JP2010147705A - Television system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that the operation of switching a content list to the next one before selecting desired content for instance is needed even when operability is improved by utilizing a remote controller with a touch panel for a conventional 10 feet UI, that is the time and labor of a user operation remain after all when a GUI side is a conventional content list as it is even when the operability is improved on a physical device side such as the remote controller. <P>SOLUTION: A group of a large amount of contents is displayed at a television device as a ring-like image card bundle, and the ring-like card bundle is simply displayed on a remote controller touch panel as well. Then, by providing a GUI for rotating the ring-like card image on a television corresponding to a rotating operation to the simple ring-like card bundle on the remote controller touch panel, a user can select desired content while rotating card images in the television system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for improving remote control operability and the like in a television system including a remote control device and a television device operated by the remote control.

  Currently, the number of contents that can be browsed on television devices is increasing. For example, in addition to terrestrial broadcasting, CS broadcasting and BS broadcasting are also provided, and the number of channels that can be viewed has increased explosively. In addition, the amount of programs that can be recorded on one recording device is increasing due to the increase in recording capacity of the recording device in accordance with various laws of computers that conform to Moore's Law. In addition, the concept of integrated management of AV (audio / visual) devices in the home centered on television devices in the living room has been promoted, and as a result, for example, a large amount of digital camera data can be viewed and managed on the television device. It is also possible to do. In addition, television devices are now standardly equipped with an Internet connection function, which makes it possible to access and browse Internet content around the world.

  By the way, a television apparatus is generally installed in a living room or the like, and its UI (user interface) can be operated by a remote controller from a certain distance (for example, 10 feet = about 3 m). “Foot UI” is adopted. However, the remote control has a limit on the number of physical buttons that can be arranged, and it is difficult to move the cursor with an arrow button. Therefore, the 10-foot UI is an operation for selecting desired content from a large amount of content as described above. Is not suitable. Therefore, various technologies for improving the operability of the 10-foot UI have been developed and provided.

As a specific example, there is provided a remote control device that includes a touch panel and can be operated by touching / tracing the panel instead of the physical buttons (or in combination with the physical buttons). Thereby, for example, the cursor can be moved not by pressing the arrow button a plurality of times but by a tracing operation on the touch panel, and the cursor can be easily adjusted to a desired content in the content list. Also, by associating the coordinates of the television screen displaying the content list with the coordinates of the touch panel, the desired content in the list is selected by touching the coordinates on the touch panel corresponding to the display position of the desired content on the television screen. You can also.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-322013

  However, the conventional television operation system using the above-described remote controller with a touch panel has the following problems. That is, as described above, the content that can be viewed on the television is explosively increasing, and it is difficult to fit even a content list of only character strings such as titles on one screen. Furthermore, as the amount of content increases, it becomes more difficult to determine and distinguish the contents based only on the character information. Therefore, a content list in which thumbnail images are usually arranged is displayed. In that case, the number of pages in the content list further increases. Then, before selecting the desired content, an operation of switching the plurality of content lists to the next one is necessary. As described above, there is a problem that even if the operability is improved on the physical device side such as a remote controller as in the conventional case, if the GUI side remains in the conventional content list, there is still a problem of user operation. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention displays a large amount of content groups as a ring-shaped image card bundle on a television set, and displays the ring-shaped card bundle on a remote control touch panel in a simplified manner. And by providing a GUI that rotates the ring-shaped card image on the TV according to the rotation operation to the simple ring-shaped card bundle on the remote control touch panel, the user can seamlessly operate the desired content while rotating the card image. Provide a television system that can be selected.

  Specifically, a content identification information holding unit for holding content identification information in a predetermined order, a representation image storage unit for storing a plurality of representation images representing the contents of the held content, and one remote control operation A turning operation image generating unit that generates an image of an operation of turning a ring-shaped card bundle in which at least a part of the representation image is displayed in the predetermined order, and a state in which the turning operation is not performed And a ring-shaped card bundle video generating unit that generates a video of a ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state so that content can be selected in accordance with other remote control operations, and a display unit that displays the generated video. A television device and a remote controller that generates an image of an operation of turning the simplified ring-shaped card bundle in which the ring-shaped card bundle is simply displayed according to the one remote control operation. A remote control device having a side-turning motion video generation unit and a remote-control-side simple ring-shaped card bundle video generation unit that generates a video of a simple ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state in response to the other remote control operation Provide a system.

  In addition to the above configuration, the television apparatus has a television-side synchronous communication unit that communicates to synchronize the operation of the image generation unit with the operation of the image generation unit of the remote control device. There is also provided a television system having a remote control side synchronous communication unit that communicates to synchronize the operation of the unit with the operation of the video generation unit on the television side. Also provided is a television system in which the remote controller-side turning motion image generation unit and / or the simplified ring-shaped card bundle image generation unit includes line-of-sight changing means for changing the display line-of-sight direction of the simplified ring-shaped card bundle according to the remote control operation. To do.

  In addition, when a content image is selected on the remote control touch panel, the content image on the remote control touch panel is faded out, and in conjunction with this, the selected content is displayed in a fade-in display and played back. A television system including a user interface that exhibits a visual effect as if it was sent is also provided. Specifically, a remote control display for displaying a content image, a first content image output unit for outputting the content image to the remote control display, and a content image displayed on the remote control display for viewing on the TV side A command receiving unit that receives the command, a fade-out control unit that controls the content image output unit in accordance with the command and performs fade-out control of the image displayed on the remote control display, and a communication unit that communicates with the television. A device, a television display for displaying a content image, a second content image output unit for outputting the content image to the television display, a command acquisition unit for acquiring the command from the remote control device, and according to the acquired command Control the second content image output unit A fade-in control unit for fade-in control of the same image and the image displayed on the remote control display, a television device having a, to provide a television system comprising a.

  In addition, a method for controlling the television system as described above is also provided.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the user can select from a large amount of contents by tracing / touching the touch panel on the remote controller without performing an operation such as switching a plurality of content lists to the next one. Content can be selected seamlessly. In addition, an operation by a user interface that exhibits a visual effect as if the content itself was sent from the remote control to the television can be performed by a selection operation with the remote control.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the first embodiment, claim 1 will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, claim 2 will be mainly described. In the third embodiment, claim 3 will be mainly described. In the fourth embodiment, claim 4 will be mainly described.

Example 1
<Overview>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of content selection in the television system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, in the television system of this embodiment, in the content selection mode, a plurality of cards are bundled and a content selection symbol α arranged in a ring shape is displayed on the display of the television device. Each of the cards represents a large amount of content recorded on, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) recorder. Further, for example, three images on the front side (display display side) of cards arranged in a ring shape, an image showing one scene of the content is displayed on the card surface, and the user can grasp the contents.

  In addition, a display device such as a touch screen is also provided on the remote control device side, and a content selection symbol β in which cards are similarly bundled and arranged in a ring shape is displayed. Then, the user touches the ring-shaped card bundle β on the touch screen and performs an operation of tracing in the arrow direction. Then, the ring card bundle α on the television display is also rotated by the tracing operation, and an animation in which the cards are sequentially turned is displayed. Then, a large amount of content images recorded in the HDD are presented one after another on the display.

