JP2007311947A - Receiver and method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select a desired channel by a fewer procedure more simply and more intuitively. <P>SOLUTION: A registration processor 91 controls the storage of a channel information as an information specifying the channel for a program made to look and listen for the time longer than a prearranged time. A tab display control unit 92 controls the display of a tab displaying the channel specified by the stored channel information overlapped to an image for the looked and listened program. A channel-select processor 93 controls a channel select so as to select the channel displayed by the selected tab when the tab is selected. The receiver, its method and program can be applied to a television receiver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus and method, and a program, and more particularly, to a receiving apparatus and method for receiving a program, and a program.

  When using a television receiver that receives a program of a conventional analog television broadcast and displays the program, the viewer can switch a plurality of programs broadcasted at the same time in a short time in parallel. When you want to watch (so-called zapping), you can select each channel directly by pressing the key for selecting a predetermined channel provided on the remote commander, or set it on the remote commander. Which is a channel having a larger channel number or a smaller channel number than a currently selected channel number, and is a key for selecting a channel used for broadcasting. The channel has been switched by pressing the key.

  Also, at the same time, viewers can run programs broadcast on BS (Broadcasting Satellite) broadcasts, programs broadcast on CS (Communications Satellite) broadcasts, and programs broadcast on terrestrial broadcasts in parallel. If you want to watch the TV with a remote commander, you can change the media that is either BS broadcast, CS broadcast, or terrestrial broadcast in combination with the numeric key and the TV receiver. The channel was switched to the desired channel.

  Conventionally, when a viewer views a video of each program in order to select a program, a desired program is selected by using a list of still image frames obtained by capturing scenes of the sequentially viewed program. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In addition, there is a program in which a favorite program guide and a recommended program guide are created from a viewer's viewing history, and a normal program guide, a favorite program guide, and a recommended program guide are switched using tabs (for example, Patent Documents). 2).

JP 2005-159521 A

JP 2004-72486 A

  However, in digital broadcasting, the number of channels increases, so it is not possible to provide so-called direct keys, which are keys for selecting a predetermined channel, as many channels as the increased number of channels. To select a channel, there are not enough direct keys.

  As the number of channels increases, the viewer must operate the +/− key many times to select a desired channel by operating the +/− key.

  Furthermore, the time required for switching channels for digital broadcasting is longer than the time required for switching channels for analog broadcasting.

  In this way, when a digital broadcast program starts to be viewed and a plurality of programs broadcast at the same time are switched and viewed many times as the number of channels increases, I feel stressed in switching.

  For this reason, there is an increasing need for a technique that supports some form of viewing of a program in which a plurality of programs broadcast at the same time are switched many times.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and allows a desired channel to be selected more easily and more intuitively with fewer procedures.

  A receiving apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention superimposes a storage control unit that controls storage of channel information, which is information for specifying a channel of a program viewed longer than a predetermined time, and an image of the program being viewed. Display control means for controlling the display of the tab indicating the channel specified by the stored channel information, and when the tab is selected, the channel selected by the selected tab is selected. Tuning control means for controlling the station.

  The storage control means stores end time information indicating an end time of a program broadcast on a channel specified by the channel information together with channel information, and when the program ends based on the end time information, The storage of the channel information and the end time information can be controlled so as to delete the channel information and the end time information.

  Generation means for generating a thumbnail image of a channel program image may be further provided, and the display control means may control display of the tab including the thumbnail image.

  The display control means can control the display of the tabs so that the tabs are displayed as multistage tabs.

  The reception method according to one aspect of the present invention controls storage of channel information, which is information for specifying a channel of a program that has been viewed longer than a predetermined time, and superimposes it on an image of the program being viewed. Controlling the display of the tab indicating the channel specified by the channel information, and controlling the channel selection so that the channel indicated by the selected tab is selected when the tab is selected.

  A program according to one aspect of the present invention controls storage of channel information, which is information for specifying a channel of a program that has been viewed longer than a predetermined time, and stores the channel information on an image of the program being viewed. Controls the display of the tab indicating the channel specified by the channel information, and when the tab is selected, executes the step of controlling the channel selection so that the channel indicated by the selected tab is selected. Let

  In one aspect of the present invention, storage of channel information, which is information for specifying a channel of a program viewed longer than a predetermined time, is controlled and superimposed on an image of the program being viewed is stored. The display of the tab indicating the channel specified by the channel information is controlled, and when the tab is selected, the channel selection is controlled so as to select the channel indicated by the selected tab.

  As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, tuning can be performed.

  Also, according to one aspect of the present invention, a desired channel can be selected more easily and more intuitively with fewer procedures.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between the constituent elements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the specification or the drawings are exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the specification or the drawings. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment which is described in the specification or the drawings but is not described here as an embodiment corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, that is not the case. It does not mean that the form does not correspond to the constituent requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. It's not something to do.

  A receiving apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a storage control unit (for example, FIG. 3) that controls storage of channel information (for example, the channel number in FIG. 3) that is information for specifying a channel of a program that has been viewed longer than a predetermined time. 2 registration processing unit 91) and display control means for controlling the display of a tab indicating the channel specified by the stored channel information to be superimposed on the image of the program being viewed (for example, the tab of FIG. 2) When the tab is selected, the display control unit 92) and channel selection control means for controlling the channel selection so as to select the channel indicated by the selected tab (for example, the channel selection processing unit 93 in FIG. 2). ).

