JP2008294909A - Television apparatus, recommendation information providing server, recommendation information providing system, recommendation information acquiring method, recommendation information providing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television apparatus capable of providing information with a high probability which matches a viewer's taste, and to provide a recommendation information providing server, a recommendation information providing system, a recommendation information acquiring method, and a recommendation information providing method. <P>SOLUTION: A television apparatus is provided with a customized information acquisition section for acquiring a specified castomized information as the customized information for determining screen display or voice output other than contents, a customized information reflection section for making screen display or voice output based on the acquired customized information, a recommendation information acquisition section for acquiring the recommendation information associated with the information for identifying the acquired customized information from a recommendation information providing server, and a recommendation information reflection section for notifying viewers of the acquired recommendation information by screen display or voice output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a television device, a recommendation information provision server, a recommendation information provision system, a recommendation information acquisition method, a recommendation information provision method and a program, and more particularly, a television device in a television customization system for customizing screen display or audio output of the television device, recommendation information The present invention relates to a provision server, a recommendation information provision system, a recommendation information acquisition method, a recommendation information provision method, and a program.

In recent years, it has become possible to view a video program via an Internet connection by a digital television apparatus to which an Internet connection function is added.
In addition, conventional computer devices download patches and software for changing operation screens and decoration information via the Internet connection, and install them in the system to change the operation screens according to their intended use. I was able to.

However, as with conventional computer equipment, searching and downloading patches and software on the Internet for the purpose of customizing menu screens in digital TV devices with a wide audience requires difficult operations. .
As an example for solving such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses that a program for changing the operation screen of a digital television device is push-distributed by mixing it with a broadcast wave, and the viewer's preference is received on the digital television device side. A digital television apparatus is disclosed that can be customized according to the user's preference and can be customized with an easy operation. Specifically, the viewer sets preference information in the user profile database of the digital television apparatus in advance by a method such as a questionnaire or manual input, or a method of learning through the viewer's operation and viewing history, and the detailed information included in the distribution information A program for changing the operation screen of the digital television device when the keyword inside matches the preference information is acquired.

In addition, in an electronic program guide receiving device provided in a conventional digital TV device or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) recorder, a program having the same title, keyword, and genre as a program that the viewer has specified to watch or record in the past is broadcast from the broadcast wave. There are also programs that select and display programs that match the viewer's preference by retrieving and displaying the acquired electronic program guide data (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-194245 A JP 2001-036846 A

  However, in the method of searching for a program having the same title, keyword, and genre as a program viewed in the past from the electronic program guide data, the broadcast station is based on limited information called electronic program guide data set for each program. In order to perform a search, for example, the setting of keywords and the setting of genre division may not be appropriate, for example, the genre division is too wide, so there is a problem that information that suits the viewer's preference cannot always be obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a television device, a recommended information providing server, a recommended information providing system, a recommendation that can provide information having a high probability of meeting the viewer's preference. It is to provide an information acquisition method and a recommendation information provision method.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a television apparatus according to the present invention is based on a customization information acquisition unit that acquires customization information for a specified screen display or audio output, and the acquired customization information. A customization information reflecting unit that displays a screen or outputs a voice, a recommendation information acquisition unit that acquires recommendation information associated with information for identifying the acquired customization information from a recommendation information providing server, and the acquired recommendation information on the screen And a recommendation information reflecting unit for notifying a viewer by display or audio output.

  As a result, the television apparatus of the present invention acquires recommendation information associated with customization information that is highly likely to reflect the preference tendency and notifies the viewer because the viewer designates it. It is possible to provide information with a high probability of meeting the user's preference.

  The television device of the present invention is the above-described television device, wherein the recommendation related information related to the preference of the viewer who uses the device is associated with the information for identifying the acquired customization information, and the recommendation is performed. A preference-related information transmitting unit that transmits the information to the information providing server is provided.

  As a result, the television apparatus of the present invention allows the recommended information providing server to generate the recommended information based on the preference related information transmitted in association with the customization information from the plurality of television apparatuses. Since it is possible to obtain recommended information based on the preference-related information of the same viewer, information with a high probability of meeting the viewer's preference can be provided.

  The television apparatus of the present invention is the above-described television apparatus, wherein the preference-related information includes information indicating a broadcast program being viewed, history information indicating a history of the broadcast program being viewed, and identification of a recorded broadcast program. Information including at least one of information, information indicating a broadcast program reserved for viewing, information indicating a broadcast program reserved for recording, or information indicating customization information that has been specified. It is characterized by.

  The television device of the present invention is any of the above-described television devices, wherein the customization information acquisition unit receives a customization information acquisition request for specifying customization information from an external device, and the customization information acquisition request specifies The customization information to be obtained is acquired from a customization information providing server.

  The television apparatus of the present invention is any one of the above-described television apparatuses, wherein the recommendation information is at least one of a broadcast program viewing number, a recording number, a viewing reservation number, and a recording reservation number. It is information including at least any one of the information showing the ranking based on or the information showing the ranking based on the designated number of customization information.

  The recommended information providing server of the present invention is a recommended information providing server that communicates with a plurality of television apparatuses via a communication path, and recommends information corresponding to information for identifying customization information for screen display or audio output. A recommendation information storage unit for storing, and recommendation information associated with information for identifying customization information received from the television apparatus via the communication path is read from the recommendation information storage unit, and the read recommendation information is And a recommendation information providing unit that replies to the television set.

  The recommendation information providing server of the present invention is the above-described recommendation information providing server, which is preference-related information related to the preference of a viewer who uses the television device, and identifies customization information in the television device. A preference-related information receiving unit that receives preference-related information associated with information from the television device via the communication path, and the associated customization of the preference-related information received from a plurality of the television devices. A recommendation information generation unit that classifies each information, generates recommendation information based on the classification result, and stores the recommendation information in association with the customization information is stored in the recommendation information storage unit.

  The recommended information providing server according to the present invention is any of the above-described recommended information providing servers, wherein the preference related information includes information representing a broadcast program being viewed on the television device, history of the viewed broadcast program. Information including at least one of history information representing the recorded broadcast program identification information, information representing the broadcast program reserved for recording, and information representing the history of the customized information used. Features.

  The recommended information providing server according to the present invention is any one of the above-described recommended information providing servers, wherein the recommended information is at least one of the number of broadcast programs viewed, the number of recordings, and the number of recording reservations. It is the information containing at least any one of the information showing the ranking based on or the information showing the ranking based on the used number of customization information.

