JP2010056595A - Broadcast receiver, notification method for series programming distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a broadcast receiver, capable of controlling notification of distributed programming so as not to cause mismatch among the order of series programming, the order by which a viewer actually views and listens, and the order of distributed programming relevant to the series programming, and to provide a notification method for series programming distribution. <P>SOLUTION: A VOD (video on demand) distribution schedule is acquired for a content group to which the series programming belongs. From relation between the time and the date when the series programming is broadcast and VOD distribution, information is acquired for foregoing distribution programming distributed prior to the broadcasting. Then, the viewer maintains a viewing and listening history on how far the viewer has viewed and listened to the series programming. Notification for the foregoing distribution programming is controlled based on the information. When there is no program available which has not been viewed or listened yet in the number of stories, before the number of stories of a certain foregoing distribution programming, the viewer is notified of the existence of the foregoing distribution programming. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving apparatus and a series program distribution notification method capable of notifying a viewer that a series program is distributed in addition to receiving a broadcast program.

  In recent years, digital broadcasting has been started, and it has become possible to easily reserve recording of broadcast programs using EPG (Electronic Program Guide). In addition, it has become possible to automatically record each time by making a series reservation for a series of series such as dramas and animations. Furthermore, with the spread of recorders equipped with large-capacity HDDs (hard disk drives) and digital televisions equipped with recording functions, opportunities for recording broadcast programs and viewing them later have increased.

  In such a recent recording device, since a video can be recorded easily, a large amount of programs tend to be accumulated without viewing. A viewer selectively plays back and watches a large amount of accumulated programs. However, when a plurality of continuous series programs are recorded, it may be difficult for the viewer to identify which program has been viewed and which program has not been viewed. In this case, there are cases where a series program that has already been viewed is viewed or a series program of a later time is viewed without viewing an unviewed program. As described above, conventionally, the order of the series program may be different from the order in which the viewer actually views the program.

  Therefore, Patent Literature 1, Patent Literature 2, and the like describe a technique for detecting whether there is an unviewed program and notifying when it is detected. Non-Patent Document 1 describes the operation of information specifying the series of broadcast programs and the number of stories.

  Some digital televisions have a network terminal, and some digital televisions are compatible with VOD (Video On Demand). VOD is a service that allows a viewer to view a program he / she wants to view using an Internet line.

  In addition, recently, there are services that pre-distribute music and game software prior to sale using an Internet connection such as a computer or a mobile phone, and services that pre-distribute programs on an Internet streaming site prior to program broadcasting. It is increasing. In the future, it is assumed that a pre-distribution service that distributes a program that precedes a program broadcast on the terrestrial wave will also become popular in digital television. With the advance delivery service, for example, a drama having the same content can be viewed ahead of a drama broadcast every week.

However, since there is no program guide for programs distributed via the Internet or the like, it is not known when and from when to start providing. Therefore, it is desirable for the viewer who wants to view the preceding delivery program to notify the viewer when the preceding delivery program becomes viewable.
JP 2003-319308 A JP-A-2005-348153 Japan Radio Industry Association Standards "Program Sequence Information Used for Digital Broadcasting" ARIB STD-B10 4.1 Edition

There are the following problems when notifying the viewer that the pre-delivery program of the series program can be viewed.
When there is a program that has not been viewed yet in the series programs that have been broadcast so far, the viewer may not view the preceding distribution program even if the previous distribution program corresponding to the next round of the unviewed program is notified Is expensive. This is because usually viewers watch series programs such as dramas and animations in the order of the series.
Further, even if the viewing of an unviewed program is completed after the notification of the preceding delivery program, the viewer may have already forgotten the existence of the preceding delivery program.
In addition, if the viewer completely forgets that there are unviewed programs in the broadcast series program, and the preceding delivery program corresponding to a later time than the unviewed program is mistakenly played , The fun of the program is lost.
As described above, inconsistency may occur due to the relationship between the order of the series program, the order in which the viewer actually views, and the order of notification of the preceding delivery program.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a flow of time when a viewer records and views a certain series program.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 17, the inconsistency caused by the relationship between the order of the series program, the order actually viewed by the viewer, and the order of notification of the preceding delivery program will be specifically described. In FIG. 17, time elapses from the left side to the right side in the figure.
For example, first, assume that the viewer has watched 5 episodes of a series of dramas in a broadcast (T201).
After watching the drama episode 5, provision of the preceding delivery program episode 7 is started (T202).
Since provision of the pre-distributed program 7 episode has started, the viewer is notified of the presence of the pre-distributed program 7 episode. However, since only up to 5 episodes of the drama have been viewed and 6 episodes have not been viewed, the viewer does not view the preceding delivery program 7 episodes even if notified of the 7 preceding delivery program episodes (T203).
It is assumed that the drama 6 episode was broadcast after a while and the viewer recorded the drama 6 episode. However, the viewer only records and does not view (T204).
Several days later, provision of the pre-delivery program 8 episodes is started (T205).
Since provision of the pre-delivery program 8 episodes has started, the viewer is notified of the presence of the pre-delivery program 8 episodes. However, since the viewer has only watched up to 5 episodes of the drama and has not watched 6 episodes, the viewer does not view the preceding delivery program even if notified of the 8 preceding delivery programs (T206).
After that, I watched 6 episodes of the drama recorded by the viewer. When the drama episode 6 is finished, the pre-delivery program episode 7 is already provided, and the viewer can watch the episode 7 that is the next episode of the drama episode 6. However, when watching the drama episode 6 is over, the viewer may have already forgotten the existence of the preceding delivery program episode 7 (T207).
In the above example, as a result, the notifications of the pre-delivery program episodes 7 and 8 notified in (T203) and (T206) are not beneficial to the viewer.

  An object of the present invention is to control notification of distribution programs so that there is no inconsistency in the relationship between the order of series programs, the order in which viewers actually view, and the order of distribution programs related to the series programs. A broadcast receiving apparatus and a series program distribution notification method are provided.

  A broadcast receiving apparatus as a first aspect of the present invention is distributed via a network, receiving means for receiving a program broadcast via a broadcast signal, viewing history management means for managing the viewing history of a series program, and a network. With reference to the distribution information acquisition means for acquiring the distribution information of the series program, the distribution notification means for notifying the viewer that the series program is distributed via the network, the viewing history and the distribution information, A delivery notification necessity determination unit that determines whether to perform notification by the delivery notification unit.

