JP2015070404A - Device and program for program table generation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate a program table, having good user operability and synchronized with the change of a content playback time, capable of recommending a content highly desired by the user.SOLUTION: A program table generation device includes: recommendation program table generation means for generating a recommendation program table to display one or a plurality of recommended contents for recommending view selection on the basis of viewing tendency information; program table generation means for inserting the recommendation program table into a broadcast content program table; and playback position acquisition means for acquiring the present playback position related to a video content selected to view from the recommendation program table. The program table generation means obtains an end schedule time on the basis of the present playback position of the video content, so as to change, according to the change thereof, the layout of each recommended content to be displayed on the recommendation program table.

Description

  The present invention relates to a program guide creation device and a program guide creation program, and can be applied to, for example, a program guide creation device and a program guide creation program for generating a program guide for selecting a viewing target.

  Video viewing devices such as television receivers in recent years can view video content such as broadcast content broadcast by a television broadcast station and video on demand (VOD) content received from a server via the Internet. In addition, the video viewing apparatus can also view recorded content obtained by recording video content such as broadcast content and VOD content as described above.

  Conventionally, in addition to a screen display function for displaying a program guide based on program guide data (EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data) received from a TV broadcasting station, users are encouraged to watch according to their viewing trends and preferences. There is a technique for displaying broadcast content, VOD content, and recorded content in an integrated manner in a program schedule viewing schedule (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-055095 A

  However, since the above-described viewing schedule provided by the related art is displayed separately from the program guide based on EPG data, it is not always convenient from the viewpoint of user operability.

  In addition, since the user's viewing trends and preferences have fluctuating aspects, there may be a problem that the video content that the user strongly desires to view cannot be recommended.

  Furthermore, depending on the video content to be viewed, not only normal playback but also, for example, fast forward playback, frame advance playback, second forward playback, skip forward playback, slow playback, reverse playback, fast reverse playback, frame backward playback, second playback Some operations such as reverse playback, skip back playback, slow reverse playback, and pause (hereinafter also referred to as trick play) are possible. The viewing schedule in the form of a program guide displays video content recommended for viewing in each time zone divided in units of one hour. Therefore, when the trick play as described above is performed, the playback time of the video content is changed, and the viewing end time of the content is shortened or lengthened, the shortened or extended time is shifted. The problem may be that it is not possible to provide a viewing schedule that is tuned to minutes or extended hours.

  Therefore, while improving the user operability, the user can strongly recommend the content that the user desires, and the program guide creation apparatus and program guide creation that can create a program guide that is synchronized with the playback time of the content A program is sought.

  In order to solve this problem, the first aspect of the present invention includes (1) content information storage means for storing content information of one or more types of video content, (2) broadcast content to be broadcast, and each type of content. Viewing trend information storage means for storing viewing trend information of video content, and (3) a recommendation for displaying one or more recommended contents for recommending viewing selection based on viewing trend information stored in the viewing trend information storage means A recommended program guide creating means for creating a program guide, and (4) creating a program guide for the broadcast content based on the acquired broadcast schedule information of the broadcast content and inserting the recommended program guide into the created program guide And (5) relative to the video content selected for viewing from the recommended program guide, relative to the start position in the total playback time length of the video content being played back. Based on the current playback position in the total playback time length of the video content acquired from the content playback position acquisition means by the program guide creation means. An apparatus for creating a program guide characterized in that the scheduled end time is obtained and the arrangement of each recommended content displayed on the recommended program guide is changed in accordance with the change in the scheduled end time.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there are provided a computer, (1) content information storage means for storing content information of one or a plurality of types of video content, and (2) viewing trends of broadcast content to be broadcast and video content of each type. Viewing trend information storage means for storing information; and (3) a recommended program table for displaying one or more recommended contents for recommending viewing selection based on the viewing trend information stored in the viewing trend information storage means. (4) a program guide creation means for creating a broadcast content program guide based on the broadcast schedule information of the acquired broadcast content and inserting the recommended program guide into the created program guide; ) With respect to the video content selected for viewing from the recommended program guide, the current playback relative to the start position in the total playback time length of the video content being played back Based on the current playback position in the total playback time length of the video content acquired by the program guide creation unit from the content playback position acquisition unit. And the arrangement of the recommended contents displayed on the recommended program table is changed according to the change in the scheduled end time.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to recommend content that the user strongly desires while improving the operability of the user, and it is possible to create a program table that is synchronized with the reproduction time of the content according to changes.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a content viewing system according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the operation and viewing history database which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the VOD content database which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the video recording content database which concerns on embodiment. It is a screen figure explaining the program schedule screen based on EPG data concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a screen figure explaining the recommended program integrated program schedule screen which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an example of a screen of a program guide based on EPG data concerning a 1st embodiment. It is an example of a screen of the recommended program integrated program guide which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a whole block diagram which shows the whole structure of the content viewing-and-listening system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process regarding the update of the recommended program integrated program guide which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the update of the arrangement position of the recommendation program schedule by the program schedule screen preparation part of 2nd Embodiment (the 1). It is explanatory drawing explaining the update of the arrangement position of the recommendation program schedule by the program schedule screen preparation part of 2nd Embodiment (the 2). It is explanatory drawing explaining the update of the arrangement position of the recommendation program schedule by the program schedule screen preparation part of 2nd Embodiment (the 3).