  The recommendation information providing system of the present invention is a recommendation information providing system comprising a plurality of television devices and a recommendation information providing server that communicates with the plurality of television devices via a communication path, the television device comprising: A customization information acquisition unit that acquires customization information for a specified screen display or audio output, a customization information reflection unit that performs screen display or audio output based on the acquired customization information, and information for identifying the acquired customization information A recommendation information acquisition unit that receives recommendation information associated with information transmitted to the recommendation information providing server and that identifies the transmitted customization information from the recommendation information providing server, and displays the received recommendation information on a screen. A recommendation information reflecting unit for notifying a viewer by audio output, and the recommendation information providing server includes: A recommendation information storage unit that stores the recommendation information in association with information for identifying customization information, and recommendation information associated with information for identifying customization information received from the television device via the communication path, And a recommendation information providing unit that reads the recommendation information from the recommendation information storage unit and returns the read recommendation information to the television set.

  The recommendation information acquisition method of the present invention is a recommendation information acquisition method in a television device, wherein the television device acquires customization information of a designated screen display or audio output, and the television device. The second process of displaying the screen or outputting the sound based on the acquired customization information, and the television apparatus acquires the recommendation information associated with the information for identifying the acquired customization information from the recommendation information providing server. And a fourth process in which the television apparatus notifies the viewer of the acquired recommended information by screen display or audio output.

  The recommendation information providing method of the present invention is a recommendation information providing method in a recommendation information providing server that communicates with a plurality of television apparatuses via a communication path, and the recommendation information providing server displays a screen or a screen from the television apparatus. Corresponding information identifying voice output customization information via the communication path to information identifying the customization information received by the recommendation information providing server in the first process A second step of reading the recommendation information stored in the storage unit, and a third step of the recommendation information providing server providing the television apparatus with the recommendation information read in the second step. Features.

  In addition, the program of the present invention includes a customization information acquisition unit that acquires customization information for a specified screen display or audio output for a computer included in the television device, and customization information for screen display or audio output based on the acquired customization information. A reflection unit, a recommendation information acquisition unit that acquires recommendation information associated with information that identifies the acquired customization information from a recommendation information providing server, and notifies the viewer of the acquired recommendation information by screen display or audio output It functions as a recommendation information reflection unit.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is a screen display or audio output customization information received from the television device via the communication path by the computer included in the recommendation information providing server that communicates with a plurality of television devices via the communication path. The recommendation information stored in the recommendation information storage unit in association with the information for identifying the information is read out, and the read recommendation information is made to function as a recommendation information providing unit for returning the information to the television apparatus.

  According to the present invention, since the viewer designates, the recommendation information associated with the customization information that is likely to reflect the preference tendency is acquired and notified to the viewer, so that the viewer's preference is met. Information with high probability can be provided.

In this specification, the customization information refers to information that determines the output received by the viewer from the digital TV device, such as display output and audio output of the digital TV device related to contents other than broadcast programs, such as a display screen. Frame, operability, menu structure, icons, sound effects, recommended information, widgets. Widgets refer to simple applications, such as schedules, weather forecasts, webcam video displays, games, stock prices, fortune telling, and photos.
In addition, in the present invention, preference-related information refers to related information that is related to the viewer's preference held by the digital TV apparatus when the customization information is reflected, and includes broadcast signal identification information that is being viewed, viewing reservation Reservation information consisting of recording reservations and customized information stored.
In the present invention, the recommendation information refers to recommendation information related to customization information to be reflected together with the customization information, and refers to program ranking, a schedule composed of program information, and ranking of stored customization information.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a digital television device customization system.
The digital television device customization system according to the present embodiment includes a digital television device 1 to a digital television device 3 connected via a communication network 500, a customized information providing server 200, a recommended information providing server 300, and an external terminal for obtaining customized information. 400 and a broadcast station 600 that transmits a TV broadcast signal 700.

  The customization information providing server 200 is installed by a service company that provides customization information, and transmits customization information to the requesting digital television apparatus in accordance with the requests of the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. The recommendation information providing server 300 is installed by a service company that provides ranking information and the like, and transmits the recommended information classified by the customization information to the requesting digital TV apparatus according to the request of the digital TV apparatuses 1 to 3. The broadcast station 600 is a broadcast facility or a relay station apparatus installed by a broadcaster that broadcasts a broadcast program composed of video or audio by the TV broadcast signal 700. The external terminal 400 has a communication function with the customization information providing server 200 via the communication network 500, acquires the customization information ID of the customization information selected by the user from the customization information providing server 200, and acquires the acquired customization information. This is a mobile phone terminal that transmits a customized information acquisition request including an ID to the digital television apparatus 1 using an infrared signal 800. The communication network (communication path) 500 is composed of the Internet, a mobile phone network, and the like. The digital television devices (television devices) 1 to 3 can customize the output according to the customization information selected by the viewer, and notify the viewer of the recommended information acquired from the recommended information providing server 300.

  In addition to obtaining the customization information from the customization information providing server 200, several types of information may be stored in advance in the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. Even in this case, when the viewer desires customization information other than the stored information, the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3 obtain the customization information desired by the viewer from the customization information providing server 200.

  If the customization information is charged, a billing system is required. However, a difficult billing method is bothersome for the viewer and should be avoided as much as possible. Therefore, the viewer may be allowed to charge through the external terminal 400 such as a mobile phone that is relatively familiar with the charging system. For example, the external terminal 400 acquires charging identification information indicating that charging has already been performed from the charging system, and transmits the information to the digital television apparatus 1 together with the customization information acquisition request including the customization information ID. The received information is transmitted to the customization information providing server 200. The customization information providing server 200 may authenticate the charging identification information by inquiring to the charging system that the charging identification information is legitimate and send the customization information requested by the customization information acquisition request to the digital television apparatus 1. .

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3 in the present embodiment. The digital television apparatuses 1 to 3 include an infrared receiving unit 101, a customization information acquisition unit 102, a network connection unit 103, a customization information recording unit 104, a customization information operation unit 105, a reflection unit 106, a broadcast signal reception unit 107, and a broadcast signal recording unit. 108, a preference related information management unit 109, a preference related information transmission unit 110, a recommendation information acquisition unit 111, a recommendation information recording unit 112, a recommendation information reflection unit 113, and a reservation information management unit 114.

The user operation unit 115 is a function for the viewer to operate the digital television device, and is, for example, an external remote controller for the digital television devices 1 to 3. The digital television devices 1 to 3 may include a user operation unit 115 such as an operation button.
Next, each block constituting the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3 will be described. The infrared receiving unit 101 receives an infrared signal 800 including a customization information acquisition request from the external terminal 400. The customization information acquisition request is information that requests the digital television apparatus 1 to acquire desired customization information, and includes the customization information ID of the desired customization information. The customization information acquisition unit 102 holds in advance a digital television ID for identifying the digital television device, and the desired customization information from the customization information providing server 200 in accordance with a request from the infrared reception unit 101 or the customization information operation unit 105. To get. The network connection unit 103 performs transmission / reception with the external server by the customization information acquisition unit 102, the preference related information transmission unit 110, and the recommendation information acquisition unit 111 via the communication network 500.

