JP2008141335A - Digital broadcasting receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital broadcasting receiver capable of adjusting content of banner information in accordance of a user's channel selection history. <P>SOLUTION: The digital broadcasting receiver includes: a video signal processing part 103; a control part 108, and a RAM 107 for storing a channel selection history table 130 for holding channel selection history of channels. When a channel is selected, the control part 108 retrieves the channel selection history of the channel from the channel selection history table 130. When there is no channel selection history, the control part 108 stores the channel selection history into the channel selection history table 130 and controls the video signal processing part 103 so as to output a signal for outputting the banner information generated on the basis of information for specifying the channel (channel information) to a picture; and when there is a corresponding channel selection history, the video signal processing part 103 is controlled so that the amount of the banner information becomes less than when there is no channel selection history. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver, and more particularly to a digital broadcast receiver that outputs a video signal for displaying on a screen banner information related to the program at the time of program selection.

Conventionally, as a technology related to a digital television receiver for displaying banner information related to a program selected by a user on a screen, “a digital television receiver used in combination with a digital data communication such as a telephone line network is viewed on a display screen”. This is a method for acquiring information such as advertisements using digital television broadcasting, in which advertisement information such as banner advertisements related to television programs is pasted and deep advertisement information can be obtained sequentially by clicking on the advertisement information. Is proposed (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-268795

In conventional digital television receivers as described above, banner information is usually displayed on the screen every time a channel selection operation is performed, but it is not always necessary for the user to display the same banner information on the screen each time. There is.
In addition, banner information occupies a certain area on the screen, but if banner information that does not need to be displayed every time is displayed many times, it is an obstacle for the user to view the television program.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a digital broadcast receiver that can adjust the content of banner information according to a user's channel selection history.

A digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention includes a broadcast wave receiving unit that receives a digital broadcast wave, and a video signal processing that outputs an output video signal for performing screen output based on the digital broadcast wave received by the broadcast wave receiving unit. An operation signal processing unit that outputs an operation signal indicating that a channel has been selected, a control unit that controls operations of the broadcast wave receiving unit and the video signal processing unit based on the operation signal, A storage unit that stores a table that holds a channel selection history, and when the control unit receives a signal indicating that a channel has been selected from the operation signal processing unit, the channel selection history of the channel from the table If there is no corresponding channel selection history, the channel selection history is stored in the table and is generated based on information for identifying the channel (hereinafter referred to as channel information). When the video signal processing unit is controlled to output a signal for outputting banner information on the screen, and there is a corresponding channel selection history, the information on the banner information is more than when there is no corresponding channel selection history. The video signal processing unit is controlled so as to reduce the amount.
Therefore, when selecting a channel that has already been viewed, it is possible to prevent an excessive number of banners including information that has already been confirmed by the user from being displayed many times. The tuning operation can be performed without feeling.
This is particularly useful for a user who performs an operation of searching for a program that seems to be interesting by repeatedly selecting a plurality of channels in a short time ("zapping", details will be described later).

In the digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention, when the control unit receives a signal indicating that a channel has been selected from the operation signal processing unit, the control unit receives the signal from the digital broadcast wave received by the broadcast wave reception unit. The program information representing the contents of the program broadcast on the channel is extracted, and when the channel selection history is not in the table, the banner information is generated based on the channel information and the program information, and the table If there is a channel selection history of the channel, the banner information is generated using only the channel information.
Therefore, when a user selects a channel that has not been viewed, normal banner information including program information is displayed for the convenience of the user, and when a channel that has already been viewed is selected, the user's viewing is hindered. Only channel information can be displayed as banner information so that it does not occur.
As a result, two contradictory functions, a function for displaying program information as banner information on the screen display and serving for the convenience of the user, and a function for suppressing the banner information so as not to disturb the user's viewing are balanced. It is possible to provide a digital broadcast receiver that can be realized and is convenient for the user.

