JP2009016966A - Content display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content display apparatus for displaying a plurality of pieces of content by switching them on a display window. <P>SOLUTION: The content display apparatus is provided with a display means including a tab display area for displaying a plurality of tabs and a content display area for displaying content including programs distributed via broadcast or network, a selecting means for selecting a tab from the plurality of tabs displayed in the tab display area of the display means, a display switching means for switching the content displayed in the content display area of the display means to the content corresponding to the relevant selected tab in accordance with tab selection by the selecting means, a content reserving means for setting the content as the reserved content, a reserving time setting means for setting the reserving time corresponding to the reserved content, and a tab adding means for additionally displaying the new tab corresponding to the reserved content in the tab display area when the reserving time is up. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content display apparatus that displays a plurality of contents in one window.

  As a technique for browsing broadcast content using the tab function, Patent Document 1 describes a browser program for browsing a markup language document. The browser program displays a plurality of windows superimposed on a display area provided by the display device. A tab corresponding to each window is also provided on the display area, and when the tab is operated, a window corresponding to the operated tab is displayed in the highest layer. This tab operation is performed using the same number of buttons as the window provided in the operation means.

Patent Document 2 describes a portable terminal device with a television that avoids a collision between a reserved viewing of a television broadcast and another operation mode. In this portable terminal device, if another operation mode is being executed at the start time of a program reserved for viewing, the viewing of the television broadcast and the operation mode being executed coexist, one is temporarily stopped, Control such as an alternative operation can be performed according to the type of the operation mode. Viewing TV broadcasts and running modes of operation can coexist by dividing the display or using multiple displays.
International Publication No. 2004/084056 Pamphlet (Page 10, Fig. 12) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-20287 (paragraph 0048, page 10, FIG. 7)

  In the browser program described in Patent Document 1 described above, content can be switched and displayed in one display area, and memory and system resources are reduced. However, the browser program does not have a function for performing reserved viewing and reserved recording of broadcast programs.

  In the portable terminal device with a television set described in Patent Document 2 described above, it is possible to make a reserved viewing of a television broadcast. In the portable terminal device with a television set, by dividing the display or using a plurality of displays, it is possible to view programs and to co-exist operating modes during execution. However, if both modes coexist by dividing the display or using a plurality of displays, the consumption of memory and system resources increases. When the operation mode being executed is paused, it may take time to pause the operation mode, and the start of reserved viewing may be delayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content display device that can be reserved for viewing of a program and can switch and display a plurality of display contents in one window. And

  A content display device according to the present invention includes a display unit having a tab display region for displaying a plurality of tabs in parallel, a content display region for displaying content including a program distributed over a broadcast or a network, and a display unit Tab selection means for selecting one tab from a plurality of tabs displayed in the tab display area, and the content displayed in the content display area of the display means in accordance with the selection of the tab by the selection means, the selected tab Display switching means for switching to the content corresponding to the content, content reservation means for setting the content as reserved content, reservation time setting means for setting the reserved time corresponding to the reserved content, and when the reserved time is reached, the tab display area Tab addition means for additionally displaying a new tab corresponding to the reserved content.

  According to the content display device of the present invention, a plurality of contents can be switched and displayed in the content display area by selecting one from the plurality of tabs displayed in the tab display area. In addition, the reservation content and the reservation time corresponding to the reservation content can be set, and when the reservation time comes, a new tab corresponding to the reservation content is displayed in the tab display area. Therefore, when the new tab is selected, the reserved content can be displayed in the content display area.

  Embodiments of a content display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a broadcast receiving apparatus 11 according to an embodiment of a content display apparatus according to the present invention.

  The broadcast receiving apparatus 11 includes a control unit 56 that controls the operation of each part of the apparatus. The control unit 56 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 56 is a system control program and various processing programs stored in advance in the ROM 57 in response to an operation signal input from the operation unit 16 or an operation signal transmitted from the remote controller 17 and received via the light receiving unit 18. Start up. The control unit 56 controls the operation of each unit of the apparatus using the RAM 58 as a work memory according to the activated program. Various setting information and control information necessary for operation control of each unit are stored in the nonvolatile memory 59.