  The customization information recording unit 104 records the customization information acquired by the customization information acquisition unit 102. The customization information operation unit 105 outputs the customization information designated by the user operation unit 115 to the reflection unit 106, and outputs the customization information ID of the customization information to the preference related information management unit 109. The reflection unit (customization information reflection unit) 106 performs screen display and audio output based on the customization information, broadcast program data, and recommendation information. The broadcast signal receiving unit 107 receives the TV broadcast signal 700 from the broadcast station 600, extracts broadcast signal identification information and broadcast program data from the received signal, and outputs the broadcast program data to the reflection unit 106. Then, this broadcast signal identification information is added to the history information indicating the history of the viewed broadcast program recorded in the broadcast signal identification information recording unit 108. The broadcast signal identification information recording unit 108 outputs the currently viewed broadcast signal identification information and history information to the preference related information management unit 109 as preference related information.

  The preference related information management unit 109 holds the customization information ID received from the customization information operation unit 105, the type of recommended information to be acquired, the digital TV ID, and the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the recommendation information providing server 300, and the preference to transmit. The related information is acquired from the broadcast signal identification information recording unit 108, the customization information recording unit 104, and the reservation information recording unit 114, and the preference related information, the customization information ID, and the digital TV ID are transmitted to the URL of the recommended information providing server 300. To the preference-related information transmission unit 110. The preference related information transmission unit 110 transmits the information instructed to be transmitted from the preference related information management unit 109 to the URL of the instructed recommendation information providing server 300. The recommendation information acquisition unit 111 has a function of periodically acquiring recommendation information from the recommendation information providing server 300. That is, the customization information ID received from the preference related information management unit 109, the digital TV ID, and the type of recommended information to be acquired are periodically transmitted to the URL of the recommendation information providing server 300, and are associated with the transmitted customization information ID. And the recommendation information of the transmitted kind is received as the response. In this embodiment, the recommendation information is acquired by the recommendation information acquisition unit 111 periodically. However, the recommendation information acquisition unit 11 receives the instruction operation for acquiring the recommendation information by the viewer, and the recommendation information acquisition unit 11 determines the type of the recommendation information. May be transmitted to the URL of the recommendation information providing server 300, and the recommendation information may be received as a response. The recommendation information recording unit 112 records the recommendation information received by the recommendation information acquisition unit 111. The recommendation information reflection unit 113 outputs the recommendation information recorded by the recommendation information recording unit 112 to the reflection unit 106. The reservation information management unit 114 receives the viewing reservation and recording reservation operations of the broadcast program from the user operation unit 115, and records the viewing reservation information and recording reservation information.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing customization information reflection processing in the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. In step S <b> 150, it is determined whether the infrared receiving unit 101 has received a customization information acquisition request from the external terminal 400. Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the customization information operation unit 105 has received a customization information acquisition request by a viewer operation from the user operation unit 115. Here, this acquisition request includes an acquisition ID for identifying an acquisition process, authentication information that is a viewer password or billing identification information, and customization information ID. Even if there are a plurality of customization information IDs included Good. If it is determined in step S150 that an acquisition request has been received or accepted, the process proceeds to step S151. If it is determined that neither acquisition nor reception has been received, the process returns to step S150. In step S <b> 151, upon receiving an acquisition request from the infrared receiving unit 101 or the customization information operation unit 105, the customization information acquisition unit 102 transmits a customization information acquisition request including information on the acquisition request to the customization information providing server 200. In addition, the customization information acquisition unit 102 transmits a digital television ID for identifying the own apparatus together with the customization information acquisition request. Next, in step S152, the customization information acquisition unit 102 determines whether or not the customization information is received from the customization information providing server 200 as a response to the transmitted customization information acquisition request.

  If it is determined in step S152 that it has been received, the process proceeds to step S153. If it is determined that it has not been received, the process proceeds to step S157. In step S153, the customization information acquisition unit 102 records the received customization information in the customization information recording unit 104. At this time, the customization information acquisition unit 102 combines the customization information and the URL of the recommendation information providing server 300 that is the transmission destination of the preference related information and the acquisition destination of the recommendation information. And is recorded in the customization information recording unit 104 in association with the customization information. Next, in step S154, the user operation unit 115 receives a selection instruction from the viewer from the customization information recorded in the customization information recording unit 104. Next, in step S155, the customization information operation unit 105 receives the customization information ID of the customization information selected and instructed from the user operation unit 115, and outputs the customization information ID to the preference related information management unit 109. Further, in step S156, the customization information operation unit 105 outputs the received customization information of the customization information ID to the reflection unit 106, and the reflection unit 106 performs screen display or audio output based on the input customization information. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S152 that the message has not been received, the process proceeds to step S157, and the reflection unit 106 displays an error message indicating that the customization information has not been received.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen when receiving the customization information selection instruction shown in step S154. The customization information setting screen 1001 displays a list of customization information 1002 recorded in the customization information recording unit 104, including those acquired by the customization information acquisition unit 102 from the customization information providing server 200 and those stored in advance. . When switching customization information, such as when obtaining customization information, the viewer selects the desired customization information from the setting screen of FIG. The viewer moves the focused selection item 1003 with a cursor button or the like provided in the user operation unit 115, and presses a determination button or the like provided in the user operation unit 115 when the selection item 1003 is included in desired customization information. Customization information can be selected. When the customization information is acquired, it is preferable that the acquired latest customization information is displayed at the top of the list display and the customization information includes a selection item 1003. Thereby, the acquired customization information can be easily selected.

  In addition to the customization information selection in step S154, the viewer selects preference-related information to be transmitted to the recommendation information providing server and selection of recommendation information acquired from the recommendation information providing server. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that accepts selection of preference-related information to be transmitted to the recommendation information providing server and selection of recommendation information acquired from the recommendation information providing server. In the transmission information (preference related information) selection item 1011, the preference related information management in which the item name whose check box is checked by the operation of the viewer received by the user operation unit 115 is received via the customization information operation unit 105. The unit 109 stores the item name in the management table and generates preference related information including information on the item name. The preference related information transmission unit 110 transmits the generated preference related information to the recommendation information providing server 300. That is, the information on the item for which the check box is selected 1013 is transmitted to the recommended information providing server 300, and the information on the item for which the check box is not selected 1014 is not transmitted to the recommended information providing server 300. Note that the item for which the check box selection 1013 is selected is transmitted to the recommendation information providing server 300 as preference related information associated with the customization information ID of the customization information being reflected.

