary, such as device usage area, gender, age / age, blood type, constellation (d).

<2> Server (B) side-A client is specified from device information and incidental information;
-The user's preference is specified by the updated recording reservation information, keywords, DVD, CD, and other metadata from the client (97);
The content information is extracted from the content information collected by the server and the content information such as DVDBB according to the preference specified by the client. Furthermore, a weight degree (recommendation degree) is added to the content information according to the user's preference tendency. Then, the content information CI is transmitted to the client device A as one of the program guide information in which the time zone / display area is specified based on the usage frequency of the client, the recording frequency, and the like (f).

<3> Client device (A1 / A2) side-Integrated user interface (UI) by program guide / program list interface
Display the transmitted program information (including content information CI). At that time, according to the whole, genre, content type, specific keyword, and specific theme, contents and service information are displayed in a program table format and a program list format (99);
・ The following various elements can be displayed in a list or narrowed down by inserting them into a normal program table (see Fig. 5);
・ Cycle display of various elements;
・ Direct links from various displayed elements and jump to multiple item list in program list format;
-Switch display mode with a single button;
By selecting content information, rental, purchase, download, etc. can be performed (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

  Next, a specific operation example (operation procedure example) of the system configuration of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

The client downloads program data (90) (91);
-The client records a TV broadcast of “Mika Nakajima” from the program guide (92) (93) → data accumulation (96);
・ The client plays and listens to “Mika Nakajima” on CD (94) → data acquisition from CDDB → data accumulation (96);
・ The client registers “Mika Nakajima” as a keyword (95) → Data accumulation (96);
Sending the stored data (96) to the server (d);
-The server analyzes client preferences (97) and extracts "Mika Nakajima";
・ Collect information about “Mika Nakajima” from content information and add recommendation (97):
“Mika Nakajima” concert ticket release recommendation Large “Mika Nakajima” live DVD purchase recommendation Medium “Mika Nakajima” new album release information Recommendation small
-Send content information to the client (f);
・ In the client's program guide, according to the degree of recommendation, to the designated area ““ Mika Nakajima ”concert ticket release” → “Mika Nakajima live DVD purchase” → “Mika Nakajima” new album release information ”…
Display in the order (98, 99);
When the client selects “Live DVD” by operating the remote controller and presses the determination button on the remote controller, the screen transitions to a purchase screen (see FIG. 6, FIG. 7, etc.). From this purchase screen, the user can purchase his / her favorite software (product) (download paid software, purchase a desired disk, purchase a desired ticket, etc.) or apply for rental (111-113; 110, 120).

  As the purchase processing here, although not shown in the figure, a microphone terminal or the like is added to the client side so that purchase can be performed in units of karaoke songs (the same data as the karaoke box).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of data creation processing with recommendation level processing in the example of FIG. Here, information with a high recommendation level is displayed simultaneously with the electronic program guide according to the user's preference and the recommendation level of the information provider, mainly in a time zone with a high viewing frequency.

  That is, the program content analysis (music program, drama program, animation program, political economy program, etc.) with high user viewing frequency and / or recording frequency is performed (step ST970). Based on the analysis results (for example, a program that is frequently viewed by the user is a love drama broadcast at 9 pm that is expected to have a high audience rating for young women), the product that is likely to be of interest to the user The content provider gives a high recommendation to (for example, cosmetics for single women in their 20s and 30s) (a large weight is given to the broadcast time zone of such a program) (step ST972).

Example: Content information = young woman targeting lotion (supplier recommended product)
Time zone with high user viewing frequency = drama broadcast time zone from 9 to 10 pm.

  In this way, the process (97) of collecting content information is performed according to the preference of the user and / or the recommendation level intended by the provider of the content information, with a focus on a time zone in which the user is frequently viewed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the date / time interlocking process associated with the display of the electronic program guide in the example of FIG. Here, the display content is linked to the date and time of the program guide. That is, the date / time information corresponding to the display content is acquired from the information of the electronic program guide (step ST990), and predetermined content information is displayed together with the information of the electronic program guide for a certain period including the acquired date / time (step ST992).

Example: Content information = Concert ticket on sale starting at 10:00 am on September 15 Electronic program guide = 12:00 am on September 8 to 12:00 am on September 15 Electronic program guide display = 12:00 to 9 am on September 8 The advertisement of “Concert Ticket that will be on sale on September 15th at 10:00 am” will be displayed until 12:00 am on March 15.

