JP2010135948A - Television set, remote controller, remote control system, and operation method of remote control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display information about a back program when there exists the back program suitable to user's preference, and guide intuitive operation for viewing and listening, etc. for the user in order not to overlook such the program. <P>SOLUTION: When the program suitable to the user' preference, etc. are in the back program, information about the back program is sent to a remote controller, and the remote controller guides intuitive operation while notifying the existence of the back program by changing a configuration of a touch part of a touch type channel selection interface unit based on the received information of the back program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control system that transmits information about a back program to a remote control device and notifies the user via the remote control device when there is a back program that suits the user's preference.

  With the increase in content broadcast via various media such as terrestrial digital broadcasting, satellite broadcasting (BS, CS, etc.), cable television, etc., users may be unaware of programs that suit their preferences. Also, even if you have noticed a program that suits your preference in advance from the program guide etc., you may forget it during the broadcast time or misconfigure the viewing / recording reservation settings, and as a result will suit your taste A situation occurs in which the program cannot be viewed.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, when a program that suits the user's preference is a back program as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228620, the screen of a television device or the like is displayed before the start time of the back program. There has been proposed a technique for displaying information on the back program and notifying the user of the existence of the back program.
JP-A-2004-343411

  However, if information is displayed on the screen of the television device, it will hinder viewing. This is particularly true when there are a plurality of back programs to be displayed, because the area for dividing the screen being viewed for display of the back programs is further enlarged. Further, in order to view the back program, a separate operation is required. However, since the information of the back program is only displayed, there is a problem that the subsequent operation cannot be guided intuitively.

  Therefore, the present invention provides the following remote control system and operation method of the remote control system. That is, as a first invention, a viewing unit for viewing a television broadcast, an EPG holding unit, a rule holding unit for holding rules for program extraction, and the held rules using EPG When a program extraction unit that extracts a program and the extracted program is not output from the viewing unit during the broadcast time period and another program is output from the viewing unit, the extracted program becomes a back program A television apparatus having a television-side transmission unit for transmitting selection information for selecting a channel of the back program to the remote control device, a remote-control-side reception unit for receiving selection information from the television-side transmission unit, and a control signal A touch-type channel selection interface unit having a function of changing the form of the touch part in accordance with the control signal to the touch-type channel selection interface unit according to the received selection information Providing a remote control system including a remote control device and a control unit for sending.

  As a second invention, the rule holding unit of the television device has a recommended program extraction rule holding means for holding a recommended program extraction rule that is a rule for extracting a program recommended to the user. Provide a system.

  As a third invention, the touch type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device provides the remote control system according to the first invention or the second invention having a color change type button whose color changes according to a control signal. .

  As a fourth invention, the remote control device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the touch type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device has a shape change type button whose shape changes according to a control signal. Provide a system.

  As a fifth invention, the remote control device according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the touch type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device has a pattern change type button whose pattern changes according to a control signal. Provide a system.

  As a sixth invention, the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device has any one of the first to fifth inventions having simultaneous change means for simultaneously changing the form of the plurality of touch portions in accordance with the control signal. A remote control system according to claim 1 is provided.

  As a seventh invention, the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device has first to sixth inventions having time series changing means for changing the form of the plurality of touch portions in time series according to the control signal. A remote control system according to any one of the above is provided.

  As an eighth invention, any one of the first invention to the seventh invention having a notification sound output unit for outputting a notification sound according to a control signal transmitted to the touch type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device. A remote control system according to claim 1 is provided.

  As a ninth invention, the television-side transmission unit of the television apparatus includes a plurality of transmission means for transmitting selection information for channel selection of a plurality of back programs as selection information to be transmitted. A remote control system according to any one of the inventions is provided.

  As a tenth aspect of the invention, the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device can identify a change in the shape of the touch portion according to each channel when a control signal for selecting a plurality of channels is transmitted from the control unit. A remote control system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention has channel-specific changing means for changing the form.

  As an eleventh aspect of the invention, there is provided the television device according to any one of the first aspect to the tenth aspect of the invention.

  As a twelfth invention, there is provided the television set according to any one of the first invention to the eleventh invention.

  According to a thirteenth invention, there is provided a method of operating a remote control system comprising a television device and a remote control device, wherein the television device extracts a program according to a rule for program extraction using EPG. And the program extracted in the program extraction step is not output for viewing in the broadcast time zone of the program, and other programs are output for viewing, so that the extracted program is the back program If the judgment result is a judgment result and the judgment result in the judgment step is that the extracted program is a back program, selection information for channel selection of the back program is transmitted to the remote control device. A remote control side reception step, wherein the remote control device receives the selection information transmitted in the TV side transmission step, and the remote control side reception step. The control signal transmission step of transmitting a control signal to the touch-type channel selection interface according to the selection information received at, and the form of the touch part of the touch-type channel selection interface according to the transmitted control signal There is provided a method of operating a remote control system that causes a computer to execute a touch part form changing step.

  According to the present invention, when there is a back program that suits the user's preference, the presence of the back program is notified to the remote control device without disturbing viewing, and an intuitive operation is induced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In addition, this invention should not be limited to these embodiments at all, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.

  The first embodiment will mainly describe claims 1, 11, 12, and 13.

  The second embodiment will mainly describe claims 2, 11 and 12.

  The third embodiment will mainly describe claims 3, 4, 5, 11, and 12.