  In this way, the user can search and reproduce desired content while rotating the ring-shaped card bundle and confirming the content. In the above example, the ring-shaped card bundle is described as a symbol indicating the content recorded in the HDD. However, for example, each card shows a program of each channel received by each tuner such as terrestrial / BS / CS. An embodiment configured as a symbol is also given. Alternatively, the ring-shaped card bundle may be a symbol indicating a photographed image of an externally connected camera device or a symbol indicating Internet content. Also, different types of content may be collectively represented by a single ring-shaped card bundle.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the television system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the television system of the present embodiment includes a “television device” (0200) and a “remote control device” (0210). The “television device” (0200) is a device that has a television program receiving function and a recording function internally or by external connection and can display a television program or the like as content. Further, as described above, a display function for other network resources and photograph data taken by a camera may be provided, and these may be displayed as contents. The “remote control device” is an input device for “10 feet UI” for operating the television device, and includes various operation buttons, other operation keys, a touch panel, and the like. In addition to a dedicated remote control device, an input device realized by incorporating a remote control program into a mobile phone or the like may be used. Then, these television devices and remote control devices that constitute the television system further have the following configuration, so that the UI using the ring-shaped card bundle as described above can be realized.

  Note that the functional blocks of the television apparatus and the remote control apparatus described below can be realized as hardware, software, or both hardware and software. Specifically, if a computer is used, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory, a bus, or a secondary storage device (a hard disk, a non-volatile memory, a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD, and reading of these media) Drive), input devices used for information input, printing equipment and display devices, other hardware components such as external peripheral devices, interfaces for external peripheral devices, communication interfaces, and control of these hardware Driver programs, other application programs, and user interface applications.

  Then, by CPU processing according to the program developed on the main memory, the data input from the input device or other interface and held in the memory or hard disk is processed and stored, An instruction for controlling the software is generated. In addition, the present invention can be realized not only as a television system but also as a method. A part of the invention can be configured as software. Furthermore, a software product used for causing a computer to execute such software and a recording medium in which the product is fixed to a recording medium are naturally included in the technical scope of the present invention (the same applies throughout the present specification). Is).

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the “television device” (0200) includes a “content identification information holding unit” (0201), a “representative image storage unit” (0202), and a “turning motion video generation unit” (0203). , “Ring-shaped card bundle video generation unit” (0204) and “display unit” (0205).

  The “content identification information holding unit” (0201) has a function of holding content identification information in a predetermined order, and can be realized by a secondary recording device such as a nonvolatile memory or an HDD (hard disk drive). it can. Further, as will be described later, it may be realized by a volatile primary memory or the like. “Content” refers to what is played back on a television system, and includes, for example, terrestrial / BS / CS received by a receiving tuner, or a television broadcast program distributed via a cable or the like. Alternatively, a recorded program recorded on an HDD recorder, a photographed image photographed with a digital camera, various resources on the Internet, and the like can be given. The “content identification information” refers to information for identifying such content, and includes, for example, a content name in addition to information indicated by numbers, characters, symbol strings, and the like. Further, if the content is a television broadcast program, the corresponding content can be identified by the channel and the broadcast time. Then, such content identification information is in a predetermined order and held in the HDD or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a content identification information holding unit. FIG. 3A is an example of a content identification information holding unit when the content is a television broadcast. As shown in this figure, for example, “News 10” with content ID NS001 is a program that is currently being broadcast on one channel of terrestrial digital broadcasting, and the order is held as 1. In addition, “Today's hobby” of content ID: NE001 is a program that is currently broadcast on 3 channels of digital terrestrial broadcasting, and the order is held as 2. FIG. 3B is an example of a content identification information holding unit when the content is a recorded program recorded in an HDD recorder or the like. As shown in this figure, for example, the “WBC final” of the content ID: RC021 recorded on March 9, 2008 is held in the order of 1. In addition, the movie “Mystery of Pyramid” of content ID: RC022 recorded on March 10, 2008 is held in order 2. In the television system of the present invention, such ordering is used for determining the arrangement order when bundling content image cards, which will be described later, in a ring shape.

  Here, the ordering of the content identification information may be made from various viewpoints. For example, if the content is a TV broadcast program, there is a method of ordering in the numerical order of the channels as shown in FIG. 3A from the viewpoint that it is good practice to check the content in the order of the channels. Alternatively, from the viewpoint that it is more efficient to select the content if the user can confirm the genre that the user likes first, there is a method of ordering in order of priority for each genre set by the user. In addition, from the viewpoint that it is better for usability to first check the recorded contents recorded on the old date and time, as shown in FIG. Can be mentioned. On the other hand, from the viewpoint that it is better for usability to confirm the latest recorded data first, there is also a method of ordering in ascending order of recording date and time. Alternatively, from the viewpoint that it is better to confirm the unviewed recorded content first, there is also a method of ordering the unviewed content preferentially arranged at the top. In addition, from the viewpoint of providing a surprise-like operating environment by first confirming contents that are not intended by the user, there is also a method of randomly ranking at a predetermined timing. Further, from the viewpoint of usability, it is preferable to configure the order separately for each predetermined category such as terrestrial / BS / CS or the like in the case of television broadcasting. Needless to say, ordering may be performed by combining a plurality of the above viewpoints, and the user may arbitrarily change the rule setting for ordering as described above.

  Further, the television apparatus of the present television system may hold only rules for ordering. The rule is based on the above various viewpoints, for example, a rule such as “order in order of channel”. Each time various images of the ring-shaped card bundle described later are generated, the content identification information holding unit as described above is generated dynamically by acquiring content identification information such as a program name currently being broadcast, It may be configured to be temporarily stored in a memory or the like.

  The “representative image storage unit” (0202) has a function of storing a plurality of representative images, and can be realized by an image memory (recording device) such as a nonvolatile memory or an HDD (hard disk drive). The “representative image” refers to an image that represents the content of the content that is held, and includes, for example, an image obtained by cutting out one scene (frame) of moving image content. Also, instead of a single frame of still images, a predetermined number of frames of moving images may be used as the representation images. For content recorded and recorded in an HDD or the like, it is preferable to cut out one scene in advance and store it as a representation image in a recording device. Further, in the case of broadcast program data acquired in real time by a tuner or the like, the representation of a plurality of broadcast image data (one scene) in the same time zone may be performed by the following method, for example. That is, the broadcast program data of each channel is sequentially stored in the image memory in a time division manner, and one scene is cut out from the stored broadcast data.

  The television system of the present invention is characterized by presenting a ring-shaped card bundle, which will be described later, to the user in such a form that the contents of the content can be intuitively grasped using such a representation image.