(A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a program guide creation device and a program guide creation program of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied at least to a content viewing system that enables viewing of television broadcast content from a television broadcast station, VOD content from a server, television broadcast content for missed viewing, and recorded content obtained by recording these video content. The case where the invention is applied will be exemplified.

(A-1) Configuration of First Embodiment (A-1-1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a content viewing system 1A according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a content viewing system 1A includes an external storage device such as a hard disk, a control device having a CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, input / output interface, and the like, a communication device, a display, a speaker, and the like. Is. Various functions of the content viewing system 1A may be realized by the CPU in the control device executing a processing program stored in the ROM.

  1, the content viewing system 1A according to the first embodiment includes a recording unit 11, a VOD content receiving unit 12, an operation unit 31, a tuner 32, an output control unit 34, a video / audio output unit 35, and an operation / viewing history collection. Unit 36, operation / viewing history database 37, EPG data acquisition unit 38, EPG database 39, recorded content information collection unit 40-1, recorded content database 42-1, VOD content information collection unit 40-2, VOD content database 42- 2, an interface 41, a program guide image creation unit 101, and a recommended program guide creation unit 102.

  In FIG. 1, a television broadcast station 2 corresponds to a terrestrial broadcast station, a satellite broadcast station, a cable television (CATV) broadcast station, and the like, and distributes television broadcast content. In FIG. 1, the VOD server 3 corresponds to a content distribution server or the like, and the VOD server 3 distributes original video content, or a broadcast provider distributes past TV broadcast content broadcasted by a TV broadcasting station. It is distributed as television broadcast content for missed viewing.

  Here, the TV broadcast content for missed viewing is one of broadcast services that may be provided by a network operator, and the video content is broadcast for a predetermined time before the broadcast time (for example, 30 minutes before). The side reserves and reproduces it, thereby performing temporary rewinding “view missed viewing”.

  The content viewing system 1A is capable of receiving television broadcast content broadcast by the television broadcast station 2 and outputting and displaying the received television broadcast content. The content viewing system 1A can be connected to the VOD server 3 via the network 13. The content viewing system 1A receives the VOD content received from the VOD server 3 or the TV broadcast content for missed viewing, and receives the received VOD content or missed. It is possible to output and display TV broadcast content for viewing. Furthermore, the content viewing system 1A is capable of recording received video content (television broadcast content, VOD content, missed viewing television broadcast content) and outputting and displaying the recorded content.

  In addition, the content viewing system 1A can display a program guide based on the EPG data received from the television broadcast station 2 so that a viewing program can be selected.

  Further, the content viewing system 1A analyzes the viewing trend and preference of the user in order to present the recommended program according to the viewing trend and preference of the user, and generates a recommended program table based on the analysis result. To display.

  The tuner 32 receives video content from the television broadcast station 2 or the VOD server 3. Here, if the tuner 32 is within the broadcast time during which the television broadcast content is being broadcast, the viewer 32 may miss the viewing by using a missed viewing service that can start playback of the television broadcast content from other than the television broadcast (for example, a network or the like). A missed viewing service receiving function for receiving television broadcast content for use.