  A preference-related information management unit that receives, via the customization information operation unit 105, an item name whose check box is checked by the viewer's operation received by the user operation unit 115 in the acquired information (recommendation information) selection item 1012. 109 stores the item name in the management table and instructs the recommendation information acquisition unit 111 to acquire the recommendation information of the item name. The recommendation information acquisition unit 111 requests and acquires the instructed recommendation information from the recommendation information providing server 300. That is, the information of the item for which the check box selection 1013 has been selected is acquired from the recommended information providing server, and is reflected together with the customization information being reflected. In addition, since recommendation information is reflected with customization information, it is preferable that the number which can check a check box in acquisition information (recommendation information) selection item 1012 corresponds with the number of recommendation information which can be displayed with customization information in reflection. . Also, the preference related information management unit 109 acquires the broadcast signal identification information and history information being viewed from the broadcast signal identification information recording unit 108, acquires the recording reservation information and the viewing reservation information from the reservation information management unit 114, and customizes them. Information ID is acquired from the customization information recording part 104, and preference related information is produced | generated.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table provided in the preference related information management unit 109. The preference related information management unit 109 holds a digital television ID 109-1 (in FIG. 6, the IP address “100.111.123.4”) for identifying the own device in advance in the management table. In addition, the preference-related information management unit 109 has the customization information ID 109-2 ("Cdmitty3" in FIG. 6) of the customization information selected and reflected in the management table, and the recommendation information associated with the customization information. Provided server URL 109-3 (in FIG. 6, the IP address “111.100.200.300” of recommended information providing server URL 300), the item name of preference-related information, and the contents of items to be transmitted set on the screen of FIG. 109-4 (in FIG. 6, the item name “preference related information (broadcast signal identification information)” is “cartoon 255”), 109-5 (in FIG. 6, the item name “preference related information (reservation information)” is “no data”. Meaning “Null”), 109-6 (in FIG. 6, “Nu” means no data in the item name “preference-related information (customization information)”). l "), holds the kind of recommendation information acquired set by the screen of FIG. 5 109-7 (in FIG. 6," Ranking (real-time) "). In the example of FIG. 6, the broadcast signal identification information being viewed is held as an item to be transmitted set on the screen of FIG. 5, and managed as preference related information associated with the customization information being reflected. As described above, the types of preference-related information and recommendation information are configured from the items selected in FIG.

As for the preference related information (broadcast signal identification information) 109-4, the preference related information management unit 109 acquires and inserts the broadcast signal identification information being viewed from the broadcast signal identification information recording unit 108 and inserts the preference related information (reservation information). ) 109-5, a table of contents corresponding to FIG. 6 is acquired from the reservation information management unit 114 and inserted. For preference-related information (customization information) 109-6, a table of contents corresponding to FIG. Is acquired from the customization information recording unit 104 and inserted.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reservation information table provided in the reservation information management unit 114 and inserted into the preference related information (reservation information) 109-5. As shown in FIG. 7, in the reservation information table, for each broadcast program reserved for viewing or recording, the start date / time is displayed in the “Date / Time” field, the channel number is displayed in the “Ch.” Field, and the identification information is “Broadcast Signal”. In the “identification information” column, the identification of the viewing reservation or recording reservation is stored in the “viewing or recording” column. In the example shown in FIG. 7, “2007/03/26 15:00” is stored at the top of the “date and time” column, “8” is stored at the top of the “Ch.” Column, and “broadcast signal” “Carton 222” is stored at the top of the “identification information” column, “viewing” is stored at the top of the “viewing or recording” column, and thereafter, the reserved broadcast program is stored in the second and subsequent columns of each column. Information in each column is stored in association with each broadcast program.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a customization information table provided in the customization information recording unit 104 and inserted into the preference related information (customization information) 109-6. As shown in FIG. 8, in the customization information table, for each customization information, the file name of the data is displayed in the “customization information” field, the customization information ID is displayed in the “customization information ID” field, and the URL of the recommended information providing server 300 is “recommended”. In the “information providing server URL” column, the date of acquisition of the customization information is stored in the “acquisition date” column. The customization information recording unit 104 also stores the file having the file name stored in the “customization information” column. In the example shown in FIG. 8, “Mitty 3” is stored at the top of the “customization information” column, “Cdmitty3” is stored at the top of the “customization information ID” column, and “recommended information providing server” “111.100.200.300” is stored at the top of the “URL” column, “2007/03/26” is stored at the top of the “acquired date” column, and thereafter, 2 in each column. The information of each column of the customization information acquired from the customization information providing server 200 or stored in advance is stored in association with each customization information.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing preference-related information transmission processing in the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. In step S160, whether or not the preference related information management unit 109 is reflecting the customization information on its own device, whether or not the customization information ID is registered in the customization information ID 109-2 of the management table shown in FIG. Judgment based on. If it is determined that it is being reflected, the process proceeds to step S161. If not reflected, the process returns to step S160. In step 161, the preference-related information management unit 109 associates the preference-related information stored in the management table with the customization information ID, and transmits it to the recommended information providing server URL stored in the management table. The preference related information transmitting unit 110 instructs the preference related information transmitting unit 110 to transmit the preference related information and the customization information ID in association with the recommended information providing server 300 in accordance with the instruction. In this way, the preference related information management unit 109 refers to the management table as illustrated in FIG. 6 and recommends the customized information ID being reflected and the preference related information associated with the customization information together with the digital TV ID as a recommended information providing server. Send to URL.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing recommendation information acquisition processing in the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. In step S170, the preference-related information management unit 109 reads the digital TV ID from the digital TV ID 109-1 and reads the customization information ID from the customization information ID 109-2 by referring to the management table illustrated in FIG. The URL is read from the information providing server URL 109-3, the type of recommended information is read from the recommended information 109-7, and the type of recommended information associated with the customization information ID is obtained from the recommended information providing server 300 of the URL. The instruction is output to the recommended information acquisition unit 111 together with the digital TV ID. In accordance with the instruction from the preference related information management unit 109, the recommendation information acquisition unit 111 recommends to the recommended information providing server 300 of the specified URL that includes information indicating the type of the recommended information specified and the specified customization information ID. The information acquisition request is transmitted together with the digital TV ID received from the preference related information management unit 109. Next, in step S171, the recommendation information acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not the type of recommendation information designated by the recommendation information acquisition request is received from the recommendation information providing server 300. In step S171, when it is determined that it has been received, the process proceeds to step S172, and when it is determined that it has not been received, the process returns to step S171. In step S172, the recommendation information acquisition unit 111 records the recommendation information received from the recommendation information providing server 300 in the recommendation information recording unit 112. Next, in step S173, the recommended information reflecting unit 113 outputs the recommended information recorded in the recommended information recording unit 112 to the reflecting unit 106 to instruct reflection on screen display or audio output.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the customization information providing server 200 in the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the customization information providing server 200 includes a network connection unit 201, a user information authentication unit 202, a customization information designation reception unit 203, a customization information management unit 204, and a customization information transmission unit 205. Next, each block constituting the customization information providing server 200 will be described. The network connection unit 201 communicates with the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3 that have requested customization information acquisition. The user information authentication unit 202 collates whether the combination of the acquisition ID and the authentication information in the acquisition request from the digital television devices 1 to 3 is authentication information corresponding to the acquisition ID. The customization information designation receiving unit 203 receives the customization information acquisition request authenticated by the user information authentication unit 202 for each customization information. The customization information management unit 204 stores the customization information in association with the customization information ID. The customization information transmission unit 205 reads out the customization information indicated by the customization information ID received by the customization information designation reception unit 203 from the customization information management unit 204 and transmits it to the customization information acquisition request source.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing customization information provision processing in the customization information provision server 200. In step S250, it is determined whether the network connection unit 201 has received a customization information acquisition request from any of the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. When it is determined that it has been received, the process proceeds to step S251, and when it is determined that it has not been received, the process returns to step S250. In step S251, the user information authentication unit 202 extracts the acquisition ID and the authentication information included in the customization information acquisition request, and verifies whether or not the authentication information corresponds to the acquisition ID. Next, in step S252, it is determined whether the user information authentication unit 202 has been authenticated. If it is determined that authentication has been performed, the process proceeds to step S253. If it is determined that authentication cannot be performed, such as when the authentication information does not correspond to the acquired ID, the process proceeds to step S256. In step S253, the customization information designation receiving unit 203 receives a customization information acquisition request for each customization information. Next, in step S254, the customization information of the customization information ID included in the customization information acquisition request received by the customization information transmission unit 205 is read from the customization information management unit 204. Next, in step S255, the customization information transmission unit 205 transmits the read customization information to any customization information acquisition request source of the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. On the other hand, when it is determined in step 252 that authentication cannot be performed, the process proceeds to step S256, and the customization information transmission unit 205 transmits an error display instruction to any customization information acquisition request source of the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. .

  FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the recommendation information providing server 300 in this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the recommendation information providing server 300 includes a network connection unit 301, a preference related information receiving unit 302, a customization information preference related information classification unit 303, a preference related information storage unit 304, a recommendation information generation unit 305, a recommendation. An information management unit 306, a recommendation information acquisition reception unit 307, and a recommendation information transmission unit 308 are provided. Next, each block constituting the recommendation information providing server 300 will be described. The network connection unit 301 is connected to the preference-related information transmission source digital television apparatuses 1 to 3 or the recommendation information acquisition request source digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. The preference related information receiving unit 302 receives the digital TV ID, the customization information ID, and the preference related information associated with the customization information transmitted from the preference related information transmission unit 110 of the digital television devices 1 to 3. The preference-related information classification unit 303 for each customization information classifies the preference-related information received by the preference-related information reception unit 302 for each associated customization information ID and stores the information in the preference-related information storage unit 304. The preference related information storage unit 304 stores the preference related information classified by the preference related information classification unit 303 for each customization information by customization information ID. The preference-related information storage unit 304 stores the digital TV ID in association with the preference-related information, so that the preference-related information classification unit can be used even when the digital television devices 1 to 3 repeatedly transmit the same preference-related information. 303 is not stored in duplicate.

  The recommendation information generation unit 305 generates preference related information for each customization information stored in the preference related information storage unit 304 in a form desired by the viewer, and generates recommendation information. A recommendation information management unit (recommendation information storage unit) 306 manages the recommendation information generated by the recommendation information generation unit 305. The recommendation information acquisition reception unit 307 receives the recommendation information acquisition request transmitted from the recommendation information acquisition unit 111 of the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. This recommendation information acquisition request includes the digital TV ID, the customization information ID, and the type of recommendation information to be acquired. The recommendation information transmission unit 308 reads the type of recommendation information requested by the recommendation information acquisition request from the recommendation information management unit 306 and transmits it to any of the recommended information acquisition request sources of the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. In the present embodiment, the recommended information acquisition receiving unit 307 and the recommended information transmitting unit 308 function as the recommended information providing unit 310. Note that the preference-related information and the recommendation information are desirably encrypted when communicating via the communication network 500.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing recommendation information generation processing in the recommendation information providing server 300. In step S350, it is determined whether the preference related information management unit 302 has received preference related information associated with the customization information from the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. If it is determined in step S350 that it has been received, the process proceeds to step S351. If it is determined that it has not been received, the process returns to step S350. In step S351, the preference related information classification unit 303 for each customization information classifies the preference related information received by the preference related information reception unit 301 for each customization information. Next, in step S352, the preference-related information classification unit 303 for each customization information stores the preference-related information in the preference-related information storage unit 304 for each classified customization information. Next, in step S353, the recommendation information generation unit 305 generates preference related information for each customization information stored in the preference related information storage unit 304 in a format desired by the viewer, for example, a ranking format, and generates recommendation information. To do. In step S354, the recommendation information generation unit 305 records the generated recommendation information in the recommendation information management unit 306.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the preference related information storage unit 304 in the present embodiment. Here, a case will be described in which a real-time viewing ranking is generated based on preference-related information categorized for each customized information identification information (customized information ID) 304-1. The preference related information storage unit 304 stores preference related information as broadcast signal identification information 304-2 classified by the customization information ID 304-1. The example illustrated in FIG. 15 illustrates only a portion of the preference related information storage unit 304 that stores preference related information (broadcast signal identification information) associated with the customization information ID “Cdmitty3”. In this way, the preference-related information storage unit 304 rearranges the broadcast signal identification information in ascending order (in FIG. 15, “news001”, “news002”... “Cartoon201”, “carton202”, “carton203”... ), And the number received from the digital television set for each broadcast signal identification information (in FIG. 15, “454”, “245”... “3467234”, “467156”, “1003522”) is counted and stored. . Although only the count is shown here, when the received preference-related information and the digital TV ID are stored in association with each other, when the same preference-related information is received again from the same digital TV device, By not counting those that match the stored contents, it may be possible not to count them repeatedly.

  FIG. 16 is an example of a recommendation information management unit 306 that stores recommendation information generated by the recommendation information generation unit 305 rearranging the table shown in FIG. 15 stored in the preference related information storage unit 304 in descending order of the count values. FIG. The example shown in FIG. 16 shows only a part of the recommendation information management unit 306 that stores recommendation information (broadcast signal identification information) associated with the customization information ID “Cdmitty3”, that is, ranking (real time). . In this way, in the recommendation information management unit 306, the broadcast signal identification information is rearranged in the descending order of the count number (in FIG. 16, “cartoon 201”, “carton 203”, “carton 202”... “News001”, “news002”). , The count number corresponding to each broadcast signal identification information (in FIG. 16, “3467234”, “1003522”, “467156”... “454”, “245”...) Is stored. Thus, by rearranging the counts in descending order, the viewing ranking for each customization information ID 306-1, that is, the ranking (real time) is generated.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing recommendation information provision processing in the recommendation information provision server 300. In step S360, the recommendation information acquisition receiving unit 307 determines whether a recommendation information acquisition request has been received from any of the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3. If it is determined in step S360 that it has been received, the process proceeds to step S361. If it is determined that it has not been received, the process returns to step S360. In step S361, the recommendation information transmission unit 308 extracts recommendation information of the specified type that is associated with the customization information ID specified by the recommendation information acquisition request from the recommendation information management unit 306. In step S362, the recommendation information transmission unit 308 transmits the corresponding recommendation information extracted from the recommendation information management unit 306 to the recommendation information acquisition request source.