  A generation unit (for example, the thumbnail image generation unit 35 in FIG. 1) for generating a thumbnail image of a channel program image can be further provided, and the display control unit controls display of the tab including the thumbnail image. be able to.

  The reception method or program according to one aspect of the present invention controls storage of channel information that is information for specifying a channel of a program that has been viewed longer than a predetermined time (for example, steps S11 to S16 in FIG. 4). When the display of the tab indicating the channel specified by the stored channel information to be superimposed on the image of the program being controlled is controlled (for example, step S31 to step S36 in FIG. 5), and the tab is selected , Including the step of controlling the channel selection so as to select the channel indicated by the selected tab (for example, step S51 to step S59 in FIG. 7).

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a television receiver 11 of the present invention. The television receiver 11 selects a broadcast channel and displays an image of a program of the selected channel.

  The television receiver 11 is connected to an antenna 12 and is connected to an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) providing server 14 or a content server 15 via a network 13.

  The antenna 12 supplies a broadcast signal corresponding to the received radio wave to the television receiver 11. The EPG providing server 14 supplies EPG data, which is data of an electronic program guide (EPG), to the television receiver 11 via the network 13.

  The EPG data is so-called program table data, and any data indicating the channel number of each channel, the title of the program of each channel, and the broadcast end time of each program is sufficient.

  Further, the content server 15 supplies image data and audio data of a program as content to the television receiver 11 via the network 13. For example, the content server 15 supplies image data and audio data of a so-called Internet television program requested from the television receiver 11 by specifying an address to the television receiver 11 via the network 13.

  The television receiver 11 includes an operation key 31, a remote commander reception unit 32, a control unit 33, a tuner 34, a thumbnail image generation unit 35, a storage unit 36, a tab OSD (On Screen Display) data generation unit 37, a decoder 38, and an image. The composition unit 39 includes a display unit 40 and a communication unit 41.

  The operation key 31 includes a switch or an operation panel and supplies an operation input signal, which is a signal corresponding to an operation from the viewer, to the control unit 33. The remote commander receiving unit 32 receives a signal such as an infrared ray or a radio wave that is transmitted from a remote commander (not shown) according to a viewer's operation on the remote commander, and receives an operation input signal corresponding to the received signal. It supplies to the control part 33.

  The control unit 33 controls the entire television receiver 11. The control unit 33 includes a general-purpose embedded MPU (Micro Processing Unit) or a dedicated processor, and executes a predetermined program to perform various processes. The control unit 33 may be configured by dedicated hardware that does not require a program.

The control unit 33 is connected to a tuner 34, a thumbnail image generation unit 35, a storage unit 36, a tab OSD data generation unit 37, a decoder 38, an image composition unit 39, a display unit 40, and a communication unit 41 via a bus. The tuner 34, thumbnail image generation unit 35, storage unit 36, tab OSD data generation unit 37, decoder 38, image composition unit 39, display unit 40, and communication unit 41 are controlled via the bus.

In addition, the control unit 33 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 61 therein, and when executing various processes, for example, stores a program or data being processed in the RAM 61.

  The tuner 34 selects a channel based on the control of the control unit 33. The tuner 34 demodulates an image signal for displaying a program image and an audio signal for outputting program audio from the broadcast signal supplied from the antenna 12. When receiving the digital broadcast, the tuner 34 decodes the encoded image signal and audio signal according to the encoding method.

  The tuner 34 supplies the image signal obtained by demodulation or decoding to the thumbnail image generation unit 35 and the image synthesis unit 39.

  Further, the tuner 34 extracts EPG data transmitted by broadcasting from the broadcast signal, and supplies the extracted EPG data to the control unit 33 via the bus.

  In the following, description of the audio of the program is omitted.

  Based on the control of the control unit 33, the thumbnail image generation unit 35 generates a thumbnail image that is a still image from the image signal supplied from the tuner 34, and supplies the generated thumbnail image data to the storage unit 36. The thumbnail image generation unit 35 may generate a thumbnail image that is a moving image of a predetermined time from the image signal, and supply the generated thumbnail image data to the storage unit 36.

  The accumulation unit 36 accumulates thumbnail image data supplied from the thumbnail image generation unit 35 based on the control of the control unit 33. For example, the accumulation unit 36 accumulates thumbnail image data in association with a channel number indicated by a tab table described later in the control unit 33.

  Under the control of the control unit 33, the tab OSD data generation unit 37 generates OSD data which is image data for displaying a tab indicating a channel superimposed on a program image of the selected channel. . That is, the tab OSD data generation unit 37 generates OSD data for displaying a tab indicating a channel on the display unit 40 by the OSD under the control of the control unit 33. The tab OSD data generation unit 37 supplies the generated OSD data to the image composition unit 39.

  When displaying a thumbnail image on a tab, the tab OSD data generation unit 37 acquires thumbnail image data from the storage unit 36, and displays OSD data for displaying a tab including an image indicating a channel and a thumbnail image. Generate.

  The decoder 38 is the image data of the program transmitted from the content server 15 via the network 13, and the image data received by the communication unit 41 is acquired from the communication unit 41 via the bus and acquired. Decode the image data. The decoder 38 supplies the image signal obtained as a result of the decoding to the image composition unit 39. Further, the decoder 38 supplies the image signal obtained as a result of decoding to the thumbnail image generating unit 35 via the bus.

