JP2008193216A - Notifying method, and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To impart a display effect and an audio notice to a content, that a user views, in accordance with the genre of the content at the start time and the end time. <P>SOLUTION: A genre specifying unit 33 specifies the genre of the content and a content decision unit 31 decides whether the content of the genre is an object to be given the effect. When it is decided that the content is the object to be given the effect, the content deciding unit 31 selects the display effect corresponding to the genre of the content from an effect storage unit 35 and an effect control unit 23 imparts the selected display effect such that a curtain closed state is displayed for a predetermined time and the curtain is gradually opened, and further imparts the selected audio data to the content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a notification method and a display device, and more particularly, to a notification method and a display device that give a display effect at the start and / or end timing of content and notify the start and / or end of content by voice.

  In recent years, thin-screen image display devices (hereinafter simply referred to as “thin TVs”) such as liquid crystal TVs and PDP (plasma display panel) TVs have become larger, and TVs with a size of 50 inches can be purchased by general consumers. It has become a price. With such a large television, you can enjoy various contents in an environment full of realism.

  For example, while at home, you can enjoy content as if you were in a movie theater, or enjoy sports broadcasts as if you were in a stadium.

  By the way, the competition among manufacturers in the above-mentioned flat-screen television market is extremely fierce, and each company implements various technologies to achieve further improvement in video quality and to differentiate itself from other companies. Under such circumstances, not only the basic performance such as the display quality is set as a selection criterion of the user, but other additional functions are becoming important.

Further, as one of the technologies assumed as such an additional function, there is an effect application (see Patent Document 1). With the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, various fade patterns can be given to video shot by a video camera.
Japanese Patent Publication No.8-8660

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user selects a desired fade pattern and performs editing such as adding an effect to the video shot by the user. However, although it is a very effective technique when performing video editing, there is a problem that it cannot be used when simply viewing content such as television broadcasting or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) video. In other words, when editing video, the user can select the target to which the effect is applied, but since there are various types of content in television broadcasting and the like, whether or not the effect is applied on the display device side such as a television is determined. It is necessary to judge. In the technique of Patent Document 1, the effect to be given to the content is limited to the video, and the audio is not considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the purpose of the present invention is to estimate whether or not an effect is required for the content, and to the content estimated to be required for the content. It is to provide a technique for applying an effect to the above. In particular, it is to provide a technique for applying an appropriate effect to content at the start and / or end timing of the content.

The method according to the present invention relates to a notification method. The notification method includes a step of specifying a genre of content, a step of giving a display effect to the content at the start and / or end of the content according to the genre, and a step of giving the display effect. And a step of notifying information about the start and / or end of the content by voice or sound effect.
Moreover, you may change the content of the said sound to notify or the said sound effect according to the said genre.
The device according to the present invention relates to a display device. The display device includes a genre specifying unit that specifies a genre of content, an effect applying unit that applies a display effect to the content at the start and / or end of the content according to the genre of the content, and the display effect And a notification unit that notifies the start and / or end of the content by voice or sound effects.
Further, the notification unit may change the notification content by the sound or the sound effect according to the genre.

  According to the present invention, it is estimated whether or not the content is a target to which the effect is applied, and an appropriate effect is applied to the content estimated to be the target at the start and / or end timing of the content. can do. In addition, since notification is made by voice or sound effect at the start and / or end timing, the user who views the content can appropriately recognize the start and / or end timing.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “embodiment”) will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, at the start time and end time of content display, a display effect is applied to the content, and the start and end of the content are notified by sound and sound effects. Here, giving a display effect means synthesizing a predetermined video with the content, or modifying or processing the video of the content. Also, the voice notification refers to outputting a predetermined voice or synthesizing it with the voice of the content instead of the voice of the content. In addition, the term “sound” refers to sounds including not only human voices but also animal voices and music. Furthermore, as sound effects, sounds such as “Gee” reminiscent of the sound at the opening and closing of a movie theater, and the sound of applause of people are assumed. The volume of the sound or sound effect may be output for gradually increasing at the start of the content and gradually decreasing at the end. Hereinafter, the voice and the sound effect are combined and simply abbreviated as “voice”.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the television 10 according to the present embodiment. Note that the present embodiment is not limited to a television but can be applied to a device that displays video such as a video device.

