JP2007158511A - Controller, receiver, recorder, information providing apparatus, information providing system, control method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a controller for providing an output for recognizing a matter of digital contents going to be displayed from now. <P>SOLUTION: The controller 40 controls a contents output processing section 26 for acquiring the digital contents 10 and an identifier for identifying the digital contents and outputting the digital contents 10. The controller 40 includes: an associated information acquisition section 34 for acquiring contents associated information 12 for acquiring contents associated information 12 corresponding to the identifier; and an output adjustment section 42 for controlling the contents output processing section 26 so that the contents output processing section 26 outputs the contents associated information 12 at least for part of a period from the reception of an output instruction of the digital contents 10 until an output is started. Thus, the controller is effective to a so-called zap view or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device, a receiving device, a recording device, an information providing device, an information providing system, a control method, a program, and a recording medium for digital content signal output such as video and audio.

  Conventionally, in digital broadcasting, a method in which video data is compressed by MPEG-2 (Motion Picture Experts Group-2), packetized, and transmitted is widely used. In MPEG-2, image data is subjected to DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) conversion, thereby converting the data into the frequency domain and compression encoding. Furthermore, the data is compression encoded by encoding the difference from the motion compensated adjacent frame or field.

  Each picture used in MPEG-2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the state of each image data when digital content is encoded and decoded. In MPEG-2, there are three types of pictures: I picture, P picture, and B picture. An I picture is a picture encoded in the same frame or field.

  A P picture is a picture obtained by performing forward prediction from the same frame or field and encoding a difference. The B picture is a picture obtained by performing bi-directional prediction from two past and future frames and encoding a difference. The B picture not only uses the past I picture or P picture as a reference screen for prediction, but also uses the future I picture or P picture as a reference screen for prediction. Therefore, the I picture and the P picture are processed first, and the B picture between the I picture and the P picture is processed later.

  In FIG. 7, a description will be given of a procedure of processing for obtaining a reproduction moving image sequence by performing encoding for encoding an input moving image sequence and performing decoding for decoding encoded data again.

  The B picture before the I picture needs to be output for buffering until the I picture is encoded. In FIG. 7, the B pictures of B0 and B1 need to be temporarily stored in the buffer and wait for output until the I picture of I2 is encoded. Similarly, the B picture of B3 and B4 needs to be temporarily stored in the buffer and output until the P picture of P5 is encoded.

  Similarly, encoding is performed in the order of I2, B0, B1, P5, B3, B4. That is, on the encoder side, after skipping the B picture and processing the next I picture and P picture first, the B picture in between is processed.

  On the other hand, when the encoded data is received in the order of I2, B0, B1, P5, B3, B4... As shown in FIG. I do. However, since the screen output of I2 is kept waiting until B0, which is the first image in the order of the input images, can be reproduced, a delay of one frame occurs. That is, on the decoder side, the B picture is decoded and output immediately, but the I picture and the P picture are output after the processing of the next several B pictures even after decoding, so that the screen output is performed. A delay occurs.

  For this reason, when the user switches the channel while viewing the digital broadcast, the video after the channel switching is not output immediately, but a little time is required until the video after the switching is output to the display device. Take it. The above-described time places a psychological burden on the user that the user must wait until the video is output. Therefore, it is not suitable for so-called zapping viewing, in which content is viewed while switching channels one after another.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a digital broadcast television receiver that outputs a still image that connects a channel before switching and a channel after switching to an output waiting time due to channel switching.

  In the above-mentioned digital broadcast television receiver, the still image before the channel switching gradually decreases on the screen until the video after the switching is displayed when the channel is switched, and then the channel after the channel switching. A video showing how the video gradually grows is displayed. By filling the time required for channel switching with the above-described series of screen output processes, the user's psychological burden due to the length of the channel switching time is reduced.

Further, the digital broadcast television receiver of Patent Document 1 creates a plurality of images using a plurality of image data before channel switching stored in a memory, and displays the moving image at the time of channel switching. Thereby, the user's psychological burden due to the length of the channel switching time is reduced by filling the time required for the channel switching.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-135396 (published on May 20, 1997)

  However, the digital broadcast television receiver disclosed in Patent Document 1 processes the images before channel switching stored in the memory, creates a plurality of images that are gradually reduced, and outputs them to the screen. Therefore, there arises a problem that the user must continue to view the image or moving image before the channel switching for a while after the channel switching. For this reason, the user cannot grasp what the digital content is after channel switching.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an output for grasping the contents of the digital content during the waiting time required for the digital content data to be output to the user. It is to realize a control device, a reception device, an output device, a control method, a control program, and a recording medium.

  In order to solve the above problem, the control device of the present invention acquires digital content data and an identifier for identifying the digital content, and controls the data output device that outputs the digital content data. At least a part of a period from a reception of an instruction to output the digital content data to a start of output, a related information acquisition unit that acquires related information corresponding to the identifier, a related information output unit that outputs the related information And output control means for controlling the data output device and the related information output means so as to output the related information.

  According to the above configuration, since control is performed so that related information corresponding to digital content to be output is output in the time required for processing such as decoding of the digital content data, the user can output until the digital content data is output. There is an effect that related information can be obtained during the waiting time required.