  A series program distribution notification method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a viewing history management step for managing a viewing history of a series program, and a broadcast schedule acquisition for acquiring a broadcasting schedule of a series program broadcast via a broadcast signal. A distribution information acquisition step of acquiring distribution information of a series program distributed via a network, a distribution notification step of notifying a viewer that a series program is distributed via the network, and the viewing history A delivery notification necessity determination step for determining whether to perform notification in the distribution notification step with reference to the distribution information.

  According to the present invention, there is no inconsistency in the relationship between the order in which a series program should be viewed, the order in which the viewer actually views, and the order in which the distribution program is notified. Therefore, the viewer can know the existence of the distribution program at the timing when he / she wants to view the distribution program.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, specific numerical values, configurations, operations, and the like are shown and described, but these can be changed as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
The preceding delivery system according to the first embodiment is a form in which the necessity for notification of preceding delivery is determined based on the viewing history of the recorded series program and the broadcast schedule of the series program, and the viewer is notified of the preceding delivery program.
In the following description, a series program is shown as one episode, two episodes, and three episodes with an example of a drama, but the series program is not limited to a series that continues like a drama. For example, it may be a program that is broadcast in a plurality of times in a documentary program or the like. In this case, for example, the same theme broadcast is performed once, twice, and three times.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a prior delivery system using a broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention.
The preceding delivery system of this embodiment has a digital broadcast receiving device 100, a broadcast system 1000, and a VOD server 1200.

  The broadcast system 1000 is a public broadcast system composed of digital broadcast equipment installed in a broadcast station, for example, and digitally broadcasts various programs.

  The VOD server 1200 is a server that stores contents such as programs broadcast by the broadcasting system 1000 and is a distribution source of the contents, and is connected to the Internet. In the present embodiment, a program broadcast by the broadcast system 1000 is stored in a state where it can be distributed by storing the program before the broadcast is performed. In FIG. 1, the VOD server 1200 may be installed in a broadcasting station including the broadcasting system 1000, or may be constructed as an integrated system that shares a part with the broadcasting system 1000.

  The digital broadcast receiving device 100 is, for example, a device such as a television receiver or a video recorder owned by a general viewer, and a plurality of devices are connected to the Internet. In the present embodiment, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 has a recording function for receiving and recording a digital broadcast broadcast by the broadcast system 1000.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a tuner 111, a demodulation processing unit 112, a decoding processing unit 113, a display device control unit 114, a display 115, a graphics processing unit 116, a broadcast schedule management unit 117, and a recording control unit 121. , Recording recording unit 122, playback control unit 123, network communication control unit 131, streaming control unit 132, VOD playback control unit 133, preceding delivery notification processing unit 134, preceding delivery detection unit 135, preceding delivery control unit 136, advance delivery setting Unit 137, series program determination unit 138, preceding distribution notification necessity determination unit 139, preceding distribution information storage unit 140, viewer viewing history management unit 151, and recorded program viewing history storage unit 152.

The tuner 111 outputs a digital broadcast signal received via an antenna (not shown) to the demodulation processing unit 112.
The demodulation processing unit 112 transmits the data obtained from the tuner 111 to the decoding processing unit 113, the broadcast schedule management unit 117, and the recording control unit 121.
In the present embodiment, the tuner 111 and the demodulation processing unit 112 form reception means for receiving a program.

The decode processing unit 113 decodes the video data sent from the demodulation processing unit 112, the reproduction control unit 123, and the streaming control unit 132, and outputs the decoded video data to the display device control unit 114.
The display device control unit 114 sends the video data sent from the decoding processing unit 113 and the graphics processing unit 116 to the display 115 as display data to be displayed on the display 115.

  The display 115 displays the display data sent from the display device control unit 114. In the present embodiment, the display 115 is described as being included in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100, but the display 115 may be provided as an apparatus independent of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

  The graphics processing unit 116 generates various information display characters and graphics and sends them to the display 115. The graphics processing unit 116 according to the present embodiment performs graphics processing according to instructions from a central control unit (not shown) and the preceding delivery notification processing unit 134.

  The broadcast schedule management unit 117 is a broadcast schedule acquisition unit that acquires a broadcast schedule from TS data (described later) output from the demodulation processing unit 112. The broadcast schedule management unit 117 also manages broadcast history information indicating how many series (how many times) the series program is currently being broadcast based on this broadcast schedule, and this information is determined as a prior delivery notification necessity determination unit 139. To tell.

  The recording control unit 121 acquires TS data of a broadcast program to be recorded from the demodulation processing unit 112 and records it in the recording storage unit 122. Further, as will be described later, the recording control unit 121 stores a series value (described later) of a series program that notifies the preceding delivery program when the series program is recorded in the preceding delivery setting unit 137.

The recording / recording unit 122 is, for example, a recording unit such as a hard disk drive or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive.
The reproduction control unit 123 extracts TS data to be reproduced from the recording storage unit 122 and outputs the TS data to the decoding processing unit 113. In addition, the reproduction control unit 123 records information that identifies the program that has been reproduced, that is, the program that has been viewed, in the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152.

The network communication control unit 131 communicates with the VOD server 1200 via the Internet. The network communication control unit 131 performs control based on, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) and is connected to the Internet.
The streaming control unit 132 adjusts the reception speed of the video data acquired from the network communication control unit 131 while monitoring the state of the streaming buffer.

The VOD playback control unit 133 controls the streaming control unit 132 to play back the preceding delivery program in accordance with the playback command from the preceding delivery notification processing unit 134.
The preceding delivery notification processing unit 134 is a delivery notification unit that performs processing for notifying the viewer of the presence of a preceding delivery program according to the determination result of the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139.

The preceding delivery detection unit 135 detects whether or not a desired preceding delivery program is provided in a state that can be delivered on the VOD server 1200 according to the information from the preceding delivery control unit 136, and the delivery information of the preceding delivery This is distribution information acquisition means for acquiring (preceding distribution information).
The advance delivery control unit 136 notifies the advance delivery detection unit 135 of the required advance delivery program based on the information obtained from the advance delivery setting unit 137 and the series program determination unit 138.

The preceding delivery setting unit 137 stores the series value of the series program recorded by the recording control unit 121 and sets it as a series program that notifies the preceding delivery program.
The series program determination unit 138 is a series program determination unit that determines whether or not the program recorded in the recording storage unit 122 is a series program. When the series program determining unit 138 determines that the recorded program is a series program, the series program determining unit 138 outputs a series value and a scenario value (described later) of the recorded program to the preceding distribution control unit 136.

Whether the advance delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 needs to notify the viewer that the advance delivery is performed with reference to information from the broadcast schedule management unit 117, the advance delivery control unit 136, and the viewing history management unit 151. It is a delivery notification necessity determination means for determining whether or not.
The preceding delivery information storage unit 140 is a delivery information storage unit that stores information related to the preceding delivery that the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 determines not to require notification.