  In accordance with an operation signal from the operation unit 31, the tuner 32 sends the video signal and the audio signal of the television broadcast content broadcast in real time and the television broadcast content for missed viewing to the video / audio output unit 35 via the output control unit 34. Output. The tuner 32 can control the VOD content receiving unit 12 connected via the interface 41. The tuner 32 receives the video signal and the audio signal of the VOD content received and reproduced by the VOD content receiving unit 12. Then, the data is output to the video / audio output unit 35 via the output control unit 34. Further, the tuner 32 can control the recording unit 11 connected via the interface 41, and outputs video signals and audio signals of recorded content recorded and reproduced by the recording unit 11 to an output control unit. And output to the video / audio output unit 35.

  The VOD content receiving unit 12 receives (downloads) VOD content from the VOD server 3 via the network 13 typified by the Internet. The VOD content receiving unit 12 receives VOD content based on an operation signal from the operation unit 31 and outputs the received VOD content to the output control unit 34. When the VOD content receiving unit 12 receives the VOD content, the attribute information of the VOD content is collected in the VOD content information collecting unit 40-2 via the interface 41, and the attribute information of the VOD content is stored in the VOD content database 42-2. Remembered.

  The recording unit 11 receives television broadcast content based on an operation signal from the operation unit 31 and stores it as recorded content. The recording unit 11 outputs the recorded content based on the operation signal from the operation unit 31 to the output control unit 34. When the recording unit 11 records content, the attribute information of the recorded content is collected in the recorded content information collection unit 40-1, and the attribute information of the recorded content is stored in the recorded content database 42-1.

  The operation unit 31 provides the tuner 32 with operation signals corresponding to various operations input by user operations.

  The output control unit 34 receives the TV broadcast content input from the TV broadcast content receiving unit 32, the recorded content input from the recording unit 11 via the interface 41, or the VOD content input from the VOD content receiving unit 12. Then, predetermined signal processing (image signal processing, audio signal processing, etc.) is performed, the video is displayed on the display 35a of the video / audio output unit 35, and the audio is output from the speaker 35b of the video / audio output unit 35. Further, the output control unit 34 causes the program guide input from the program guide screen creation unit 101 to be displayed on the display 35 a of the video / audio output unit 35. Further, the output control unit 34 causes the display 35 a of the video / audio output unit 35 to display a program table incorporating the recommended program table created by the recommended program table creation unit 102 based on the operation signal from the operation unit 31.

  Based on the operation signal from the operation unit 31, the operation / viewing history collection unit 36 stores the operation / viewing information of the user who is a viewer at a predetermined sampling period (for example, every few seconds, every minute, every five minutes, etc.). ), And the operation / viewing history database 37 is notified of the operation / viewing information.

  Here, the operation / viewing information is included in the viewing trend information, and includes viewing time information, video content type selected by the user, video content attribute information, user operation information, viewing period information, and the like.

  The viewing time information is information related to the date, time, and day of the week when the user viewed the video content.

  The video content type is, for example, a type such as TV broadcast content, recorded content, VOD content, missed viewing TV broadcast content, and the like. This is to know the type of viewing such as whether the video content viewed by the user is a television broadcast content or a VOD content.

  The attribute information of the video content includes the genre of the video content viewed by the user (for example, news report, drama, variety, documentary, movie, animation, education, song, etc.), title, performer / writer (leading actor, moderator, Information, etc.), producer (TV broadcast station, production studio, director, etc.), production year, search keyword, etc. When the video content is a VOD content, a recorded content, or a television broadcast content for missed viewing, it may further include information on the playback time of the video content and whether recording is possible temporarily. In addition, when the video content is a television broadcast content, it may further include the playback time of the video content, the broadcast day of the week, the broadcast time, and the like.

  The user operation information includes, for example, information related to the next user operation [1] to user operation [7].

  The user operation [1] is an operation for selecting a television broadcast content broadcast in that time zone in accordance with a television broadcast channel designated for the tuner 32 in order to view the television broadcast content.

  The user operation [2] is an operation for selecting the missed viewing television broadcast content broadcast in the broadcast time zone of the television broadcast channel to the tuner 32 in order to view the missed viewing broadcast content.