In the digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention, the control unit extracts end time information of the program from the program information, and deletes the channel selection history of the program from the table after the end time has elapsed.
Therefore, the channel selection history can be automatically cleaned up without turning off the digital broadcast receiver. Therefore, even if the column configuration of the table itself is configured in units of “channels” Control can be performed in units of “channels / programs”.
As a result, the “program” column in the table can be omitted, so that the capacity of the storage unit can be saved, which is advantageous from the viewpoint of miniaturization and cost reduction.

Further, in the digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention, the operation signal processing unit outputs a signal to the control unit that a channel whose channel selection history is not held in the table should be sequentially selected, and the control When receiving the signal from the operation signal processing unit, the unit reads the channel selection history from the table, and sequentially selects the channels that do not hold the channel selection history so that the broadcast wave reception unit and the video signal processing are selected. Control the operation of the unit.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a function of automatically zapping by picking up only unviewed channels. For the user, unlike simple automatic zapping, only unviewed channels are picked up, so that zapping can be performed efficiently.

The digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention includes an EPG receiving unit that receives electronic program guide (EPG) information via the Internet, and the control unit receives the program information from the EPG information received by the EPG receiving unit. To extract.
Therefore, even if the program information is not included in the broadcast wave or when it cannot be extracted, program information is acquired separately via the Internet, and functions similar to the above functions are realized. Can do.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast receiver according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
1 includes an antenna 100, a tuner 101, a demultiplexer 102, a video signal processing unit 103, an audio signal processing unit 104, an operation signal processing unit 105, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 106, a RAM (Random Access Memory). ) 107 and a control unit 108.
The tuner 101, the demultiplexer 102, the video signal processing unit 103, the audio signal processing unit 104, the operation signal processing unit 105, the ROM 106, the RAM 107, and the control unit 108 are connected via a bus 109. Is controlled.

The tuner 101 operates in cooperation with the antenna 100 according to an instruction from the control unit 108 and receives a digital broadcast wave of the selected channel.
The digital broadcast wave transmitted by the broadcast station is received by the antenna 100 and further decomposed into each component of the digital broadcast wave via the tuner 101 to the demultiplexer 102.
Of the outputs of the demultiplexer 102, the video signal is output to the video signal processing unit 103, the audio signal is output to the audio signal processing unit 104, and other field information (described in detail later) is output to the control unit 108.
The video signal processing unit 103 uses the output from the demultiplexer 102 as an input video signal, performs necessary processing such as video decoding processing based on an instruction from the control unit 108, and a screen output device (not shown) outputs the video to the screen. An output video signal 120 is output.
The audio signal processing unit 104 uses the output from the demultiplexer 102 as an input audio signal, performs necessary processing such as audio decoding processing based on an instruction from the control unit 108, and an audio output device (not shown) outputs audio. Output audio signal 121 is output.
The operation signal processing unit 105 receives a signal corresponding to the operation content from an operation terminal (not shown) such as a remote controller or an operation panel operated by the user, and outputs an operation signal 122 corresponding thereto to the control unit 108.
The ROM 106 stores basic software for performing initialization processing before starting up an OS (Operating System).
The RAM 107 stores a channel selection history table 130 described later with reference to FIG.
The control unit 108 is configured by an arithmetic device such as a CPU or a microcomputer.

The “broadcast wave receiving unit” in the first embodiment corresponds to the antenna 100, the tuner 101, and the demultiplexer 102.
The “storage unit” corresponds to the RAM 107.

  Note that the screen output device and the audio output device may be provided in the digital broadcast receiver itself, or the digital broadcast receiver itself is not equipped with these output devices, and the output video signal 120 and the output are output to an external output device. Only the audio signal 121 may be supplied.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration and data example of the channel selection history table 130 stored in the RAM 107.
The RAM 107 includes a channel selection history table 130 configured as shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 108, and holds this while the digital broadcast receiver is activated.
The channel selection history table 130 has a “channel” column and a “viewed” column.
When the channel selection history table 130 is configured in the RAM 107, the control unit 108 configures the same number of row data as the initial value that can be received by the digital broadcast receiver. The data example in FIG. 2 is an example in which the digital broadcast receiver can receive 12 channels “channel 1” to “channel 12”.
The “channel” column stores information for specifying a channel, such as an ID representing the channel.
In the “viewed” column, “0” or “1” is stored. The initial values are all “0”.
The detailed usage of the channel selection history table 130 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, before describing the operation of the digital broadcast receiver according to the first embodiment, problems of the conventional digital broadcast receiver will be described.