The viewer viewing history management unit 151 manages how many episodes of which program the viewer has viewed (viewing history) based on the information stored in the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152. Management means.
The recorded program viewing history storage unit 152 is a recorded program viewing history storage unit that stores a history of a recorded program that has been reproduced (that is, viewed).
In the present embodiment, the viewer viewing history management unit 151 manages the viewing history based on the information stored in the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152. Therefore, the viewer viewing history management unit 151 and the recorded program viewing history The storage unit 152 may be combined into one.

The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 having the above configuration includes a digital broadcast receiving function, a digital broadcast recording function, a VOD playback function, and a preceding delivery notification function.
Hereinafter, each function will be described.

(1) Digital Broadcast Receiving Function First, the digital broadcast receiving function provided in the digital broadcast receiving device 100 will be described.
In order to display the selected broadcast program on the display 115, the demodulation processing unit 112 demodulates the output signal of the tuner 111, performs error correction, etc., and converts TS data that is digital data called a transport stream. Generate. In the TS data, video data for a plurality of channels is time-division multiplexed. After generating the TS data, the demodulation processing unit 112 extracts the video data of the channel selected from the time-division multiplexed TS data and outputs the video data to the decoding processing unit 113. The decode processing unit 113 decodes the video data and outputs the decoded video data to the display device control unit 114 so that the video of the selected broadcast program is displayed on the display 115.

  The TS data includes information called a series descriptor (Series descriptor), and describes a series identifier (series_id) for identifying a series program and an episode number (episode_number) for identifying the number of stories in the series program. In the description of this embodiment, information that can specify a series is defined as a series value, and information that can specify the number of stories in the series is defined as a scenario value.

(2) Digital Broadcast Recording Function Hereinafter, the digital broadcast recording function provided in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 will be described.
The digital broadcast recording function is a function that allows a recorded broadcast program to be viewed at any time by recording TS data in the recording storage unit 122. In order to record a broadcast program, the recording control unit 121 acquires TS data of the broadcast program to be recorded from the demodulation processing unit 112 and records it in the recording storage unit 122.
In addition, in order to reproduce the recorded program, the reproduction control unit 123 extracts desired TS data from the recording storage unit 122 and outputs it to the decoding processing unit 113. By this processing, the video of the recorded program is displayed on the display 115.

(3) VOD Playback Function Hereinafter, the VOD playback function provided in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 will be described.
The VOD playback function is a function for playing back VOD content by streaming reception of video data from the VOD server 1200 on the Internet. In order to reproduce the VOD content, the VOD reproduction control unit 133 acquires desired video data from the VOD server 1200 on the Internet via the streaming control unit 132 and the network communication control unit 131. The streaming control unit 132 adjusts the reception speed of the video data acquired from the network communication control unit 131 while monitoring the state of the streaming buffer. The streaming control unit 132 sequentially outputs the received video data to the decoding processing unit 113, so that the video of the VOD content is displayed on the display 115.

(4) Advance Delivery Notification Function Hereinafter, the advance delivery program notification function provided in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 will be described.
The function for notifying a pre-distributed program is a function for notifying a viewer that there is a program to be distributed prior to the broadcast of the program. In the notification function of the preceding delivery program, which series program is to be notified of the preceding delivery program is set in advance. Further, the advance delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires the advance delivery information of the series program, the broadcast schedule, the information of the recorded series program and the viewing history thereof. Then, based on the acquired information, it is determined whether or not to notify the preceding delivery program, and when it is determined to notify, the preceding delivery notification processing unit 134 notifies the viewer of the presence of the preceding delivery program. Each process of the prior delivery notification function will be described below.

(4-1) Setting of Prior Distribution Notification In the first embodiment, when a series program is to be recorded, a setting is made to notify the preceding distribution program of the series program. When recording a series program, the recording control unit 121 stores the series value of the series program for notifying the preceding delivery program in the preceding delivery setting unit 137. That is, the series value set in the preceding delivery setting unit 137 is a series program that notifies the preceding delivery program.

(4-2) Acquisition of Advance Delivery Information Next, a process in which the advance delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires advance delivery information of a series program from the VOD server 1200 will be described. First, the preceding delivery control unit 136 acquires the series value of the preceding delivery program to be notified from the preceding delivery setting unit 137 and outputs it to the preceding delivery detection unit 135. Based on the series value passed from the preceding delivery control unit 136 and the scenario value of the number of stories of the series program, the preceding delivery detection unit 135 determines whether the preceding delivery program is provided or the Internet via the network communication control unit 131. Queries the above VOD server 1200. For example, when searching for the preceding delivery program 6 episode corresponding to the next episode of the 5 episodes of the series program, the advance delivery detection unit 135 determines the preceding delivery program 6 based on the series value of the series program and the scenario value of the 5 episodes. The VOD server 1200 is inquired whether there is any talk. If the preceding delivery program is provided in a distributable state, the preceding delivery detection unit 135 acquires information on the preceding delivery program from the VOD server 1200. As described above, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 obtains information on the preceding delivery program obtained from the VOD server 1200 from the preceding delivery detection unit 135 via the preceding delivery control unit 136.

(4-3) Acquisition of Broadcast Schedule Next, a process in which the advance delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires a broadcast schedule will be described. Broadcast schedule is information about when a program is broadcast on which channel, from what time to what time, and program information such as the title of the program, the details of the program, and the number of episodes (number of times) if it is a series program. . The broadcast schedule management unit 117 manages the broadcast schedule, and the broadcast schedule management unit 117 acquires the broadcast schedule from the TS data generated by the demodulation processing unit 112. The broadcast schedule management unit 117 also manages broadcast history information indicating how many series programs are currently being broadcast based on this broadcast schedule. Broadcast history information is, for example, information that has already been broadcast from episode 1 to episode 4 of a series program. As described above, the advance delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires the broadcast schedule including the broadcast history information from the broadcast schedule management unit 117.

(4-4) Acquisition of Recorded Program Information Next, a process in which the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires information on a series program that is recorded will be described. Information about the recorded program is recorded in the recording storage unit 122 together with the recorded program. Since the target of prior delivery notification is a series program, only series program information is acquired from a plurality of recorded program information. It is the series program determination unit 138 that determines whether or not the program recorded in the recording storage unit 122 is a series program. If the recorded program is a series program, the series program determination unit 138 determines the series value of the recorded program. And the scenario value are output to the preceding delivery control unit 136. From the series value and scenario value of the recorded program, it can be seen how many episodes of the series program are recorded and viewable. Then, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires information regarding the recorded program from the preceding delivery control unit 136.