  The “turning motion video generation unit” (0203) has a function of generating a motion video in which a ring-shaped card bundle is turned in response to one remote control operation. For example, the CPU, the main memory, a turning motion video generation program, etc. realizable. The “ring-shaped card bundle” refers to a symbol image for operation displayed in a form in which representation images in which at least a part of the representation images are displayed in the predetermined order are bundled, for example, as indicated by α in FIG. Symbol images. As shown in this figure, the ring-shaped card bundle includes, for example, symbols that are displayed from a viewpoint in which cards showing contents are vertically arranged from the floor and arranged in a ring shape, and viewed from obliquely above. Then, the above-mentioned representation image is displayed on a predetermined number of cards located on the front side of this bundle of cards (in the figure, only three on the front side are displayed, but of course, representation images are present on all cards) May be displayed). In addition, since the card bundle is in a ring shape, the content arranged at the end corresponds to the card arranged on the left (or right) side of the card ordered first, for example, so that the ordering loops. It is better to configure as follows. Of course, the shape of the ring-shaped card bundle is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 1 or the like, and for example, it may be a shape in which the cards are arranged in a ring shape so as not to completely overlap on a two-dimensional plane. .

  The turning motion video generation unit specifically generates the turning motion video of the ring-shaped card bundle, for example, as follows. First, an operation signal indicating one remote control operation input by the remote control device is received by the television device. The “one remote control operation” is not particularly limited, and various operation forms may be set as one remote control operation. However, since this is an operation that triggers the generation of the turning motion image, it is desirable that the operation indicates an operation of turning a bundle of cards using a touch panel, a touch wheel, a jog dial, and other operation keys from the viewpoint of usability.

  Then, for example, when one remote control operation such as “tracing to rotate clockwise on the touch panel” is received, the “WBC final” ordered with “1” displayed on the foremost side according to the operation. The animation which moves the card | curd which shows is moved to the left back toward FIG. 4A is produced | generated. At the same time, in the initial state, the “pyramid mystery” ordered “2” arranged at the right rear of the “WBC final” card is moved to the left front along the ring circumference. That is, an animation in which the card on the left side of the reference line moves to the back along the ring circumference with reference to the center line connecting the cards in the foreground and the farthest (on the opposite side in the case of counterclockwise rotation Side-by-side animation). In addition, the card on the right side of the reference line generates an animation that moves forward along the ring circumference (in the case of counterclockwise, an animation that moves backward).

  Further, it is preferable that the amount of movement of each card by the turning operation is an amount corresponding to the received user operation amount so as to provide higher usability. Also, by making the number of card bundles coincide with / corresponding to the total amount of selectable contents, the user can intuitively grasp the total amount of contents by looking at the symbol image of the ring-shaped card bundle. You may comprise. In this case, it is preferable that the rotation animation amount of the motion image card bundle is changed according to the total amount of content (= number of cards in the card bundle) even if the turning operation amount is the same. In this way, the user can seamlessly rotate a ring-shaped card bundle showing a large amount of content by only one remote control operation. Then, for example, it is possible to search for desired content while viewing the representation images displayed on the three cards in front.

  The “ring-shaped card bundle video generation unit” (0204) has a function of generating a video of a ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state so that the content can be selected in accordance with another remote controller operation in a state where the turning operation is not performed. For example, it can be realized by a CPU, a main memory, a ring-shaped card bundle video generation program, and the like. Specifically, for example, an image of a ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state as shown in FIG. 4B is generated. When the ring-shaped card bundle in this state is displayed on the display, for example, an operation of pressing a determination button of the remote control device or an operation of touching a corresponding card of a later-described simple ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the touch panel For example, the selection of the playback content is accepted.

  Specifically, when an operation signal for pressing the enter button of the remote control device is received, the content identification information is acquired assuming that, for example, the content currently displayed at the foremost position of the ring-shaped card bundle is selected. Alternatively, when the touch coordinate information of the touch panel of the remote control device is received, the content identification information is acquired assuming that the content displayed at the position indicated by the touch coordinate is selected.

  The “display unit” (0205) has a function of displaying the generated video, and can be realized by a display circuit or display including a GPU, a video memory, a decoder, and the like. Then, the user can search for and select desired content by using the turning motion image that is displayed on the display unit and changes seamlessly and the ring-shaped card bundle image that is stationary.

  Next, functional blocks of the remote control device that constitutes the television system of this embodiment together with the television device will be described with reference to FIG. 2 again. As shown in FIG. 2, the “remote control device” (0210) includes a “remote control side turning operation video generation unit” (0211) and a “remote control side simple ring-shaped card bundle video generation unit” (0212).

  The “remote-side turning action image generation unit” (0211) has a function of generating an action image for turning a simple ring-shaped card bundle in which the ring-shaped card bundle is simply displayed according to the one remote control operation, For example, it can be realized by a CPU, a main memory, a remote control side turning motion image generation program, or the like. “Simplified display” means to display with a smaller amount of information than the ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the television set. For example, as shown in FIG. A form is mentioned. This is because the video display capability of the remote control device is significantly lower than that of a normal television device, and a separate configuration for acquiring a representation image is required. In addition, since the normal user does not check the content contents while watching the TV screen and does not see the remote control device at hand, it is unlikely that the usability is lowered even if the representation image is not displayed on the remote control side.

  The “remote control side simple ring-shaped card bundle image generation unit” (0212) has a function of generating an image of a simple ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state in response to the other remote control operation. For example, a CPU, a main memory, a remote controller It can be realized by a side simplified ring-shaped card bundle video generation program. When the simple ring-shaped card bundle in the stationary state is displayed, for example, when the determination button is pressed, the button operation signal is transmitted to the television apparatus. As a result, assuming that the content at a predetermined position of the ring-shaped card bundle (for example, in the case of [alpha] in FIG. 1) is selected, the television apparatus executes reproduction of the content. Alternatively, if the stationary simple ring-shaped card bundle is displayed on the touch panel, touch coordinates corresponding to the accepted touch operation are transmitted to the television apparatus. Then, assuming that the content of the card displayed at the position indicated by the touch coordinates is selected, the television apparatus executes reproduction of the content, and so on.

  As described above, with the television system of the present embodiment, the simple ring-shaped card bundle symbol on the remote control device is used as a guide, and the ring card bundle is seamlessly rotated by the operation on the symbol to sequentially turn the content cards. I can go. Then, the user can check the contents and select desired contents while viewing the representation images of the contents displayed one after another by the turning operation, for example. In addition, by displaying the ring-shaped card bundle on both the television device and the remote control device, an effect of generating an operational feeling as if the two are integrated can be expected.

<Hardware configuration>
Hereinafter, the operation of each hardware component in the content selection operation processing of the television system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration when the functional components of the television apparatus according to the present embodiment are realized as hardware.

  As shown in this figure, the television apparatus is a turning motion image generation unit and a ring-shaped card bundle image generation unit, and also executes a “CPU” (0601) for executing various other arithmetic processes and a “main memory” ( 0602). In addition, a content identification information holding unit and a “flash memory” (0603) which is a representation image storage unit, and a “display circuit” (0604) and a “display” (0605) which are display units are also provided. In addition, an “operation signal receiving circuit” (0606) that receives an operation signal from the “remote control device” (0610), an “HDD” (0607) that records and holds programs and other content data, and “ A “tuner” (0608), an “external device connection terminal” (0609) for connecting to an external content playback device, etc., and an “Internet connection circuit” (not shown) are also provided. They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

  A program is read out to the “main memory”, and the “CPU” refers to the read out program and executes various arithmetic processes according to the procedure indicated by the program. In addition, a plurality of addresses are assigned to the “main memory”, “flash memory”, and “HDD”, respectively, and in the arithmetic processing of the “CPU”, the addresses are specified and the stored data is accessed. This makes it possible to perform arithmetic processing using data.