  To give a specific example, for example, the user can view related information about the digital content after switching after issuing the channel switching instruction until viewing the digital content after switching the channel. The program after switching can be easily grasped. As a result, for example, a control device that can provide effective information as an index for selecting a program in so-called zapping viewing that searches for a program to be viewed while switching channels can be realized.

  The related information acquisition means may acquire related information corresponding to the output of digital content data, or may acquire related information corresponding to the digital content data in advance and output the digital content data. In this case, it may be controlled to output related information corresponding to the identifier of the digital content data.

  Moreover, in the control apparatus of this invention, it is preferable that the said output control means is controlled to output the said relevant information during all the said periods.

  According to the above configuration, the output adjustment processing unit outputs the content related information related to the digital content until the digital content can be output. Therefore, the user can obtain information on the digital content to be output from now on during the waiting time required for processing necessary for outputting the digital content.

  Since the user can obtain information about the program after the channel switching, not the output signal made from the image before the channel switching, etc., the user is performing the channel switching operation, but the output program is switched. There is an effect that the uncomfortable feeling that it is the previous one can be reduced.

  Note that the output control timing may be such that the output adjustment processing means outputs the digital content when the digital content can be output or displayed. Alternatively, the digital content may be output when a predetermined time has elapsed since the output adjustment processing means output the content-related information.

  If the digital content cannot be output or displayed even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the output adjustment processing means may adjust the digital content so that it is not output. Alternatively, when there is an instruction to output digital content from the user and the digital content can be output or displayed, the output adjustment processing means may adjust so as to output the digital content. Good.

  In the control device of the present invention, it is preferable that the related information is at least one of image, video, music, voice, or character data corresponding to the identifier.

  According to the above configuration, until the digital content after the channel switching by the user is displayed, the user can appreciate the image, video, music, voice, or character data by outputting the digital content. By viewing data corresponding to the digital content, the user can easily recognize the content of the digital content after the channel is switched, so that it is possible to comfortably perform zapping viewing.

  In addition, since the user can grasp the contents of the digital contents by viewing the data corresponding to the digital contents, the digital contents can be immediately enjoyed when the digital contents after the channel switching are output. There is a further effect.

  In the control device of the present invention, the related information acquisition unit specifies at least one keyword of a title, performer, genre, broadcasting station, or theme song corresponding to the identifier, and based on the specified keyword, The related information is acquired.

  According to the above configuration, since the keyword can be specified based on the content of the digital content corresponding to the identifier, a database of related information can be configured using the common keyword. As a result, the database can be shared using common keywords such as program titles, performers, broadcasting stations, or theme songs, and it is easy to obtain, store, and search related information. .

  In the control device of the present invention, the related information acquisition means includes program information including at least one of the identifier, the content of the digital content data corresponding to the identifier, and a broadcasting station that broadcasts the digital content data. It is preferable that program information corresponding to the identifier acquired by the data output device is acquired from a table in which the program information is associated, and the program information is specified as the keyword.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect that identification of a digital content and acquisition of a keyword become easy. Further, by using EPG or the like, it becomes easy to specify a common keyword, so that it is easy to set a keyword that meets the user's request.

  A receiving device can be configured by including the control device and the data output device.

  A recording apparatus can be configured by including the above-described receiving apparatus and output means for outputting the acquired digital content data and / or the related information.

  An information providing apparatus that transmits the related information to the receiving apparatus and causes the receiving apparatus to output the related information can be configured.

  Moreover, in the control apparatus of this invention, an information provision system can be comprised by providing said reception apparatus and said information provision apparatus.

  Further, in the control device of the present invention, the output control method of the present invention distinguishes the control device having the related information acquisition means, the related information output means, and the output control means by an identifier in order to solve the above-mentioned problem. A digital content data control method for controlling a data output device that outputs digital content data, wherein the related information acquisition means acquires related information corresponding to an identifier of the digital content data; and The related information output means outputs the related information, the related information output step, and at least part of the period from when the output control means accepts the output instruction of the digital content data until the output is started, Output for controlling the data output device and the related information output means so as to output related information It is characterized in that it comprises a control step.

  According to the above method, control is performed so that the related information corresponding to the digital content is output during the time required for processing such as decoding of the digital content data. Therefore, during the waiting time required until the digital content data is output. It is possible to realize a control method for outputting related information.

  Since the user can appreciate the related information regarding the digital content after switching until the digital content after switching the channel is viewed, the user can easily recognize the program after the channel switching. As a result, it is possible to realize a control method that can provide effective information as an index for selecting a program in so-called zapping viewing, which searches for a program to be viewed while switching channels.

  In addition, each means in the said control apparatus can be performed on a computer by a program. Furthermore, by storing the control program in a computer-readable recording medium, the program can be executed on any computer.

  Since the control device of the present invention includes output control means for controlling to output the related information during the time required for the processing performed when outputting the digital content data, it is possible to perform processing such as decoding of the digital content data. In the time required, it is possible to control to output the related information of the contents that can grasp the contents of the digital contents to be output. As a result, the related information can be output during the waiting time required until the digital content data is output. Therefore, for example, a control device that can provide information effective as an index for selecting a program in so-called zapping viewing is realized. be able to.