  The thumbnail image generation unit 35 generates a thumbnail image from the image signal supplied from the decoder 38 based on the control of the control unit 33.

  The image composition unit 39 synthesizes the OSD data supplied from the tab OSD data generation unit 37 and the image signal supplied from the tuner 34 or the decoder 38 based on the control of the control unit 33. That is, the image composition unit 39 synthesizes the OSD data and the image signal so that an image obtained by superimposing the image displayed by the OSD data and the image displayed by the image signal can be obtained.

  The image composition unit 39 supplies an image signal obtained as a result of the composition to the display unit 40.

  The display unit 40 includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a plasma display, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display. The display unit 40 receives an image signal supplied from the image synthesis unit 39 based on the control of the control unit 33. The corresponding image is displayed.

  The communication unit 41 receives EPG data transmitted from the EPG providing server 14 via the network 13 based on the control of the control unit 33. The communication unit 41 supplies the received EPG data to the control unit 33.

  Further, the communication unit 41 receives image data of a program transmitted from the content server 15 via the network 13 based on the control of the control unit 33. The communication unit 41 supplies the received image data to the decoder 38 via the bus.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control program 71 that is a program executed by the control unit 33. The control program 71 controls the entire television receiver 11 in accordance with an operation input signal supplied from the operation key 31 or the remote commander receiving unit 32. The control program 71 is configured to include a tab processing program 81 and an EPG data acquisition processing unit 82.

  The tab processing program 81 registers a tab for the selected channel, controls display of the registered tab, and controls channel selection in accordance with an operation on the displayed tab. The EPG data acquisition processing unit 82 acquires EPG data from the tuner 34 or the communication unit 41 and stores the acquired EPG data.

  The tab processing program 81 includes a registration processing unit 91, a tab display control unit 92, and a channel selection processing unit 93, and holds a tab table 94.

  The registration processing unit 91 registers a channel of a program that the viewer has watched for a certain period of time according to the operation input signal. That is, the registration processing unit 91 controls storage of channel information that is information for specifying a channel of a program that has been viewed longer than a predetermined time.

  More specifically, the registration processing unit 91 stores in the tab table 94 channel information, which is information for specifying a channel of a program that has been viewed longer than a predetermined time, so that the program viewed by the viewer for a certain period of time. Subscribe to the channel.

  Further, the registration processing unit 91 stores end time information indicating the end time of the program broadcast on the channel specified by the channel information together with the channel information, and when the program ends based on the end time information, The storage of the channel information and the end time information is controlled so as to delete the information and the end time information.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the tab table 94. In the tab table 94, a channel number, a program title, a program end time, and thumbnail image data are arranged. The channel number is an example of channel information, and the program end time is an example of end time information.

  When a viewer watches a program for a certain period of time, the channel of the program is registered. Registration of a channel means that information specifying the channel is arranged and stored in the tab table 94. For example, when one channel is registered, one channel number, program title, program end time, and thumbnail image data are arranged in the tab table 94 in association with each other.

  The channel number arranged in the tab table 94 indicates the channel number of the registered channel. The program title arranged in the tab table 94 indicates the title of the program of the registered channel. The program end time arranged in the tab table 94 indicates the end time of the program of the registered channel.

  The thumbnail image data arranged in the tab table 94 is a thumbnail image of a registered channel program image, and is a pointer for referring to thumbnail image data recorded in the storage unit 36.

  Here, the program title and the program end time are extracted from the recorded EPG data and arranged in the tab table 94.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the tab table 94 includes a channel number “051” indicating the channel number 51 of terrestrial broadcasting, a program title “World Heritage”, or 9:45 am. A program end time of “9:45” shown is arranged.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the tab table 94 in which one channel number, program title, program end time, and thumbnail image data are arranged. However, when a viewer views a plurality of programs for a certain period of time. Each program channel is registered, and a plurality of sets of channel numbers, program titles, program end times, and thumbnail image data associated with each channel are arranged in the tab table 94. Will be.

  Further, the thumbnail image data arranged in the tab table 94 has been described as a pointer for referring to the thumbnail image data recorded in the storage unit 36. However, the thumbnail image data is generated in the tab table 94 by the thumbnail image generation unit 35. The thumbnail image data itself may be arranged.

  The tab display control unit 92 controls the display of a tab indicating the channel specified by the stored channel information to be superimposed on the image of the program being viewed. For example, the tab display control unit 92 controls the display of tabs indicating channel numbers arranged in the tab table 94 based on the tab table 94. For example, the tab display control unit 92 controls tab display by displaying tabs as multi-level tabs or deleting tab display from the display unit 40.

  When a tab is selected, the channel selection processing unit 93 controls channel selection so that the channel indicated by the selected tab is selected. For example, when a tab displayed on the display unit 40 is selected by a viewer operating the operation key 31 or a remote commander (not shown), the channel selection processing unit 93 selects the channel indicated by the selected tab. The tuner 34 is selected.