  Here, the “operation signal receiving circuit” receives an operation signal for executing the content selection mode from the “remote control device”. Then, in response to the reception of the operation signal, the television device generates a video of the stationary state of the ring-shaped card bundle and the turning operation for content selection as follows. That is, the “CPU” interprets the ring-shaped card bundle video generation program, and reads the order table as shown in FIG. 3 from the “flash memory” and stores it in the address 1 of the “main memory”. As described above, not the order data but only rules such as “order in channel order” are read out, and an order table as shown in FIG. It may be stored at address 1 of “memory”.

  Subsequently, the representation image 1, the representation image 2,... Of the content stored in the “flash memory” are stored at the address 2,. For example, if the representation image is for program content recorded in the “HDD”, a predetermined frame such as a frame designated by the user or the 3000th frame is cut out as a representation image, and the “flash memory” is used. It is good to store it in association with the content identification information. Alternatively, if the program content is received by a tuner, one or a plurality of tuners are time-divided and the program data of each channel is received sequentially. Then, a predetermined frame may be cut out as a representation image from each program data received sequentially and stored in the “flash memory” in association with the content identification information.

  Next, a symbol image indicating the ring-shaped card bundle is read out. In this symbol image, an identification number corresponding to the order is assigned to each card, such as 1, 2, 3,..., And “CPU” is stored at address 1 of “main memory”. The representation image to be displayed on each card of the ring-shaped card bundle is specified with reference to the order table. Then, a ring-shaped card bundle in which the representation images are arranged in a predetermined order shown in the order table is generated by superimposing the representation images on the specified card and stored in the address 3 of the “main memory”. For example, in the case where the representation image is displayed in the ring card bundle on the front three, the image is not superimposed on all the cards, and only the front three cards are concerned. It is preferable to perform processing (and in that case, when generating the next turning motion image, it is preferable to perform superimposing processing of the representation images on the three cards displayed in front sequentially). Then, the ring card bundle in a stationary state generated in this way is transferred to a “display circuit” and displayed on a “display” via a VRAM (video memory).

  Then, the user looks at the symbol image of the ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the display. For example, if the representation image displayed in the foreground is not of the desired content, a simple ring-shaped card is displayed on the “remote control device”. Enter the turning operation using the bundle as a guide. Note that the hardware configuration regarding the display of the simplified ring-shaped card bundle and various operation inputs in the remote control device will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In a television device, when an operation signal indicating a turning operation such as a tracing operation on a touch panel, for example, input to the remote control device is received by the “operation signal receiving circuit” together with the operation amount, the operation command and the operation amount are displayed as “main”. Stored in addresses 4 and 5 of "memory". Then, using the storage of the tracing operation in the “main memory” as a trigger, the “CPU” interprets the turning motion video generation program and executes the following processing. That is, the turning rotation amount of the ring-shaped card bundle is calculated according to the operation amount stored at the address 5 of the “main memory”. Then, an animation image group in which the card bundle is rotated by the turning rotation amount is generated and stored in the address 6 of the “main memory”. Then, the generated image group is sequentially transferred to the “display circuit”, and the ring-shaped card bundle is animated on the “display”. In this way, the user can search for a desired content while viewing the representation image of the ring-shaped card bundle that rotates and rolls seamlessly.

  Next, the operation of the hardware configuration unit on the remote control device side will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in this figure, the remote control device is a remote control side turning operation video generation unit and a remote control side simple ring-shaped card bundle video generation unit, and also includes a “control controller” (0711) for performing various arithmetic processes, Program memory "(0712). In addition, “EEPROM” (0713) storing a remote control code, “display circuit” (0714) and “touch panel” (0715), “operation signal transmission circuit” (0716), and the like are provided.

  Here, when the operation input for executing the content selection mode is received from the “touch panel” or an operation key (not shown) as described above, the remote control device receives the operation signal from the “operation signal transmission circuit”. Send. At the same time, the “CPU” interprets the remote-side simplified ring-shaped card bundle video generation program, and reads symbol image data indicating the simplified ring-shaped card bundle from “EEPROM”. Then, the data of the symbol image is transferred to the “display circuit”, and the stationary simple ring-shaped card bundle is displayed on the “touch panel”.

  Then, the user looks at the symbol image of the stationary ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the display of the television device as described above, and confirms whether the desired content is on the near side of the card bundle. If the desired content is not present on the front side, an operation of tracing the “touch panel” is input using the simplified ring-shaped card bundle image displayed on the “touch panel” of the remote control device as a guide. Then, a tracing operation signal including the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the tracing operation is generated with reference to the remote control code and transmitted from the “operation signal transmission circuit” to the television apparatus. Then, in the television apparatus, the ring-shaped card bundle on the display is displayed as a rotation animation as a turning motion image according to the tracing operation signal as described above.

  On the other hand, in the remote control device, the CPU receives the input of the tracing operation from the user, interprets the remote control side turning operation image generation program, and calculates the turning rotation amount of the simple ring-shaped card bundle according to the operation amount. To do. Then, an animation image group in which the card bundle rotates with the turning rotation amount is generated and sequentially transferred to the “display circuit”. In this way, a simple ring-shaped card bundle is displayed as a rotation animation even on the “touch panel” of the remote control device.

  Then, when the representation image of the desired content is displayed on the near side by the display of the turning operation video of the ring-shaped card bundle, the user stops inputting the tracing operation. Then, the ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state is displayed again on the display of the television device. In this state, when receiving a user operation input such as touching the card display position of the corresponding content of the simple ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the “touch panel”, the remote control device transmits the operation signal to the television device. . Then, the content selected in this way is reproduced on the television device.

<Process flow>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the television system of the present embodiment. The steps shown below may be steps executed by each hardware configuration of the computer as described above, or may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling the computer recorded on a medium. I do not care. As shown in this figure, first, in response to an input of an operation signal or the like in a content selection mode on a remote control device (not shown), the television device generates a video image of a ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state (step S0801). It is displayed (step S0802). In addition, the remote controller also generates an image of the stationary simple ring-shaped card bundle (step S0811) and displays it on the touch panel or the like (step S0812).

  When a remote control device accepts, for example, a tracing operation on the touch panel for the turning operation (step S0813), the tracing operation signal is transmitted to the television device (step S0814). When receiving the tracing operation signal, the television apparatus generates a ring card bundle turning operation video accordingly (step S0803) and displays it on the display (step S0804). Further, in response to the tracing operation input accepted by the remote control device, a simple ring card bundle turning operation image is generated (step S0815) and displayed on the touch panel or the like (step S0816). Then, the user can search for the desired content by watching the turning operation image of the ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the display of the television apparatus.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, with the television system of the present embodiment, the symbols of the simple ring-shaped card bundle on the remote control device are used as a guide, and the ring card bundle is rotated seamlessly by the operation on the symbol, and the content cards are sequentially turned. I can go. Then, the user can check the contents and select desired contents while viewing the representation images of the contents displayed one after another by the turning operation, for example. In addition, by displaying the ring-shaped card bundle on both the television device and the remote control device, an effect of generating an operational feeling as if the two are integrated can be expected.