  The user operation [3] is a control operation for the television broadcast content for missed viewing with respect to the tuner 32. Control operations include, for example, playback, fast forward playback, frame forward playback, second forward playback, skip forward playback, slow playback, reverse playback, fast reverse playback, frame backward playback, second backward playback, skip backward playback, slow reverse playback, pause There are operations such as.

  The user operation [4] is a recording reservation operation and a recording operation for the selected television broadcast content with respect to the recording unit 11.

  The user operation [5] is a recording content control operation for the recording unit 11. Control operations in this case also include, for example, playback, fast forward playback, frame forward playback, second forward playback, skip forward playback, slow playback, reverse playback, fast reverse playback, frame backward playback, second backward playback, skip backward playback, slow reverse playback. Operations such as playback and pause are included.

  The user operation [6] is a VOD content selection operation for the VOD content receiving unit 12.

  The user operation [7] is a VOD content control operation for the VOD content receiving unit 12. Control operations in this case also include, for example, playback, fast forward playback, frame forward playback, second forward playback, skip forward playback, slow playback, reverse playback, fast reverse playback, frame backward playback, second backward playback, skip backward playback, slow backward playback. , Operations such as pausing are included.

  The viewing period information is the time required for the user to view the video content. For example, when the user who has viewed the VOD content performs fast-forward playback, the actual viewing time becomes shorter than the playback time included in the attribute information of the VOD content. Thus, viewing time information intends the actual viewing time of the user who viewed the video content.

  The operation / viewing history database 37 recognizes the current and past viewing trends and preferences of the user, so that the user is based on the operation / viewing history information notified by the operation / viewing history collection unit 36 at a predetermined sampling period. Is stored in association with viewing time information, video content type, broadcast channel, video content attribute information, control operation information, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the operation / viewing history database 37 according to the embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the operation / viewing history database 37 includes, for example, “viewing time information”, “type”, “attribute information”, “user operation information”, “playback time”, “viewing period information”, and the like. Have items. Of course, the operation / viewing history database 37 may include more detailed attribute information, titles, and the like.

  In the case of the example in FIG. 2, the viewing time information does not have to be arranged in order from the latest, but in this example, the viewing time is arranged in order from the latest.

  For example, in FIG. 2, the user views “attribute information: sports program (soccer)” on “viewing time information: 2013/8/1, 18:00:00, Thursday” and then “viewing time information: 2013/8/1, 18:45:00, Thursday "It is assumed that the user switches the broadcast channel and views" attribute information: medical drama ". In the case of the above example, the operation / viewing history database 37 in FIG. 2 shows that the user has “viewing time information: 2013/8/1, 18:45:00, Thursday”, “ This indicates a case where information related to “attribute information: medical drama” which is “type: TV broadcast content” is accumulated. In this case, the attribute information of the video content includes “genre: medical drama”, “performer: XX”, “producer / author: XX”, “production year: XX”, “keyword: sixth”. Information such as “Talk” is accumulated. Furthermore, “playback time: 60 (minutes)” of the video content is set, and information “viewing period information: 60 (minutes)” actually viewed by the user is accumulated. Similar item information is stored for other data. Further, when the type of video content is VOD content, recorded content, or television broadcast content for missed viewing, detailed user operation information is accumulated.

The EPG data acquisition unit 38 receives EPG data from the television broadcasting station 2 and outputs it to the EPG database 39.
The EPG database 39 stores EPG data input from the EPG data acquisition unit 38. The accumulated EPG data is retained until a predetermined period has elapsed after the television broadcast content corresponding to the EPG data is broadcast, and then erased.

  The VOD content information collection unit 40-2 acquires VOD content attribute information from the VOD content reception unit 12 connected via the interface 41, and outputs it to the content database 42. Note that the VOD content information collection unit 40-2 can also acquire VOD content attribute information from a predetermined server on the network 13.