  The fourth embodiment will mainly describe claims 6, 11, and 12.

  The fifth embodiment will mainly describe Claims 7, 11, and 12.

  The sixth embodiment will mainly describe Claims 8, 11, and 12.

  The seventh embodiment will mainly describe Claims 9, 11, and 12.

The eighth embodiment will mainly describe Claims 10, 11, and 12.
<Embodiment 1>
<Summary of Embodiment 1>

The present embodiment includes a television device that transmits selection information for selecting a back program to a remote control device, and a remote control device that changes the form of the touch portion of the touch-type channel selection interface unit according to the received selection information. It is a remote control system.
<Configuration of Embodiment 1>

  FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of the remote control system according to the present embodiment. The remote control system includes a “television device” (0100) and a “remote control device” (0110). The television apparatus includes a “viewing unit” (0101), an “EPG holding unit” (0102), a “rule holding unit” (0103), a “program extracting unit” (0104), and a “TV side transmitting unit” ( 0105). The remote control device includes a “remote control side receiving unit” (0111), a “control unit” (0112), and a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (0113).

  Each unit, which is a component of the present invention, is configured by either hardware, software, or both hardware and software. For example, in the case where a computer is used as an example for realizing these, hardware configured by a CPU, a memory, a bus, an interface, a peripheral device, and the like, and software executable on these hardware can be exemplified. . Specifically, the functions of each unit are realized by processing, storing, outputting, etc. the data on the memory and the data input via the interface by sequentially executing the program expanded on the memory (this book) The same applies throughout the specification).

  First, each configuration of the “television device” (0100) will be described.

  The “viewing unit” (0101) has a function for viewing a television broadcast. Here, “TV broadcasting” refers to programs broadcast on analog terrestrial broadcasts, BS analog broadcasts, digital terrestrial broadcasts, BS digital broadcasts, CS broadcasts, etc., programs broadcast on Internet broadcasts, cable broadcasts, etc. . As an example, the viewing unit includes a graphic board (video card) for drawing processing, a display, a speaker, and the like.

  The “EPG holding unit” (0102) has a function of holding an EPG (electronic program guide or information constituting the electronic program guide). Specifically, the EPG is, for example, an electronic program included in SI (Service Information) multiplexed in a digital broadcast wave MPEG2 TS (Transport Stream) or analog broadcast wave VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval) data. Applies to table data. The EPG includes various information related to the program, such as the program title, broadcast date and time, channel, genre, performer, program content summary, and detailed information. This is used for program extraction in the program extraction unit. The EPG holding unit stores the EPG in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM or an HDD.

  The “rule holding unit” (0103) has a function of holding a rule for program extraction. The rules for program extraction mean conditions and requirements that must be satisfied in order for a program to be extracted when the program extraction unit extracts the program using the EPG. For example, there is a rule that “a program corresponding to a genre designated by the user is to be extracted”, a rule that “a program in which a performer designated by the user appears is a target to be extracted”, and the like. The rule may be a single rule using a plurality of rules in a superimposed manner (rule A and rule B), or may be selectively used as a single rule (rule A or rule B). The rule holding unit stores and holds the predetermined rule as described above in a storage device such as an HDD or a memory.

  The “program extraction unit” (0104) has a function of extracting a program based on the held rule using EPG. “Using EPG” means that, when a program is extracted, it is extracted by referring to information relating to a program constituting the EPG. Information relating to the program, such as “genre” and “performer”, is associated with the program. The program extraction unit refers to these pieces of information and extracts programs according to the rules. For example, when the rule holding unit holds the rule “a program that falls under the drama genre and in which Taro Yamada appears”, the program extraction unit sets the EPG “genre” and “performer”. The corresponding program is extracted with reference to the information. The program extraction unit extracts a program at least when the television apparatus receives or acquires the updated EPG.

  The “TV-side transmission unit” (0105) does not output the extracted program from the viewing unit during the broadcast time period, but outputs another program from the viewing unit, so that the extracted program becomes the back program. In this case, it has a function of transmitting selection information for selecting the channel of the back program to the remote control device. The extracted program becomes a back program because the program is not output in the viewing section during the broadcast time period. Therefore, the television side transmission unit determines whether the program output from the viewing unit corresponds to the extracted program. At this time, such a determination is made by referring to an identification number uniquely assigned to each program in the EPG. If the identification number of the extracted program is different from the identification number of the program output from the viewing unit, it is determined that the extracted program is not output from the viewing unit and is a back program. Such determination is preferably performed before the extracted program actually becomes a back program, that is, before the broadcast start time of the extracted program arrives. This is because if the existence of the extracted program can be known before the broadcast starts, the program can be viewed or recorded from the beginning. Therefore, the determination may be performed at a timing such as 10 minutes before the broadcast start time of the extracted program, 5 minutes before, or both. Further, the determination may be performed continuously or intermittently even during the broadcast time period. The timing of such determination may be set in advance in the apparatus or may be left to the user's setting.