<< Example 2 >>
<Overview>
The present embodiment is provided with a function of synchronizing the operation video of the ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the television device and the operation video of the simplified ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the remote control device based on the above-described embodiment. Is a TV system characterized by In this way, the user can feel the operation on the simple ring-shaped card bundle on the remote controller side as an operation on the ring-shaped card bundle on the television side that is referred to in order to actually select content. Therefore, it is possible to provide a UI with high operability that suppresses occurrence of an operation error that impairs the operation feeling such as overturning or insufficient turning of a card bundle.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the television system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the television system of the present embodiment includes a “television device” (0900) and a “remote control device” (0910). The “television device” (0900) is based on the first embodiment, and includes a “content identification information holding unit” (0901), a “representative image storage unit” (0902), and a “turning motion video generation unit” (0903). And a “ring-shaped card bundle video generation unit” (0904) and a “display unit” (0905). In addition, the “remote control device” (0910) is also based on the first embodiment, and includes a “remote control side turning operation video generation unit” (0911) and a “remote control side simple ring card bundle video generation unit” (0912). Have. In addition, since these structural requirements have already been described in the above embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. The feature of the present embodiment is that the television device further includes a “television-side synchronous communication unit” (0906), and the remote control device further includes a “remote-control-side synchronous communication unit” (0913).

  The “TV-side synchronous communication unit” (0906) has a function of communicating in order to synchronize the operation of the video generation unit with the operation of the video generation unit of the remote control device. For example, the CPU, the main memory, infrared rays, and RF (high frequency radio waves) ) Or the like, a television side synchronous communication program, or the like.

  The “remote control side synchronous communication unit” (0913) has a function of communicating in order to synchronize the operation of the video generation unit on the remote control side with the operation of the video generation unit on the television side. It can be realized by a short-range wireless communication circuit such as a remote control side synchronous communication program.

  As a specific method of video synchronization, for example, the rotation amount of the turning operation of the (simple) ring-shaped card bundle calculated by the remote control device is transmitted from the remote control side synchronous communication unit to the television device. In the television apparatus, the television side synchronous communication unit receives the rotation amount, and generates a video of turning operation of the ring card bundle on the television side with the same rotation amount. Also, instead of the rotation amount itself, an arithmetic expression for calculating the rotation amount is stored as the same expression on the remote control side and the television side, and parameter values (such as operation amount and operation speed) for calculating the rotation amount are stored on the remote control. There is also a method of transmitting from the device and receiving on the television device.

  Alternatively, a signal is transmitted from the remote control device at the start and stop timing of the turning operation video on the remote control side. Also, there is a method of starting and stopping the turning operation video on the television side in accordance with reception of the signal when the television apparatus receives the signal to be transmitted.

  As described above, in the television system of this embodiment, the operation image of the ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the television device and the operation image of the simplified ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the remote control device can be operated synchronously. it can. Therefore, a good operational feeling can be provided to the user.

<Process flow>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the television system of the present embodiment. The steps shown below may be steps executed by each hardware configuration of the computer as described above, or may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling the computer recorded on a medium. I do not care. As shown in this figure, first, in response to an input of a content selection mode operation signal or the like on a remote control device (not shown), the television apparatus generates a video image of a ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state (step S1001) and displays it on the display. (Step S1002). The remote controller also generates a video of a simple ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state (step S1011) and displays it on a touch panel or the like (step S1012).

  Thereafter, when a turning operation for the touch panel, for example, for the turning operation is received by the remote control device (step S1013), the turning operation amount is calculated according to the tracing amount or the like (step S1014). Then, a stroking operation signal including the calculated turning motion amount is transmitted to the television apparatus (step S1015). When receiving the tracing operation signal, the television apparatus generates a turning operation image of the ring-shaped card bundle with the amount of receiving operation (step S1003) and displays it on the display (step S1004). In addition, the turning operation video of the simple ring-shaped card bundle is generated with the turning operation amount calculated by the remote control device (step S1016) and displayed on the touch panel or the like (step S1017).

  The above-described processing flow is an example of the processing flow when the tracing amount (rotation amount) is shared between the remote control television and the turning operation video is synchronized. As described above, when a signal is transmitted at the start and stop timings of the turning motion video and the turning motion video is synchronized, the remote control TV is connected before and after the animation of the turning motion video is displayed. The flow of processing may be a process of transmitting and receiving signals and starting and stopping animation display of the turning motion video according to the transmission and reception.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the television system of this embodiment can synchronize the operation video of the ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the television device and the operation video of the simplified ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the remote control device. . In this way, the user can feel the operation on the simple ring-shaped card bundle on the remote controller side as an operation on the ring-shaped card bundle on the television side that is referred to in order to actually select content. Therefore, it is possible to provide a UI with high operability that suppresses occurrence of an operation error that impairs the operation feeling such as overturning or insufficient turning of a card bundle.

Example 3
<Overview>
The television system of this embodiment is further provided with a function of changing the display line-of-sight direction of the simplified ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the remote controller in accordance with, for example, the transition of the operation mode based on the above embodiment. It is a TV system.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a line-of-sight change display of a simple ring-shaped card bundle in the remote control device of the television system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11A, for example, when a program is being viewed on a television device, the simplified ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the remote control touch panel is represented by a plan view looking down from directly above. Here, the user performs a tracing operation on the planar ring-shaped card bundle in order to perform channel zapping. Then, the television apparatus changes from the content display mode to the channel zapping (broadcast program content selection operation) mode, and a ring-shaped card bundle for that purpose is displayed. Then, in the remote control device, the display line of sight of the simple ring-shaped card bundle of the remote control touch panel changes obliquely upward as shown in FIG. 11B, and transitions to the representation in the overhead view.

  As described above, by appropriately changing the display line of sight of the simplified ring-shaped card bundle in accordance with the remote control operation, the user can easily grasp, for example, the operation of channel zapping by the difference in the display line of sight. it can.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the television system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the television system of the present embodiment includes a “television device” (1200) and a “remote control device” (1210). The “television device” (1200) has the same configuration as that of the first and second embodiments, and a description thereof will be omitted. The “remote control device” (1210) is based on the first embodiment, and includes a “remote control side turning motion image generation unit” (1211) and a “remote control side simple ring card bundle image generation unit” (1212). Have. Further, based on the second embodiment, a “remote control side synchronous communication unit” (not shown) may be provided. In addition, since these structural requirements have already been described in the above embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. The feature of the present embodiment is that the remote control side turning motion video generation unit or / and the remote control side simplified ring-shaped card bundle video generation unit of the remote control device has a “line-of-sight changing means” (1213).