  The EPG data acquisition processing unit 82 acquires EPG data received by the communication unit 41 from the communication unit 41, or acquires EPG data that is broadcast EPG data received by the tuner 34 from the tuner 34. . The EPG data acquisition processing unit 82 stores the acquired EPG data as EPG data 95 in a storage area managed by itself among the storage areas of the RAM 61. That is, the EPG data acquisition processing unit 82 holds the EPG data 95.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining tab registration processing by the television receiver 11 that is executed when a predetermined channel is selected. In step S11, the registration processing section 91 of the tab processing program 81 registers the channel selected by the operation of the operation key 31 by the viewer or the remote commander (not shown) in the tab table 94 stored in the RAM 61. It is determined whether or not. For example, the registration processing unit 91 identifies the channel that has been selected based on a history of channel selection instructions to the tuner 34 or a signal from the tuner 34 that indicates the status of the tuner 34. Then, the registration processing unit 91 determines whether or not the selected channel is registered in the tab table 94 based on whether or not the channel number that matches the channel number of the identified channel is arranged in the tab table 94. .

  If it is determined in step S11 that the selected channel is not registered in the tab table 94, the currently selected channel may be newly registered in the tab table 94. Proceed to step S12.

  In step S12, the registration processing unit 91 starts measuring the time after the channel is selected, and the procedure proceeds to step S13. For example, in step S12, the registration processing unit 91 starts measuring time based on a time indicated by a real time clock (not shown) or starts an operation of a time counter provided in the control unit 33. Thus, the measurement of the time after being selected is started.

  In step S13, the registration processing unit 91 causes the thumbnail image generation unit 35 to generate a thumbnail image of an image of a program broadcast on the selected channel, and the procedure proceeds to step S14. The thumbnail image generation unit 35 may generate a still image thumbnail image or a moving image thumbnail image.

It should be noted that the generation of thumbnail images was executed immediately after the start of time measurement.
Since the thumbnail image generation process requires a relatively long time, the thumbnail image generation process is executed while the channel selection time is being measured, and immediately in step S16 to be described later. This is so that the channel can be registered.

  In step S14, the registration processing unit 91 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after starting the measurement of the time since the channel was selected, and until the predetermined time has elapsed, step S14. This determination process is repeated. For example, in step S <b> 14, the registration processing unit 91 determines whether or not 10 seconds, which is a predetermined reference time, has elapsed since the start of time measurement after the channel was selected.

  Here, in step S14, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of time measurement after the channel was selected. This is because only the channel is registered. That is, for example, when initially viewing a channel 1 program and then viewing a channel 6 program, if the viewer presses the + key of the remote commander to select channels in sequence, the channel 1, Channels 4, 4 and 6 are selected in order. In this case, channel 3 and channel 4 are selected for selecting channel 6, and are not selected for viewing.

  In order to avoid registration of channels temporarily selected to select other channels, such as channel 3 and channel 4, in step S14, the time after the channel is selected is selected. It is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of measurement.

  The predetermined time, which is a predetermined reference time, is not limited to 10 seconds, but may be a desired length of time. For example, if the predetermined time is short, such as 3 seconds or 5 seconds, the channels of the program that are viewed at a glance, such as simply confirming the performer or confirming the sports score, are registered. Will increase. On the other hand, if the predetermined time is long, such as 30 seconds or 60 seconds, only programs that have been viewed to the extent that the contents are understood to some extent are registered, and the number of registered channels can be suppressed.

  In step S14, when it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the time measurement after the channel was selected, the program of the currently selected channel is being viewed by the viewer. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S15, where the registration processing unit 91 acquires the program title and program end time of the program being broadcast on the selected channel from the EPG data 95 of the EPG data acquisition processing unit 82. Proceed to step S16.

  In step S16, the registration processing unit 91 registers the selected channel in the tab table 94, and the process ends. That is, in step S16, the registration processing unit 91 displays thumbnail image data indicating the channel number of the selected channel, the program title and program end time acquired in step S15, and the thumbnail image data generated in step S13. Are stored in the tab table 94 and stored.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the selected channel is registered in the tab table 94, it is not necessary to register the selected channel further, so the processing in steps S12 to S16 is skipped. Then, the process ends.

  In this way, channel information, which is information for specifying a channel of a program viewed longer than a predetermined time, is arranged and stored in the tab table 94 as information for displaying a tab.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining tab display processing by the television receiver 11. In step S31, the tab display control unit 92 of the tab processing program 81 receives an operation input signal supplied from the operation key 31 or the remote commander receiving unit 32 when the viewer operates the operation key 31 or a remote commander (not shown). Based on this, it is determined whether or not the operation key 31 or the tab display key provided on the remote commander has been pressed.

  For example, the tab display key is an upward arrow key of the remote commander. The tab display key may be a single key or a plurality of keys pressed simultaneously.

  If it is determined in step S31 that the tab display key has been pressed, the viewer has instructed display of a tab for channel selection, and thus the process proceeds to step S32, where the tab display control unit 92 displays the tab table 94. And proceeds to step S33. For example, in step S <b> 32, the tab display control unit 92 reads the tab table 94 in which channel information is arranged by the channel registration process of the registration processing unit 91.

  In step S33, the tab display control unit 92 acquires the data of the tab table 94, and proceeds to step S34. That is, the tab display control unit 92 acquires the channel number, program title, program end time, and thumbnail image data arranged in the tab table 94.