  When the program extracted as described above is a reverse program, the television-side transmission unit transmits selection information for channel selection of the reverse program to the remote control device. “Selection information for channel selection” is information about a channel to be selected so that the user can view the program by outputting the back program from the viewing unit. If the receivable broadcast media is limited to terrestrial analog broadcasting, a channel number can be simply represented by a number representing a channel number, for example, if the NHK broadcast is the number “1”. If a plurality of broadcast media such as BS and CS can be received, the broadcast media on which the extracted program is broadcast and the channels in the media become channel selection information. The channel selection information may be generated by the television side transmission unit using information based on the EPG used when the channel extraction unit extracts the channel selection information. A case where the selection information is generated in the XML format is illustrated in FIG. Here, in addition to the broadcast time and channel of the extracted program, information such as an outline and performers is included in the configuration. The configuration of the selection information may depend on the remote control device. For example, for a remote control having a display device such as a display, various types of information may be included in the configuration and used to display them on the display of the remote control device. The remote control device that does not have such a display device may include sufficient information for specifying the extracted programs such as broadcast media and broadcast channels.

  The timing at which the television-side transmitting device transmits the selection information to the remote control device based on the determination may be transmitted in conjunction with the determination, or may be transmitted at a predetermined time before the broadcast start time arrives. It may be. Such transmission to the remote control device may be performed continuously or intermittently. Transmission to the remote control device may be performed as long as the extracted program remains a back program. Alternatively, the transmission may be stopped when the user instructs the transmission to be stopped on the television device or the remote control device.

  Transmission to the remote control side receiving unit may be wireless communication or wired communication. The communication method may be infrared communication such as IrDA (Infrared Data Association) and IrSimple, wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wireless USB, NFC (Near Field Communication), and wireless LAN. Further, it may be wired communication conforming to a predetermined interface such as via the Internet or HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface).

  Next, each configuration of the “remote control device” (0110) will be described.

  The “remote control side receiver” (0111) has a function of receiving selection information from the television side transmitter. Since the control unit (0112) transmits a control signal to the touch-type channel selection interface according to the selection information, the remote control side reception unit transmits the received selection information to the control unit. The communication method for reception is in accordance with the television-side transmission unit, and the specific method is the same as that of the television-side transmission unit, so the description thereof is omitted.

  The “touch-type channel selection interface unit” (0113) has a function of changing the form of the touch part according to the control signal. The touch-type channel selection interface unit is an interface that receives a channel selection instruction from the user by touch. Accepting by touch may mean accepting an instruction by the user pressing a mechanical button or key with a finger or the like, or displaying numbers, character strings, designs, etc. representing the instruction content on the touch panel. The touch part may be shown by drawing with and the instruction may be received by touching the touch part with a finger or a stylus pen.

  The “form” of the touch part means “shape”, “pattern”, “color” of the touch part, or a combination thereof. Further, “color” includes “luminance”. Changing the form of the touched part means changing the “shape” or the like. FIG. 3 shows an example when the “form” changes. FIG. 3A is an example in which the form is changed when a back program exists in the “4” channel. In a normal state, buttons drawn with 1 to 12 graphics for selecting a channel on the touch panel are arranged at equal intervals. It is noticeably larger and blinking. In FIG. 3B, the vicinity where the mechanical button “4” is installed is blinked by an LED or the like. In FIG. 3C, a “recommended!” Icon is displayed prominently as a touch area for receiving an instruction to view the back program by touching instead of a button for designating a channel such as a number. Of course, you may display with the button for designating a channel. In FIG. 3D, the vicinity of the “OK” button installed in the central portion of the circle divided into four is blinked by an LED or the like. These changes in form are merely examples, and the touch part for notifying the user that there is a back program and receiving an operation instruction necessary for viewing the back program is the other part. That is, it may be changed so that it can be identified in comparison with the portion. Note that the change in the form of the touch portion may include displaying a button for receiving an instruction to stop transmission of selection information, a button for receiving an instruction to record an extracted program, and the like. In addition, the change in the form of the touch portion may be returned to the original form when the user starts viewing the extracted program that has been the back program.

  When the touch-type channel selection interface unit is provided with a touch panel, screen display data for drawing a graphic displayed on the touch panel in accordance with the change in the shape of the touch part as shown in FIG. May be stored in a predetermined storage area such as a ROM. In addition, when a mechanical button is provided, a program for hardware control of a light emitting element such as an LED that lights or / and blinks the button or the vicinity of the button may be provided.

The “control unit” (0112) has a function of sending a control signal to the touch-type channel selection interface unit in accordance with the received selection information. The “touch type channel selection interface unit” (0113) changes the form of the touch part in accordance with this control signal. As described above, for example, if the touch-type channel selection interface unit has a screen display database, screen display data for changing the channel form of the program extracted based on the received selection information is displayed. An instruction for specifying and drawing graphics on the touch panel may be sent as a control signal. Or you may run the program for it. Further, when the touch type channel selection interface unit is provided with a mechanical button, the touch type channel selection interface unit may be controlled by executing a program for hardware control of the LED or the like. An instruction to be executed to the program may be sent as a control signal.
<Embodiment 1 Hardware configuration>

  Next, the hardware configuration of the remote control system of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the television apparatus of the remote control system according to the present embodiment. The operation of each hardware component of the television device will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the television apparatus includes a “CPU” (0401) and a “main memory” (0402) in the program extraction unit and the television side transmission unit. Further, the EPG holding unit and the rule holding unit are provided with a “storage device” (0403). Also, a “tuner” (0404) for receiving broadcast program content, an “Internet connection circuit” (not shown) for acquiring content and EPG distributed via the Internet line, and an external content recording / playback device "External device connection terminal" (not shown) is provided. In addition, the TV-side transmission unit includes a “transmission circuit” (0405) for transmitting to the remote control device (0400). In addition, the viewing unit includes a “display circuit” (0406) and a “display” (0407) which are graphic boards (video cards) for drawing processing. These are connected to each other through a data communication path such as a “system bus” (0408), and perform transmission / reception and processing of information. The “storage device” stores various programs executed by the CPU. The “main memory” provides a work area that is a work area when the program is executed by the CPU. In addition, a plurality of addresses are assigned to each of the “main memory” and the “storage device”, and in the arithmetic processing of the “CPU”, by specifying the address and accessing the stored data, It is possible to perform arithmetic processing using.