  The television 10 includes a tuner 11, a main control unit 15, an output control unit 20, an external input unit 16, an operation acquisition unit 17, a display unit 18, and a speaker 19. The television 10 further includes an effect determination unit 30.

  The main control unit 15 controls the operation of each component of the television 10, performs time management by a timer function, and performs power on / off control. The main control unit 15, the output control unit 20, and the effect determination unit 30 are stored in, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the function thereof. It is realized by a program that executes The main control unit 15 includes a display setting unit 38 that records screen display settings and an audio setting unit 39 that records audio settings.

  The tuner 11 is connected to the antenna 25 and receives and decodes terrestrial digital broadcasting. The tuner 11 further includes a receiving unit 12 and a decoding processing unit 13. The receiving unit 12 selects a desired channel, performs demodulation processing and error correction processing, and extracts a TS (transport stream) transmitted from the broadcasting station. The decoding processing unit 13 separates the multiplexed TS according to the purpose, decodes the video data and the audio data, and sends, for example, data broadcast data other than the data to the main control unit 15. The decoded video data is sent to the output control unit 20.

  The external input unit 16 acquires desired content from an external video device 42 such as a video device or a DVD player, and sends the acquired content to the output control unit 20 or controls the external video device 42. For this control, when the external video device 42 and the television 10 are provided with an interface according to the HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) standard, for example, the external input unit 16 can be used without providing a special interface. Control of the external video device 42 can be realized.

  The operation acquisition unit 17 receives a user's direct operation through a predetermined interface (not shown) such as a switch or button provided in the television 10 or an indirect operation by the remote controller 43. The instruction acquired from the user is sent to the main control unit 15.

  The output control unit 20 includes a selector 21, a video construction unit 22, and an effect control unit 23. The selector 21 selects the tuner 11 or the external input unit 16, outputs a video signal to the display unit 18 according to the selection, and outputs an audio signal to the speaker 19.

  The video construction unit 22 should finally display on the display unit 18 by, for example, composing a screen reflecting the contents of the data broadcast as necessary, or assigning the number and time of the selected channel. Build a video.

  The effect control unit 23 gives the display effect determined by the effect determination unit 30 described below to the content. When the display of the content starts, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the area where the content is displayed is expanded in time series by displaying the curtain gradually opening. Also, when the display of the content ends, as shown in FIG. 3, the area where the content is displayed is reduced in time series by displaying the curtain gradually closing.

  Note that the display effect is changed according to the genre of the content, the design of the curtain is changed, and display effects such as wipe-in and wipe-out are given in addition to opening and closing of the curtain. Besides the start and end timings of content display, for example, as shown in FIG. 2C, curtains are displayed on both sides of the content. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the curtains need not be displayed. In other words, the curtain disappears when the curtain opening operation ends. Furthermore, the effect control unit 23 gives the content a sound (sound notification) notifying that the content starts or ends, together with the display of the curtain.

  In addition, the display effect application is selectively performed when the effect application mode is selected, and is not performed when the effect application mode is not selected. Note that the effect application mode selection is performed by pressing a predetermined button provided on the remote control 43, for example, a button described as “effect application”, and the content determination unit 31 described later as effect application mode selection information, for example, a flag. Is remembered. When the button is pressed, a predetermined flag indicating that effect application is selected is set.

  The effect determination unit 30 includes a content determination unit 31, a timing specification unit 32, a genre specification unit 33, a setting acquisition unit 34, and an effect storage unit 35.

  The content determination unit 31 determines whether or not the content is a display effect application target. If the content determination unit 31 determines that the content is an application target, the content determination unit 31 provides the display effect and audio notification to the content at a start timing and an end timing. The effect is determined and notified to the effect control unit 23.

  Here, whether or not the display effect is to be applied is determined by referring to the genre to which the content belongs, the screen display setting set in the television 10, and the like. For example, since the terrestrial digital broadcasting TS includes genre information of a program that is content, if the genre of the program is “movie” or “drama”, it is determined that the effect is to be applied.