  The “line-of-sight changing means” (1213) has a function of changing the display line-of-sight direction of the simplified ring-shaped card bundle according to a remote control operation, and can be realized by, for example, a CPU, a main memory, a line-of-sight change program, or the like. Specifically, for example, a table in which an ID indicating the content of remote control operation and a line-of-sight change rule that determines the direction, amount, angle, etc. of the line-of-sight change executed according to the operation is previously stored in an EEPROM or the like. When the remote controller operation is accepted, the controller (arithmetic unit) refers to the line-of-sight change rule to identify the line-of-sight change parameters (direction, amount, angle), and a simple ring card according to the parameters. For example, an image of a stationary state or / and a turning operation in which the line of sight of the bundle is changed is generated and displayed.

  Note that the association of the table for the “change in the line-of-sight direction according to the remote control operation” is not particularly limited. However, from the viewpoint of usability, it is preferable that the display line-of-sight direction be the same so that the ring-shaped card bundle of the television device and the simplified ring-shaped card bundle of the remote control device can be operated with a sense of unity. That is, for example, with respect to a remote control operation in which a ring-shaped card bundle is changed from a non-display state to a display state on a television, the simplified ring of the remote control device is set to have the same viewing direction as the ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the television For example, an association rule that changes the line-of-sight direction of the bundle of card-like cards.

  In this way, the user can obtain a feeling of operating the ring-shaped card bundle integrally with the remote control device and the television device. At the same time, depending on the display line of sight of the ring-shaped card bundle, the user is currently performing what operation (which operation should be performed), such as whether the user is viewing content or channel zapping, for example. Etc. can be easily grasped.

<Process flow>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the television system of the present embodiment. The steps shown below may be steps executed by each hardware configuration of the computer as described above, or may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling the computer recorded on a medium. I do not care. Further, since the basic processing flow is the same as that described in the above embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. As shown in this figure, the remote control device accepts a predetermined remote control operation such as a transition operation from viewing the content to the content selection mode (step S1311). Then, the display line-of-sight direction of the image of the simple ring-shaped card bundle stationary state and / or the turning operation is changed, for example, by matching the line-of-sight direction of the ring-shaped card bundle displayed on the television for content selection ( Step S1312).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, according to the television system of the present embodiment, the user can obtain a feeling of operating the ring-shaped card bundle integrally with the remote control device and the television device. At the same time, the user can easily grasp which operation he / she is currently performing (which operation should be performed) or the like based on the difference in the line of sight.

Example 4
<Overview>
The present embodiment is a television system including a remote control device and a television device. When a playback content is selected using a display provided on the remote control device, and the selected content is played back on the television display. , A television system that provides characteristic visual effects through fade-in / fade-out displays.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of content reproduction by the television system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14A, a content image that can be played back by the television device is displayed on a touch panel display provided in the remote control device of the present embodiment. This content image is, for example, an image transmitted from a television apparatus, and includes an image of a program of each channel currently received on the television. Then, for example, the user performs an operation of touching the content image on the touch panel with a finger. Then, as shown in FIG. 14B, the content image on the remote control display is displayed as an animation so as to fade out of the display. In accordance with this, the content image is animated on the television apparatus so that it fades into the display. And as shown in FIG.14 (c), the content is completely displayed on the display of a television apparatus, and the reproduction | regeneration of the content is performed.

  As described above, the television system of the present embodiment can provide a user interface that exhibits a visual effect as if the content itself was sent from the remote control to the television and the content was reproduced.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the television system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the television system of the present embodiment includes a “remote control device” (1510) and a “television device” (1500). The “remote control device” (1510) includes a “remote control display” (1511), a “first content image output unit” (1512), a “command reception unit” (1513), and a “fade out control unit” (1514). And a “communication unit” (1515).

  The “remote control display” (1511) is realized by a display or the like provided in the remote control device for displaying content images. The “content image” refers to an image representing the content content, and similarly to the above-described representation image, in the case of moving image content, image / moving image data generated by cutting out one to several frames thereof may be used. However, unlike a representational image, this content image is displayed on a remote control display with a low display capability, so it must be an image that has been subjected to resizing processing to reduce the resolution or thinning out the frame rate from the original content, for example. Is preferred.

  In addition, the remote control display may be provided on the remote control separately from the operation panel, or may be configured as a touch panel that integrates a video display function and a contact type operation function, for example. Then, the content image displayed here is controlled to fade out from the display as will be described later, and at the same time, the content is controlled to fade into the television display and played back, so that the content is sent directly from the remote control to the television. Such a characteristic visual effect can be provided to the user.

  The “first content image output unit” (1512) has a function for outputting a content image to the remote control display. For example, the CPU and main memory, other image display arithmetic devices and decoders, VRAM, or first content It can be realized by an image output program. Examples of the content image output method in the first content image output unit include a method of periodically outputting and displaying a plurality of content images in a predetermined order / random order. Alternatively, the content that matches the tag information and the like specified by the user may be output and displayed as recommended content.

  Further, the normal remote control device is not configured to directly acquire and hold content. For this reason, the content image output by the first content image output unit may be configured to use what is appropriately transmitted from a television device described later. Alternatively, if the content is a TV program content, a broadcast receiving tuner such as a one-segment tuner may be provided in the remote control device, and a content image may be acquired from the received data.

  The “command receiving unit” (1513) has a function of receiving a command for viewing the content image displayed on the remote control display on the television side. For example, various operation keys, operation buttons, or an input device such as a touch panel and the like It can be realized by an instruction reception program. Specifically, the user views the content image displayed on the remote control display, and if the content is desired, the user inputs the command by pressing a “decision key” or the like, and the command receiving unit receives the input command. , And so on. In response to this command reception, the remote control device according to the present embodiment controls the content image displayed on the remote control display to be faded out and transmits a content viewing command to the television device.

  For example, if the remote control display is a touch panel, the remote control display for displaying the content image and the command receiving unit can be configured by integral hardware. And it is good to accept the said instruction | command by the operation input which repels the content image displayed on the touchscreen display toward a television by having comprised in that way. In this manner, the command input that triggers the above-described characteristic visual effect in the television system of the present embodiment can be an input operation that matches the visual effect.

  The “fade-out control unit” (1514) has a function of controlling the content image output unit in accordance with the command to control fade-out of the image displayed on the remote control display. For example, the CPU, main memory, and other image display It can be realized by an arithmetic operation device, a decoder, a VRAM, a fade-out control program, or the like. “Fade-out control” includes, for example, control in which the number of colors is gradually reduced to a single color such as one black from the state in which the content image is displayed. By performing such fade-out control, it is possible to produce a screen effect that the content image disappears gradually. And, as will be described later, by performing a fade-in display of the content on the television side, it is possible to provide the user with a characteristic visual effect as if the content was sent directly from the remote control to the television. An example of the fade-out display of the content image on the remote control display will be described together with a fade-in display on the television side described later.

  The “communication unit” (1515) has a function of communicating with the television, and can be realized by a CPU, a main memory, a communication circuit using a high-frequency radio wave, a communication program, or the like. Then, in this communication unit, for example, the command received by the command receiving unit is output to the television apparatus. In the command output, it is preferable to output the content together with, for example, a content ID and a broadcast channel so that the content to be viewed can be specified. In addition, when a configuration is adopted in which the content image to be displayed on the remote control display is transmitted from the television apparatus, the content image is received by the communication unit. Further, in order to synchronize the fade-out display on the remote control side of the content image and the fade-in display on the television side, a timing signal may be communicated.