  The remote controller 17 includes a power key, an input switching key, a direct channel selection key for a satellite digital broadcasting channel, a direct channel selection key for a terrestrial broadcasting channel, a quick key, a cursor key, a determination key, a program guide key, a page switching key, Channel up / down keys, volume adjustment keys, and the like are provided.

  The BS / CS digital broadcast receiving antenna 43 receives a satellite digital television broadcast signal. The received digital broadcast signal is supplied to a satellite digital broadcast tuner 45 via an input terminal 44. The tuner 45 tunes the received digital broadcast signal and transmits the tuned digital broadcast signal to a PSK (Phase Shift Keying) demodulator 46. The PSK demodulator 46 demodulates the digital broadcast signal and outputs the demodulated digital broadcast signal to the signal processing unit 47.

  The terrestrial digital broadcast receiving antenna 48 receives a terrestrial digital television broadcast signal. The received digital broadcast signal is supplied to the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 50 via the input terminal 49. The tuner 50 tunes the received digital broadcast signal and transmits the tuned digital broadcast signal to an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) demodulator 51. The OFDM demodulator 51 demodulates the digital broadcast signal and outputs the demodulated digital broadcast signal to the signal processing unit 47.

  The antenna 48 can also receive terrestrial analog broadcast signals. The received terrestrial analog broadcast signal is distributed by a distributor (not shown) and supplied to the analog tuner 68. The analog tuner 68 tunes the received analog broadcast signal and transmits the tuned analog broadcast signal to the analog demodulator 69. The analog demodulator 69 demodulates the analog broadcast signal and outputs the demodulated analog broadcast signal to the signal processing unit 47.

  The signal processing unit 47 performs appropriate digital signal processing on the digital broadcast signal output from the PSK demodulator 46 and the OFDM demodulator 51. The digital broadcast signal is separated into a data signal, a video signal, and an audio signal. The separated video signal is output to the graphic processing unit 52, and the audio signal is output to the audio processing unit 53. The signal processing unit 47 converts the broadcast signal output from the analog demodulator 69 into a digital video signal and audio signal in a predetermined format. The video signal converted to digital is output to the graphic processing unit 52, and the audio signal is output to the audio processing unit 53. The signal processing unit 47 also performs predetermined digital signal processing on the input signal from the line input terminal.

  An OSD (On Screen Display) signal generation unit 54 generates an OSD signal for displaying a UI (user interface) screen and the like under the control of the control unit 56. In the signal processing unit 47 described above, the data signal separated from the digital broadcast signal is converted into an OSD signal of an appropriate format by an OSD (On Screen Display) signal generation unit 54 and output to the graphic processing unit 52.

  The graphic processing unit 52 performs a decoding process on the digital video signal output from the signal processing unit 47. The decoded video signal is combined with the OSD signal output from the OSD signal generation unit 54 to be combined and output to the video processing unit 55. The graphic processing unit 52 can also selectively output the decoded video signal or OSD signal to the video processing unit 55. Also, the video signal and the OSD signal can be combined and output so as to constitute half of the screen.

  The video processing unit 55 converts the signal input from the graphic processing unit 52 into an analog video signal in a format that can be displayed on the video display 14. The video signal converted into analog is output to the video display 14 and displayed.

  The audio processing unit 53 converts the input audio signal into an analog audio signal in a format that can be reproduced by the speaker 15. The audio signal converted into analog is output to the speaker 15 and reproduced.

  The card holder 61 is connected to the control unit 56 via a card I / F (Interface) 60. The first memory card 19 can be attached to the card card holder 61. The first memory card 19 is a storage medium such as an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, an MMC (Multimedia Card), and a memory stick. The first memory card 19 attached to the card holder 61 and the control unit 56 can transmit information via the card I / F 60. The control unit 56 can store data such as images, music, and broadcast programs in the first memory card 19. The control unit 56 can read out data such as images, music, and broadcast programs stored in the first memory card 19 and display them on the video display 14 or output sound from the speaker 15.

  The card holder 63 is connected to the control unit 56 via the card I / F 62. The second memory card 20 can be attached to the card holder 63. The second memory card 20 is a storage medium that stores contract information of a broadcast reception contract, for example. The second memory card 20 attached to the card holder 63 and the control unit 56 can transmit information via the card I / F 62.