[Embodiment 1]
One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, a general receiving device will be described. However, the above receiving device may be a display device such as a liquid crystal television or a receiver such as a satellite broadcast. It may also be a receiving terminal such as a mobile phone. Any receiving device may be used as long as it includes a control device described below and realizes the following functions.

  First, a configuration of a main part of a receiving device using the control device used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the receiving device 20 and a schematic diagram of an information providing system 1 using the receiving device 20.

  The information providing system 1 includes a digital content providing server 60 that distributes digital content 10, a content related information providing server 70 that distributes content related information 12, and an electronic program that distributes electronic program guide (hereinafter referred to as EPG) data 16. A guide providing server 80, a receiving device 20, and an external device 50 are provided. The receiving device 20 includes a content receiving unit 22, a decoding processing unit 24, a content output processing unit 26, a program information identification unit 28, a related information input unit 30, a related information management unit 32, a related information acquisition unit 34, and a related information output processing unit. 36, and an output adjustment processing unit 42.

  The receiving device 20 acquires the digital content 10 and the content related information 12 according to the operation instruction of the user 14 and outputs the digital content 10 and the content related information 12 to the external device 50. The content related information providing server 70 includes a storage unit 72 for storing the content related information 12 and a transmission unit 74 for transmitting the content related information to the receiving device 20. The content related information providing server 70 transmits the content related information 12 corresponding to the digital content 10 in response to a request from the receiving device 20.

  The digital content 10 indicates, for example, moving image data such as MPEG2 distributed by digital broadcasting or the like. The digital content 10 may be a still image, voice / music data, or text information. The digital content 10 may be anything as long as it acquires desired data according to an operation instruction from the user 14. The content related information 12 is information related to the digital content 10, for example, detailed information about keywords such as images such as title images, videos and videos, music and sounds such as theme songs, titles, performers, or genres. This refers to information related to the digital content 10.

  Since the EPG data 16 is the same as the technique used conventionally, description is abbreviate | omitted for the detail. It suffices to include at least one of a program ID for identifying the digital content 10, item information describing the detailed contents of the program, a broadcasting station where the program is broadcast, and a broadcast time of the program. The EPG data 16 may be provided by the digital content providing server 60 or the content related information providing server 70, or may be information distributed from an independent provider.

  Next, each unit of the receiving device 20 will be described. The content receiving unit 22 acquires the digital content 10 from the outside and inputs the digital content 10 to the decoding processing unit 24. The content receiving unit 22 may include an interface unit for inputting the digital content 10. The decode processing unit 24 decodes the digital content 10 acquired by the content receiving unit 22 and inputs it to the content output processing unit 26. The content output processing unit 26 outputs the digital content data decoded by the decoding processing unit 24 to the output adjustment processing unit 42.

  The program information identification unit 28 receives a channel switching operation instruction from the user 14 and designates digital content to be acquired. Specifically, identification information of the digital content 10 to be acquired is calculated from information on the broadcasting station such as a channel and current time information, and the identification information is input to the content receiving unit 22 and the related information acquisition unit 34. As the identification information, the program ID of the digital content 10 may be acquired using EPG, or a G code may be used. The identification information may be determined by any method as long as the digital content 10 to be acquired can be specified.

  Here, when the user 14 uses a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) to switch the channel of the content that the user 14 is currently viewing, the channel information instruction performed by the user 14 is input to the program information identification unit 28 and changed. It is assumed that identification information of content broadcast on a channel is sent to the content receiving unit 22. The content receiving unit 22 receives the digital content 10 broadcast or distributed on the channel designated by the user 14 via the program information identifying unit 28. The program information identification unit 28 may include an interface unit for inputting operation instruction information from the user 14.

  The related information input unit 30 acquires the content related information 12 related to the digital content 10 and inputs it to the related information management unit 32. The related information input unit 30 may include an interface unit for inputting information. The related information management unit 32 accumulates and manages the content related information 12 input by the related information input unit 30. The related information management unit 32 provides the content related information 12 corresponding to the identifier of the digital content 10 according to an instruction from the related information acquisition unit 34.

  The related information acquisition unit 34 acquires the content related information 12 corresponding to the identifier of the digital content 10 input from the program information identification unit 28 from the related information management unit 32 and inputs it to the related information output processing unit 36. The content related information 12 acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 may be all of the content related information 12 corresponding to the identifier or keyword of the digital content 10 stored in the related information management unit 32, or any arbitrary Only the content related information 12 may be used. Note that the content related information 12 acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 may be selected by the related information acquisition unit 34 based on information stored in the reception device 20 in advance, or set by the user 14 independently. Also good.

  The related information output processing unit 36 outputs the content related information 12 acquired from the related information management unit 32 by the related information acquisition unit 34 to the output adjustment processing unit 42. The output adjustment processing unit 42 controls the output processing of the digital content 10 input from the content output processing unit 26 and the content related information 12 input from the related information output processing unit 36, and switches each input data, or A synthesis process is performed and output to the external device 50.