  Next, functional blocks of the television apparatus that constitutes the television system of this embodiment together with the remote control device will be described with reference to FIG. 15 again. As shown in FIG. 15, the “television device” (1500) includes a “television display” (1501), a “second content image output unit” (1502), a “command acquisition unit” (1503), and a “fade”. In control unit "(1504).

  The “TV display” (1501) has a function of displaying a content image. In this television display, the content image is displayed and reproduced as if it were transmitted from the remote control by Ford-in control (described later) executed in accordance with the fade-out display of the remote control device. Since the television display has an appropriate display capability unlike the remote control display, it is not necessary to perform a process of changing the resolution or frame rate of the displayed content image.

  The “second content image output unit” (1502) has a function of outputting a content image to a television display, for example, a CPU, a main memory, another image display arithmetic device or decoder, a VRAM, or a second content image output. It can be realized by a program. The output of the content image to the television display is preferably not executed before the fade-out display of the content image on the remote control device in order to maximize the visual effect of the present embodiment, but of course is not limited thereto. For example, the content image is displayed on the remote control device, and at the same time, on the television side, an animation display is performed such that a plurality of contents fly randomly around the screen. Then, when the instruction is received by the remote controller and the fade-out display of the content image is executed, one selected content image from the content displayed in the flight animation is displayed on the television side as described later. You may comprise as follows.

  The “command acquisition unit” (1503) has a function of acquiring the command from the remote control device, and can be realized by, for example, a CPU, a main memory, a communication circuit using high-frequency radio waves, a command acquisition program, or the like. Further, the command acquisition unit may be configured to acquire, for example, a timing signal for synchronizing Ford-in and fade-out, together with a command for viewing content received by the remote controller.

  Further, when a configuration is adopted in which a content image is transmitted from the television device to the remote control device, the content ID may be attached to the image data and transmitted. In this way, the content ID can be included in the command transmitted from the remote control device, and the content to be viewed can be specified on the television device side. Further, in the case of a configuration in which a content image is displayed on the remote control side with a one-segment tuner of the remote control device or the like, the received command may be configured to include channel information. Then, on the television device side, the viewing content can be specified using the channel number and the current time as keys.

  “Fade-in control unit” (1504) has a function of controlling the second content image output unit in accordance with the acquired command and performing fade-in control on the same image as that displayed on the remote control display, for example, CPU And a main memory, other image display arithmetic units, decoders, VRAMs, fade-in control programs, and the like. “Fade-in control” includes control for gradually increasing the number of colors for image display from a state in which no content image is displayed, contrary to fade-out control. By performing such fade-in control, it is possible to produce a screen effect in which content images are displayed step by step. The “same content image” means that the original content to be represented is the same. For example, the resolution and the frame rate may be different as described above.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of fade-out control in a remote control device for content images and fade-in control in a television device. As shown in FIG. 16 (a), for example, fade-out control is performed by animation display in which the content image is moved in one of the upper, lower, left, and right directions on the remote controller. In accordance with this, there is an example in which the television apparatus performs fade-in control in which the number of colors is increased so that the content image gradually moves from the display area to the display area. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16B, fade-out control is performed in which pixel blocks such as 8 × 8 constituting the content image on the remote control side are changed to black according to the order indicated by the random pattern. An example in which the television apparatus side also performs fade-in control in which the color of the pixel blocks of the content image is changed in order by sharing the order information of the random pattern. Further, as shown in FIG. 16C, fade-out control is performed so that the content image is gradually covered with a cover or the like by gradually changing the color of the content image on the remote controller side from a predetermined direction to black or the like. On the television device side, there is an example in which the number of colors of the content image is increased from the opposite side in the predetermined direction and fade-in control is performed as if the covering is gradually removed.

  When the content is moving image content such as a broadcast program, when the content image is completely displayed on the television display by such fade-in control, it is preferable to seamlessly reproduce the content from there. In this way, it is possible to provide a user interface that exhibits a visual effect as if the content itself was sent from the remote control to the television and the content was reproduced.

<Hardware configuration>
Hereinafter, the operation of each hardware component in the display control of the content image in the television system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. First, FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration when the above functional components are realized as hardware in the remote control device of the present embodiment.

  As shown in this figure, the remote control device is a first content image output unit and a fade-out control unit, and also executes a “control controller” (1711) and a “program memory” (1712) for executing various other arithmetic processes. It is equipped with. Also provided are a “display circuit” (1714) and a “touch panel” (1715) which are remote control displays and command receiving units, and a “communication circuit” (1717) which is a communication unit. The command receiving unit may be provided with an “operation key” (not shown) as a separate body from the display. In addition, an “EEPROM” (1713) for storing remote control codes and various data tables, an “image memory” (1716) for storing content images, and the like are also provided.

  Here, for example, a content image (including a content ID) transmitted from the “television device” (1700) is received by the “communication circuit” and stored in the “image memory”. Then, the “control controller” interprets the first content image output program, and outputs and displays the content image on the “touch panel” via the “display circuit” accordingly. Then, the “touch panel” accepts a touch operation input to the content image, etc., performed by the user in order to view the content image displayed on the touch panel. Then, the “control controller” interprets the fade-out control program and outputs a control command for reducing the number of colors to the display circuit accordingly. The display circuit gradually changes the color of the image data on the VRAM to black according to the control command, and controls the content image displayed on the touch panel to fade out.

  At the same time, the “control controller” interprets the command receiving program and refers to the remote control code, for example, and specifies that the received command is a content viewing command. Then, for example, a content viewing command including the content ID is generated and transmitted from the “communication circuit” to the television apparatus.

  Next, the operation of the hardware configuration unit on the television device side will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in this figure, the television apparatus is a second content image output unit and a fade-in control unit, and also executes a “CPU” (1801) and a “main memory” (1802) for executing various other arithmetic processes. It is equipped with. Also provided are a “display circuit” (1804) and “display” (1805) which are television displays, a “communication circuit” (1806) which is a command acquisition unit, and the like. Also, a “flash memory” (1803) for storing content images and the like, an “HDD” (1807) for recording and holding programs and other content data, a “tuner” (1808) for receiving program content, and external content An “external device connection terminal” (1809) for connecting to a playback device or the like, an “Internet connection circuit” (not shown), and the like are also provided.

  Then, as described above, the content viewing command including the content ID transmitted from the “remote control device” (1810) is received by the “communication circuit” and stored in the address 1 of the “main memory”. Then, the “CPU” interprets the second content image output program, and searches for a content image stored in advance in association with the content ID when transmitting the content image to the remote control device. Then, the content image that matches the content ID included in the content viewing command is specified and stored in address 2 of “main memory”. Subsequently, the “CPU” interprets the fade-in control program, and transfers the content images stored in the “main memory” to the VRAM of the display circuit in order in a predetermined pixel (or pixel block) unit. As a result, the content image is displayed in a fade-in manner on the “display” of the television. When the content image is completely displayed on the “display”, if the content is a moving image content, content reproduction from the frame of the image is executed. In the case of broadcast program content, it is preferable to use so-called “chase playback” to execute content playback from a frame of a content image while recording a program currently being broadcast.