  FIG. 18 shows a screen display example of the digital television apparatus 1 in which customization information and recommendation information are reflected. The screen display example of the digital television apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 18 includes reflected customization information 1001, a broadcast program 1002 being viewed, and recommendation information 1003. The recommendation information 1003 is a ranking (real time) indicating the current viewing ranking, and displays broadcast program names from “Mitty and Friends” in the first place to “News 21” in the fifth place on the screen. The recommendation information 1003 is information generated by classifying the preference related information (broadcast signal identification information) associated with the customization information 1001 being reflected by the recommendation information providing server 300. Therefore, the recommendation information 1003 represents the viewing ranking of the broadcast program being viewed on the digital television apparatus that similarly reflects the customization information 1001 currently being reflected.

  As described above, the recommended information providing server 300 collects preference-related information for each reflected customization information, so that viewers with similar preferences using the same customization information can be categorized. And, it is highly possible to obtain information that is closer to one's preference by generating rankings that are recommended information categorized by viewers with similar preferences, and the recommended information obtained by this categorization is viewed Can be the information desired by the person. By reflecting the real-time viewing ranking among viewers using the same customization information, the viewer can select a program of interest and easily view a program that is closer to his / her taste.

  In the present embodiment, the digital television apparatus 1 has been described as reflecting the acquired recommendation information on the screen display or audio output. However, among the recommendation information, the broadcast program to be automatically viewed is switched to the program with the highest ranking. In this way, the broadcast program may be completely shared and synchronized. In this way, even if the viewer does not perform any special operation, it is possible to always view the recommended program among viewers close to his / her preference simply by reflecting the customized information suitable for him / her.

Since the real-time viewing ranking reflects the program that the viewer is viewing in real time, the viewer can reflect the recommended information each time.
In addition, a real-time ranking may be generated, and a ranking for one week before may be retained, and a ranking for one week before or a ranking for the past one week may be displayed.
The viewing ranking may be generated based on the number of times the program has been viewed and the time, as well as determining whether the viewing has been viewed.
Tables as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are used not only for viewing ranking but also for reservation ranking generated from reservation information.

  Next, a case will be described in which the customization information ranking is generated from the customization information recorded in the digital television apparatus in addition to the customization information being reflected. FIG. 19 shows only a part of the preference related information storage unit 304 of the recommendation information providing server 300 that stores preference related information (customized information ID 304-12) associated with the customization information ID 304-11 “Cdmitty3”. Is. In this way, the preference-related information storage unit 304 rearranges the customization information IDs in ascending order (in FIG. 19, “Cdmitty1”, “Cdmitty2”, “Cdmitty3”, “Cdmitty4”...), And the customized information ID. Each time the number received from the digital television apparatus (in FIG. 19, “4565”, “353”, “34221134”...) Is counted and stored.

  FIG. 20 is an example of a recommendation information management unit 306 that stores recommendation information generated by the recommendation information generation unit 305 rearranging the table shown in FIG. 19 stored in the preference related information storage unit 304 in descending order of the count values. FIG. The example illustrated in FIG. 20 illustrates only a portion of the recommendation information management unit 306 that stores recommendation information (customization information ID), that is, ranking (customization information) associated with the customization information ID “Cdmitty3”. . In this way, in the recommended information management unit 306, the customization information IDs are rearranged in descending order of the number of counts (in FIG. 20, “Cdmitty3”, “Cdflower5”, “Cdhear2”... Corresponding count numbers (in FIG. 20, “34221134”, “39846”, “6446”...) Are stored. In this way, by rearranging the counts in descending order, the customization information ranking for each customization information ID 306-11, that is, the ranking (customization information) is generated.

FIG. 21 shows a screen display example of the digital television apparatus 1 in which customization information and recommendation information are reflected. The screen display example of the digital television apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 18 includes customized information 1011 reflected, a broadcast program 1012 being viewed, and recommendation information 1013. The recommendation information 1013 is a ranking (customization information) indicating the ranking of the customization information, and displays a small frame displayed on the screen according to the customization information from the first floral frame to the third heart symbol frame. Note that the frame name may be displayed instead of displaying the frame in a small screen. The recommendation information 1013 is information generated by classifying the preference related information (customization information ID) associated with the customization information 1011 being reflected by the recommendation information providing server 300. Therefore, the recommendation information 1013 represents the ranking of the customization information recorded in the digital television apparatus that similarly reflects the customization information 1011 currently being reflected.
In this way, by reflecting the customization information ranking among viewers who use the same customization information, the viewer can also acquire other customization information and can easily view with customization information that is closer to the taste. .

  Next, a case where a schedule for recommending viewing or recording is generated from preference-related information (reservation information) that is information of recording reservation and viewing reservation will be described. FIG. 22 illustrates only a part of the preference related information storage unit 304 of the recommendation information providing server 300 that stores preference related information (reservation information 304-22) associated with the customization information ID 304-21 “Cdmitty3”. Is. In this way, the preference-related information storage unit 304 classifies each day of the week and rearranges the broadcast signal identification information in ascending order within the day of the week (in FIG. 22, “cartoon200”, Monday in the “(day)” column indicating Sunday) "Month" field representing "Carton 202" and "Carton 222" in this order, "Tue" field representing Tuesday in the order of "cartoon 222" and "Movie 622" ... "Saturday" field representing Saturday “Caratoon 215” and “News 003” in this order, and the number received from the digital television apparatus for each broadcast signal identification information (in FIG. 22, “5242” in the “(day)” column and “2576” in the “(month)” column. And “1343”,... “9846”, “4565”) are counted and stored. Although only the count is shown here, when the received preference-related information and the digital TV ID are stored in association with each other, when the same preference-related information is received again from the same digital TV device, By not counting those that match the stored contents, it may be possible not to count them repeatedly.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a recommendation information management unit 306 that stores recommendation information generated by the recommendation information generation unit 305 rearranging the table shown in FIG. 22 stored in the preference related information storage unit 304 in descending order of the count values. FIG. The example illustrated in FIG. 23 illustrates only the portion of the recommendation information management unit 306 that stores recommendation information (reservation information) associated with the customization information ID “Cdmitty3”, that is, a schedule. In this way, in the recommendation information management unit 306, the broadcast signal identification information is rearranged in descending order of the number of counts within each day of the week (in FIG. 23, “cartoon200” is displayed in the “(Sunday)” column indicating Sunday, “ “Month” column in the order of “Carton 222” and “Carton 202”, “Tue” column indicating Tuesday, “carton 222” and “Movie 622” in order: “carton 215” in the “(Sat)” column indicating Saturday ”“ News 003 ”), the count number corresponding to each broadcast signal identification information (in FIG. 23,“ 5242 ”in the“ (day) ”column,“ 2576 ”and“ 1343 ”in the“ (month) ”column, .. “9846”, “4565”) is stored in the “(Sat)” field. In this way, by rearranging the counts in descending order, a viewing schedule for each customization information ID 306-21 is generated. In the present embodiment, the counts are rearranged in descending order within each day of the week, but may be rearranged within other periods such as within each date or within each time period.
Further, when the recommendation information generation unit 305 rearranges the information read from the preference related information storage unit 304 in descending order of the count number and generates the recommendation information, only the information exceeding the predetermined count number is used as the recommendation information, or the count Only a certain number from the top may be used as recommendation information.