  The timing specifying unit 32 determines the timing for giving a display effect and audio notification to the content. In order to specify the start time and the end time, the timing specifying unit 32 sends the program arrangement information SI and the information of the electronic program guide EPG included in the TS to the main control unit 15 in the case of terrestrial digital broadcast content. Via the tuner 11. When the content of the external video device 42 is displayed, the timing specifying unit 32 receives information from the external video device 42 such as the time of the content and the degree of progress of chapters, and further a user instruction to the external video device 42. To get. In recent years, for example, a function for linking a television 10 and an external video device 42 such as a video has been installed in many products. By using this function, information from the external video device 42 described above is used. Acquisition is realizable. In addition, the timing specifying unit 32 determines to apply a display effect to the content when the power of the television 10 is turned on or off.

  The genre specifying unit 33 specifies the genre of the content. Specifically, in the case of digital terrestrial broadcast content, for example, “movie”, “sports”, “drama”, etc. are specified as genres based on the program arrangement information SI and EPG included in the TS. Display effects corresponding to the specified genre are displayed in the content as necessary. Here, as described above, the opening / closing of the curtain is given to the content as a display effect for the content whose genre is “movie” or “drama”.

  The setting acquisition unit 34 acquires information regarding screen display settings stored in the display setting unit 38 and information regarding audio settings stored in the audio setting unit 39, and uses the acquired setting information as the content determination unit 31. Notify When viewing the content, the user can select a desired mode from a plurality of modes as screen display settings. Further, the user can set the above-described screen display setting and audio setting for each source on the mode setting screen. Here, for example, “standard mode” can be set for the tuner 11 and “cinema mode” can be set for the external input 16 as the screen display setting. The selected mode is stored in the screen display setting unit 38 or the voice setting unit 39 as display screen setting information or voice setting information. If the screen display settings such as the brightness and color tone of the TV 10 are, for example, “cinema mode” which is a setting suitable for movie content, it is assumed that the content of the genre “movie” is being viewed. Are determined to be subject to effect. Further, when viewing the content of the external video device 42, that is, when the selector 21 selects the external input unit 16 as a connection destination, the content is “movie” content to which an effect is applied. to decide.

  The effect storage unit 35 stores display effect data to be added to content and audio data for audio notification (hereinafter simply referred to as “audio data”). Here, the display effect data may be held as image data for the number of frames to which the effect is applied to the content. For example, since the television 10 displays an image of 30 frames / second, if the operation of opening the curtain is 2 seconds and the position of the curtain is different for each frame, the image data of 60 frames is displayed at the start of the content. Stored as effect data. Also, the base frame data is recorded, and when the display effect is applied, the data may be processed or interpolated between the data to generate an image in which the curtain opens and closes, or programmatically. You may make it produce | generate the image which a curtain opens and closes. A plurality of types of display effect data and audio data may be stored. In this case, which effect and which audio data are given to the content are associated with the genre. Then, the content determination unit 31 selects display effects and audio data associated with the content genre prior to the application of the display effects or the audio notification.

  FIG. 4 is a list of display effect data and audio data stored in the effect storage unit 35, and is associated with the genre of the content. For example, for a content whose genre is a movie, the file “AAA — 01.xxx” is used as a display effect at the start timing, and the file “AAA — 02.xxx” is used as a display effect at the end timing. Similarly, the file “AAA — 03.xxx” is used for voice notification at the start timing, and the file “AAA — 04.xxx” is used for voice notification at the end timing. Furthermore, the top address of an area where display effect data and audio data are stored is described. The top address where the file “AAA — 01.xxx” is stored is “00000”, and the top address where the file “AAA — 02.xxx” is stored is “01000”.

The procedure of display effect application and voice notification with the above configuration will be described.
First, processing when the power of the television 10 is turned on will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process according to this flowchart is activated only once each time the power is turned on. When the user gives an instruction to turn on the power using a power button (not shown) provided on the remote controller 43 or the television 10, the operation acquisition unit 17 receives the instruction and notifies the main control unit 15. Then, the main control unit 15 activates each component of the television 10 and starts a power-on initialization process of the television 10 (S10).

  Subsequently, the content determination unit 31 determines whether or not the effect applying mode is selected with reference to the stored data (flag) of the content determination unit 31 (S12). When the effect application mode is selected (Y in S12), the content determination unit 31 further determines whether or not the content is an effect application target (S14).