  The first LAN terminal 21 is connected to the control unit 56 via the communication I / F 64. The first LAN terminal 21 is used as a LAN-compatible HDD dedicated port using Ethernet (registered trademark). When a LAN-compatible HDD is connected to the first LAN terminal 21 as NAS (Network Attached Storage), the HDD and the control unit 56 can transmit information via the communication I / F 64. In this case, the control unit 56 functions as a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server and assigns and controls an IP (Internet Protocol) address to the LAN-compatible HDD connected to the first LAN terminal 21.

  The control unit 56 can store data such as images, music, and broadcast programs in the HDD. In addition, the control unit 56 can read out data such as images, music, and broadcast programs stored in the HDD and display the data on the video display 14 or output sound from the speaker 15. By providing the first LAN terminal 21 as a LAN-compatible HDD dedicated port, it is possible to stably record information on programs with high-definition image quality on the HDD without being affected by other network environments or network usage conditions. Can be performed.

  The second LAN terminal 22 is connected to the control unit 56 via the communication I / F 65. The second LAN terminal 22 is used as a general LAN-compatible port using Ethernet (registered trademark). The second LAN terminal 22 is connected to devices such as a LAN-compatible HDD, a PC (Personal Computer), and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) recorder with a built-in HDD, for example, using a hub. The device connected to the second LAN terminal 22 and the control unit 56 can transmit information via the communication I / F 65. When a broadband router is connected to the second LAN terminal 22 via a hub, the control unit 56 can connect to a network such as the Internet via the broadband router. A PC, a mobile phone, or the like is connected to this network, and information can be transmitted to the broadcast receiving apparatus 11.

  A storage medium such as a hard disk or a DVD (optical disk) can be mounted on a device such as an HDD, a PC, or a DVD recorder connected to the control unit 56 via the communication I / F 65. The control unit 56 can store data such as images, music, and broadcast programs in the storage medium via the hub and devices connected to the hub. Further, the control unit 56 can read out data such as images, music, and broadcast programs stored in the storage medium and display the data on the video display 14 or output sound from the speaker 15.

  A USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 23 is connected to the control unit 56 via a USB I / F 66. The USB terminal 23 is used as a general USB compatible port. The USB terminal 23 is connected to, for example, a mobile phone, a digital camera, a card reader / writer for a memory card, an HDD, a keyboard, etc. via a hub. The control unit 56 can transmit information to and from a device connected via the USB terminal 23.

  i. Link terminal 24 is connected to i. It is connected to the control unit 56 via the Link I / F 67. i. For example, an AV-HDD, D (Digital) -VHS (Video Home System), or the like is serially connected to the Link terminal 24. The control unit 56 is connected to i. Link terminal 24 and i. Information can be transmitted to and from a device connected via the Link I / F 67.

  Next, the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus 11 having the above configuration will be described.

  In the broadcast receiving apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment, various contents (OSD screen, electronic program guide, web page, broadcast program received by the antenna 43 or the antenna 48, a program distributed via the network, video data, etc.) Are displayed in one window and switched using tabs. For this reason, memory and system resources can be saved as compared with the case where a window is created and displayed for each content. Further, it is not necessary to close the currently displayed window and then newly open a reserved program display window. For this reason, it does not take a long time to finish the window being displayed and the start of viewing or recording of the reserved program is not delayed.

  The user makes a reservation setting so that viewing or recording of a desired program (a broadcast program received by the antenna 43 or the antenna 48 or a program distributed via the network) is automatically started at the start time of the desired program. It can be performed. A program for which a viewing reservation or a recording reservation has been made is hereinafter referred to as a reserved program (reserved content). The data of the reserved program is stored in a reservation table 200 as shown in FIG. 2 and held in the nonvolatile memory 59 (or RAM 58). The reservation table 200 may be held in the first memory card 19 or the like. The reservation table 200 stores data such as the contents of reservation processing, broadcast channels of reserved programs, broadcast start times, broadcast end times, storage media for storing program data, program names, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing content display processing by the broadcast receiving apparatus 11.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data contents of tab data stored in the tab setting table 300. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the video display 14 based on the tab setting table 300 shown in FIG. The tab setting table 300 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 59 (or RAM 58).