  The CPU executes the program extraction program developed in the main memory, and acquires the rules stored in the storage device. Subsequently, EPGs are acquired, and various program data included in the EPGs are stored at predetermined addresses. Furthermore, the data of the program that is subject to the determination in the rule for extracting the program is acquired, and it is determined whether the data conforms to the rule. A program having suitable data is temporarily stored in association with various data of the program as an extracted program. Subsequently, the selection information transmission program is executed, and the program data output from the viewing unit is acquired and held in a predetermined area. Further, it is determined whether the extracted program and the program output from the viewing unit are the same. If they are not the same, the extracted program data is transmitted as selection information to the remote control device via the transmission circuit.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the remote control device of the remote control system according to the present embodiment. This figure demonstrates the case where a touch type channel selection interface part is provided with a touch panel. The remote control device includes “CPU” (0501) and “program memory” (0502) which is a non-volatile memory storing a program to be executed by the CPU in the control unit. In addition, an “EEPROM” (0503) for storing selection information, screen display data, and the like is provided, and a “reception circuit” (0504) is provided in the remote control side reception unit. Further, the touch-type channel selection interface unit includes a “display circuit” (0505) and a “touch panel” (0506). The “program memory” provides a work area that is a work area when the program is executed by the CPU.

The remote control device receives the selection information transmitted from the television device (0500) by the receiving circuit. The CPU executes a control program stored in the EEPROM in response to reception of the selection information, and acquires channel information of the back program based on the selection information. Then, screen display data in which the form of the touch portion is changed according to the acquired channel information is read. Then, the screen display data is transferred to the display circuit and displayed on the touch panel. When the touch type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device includes a mechanical button or the like, a program for performing hardware control for blinking or lighting the button or the vicinity of the button with an LED or the like is executed. Change form.
<First Embodiment Processing Flow>

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow in the remote control system of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. First, a television apparatus extracts a program according to a rule for program extraction using EPG (step S0601). Then, whether the program extracted in step S0601 is not output for viewing in the broadcast time zone of the program and other programs are output for viewing, so that the extracted program becomes a back program Is determined (step S0602). If the determination result in step S0602 is that the extracted program is a reverse program, selection information for channel selection of the reverse program is transmitted to the remote control device (step S0603). The processing flow up to this point is mainly performed by the television device. The following processing flow is mainly performed by the remote control device. The remote control device receives the selection information transmitted in step S0603 (step S0604). Then, a control signal is transmitted to the touch-type channel selection interface in accordance with the selection information received in step S0604 (step S0605). The form of the touch portion of the touch-type channel selection interface is changed according to the control signal transmitted in step S0605 (step S0606).
<Embodiment 1 effect>

When there is a back program that conforms to a predetermined rule, the remote control system according to the present embodiment notifies the remote control device of the presence of the back program and induces an intuitive operation.
<Embodiment 2>
<Overview of Embodiment 2>

The present embodiment is a remote control system based on the first embodiment, in which a program extraction rule is to extract a program recommended to a user.
<Embodiment 2 configuration>

  In the remote control system according to the present embodiment, the rule holding unit of the television apparatus according to the first embodiment further includes a recommended program extraction rule holding unit that holds a recommended program extraction rule that holds a rule for extracting a program recommended to the user. Is.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a functional block diagram of the remote control system according to the present embodiment. The remote control system includes a “television device” (0700) and a “remote control device” (0710). The television apparatus includes a “viewing unit” (0701), an “EPG holding unit” (0702), a “rule holding unit” (0703), a “program extracting unit” (0704), and a “TV side transmitting unit” ( The “rule holding unit” (0703) further includes a “recommended program extraction rule holding unit” (0706). The remote control device includes a “remote control side receiving unit” (0711), a “control unit” (0712), and a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (0713).

“Recommended program extraction rule holding means” (0706) has a function of holding a recommended program extraction rule that is a rule for extracting a program recommended to the user. The program recommended to the user means a program recommended to the user for viewing or recording. The recommended program extraction rule includes, for example, a rule for extracting a program that matches the user's preference. The EPG is accompanied by “title”, “genre”, “performer”, “content” and the like as attribute information for each program. Utilizing these, users can extract “genre” and “performer” set by the user, or “title” and “content” including the keyword set by the user as attribute information and extract the program Can be extracted. Even if the user does not set a favorite “genre” or keyword in advance, the “genre” or the “record” that the user often watches or records using the EPG is referred to by referring to the accumulated viewing history or recording history. It is possible to infer user preferences by extracting keywords. The recommended program extraction rule holding unit can be realized by storing such a rule in a predetermined storage area.
<Embodiment 2 Hardware configuration>