  In other words, if there is a sale date such as a concert ticket, before and after the release date, before and after the release time is linked with the program schedule display date and time by the content information.

  In this way, the electronic program guide (FIG. 4) includes the date and time information (DI) corresponding to the display content, and the process (99) for displaying the content information (CI) together with the information (EPGI) of the electronic program guide. It is configured to be linked to date information (DI) included in the electronic program guide.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of processing linked to the importance of the time zone of the electronic program guide in the example of FIG. Here, the display contents are linked to the importance of the time zone of the program guide. That is, the daily broadcast time zone is divided, and weight points according to the divided broadcast time zones are given (the golden time increases the weight point) (step ST980). Then, the recording / viewing / purchase processing in the broadcast time zone with a high weighting point highly evaluates the user usage status (step ST982).

Example: Broadcasting hours = 7 to 10 pm (golden time) with a weight of “2”
Broadcasting hours = Weight is “0” except from 7pm to 10pm
In this way, the electronic program guide (FIG. 4) includes a correspondence relationship between the broadcast time zone and the broadcast program, and the broadcast time zone is weighted to give importance to a specific time zone of the day, and is relatively weighted. The time zone with a large value is configured so as to highly evaluate the user usage status (98).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of processing linked to the importance of the program time zone reserved for recording and / or viewing by the user in the example of FIG. Here, the display content is linked to the importance of the time zone when the user has recorded (reserved) or viewed (reserved). In other words, in a broadcast time zone to which a broadcast program reserved for recording or viewing by a user belongs, a weighting degree that increases the importance depending on whether the reservation method is repetitive (weekly reservation) or single (one time reservation). Points are added (step ST984). Then, the recording reservation / viewing reservation processing in the broadcast time zone with a high weighting point highly evaluates the user usage status (step ST986). That is, the importance is given to the time zone of the program guide, and the content is displayed in conjunction with the importance.

Example 1: Basic Golden time (19: 00-22: 00) is weighted more than other times:
Example 20: 00-22: 00 Time Weight 2
Other time other than the above Weight 0
Specific example 2: The time reserved by the user is memorized, and a weight is given. In order to see the program table well during this time period:
Example: Reserving weekly times from 18: 00-19: 00 Weight +2 addition
Single time reservation for the time of 25: 00-26: 00 Weighting degree +1 Addition of the weighting degree by time zone from the information of the above specific examples 1 and 2, and display the recommended content by this, weighting degree by time zone Display in descending order. An example will be described below with the time axis extracted.

[Time axis (degree of weight) ]
[18: 00-20: 00 (2) ] [20: 00-22: 00 (4) ] [22: 00-24: 00 (3) ] [24: 00-26: 00 (1) ]…
Here, when the recommended level of content (recommended level) is A, B, or C (A is superior), the following display can be made.

[Time axis (weight) <Recommendation / Recommendation> ]
[18: 00-20: 00 (2) <C> ] [20: 00-22: 00 (4) <A> ] [22: 00-24: 00 (3) <B> ] [24:00- 26:00 (1)]…
As described above, content (from the standpoint of commercial success or industrial development) is more weighted by weighting by time zone (2, 4, 3,...) And content recommendation <D, A, B,. It can be efficiently arranged in the program guide.

  In this way, the electronic program guide (FIG. 4) includes a correspondence relationship between the broadcast time zone and the broadcast program, and a reservation method is provided in the broadcast time zone to which the broadcast program reserved for recording or viewing (93) by the user belongs. Depending on whether it is repeatable (reserved weekly) or single (reserved once), weighting is added to increase the importance. The relatively heavy weighting time zone is configured to highly evaluate the user usage status (98).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of processing for preferentially displaying content information having a high recommendation level on the screen of the electronic program guide in the example of FIG. 9. Here, in the display of the electronic program guide, the display of content information having a high recommendation level is linked to a time zone with a high weight. That is, in the electronic program guide display in the broadcast time zone in which the user usage status is highly evaluated, content information with a high recommendation level is preferentially displayed on the electronic program guide (step ST988).