  When a plurality of channels are registered and a plurality of combinations of channel numbers, program titles, program end times, and thumbnail image data are arranged in the tab table 94, the tab display control unit 92 selects the channel in step S33. All numbers, program titles, program end times, and thumbnail image data sets are acquired. The tab display control unit 92 includes a channel number, a program title, a program end time, a part of a set of channel number, program title, program end time, and thumbnail image data arranged in the tab table 94. Also, thumbnail image data may be acquired.

  In step S34, the tab display control unit 92 causes the tab OSD data generation unit 37 to display a tab for selecting a registered channel based on the data in the tab table 94 acquired in step S33. Data is generated, and the process proceeds to step S35. For example, in step S34, the tab display control unit 92 causes the tab OSD data generation unit 37 to generate tab OSD data for displaying a tab including a channel number and a program title.

  When a plurality of channels are registered, in step S34, the tab display control unit 92 causes the tab OSD data generation unit 37 to display a plurality of tabs for selecting each of the registered plurality of channels. Generate OSD data.

  In step S35, the tab display control unit 92 causes the image composition unit 39 to synthesize the program image and the tab image based on the tab OSD data, and proceeds to step S36. That is, in step S35, the tab display control unit 92 superimposes on the image composition unit 39 the tab image displayed as OSD data and the image displayed by the image signal supplied from the tuner 34 or the decoder 38. The program image and the tab image are synthesized by synthesizing the OSD data and the image signal so that an image can be obtained.

  In step S36, the tab display control unit 92 causes the display unit 40 to display the program image combined with the tab image, and the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S31 that the tab display key has not been pressed, it is not necessary to display a tab, so the processing in steps S32 to S36 is skipped and the processing ends.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of tab registration processing and tab display processing.

  For example, as shown on the upper left side of FIG. 6, in the television receiver 11, a terrestrial broadcast channel with a channel number of 51 is selected, and the program of the channel selected on the display unit 40 is selected. When the image 101 is displayed and the program of that channel is viewed for a predetermined time or longer, the terrestrial broadcast channel of channel number 51 is registered in the tab table 94. That is, the channel number 51 of the terrestrial broadcast channel number 51, the program title of the program broadcast on the channel, and the program end time of the program broadcast on the channel are stored in the tab table 94. And memorized.

  Next, as shown in the upper center of FIG. 6, in the television receiver 11, the CS broadcast channel with the channel number is selected at 59, and the program image 102 of the channel selected on the display unit 40 is displayed. Is displayed, and when the program of the channel is viewed for a predetermined time or longer, the CS broadcast channel of channel number 59 is registered in the tab table 94. That is, the tab table 94 shows the channel number “CS059” of the CS broadcast channel with the channel number 59, the program title of the program broadcast on that channel, and the program end time of the program broadcast on that channel. Stored and stored.

  Further, as shown in the upper right side of FIG. 6, in the television receiver 11, a BS broadcast channel with a channel number of 141 is selected, and the program image 103 of the channel selected on the display unit 40 is displayed. Is displayed, and when the program of the channel is viewed for a predetermined time or longer, the BS broadcast channel of channel number 141 is registered in the tab table 94. That is, the tab table 94 shows the channel number “BS141” of the BS broadcast channel 141, the program title of the program broadcast on the channel, and the program end time of the program broadcast on the channel. Stored and stored.

  Thereafter, when the tab display key is pressed, as shown in the lower side of FIG. 6, an image 103 of a program broadcast on a BS broadcast channel having a channel number of 141, which is a selected channel, is displayed. And tabs 111-1 for selecting a terrestrial broadcast channel with a channel number of 51, tabs 111-2 for selecting a channel for CS broadcasting with a channel number of 59, and 141. An image obtained by combining the tab 111-3 for selecting the channel of the BS broadcast with the channel number is displayed on the display unit 40 of the television receiver 11.

  That is, tabs 111-1 for selecting a terrestrial broadcast channel with a channel number of 51, tabs 111-2 for selecting a CS broadcast channel with a channel number of 59, and 141. The tab 111-3 for selecting the channel of the BS broadcast with the channel number is superimposed on the image 103 of the program broadcast on the channel of the BS broadcast with the channel number of 141, which is the selected channel. Is displayed on the display unit 40.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the tab 111-1 is broadcast on the terrestrial broadcast channel 51 with the channel number 51 and “terrestrial 051” indicating the terrestrial broadcast channel 51. "World remnants ..." indicating the program title of the program being displayed is displayed.

  In the tab 111-2, "CS059" indicating a CS broadcast channel with a channel number of 59 and "Rose" indicating the program title of a program broadcast on the CS broadcast channel with a channel number of 59 are displayed.・ ・ "" Is displayed. Similarly, on the tab 111-3, “BS141” indicating the BS broadcast channel with the channel number 141 and “Japan VS” indicating the program title of the program broadcast on the BS broadcast channel with the channel number 141. "..." is displayed.

  Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the tabs 111-1 to 111-3 from each other, they are simply referred to as tabs 111.

  The tab 111 is preferably displayed as a semi-transparent image so as not to prevent viewing of the program image.