FIG. 8 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the television apparatus in this embodiment. Since the remote control device is the same as that of the first embodiment, the illustration is omitted. The hardware configuration of the remote control system according to the present embodiment conforms to the hardware configuration according to the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. The “storage device” (0803) stores recommended program extraction rules, and the “CPU” (0801) executes the program extraction program developed in the “main memory” (0802) to obtain the recommended program extraction rules. To do. Then, program extraction processing is performed in accordance with the recommended program extraction rules.
<Embodiment 2 effect>

When the program recommended to the user is a back program, the remote control system according to the present embodiment notifies the remote control device of the presence of the back program and induces an intuitive operation.
<Embodiment 3>
<Overview of Embodiment 3>

The present embodiment is a remote control system based on the first or second embodiment, wherein the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device has buttons whose color, shape, and pattern change according to the control signal. .
<Embodiment 3 configuration>

  In the remote control system according to the present embodiment, the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device according to the first or second embodiment further includes a button that changes color according to a control signal and a button that changes shape according to a control signal. It has a button whose pattern changes in response to a signal.

  FIG. 9 illustrates a functional block diagram of the remote control system according to the present embodiment. The remote control system includes a “television device” (0900) and a “remote control device” (0910). The television apparatus includes a “viewing unit” (0901), an “EPG holding unit” (0902), a “rule holding unit” (0903) having a “recommended program extraction rule holding unit” (0906), and a “program extracting unit”. "(9044)" and "TV side transmitter" (0905). The remote control device includes a “remote control side receiving unit” (0911), a “control unit” (0912), and a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (0913), and a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (0913). ) Further includes a “color change button” (0914), a “shape change button” (0915), and a “pattern change button” (0916).

  The “color change type button” (0914) is a button whose color changes according to a control signal. The “button” refers to a predetermined area or portion that receives an instruction input by touching or pressing with a finger or a stylus pen. Therefore, the “button” includes not only the “button” mechanically provided in the touch-type channel selection interface unit but also the touch for receiving the instruction input when the touch-type channel selection interface unit includes a touch panel. Also included are symbols such as buttons drawn to identify the part and icons representing the buttons. Further, “change” includes a relative change. For example, it includes not only changing the button directly indicating the selection information but also changing other than the button directly indicating the selection information (the same applies throughout the present specification).

  “Color” is composed of “color” and “luminance”. Therefore, the “button color”, when it is a button on the touch panel, is composed of the “color” and “luminance” of the depicted button. In the case of a mechanical button, the button itself and the “color” and “luminance” in the vicinity of the button are configured. For the color of the button itself, the button itself is made of a material that is transparent to light, and the button itself emits “color” and “brightness” by illuminating the inside of the button with a light emitting element such as a light bulb or LED. In some cases, the numbers and character strings shown in the above are illuminated. The color near the button means “color” or “brightness” that illuminates the surrounding area where the button is provided.

  The color change button is a button whose color changes according to a control signal sent from the control unit according to the received selection information. In the case of a button on the touch panel, the color change is realized by performing a drawing process for rewriting the changed graphic drawing according to the control signal. In the case of a mechanical button, the color and brightness can be changed by switching light emitting elements such as light bulbs and LEDs provided to emit multiple colors in the button itself or in the vicinity of the button, or changing the applied voltage. Changes are realized.

  The “shape change type button” (0915) is a button whose shape changes according to a control signal. When the button is graphically depicted on the touch panel, the shape of the button on the touch panel changes, for example, by changing to a button depicted in a different shape. An example of the shape change type button is shown in FIG. 10A. The “12” button indicating the selection information changes from a square to a star.

The “pattern change button” (0916) is a button whose shape changes according to a control signal.
When the button is graphically depicted on the touch panel, the pattern of the button on the touch panel changes, for example, by changing to a button depicted with a different pattern. An example of the pattern change type button is shown in FIG. 10B. When the buttons other than the “10” button indicating the selection information are changed to shaded buttons, the “10” button relatively changes.

The remote control system according to the present embodiment may have any one of the above-described “color change button”, “shape change button”, and “pattern change button”, or have either two. Or all of them.
<Embodiment 3 Hardware Configuration>

The hardware configuration of the remote control system according to this embodiment conforms to the hardware configuration according to the first or second embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. In the remote control device, the CPU executes a control program stored in the EEPROM in response to the reception of the selection information, and acquires channel information of the back program based on the selection information. Then, screen display data in which the “color”, “shape”, and “pattern” of the button are changed according to the acquired channel information is read. Then, the screen display data is transferred to the display circuit and displayed on the touch panel. If the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device has a mechanical button or the like, the touch part is made by executing a program that performs hardware control for blinking or lighting the button or the vicinity of the button with an LED or the like. Change.
<Embodiment 3 effects>

When the program recommended to the user is a back program by the remote control system according to the present embodiment, the presence of the back program is notified by changing the color, shape, and pattern of the buttons of the remote control device, and intuitive Guide the operation.
<Embodiment 4>
<Outline of Embodiment 4>

The present embodiment is based on any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device simultaneously changes the forms of the plurality of touch portions according to the control signal. It is.
<Embodiment 4 configuration>

  In the remote control system according to the present embodiment, the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device according to any one of the first to third embodiments further includes a simultaneous change unit that simultaneously changes the forms of a plurality of touch portions according to a control signal. Is.