(4-5) Acquisition of Viewing History of Recorded Program Next, processing for acquiring the viewing history of the series program recorded by the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 will be described. In the present embodiment, the playback control unit 123 can manage the viewing history of the recorded program. When the recorded program is reproduced, the reproduction control unit 123 writes the viewing history of the recorded program in the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152. For example, if three episodes of a series program are recorded and the three episodes are viewed, the series values and scenario values of the three episodes that have been viewed are written in the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152. The preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 reads and acquires the recorded viewing history of the recorded program from the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152.

(4-6) Determination of Necessity of Advance Delivery Notification Based on the advance delivery information, broadcast schedule, recorded program information, and recorded program viewing history acquired by the processes (4-2) to (4-5) described above. Thus, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 determines whether it is necessary to notify the preceding delivery program. A method for determining the necessity of notification of the preceding delivery program will be described in detail later.

(4-7) Notification of preceding delivery program Finally, the notification processing of the preceding delivery program will be described. If it is determined to notify the preceding delivery program, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 issues a notification processing instruction for the preceding delivery program to the preceding delivery notification processing unit 134. Upon receiving the notification processing command, the preceding delivery notification processing unit 134 acquires the content information of the preceding delivery program from the preceding delivery detection unit 135, and issues a drawing command to display the information on the preceding delivery program on the graphics processing unit 116. put out.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of a pre-delivery program notification in the first embodiment of the present invention.
For example, the graphics processing unit 116 draws the notification dialog 310 of the preceding delivery program on the screen 300 as shown in FIG. The notification dialog 310 is provided with buttons 311 and 312 that are selected when the viewer answers a question from the notification dialog 310. By presenting the notification dialog 310, the viewer can be notified of the presence of the preceding delivery program. The viewer can view the preceding delivery program by selecting and determining the “Yes” button 311. The preceding is the notification process for the preceding delivery program.

(Necessity determination processing for prior delivery notification)
Here, a method for determining necessity of notification of a preceding distribution program, which will be described later in (4-4) determination of necessity of notification of preceding distribution, will be described.
In this embodiment, the prior delivery program notification necessity determination method determines whether or not there is an unviewed program in the number of stories before the preceding delivery program. Notify if there are unviewed programs. If the previous delivery program is not notified, the information of the detected previous delivery program is retained and the previous delivery program is notified to the viewer at the timing when all the unviewed contents of the series program to be notified have been viewed. To do.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a prior delivery program notification and a flow of time in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the pre-delivery program notification control in the first embodiment of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the prior delivery program notification method will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(Prerequisite)
First, it is assumed that drama episodes 1 to 4 are recorded in the recording storage unit 122 as a precondition. Furthermore, it is assumed that the recorded drama episodes 1 to 4 have already been viewed, and the series values and scenario values of the drama episodes 1 to 4 have been written in the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152 as the viewing history.

  In step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1101, recording reservation is made for episodes 5 and 6 of the drama “Ancient Ruins” of a series program with a viewer at the timing shown in FIG. Suppose that

  In S1102, when a recording reservation is made, the series program determination unit 138 determines whether the broadcast program reserved for recording is a series program. Since the broadcast program drama “Ancient Ruins” to be reserved for recording is a series program, the process proceeds to S1103. On the other hand, if it is not a series program, the notification necessity determination process for the preceding delivery program is terminated.

  In S1103, the notification setting of the preceding delivery program of the series program is performed. The recording control unit 121 stores the series value of the broadcast program determined to be a series program in the preceding distribution setting unit 137. As an explanation in the present embodiment, the series value is an 8-digit numerical value represented by a hexadecimal number, and the scenario value is a 4-digit numerical value represented by a hexadecimal number. Here, it is assumed that the series value of the drama 5 episode is 0x25000034 and the scenario value is 0x0005. Therefore, the recording control unit 121 stores the series value 0x25000034 of the drama “Ancient Ruins” in the preceding delivery setting unit 137. In this way, the notification of the preceding delivery program of the drama “Ancient Ruins” is set.

  In S1104, when the notification setting of the preceding delivery program is set, the preceding delivery detection unit 135 has a preceding delivery program related to the drama “Ancient Ruins” in the VOD server 1200 on the Internet based on the series value set for the notification. Inquire whether or not.

  However, at the time of recording reservation for the drama episodes 5 and 6 (T401), since the preceding delivery program related to the drama “Ancient Ruins” does not exist in the VOD server 1200, the preceding delivery program cannot be detected. Accordingly, the process proceeds to S1113. If the preceding delivery program cannot be detected, the VOD server 1200 is periodically inquired until the preceding delivery program is detected or until the broadcast of the series program ends. If a preceding delivery program is detected, the process proceeds to S1105.

  On the other hand, if a preceding delivery program is detected, it is determined whether or not the preceding delivery program should be notified. In FIG. 4, the timing for determining whether or not notification of the preceding distribution program is necessary is when the preceding distribution program episode 6 is detected (T403) and when the preceding distribution program episode 7 is detected (T405). In addition, every time the viewer views an unviewed series program, that is, when the user finishes watching the recorded program episode 5 (T406) or when the viewer finishes watching the recorded program episode 6 (T407), the preceding delivery program is displayed. Determine whether to notify. The notification determination process of the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 at each timing will be described.

(Notification determination processing for 6 episodes of preceding delivery program in T403)
First, the notification determination process for the preceding delivery program 6 episodes in T403 will be described.
It is assumed that the recording of the drama 5 episode that has been reserved for recording is completed (T402), and after a while, the preceding delivery program 6 episode is detected (T403). The preceding delivery program 6 episode is a preceding delivery program corresponding to the number of episodes next to the drama 5 episode. Since the preceding delivery program 6 episodes have been detected, the process proceeds to S1105.

In S <b> 1105, when a preceding delivery program is detected, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires information on the preceding delivery program 6 episodes from the VOD server 1200.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the preceding delivery program information in the first embodiment of the present invention.
The information 810 of the pre-distributed program 6 episodes acquired from the VOD server 1200 includes the program name 801 of the pre-distributed program, the number of talks 802 of the program, the broadcast program name 803 corresponding to the number of episodes before the pre-distributed program, and the broadcast thereof. It has a program series value 804, the number of talks 805 of the broadcast program, and a scenario value 806 of the broadcast program.
Here, the information of the preceding delivery program 6 episode is the series value 0x25000034 and the scenario value 0x0005 of the 5 drama episodes referred to by the preceding delivery program episode 6.