  A specific output processing control method will be described. When the user 14 issues a channel switching instruction or a received program designation instruction, the program information identification unit 28 extracts an identifier that identifies the digital content 10 to be received and inputs the identifier to the content receiving unit 22. The content receiving unit 22 acquires the digital content 10 based on the input identifier and inputs it to the decoding processing unit 24. The decode processing unit 24 decodes the input digital content 10 and inputs it to the content output processing unit 26.

  In the series of processes described above, the output adjustment processing unit 42 receives the digital content acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 from when decoding of the digital content 10 after channel switching is started until it is ready for output. The content related information 12 related to 10 is output. Alternatively, the content related information 12 related to the digital content 10 acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 is output for a predetermined time from when the user 14 issues a channel switching instruction via the program information identification unit 28. You may do it.

  After the predetermined time has elapsed, the output adjustment processing unit 42 may perform adjustment so as to output the decoded digital content. The predetermined time is set to a short time such as 5 seconds or 10 seconds, an average time until decoding is completed, and a time sufficient to recognize and confirm related information. .

  Note that a method in which the output adjustment processing unit 42 adjusts the output processing of the digital content 10 performed by the content output processing unit 26 and the output processing of the content related information 12 performed by the related information output processing unit 36 is performed in advance. What is stored in the output adjustment processing unit 42 may be used, or may be set by the user 14 as appropriate. Specifically, the output adjustment processing unit 42 adjusts so that the content-related information 12 related to the digital content 10 is output in the time required until the digital content 10 after the channel switching is decoded and can be output. May be.

  Next, an example in which the receiving device 20 and the information providing system 1 are configured by a computer, a program executed by the computer, and data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system 2 that implements the above functions.

  The computer system 2 includes a computer 220, a monitor 203, and a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 204. The computer 220 includes an optical disk drive 201, a magnetic disk drive 202, a remote control interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F) 205, a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 206, a bus 207, a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 208, a random access memory. (Hereinafter, referred to as RAM) 209 and a hard disk 212 are provided.

  The remote control I / F 205 receives a signal from the remote control 204. The bus 207 is connected to the optical disk drive 201, magnetic disk drive 202, remote control I / F, CPU 206, ROM 208, RAM 209, and hard disk 212. In the ROM 208, a bootup program and the like are recorded. The RAM 209 temporarily stores program instructions, system programs, work data, and the like. Furthermore, the computer 220 includes a network adapter (not shown) that provides a connection to the network.

  The program for causing the computer system 2 to realize the function of the receiving device 20, the digital content 10, the content-related information 12, etc. are all magnetic disks inserted into the optical disk 210 or magnetic disk drive 202 inserted into the optical disk drive 201. It is stored in the disk 211 and transferred to the hard disk 212.

  The program, the digital content 10, the content related information 12 and the like may be downloaded to the computer 220 through a network (not shown) and stored in the hard disk 212. The program is loaded into the RAM 209 when executed. The program may be loaded onto the RAM 209 from the optical disk 210, the magnetic disk 211, or the network.

  The above program includes a plurality of instructions for causing the computer 220 to realize the function of the receiving device 20 according to the present embodiment. Some of the basic functions necessary to realize the above functions are provided by operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) operating on the computer 220, third party programs, or modules of various tool kits installed in the computer 220. May be.

  Therefore, the program described above does not necessarily include all functions necessary for realizing the functions of the receiving device 20 according to the present embodiment. The program need only include an instruction for executing control of the receiving device 20 by calling an appropriate function or tool in a method of controlling so as to obtain a desired result in the instruction set. .

  A recording medium on which the program for realizing the function of the receiving device 20, the digital content 10, and the content related information 12 are recorded is a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), an MD. It is not limited to the optical disk 210 such as (Mini Disc) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and the magnetic disk 211 such as FD (Floppy (registered trademark) Disk) and hard disk.

  Alternatively, tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, card-type recording media such as IC cards and optical cards, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), flash ROM, etc. Any of these semiconductor memories may be used. However, the computer system 2 requires a reading device for reading from these recording media.

  Next, details of the procedure of processing actually performed by the receiving device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart 300 showing an outline of the operation of the receiving device 20.

  First, when the power of the receiving device 20 is turned on, the program is started and the process proceeds to S301. In S301, the program information identification unit 28 waits for the channel switching instruction from the user 14 to be input. When the channel switching instruction from the user 14 is input (YES in S301), the program information identifying unit 28 sets an identifier for identifying the program. It is determined and transmitted to the content receiver 22 and the related information acquisition unit 34, and the process proceeds to S302 and S305. The identifier may be determined from the current time and channel instruction, or EPG data may be used. Any method may be used as long as the digital content 10 can be specified.

  In S302, the content receiving unit 22 specifies and receives the digital content 10 instructed from the identifier transmitted in S301. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S303. In S303, the decode processing unit 24 performs a decoding process on the digital content 10 received by the content receiving unit 22 in S302. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S304. In S304, the content output processing unit 26 waits until the digital content 10 can be output, and waits until the digital content 10 is ready to be output. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S307.