  When it is determined that the effect is to be applied (Y in S14), the genre specifying unit 33 specifies the genre of the content and selects a display effect to be displayed from the effect storage unit 35 (S16).

  Subsequently, the effect control unit 23 gives the selected display effect to the content and displays the curtain so as to gradually open (S18). Further, the effect control unit 23 gives a sound effect notified by sound to the content while giving the effect that the curtain gradually opens (S20).

  Note that in the case of digital terrestrial broadcast content of the tuner 11, a time lag occurs due to decoding processing or the like before the content is actually displayed. In this case, as a display effect, the effect control unit 23 displays a state in which the curtain in FIG. 2A is closed until the content is actually displayed, and a display effect that gradually opens the curtain as the content starts to be displayed. You may give to content. At this time, for example, the effect control unit 23 may output a sound “starting soon” from the speaker 19.

  When it is determined that the effect application mode is not selected in the process of S12 (N of S12), or when it is determined that the content is not an effect application target in the process of S14 (N of S14), display effects and The process according to this flow ends without the voice notification being given.

  Next, display effect and audio notification providing processing executed when the power is on will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is continuously executed after the process when the television 10 described above in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is turned on is performed once. When there is a change in channel or input source, that is, when there is a change in the external video device 42 input to the selected external input unit 16, an interrupt process occurs and the first process (S30) Return to.

  First, the content determination unit 31 determines whether or not the effect application mode is selected by the user (S30). The effect applying mode is selected when the user presses a predetermined button provided on the remote controller 43, and a predetermined flag indicating that it has been selected is set and stored in the content determination unit 31. The content determination unit 31 refers to the flag to determine whether or not the effect applying mode is selected. When it is determined that the effect applying mode is selected (Y in S30), the genre specifying unit 33 specifies the genre of the content (S32), and the content determining unit 31 further determines that the content of the genre is the object to which the effect is applied. It is determined whether or not (S34).

  When it is determined that an effect is to be applied (Y in S34), the content determination unit 31 determines whether a new content has been started (S36). As described above, the timing specifying unit 32 refers to the EPG to specify the start time, monitors the channel change of the TV 10, or switches to the external input unit 16 as described above. It is executed by acquiring the monitoring information.

  When it is determined that new content has been started (Y in S36), the timing specifying unit 32 determines whether it has been started from the beginning of the content (S38).

  When it is determined that the content has started from the beginning (Y in S38), the content determination unit 31 selects a display effect corresponding to the content genre and audio data from the effect storage unit 35, and the effect control unit 23 As shown in FIG. 2A, a state where the curtain, which is the selected display effect, is closed is displayed for a predetermined time (S40). At this time, all the contents are hidden, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the curtain may be in a half-open state, or the contents may be seen through. At this time, the effect control unit 23 may give a sound notification that the start of the content is near. Furthermore, the predetermined time for displaying the closed state of the curtain may be substantially 0 seconds, or may be settable by the user. In addition, for example, when the start time is specified with reference to the EPG, or when viewing reservations are made, a state in which the curtain is closed a predetermined time before, for example, 2 seconds before the actual start time is displayed. Also good.

  When the curtain is displayed for a predetermined time, the effect control unit 23 gives the content a display effect that gradually opens the curtain as shown in FIG. 2B (S42). The time for which this curtain opens may be settable by the user. Furthermore, the effect control unit 23 assigns the selected audio data to the content during the application of the display effect that opens the curtain (S44). For example, a sound of “Started” indicating that the content has started is added to the content. When the operation of opening the curtain ends, as shown in FIG. 2C, the curtain is displayed beside the content (S46). If the display effect is such that the curtain opens so as to disappear from the display screen, the process of S46 is skipped.

  Returning to the description of the process of S38, when it is determined that the start is not started from the beginning of the content (N of S38), the effect control unit 23 opens the curtain and displays the text “Resume” instead of FIG. The displayed display effect for resumption is applied (S48), and an audio notification notifying resumption is given to the content (S50). When the processing of S48 and S50 is completed, the effect control unit 23 displays the screen with the curtains open on both sides of the content (S46).