FIG. 24 shows a screen display example of the digital television apparatus 1 in which customization information and recommendation information are reflected. The screen display example of the digital television apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 24 includes customized information 1021 reflected, a broadcast program 1022 being viewed, and recommendation information 1023. The recommendation information 1023 is a schedule indicating the top of the broadcast program reserved for each day of the week. “Japan-US football” from 19:00 on the 22nd (Thursday) and “J” from 18:00 on the 23rd (Friday). The name of the broadcast program with a large number of reservations is displayed on the screen, such as “Cup”. The recommendation information 1023 is information generated by classifying the preference related information (reservation information) associated with the customization information 1021 being reflected by the recommendation information providing server 300. Therefore, the recommendation information 1023 represents a broadcast program with a large number of reservations on each day of the week, among the broadcast programs reserved in the digital television apparatus that similarly reflects the customization information 1021 currently being reflected.
In addition, in the recommendation information 1023 shown in FIG. 24, a viewing reservation or a recording reservation may be set by selecting a program name.

In this way, by collecting preference-related information for each reflected customization information, it is possible to categorize with similar viewers who use the same customization information.
By generating a schedule while being categorized, there is a high possibility that information closer to his / her preference can be obtained, and the recommended information obtained by categorization can be information desired by the viewer.
By notifying the schedule between the viewers using the same customization information, the viewer can reserve a program to be worried in advance, and can easily view a program that is closer to taste.
Further, the digital television device 1 may automatically reserve a program included in the schedule. Thereby, even if the viewer does not perform a special operation, it is possible to always view the recommended program among viewers close to his / her preference by reflecting the customized information suitable for him / her.
The recommendation information 1023 is a categorization result including information such as content stored in the hard disk, recording or viewing reservation status, customization information, and the like, and it is possible to easily provide recommendation information desired by the viewer.

As described above, according to the present invention, the viewer can change the style of the digital television apparatus 1 by acquiring customized information according to his / her preference according to the viewing program, mood, etc. Recommendation information associated with the acquired customization information can be obtained by the digital television apparatus 1. Since this recommendation information is a method of categorizing and processing by a person with similar preference using the same customization information and reflecting it to the viewer, there is a high possibility that the information is information that matches the viewer's preference.
As a result, the significance of using customized information is enhanced, and effective use of customized information can also be expected. In addition, viewers can acquire recommended information associated with customized information by simply acquiring and reflecting customized information that suits their preferences without being particularly conscious. It becomes possible.

In the present embodiment, the customization information set in the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3 has been described as information for determining a frame to be displayed superimposed on the broadcast program as the content. Information that customizes screen display and audio output other than content, such as a button and a sound when the button is pressed. Further, although it has been described that there is only one customization information specified and set by the viewer, the customization information specified by the viewer is set for each part to be customized, and the recommendation information generation unit 305 generates the recommendation information. In doing so, it is also possible to classify preference-related information for combinations of a plurality of customization information IDs of the set customization information and generate recommendation information.
In the present embodiment, the recommendation information has been described as being acquired from the recommendation information providing server 300 by the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3 via the communication network 500. However, the recommendation information is recommended from the broadcasting station 600 using the broadcast wave 700. The information is transmitted together with information for identifying the customization information associated with the recommendation information, and the digital television apparatuses 1 to 3 are associated with the customization information being reflected in the own apparatus from the transmitted recommendation information. The recommendation information may be detected and acquired.
In the present embodiment, the television apparatus is described as being a digital television apparatus that receives a broadcast wave for broadcasting a broadcast program by digital broadcasting and displays the broadcast program. However, an analog television that receives an analog broadcast is described. It may be a device, a television device that receives analog or digital cable broadcasting, or an IP (Internet Protocol) that receives a broadcast program that is streamed via a communication network such as the Internet. It may be a television device, or an STB (Set Top Box) that receives cable television broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, or the like.

  Further, the customization information acquisition unit 102, network connection unit 103, customization information storage unit 104, customization information operation unit 105, reflection unit 106, broadcast signal reception unit 107, broadcast signal identification information recording unit 108, preference related information management in FIG. Unit 109, preference related information transmission unit 110, recommendation information acquisition unit 111, recommendation information recording unit 112, recommendation information reflection unit 113, or network connection unit 201, user information authentication unit 202, and customization information designation reception unit 203 in FIG. 11. , Customization information management unit 204, customization information transmission unit 205, or network connection unit 301, preference related information reception unit 302, preference information for each customization information classification unit 303, preference related information storage unit 304, recommendation information generation unit 305, Recommendation information management unit 306, recommendation By recording a program for realizing the functions of the information acquisition / acquisition unit 307 and the recommendation information transmission unit 308 in a computer-readable recording medium, the program recorded in the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed. You may perform the process of each part. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used.
The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The present invention is suitable for use in a digital television set that receives digital television broadcasts, but is not limited thereto.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the digital television apparatus customization system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the digital television apparatuses 1-3 in the same embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the customization information reflection process of the digital television apparatuses 1-3 in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen at the time of receiving the selection instruction | indication of the customization information shown to step S154 of the customization information reflection process in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which receives selection of the preference relevant information transmitted to the recommendation information provision server of the digital television apparatuses 1-3 in the same embodiment, and selection of the recommendation information acquired from a recommendation information provision server. It is a figure which shows the example of the management table with which the preference related information management part 109 in the same embodiment is provided. It is a figure which shows the example of the reservation information table with which the reservation information management part 114 in the embodiment is equipped, and inserted in preference related information (reservation information) 109-5. It is a figure which shows the example of the customization information table with which the customization information recording part 104 in the embodiment is provided, and is inserted in preference related information (customization information) 109-6. It is the flowchart which showed the preference related information transmission process of the digital television apparatuses 1-3 in the embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the recommendation information acquisition process of the digital television apparatuses 1-3 in the embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the customization information provision server 200 in the embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the customization information provision process of the customization information provision server 200 in the same embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the recommendation information provision server 300 in the embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the recommendation information generation process of the recommendation information provision server 300 in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the preference related information storage part 304 in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the recommendation information management part 306 which memorize | stores the recommendation information in the embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the recommendation information provision process of the recommendation information provision server 300 in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the digital television apparatus 1 which reflected the customization information and recommendation information in the embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated only the part which memorize | stored the preference related information matched with customization information ID304-11 "Cdmitty3" among the preference related information storage part 304 in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the recommendation information management part 306 which memorize | stores the recommendation information in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the digital television apparatus 1 which reflected the customization information and recommendation information in the embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated only the part which stored the preference related information matched with customization information ID304-21 "Cdmitty3" among the preference related information storage part 304 in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the recommendation information management part 306 which memorize | stores the recommendation information in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the digital television apparatus 1 which reflected the customization information and recommendation information in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2, 3 ... Digital television apparatus 101 ... Infrared receiving part 102 ... Customized information acquisition part 103 ... Network connection part 104 ... Customized information recording part 105 ... Customized information operation part 106 ... Reflection part 107 ... Broadcast signal receiving part 108 ... Broadcast Signal identification information recording unit 109 ... preference related information management unit 110 ... preference related information transmission unit 111 ... recommendation information acquisition unit 112 ... recommendation information recording unit 113 ... recommendation information reflection unit 114 ... reservation information management unit 115 ... user operation unit 200 ... Customized information providing server 201 ... Network connecting unit 202 ... User information authenticating unit 203 ... Customized information designation receiving unit 204 ... Customized information managing unit 205 ... Customized information transmitting unit 300 ... Recommended information providing server 301 ... Network connecting unit 302 ... Preference related information Receiver 3 03 ... Preference related information classification unit for each customized information 304 ... Preference related information storage unit 305 ... Recommended information generating unit 306 ... Recommended information management unit 307 ... Recommended information acquisition receiving unit 308 ... Recommended information transmitting unit 310 ... Recommended information providing unit 400 ... External terminal 500 ... Communication network 600 ... Broadcast station 700 ... Broadcast wave 800 ... Infrared signal