  In S1106, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires information of the recorded program. The advance delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires the scenario value of the drama recorded program based on the series value 0x25000034 from the series program determination unit 138 via the advance delivery control unit 136. Since the first to fifth episodes have already been recorded at the time of (T403), the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires the scenario values 0x0001 to 0x0005 for the first to fifth stories from the preceding delivery control unit 136. .

In step S <b> 1107, the prior delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires the viewing history of the recorded program from the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152. The recorded program viewing history includes series values and scenario values recorded and viewed, and is acquired from the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152. The recorded program viewing history information is created by combining the recorded program information acquired in S1106 and the viewing history.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a viewer viewing history of a recorded program in the embodiment of the present invention.
The viewer viewing history of the first embodiment includes a recorded program title name 701, a recorded program series value 702, a recorded program number 703, a scenario value 704 indicating the number of stories, and a recorded program viewing history 705. Have.
At the time of (T403), among the recorded drama episodes 1 to 5, episodes 1 to 4 have already been viewed, so the advance delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 sets the scenario value 0x0001 for episodes 1 to 4 Get ~ 0x0004.

In S1108, the advance delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires the latest number of stories at the time of (T403) based on the broadcast schedule managed by the broadcast schedule management unit 117.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of broadcast schedule information in the first embodiment of the present invention.
In this example, the broadcast schedule information includes a series program name 901, a series program series value 902, a series program story number 903, a scenario value 904 indicating the number of series program stories, and whether the series program has already been broadcast. Information 905 indicating the above.
Since 5 episodes are the latest from the broadcast schedule, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 acquires the scenario value 0x0005 of the 5 episodes from the broadcast schedule management unit 117.

  In S1109, finally, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 performs the preceding delivery notification based on the information on the preceding delivery program, the recorded program information, the number of stories of the latest broadcast program, and the viewing history information of the viewer. Judge whether or not to do. In order to determine whether or not to notify the preceding distribution, first, it is determined whether or not the preceding distribution program to be notified precedes the broadcast program as compared with the broadcast schedule.

  For example, comparing the detected number of episodes of the preceding delivery program 6 and the latest broadcast program obtained from the broadcast schedule, it can be seen that the 5 episodes from the scenario value 0x0005 acquired in S1108 are the latest broadcast programs. Thereby, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 determines that the preceding delivery program is ahead of the latest broadcast program. Accordingly, the process proceeds to S1110.

  In S1110, since it is determined that the preceding distribution program is ahead of the broadcast program, the prior distribution notification necessity determination unit 139 determines whether there is an unviewed program before the number of stories of the preceding distribution program. If there is no unviewed program, the process proceeds to S1111 to notify the preceding delivery program. From the scenario values 0x0001 to 0x0004 acquired in S1107 and the scenario values 0x0005 acquired in S1108, it can be seen that episodes 1 to 4 have been viewed and 5 episodes have not been viewed. Therefore, it is considered that there is an unviewed program before the 6 episodes of the preceding delivery program, and the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 determines not to notify the preceding delivery program. Since it is determined not to notify, the process proceeds to S1112.

In S1112, if it is determined not to notify the preceding distribution program, the preceding distribution notification necessity determination unit 139 stores the information on the preceding distribution program in the preceding distribution information storage unit 140, and temporarily ends the notification determination process.
The process up to this point is the process when the preceding delivery program 6 episodes are detected in (T403).

(Notification determination processing of the preceding delivery program 7 episodes in T405)
Next, the notification determination process for the preceding delivery program episode 7 in T405 will be described.
When the drama 6 episode is recorded (T404) and the drama preceding delivery program 7 episode is detected (T405), the same processing determination as in (T403) is performed. In (T405), drama episodes 1 to 6 have already been recorded, but both episodes 5 and 6 have not been viewed. Therefore, the preceding distribution notification necessity determination unit 139 determines not to notify the preceding distribution program 7 episodes. To do. In the determination process of S1109, it is determined that the preceding delivery program episode 7 precedes the latest broadcast program episode 6. However, in the determination process of S1110, since there are 5 episodes and 6 episodes that have not been viewed before 7 episodes of the preceding delivery program, it is determined that 7 episodes of the preceding delivery program are not notified. Therefore, it is determined not to notify the pre-delivery program episode 7, and the notification determination process is temporarily ended.

(Notification determination process for 6 episodes of preceding delivery program in T406)
Hereinafter, the notification determination process for the preceding delivery program episode 6 at T406 will be described.
The notification determination process for the preceding delivery program 6 episode when viewing the recorded 5 episodes (T406) determines that the preceding delivery program 6 is not notified because the preceding delivery program 6 episode is not ahead of the broadcast schedule. . Since the latest broadcast program is 6 episodes and 6 episodes are recorded, in the determination process of S1109, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 precedes the preceding delivery program 6 episodes compared with the broadcast schedule. Judge that there is no. After determining that it is not preceding, the process proceeds to (S1113), and the notification determination process for the preceding delivery program 6 episode is terminated.

(Notification determination process for preceding delivery program 7 episodes at T406)
Hereinafter, the notification determination process for the preceding delivery program episode 7 in T406 will be described.
Regarding the notification determination process for the preceding delivery program 7 episode when viewing the recorded 5 episodes (T406), it is determined that the preceding delivery program is not notified because 6 episodes have not been viewed. Since the preceding delivery program episode 7 precedes the broadcast schedule, in the determination process of S1109, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 determines that the preceding delivery program episode 7 precedes the latest broadcast program. . However, in the determination process of S1110, since there are six unviewed programs before the seven preceding distribution programs, the prior distribution notification necessity determination unit 139 determines not to notify the preceding distribution program. Therefore, the process proceeds to S1112, and the notification determination process for the pre-distributed program 7 episode is temporarily ended.

(Notification determination process for the preceding delivery program episode 7 at T407)
Next, the notification determination process for the preceding delivery program 7 episode at the timing (T407) when the viewing of the recorded program episode 6 is finished will be described.
In S1110, when the recorded six episodes have been viewed (T407), the six episodes are the latest broadcast program, and the first to sixth episodes have already been viewed. Furthermore, since the 7 episodes of the broadcast program are not yet broadcast and there is no unviewed program before the 7 episodes, the prior distribution notification necessity determination unit 139 determines to notify the prior distribution program. In the determination process of S1109, the preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 determines that the preceding delivery program episode 7 precedes the latest broadcast program. Next, in the determination process of S1110, since the first to sixth episodes have been viewed and there is no unviewed program before the preceding distribution program 7, the preceding distribution notification necessity determination unit 139 determines the preceding distribution program 7 It is determined that the talk is notified.