FIG. 13 shows a broadcast program image of digital broadcasting.
Generally, a digital broadcast receiver is configured to display on a screen banner information related to a program being broadcast when a user selects a channel. In the example of FIG. 13, the program title and broadcast time are displayed in the upper center of the screen, the channel number (these information is called program information) in the upper right of the screen, and the type of broadcast wave and the audio type are displayed in the lower right of the screen. ing.
In addition, depending on the model of the digital broadcast receiver, a banner of the broadcasting station may be displayed or a specific icon may be displayed.
Such banner information plays a role of presenting rough information related to the program to the user and serving the convenience of the user. For a user who selects a channel without looking at the program guide column of a newspaper or EPG, This is convenient because you can immediately get an overview of the program.

On the other hand, since the banner information occupies a certain area on the screen, it may be an obstacle for the user to view the program. In most cases, the banner information disappears from the screen within a few seconds after the user selects a channel. However, if the same information is displayed many times, the possibility that the user feels troublesome cannot be denied.
Especially for users who are looking for interesting programs by repeating multiple channel selection in a short time (this operation is sometimes called “zapping”), once displayed banner information is zapping. If it is displayed every time the channel is selected, it may be annoying.

  Some digital broadcasting receivers can be set to minimize banner information (for example, to display only the channel number), but if such settings are made, banner information is always minimal. It becomes only the contents. This is not always a satisfactory setting for users who are normally viewing without zapping because they may want the program information to be displayed on the banner.

The present invention proposes a digital broadcast receiver capable of suppressing excessive banner display that hinders viewing as described above.
Hereinafter, the description returns to the operation of the digital broadcast receiver according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital broadcast receiver according to the first embodiment.
Here, the operation until the user turns on the digital broadcast receiver and selects a channel will be described.
(S301) The user turns on the main power of the digital broadcast receiver. The OS is started, a predetermined initialization process is performed, and the digital broadcast wave can be received. At this time, the channel selection history table 130 is not configured in the RAM 107.
(S302) The control unit 108 configures the channel selection history table 130 having the columns described with reference to FIG. Here, 12 rows of initial data are stored in the same manner as in the data example of FIG. 2, and channel numbers from “channel 1” to “channel 12” are set in the “channel” column, and the “viewed” column is set. Are all set to “0”.
(S303) The user performs channel selection operation using the remote control or the operation panel. Here, it is assumed that “Channel 2” is selected. The operation signal processing unit 105 receives a signal corresponding to the operation content of the user and outputs an operation signal 122 corresponding to the signal to the control unit 108.
(S304) The control unit 108 sets “1” in the “viewed” column in the row “channel = 2” in the data held in the channel selection history table 130.
(S305) The control unit 108 controls the tuner 101 so as to receive the digital broadcast wave of “Channel 2”. The received digital broadcast wave of “Channel 2” is decomposed into each component by the demultiplexer 102 and is output to the video signal processing unit 103, the audio signal processing unit 104, and the control unit 108, respectively.
Next, the control unit 108 extracts program information included in the received digital broadcast wave, generates banner information, and outputs the banner information to the video signal processing unit 103.
The video signal processing unit 103 and the audio signal processing unit 104 perform necessary processing such as decoding processing in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 108, and output an output signal to each output device. At this time, the video signal processing unit 103 outputs an output video signal for performing the banner display as described in FIG. 13 based on the banner information received from the control unit 108.