  In S305, the related information acquisition unit 34 acquires the content related information 12 corresponding to the digital content 10 instructed by the user 14 in S301 from the related information management unit 32, and the process proceeds to S306. Note that the content related information 12 acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 may acquire all the content related information 12 related to the digital content 10 managed by the related information management unit 32, or may be designated arbitrary Only the content related information 12 may be acquired.

  In S <b> 306, the related information output processing unit 36 inputs the content related information 12 acquired in S <b> 305 to the output adjustment processing unit 42. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S307. When the external device 50 is equipped with a display device, the output adjustment processing unit 42 inputs the content related information 12 to the display device. In step S307, the output adjustment processing unit 42 waits until it is determined that the decoded digital content 10 that can be output or displayed in step S304 is output to the external device 50, and the decoded digital content 10 is output to the external device 50. Output to the device 50. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S308.

  Here, the output method of the digital content 10 decoded by the output adjustment processing unit 42 to the external device 50 is determined at an arbitrary timing. For example, when the decoding of the digital content 10 is completed and can be output or displayed, that is, when the content output processing unit 26 determines in S304 that the digital content 10 can be output or displayed, the output adjustment processing For example, the unit 42 may determine to output the digital content 10 to the external device 50.

  Alternatively, after the output adjustment processing unit 42 outputs the content-related information 12 to the external device 50 in S306, the output adjustment processing unit 42 until a predetermined time has passed for the user 14 to sufficiently recognize the content-related information 12. The digital content may not be output to the external device 50, and the digital content 10 may be switched to be output to the external device 50 when a predetermined time has elapsed.

  It should be noted that even after a predetermined time has elapsed, if the digital content cannot be output or displayed, that is, in S304, the content output processing unit 26 has not determined that the digital content 10 can be output or displayed. In the case (NO in S307), the output adjustment processing unit 42 does not output the digital content 10 to the external device 50.

  Alternatively, until the user 14 issues an instruction to output digital content, the output adjustment processing unit 42 determines that the digital content is not output to the external device 50, and there is an instruction to output the digital content from the user 14. When the digital content 10 can be output or displayed, the output adjustment processing unit 42 may determine to output the digital content to the external device 50.

  In S308, the output adjustment processing unit 42 stops outputting the content related information 12 output in S306. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S309. In step S309, the output adjustment processing unit 42 outputs the decoded digital content 10 to the external device 50, and ends the process. When the external device 50 is equipped with a display device, the output adjustment processing unit 42 displays the content related information 12 on the display device and ends the process.

  Next, an operation of the receiving device 20 when outputting an image, a moving image, a video, or the like as content related information related to the digital content while the digital content is being decoded will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the user 14 uses the receiving device 20 to watch “professional baseball broadcast A” and switches the channel to “drama B” using the remote control 204 provided in the receiving device 20. This will be described with reference to the flowchart 300 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4A shows a state in which “professional baseball relay A” is output from the receiving device 20. In S301, the program information identification unit 28 uses the remote controller 204 to detect that the user 14 has been instructed to switch the channel from “professional baseball relay A” to “drama B”. At this time, the processing of S302 and S305 is started.

  In S <b> 302, the content receiving unit 22 receives “Drama B”, which is digital content after channel switching, input via the program information identifying unit 28. Thereafter, in S <b> 303, the decode processing unit 24 decodes “Drama B” received by the content receiving unit 22.

  While the above processing is being performed, in S305, the related information acquisition unit 34 acquires content related information related to “drama B”, which is digital content after channel switching, from the related information management unit 32. Thereafter, the related information output processing unit 36 and the output adjustment processing unit 42 output and display the content related information related to the acquired “drama B”.

  Here, when the content related information acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 is the title screen of “Drama B”, the related information output processing unit 36 and the output adjustment processing unit 42 acquire the acquired “Drama B” in S306. Output the title screen. FIG. 4B shows the output of the title screen. As shown in FIG. 4B, the title screen of “Drama B” is output to the receiving device 20.

  In S <b> 307, the output adjustment processing unit 42 determines whether to output “Drama B” instructed by the user 14 to the receiving device 20. Here, in S304, “drama B” is output when “drama B” is decoded and can be output. In this case, when the output adjustment processing unit 42 receives an instruction to output “Drama B” from S304 in S307, the output of the title screen of “Drama B” currently output to the receiving device 20 is canceled in S308. Then, “Drama B” is output.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram showing the change of the output contents. As shown in FIG. 4C, “Drama B” is output to the receiving device 20 instead of the “Drama B” title screen. Thus, during the decoding process of the digital content, the user 14 does not have to wait until the digital content after the channel switching is output, but the digital content is output until the digital content after the channel switching is output. You can watch the title screen. Furthermore, by outputting the title screen, the user 14 can easily recognize what the designated digital content is, which is useful when the user 14 performs zapping viewing.

  Note that the content related information acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 in S306 is not limited to the title screen. For example, when the user 14 switches the channel to “professional baseball relay A” in the state shown in FIG. 4C, the screen shows the current progress of professional baseball as shown in FIG. It doesn't matter. Any data may be used as long as it is related to the digital content after the channel switching specified by the user 14 and can easily associate with the digital content after the switching.