Next, a notification process when it is determined to notify a preceding delivery program will be described.
If it is determined in S1111 that the pre-distribution program 7 episode is notified, the pre-distribution notification necessity determination unit 139 reads the pre-distribution program 7 episode information from the pre-distribution information storage unit 140 and reads it into the pre-delivery notification processing unit 134. Output information. The preceding delivery notification processing unit 134 issues a drawing command to the graphics processing unit 116 based on the information on the preceding delivery program, and displays a screen as shown in FIG. On the screen, a notification dialog 310 for notifying the pre-distributed program 7 episode is displayed to notify the viewer of the presence of the pre-distributed program 7 episode. The viewer can view the pre-delivery program episode 7 by selecting the “Yes” button 311 in the notification dialog 310. If the user does not want to view the preceding delivery program, the “No” button 312 is selected to return to the broadcast screen. When the viewer selects viewing of the pre-distributed program 7 episode, the pre-distribution notification processing unit 134 issues a playback instruction for the pre-distributed program 7 episode to the VOD playback control unit 133. The VOD playback control unit 133 controls the network communication control unit 131 and the streaming control unit 132 to receive the video data of the preceding delivery program 7 episode from the VOD server 1200 according to the playback command, and the video of the preceding delivery program 7 episode is received. It is displayed on the display 115.

  In S1113, when the pre-distribution program episode 7 is notified, the pre-distribution notification necessity determination unit 139 determines whether all the broadcasts of the series program have ended. If all have not ended, the process proceeds to S1104, and the VOD server 1200 is inquired whether there is a new preceding delivery program. If all the series programs have been broadcast, the setting of the series value set in S1103 corresponding to the finished series program is canceled, and the notification process of the preceding delivery program is ended.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing screen transition in the first embodiment of the present invention.
When the pre-delivery program episodes 6 and 7 are detected, no notification is displayed on the screen (screen 501), the recorded 5 episodes are viewed (screen 502), and another 6 episodes are viewed (screen 503). A notice dialog 300 of the preceding delivery program is displayed on the screen (screen 504).

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a case where a preceding delivery program is detected during program viewing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 10, when drama 4 has already been watched (T601) and drama 5 is being watched in real time and 6 pre-distributed programs are detected, pre-delivery is performed at the timing when 5 episodes have been viewed. Notify the program. When watching 5 episodes (T602) and detecting 6 preceding delivery programs (T603), at the timing of (T604), 5 episodes are the latest number of episodes and 5 episodes have already been viewed. Because there is, it notifies the pre-delivery program.
The above is the prior delivery program notification method in the present embodiment.

Note that the notification setting of the preceding delivery program may be left to the viewer. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the broadcast program to be recorded is a series program, and the notification of the preceding delivery program is automatically set.
FIG. 11 is a view showing a modification of the notification setting screen for the preceding delivery program in the first embodiment of the present invention.
For example, when recording 5 episodes, a dialog (2001) for setting the title name of the broadcast program to be recorded, the recording date and time, and the notification setting of the preceding delivery program may be displayed as shown in a screen 2000 in FIG. This dialog 2001 is provided with an OK button 2002, a cancel button 2003, and a button 2004 for changing the setting for enabling or disabling the preceding delivery program notification. As described above, the setting of the notice of the pre-distributed program may be switched between valid and invalid according to the viewer's preference.

  According to the first embodiment, it is possible to notify the preceding delivery program in accordance with the viewing situation of the viewer. Therefore, it is possible to notify the viewer of the preceding distribution program without inconsistency in the relationship between the order of the series program, the actual viewing order of the viewer, and the order of notification of the preceding distribution program.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment is an embodiment in the case where information on a preceding delivery program is sent from the VOD server 1200 by the PUSH method. The PUSH system referred to in the present embodiment is a system in which the VOD server 1200 simultaneously transmits information on the same preceding delivery program to a plurality of specific digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 100 on the network.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment described above, the preceding delivery detection unit 135 inquires of the VOD server 1200 on the network whether there is a preceding delivery program related to the series value. This is defined as a PULL system. In the case of the PULL system, the VOD server 1200 is a system that transmits requested data to one specific digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the difference between the PUSH method in the second embodiment of the present invention and the PULL method in the first embodiment. FIG. 12A shows the PUSH method, and FIG. 12A shows the PULL method. In FIG. 12, the Internet is omitted for easy understanding of the information flow.
The same data is sent from the VOD server 1200 to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 as all the PUSH type pre-delivery information 1201.
On the other hand, in the PULL system, the VOD server 1200 and the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 communicate individually on a one-to-one basis. Therefore, the contents of the preceding distribution information 1202 corresponding to a certain digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the preceding distribution information 1203 corresponding to another digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 are different.
In the second embodiment of the PUSH method, the network communication control unit 131 receives information on the preceding delivery program that is unilaterally notified from the VOD server 1200, and the preceding delivery detection unit 135 detects from the information on the preceding delivery program. Only the information necessary for the advance delivery notification is extracted and output to the advance delivery control unit 136.
Based on the information on the preceding delivery program acquired in this way, the notification processing unit 134 notifies the preceding delivery program.

  According to the second embodiment, it is possible to cope with a case where a preceding delivery service is operated in which information on a preceding delivery program is unilaterally notified from the VOD server 1200 at a timing when the preceding delivery program becomes viewable.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, in addition to the viewing history of the recorded series program described in the first embodiment, the necessity for notification of the preceding delivery program is determined in consideration of the viewing history when the series program is viewed on the broadcast. It is a form.
FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a digital broadcast receiving device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

(Configuration of Third Embodiment)
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1300 of the third embodiment has the same form as that of the first embodiment except that a broadcast viewing history storage unit 153 is added to the processing block of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the portions that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.
As with the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152, the broadcast viewing history storage unit 153 is a broadcast viewing history storage unit that stores a viewing history indicating whether or not a broadcast program has been viewed in real time. That is, while the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152 stores the viewing history of the recorded program, the broadcast viewing history storage unit 153 stores the viewing history indicating whether or not the broadcast program was viewed in real time. .
The viewer viewing history management unit 151 according to the third embodiment refers to the viewing history of the broadcast viewing history storage unit 153 in addition to the viewing history of the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152, and also manages them in an integrated manner. It is a block.

(Retention of broadcast viewing history)
A process of writing a broadcast program viewing history in the broadcast viewing history storage unit 153 will be described. First, the preceding delivery setting unit 137 outputs the series value set for itself to the demodulation processing unit 112. When selecting a program via the tuner 111, the demodulation processing unit 112 determines whether the program to be selected is a program corresponding to the series value received from the preceding distribution setting unit 137. If it is an applicable program, it is determined whether or not the viewer has watched the broadcast program from the channel selection state, and the demodulation processing unit 112 determines the scenario value of the viewed program as the broadcast viewing history storage unit 153. Write to.