  The state in which the curtain is opened is displayed until the content ends (N in S52). When it is determined that the content has ended (Y in S52), as shown in FIG. 3B, a display effect for gradually closing the curtain is applied to the content (S54). In addition, during display of the display effect that gradually closes the curtain, a sound notification to the effect that the content has ended is given to the content (56). When the operation of closing the curtain is finished, as shown in FIG. 3C, the effect control unit 23 displays a state where the curtain is closed for a predetermined time, the processing by this flow is finished, and the display effect is initialized.

  Next, processing when an operation for turning off the power of the television 10 is performed will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  When the user performs a power-off operation using the remote controller 43, the operation acquisition unit 17 notifies the main control unit 15 of a signal to that effect. Then, in the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 (S30 to S56), an interrupt process occurs, and the process according to this flow is started.

  The power management unit 40 of the main control unit 15 notifies the content determination unit 31 that a signal to turn off the power has been received (S70). Then, the content determination part 31 determines whether it is an effect provision mode (S72). When it is determined that the mode is the effect applying mode (Y in S72), it is further determined whether or not the content is a target for applying the effect (S74).

  If it is determined that the effect is to be applied (Y in S74), the display effect corresponding to the genre of the content is selected from the effect storage unit 35, and the effect control unit 23 applies the selected display effect to the content ( Along with (S76), a voice notification to the effect that the power has been turned off is given to the content (S78).

  When the display effect for closing the curtain ends, a process for turning off the television 10 is executed by the power management unit 40 (S80). When it is determined that the mode is not the effect applying mode (N in S72), or when it is determined that the content is not the target for applying the effect (N in S74), the process of applying the display effect and the audio effect is not performed. Processing for turning off the television 10 is executed by the management unit 40 (S80).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to apply the display effect at the timing when the content starts or ends. Furthermore, voice notification can be made at the timing when the content starts or ends. Among thin display devices such as liquid crystal televisions, those having a size exceeding 50 (inch) type are purchased by general consumers. Therefore, when viewing content of a genre such as a movie, especially when displaying a curtain at the start or end timing of the content on the large screen as described above and notifying the start and end by voice, it is at home. However, it is possible to provide viewers with a sense of presence as if they were in a movie theater.

  In addition, by notifying the voice at the start or end timing, the start or end of the content can be grasped by voice even if the user keeps an eye on the screen. Thereby, the user can avoid missing the content or can decide the next action.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  The present invention can be widely used for display devices such as televisions.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the television which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display effect provided when a content starts. It is a figure which shows an example of the display effect provided when a content is complete | finished. It is a figure which shows an example of the list table of the data of a display effect, and audio | voice data. It is a flowchart which shows the process which provides a display effect when a power supply is turned on. It is a flowchart which shows the process which provides a display effect in the state in which a power supply is on. It is a flowchart which shows the process which provides a display effect when a power supply is turned off.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Television (display apparatus) 11 ... Tuner 12 ... Reception part 13 ... Decoding processing part 15 ... Main control part 16 ... External input part 17 ... Operation acquisition unit, 18 ... display unit, 19 ... speaker, 20 ... output control unit, 21 ... selector, 22 ... video construction unit, 23 ... effect control unit, 30 ... ..Effect determining unit 31 ... Content determining unit 32 ... Timing specifying unit 33 ... Genre specifying unit 34 ... Setting acquiring unit 35 ... Effect storing unit 38 ... Display Setting unit 39... Audio setting unit 42. External video device 43. Remote control 44. External storage device.

Claims (4)

Identifying the genre of the content;
Depending on the genre, providing a display effect to the content at the start and / or end of the content;
And a step of notifying the information on the start and / or end of the content by voice or sound effect along with the application of the display effect.   The notification method according to claim 1, wherein contents of the voice to be notified and the sound effect are changed according to the genre. A genre identifying unit that identifies the genre of the content;
An effect applying unit that applies a display effect to the content at the start and / or end of the content according to the genre of the content;
A display device comprising: a notification unit that notifies the start and / or end of the content by voice or sound effect in accordance with the application of the display effect.   The display device according to claim 3, wherein the notification unit changes a notification content by the sound or the sound effect according to the genre.

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