FIG. 4 is an operation flow when the user performs a channel selection operation again after FIG.
(S401) The user selects a channel using the remote control or the operation panel. The operation signal processing unit 105 receives a signal corresponding to the operation content of the user and outputs an operation signal 122 corresponding to the signal to the control unit 108.
(S402) The control unit 108 searches for the corresponding data in the channel selection history table 130 using the channel number selected by the user in step S401 as a key, and the value of the “viewed” column of the data is set to “1”. Check if it is.
(S403) If the value of the “viewed” column of the corresponding data is “1” in step S402, the process proceeds to step S406. If it is not “1”, the process proceeds to step S404.
(S404) The control unit 108 sets “1” in the “viewed” column of the corresponding data in the channel selection history table 130.
(S405) The same processing as step S305 in FIG. 3 is performed, and the normal banner display as described in FIG. 13 is performed.
(S406) The control unit 108 controls the tuner 101 to receive the digital broadcast wave of “Channel 2”. The received digital broadcast wave of “Channel 2” is decomposed into each component by the demultiplexer 102 and is output to the video signal processing unit 103, the audio signal processing unit 104, and the control unit 108, respectively.
Next, the control unit 108 generates banner information with a limited amount of information and outputs it to the video signal processing unit 103.
The video signal processing unit 103 and the audio signal processing unit 104 perform necessary processing such as decoding processing in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 108, and output an output signal to each output device. At this time, the video signal processing unit 103 outputs an output video signal for performing banner display as will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 based on the banner information received from the control unit 108.

  The channel selection history table 130 stored in the RAM 107 is completely deleted when the user turns off the power of the digital broadcast receiver. When the user turns on the power again and performs the tuning operation, the processing described with reference to FIG. 3 is executed, and the tuning history table 130 is configured again.

FIG. 5 shows a display example of banner information with a limited amount of information.
It has been described that the control unit 108 generates banner information with a limited amount of information and outputs it to the video signal processing unit 103 in step S406 of FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, banner information with a limited amount of information means that only the channel number is displayed on the screen without displaying the program information and the type of broadcast wave.
Compared with the banner information shown in FIG. 13, the ratio of the banner information in the screen is small, and it can be seen that the user's viewing hindrance is minimized.

The method for limiting the amount of banner information is not limited to that described with reference to FIG.
For example, only the title of the program information can be displayed, or the font size of characters can be reduced or the color can be made semi-transparent so that it is less likely to be noticed by the user. Other methods such as displaying only character information and not displaying an icon, and shortening the display time of banner information are also conceivable.

In the above description, it has been described that the control unit 108 extracts the program information from the digital broadcast wave. Specifically, the program information may be extracted from an EIT (Event Information Table) of the digital broadcast wave. Alternatively, program information can also be extracted from EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information transmitted by sewing between program broadcast waves.
In addition, although the channel number is obtained from the user's channel selection operation, the channel information may be extracted from NIT (Network Information Table) or EPG information of a digital broadcast wave instead.
Moreover, it cannot be overemphasized that it can extract from each field which is not restricted to the above, and stores the same information.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the amount of banner information can be controlled in accordance with the user's channel selection history, so that the user's viewing is not hindered and annoying. Channel selection operation can be performed. This is particularly useful for a user who is performing a zapping operation.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the channel history selected by the user is stored in the channel selection history table 130, and the history is retained until the digital broadcast receiver is turned off. The configuration for suppressing the banner information has been described.
In the digital broadcast receiver according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the channel selection history table 130 is cleaned up before the power of the digital broadcast receiver is turned off, and the banner information is based on the finer channel selection history. The structure which suppresses is demonstrated.