  FIG. 11 illustrates a functional block diagram of the remote control system according to the present embodiment. The remote control system includes a “television device” (1100) and a “remote control device” (1110). The television apparatus includes a “viewing unit” (1101), an “EPG holding unit” (1102), a “rule holding unit” (1103) having a “recommended program extraction rule holding unit” (1106), a “program extracting unit” ”(1104) and“ TV side transmitter ”(1105). The remote control device includes a “remote control side receiving unit” (1111), a “control unit” (1112), and a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (1113), and a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (1113). ) Includes a “color change button” (1114), a “shape change button” (1115), a “pattern change button” (1116), and a “simultaneous change means” (1117).

The “simultaneous change means” (1117) has a function of changing the forms of the plurality of touch portions simultaneously according to the control signal. “At the same time” does not mean strict in terms of time, but means “almost at the same time” or “at once”. A specific example of the change by the simultaneous change means is shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the touch portion includes the “color change button”, the “shape change button”, and the “pattern change button” of the third embodiment. In FIG. 12A, the control signal is displayed in the same manner as the other numeric buttons when the form of the buttons “3” and “7” for indicating “37 channels” as selection information is changed simultaneously. The buttons “3” and “7” that have been changed to a “heart shape”. In FIG. 12B, when the control signal is to change the form of the buttons “4” and “6” for indicating “46 channels” as selection information at the same time, “4” and “6”. The button itself or the vicinity of the button changes such that a light bulb or a light emitting element for emitting a predetermined color “lights / flashes”.
<Embodiment 4 Hardware Configuration>

The hardware configuration of the remote control system according to this embodiment conforms to the hardware configuration according to the first to third embodiments, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. In the remote control device, the CPU executes a control program stored in the EEPROM in response to the reception of the selection information, and acquires channel information of the back program based on the selection information. Then, screen display data in which a plurality of touch portions are changed according to the acquired channel information is read. Then, the screen display data is transferred to the display circuit and displayed on the touch panel. If the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device has a mechanical button or the like, the touch part is made by executing a program that performs hardware control for blinking or lighting the button or the vicinity of the button with an LED or the like. Change.
<Embodiment 4 Effect>

When the program recommended to the user is a back program by the remote control system according to the present embodiment, the touch part of the remote control device is simultaneously changed to notify the existence of the back program and intuitive operation To induce.
<Embodiment 5>
<Overview of Embodiment 5>

This embodiment is based on any one of the first to fourth embodiments, and the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device changes the form of the plurality of touch portions in time series according to the control signal. It is a remote control system.
<Embodiment 5 configuration>

  In the remote control system according to the present embodiment, the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments further changes time-series means in a time-series manner according to a control signal. It is what has.

  FIG. 13 illustrates a functional block diagram of the remote control system according to this embodiment. The remote control system includes a “television device” (1300) and a “remote control device” (1310). The television apparatus includes a “viewing unit” (1301), an “EPG holding unit” (1302), a “rule holding unit” (1303) having a “recommended program extraction rule holding unit” (1306), a “program extracting unit” ”(1304) and“ TV side transmission unit ”(1305). The remote control device includes a “remote control side receiving unit” (1311), a “control unit” (1312), and a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (1313), and a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (1313). ) “Color change button” (1314), “shape change button” (1315), “pattern change button” (1316), “simultaneous change means” (1317), and “time series change” Means "(1318).

  The “time series changing means” (1318) has a function of changing the form of the plurality of touch portions in time series according to the control signal. “Change in time series” refers to changing with time. Here, the form of the plurality of touch portions changes with time in accordance with the control signal. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14A shows a case where the form of a button which is a touch portion of a touch-type channel interface unit including mechanical buttons changes in time series. When the control signal corresponds to “157 channel” as selection information of the extracted program, the button is lit in time series as “1” → “5” → “7” according to the signal or It may blink, and the emission color may be changed at the same time. Thereby, the user can recognize that the back program exists in “157 channel”. In addition, as an operation for starting the viewing of the back program, the button “1” → “5” → “7” may be pressed, or another button, for example, the “OK” button may be pressed. You may push it.

FIG. 4B shows a case where the form of the touch part of the touch-type channel interface unit including the touch panel changes in time series. When the control signal corresponds to “61 channel” as the selection information of the extracted program, the touch portion for displaying the numbers “6” → “1” becomes larger according to the signal, then , “61” is changed so that a touched portion surrounded by a heart is displayed larger. In the figure, the change is shown to loop, but it is not necessary to loop. In addition, as an operation for starting the viewing of the back program, the user may press the “6” → “1” touch part or press “61” surrounded by a heart. Also good.
<Embodiment 5 Hardware Configuration>

The hardware configuration of the remote control system according to the present embodiment conforms to the hardware configuration of any one of the first to fourth embodiments, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. In the remote control device, the CPU executes a control program stored in the EEPROM in response to the reception of the selection information, and acquires channel information of the back program based on the selection information. Then, each screen display data obtained by changing a plurality of touch portions in time series according to the acquired channel information is read. Then, the screen display data is transferred to the display circuit, and the touch panel is instructed to display each screen display data at a predetermined time interval. When the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device includes a mechanical button or the like, a program for executing hardware control for blinking or lighting the button or the vicinity of the button at predetermined time intervals using an LED or the like is executed. Etc. to change the touch part.
<Embodiment 5 effects>

When the program recommended to the user is a back program by the remote control system according to the present embodiment, the touch part of the remote control device is simultaneously changed to notify the existence of the back program and intuitive operation To induce.
<Embodiment 6>
<Summary of Embodiment 6>

This embodiment is a remote control system that outputs a notification sound according to a control signal transmitted to a touch-type channel selection interface unit of a remote control device based on any one of the first to fifth embodiments. is there.
<Sixth Embodiment Configuration>

  The remote control system according to this embodiment includes a notification sound output unit in which the remote control device according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments outputs a notification sound in response to a control signal transmitted to the touch-type channel selection interface unit. It is.