  Also, the present invention is not limited to still images such as the title screen shown in FIG. 4B and the screen showing the progress in progress shown in FIG. For example, when there are a plurality of content-related information acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 from the related information management unit 32, a moving image that sequentially outputs them may be displayed. The state in this case is shown in FIG. For example, when the user 14 switches the channel to “professional baseball broadcast A” in the state shown in FIG. 4C, the related information acquisition unit 34 adds up the title screen, the screen showing the progress, and the screen of the stadium. Assume that three images have been acquired.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 5B, these three images may be displayed one after another at an arbitrary time such as an interval of one second. If “Professional Baseball Relay A” can be output while these three images are displayed in sequence, the output adjustment processing unit 42 displays these three images in sequence. Even if it is in the middle, “Professional Baseball Relay A” may be output, or after these three images are sequentially displayed, “Professional Baseball Relay A” is output. Also good.

  It should be noted that not only a moving image that sequentially displays a plurality of still images as described above, but also a moving image such as a digest video of “professional baseball broadcast A” may be used. In this case, when the related information acquisition unit 34 acquires the digest video of “professional baseball broadcast A” from the related information management unit 32, the related information output processing unit 36 and the output adjustment processing unit 42 output the acquired digest video in S306. It may be a thing. In addition, when “Professional Baseball Relay A” can be output while the digest video is being output, the output adjustment processing unit 42 “Professional Baseball Relay A” even while the digest video is being output. ”May be output, or“ Professional Baseball Relay A ”may be output after the digest video has been output.

  Thereby, while performing the decoding process of the digital content 10, the user 14 does not need to wait until the digital content 10 after the channel switching is output, but until the digital content 10 after the channel switching is output. Since a moving image or video related to the digital content 10 such as a digest video can be viewed, the user 14 can easily recognize the content of the designated digital content 10, and when the digital content 10 starts to be output. The digital content 10 can be enjoyed immediately.

  Note that a still image such as the title screen and a screen that presents the progress as described above, or a moving image or video such as a digest video is appropriately input from the outside via the related information input unit 30, and is input to the related information management unit 32. Managed. That is, the related information input unit 30 acquires content related information related to digital content currently being broadcast or distributed, and the related information management unit 32 manages the acquired content related information.

  Further, the related information management unit 32 may appropriately discard the content related information 12 related to the digital content 10 that has been broadcast or distributed. The content related information 12 managed by the related information management unit 32 may be updated as needed. For example, in the case of a screen that presents an intermediate progress as the content-related information 12 of “professional baseball broadcast A”, it is necessary to update to a screen that presents the latest intermediate progress every time a score is entered.

  For example, the broadcast side or the distribution side of “Professional Baseball Relay A” broadcasts or distributes a screen showing the progress in progress, which is input via the related information input unit 30, and the related information management unit 32 The managed content-related information may be updated. Conversely, the receiving device 20 side may go to the broadcast side or the distribution side to acquire content related information.

  As described above, in the configuration of the present embodiment, while the digital content is being decoded, the data related to the digital content is output / displayed as the content related information related to the corresponding digital content. Accordingly, the user 14 can easily recognize the contents of the digital content after the channel switching by appreciating the image, the moving image, or the video, which is useful for zapping viewing.

  Furthermore, since the user 14 can grasp the contents of the digital content by appreciating an image, a video, or a video, the digital content can be immediately enjoyed when the digital content after channel switching is output. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the output adjustment processing unit 42 is described as controlling the output by switching the output of the content output processing unit 26 and the related information output processing unit 36, but is not limited to the above example.

  The output adjustment processing unit 42 may instruct the content output processing unit 26 and / or the related information output processing unit 36 to cause each of the above units to output appropriately, and the function of the output adjustment processing unit 42 May be performed by the content output processing unit 26 or the related information output processing unit 36. The decode processing unit 24 and the related information acquisition unit 34 may have the functions of the content output processing unit 26 and the related information output processing unit 36.

  Any method can be used as long as the digital content 10 and the content-related information 12 can be controlled to output the related information in at least a part of the period from when the digital content data output instruction is received to when the output is started. May be.

[Embodiment 2]
The content of the content-related information 12 to be output is different in the receiving device 20 of the present embodiment compared to the receiving device 20 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the other configurations are the same. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure which has the function similar to the structure demonstrated in the said embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the receiving apparatus 20 of this embodiment, while decoding the digital content 10, the operation of the receiving apparatus 20 when outputting music or voice as the content related information 12 related to the digital content 10 is exemplified.

  Here, when the user 14 is watching the “professional baseball broadcast A” using the receiving device 20, the user 14 switches the channel to “drama B” using the remote control 204 provided in the receiving device 20. Will be described. Here, since the content related information 12 acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 in S305 shown in FIG. 3 is different from the above-described embodiment, only different portions will be described. The other operations are the same.

  While the decoding process of “Drama B” is performed in S302 and S303, in S305, the related information acquisition unit 34 manages the content related information related to “Drama B” which is the digital content after the channel switching. Obtained from the unit 32. Then, the related information output processing unit 36 and the output adjustment processing unit 42 output content related information related to the acquired “drama B”.