  When the content display process shown in FIG. 3 is started, the control unit 56 reads the tab data stored in the tab setting table 300 (block A1), and displays a display screen based on the read tab data on the video display 14. (Block A2).

  A window 101 is provided on the display area 100 of the video display 14 as shown in FIG. Various contents can be displayed in the content display area 102 in the window 101 based on the settings of the tab setting table 300. As shown in FIG. 4, the tab setting table 300 stores tab data for each tab Ti. The tab data includes setting data such as contents, display setting, recording setting, tab data setting date and time, and deletion prohibition setting described later. In the tab display area 103 in the window 101, n tabs Ti (i = 1, 2,..., N) can be displayed in parallel. However, tabs for which no corresponding content is set in the tab setting table 300 are not displayed. In the content display area 102, content corresponding to a tab whose display setting is ON in the tab setting table 300 is displayed. In addition, on the tab displayed in the tab display area 103, character information (or an icon or the like) indicating the corresponding content is superimposed and displayed. The number n of tabs that can be displayed in the tab display area 103 is set in advance.

  When the content corresponding to the tab Ti is a broadcast program, when recording of the broadcast program is started, the recording setting corresponding to the tab Ti is turned ON in the tab setting table 300, and when recording ends. OFF (-).

  In the setting table shown in FIG. 4, a menu screen, an electronic program guide, and a web page are set as display contents corresponding to the tabs T1 to T3. Accordingly, tabs T1 to T3 are displayed in the tab display area 103 as shown in FIG. In the tab setting table 300 shown in FIG. 4, the display setting of the tab T3 is ON. For this reason, the web page which is the display content corresponding to the tab T <b> 3 is displayed in the content display area 102.

  The control unit 56 determines whether the end of the content display process is instructed (block A3). If the end of the content display process is instructed (YES in block A3), the process ends.

  If the end of the content display process has not been instructed (NO in block A3), the control unit 56 determines whether or not the reservation viewing / recording process start time (reservation time) has come (block A4). This reserved time is earlier by a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) than the distribution start time of the program reserved by the user for viewing or recording (reserved program). When the reservation time has come (YES in block A4), the control unit 56 executes the reservation viewing / recording process shown in FIG. 6 (block A5). When execution of the reserved viewing / recording process ends, the process returns to block A3.

  If the reserved program is not set or the reserved time has not come (NO in block A4), the control unit 56 determines whether there is a program that is currently being recorded (block A6). That is, the control unit 56 determines whether or not there is a tab Tr (recording tab) for which the recording setting is ON in the tab setting table 300 described above.

  If there is a program being recorded, that is, if there is a recording tab Tr whose recording setting is ON in the tab setting table 300 (YES in block A6), the control unit 56 determines whether or not the user has selected a tab. Is determined (block A7). The user can select any tab displayed in the tab display area 103 by operating a cursor key or the like provided on the operation unit 16 or the remote controller 17. If no tab is selected (NO in block A7), the process proceeds to block A9. When a tab is selected (YES in block A7), the control unit 56 executes a display switching process shown in FIG. 9 (block A8).

  Subsequently, the control unit 56 determines whether or not to end the recording (block A9). When recording is not finished (NO in block A9), the process returns to block A3. On the other hand, when the end time of the reserved program being recorded is reached, or when the user instructs the end of recording by operating the operation unit 16 or the remote controller 17 (YES in block A9), the recording tab is displayed in the tab setting table 300. The recording setting of Tr is set to OFF (-), and the recording ends (block A10). When the program recording is completed, the process returns to block A3.

  On the other hand, when there is no broadcast program being recorded, that is, when the recording tab Tr for which the recording setting is ON is not set in the tab setting table 300 (NO in block A6), the control unit 56 sets the tab by the user. It is determined whether or not a selection operation has been performed (block A11). The user can select any tab displayed in the tab display area 103 by operating a cursor key or the like provided on the operation unit 16 or the remote controller 17. If no tab is selected (NO in block A11), the process proceeds to block A13. When the tab is selected (YES in block A11), the control unit 56 switches the display of the content display area 102 and displays the display content corresponding to the selected tab (block A12).