  Example: Broadcasting time zone = When the movie “Moon Wars Episode 2” from 10:00 am to 12:00 is scheduled to be recorded, and this time zone has a relatively high weight value, an electronic including this time zone An advertisement for the related new movie “Moon Wars Episode 3” is displayed on the program guide (as a push product from the content provider or distributor).

  In this way, when there are a high recommendation level and a relatively low recommendation level as the recommendation level of the content information provider, display of the electronic program guide (FIG. 4) in the broadcast time zone in which the user usage status is highly evaluated. Then, content information with a high recommendation level is configured to be displayed (99) on the electronic program guide (FIG. 4).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of processing linked to the recording / viewing tendency of the user in the example of FIG. Here, the display content is linked to the user's tendency to view recorded images. That is, the user's usage situation including the user's recording / viewing tendency data indicating which broadcast program of which broadcast channel of which broadcast time period was recorded or viewed, or what program source was reproduced or viewed. Accumulate (step ST960). Then, content information corresponding to the accumulated user usage information is collected, and at least a part of the collected content information is displayed on the electronic program guide (step ST994).

Example 1: When the user makes a recording reservation for “Moon Wars Episode 2” from the electronic program guide of FIG. 4, the following information is accumulated each time as user usage status information (recording / viewing content and frequency collection)
Genre = Movie, Movie Director: John Marcus Keyword = Moon Wars, Darth Boyder Example 2: When a user watches a DVD video of “Moon Wars Episode 1” with the device of FIG. As each time (In this case, the playback frequency is counted and used for weighting if the playback frequency is high)
Genre = Movie, Movie Director: John Marcus Keyword = Moon Wars, Anokin, Force Content information is searched from the information (genre, director, keyword) in Examples 1 and 2, and the hit content is shown in the electronic program guide (Fig. 4). Show in example):
・ "Moon Wars Episode 3: DVD release information"
・ “Moon Wars Episode 4 (not shown in FIG. 4)… DVD rental information”
・ "All about Moon Wars ... Book Guide"
・ "Moon Wars Soundtrack ... CD Information"
Purchase and rental are possible from each of the above.

  In this way, the electronic program guide (FIG. 4) includes the correspondence relationship between the broadcast time zone, the broadcast channel, and the broadcast program, and which broadcast program of which broadcast channel of which broadcast time zone the user has recorded or viewed ( 93), or information on the user usage status is stored (96), including the content of what program source (CD / DVD) is played or viewed (94). Content information corresponding to the accumulated user usage information is collected (97), and at least a part of the content information (CI) is displayed together with information (EPGI) of the electronic program guide (99). The

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of a process linked to a program name or a program name in the example of FIG. Here, the display content is linked to the program name. That is, program guide data is acquired from a broadcast and / or communication line or the like (step ST974). Then, among the broadcast program names or program names displayed in the electronic program guide using the acquired program guide data, predetermined content information is displayed in the vicinity of those related to the contents (step ST976).

Example: Linked to the broadcast program name displayed in the electronic program guide of FIG. 4 The content (Moon Wars Episode 3 DVD) hit in the search near the program guide of “Moon Wars Episode 2” reserved for recording Display sales information).

  In this way, at least part of the content information (CI) displayed together with the information (EPGI) of the electronic program guide (for example, “Moon Wars Episode 3” is released) is displayed on the electronic program guide. The program name or the program name is displayed in the vicinity of the program name (for example, “Moon Wars Episode 2”) related to at least a part of the contents (FIG. 4).

  Actually, it can be displayed in the program table in consideration of a plurality of conditions exemplified in the explanation of FIGS. This service is unique for each user (one or a plurality of users) of each device having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 8 (because of recording preference or time zone preference). Therefore, the service presented to the user in FIG. 4 and other examples has the same service provision mechanism, but the contents of the service are not common to all devices.

  In addition, it is performed on the client device side in FIG. 8 until the keyword is collected and weighted, and when the information is transmitted to the server, the client device searches the content and sets the recommendation level on the server side. Can be downloaded to the side.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of processing for purchasing desired contents or products from the screen display of the electronic program guide in the example of FIG. Here, the display content is linked to the purchase process (111 to 113 in FIG. 9). That is, a dialog or icon for accepting a distribution target user application related to the content displayed in the electronic program guide is displayed (step ST994). When a dialog or icon for accepting a user application is selected / determined, a site for distributing the corresponding distribution target (for example, one of 111 to 113 in FIG. 9) is accessed (step ST996).