In the configuration described in the first embodiment, the channel selected once is held until the power of the digital broadcast receiver is turned off. Therefore, for example, if the user performs zapping and selects all the channels once, “1” is set in the “viewed” column, and banner information is not displayed after selecting the channel. Become. Then, even if the next program starts, the title of the program cannot be confirmed on the screen.
In order to eliminate such inconvenience, the digital broadcast receiver according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which the channel selection history is cleared even after the channel that has been selected once is over after the program that was being broadcast at the end of the channel selection.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration and data example of the deletion schedule table 131 stored in the RAM 107.
The scheduled deletion table 131 has a “channel” column and a “scheduled deletion time” column, and is empty in the initial state.
In the “channel” column, the value of the “channel” column of the row in which the value of the “viewed” column is set to “1” in the channel selection history table 130 is stored.
The “end time” column stores the scheduled end time of the program that is currently aired on the channel represented by the value in the “channel” column.
Next, the detailed usage of the deletion schedule table 131 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital broadcast receiver according to the second embodiment.
Here, as in FIG. 3, the operation until the user turns on the digital broadcast receiver and selects a channel will be described.
(S701)-(S704) Since it is the same as that of step S301-S304 of FIG. 3, description is abbreviate | omitted.
(S705) The control unit 108 controls the tuner 101 to receive the digital broadcast wave of “Channel 2”. The received digital broadcast wave of “Channel 2” is decomposed into each component by the demultiplexer 102 and is output to the video signal processing unit 103, the audio signal processing unit 104, and the control unit 108, respectively.
Next, the control unit 108 extracts program information included in the received digital broadcast wave, and extracts information indicating the end time of the program.
Next, the control unit 108 stores a new entry in the deletion schedule table 131 using the channel information and end time of the program. The channel information is stored in the “channel” column, and the end time is stored in the “scheduled deletion time” column.
(S706) The control unit 108 generates banner information from the program information included in the received digital broadcast wave, and outputs the banner information to the video signal processing unit 103.
The video signal processing unit 103 and the audio signal processing unit 104 perform necessary processing such as decoding processing in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 108, and output an output signal to each output device. At this time, the video signal processing unit 103 outputs an output video signal for performing the banner display as described in FIG. 13 based on the banner information received from the control unit 108.

FIG. 8 shows a flow of processing for cleaning up the channel selection history table 130 using the data stored in the deletion schedule table 131. The process of FIG. 8 is repeatedly executed while the power is on.
(S801) The control unit 108 accesses the deletion schedule table 131 stored in the RAM 107 and confirms the presence or absence of data.
(S802) If data is stored in the deletion schedule table 131, the process proceeds to step S803. If no data is stored, the process returns to step S801.
(S803) The control unit 108 reads all the values in the “end time” column of the data stored in the deletion schedule table 131, and for each data, the current time sets the value in the “end time” column. Check if it has passed. If the value in the “end time” column has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S804, and if not, the process returns to step S801.
(S804) The control unit 108 accesses the channel selection history table 130, and stores data in which the value in the “channel” column is the same as the value in the “channel” column of the data in the deletion schedule table 131 read in step S803. Search for. Next, the control unit 108 sets the value of the “viewed” column of the corresponding data to “0”.
(S805) The control unit 108 accesses the deletion schedule table 131 and deletes one piece of data read in step S803.

7 to 8 described above, the data stored in the channel selection history table 130 is cleaned up when the end time of the program has elapsed, and the value of the “viewed” column is “0”. Will be reset.
Therefore, since the channel selection history table 130 is automatically cleaned up without turning off the power of the digital broadcast receiver, the inconvenience that occurs in the configuration of the first embodiment can be solved.

  Note that the method for implementing the process of cleaning up the channel selection history table 130 is not limited to that described with reference to FIG. 8, and is configured to start the cleanup process at the end of the program using, for example, an alarm timer. You can also.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the channel selection history can be automatically cleaned up without turning off the power of the digital broadcast receiver. Even if the configuration is configured in units of “channels”, the tuning history can be controlled in units of “channels / programs”.
As a result, the “program” column in the table can be omitted, so that the capacity of the storage unit can be saved, which is advantageous from the viewpoint of miniaturization and cost reduction.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the first and second embodiments, the channel selection history table 130 is configured with row data of the same number as all channel numbers that can be received by the digital broadcast receiver as an initial value, and “0” “ 1), it was determined whether or not the channel was selected.
In the digital broadcast receiver according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, another configuration example of the channel selection history table 130 will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration and data example of the channel selection history table 130 according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the channel selection history table 130 has only a “channel” column.
In the first and second embodiments, when the channel selection history table 130 is initialized, the same number of initial data as the number of all channels that can be received by the digital broadcast receiver is stored.
In the third embodiment, the control unit 108 stores only data representing the channel selected by the user in the channel selection history table 130. By mounting in this way, the used capacity of the RAM 107 can be saved, which is preferable from the viewpoint of miniaturization and cost reduction.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the digital broadcast receiver according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a configuration for providing an automatic zapping function using the channel selection history table 130 will be described.