  Here, assuming that the content related information acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 is the theme song of “Drama B”, in S306, the related information output processing unit 36 and the output adjustment processing unit 42 acquire the acquired “Drama B”. ”Is output. In this case, nothing may be output on the screen, and only the theme song may be output / reproduced, or the theme song is output / reproduced while outputting a default image or video. It does not matter. The content-related information is not limited to the theme song of “Drama B”, but may be an inserted song or other music related to “Drama B”.

  Thus, during the decoding process of the digital content, the user 14 does not have to wait until the digital content after the channel switching is output, but the digital content is output until the digital content after the channel switching is output. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the psychological burden on the user 14 that is simply waiting until the digital content is output.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where an image, a moving image, a video, or the like is acquired as the content related information and the content related information 12 is output until the digital content 10 after channel switching is output has been described. Music such as a theme song may also be output. As a result, the contents of the digital content 10 can be easily recognized using visual and auditory senses until the digital content 10 after channel switching is output, and as soon as the digital content 10 starts to be output, the digital content 10 Can enjoy.

  Note that the content related information 12 acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 in S306 is not limited to music, and may be audio. In addition, “drama B” instructed by the user 14 may be output only during the decoding process.

  As described above, in the configuration of the present embodiment, while the digital content 10 is being decoded, music or audio related to the digital content 10 is output as the content related information 12 related to the digital content 10. Then, until the digital content 10 after the channel switching by the user 14 is displayed, the user 14 can appreciate the output by outputting music or voice.

  As a result, music and audio can be enjoyed during the waiting time until the digital content is displayed after the channel is switched, so there is no psychological burden on the user who is waiting for nothing until the digital content is output. Can be reduced. Furthermore, since the contents of the digital content after the channel switching can be easily recognized by outputting the image, the moving image or the video together with the music or the sound, it is useful for zapping viewing. Further, since the contents of the digital content can be grasped, the digital content can be immediately enjoyed when the digital content after the channel switching is output.

[Embodiment 3]
In the receiving device 20 of the present embodiment, the content-related information 12 to be output is different from the receiving device 20 shown in the above-described embodiment, and the other configurations are the same. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure which has the function similar to the structure demonstrated in the said embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. The operation at the time of channel switching in the above configuration will be described as follows based on FIG.

  In the receiving apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, while decoding the digital content, as the content related information 12 related to the digital content, a keyword related to the digital content 10 is acquired from, for example, item information included in the EPG. Then, the operation of the receiving device 20 when acquiring and outputting the content related information 32 stored in the related information management unit 32 based on the keyword is illustrated. Here, a case where the user 14 is watching “professional baseball broadcast A” using the receiving device 20 and switches the channel to “drama B” using the remote control 204 provided in the receiving device 20 will be described. To do.

  Here, since the content related information acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 in S305 shown in FIG. 3 is different from the above embodiment, only the corresponding part will be described, and other operations are described in the above embodiment. It is the same.

  While the decoding process of “Drama B” is performed in S302 and S303, in S305, the related information acquisition unit 34 manages the content related information related to “Drama B” which is the digital content after the channel switching. Obtained from the unit 32. Then, the related information output processing unit 36 and the output adjustment processing unit 42 output / display the content related information related to the acquired “drama B”.

  Here, it is assumed that the content related information acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 is information indicating details of information such as a keyword related to “drama B”. The information indicating the details of information such as keywords related to “Drama B” includes, for example, the official homepage of “Drama B”, recent news related to “Drama B”, or a profile related to the performers of “Drama B” Data such as information or news can be mentioned, but is not necessarily limited thereto. Any information may be used as long as it is related information capable of identifying and associating “Drama B”.

  These pieces of information may be acquired from the EPG, or more detailed information may be acquired via the network using an information source acquired from the EPG. For example, performer information of “Drama B” may be acquired from an electronic program guide, and news related to the performer may be acquired via a network.

  Specifically, the title, performer, genre, channel or theme song of “Drama B” is acquired as a keyword from the EPG, information on the network is searched using the acquired keyword, and details regarding the keyword are obtained. Such information may be acquired. Further, it may be acquired directly via a network without using an EPG. The network may be wired or wireless.

  Here, if the content related information 12 acquired by the related information acquisition unit 34 is an official homepage of “Drama B”, in S306, the related information output processing unit 36 and the output adjustment processing unit 42 acquire the acquired “drama B "official homepage is output. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state of output of the content related information 12 described above. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a case where recent news related to “drama B” is output as the content-related information 12. FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating an output when the content related information 12 is profile information regarding a performer of “Drama B”.

  As a result, the user 14 does not need to wait for the digital content 10 after the channel switching to be output while the digital content 10 is being decoded. In other words, until the digital content 10 after the channel switching is output, as the content-related information 12 such as news about the digital content 10, news about the performers and theme songs of the digital content 10, or profile information of the performers of the digital content 10. You can appreciate it.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where music or voice is acquired as the content related information 12 and the content related information 12 is output until the digital content 10 after channel switching is output has been described. Audio may also be output together. Thus, detailed information about the digital content 10 can be obtained using visual and auditory sense until the digital content after channel switching is output.