  In this way, the content information (CI) displayed together with the information (EPGI) of the electronic program guide is distributed (““ Moon Wars Episode 2 ”) related to the content displayed on the electronic program guide (“ The part that accepts user applications for DVD discs sold in the cell of “Moon Wars Episode 3”, DVD discs for rental of “Howl's Moving House”, movie viewing tickets for “Howl's Moving House”, etc. (dialog in FIG. 7) Box [purchase] etc.).

(Summary 1 of embodiment)
01. Add significance to multiple advertisements and the time zone for displaying them, and insert advertisements in the program guide;
02. Display in the program guide advertisements of interest of users found by the search service;
However, the displayed program name and advertisement need not be directly related;
03. Give meaning to the importance of the advertisement and the time zone to display it;
04. Make a reservation by selecting a program and making a purchase by selecting an advertisement.

(Summary 2 of embodiment)
11. Make it possible to see various related information when viewing the program guide (no need to search)
12. The user only has to set the keyword once, and by combining with the automatic search function, it is possible to narrow down the target to be displayed preferentially for various information as well as broadcasting;
13. With the same easy procedure as recording reservation, it is possible to purchase with various services and apply for rental.

(Summary 3 of embodiment)
In a device / system that can display an electronic program guide, has a recording / content holding function, and has a server communication function,
21. Information that suits the user's preference using the electronic program guide can be displayed in an integrated manner, and highly recommended information can be preferentially displayed in the program guide or program list from a large amount of content information. Provide a system that can display simultaneously.

  22. Content other than the program schedule to be displayed in the electronic program guide, advertisements, ticket purchases, etc. are weighted to the time zone, and content information other than broadcast that is not related to the time zone of the program guide is frequently viewed The band is displayed in the electronic program guide according to the user's preference and the recommendation level of the information provider.

Specific display methods include the following:
a) Linked with the program schedule date and time;
b) Give importance to the time zone of the program schedule and link it to that importance;
(Example: Golden frames that are frequently recorded and viewed are highly important)
c) linked to the user's tendency to watch recorded video;
d) Link to the broadcast program name displayed in the program guide;
e) Displayed in conjunction with the above multiple conditions a) to d).

For the display,
-By displaying a display other than the broadcast channel (such as an advertiser) in the broadcast channel column of the program guide / program list, the user is made aware that the information is information other than the program guide data;
・ In order to distinguish program data / other data (ex: advertisement) in one program frame, it is distinguished by icon, display color, display character string, etc .;
-In addition to the recorded display, it also provides a display of purchases and in progress.

  23. Make it possible for the information provider to specify the above linkage method. In addition, the advertisement fee can be changed according to the designation of the interlocking method.

  24. Using content information displayed in an electronic program guide (matrix display: “program guide”) or a program list using program guide data (list display: “program list”), Purchasing commercial DVD / CD software cell sales, rentals, DVDBB services (cell content cell sales, rentals, viewing contracts provided on the network), content goods, movie appreciation tickets, event tickets, etc. Is provided with a unified interface.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention or a future implementation stage based on the technology available at that time. It is. In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some configuration requirements are deleted from all the configuration requirements shown in the embodiment, a configuration from which these configuration requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

The figure explaining the structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus (information display apparatus using an electronic program guide) concerning one embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining an example of the remote controller which can be used for operation of the apparatus of FIG. The figure explaining the example of a display screen of the main menu obtained by the method (information display method using an electronic program guide) concerning one embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the example of a display of the program schedule which can be transferred from the main menu of FIG. The figure explaining the example of a display of the program list which can transfer from the main menu of FIG. The figure explaining the example of a display of the software purchase screen which can transfer from the display of FIG. 4 or FIG. The figure explaining the example of a display of the movie appreciation ticket purchase screen which can transfer from the display of FIG. 4 or FIG. The figure explaining an example of the system configuration to which the recording / reproducing method concerning one embodiment of this invention is applied. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation example (an operation procedure example) of the system configuration in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of data creation processing with recommendation level processing in the example of FIG. 9; FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of date / time linkage processing associated with display of an electronic program guide in the example of FIG. 9; The flowchart figure explaining the specific example of the process linked | linked with the importance of the time slot | zone of an electronic program guide in the example of FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of processing linked to the importance level of a program time zone in which the user reserves recording and / or viewing reservation in the example of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of processing for preferentially displaying content information with a high recommendation level on the screen of the electronic program guide in the example of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of processing linked to a user's recording / viewing tendency in the example of FIG. 9; FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a specific example of processing associated with a program name or a program name in the example of FIG. 9. The flowchart figure explaining the specific example of the process which purchases desired content or goods from the screen display of an electronic program guide in the example of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  30 ... microcomputer block; 35 ... series program reservation / recording control unit; 36 ... GUI screen control unit (EPG processing unit / purchase processing unit); 37 ... information storage / information analysis / data collection / weighting / recommendation level processing unit 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e ... tuner; 3001 ... monitor.