  Here, the user can perform an operation according to the content displayed in the content display area 102 (block A13). For example, if a menu screen is displayed, various setting operations can be performed. Further, when an electronic program guide is displayed, it is possible to select a program to be viewed, program viewing reservation, and recording reservation. When a program distributed via broadcast or a network is displayed, an operation such as instructing recording of the program can be performed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the reserved viewing / recording process by the broadcast receiving apparatus 11.

  In the reserved viewing / recording process, when it is determined that the start time (reserved time) of the reserved viewing / recording process is reached in block A4 of the above-described content display process (see FIG. 3) (YES in block A4), This is executed by the control unit 56 (block A5). The reserved time is earlier than the reserved program delivery start time set by the user by a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute).

  When the reserved viewing / recording process is started, the control unit 56 determines whether or not a tab can be newly displayed in the tab display area 103 (block B1). If n tabs are already displayed in the tab display area 103, no more new tabs can be displayed (NO in block B1). When a new tab cannot be displayed in the tab display area 103, the control unit 56 deletes unnecessary tab data from the tab setting table 300 (block B2). For example, the unnecessary tab data is deleted in order from the oldest date and time when the tab data is set. However, if the display content with a high browsing frequency such as a menu screen or an electronic program guide is deleted, the user's usability deteriorates. As described above, the tab data that should not be deleted even when the set date is old can be prohibited in advance by the user in advance or automatically by the control unit 56. Tabs for which tab data deletion is prohibited are always displayed in the tab display area 103. In the above-described tab setting table 300, the tab deletion prohibition setting for which tab data deletion is prohibited is ON. Therefore, the control unit 56 detects the tab with the oldest tab data setting date from the tabs whose deletion prohibition setting is not ON, and deletes the tab data of the detected tab.

  If there is a tab Ts (new tab) not displayed in the tab display area 103 (YES in block B1), or if there is a tab Ts (new tab) from which tab data has been deleted in block B2, this new The tab Ts can be displayed in the tab display area 103. The control unit 56 sets new tab data for the new tab Ts, and additionally displays the new tab Ts in the tab display area 103 (block B3). That is, the reserved program is set as the display content corresponding to the new tab Ts. The set tab data is stored in the tab setting table 300 together with the setting date and time. Further, the control unit 56 adds the new tab Ts to the tab display area 103 and displays it. Thereafter, the control unit 56 displays a message on the video display 14 to notify the user that viewing or recording of the reserved program is started (block B4). The message may be displayed over the displayed display content, but may be displayed using a pop-up window or the like. And the control part 56 waits for the delivery start time of a reserved program (block B5).

  When the start time of the reserved program is reached (YES in block B5), if only the reserved program is viewed (NO in block B6), the process proceeds to block B8. When recording a reserved program (YES in block B6), the control unit 56 turns on the recording setting of the new tab Ts and starts recording the reserved program (block B7). The tab for which the recording setting is ON is referred to as a recording tab Tr. At the time of recording, program data of the reserved program is stored in a predetermined storage medium.

  Subsequently, the control unit 56 turns on the display setting of the new tab Ts (or the recording tab Tr), switches the display of the content display area 102, and displays the reserved program (reserved content) (block B8). Return to the display process (see FIG. 3).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of data contents of the tab setting table 300 in which tab data is updated by the above-described reservation viewing / recording process. When the reserved recording of the reserved program 1 shown in the reservation table 200 of FIG. 2 is started by the reservation viewing / recording process, the tab setting table 300 shown in FIG. 4 is updated to be as shown in FIG. That is, the recording setting of the tab T4 is turned ON, and the data of the reserved program is stored in a predetermined storage medium (HDD connected to the control unit 56 via the communication I / F 64). Further, the display setting of the tab T4 is also turned ON. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the video display 14 based on the tab setting table 300 shown in FIG. The tab T4 is displayed in the tab display area 103, and the reserved content (reserved program) corresponding to the tab T4 is displayed in the content display area 102.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing display switching processing by the broadcast receiving apparatus 11.

  This display switching process is determined in the above-described content display process (see FIG. 3) that there is a program that is currently being recorded, that is, there is a tab (recording tab) Tr whose recording setting is ON in the tab setting table 300. Then (YES in block A6), when the user selects a tab (YES in block A7), the control unit 56 executes it (block A8). For example, if recording of a reserved program is started by the above-described reserved viewing / recording process and the recording setting of the tab Tr is ON, the determination result in block A6 is “YES”. When the user selects a tab (YES in block A7), the control unit 56 executes the following switching process.