The automatic zapping function referred to in Embodiment 4 refers to a function that automatically performs an operation of sequentially selecting channels at a constant time interval of about several seconds to several tens of seconds.
Normally, when the user performs zapping, an operation such as pressing the channel key of the remote controller is performed, and the channel selection operation is repeated ad hoc.
However, zapping is often performed without a clear intention to select a specific channel, and it is convenient for the user to provide a function for automatically performing zapping. Furthermore, if the channel selection history table 130 is used to skip the already viewed channel and perform automatic zapping, the convenience for the user is further increased.
Hereinafter, an operation of performing automatic zapping using data stored in the channel selection history table 130 will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for performing automatic zapping using data stored in the channel selection history table 130. Hereinafter, each step will be described. The channel selection history table 130 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG.
(S1001) The user operates the operation panel or remote control of the digital broadcast receiver to instruct to execute the automatic zapping function. The operation signal processing unit 105 receives a signal corresponding to the user's operation content, and outputs an operation signal 122 corresponding thereto (here, an instruction to execute the automatic zapping function) to the control unit 108.
(S1002) The control unit 108 accesses the channel selection history table 130, and searches for data whose value in the “viewed” column is “0”. Holds a list of values in the “channel” column of data obtained as a result of the search.
(S1003) The control unit 108 repeats the next step S1004 for the number of data items acquired in step S1002.
(S1004) The control unit 108 controls the tuner 101 so as to receive the digital broadcast wave of the channel acquired in step S1002. The received digital broadcast wave is decomposed into each component by the demultiplexer 102, and is output to the video signal processing unit 103, the audio signal processing unit 104, and the control unit 108, respectively.
Next, the control unit 108 instructs the video signal processing unit 103 and the audio signal processing unit 104 to output an output video signal and an output audio signal, similarly to step S305 in FIG. The banner information displayed at this time may be normal banner information or minimum banner information with a reduced amount of information.
Note that the value of the “viewed” column in the channel selection history table 130 may be set to “1” at the time of channel selection by automatic zapping, or the value of the same column may not be updated only during automatic zapping.

With the processing of FIG. 10 described above, the digital broadcast receiver according to the fourth embodiment can provide an automatic zapping function to the user. Furthermore, since the channel selection history table 130 is used to skip the already viewed channel and the automatic zapping is performed, it is more convenient for the user.
Note that the processing of FIG. 10 may be completed only once, or after all unviewed channels are circulated, automatic zapping may be performed again from the first unviewed channel. Whether or not to set the value of the “viewed” column of the channel selection history table 130 to “1” during automatic zapping may be appropriately selected depending on which one is selected.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, an automatic zapping function that is efficient for the user can be provided using the data stored in the channel selection history table 130.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
The first to fourth embodiments have been described on the assumption that program information is extracted from digital broadcast waves and used to create banner information and clean up the channel selection history table 130. This assumes the case of extracting from the program information included in the program broadcast wave itself and the case of extracting from the EPG information transmitted by sewing between the program broadcast waves.
However, the method of extracting program information is not limited to this, and for example, a method of using EPG information provided via the Internet can be considered.
In the digital broadcast receiver according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, a configuration for extracting program information from EPG information provided via the Internet will be described.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the digital broadcast receiver according to the fifth embodiment. The configuration is almost the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except that a network interface 110 is newly provided.
The network interface 110 is connected to the control unit 108 via the bus 109, and can be connected to the Internet via an Internet connection device such as a modem.

FIG. 12 shows a network connection example when the digital broadcast receiver according to the fifth embodiment acquires EPG information.
Reference numeral 1201 denotes a digital broadcast receiver according to the fifth embodiment, which includes the network interface 110 described with reference to FIG.
Reference numeral 1202 denotes an Internet connection device such as a modem, and one end is connected to the network interface 110 and the other end is connected to the Internet 1204.
An EPG server 1203 installed by an EPG information provider or the like outputs a network packet including EPG information in response to a request from the digital broadcast receiver 1201.