Claims (12)

Display information of the electronic program guide obtained via broadcasting and / or communication lines,
Understanding the user usage status of the electronic program guide, including information on the usage time zone,
Collect content information according to the user usage status,
Displaying the content information together with information of the electronic program guide;
Information display method using electronic program guide.   Claims configured to collect the content information according to a user's preference and / or a recommendation level intended by the provider of the content information, mainly in a time zone when the user's viewing frequency is high. The method according to 1. The electronic program guide includes date and time information corresponding to the display content,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the process of displaying the content information together with the information of the electronic program guide is configured to be linked with date information included in the electronic program guide.   The electronic program guide includes a correspondence relationship between a broadcast time zone and a broadcast program, and the broadcast time zone is weighted to give importance to a specific time zone of the day, and the relatively heavy weight time zone is the user The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method is configured to highly evaluate a use situation.   The electronic program guide includes a correspondence relationship between a broadcast time zone and a broadcast program, and the broadcast time zone to which the broadcast program reserved for recording or viewing by the user belongs depends on whether the reservation method is repetitive or single-shot. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein weighting for increasing importance is added, and a time zone with relatively large weight is configured to highly evaluate the user usage status. .   In the case where there are a high recommendation level and a relatively low recommendation level as a recommendation level of the content information provider, the high recommendation is displayed in the display of the electronic program guide in the broadcast time zone in which the user usage status is highly evaluated. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the content information of the degree is configured to be displayed on the electronic program guide. The electronic program guide includes a correspondence relationship between a broadcast time zone, a broadcast channel, and a broadcast program, and the user has recorded or viewed which broadcast program of which broadcast channel in which broadcast time zone, or what program source is played back or viewed. Including information on whether or not the user has been used,
Collecting the content information corresponding to the accumulated user usage information;
The method according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the content information is displayed together with information of the electronic program guide.   The at least part of the content information displayed together with the information of the electronic program guide is in the vicinity of the broadcast program name or program name displayed in the electronic program guide that is related to the at least part of the content The method of claim 7, configured to be displayed on the screen.   9. The content information displayed together with the information of the electronic program guide is configured to include a portion for accepting a user application to be distributed related to the content displayed in the electronic program guide. The method of any one of these. Means for performing processing for displaying information of an electronic program guide obtained via broadcasting and / or communication lines;
Means for recording a broadcast program or program corresponding to the information of the electronic program guide;
Means for performing processing for grasping a user usage status of the electronic program guide including information on a usage time zone thereof;
Means for collecting content information according to the user usage status;
And a means for displaying the content information together with information of the electronic program guide. Means for performing processing to display electronic information obtained via broadcast and / or communication lines;
Means for performing processing for reproducing an information storage medium in which a video program is recorded;
Means for performing processing for grasping a user usage status of the electronic information including information on a usage time zone thereof;
Means for collecting content information according to the user usage status;
A playback device comprising means for performing processing for displaying the content information together with the electronic information. Means for performing processing for displaying information of an electronic program guide obtained via broadcasting and / or communication lines;
A tuner that receives the broadcast;
A monitor for displaying on the screen a video of information processed by the means for performing the display and / or a video of broadcast received by the tuner;
Means for performing processing for grasping a user usage status of the electronic program guide including information on a usage time zone thereof;
Means for collecting content information according to the user usage status;
And a means for displaying the content information together with the information of the electronic program guide on the monitor.

Images