  The VOD content database 42-2 holds VOD content attribute information held in the VOD content receiving unit 12. Here, the VOD content attribute information includes, for example, the VOD content genre, title, performer, producer / author, production year, keyword, VOD content playback time, viewing time limit information, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the VOD content database 42-2 according to the embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the VOD content database 42-2 includes items such as “reception date information”, “type”, “attribute information”, “reproduction time”, “viewing status”, “viewing deadline”, and the like. Have Of course, the VOD content database 42-2 may include more detailed attribute information, titles, and the like.

  In FIG. 3, the reception date / time information may not be arranged in order from the latest, but in this example, the reception date / time information is arranged in order from the latest.

  For example, in the VOD content database 42-2 of FIG. 3, “viewing time information: 2013/8/1, 00:00:00, Thursday” and “type: VOD content” are “attribute information” on the first line. : "Medical drama" is accumulated. In this case, as attribute information of the video content, “genre: medical drama”, “performer: XX”, “producer / author: XX”, “production year: XX”, “keyword: fifth” Information such as “Talk” is accumulated. Furthermore, “playback time: 60 (minutes)” of the video content is set, and the viewing state of the VOD content is “viewing state: watched”. Further, according to the contract between the user and the content distribution company, information that the viewing deadline of the VOD content is “viewing deadline: 2013/8/9” is accumulated. Similar item information is stored for other data.

  The recorded content information collection unit 40-1 acquires the attribute information of the recorded content from the recording unit 11 connected via the interface 41 and outputs it to the content database 42. The recorded content information collection unit 40-1 can also acquire the attribute information of the recorded content from a predetermined server on the network 13.

  The recorded content database 42-1 holds attribute information of recorded content stored in the recording unit 11. The attribute information of recorded content includes, for example, recording date and time information, genre of recorded content, performers, producers, authors, production year, playback time of recorded content, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the recorded content database 42-1 according to the embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the recorded content database 42-1 includes items such as “broadcast time zone (recording date information)”, “type”, “attribute information”, “playback time”, “viewing status”, and the like. Have Of course, the recorded content database 42-1 may include more detailed attribute information, titles, and the like.

  In FIG. 4, the broadcast time zones (recording date information) need not be arranged in order from the latest one. In this example, the broadcast time zones (recording date information) are arranged in order from the latest one. Indicates the case.

  For example, in the recorded content database 42-1 of FIG. 4, the first line includes “broadcast time zone (recording time information): 2013/7/31, 00:00:00, Wednesday”, “type: recording. Content related to “attribute information: sports (soccer)” as “content” is accumulated. In this case, the attribute information of the video content includes “genre: sports (soccer)”, “performer: XX”, “producer / author: XX”, “production year: XX”, “keyword: Information such as “Team A, Team C, Section 2...” Is accumulated. Furthermore, “reproduction time: 120 (minutes)” of the video content is set, and information of “viewing state: unviewed” is stored as the viewing state of the VOD content. Similar item information is stored for other data.

  Note that the video content (recorded content or on-demand content) held in each of the recording unit 11 and the VOD content receiving unit 12 is acquired by the recorded content information collecting unit 40-1 and the VOD content information collecting unit 40-2. However, they may be held in the recorded content database 42-1 and the VOD content database 42-2, respectively.

  The program guide screen creation unit 101 creates a program guide screen for the user to select a viewing target. The program guide screen creation unit 101 creates a program guide based on the EPG data provided from the television broadcasting station 2. Various formats can be adopted as the display format of the program guide. For example, a table format program table in which the row direction is a time zone and the column direction is a broadcast channel, or a table format program in which the row and column are reversed and the row direction is a broadcast channel and the column direction is a time zone It may be a table.

  Further, the program guide screen creation unit 101 acquires information on the recommended program guide created by the recommended program guide creation unit 102, and combines the recommended program guide based on the information on the recommended program guide with the program guide screen based on the EPG data. Screen (hereinafter referred to as a recommended program integrated program guide screen) is created. For example, the recommended program integrated program guide screen may be displayed by replacing a program guide of a part of broadcast channels among a plurality of broadcast channels displayed in a program guide based on EPG data with a recommended program guide. good.

  The recommended program guide creation unit 102 creates information related to a recommended program guide of video content recommended to the user (hereinafter also referred to as recommended content) based on the viewing trend or preference of the user. When receiving an operation signal for instructing display of a recommended program guide by a user operation, the recommended program guide creating unit 102 gives information related to the created recommended program guide to the program guide screen creating unit 101.