  The control unit 56 determines whether or not the user has instructed switching from the recording tab to another tab (block C1). That is, it is determined whether or not the user has selected a tab other than the recording tab Tr in a state where the display content (recorded program) corresponding to the recording tab Tr as shown in FIG. When switching from the recording tab Tr to another tab is instructed (YES in block C1), the control unit 56 has already displayed the content of the program data in the content display area 102 (how much has already been viewed Is displayed in a predetermined storage area of the nonvolatile memory 59 (or RAM 58) (block C2). The control unit 56 switches the display of the content display area 102 and displays the display content corresponding to the selected tab (block C3). That is, the control unit 56 turns off the display setting of the recording tab Tr in the tab setting table 300 and turns on the display setting of the tab selected by the user.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the reserved program being recorded (corresponding to the recording tab T4) is displayed in the content display area 102 and the user selects the tab T2, the settings of the tab setting table 300 are as shown in FIG. It is updated as shown in FIG. The display setting of the recording tab T4 is OFF, and the display setting of the selected tab 2 is ON. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the video display 14 based on the tab setting table 300 shown in FIG. Display content (electronic program guide) corresponding to the selected tab T 2 is displayed in the content display area 102.

  On the other hand, when the tab selected by the user is the recording tab Tr (NO in block C1, YES in C4), the control unit 56 stores the display interruption information about the program being recorded in the nonvolatile memory 59 (or RAM 58). It is determined whether or not it has been done (block C5). When the display interruption information is stored (YES in block C5), the control unit 56 determines whether or not the chasing playback mode is set (block C6). In the chasing playback mode, viewing can be resumed from an unviewed location based on the above-described display interruption information indicating where viewing is resumed. The user can set the chasing playback mode in advance. Alternatively, the chasing playback mode may be set in block C6 by operating the operation unit 16 or the remote controller 17.

  When the chasing playback mode is set (YES in block C6), the control unit 56 starts playback of the recorded program data from the location indicated by the display interruption information, and switches the display of the content display area 102 for playback. The recorded program data is displayed (block C7: chasing playback). If the display interruption information is not set (NO in block C5), or the chasing playback mode is not set (NO in block C6), normal playback processing is performed (block C8). That is, program data received via broadcast or network is displayed as it is in the content display area 102.

  When the user instructs to switch tabs between tabs other than the recording tab Tr (NO in blocks C1 and C4), the control unit 56 switches the display of the content display area 102 and displays in accordance with the selected tab. The content is displayed (block C9).

  Here, the user can perform an operation according to the content displayed in the content display area 102 (block C10). For example, if a menu screen is displayed, various setting operations can be performed. Further, when an electronic program guide is displayed, it is possible to select a program to be viewed, program viewing reservation, and recording reservation. When a program distributed via broadcast or a network is displayed, an operation such as instructing recording of the program can be performed.

  When the user selects a tab during recording, this display switching process is executed, and content corresponding to the user's selection is displayed in the content display area 102. If display according to selection is performed, it will return to a content display process (refer FIG. 3).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, one window 101 is provided in the display area 100 of the video display 14. In the content display area 102 in the window 101, a plurality of contents including distributed program data can be displayed. Further, n tabs can be displayed in the tab display area 103 in the window 101. When one of the displayed tabs is selected by the user, display content corresponding to the selection is displayed in the content display area 102. That is, the user can switch the content displayed in the content display area 102 by selecting a tab.

  Further, when the reserved time that is earlier by a predetermined time due to the distribution start time of the reserved program for which viewing reservation or recording reservation has been made, the control unit 56 displays a new tab Ts in the tab display area. Further, when the distribution start time of the reserved program comes, the control unit 56 displays the reserved program as the reserved content in the content display area 102. Since a new window is not generated for displaying the reserved program, consumption of memory and system resources is not wasted. Further, there is no need to close the currently displayed window and then open a new reserved program display window. For this reason, it does not take a long time to finish the window being displayed and the start of viewing or recording of the reserved program is not delayed.