  Various known methods can be used as a method for determining whether or not a broadcast program has been viewed. For example, if the broadcast time of a certain program is 19:00 to 20:00, it is considered that the user has watched the channel of the program when the channel of that program is selected for 80% or more, that is, 48 minutes or more.

(Notification judgment of the preceding delivery program)
Next, a process for determining whether or not notification of the preceding delivery program is necessary based on the viewing history of the recorded program and the viewing history of the real-time broadcast will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the determination method of the notification of the preceding distribution program of the preceding distribution notification necessity determination unit 139. In the first embodiment, when the prior delivery notification necessity determination unit 139 determines whether the prior distribution program needs to be notified based on the information on the preceding distribution program to be notified, the broadcast schedule information, and the viewing history of the viewer. Only the viewing history of the recorded program was referenced. However, in the third embodiment, the viewing history of the recorded program and the viewing history when the broadcast program is viewed in real time are referred to.

  The viewing history is acquired from the viewer viewing history management unit 151. The viewer viewing history management unit 151 is connected to the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152 and the broadcast viewing history storage unit 153, and manages a viewing history that combines the viewing history of the recorded program and the viewing history of the real-time broadcast. .

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the viewer viewing history in the third embodiment of the present invention.
The viewer viewing history of the third embodiment includes a series program name 1401 for which notification of a preceding delivery program is set, a series value 1402 of the series program, the number of stories 1403 in the series program, a scenario value 1404 of the number of stories, and viewing history. 1405.
Referring to FIG. 14 focusing on the viewing history of the drama “Ancient Ruins”, the viewing history information of the recorded program written in the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152 is the series value 0x25000034 and the scenario value 0x0002 of the series. . On the other hand, real-time broadcast viewing history information written in the broadcast viewing history storage unit 153 includes a series value 0x25000034 and scenario value numbers 0x0001, 0x0003, and 0x0004 of the series.

From this information, it can be seen that episodes 1 to 4 of the drama "Ancient Ruins" have been broadcast. The determination of whether or not the prior distribution program needs to be notified when five previous distribution programs are detected is that the two episodes have already been watched by recording, and that one, three, four, and four episodes have already been viewed by broadcasting. In the processing, since there is no unviewed program in episodes 1 to 4 before the preceding delivery program 5 episodes, it is determined to notify the preceding delivery program 5 episodes.
The above is the notification necessity determination of the preceding delivery program in the third embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the preceding delivery program in consideration of the viewing history of the case where the series program is not recorded but the program is viewed in real time by viewing reservation or the like. Further, even a device that does not have a recording function can notify a pre-distributed program at an appropriate timing according to the viewing status of the viewer.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the viewing history of the recorded series program and the viewing history of the real-time broadcast described in the third embodiment, the prior distribution program is notified in consideration of the viewing history when the series program is viewed at VOD. It is embodiment which determines necessity.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

(Configuration of Fourth Embodiment)
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1500 of the fourth embodiment has the same form as the third embodiment except that a VOD playback history storage unit 154 is added to the processing block of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1300 of the third embodiment. Yes. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the portions that perform the same functions as those in the third embodiment described above, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.
Similar to the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152 and the broadcast viewing history storage unit 153, the VOD playback history storage unit 154 is a distribution viewing history storage unit that stores a viewing history as to whether or not a series program has been viewed with VOD. That is, as described in the third embodiment, the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152 stores the recorded program viewing history, and the broadcast viewing history storage unit 153 stores the real-time broadcast viewing history. Further, the VOD playback history storage unit 154 stores a viewing history as to whether or not a series program has been viewed with VOD.

(Retention of VOD viewing history)
A process of writing a VOD viewing history in the VOD playback history storage unit 154 will be described. First, the preceding delivery setting unit 137 outputs the series value set for itself to the VOD playback control unit 133. The VOD playback control unit 133 determines whether the VOD content to be played back is a program corresponding to the series value received from the preceding delivery setting unit 137 when playing back the VOD content via the Internet. If it is a corresponding program, it is determined whether or not the viewer has watched the VOD content, and if the VOD content is viewed, the VOD playback control unit 133 displays the scenario value of the viewed program as a VOD playback history storage unit. Write to 154.
As in the third embodiment, various known methods can be used for determining whether or not a broadcast program has been viewed. For example, there is a method of determining whether or not the user has viewed the content based on the purchase history of the VOD content managed by the VOD server 1200, the viewing history, and the resume information of reproduction.

(Notification judgment of the preceding delivery program)
Next, a process of determining whether or not notification of a preceding delivery program is necessary based on a recorded program viewing history, a real-time broadcast viewing history, and a VOD viewing history will be described. The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that a VOD playback history storage unit 154 is added. The VOD playback history storage unit 154 is connected to the viewer viewing history management unit 151. . The viewer viewing history management unit 151 manages a viewing history that combines a viewing history of a recorded program and a viewing history of a real-time broadcast, and a viewing history of a VOD.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the viewer viewing history in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The viewer viewing history of the fourth embodiment includes a series program name 1601 in which notification of a prior delivery program is set, a series value 1602 of the series program, a story count 1603 in the series program, a scenario value 1604 of the story count, and a viewing history. 1605.
Referring to FIG. 16 focusing on the viewing history of the drama “Ancient Ruins”, the viewing history information of the recorded program written in the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152 is the series value 0x25000034 and the scenario value 0x0002 of the series. . The real-time broadcast viewing history information written in the broadcast viewing history storage unit 153 includes a series value 0x25000034 and a scenario value number 0x0004 of the series. The VOD viewing history information written in the VOD playback history storage unit 154 includes a series value 0x25000034 and scenario values 0x0001 and 0x0003 of the series.

From this information, it can be seen that episodes 1 to 4 of the drama "Ancient Ruins" have been broadcast. The determination of necessity of notification of the preceding delivery program when 5 episodes of the preceding delivery program are detected is that 2 episodes have been recorded and watched, 4 episodes have been watched by broadcast, and 1 and 3 episodes have been watched by VOD Therefore, in the process of S1110, since there is no unviewed program in episodes 1 to 4 of the program before the 5 episodes of the preceding delivery program, it is determined to notify the preceding delivery program.
The above is the determination of necessity of notification of the preceding delivery program in the fourth embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment, the necessity of notification of the preceding delivery program is determined based on the three viewing histories of the recorded series program viewing history, the real-time broadcast viewing history, and the VOD viewing history. However, the combination of these three viewing histories is not limited. For example, only the viewing history of the recorded series program and the viewing history of the VOD may be used as information for determining the necessity of notification of the preceding delivery program.