<Process flow>
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the television system of the present embodiment. The steps shown below may be steps executed by each hardware configuration of the computer as described above, or may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling the computer recorded on a medium. I do not care. As shown in this figure, first, a content image (including a content ID) is transmitted from the television device to the remote control device (step S1901). Instead of this step, the remote control device may be provided with a step of acquiring a content image with a one-segment tuner or the like as described above. Then, when the content image is acquired by the remote control device (step S1911), the content image is displayed on the remote control display (step S1912). Then, when the user who has seen the content image touches the touch panel and receives a viewing command on the remote control device (step S1913), the received viewing command is transmitted to the television device together with the content ID and the like (step S1914). ). At the same time, the remote control device controls to fade out the content image on the remote control display (step S1915).

  On the other hand, in the television device, in response to a viewing command from the remote control device, for example, the same content image as that on the remote control display is acquired using the content ID or the like as a key (step S1902). Then, the acquired content image is controlled to be displayed in a fade-in manner on the television display (step S1903). If the content is a moving image content, reproduction from the frame of the content image is executed.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the television system of this embodiment can provide a user interface that exhibits a visual effect as if the content itself was sent from the remote control to the television and the content was reproduced.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of content selection in the television system according to the first embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the television system of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a content identification information holding unit of the television system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a turning operation image generated in the television apparatus of the television system according to the first embodiment and a ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state. The conceptual diagram showing an example of the simple ring-shaped card bundle produced | generated in the remote control apparatus of the television system of Example 1 The figure showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the television apparatus of the television system of Example 1. FIG. The figure showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the remote control apparatus of the television system of Example 1. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the television system according to the first embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the television system of Example 2. A flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the television system of the second embodiment. The figure showing an example of the gaze change display of the simple ring-shaped card bundle in the remote control apparatus of the television system of Example 3. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the remote control apparatus of the television system of Example 3. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in a remote control device of a television system according to a third embodiment. The figure for demonstrating an example of the content reproduction by the television system of Example 4. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the television system of Example 4. The figure showing an example of the fade-out control in the remote control apparatus of the content image in the television system of Example 4, and the fade-in control in a television apparatus. The figure showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the remote control apparatus of the television system of Example 4. The figure showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the television apparatus of the television system of Example 4. FIG. The flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the television system of Example 4.

Explanation of symbols

0200 Television device 0201 Content identification information holding unit 0202 Representation image holding unit 0203 Turning operation video generation unit 0204 Ring-shaped card bundle video generation unit 0205 Display unit 0210 Remote control device 0211 Remote control side turning operation video generation unit 0212 Remote control side simple ring card bundle Video generator

Claims (8)

A content identification information holding unit for holding content identification information in a predetermined order;
A representation image storage unit for storing a plurality of representation images representing the contents of the stored content;
A turning operation image generating unit that generates an image of an operation in which a ring-shaped card bundle in which at least a part of a representation image is displayed in the predetermined order according to one remote control operation is turned;
A ring-shaped card bundle video generation unit that generates a video of a ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state so that content can be selected in accordance with other remote control operations in a state where no turning operation is performed,
A display for displaying the generated video;
A television set having
A remote-side-side turning operation video generation unit that generates an image of an operation of turning a simple ring-shaped card bundle that simply displays the ring-shaped card bundle according to the one remote control operation;
A remote-side simplified ring-shaped card bundle video generation unit that generates a video of a simple ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state according to the other remote control operation;
A remote control device having
TV system consisting of. The television device has a television-side synchronization communication unit that communicates to synchronize the operation of the video generation unit with the operation of the video generation unit of the remote control device,
2. The television system according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device includes a remote control side synchronous communication unit that communicates in order to synchronize the operation of the video generation unit on the remote control side with the operation of the video generation unit on the television side. The remote controller-side turning motion image generating unit and / or the simplified ring-shaped card bundle image generating unit of the remote control device includes line-of-sight changing means for changing the display line-of-sight direction of the simplified ring-shaped card bundle according to a remote control operation. 2. The television system according to 2. A remote control display for displaying content images;
A first content image output unit for outputting a content image to the remote control display;
A command receiving unit that receives a command for viewing the content image displayed on the remote control display on the TV side;
A fade-out control unit that controls the content image output unit according to the command and performs fade-out control of the image displayed on the remote control display;
A communication unit that communicates with the television;
A remote control device having
A television display for displaying content images,
A second content image output unit for outputting a content image to a television display;
A command acquisition unit for acquiring the command from the remote control device;
A fade-in control unit that controls the second content image output unit according to the acquired command and performs fade-in control on the same image as that displayed on the remote control display;
A television set having
TV system consisting of. A television apparatus having a content identification information holding unit for holding content identification information in a predetermined order, a representation image storage unit for storing a plurality of representation images representing the contents of the held content, and a remote control device; A control method for a television system comprising:
A turning operation image generation step for generating an image of an operation in which a ring-shaped card bundle formed by bundling the representation images in which at least a part of the representation image is displayed in the predetermined order according to one remote control operation;
A ring-shaped card bundle video generation step for generating a video of a ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state so that content can be selected in accordance with other remote control operations in a state where the turning operation is not performed;
Is executed by the computer of the television set,
A remote controller-side turning operation image generation step for generating an image of an operation of turning the simplified ring-shaped card bundle in which the ring-shaped card bundle is simply displayed according to the one remote control operation;
A remote-side simplified ring-shaped card bundle video generation step for generating a video of a simple ring-shaped card bundle in a stationary state in response to the other remote control operation;
For controlling a television system by causing a computer of a remote control device to execute. In the television apparatus, the computer further executes a television side synchronous communication step for communicating in order to synchronize the operation in the video generation step with the operation in the video generation step of the remote control device,
The remote control device further causes the computer to execute a remote control side synchronization communication step for communicating in order to synchronize the operation in the video generation step on the remote control side with the operation in the video generation step on the television side. Control method.   The remote controller-side turning operation image generation step and / or the simplified ring-shaped card bundle image generation step includes a line-of-sight changing step of changing a display line-of-sight direction of the simplified ring-shaped card bundle in accordance with a remote control operation. TV system control method. A control device for a television system comprising: a remote control device having a remote control display for displaying content images; and a television device having a television display for displaying content images,
A first content image output step for outputting a content image to the remote control display;
A command receiving step for receiving a command for viewing the content image displayed on the remote control display on the television side;
A fade-out control step for fading out the image displayed on the remote control display according to the command;
A communication step for communicating with the television;
To the remote control computer,
A command acquisition step of acquiring the command from the remote control device;
A fade-in control step for controlling the output of the content image so that the same image as the image displayed on the remote control display is fade-in displayed on the television display according to the acquired command;
For controlling a television system by causing a computer of the television apparatus to execute the above.

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