  As described above, in the configuration of the present embodiment, detailed information related to the digital content 10 is output as the content related information 12 related to the digital content 10 while the digital content 10 is being decoded. Then, until the digital content 10 after the channel switching by the user 14 is displayed, news about the digital content 10, news about the performers and the theme song of the digital content 10, or profile information of the performers of the digital content 10 is output. By doing so, the user 14 can appreciate them.

  Furthermore, by outputting detailed information regarding the digital content 10 together with music or voice, the psychological burden on the user 14 can be reduced. Further, since the contents of the digital content 10 after the channel switching can be easily recognized, it is useful also in zapping viewing. Further, since the contents of the digital content 10 can be grasped, the digital content 10 can be enjoyed immediately when the digital content 10 after the channel switching is output.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately changed within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the present invention, since the user performs output control for grasping the contents of the digital content after the channel switching, the program after the channel switching can be easily recognized, the digital broadcast receiving device, the digital broadcast recording device, and It can be suitably used for a digital content display device or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a receiving device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer system which implement | achieves each function part of the recording system comprised using the said receiver and computer. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of the said receiver. It is the schematic which shows the output of the said receiver, (a) is a state of the receiver before channel switching, (b) is a state when a title screen is output to the receiver, (c) is the same. It is a figure which shows the mode of the receiver after channel switching. It is the schematic which shows another output of the said receiver, (a) is a state of the screen which presents progress on the receiver, (b) is a case where a moving image is output as content related information to the receiver It is a figure which shows a mode. It is the schematic which shows another output of the said receiver, (a) is a mode when the homepage of the said digital content is output as content information to a receiver, (b) is content information to this receiver (C) is explanatory drawing explaining a mode when the profile information of the performer of the said digital content is output as content information to the receiving apparatus, and (c) is a mode when the news regarding the said digital content is output. In the conventional technique and this invention, it is the schematic which shows a mode at the time of encoding digital content and decoding the encoded digital content.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information provision system 2 Computer system 10 Digital content 12 Content related information 14 User 20 Receiving device 22 Content receiving part (data acquisition means)
24 Decoding processing unit 26 Content output processing unit (data output device)
28 Program Information Identification Unit 30 Related Information Input Unit 32 Related Information Management Unit 34 Related Information Acquisition Unit (Related Information Acquisition Unit)
36 related information output processing section (related information output means)
40 control device 42 output adjustment processing unit (output control means)
50 External equipment 60 Digital content providing server 70 Content related information providing server (information providing device)
80 Electronic program guide providing server 201 Optical disk drive 202 Magnetic disk drive 203 Monitor 204 Remote control 205 Remote control interface 206 CPU
206 Central processing unit 207 Bus 208 ROM
209 RAM
210 optical disk 211 magnetic disk 212 hard disk 220 computer

Claims (13)

In a control device for controlling a data output device for acquiring digital content data and an identifier for identifying the digital content data and outputting the digital content data,
Related information acquisition means for acquiring related information corresponding to the identifier;
Related information output means for outputting the related information;
Output control means for controlling the data output device and the related information output means so as to output the related information in at least a part of a period from when the output instruction of the digital content data is received to when the output is started. A control device comprising:   The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit performs control to output the related information during all of the period.   The control device according to claim 1, wherein the related information is at least one data of an image, video, music, voice, or characters corresponding to the identifier.   The related information acquisition means specifies at least one keyword of a title, a performer, a genre, a broadcasting station, or a theme song corresponding to the identifier, and acquires the related information based on the specified keyword. The control device according to claim 1.   The related information acquisition means includes a table that associates the identifier with program information including at least one of contents of digital content data corresponding to the identifier and a broadcasting station that broadcasts the digital content data. 5. The control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein program information corresponding to the identifier acquired by the output apparatus is acquired, and the program information is specified as the keyword.   A receiving device comprising the control device and the data output device according to claim 1.   7. A recording apparatus comprising: the receiving apparatus according to claim 6; and a recording unit that records the acquired digital content data and / or the related information. An information providing apparatus capable of communicating with the receiving apparatus according to claim 6,
The information providing apparatus includes storage means for storing the related information, and transmission means for extracting the related information from the storage means and transmitting the related information to the receiving apparatus, and transmitting the related information to the receiving apparatus. An information providing apparatus that outputs related information.   An information providing system comprising the receiving device according to claim 6 and the information providing device according to claim 8. A control apparatus having related information acquisition means, related information output means, and output control means is a digital content data control method for controlling a data output apparatus that outputs digital content data distinguished by an identifier,
A related information acquisition step in which the related information acquisition means acquires related information corresponding to an identifier of the digital content data;
The related information output means for outputting the related information;
The data output device and the related information output means so that the output control means outputs the related information during at least a part of a period from when the output instruction of the digital content data is received until the output is started. And an output control step for controlling the output.   A program for operating the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the program causes a computer to function as each of the above means.   The program for operating the information provision apparatus of Claim 8, Comprising: The program for functioning a computer as said each means.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 11 or 12.

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