  In addition, a cursor 112 is arranged on a tab 111 for selecting the same channel as the selected channel. That is, in the example of FIG. 6, since the channel of the BS broadcast with the channel number 141 is selected, the cursor 112 is arranged on the tab 111-3. In this way, the viewer can immediately know the currently selected channel.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the cursor 112 is shown to emphasize the outline of the tab 111-3, but the tab 111-3 has a color different from the color of the tab 111-1 or the tab 111-2. However, the cursor 112 may be displayed in such a manner that the viewer can recognize the focused tab 111, such as changing the luminance.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining channel selection processing by the tab 111 displayed on the display unit 40 of the television receiver 11.

  In step S51, the channel selection processing unit 93 of the tab processing program 81 determines whether or not an instruction to move the cursor 112 displayed on the screen of the display unit 40 to the right is instructed. For example, in step S51, the channel selection processing unit 93 presses the operation key 31 or the right arrow key of the remote commander to the viewer based on the operation input signal from the operation key 31 or the remote commander receiving unit 32 (not shown). As a result, it is determined whether or not the cursor 112 has been instructed to move to the right. If it is determined in step S51 that the cursor 112 has been instructed to move to the right, the process proceeds to step S52, and the channel selection processing unit 93 determines whether or not the tab 111 is displayed on the right side of the cursor 112. In step S52, when it is determined that the tab 111 is displayed on the right side of the cursor 112, the process proceeds to step S53, and the channel selection processing unit 93 moves the cursor 112 to the right tab 111 and moves the cursor 111 to the right. The focus moves to the tab 111, and the process proceeds to step S57.

  If it is determined in step S52 that a tab is not displayed on the right side of the cursor 112, the cursor 112 cannot be moved, so step S53 is skipped and the procedure proceeds to step S57.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that the cursor 112 is not instructed to move to the right, the process proceeds to step S54, and the channel selection processing unit 93 determines whether or not the cursor 112 has been instructed to move to the left. judge. For example, in step S54, the channel selection processing unit 93 presses the operation key 31 or the left arrow key of the remote commander to the viewer based on the operation input signal from the operation key 31 or the remote commander receiving unit 32 (not shown). Thus, it is determined whether or not the cursor 112 has been instructed to move to the left. If it is determined in step S54 that the cursor 112 has been instructed to move to the left, the process proceeds to step S55, and the channel selection processing unit 93 determines whether or not the tab 111 is displayed on the left side of the cursor 112. In step S55, when it is determined that the tab 111 is displayed on the left side of the cursor 112, the process proceeds to step S56, and the channel selection processing unit 93 moves the cursor 112 to the left tab 111 and moves the cursor to the left. The focus moves to the tab 111, and the process proceeds to step S57.

  If it is determined in step S55 that the tab is not displayed on the left side of the cursor 112, the cursor 112 cannot be moved, so step S56 is skipped and the procedure proceeds to step S57.

  If it is determined in step S54 that the cursor 112 is not instructed to move left, the procedure proceeds to step S57 because the cursor 112 does not need to be moved.

  In step S57, the channel selection processing unit 93 determines whether channel selection is instructed. For example, in step S57, the channel selection processing unit 93 presses the operation key 31 or the determination key of the remote commander by the viewer based on the operation input signal from the operation key 31 or the remote commander receiving unit 32 (not shown). Thus, it is determined whether or not channel selection is instructed. If it is determined in step S57 that channel selection has been instructed, the process proceeds to step S58, and the channel selection processing unit 93 selects the channel indicated by the tab 111 on which the cursor 112 is focused, that is, the channel on which the cursor 112 is located. Tune in to step S59. In step S58, the tuner 34 selects a channel indicated by the tab 111 selected by the viewer.

  Since a desired channel has been selected by the viewer, in step S59, the tab display control unit 92 erases the display of the tab 111 from the screen of the display unit 40, the procedure returns to step S51, and the above-described processing is repeated. . That is, in step S59, when the channel selection processing unit 93 notifies the tab display control unit 92 that the channel selection has been performed, the tab display control unit 92 causes the image synthesis unit 39 to stop synthesizing the OSD data and the image signal. Only the program image is displayed on the display unit 40.

  If it is determined in step S57 that channel selection has not been instructed, the process returns to step S51 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining channel selection processing by the tab 111.

  For example, as shown in the upper left of FIG. 8, the image 103 of the program broadcast on the BS broadcast channel with channel number 141, which is the selected channel, and the ground with the channel number 51. The tabs 111-1 and 59 for selecting the channel of the wave broadcast are tabs 111-2 for selecting the channel of the CS broadcast having the channel number and the channel for the BS broadcast of the channel number 141 are selected. It is assumed that an image obtained by combining the tabs 111-3 for stationing is displayed on the display unit 40 of the television receiver 11. Further, it is assumed that the cursor 112 is arranged on the tab 111-3.

  In this case, when the left arrow key of the operation key 31 or the remote commander (not shown) is pressed to instruct the cursor 112 to move to the left, a tab 111-2 is displayed on the left side of the cursor 112. Therefore, the cursor 112 is moved to the left tab 111-2.

  Furthermore, when the operation key 31 or the left arrow key of the remote commander (not shown) is pressed to instruct the cursor 112 to move to the left, a tab 111-1 is displayed on the left side of the cursor 112. Therefore, the cursor 112 is moved to the left tab 111-1.

  At this time, when channel selection is instructed by pressing the operation key 31 or the determination key of the remote commander (not shown), 51 is indicated by the tab 111-1 on which the cursor 112 is arranged. The terrestrial broadcast channel with the channel number is selected, and as shown on the right side of FIG. 8, the program 101 is selected, and the image 101 of the selected channel is displayed on the display unit 40. At the same time, the display of the tab 111 is erased.