  FIG. 15 illustrates a functional block diagram of the remote control system according to this embodiment. The remote control system includes a “television device” (1500) and a “remote control device” (1510). The television apparatus includes a “viewing unit” (1501), an “EPG holding unit” (1502), a “rule holding unit” (1503) having a “recommended program extraction rule holding unit” (1506), a “program extracting unit” ”(1504) and“ TV side transmission unit ”(1505). The remote control device includes a “remote control side receiving unit” (1511), a “control unit” (1512), a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (1513), and a “notification sound output unit” (1519). The “touch type channel selection interface unit” (1515) includes a “color change type button” (1514), a “shape change type button” (1515), a “pattern change type button” (1516), and a “simultaneous change unit”. (1517) and “time-series changing means” (1518).

The “notification sound output unit” (1519) has a function of outputting a notification sound in response to a control signal transmitted to the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device. The notification sound may be output mechanically like a bell or chime, or may be output electrically via a speaker or the like. Further, the notification sound is not limited to a single sound but may be a melody or an artificial voice. The output of the notification sound may be synchronized with a change in the shape of the touch part. Or you may output prior to the change of the form of a touch part.
<Sixth Embodiment Hardware Configuration>

The hardware configuration of the remote control system according to the present embodiment conforms to the hardware configuration of any one of the first to fifth embodiments, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. In the remote control device, the CPU executes a control program stored in the EEPROM in response to the reception of the selection information, and acquires channel information of the back program based on the selection information. And the notification sound data memorize | stored in EEPROM are read according to the acquired channel information. And the said notification sound data are transferred to the speaker etc. for audio | voice output, and notification sound is output.
<Embodiment 6 effects>

When the program recommended to the user is a back program by the remote control system in the present embodiment, the user is audibly notified of the presence of the back program by a notification sound.
<Embodiment 7>
<Summary of Embodiment 7>

The present embodiment is a remote control system in which the television apparatus transmits selection information for channel selection of a plurality of back programs to the remote control apparatus based on any one of the first to sixth embodiments.
<Embodiment 7 configuration>

  The remote control system of this embodiment includes a plurality of transmission means for transmitting selection information for channel selection of a plurality of back programs as the selection information to be transmitted by the television-side transmission unit of the television apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments. It is what has.

  FIG. 16 illustrates a functional block diagram of the remote control system according to the present embodiment. The remote control system includes a “television device” (1600) and a “remote control device” (1610). The television apparatus includes a “viewing unit” (1601), an “EPG holding unit” (1602), a “rule holding unit” (1603) having a “recommended program extraction rule holding unit” (1606), a “program extracting unit” ”(1604) and“ TV side transmission unit ”(1605), and“ TV side transmission unit ”(1605) further includes“ multiple transmission means ”(1607). The remote control device includes a “remote control side receiving unit” (1611), a “control unit” (1612), a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (1613), and a “notification sound output unit” (1619). The “touch channel selection interface unit” (1616) includes a “color change button” (1614), a “shape change button” (1615), a “pattern change button” (1616), and a “simultaneous change means” ( 1617) and “time-series changing means” (1618).

The “multiple transmission means” (1607) has a function of transmitting selection information for channel selection of a plurality of back programs as selection information to be transmitted. The extracted back program is not necessarily one. Therefore, when there are a plurality of back programs, selection information for selecting those channels is transmitted to the remote control device.
<Seventh Embodiment Hardware Configuration>

The hardware configuration of the remote control system according to this embodiment conforms to the hardware configuration of any one of the first to sixth embodiments, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
<Embodiment 7 effects>

Even if a plurality of back programs exist, the remote control system according to this embodiment notifies the existence of the back programs by simultaneously changing the form of the touch part of the remote control device and induces an intuitive operation. .
<Embodiment 8>
<Summary of Embodiment 8>

The present embodiment is based on the seventh embodiment, and when the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device transmits a control signal corresponding to a plurality of channel selections from the control unit, the form of the touch part according to each channel The remote control system is characterized in that the form is changed so that the change can be identified.
<Eighth embodiment configuration>

  In the remote control system of the present embodiment, the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device of the seventh embodiment further includes a touch portion corresponding to each channel when a control signal for selecting a plurality of channels is transmitted from the control unit. It is provided with channel-specific changing means for changing the form so that the change in form can be identified.

  FIG. 17 illustrates a functional block diagram of the remote control system according to the present embodiment. The remote control system includes a “television device” (1700) and a “remote control device” (1710). The television apparatus includes a “viewing unit” (1701), an “EPG holding unit” (1702), a “rule holding unit” (1703) having a “recommended program extraction rule holding unit” (1706), a “program extracting unit” ”(1704) and“ TV side transmission unit ”(1705), and“ TV side transmission unit ”(1705) further includes“ multiple transmission means ”(1707). The remote control device includes a “remote control side receiving unit” (1711), a “control unit” (1712), a “touch type channel selection interface unit” (1713), and a “notification sound output unit” (1719). The “touch channel selection interface unit” (1717) includes a “color change button” (1714), a “shape change button” (1715), a “pattern change button” (1716), and a “simultaneous change means” ( 1717), “time series changing means” (1718), and “channel changing means” (1720).