Claims (14)

A customization information acquisition unit for acquiring customization information for a specified screen display or audio output;
A customization information reflecting unit that displays a screen or outputs voice based on the acquired customization information;
A recommendation information acquisition unit for acquiring recommendation information associated with information for identifying the acquired customization information from a recommendation information providing server;
A television apparatus comprising: a recommendation information reflecting unit that notifies the viewer of the acquired recommendation information by screen display or audio output.   A preference-related information transmission unit configured to associate preference-related information related to the preference of a viewer who uses the device with the information for identifying the acquired customization information, and to transmit the preference-related information to the recommendation information providing server. The television apparatus according to claim 1.   The preference-related information includes information indicating the broadcast program being viewed, history information indicating the history of the broadcast program viewed, identification information of the recorded broadcast program, information indicating the broadcast program reserved for viewing, recording reservation The television apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the television apparatus is information including at least one of information representing a broadcast program being broadcast or information representing a history of the designated customization information.   2. The customization information acquisition unit receives a customization information acquisition request for specifying customization information from an external device, and acquires the customization information specified by the customization information acquisition request from a customization information providing server. Or the television apparatus of Claim 2.   The recommendation information includes at least one of information based on at least one of the number of viewings of broadcast programs, the number of recordings, the number of viewing reservations, or the number of recording reservations, or information based on a designated number of customization information. The television apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information includes any one of the information. A recommended information providing server that communicates with a plurality of television apparatuses via a communication path,
A recommendation information storage unit for storing recommendation information in association with information for identifying screen display or voice output customization information;
Providing recommendation information associated with information for identifying customization information received from the television apparatus via the communication path is read from the recommendation information storage unit and the read recommendation information is returned to the television apparatus. And a recommendation information providing server. Preference related information related to the preference of the viewer who uses the television device, the preference related information associated with the information for identifying the customization information in the television device, from the television device via the communication path. A preference-related information receiving unit to receive;
The preference-related information received from a plurality of the television devices is classified for each of the associated customization information, recommendation information based on the classification result is generated, and the recommendation information storage unit is associated with the customization information The recommendation information providing server according to claim 6, further comprising: a recommendation information generation unit that stores the recommendation information generation unit.   The preference-related information includes information indicating the broadcast program being viewed, history information indicating the history of the broadcast program viewed, identification information of the recorded broadcast program, information indicating the broadcast program reserved for viewing, recording reservation The recommended information providing server according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the recommended information providing server includes at least one of information representing a broadcast program or information representing a history of the designated customization information. .   The recommendation information includes at least one of information based on at least one of the number of viewings of broadcast programs, the number of recordings, the number of viewing reservations, or the number of recording reservations, or information based on a designated number of customization information. The recommendation information providing server according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the information includes any one of them. A recommendation information providing system comprising a plurality of television devices and a recommendation information providing server that communicates with the plurality of television devices via a communication path,
The television set is
A customization information acquisition unit for acquiring customization information for a specified screen display or audio output;
A customization information reflecting unit that displays a screen or outputs voice based on the acquired customization information;
A recommendation information acquisition unit that transmits information identifying the acquired customization information to the recommendation information providing server, and receives recommendation information associated with the information identifying the transmitted customization information from the recommendation information providing server; ,
A recommendation information reflecting unit for notifying the viewer of the received recommendation information by screen display or audio output;
The recommendation information providing server includes:
A recommendation information storage unit that stores the recommendation information in association with information for identifying customization information;
Providing recommendation information associated with information for identifying customization information received from the television apparatus via the communication path is read from the recommendation information storage unit and the read recommendation information is returned to the television apparatus. A recommendation information providing system characterized by comprising: A recommendation information acquisition method for a television device,
A first process in which the television device acquires customization information for a specified screen display or audio output;
A second process in which the television apparatus displays a screen or outputs audio based on the acquired customization information;
A third process in which the television apparatus acquires recommendation information associated with information for identifying the acquired customization information from a recommendation information providing server;
A recommendation information acquisition method comprising: a fourth process in which the television apparatus notifies the viewer of the acquired recommendation information by screen display or audio output. A recommendation information providing method in a recommendation information providing server that communicates with a plurality of television apparatuses via a communication path,
A first process in which the recommendation information providing server receives information for identifying screen display or audio output customization information from the television device via the communication path;
A second step in which the recommendation information providing server reads the recommendation information stored in the storage unit in association with the information for identifying the customization information received in the first step;
A recommendation information providing method comprising: a third step in which the recommendation information providing server provides the television apparatus with the recommendation information read in the second step. A computer provided in the television set;
A customization information acquisition unit that acquires customization information for the specified screen display or audio output,
A customized information reflecting unit that displays a screen or outputs a voice based on the acquired customization information;
A recommendation information acquisition unit for acquiring recommendation information associated with information for identifying the acquired customization information from a recommendation information providing server;
A program that functions as a recommended information reflecting unit that notifies the viewer of the acquired recommended information by screen display or audio output. A computer provided in a recommendation information providing server that communicates with a plurality of television apparatuses via a communication path;
The recommendation information stored in the recommendation information storage unit is read in association with information for identifying customization information for screen display or audio output received from the television device via the communication path, and the read recommendation information is read to the television device. A program that functions as a recommendation information provider for replying.

Images