  Thus, for example, the channel can be switched by operating only the arrow key and the enter key, and the channel can be selected easily and quickly. For example, the number of operations can be reduced with a smaller number of operations than when operating the key for selecting the channel number after operating the key for selecting media such as CS broadcast, BS broadcast, or terrestrial broadcast. A desired channel of media can be selected.

  Further, even when a channel that is not assigned to the numeric key of the remote commander is selected again, the viewer can select a channel on the tab 111, so that it is not necessary to directly input a channel number and the number of keys to be operated is reduced. Can be made easier.

  In addition, if you want to return to the channel that was selected one or two before, you can see the channel selection history at a glance by displaying the tab 111. It is not necessary for the person to remember and it is possible to select the station more easily.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the tab 111 including thumbnail images. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the thumbnail image 121-1 of the terrestrial broadcast channel number image 51 with the channel number 51 selects the terrestrial broadcast channel 51 with the channel number 51. Are displayed on the tab 111-1. That is, the thumbnail image 121-1 is displayed in the area of the tab 111-1 on the screen of the display unit 40.

  Similarly, the thumbnail image 121-2 of the program image 102 of the CS broadcast channel with the channel number 59 is displayed on the tab 111-2 for selecting the CS broadcast channel with the channel number 59. Yes. That is, the thumbnail image 121-2 is displayed in the area of the tab 111-2 on the screen of the display unit 40.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, since the BS broadcast channel with the channel number 141 is selected and the program image 103 of the selected channel is displayed on the display unit 40, the tab 111-3 is displayed. No thumbnail image is placed.

  In this case, when the generation of OSD data is instructed from the control unit 33, the tab OSD data generation unit 37 receives a thumbnail as a pointer from the storage unit 36 based on the thumbnail image data supplied from the control unit 33 at this time. The thumbnail image data indicated by the image data is read out. Then, the tab OSD data generation unit 37 generates OSD data for displaying the tab 111 including the image indicating the channel and the thumbnail image.

  Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the thumbnail image 121-1 and the thumbnail image 121-2 from each other, they are simply referred to as thumbnail images 121.

  As shown in the lower side of FIG. 6, when the tab 111 not including the thumbnail image 121 is displayed and an upward arrow key or the like is pressed, the channel is changed as shown in FIG. 9. A tab 111 including an image to be displayed and a thumbnail image may be displayed.

  Further, the thumbnail image 121 displayed on the tab 111 is not limited to a still image but may be a moving image.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, when displaying the tabs 111-1 to 111-7, the tab display control unit 92 displays the tabs 111-1 to 111-3 on the upper side of the screen of the display unit 40. The tabs 111-4 to 111-7 may be displayed side by side in order, and the tabs 111-4 to 111-7 may be displayed side by side sequentially below the tabs 111-1 to 111-3. That is, the tab display control unit 92 may control the display of the tab 111 so that the tab 111 is displayed as a multistage tab.

  By doing so, it is possible to display more tabs 111 having a width greater than or equal to a predetermined length.

  Note that a tab 111-7 in FIG. 10 is a tab for selecting an input from an HDMI terminal which is a terminal (connector) compliant with the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (trademark) standard. The tab 111-7 displays “HDMI” indicating that an input from the HDMI terminal is selected and “1” indicating the number of the HDMI terminal which is 1.

  When the image data supplied from the content server 15 via the network 13 is reproduced by the tab 111, the address of the content server 15 is registered, and the address of the content server 15 is stored in the tab table 94 instead of the channel number. Stored. For example, the address of the content server 15 expressed by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is stored in the tab table 94. In this case, on the tab 111, for example, the address is displayed or the fact that the image data is provided via the network 13 is displayed.

  When the selection key is pressed and selected while the tab 111 is focused by the cursor 112, the channel selection processing unit 93 stores the content server 15 stored in the tab table 94 in the communication unit 41. The address is accessed, the image data supplied from the content server 15 is received via the network 13, and the received image data is decoded by the decoder 38.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining tab deletion processing. In step S81, the registration processing unit 91 of the tab processing program 81 determines whether or not the current time has passed the program end time of the program broadcast on the channel registered in the tab table 94.

  For example, in step S81, the registration processing unit 91 compares the current time supplied from a real time clock (not shown) with the program end time of the program broadcast on the channel registered in the tab table 94, It is determined whether or not the time has passed the program end time.

  If it is determined in step S81 that the current time has passed the program end time, the process proceeds to step S82, and the registration processing unit 91 deletes the channel registration. For example, the registration processing unit 91 selects a channel number, a program title, whose current time has passed the program end time from the set of channel number, program title, program end time, and thumbnail image data stored in the tab table 94. By deleting the program end time and the set of thumbnail image data, the registration of the channel of the program whose broadcasting has ended is deleted.

  In step S83, the registration processing unit 91 deletes the thumbnail image of the program image of the channel whose registration has been deleted, and the process ends. For example, the registration processing unit 91 temporarily stores thumbnail image data for the channel whose registration has been deleted in step S82, and stores the thumbnail image data referred to by the thumbnail image data as a pointer. Erasing from 36.