  Even when a program is being recorded, the display content displayed in the content display area 102 can be switched by selecting a tab. When switching, display interruption information indicating how much of the program data has already been displayed in the content display area 102 (how much has already been viewed) is stored in a predetermined storage area of the nonvolatile memory 59 (or RAM 58). Is done. Therefore, when the content displayed in the content display area 102 is switched from the content other than the recorded program to the program being recorded, it is possible to perform chasing playback based on the display interruption information. The display interruption information may be stored together with reserved program data in a predetermined storage medium (for example, an HDD connected to the control unit 56 via the communication I / F 64).

  In the present embodiment, the display content displayed in the content display area 102 includes, for example, a menu screen and an electronic program guide. On the menu screen, settings relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus 11 and the content display process described above can be performed. When the user selects a tab corresponding to the menu screen in the above-described content display processing (block A7 or A11), a predetermined menu screen is displayed in the content display area 102. In accordance with the guidance display on the menu screen, the user sets the number of tabs n that can be displayed in the tab display area 103, sets the chasing playback mode, and tabs that prohibit data deletion (tabs that are always displayed in the tab display area 103). ) Can be specified.

  Further, the user can make a reservation for viewing or recording a desired program using the electronic program guide. When the user selects a tab corresponding to the electronic program guide in the above-described content display processing (block A7 or A11), the electronic program guide is displayed in the content display area 102 as shown in FIG. A12, C3 or C9). The control unit 56 can obtain program guide information from a digital broadcast signal received by the antenna 43 or 48 or via a network. The OSD signal generation unit 54 generates screen data of the electronic program guide based on the acquired program guide information. The generated electronic program guide screen data is displayed in the content display area 102, and the user can make a reservation for viewing or recording a desired program according to the guidance included in the electronic program guide screen. The set reserved program data is stored in the reservation table (see FIG. 2). The reservation table stores data such as reservation processing contents, broadcast channel of reserved program, broadcast start time, broadcast end time, storage medium for storing program data, and program name.

  In the content display area 102, display screens of other applications can also be displayed. When the user gives an instruction to start an application, the data of the new tab Ts is set by the same processing as the blocks B1 to B3 of the above-described reserved viewing / recording processing (see FIG. 6). The display screen of the application is set as content corresponding to the new tab Ts, the display setting is turned ON, and these setting data are stored in the tab setting table 300 together with the setting date and time. The content display area 102 displays a display screen of the application, and the tab display area 102 displays a new tab Ts. For example, when an e-mail creation application is activated, an e-mail creation screen is displayed in the content display area 102 and a corresponding new tab Ts is displayed in the tab display area 103. In this case, the above-described content display process (see FIG. 3) allows the user to view a broadcast program or browse a web page by selecting a tab even while creating a mail. . In addition, even when an email is being created, a reserved program (reserved content) reserved for viewing or recording can be displayed in the content display area 102 without closing the email creation screen or ending the email creation process. It becomes possible.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the processing (reserved viewing / recording processing) when viewing or recording of a program distributed via broadcasting or a network is reserved has been described. However, in addition to the distribution program, the start time of the application is set in advance, and when the start time is reached, the new tab Ts is displayed in the tab display area 103 as in the above-described reserved viewing / recording process. The display screen of the application may be displayed in the content display area 102 as reserved content.

  In the present embodiment, the number of tabs displayed in the tab display area 103 is limited to n. However, the number of tabs that can be displayed need not be limited. When the number of tabs displayed in the tab display area exceeds a predetermined number, a plurality of tabs may be displayed in an overlapping manner. In this case, the processing of blocks B1 and B2 in the above-described reserved viewing / recording processing (see FIG. 6) is not necessary.

  In the above-described reserved viewing / recording process (see FIG. 6), the reserved program is displayed in the content display area 102 when the reserved program start time comes. However, the reserved program may not be displayed in the content display area 102 even at the reserved start time. Even in this case, the new tab Ts is displayed in the tab display area 103 by the processing of the block B3. When the user selects this new tab Ts, the reserved program may be displayed in the content display area 102.

  In the present embodiment, one window 101 is displayed in the display area 100 of the video display 14. However, a plurality of windows may be displayed in the display area 100, and a content display area 102 and a tab display area 103 are provided in each of the plurality of windows, and the content display processing shown in FIG. 3 may be performed. .