Next, the EPG information acquisition operation will be described together with the internal operation of the digital broadcast receiver 1201.
The control unit 108 of the digital broadcast receiver 1201 generates a request packet for EPG information by a user operation or automatically at a predetermined time interval, and outputs it to the Internet 1204 via the network interface 110. Assume that the packet destination is set in advance to point to the address of the EPG server 1203.
The EPG information request packet output from the network interface 110 is output to the Internet 1204 via the Internet connection device 1202 and reaches the EPG server 1203.
The EPG server 1203 interprets the EPG information request packet and returns a packet including the EPG information to the digital broadcast receiver 1201.
The network interface 110 receives a packet including EPG information via the Internet connection device 1202 and outputs the packet to the control unit 108.
The control unit 108 extracts EPG information from the received packet and develops it on the RAM 107. At this time, program information of each channel can be obtained. Thereafter, when program information is required for the creation of banner information and the cleanup processing of the channel selection history table 130, the EPG information developed on the RAM 107 can be referred to as appropriate.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, even when the program information is not included in the broadcast wave or when it cannot be extracted, the program information is separately acquired via the Internet. The functions similar to those described in the first to fourth embodiments can be realized.

2 is a functional block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The structure and data example of the channel selection history table 130 are shown. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital broadcast receiver according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an operation flow when the user performs a channel selection operation again after FIG. 3. It shows a display example of banner information with a limited amount of information. The structure and example of data of the deletion schedule table 131 are shown. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital broadcast receiver according to the second embodiment. It is a processing flow for cleaning up the channel selection history table. It is a structure and data example of the channel selection log | history table 130 in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a flow explaining the operation | movement which performs automatic zapping. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a digital broadcast receiver according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is a network connection example of the digital broadcast receiver according to the fifth embodiment. It shows a broadcast program image of digital broadcasting.

Explanation of symbols

  100 antenna, 101 tuner, 102 demultiplexer, 103 video signal processing unit, 104 audio signal processing unit, 105 operation signal processing unit, 106 ROM, 107 RAM, 108 control unit, 109 bus, 110 network interface, 120 output video signal, 121 output audio signal, 122 operation signal, 130 channel selection history table, 131 deletion schedule table, 1201 digital broadcast receiver, 1202 Internet connection device, 1203 EPG server, 1204 Internet.

Claims (5)

A broadcast wave receiver for receiving digital broadcast waves;
A video signal processor for outputting an output video signal for performing screen output based on the digital broadcast wave received by the broadcast wave receiver;
An operation signal processor for outputting an operation signal indicating that the channel has been selected;
A control unit for controlling operations of the broadcast wave receiving unit and the video signal processing unit based on the operation signal;
A storage unit for storing a table for holding a channel selection history;
With
The controller is
Upon receiving a signal indicating that a channel has been selected from the operation signal processing unit, search the channel selection history of the channel from the table,
If there is no corresponding tuning history,
The channel selection history is stored in the table, and the video signal processing unit is controlled to output a signal for screen output of banner information generated based on information for specifying the channel (hereinafter referred to as channel information),
If there is a corresponding tuning history,
The digital broadcast receiver, wherein the video signal processing unit is controlled so that the amount of information of the banner information is smaller than when there is no corresponding channel selection history. The controller is
Upon receiving a signal indicating that the channel has been selected from the operation signal processing unit, program information representing the content of the program being broadcast on the channel is extracted from the digital broadcast wave received by the broadcast wave receiving unit,
If there is no channel selection history in the table,
The banner information is generated based on the channel information and the program information,
If there is a channel selection history for that channel in the table,
The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the banner information is generated using only the channel information. The controller is
Extracting the end time information of the program from the program information,
The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 2, wherein the channel selection history of the program is deleted from the table after the end time has elapsed. The operation signal processor is
A signal indicating that a channel for which channel selection history is not stored in the table should be sequentially selected is output to the control unit,
The controller is
When receiving the signal from the operation signal processing unit,
Read the tuning history from the table,
The operation of the broadcast wave receiving unit and the video signal processing unit is controlled so as to sequentially select channels that do not hold a channel selection history. Digital broadcast receiver. An EPG receiver that receives electronic program guide (EPG) information via the Internet;
The controller is
The digital broadcast receiver according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the program information is extracted from EPG information received by the EPG receiver.

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