  Here, the recommended program table creation unit 102 statistically analyzes the operation / history information stored in the operation / viewing history database 37 to obtain the genre of the video content recommended for viewing by the user. The number of genres of video content recommended for viewing by the user is set to a predetermined number (for example, 1 genre, 2 genres, 3 genres, etc.) from among those with high priority.

  The recommended program guide creation unit 102 selects a genre having a high priority from the following viewpoint.

(A) When there is the latest continuous viewing behavior, the attribute value of the video content that the user has selected to view is set as a high-priority genre.

(B) Video content of a genre with a large number of viewings counted in units of one hour is selected as a high-priority genre from all viewing records in the past predetermined period (for example, 6 months, one year, etc.).

  In addition, when the recommended program table creation unit 102 selects a genre of video content recommended for viewing by the user, the recommended program table creation unit 102 obtains information on the video content in the genre of the video content, the EPG database 39, the recorded content database 42-1, and the VOD content database. Obtained from 42-2. Then, the recommended program table creation unit 102 further narrows down the recommended video content for each genre based on the information about the video content acquired from the EPG database 39, the recorded content database 42-1, and the VOD content database 42-2. The video content recommended for viewing is arranged in time series for each genre, and information on the recommended program table is created. The detailed method of narrowing down video contents and arranging them in time series will be described in the section of operation.

(A-1-2) Program Guide Screen and Recommended Program Integrated Program Guide Screen FIG. 5 is a screen diagram for explaining a program guide screen based on EPG data according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the program guide screen 51 based on EPG data is similar to an existing program guide screen for terrestrial broadcasting or the like. It is a screen in a table format having The program guide screen 51 of FIG. 5 is provided with a selection button 511 for displaying a recommended program such as “display recommended program” at the upper left portion of the screen. The user can select the selection button 511 using the operation unit 31.

  FIG. 6 is a screen diagram for explaining the recommended program integrated program guide screen according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the recommended program integrated program guide screen 52 is a program guide screen including a recommended program guide based on information related to the recommended program created by the recommended program guide creating unit 102.

  When the selection button 511 illustrated in FIG. 5 is selected, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the program table of some TV broadcast channels in the program table based on EPG data is replaced with the recommended program table. Yes.

  For example, “sports (soccer)” and “medical drama” are selected as the genres of video content recommended for viewing by the recommended program guide creation unit 102. Further, the recommended program table creation unit 102 obtains the priority for narrowing down the recommended video content for each genre of “sports (soccer)” and “medical drama”, and in chronological order from the highest priority for narrowing down. Information on the recommended program guides arranged is created and given to the program guide screen creation unit 101. The program guide screen creation unit 101 creates, for example, program guides “recommended soccer” 521 and “recommended medical drama” 522 based on the information related to the recommended program guide of “sports (soccer)” and “medical drama”. 5 is replaced with a “Recommended Soccer” 521 program guide, and the “YY TV” program guide of FIG. 5 is replaced with a “Recommended Medical Drama” 522 program guide. In this way, a program guide screen including the recommended program guide is created. In order to distinguish the recommended program guide from the program guide of other TV broadcast channels, for example, the headline may be enlarged, the color may be changed, or the character font may be changed. good.

(A-2) Operation of First Embodiment Next, processing in the content viewing system 1A according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

  A user who is a viewer uses the operation unit 31 to instruct a program guide display operation. When the program guide display operation is performed, the EPG data acquisition unit 38 acquires EPG data from the television broadcasting station 2, and the EPG data is stored in the EPG database 39.

  The program guide screen creation unit 101 creates a current program guide screen based on the EPG data stored in the EPG database 39, and displays the created program guide screen on the display 35a.

  For example, the program guide screen 51 illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display 35a. When the “Recommended program display” selection button 511 in the program guide screen 51 is selected by the user's operation, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 is selected. However, the recommended program guide is created by the following operation, and the program guide screen creation unit 101 creates a program guide screen incorporating the recommended program guide based on the created recommended program guide information and displays it on the display 35a. .

  Here, a method of creating recommended program guide information by the recommended program guide generator 102 will be described.