  If it is determined in step S81 that the current time has not passed the program end time, it is not necessary to delete the tab 111, so step S82 and step S83 are skipped, and the process ends.

  As described above, when the program ends, the registration of the channel of the ended program is deleted, so that the channel of the program that has already ended is selected without displaying the unnecessary tab 111. Thus, unnecessary operations can be avoided, and a desired channel can be selected more reliably and easily.

  Note that when the program ends based on the notification of the end of the program included in the broadcast signal of the digital television broadcast, the registration of the channel of the ended program may be deleted.

  In this way, the tab for channel selection is displayed so as to be superimposed on the program screen, so even when selecting a channel, the screen does not change to the menu screen and much of the screen is hidden. It can be used easily.

  In addition, when the upward arrow key is pressed, a tab 111 for selecting a channel is displayed on the display unit 40. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a special key on the operation key 31 or a remote commander (not shown). Absent. In addition, since the cursor 112 focused on the tab 111 can be moved simply by pressing the arrow key, the viewer can operate it very intuitively. Furthermore, the channel can be selected without removing the line of sight from the display unit 40.

  As described above, when information specifying a channel is stored, a channel can be selected based on this information. Further, the storage of channel information, which is information for specifying a channel of a program viewed longer than a predetermined time, is controlled and specified by the stored channel information to be superimposed on the image of the program being viewed. Controlling the display of the tab indicating the channel, and selecting the channel to select the channel indicated by the selected tab when the tab is selected, it is easier with fewer steps. In addition, a desired channel can be selected more intuitively.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a personal computer that executes the above-described series of processing by a program. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 or a storage unit 208. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 appropriately stores programs executed by the CPU 201 and data. The CPU 201, ROM 202, and RAM 203 are connected to each other via a bus 204.

  An input / output interface 205 is also connected to the CPU 201 via the bus 204. Connected to the input / output interface 205 are an input unit 206 composed of a keyboard, mouse, microphone, and the like, and an output unit 207 composed of a display, a speaker, and the like. The CPU 201 executes various processes in response to commands input from the input unit 206. Then, the CPU 201 outputs the processing result to the output unit 207.

  The storage unit 208 connected to the input / output interface 205 includes, for example, a hard disk, and stores programs executed by the CPU 201 and various data. The communication unit 209 communicates with an external device via a network such as the Internet or a local area network.

  Further, a program may be acquired via the communication unit 209 and stored in the storage unit 208.

  The drive 210 connected to the input / output interface 205 drives a removable medium 211 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and drives programs and data recorded there. Get etc. The acquired program and data are transferred to and stored in the storage unit 208 as necessary.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software executes various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a program recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a program recording medium for storing a program that is installed in a computer and is ready to be executed by the computer includes a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only). Memory), DVD (including Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disk), or removable media 211, which is a package medium made of semiconductor memory, or ROM 202 where programs are temporarily or permanently stored, The storage unit 208 is configured by a hard disk or the like. The program is stored in the program recording medium using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via a communication unit 209 that is an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. Done.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program stored in the program recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series in the order described, but is not necessarily performed in time series. Or the process performed separately is also included.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the television receiver of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control program. It is a figure which shows the example of a tab table. It is a flowchart explaining the registration process of a tab. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a tab display. It is a figure explaining the example of a tab registration process and a tab display process. It is a flowchart explaining the process of channel selection by a tab. It is a figure explaining the process of channel selection by a tab. It is a figure which shows the example of the tab containing a thumbnail image. It is a figure which shows the example of the tab which is a multistage tab. It is a flowchart explaining the deletion process of a tab. And FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

  11 television receiver, 33 control unit, 34 tuner, 35 thumbnail image generation unit, 36 storage unit, 37 tab OSD data generation unit, 39 image composition unit, 81 tab processing program, 82 EPG data acquisition processing unit, 91 registration processing Section, 92 tab display control section, 93 channel selection processing section, 94 tab table, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 208 storage section, 211 removable media

Claims (6)

Storage control means for controlling storage of channel information, which is information for specifying a channel of a program viewed longer than a predetermined time;
Display control means for controlling display of a tab indicating a channel specified by the stored channel information to be superimposed on an image of a program being viewed;
A receiving apparatus comprising: channel selection control means for controlling channel selection so as to select a channel indicated by the selected tab when the tab is selected. The storage control means stores end time information indicating an end time of a program broadcast on a channel specified by the channel information together with the channel information, and when the program ends based on the end time information, The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein storage of the channel information and the end time information is controlled so as to delete the channel information and the end time information. The receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising a generating unit that generates a thumbnail image of a channel program image, wherein the display control unit controls display of the tab including the thumbnail image. The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls display of the tabs so that the tabs are displayed as multi-stage tabs. Control the storage of channel information, which is information that identifies the channels of programs that have been viewed longer than a predetermined time,
Control the display of a tab indicating the channel specified by the stored channel information to be superimposed on the image of the program being viewed,
When the tab is selected, the receiving method includes a step of controlling channel selection so as to select a channel indicated by the selected tab. Control the storage of channel information, which is information that identifies the channels of programs that have been viewed longer than a predetermined time,
Control the display of a tab indicating the channel specified by the stored channel information to be superimposed on the image of the program being viewed,
A program for causing a computer to execute a step of controlling channel selection so that a channel indicated by the selected tab is selected when the tab is selected.

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