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in one embodiment or the constituent elements shown in some embodiments are combined, they are described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention. In the case where the problems described above can be solved and the effects described in the “Effects of the Invention” can be obtained, a configuration in which these constituent requirements are deleted or combined can be extracted as an invention.

The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of the content display apparatus by this invention. The figure which shows an example of the reservation program data memorize | stored in a reservation table. The flowchart which shows the content display process by the said broadcast receiving apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the tab data memorize | stored in a tab setting table. The figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on a video display based on tab data. The flowchart which shows the reservation viewing / recording process by the said broadcast receiver. The figure which shows another example of the tab data memorize | stored in a tab setting table. The figure which shows another example of the display screen displayed on a video display based on tab data. The flowchart which shows the display switching process by the said broadcast receiver. The figure which shows another example of the tab data memorize | stored in a tab setting table. The figure which shows another example of the display screen displayed on a video display based on tab data.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Broadcast receiver, 14 ... Video display, 15 ... Speaker, 16 ... Operation part, 17 ... Remote controller, 18 ... Light-receiving part, 19 ... 1st memory card, 20 ... 2nd memory card, 21 ... 1st 1 LAN terminal, 22... Second LAN terminal, 23... USB terminal, 24. Link terminal, 43 ... antenna, 44 ... input terminal, 45 ... tuner, 46 ... PSK demodulator, 47 ... signal processing unit, 48 ... antenna, 49 ... input terminal, 50 ... tuner, 51 ... OFDM demodulator, 52 ... graphic Processing unit 53 ... Audio processing unit 54 ... OSD signal generation unit 55 ... Video processing unit 56 ... Control unit 57 ... ROM 58 58 RAM 59 Non-volatile memory 60 Card I / F 61 Card holder, 62 ... Card I / F, 63 ... Card holder, 64 ... Communication I / F, 65 ... Communication I / F, 66 ... USB I / F, 67 ... i. Link I / F, 68 ... analog tuner, 69 ... analog demodulator, 100 ... display area, 101 ... window, 102 ... content display area, 103 ... tab display area, 200 ... reservation table, 300 ... tab setting table

Claims (9)

Display means having a tab display area for displaying a plurality of tabs, and a content display area for displaying content including a program distributed through broadcasting or a network;
Tab selection means for selecting one tab from a plurality of tabs displayed in the tab display area of the display means;
Display switching means for switching content displayed in the content display area of the display means to content corresponding to the selected tab in response to selection of a tab by the tab selection means;
Content reservation means for setting content as reserved content;
Reservation time setting means for setting a reservation time corresponding to the reservation content;
When the reserved time is reached, tab addition means for additionally displaying a new tab corresponding to the reserved content in the tab display area;
A content display device comprising:   The content display device according to claim 1, wherein the display switching unit switches the content displayed in the content display area to the reserved content when the reserved time comes.   The content display device according to claim 1, wherein the display switching unit switches the content displayed in the content display area to the reserved content when the new tab is selected by the tab selection unit. Tab display control means for always displaying a predetermined tab in the tab display area,
The content display device according to claim 1, further comprising: The content reservation means sets a program distributed via broadcast or a network as the reserved content,
The reserved time setting means sets the reserved time based on the distribution start time of the program,
The content display device according to claim 2, wherein the display switching means switches the content displayed in the content display area to the program set as the reserved content when the distribution start time comes. The content reservation means sets a program distributed via broadcasting or a network as reserved content,
The reserved time setting means sets the reserved time based on the distribution start time of the program,
Program recording means for storing the program in a storage unit;
Recording control means for causing the program recording means to start storing the program when the distribution start time of the program is reached;
The content display device according to claim 1, further comprising:   The content display device according to claim 6, wherein the display switching unit switches the content displayed in the content display area to the program set as the reserved content when the distribution start time comes. When the recording unit stores the program and the program is displayed in the content display area, the interruption indicating the display interruption point of the program according to the selection of the tab by the tab selection unit A storage means for storing information;
8. The content display device according to claim 7, wherein the display switching unit switches content displayed in the content display area of the display unit to content corresponding to the selected tab in response to selection of the tab.   The display switching means causes the program to be displayed in the content display area from the interruption location indicated by the interruption information stored in the storage means in response to the selection of a tab by the tab selection means. The content display device described.

Images