  According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to notify a pre-distributed program in consideration of the viewing situation at the VOD. For example, even if a viewer watches a series program only by VOD without recording a broadcast program, the preceding delivery program can be notified at an appropriate timing according to the viewing situation of the viewer.

(Deformation)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the scope of the present invention.

(1) In each embodiment, the case where the viewer is notified that the advance distribution is performed has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applied, for example, when the distribution is started after the broadcast. May be. Even when distribution is started after broadcasting, it is useful information for the viewer to perform notification. Further, by determining whether or not to notify that the distribution is started after broadcasting is performed based on the viewer's viewing history, useless notification can be prevented and notification can be performed at an appropriate timing that is beneficial to the viewer.

(2) In the third and fourth embodiments, the digital broadcast receiving device (1300, 1500) including the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that does not include the recording control unit 121 and the recording storage unit 122 and therefore does not include the recorded program viewing history storage unit 152 may be used.

(3) In each embodiment, each functional block unit (viewer viewing history management unit 151, recorded program viewing history storage unit 152, preceding delivery notification necessity determination unit 139, etc.) is configured in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus. Was described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a series program distribution notification method including steps similar to the operations performed by these functional blocks may be used. In order to implement this method concretely, it is preferable to cause a computer to execute a computer program that can execute the same steps as the operations performed by each functional block.

  In addition, although 1st Embodiment-4th Embodiment and modification can also be used in combination suitably, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments described above.

It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of the prior | preceding delivery system using the broadcast receiver by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the digital broadcast receiver 100 in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the screen display of the prior delivery program notification in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the prior delivery program notification and time flow in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the flowchart of prior delivery program notification control in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the prior delivery program information in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the viewer viewing history of the recorded program in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the broadcast schedule information in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the screen transition in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows when a preceding delivery program is detected during program viewing in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the notification setting screen of a preceding delivery program in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the difference with the PUSH system in 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the PULL system in 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the digital broadcast receiving device in the third embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the viewer viewing history in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic structure block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the viewer viewing history in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the flow of time when a viewer recorded and watched a certain series program.

Explanation of symbols

100, 1300, 1500 Digital broadcast receiver 111 Tuner 112 Demodulation processing unit 113 Decoding processing unit 114 Display device control unit 115 Display 116 Graphics processing unit 117 Broadcast schedule management unit 121 Recording control unit 122 Recording storage unit 123 Playback control unit 131 Network Communication control unit 132 Streaming control unit 133 VOD playback control unit 134 Advance delivery notification processing unit 135 Advance delivery detection unit 136 Advance delivery control unit 137 Advance delivery setting unit 138 Series program determination unit 139 Advance delivery notification necessity determination unit 140 Advance delivery information Storage unit 151 Viewer viewing history management unit 152 Recorded program viewing history storage unit 153 Broadcast viewing history storage unit 154 VOD playback history storage unit 1000 Broadcast system 1200 VOD server

Claims (12)

Receiving means for receiving a program broadcast via a broadcast signal;
Viewing history management means for managing the viewing history of series programs,
Distribution information acquisition means for acquiring distribution information of a series program distributed via a network;
A distribution notification means for notifying the viewer that a series program will be distributed via the network;
A distribution notification necessity determination unit that refers to the viewing history and the distribution information and determines whether to perform notification by the distribution notification unit;
A broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: Broadcast schedule acquisition means for acquiring the broadcast schedule of a series program broadcast via a broadcast signal,
The delivery notification necessity determining means further refers to the broadcast schedule, and when there is no unviewed series program in the broadcast series program, the series program corresponding to the next time of the latest series of the viewed series program Is determined to notify the viewer that the program will be delivered, and if there is an unviewed series program in the broadcasted series program, it is determined not to notify the viewer that the series program will be delivered,
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1. A distribution information storage unit for storing the distribution information acquired by the distribution information acquisition unit when the distribution notification necessity determination unit determines not to notify;
The distribution notification necessity determination unit determines whether or not to perform notification by the distribution notification unit every time a viewer views an unviewed series program.
The delivery notification means notifying the viewer of the delivery information stored in the delivery information storage means when the delivery notification necessity judging means judges that notification is to be made;
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2. A series program judging means for judging whether or not the broadcasted program is a series program;
The distribution notification means necessity determination means determines whether or not to notify the distribution program about the series program determined by the series program determination means to be a series program, and the series program determination means determines whether the series program determination means For programs determined to be not, it is not determined whether to perform notification by the distribution notification means,
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The distribution information acquisition means inquires and acquires distribution information of a specific series program from a distribution source that distributes a series program via a network;
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The distribution information acquisition means extracts distribution information of a specific series program from distribution information notified from a distribution source that distributes a series program via a network;
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Recording means for recording a program broadcast via a broadcast signal;
Recorded program viewing history storage means for storing a history of playing and viewing the program recorded by the recording means;
With
The viewing history management means manages the viewing history of the series program using the history stored in the recorded program viewing history storage means;
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein Broadcast viewing history storage means for storing a history of viewing the program received by the receiving means in real time during broadcasting,
The viewing history management means manages the viewing history of the series program using the history stored in the broadcast viewing history storage means;
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein A distribution viewing history storage means for storing a history of viewing a program distributed via a network;
The viewing history management means manages the viewing history of the series program using the history stored in the distribution viewing history storage means;
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The distribution information acquisition means acquires distribution information related to preceding distribution of a series program distributed prior to broadcasting of a series program,
The delivery notification means notifying a viewer that the preceding delivery is performed;
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein Viewing history management process for managing the viewing history of series programs,
A broadcast schedule acquisition step of acquiring a broadcast schedule of a series program broadcast via a broadcast signal;
A distribution information acquisition step of acquiring distribution information of a series program distributed via a network;
A delivery notification step for notifying viewers that a series program will be delivered over the network;
A delivery notification necessity determination step for referring to the viewing history and the distribution information to determine whether or not to perform notification in the distribution notification step;
A series program delivery notification method comprising: A broadcast schedule acquisition process for acquiring a broadcast schedule of a series program broadcast via a broadcast signal,
The delivery notification necessity determination step further refers to the broadcast schedule, and when there is no unviewed series program in the broadcast series program, the series program corresponding to the next round of the latest series program viewed Is determined to notify the viewer that the program will be delivered, and if there is an unviewed series program in the broadcasted series program, it is determined not to notify the viewer that the series program will be delivered,
The series program delivery notification method according to claim 11.

Images