“Channel-specific changing means” (1720), when a control signal for selecting a plurality of channels is transmitted from the control unit, changes the form so that the change in the form of the touch portion can be identified according to each channel. It has a function. Here, changing the form so that the form of the touch part can be identified according to each channel means that there are multiple back programs and that each channel can be identified and recognized. This means changing the shape of the touch part. As a specific example, for example, the change of the touch part for the first back program is changed from the original color to the blue color and the shape is changed, and the change of the touch part for the second back program is changed to the original color. Change the shape from red to red. Then, for the user, the change of the touch part whose shape changed in blue and the change of the touch part whose shape changed in red are changes in the form of the button part corresponding to two different back programs. Can be recognized, that is, it can be known that two different back programs exist, and an intuitive operation can be performed by the change.
<Eighth Embodiment Hardware Configuration>

The hardware configuration of the remote control system according to the present embodiment conforms to the hardware configuration according to the seventh embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
<Eighth embodiment effect>

  The remote control system according to the present embodiment allows the user to recognize each back program and guide an intuitive operation even when a plurality of back programs exist.

Functional block diagram of the remote control system according to the first embodiment FIG. 10 is an example of XML format selection information according to the first embodiment. An example figure of a change of form of a touch part of Embodiment 1 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a television device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a remote control device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation method of the remote control system according to the first embodiment. Functional block diagram of a remote control system according to the second embodiment 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a television apparatus according to a second embodiment. Functional block diagram of a remote control recommendation system according to the third embodiment An example figure of a shape change type button and a pattern change type button concerning Embodiment 3 Functional block diagram of a remote control system according to Embodiment 4 An example figure of the mode of change by simultaneous change means concerning Embodiment 4 Functional block diagram of a remote control system according to Embodiment 5 An example figure of the mode of change by the time series change means concerning Embodiment 5 Functional block diagram of a remote control system according to Embodiment 6 Functional block diagram of a remote control system according to Embodiment 7 Functional block diagram of a remote control system according to Embodiment 8

Explanation of symbols

0100 Television device 0101 Viewing unit 0102 EPG storage unit 0103 Rule storage unit 0104 Program extraction unit 0105 Television side transmission unit 0110 Remote control device 0111 Remote control side reception unit 0112 Control unit 0113 Touch type channel selection interface unit

Claims (13)

A viewing section for watching TV broadcasts;
An EPG holding unit;
A rule holding unit for holding rules for program extraction;
A program extraction unit for extracting a program according to the held rule using EPG;
When the extracted program is not output from the viewing unit during the broadcast time of the program and the other program is output from the viewing unit, and the extracted program becomes a back program, channel selection of the back program A TV-side transmitter that transmits selection information for the remote control device;
A television set having
A remote control side receiver for receiving selection information from the TV side transmitter;
A touch-type channel selection interface unit having a function of changing the form of the touch part in accordance with a control signal;
A control unit that sends a control signal to the touch-type channel selection interface unit according to the received selection information;
A remote control device having
A remote control system consisting of The rule holding part of the television device
The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a recommended program extraction rule holding unit that holds a recommended program extraction rule that is a rule for extracting a program recommended to a user.   The remote control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device includes a luminance change type button whose color changes according to a control signal.   4. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device includes a shape-changing button whose shape changes according to a control signal.   5. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device includes a pattern change type button whose pattern changes according to a control signal.   6. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device includes simultaneous change means for simultaneously changing the forms of the plurality of touch portions in accordance with a control signal.   The remote control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device includes time-series changing means for changing the form of the plurality of touch portions in time series according to a control signal.   The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification sound output unit that outputs a notification sound in response to a control signal transmitted to the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device.   The remote control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the television-side transmission unit of the television apparatus includes a plurality of transmission units that transmit selection information for channel selection of a plurality of back programs as selection information to be transmitted.   When a control signal for selecting a plurality of channels is transmitted from the control unit, the touch-type channel selection interface unit of the remote control device changes the form so that the change in the form of the touch part can be identified according to each channel. The remote control system according to claim 9, further comprising channel-specific changing means.   The television apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 10.   The remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A method of operating a remote control system comprising a television device and a remote control device,
In the television device,
A program extraction step of extracting a program according to a rule for program extraction using EPG;
Whether the program extracted in the program extraction step is not output for viewing in the broadcast time zone of the program and other programs are output for viewing, so that the extracted program becomes a back program A judgment step to judge;
If the judgment result in the judgment step is a judgment result that the extracted program is a back program,
A television-side transmission step of transmitting selection information for channel selection of the back program to the remote control device,
In the remote control device,
A remote control side receiving step for receiving the selection information transmitted in the TV side transmitting step;
A control signal transmission step for transmitting a control signal to the touch-type channel selection interface according to the selection information received in the remote control side reception step;
A touch part form changing step for changing the form of the touch part of the touch-type channel selection interface according to the transmitted control signal;
Of operating a remote control system that causes a computer to execute the operation.

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