  First, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 statistically analyzes the operation / viewing history information (log) of the operation / viewing history database 37 and narrows down the recommended genres from the following two viewpoints.

(A) When there is a recent continuous viewing behavior, the attribute value of the broadcast and content selected there is set as a high priority genre.

(B) A genre having a large number of views counted in units of one hour is selected as a high priority genre from all viewing records in a certain period in the past.

  At this time, the number of recommended genres to be narrowed down by the recommended program table creation unit 102 is narrowed down to about one or two.

  Specifically, among the latest video contents stored in the operation / viewing history database 37, the genre of the video content whose playback time is a predetermined time or more is specified. Here, the latest video content may be the top (for example, about 3 or 5) video content stored in the operation / viewing history database 37. In addition, the playback time is set to be a predetermined time or more when there is a case where the power is turned off immediately after changing the zapping or broadcasting channel, and in such a case, it may not be reflected in the user's preference. This is because even video content stored in the first row or the upper row of the television broadcast content operation / viewing history database 37 can be selected with a playback time longer than a predetermined time.

  Further, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 selects a genre with a large number of views counted in one hour unit from among all viewing records in the past predetermined period stored in the operation / viewing history database 37 with a higher priority. To do. In addition, although it is set as the frequency | count of viewing of the video content watched per hour here, for example, it is good also as a unit for 30 minutes or 40 minutes.

  In this way, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 selects one or two recommended genres with high priority.

  Next, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 extracts video content belonging to the recommended genre from video content stored in the EPG database 39, the recorded content database 42-1, and the VOD content database 42-2.

  Then, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 provides detailed attribute information regarding the television broadcast content belonging to the recommended genre based on information acquired from the EPG database 42-2, the recorded content database 42-1 and the VOD content database 42-2. Based on the statistical analysis, broadcast time zone, time required for playback (playback time), viewing state, viewing time limit, etc., are arranged in order in time series and output in the form of a program guide.

  At this time, the recommended program table creation unit 102 obtains information such as attribute information and playback time of video content stored in the EPG database 39, the recorded content database 42-1, and the VOD content database 42-2. More specifically, for television broadcast content, information such as attribute information and broadcast time zone of the television broadcast content is acquired from the EPG database 39. For recorded content, information such as recording date and time information, attribute information of the recorded content, playback time, viewing state, and the like is acquired. For VOD content, information such as reception date and time information, VOD content attribute information, playback time, viewing state, viewing time limit, and the like are acquired.

  Here, the recommended program table creation unit 102 assigns priorities to the video contents from the following viewpoints, and arranges the video contents with high priorities in time series as recommended programs.

(A) The recommended program guide creation unit 102 determines whether there is video content that has been viewed continuously recently. Next, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 is a part of video content whose video content is continuous content (for example, video content broadcast every day, weekly, etc.) and the user has most recently continued. When the video content before and after the video content is not viewed as recorded content or VOD content, the priority of the video content is increased. That is, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 sets a part of the unviewed video content in a time zone immediately after the end of the current program.

  Here, the continuous content includes, for example, a continuous drama and sports content that is divided into section 0 and the like in which scheduled game dates are summarized, such as soccer.

  In addition, although it is the continuous content watched most recently, when the video content before and behind that part is not in the recorded content or the VOD content or has been watched, the processing proceeds to the next (b).

(B) Next, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 performs the latest for each recommended genre based on the attribute information of the video content acquired from the EPG database 39, the recorded content database 42-1, and the VOD content database 42-2. Video content having high identity with the viewed content is extracted, and the priority of video content having high identity is increased. Here, the video content having high identity is the identity of a genre, a performer, a producer / author, a keyword, and the like based on attribute information of the video content. For example, in the case of the recommended genre “sports”, the identity of the competition item, team name, player name, league type, tournament name, etc. is determined. In the case of the recommended genre “movie”, it is the identity of the leading actor name, director name, detailed genre (for example, SF, comedy, suspense, mystery, etc.). For example, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 extracts attribute information and its value with a high priority of narrowing down the viewer from statistical analysis of past viewing records (the tendency to see a movie of a specific actor regardless of the detailed genre) If it is strong, match the actor names with high priority.)

(C) The recommended program guide creation unit 102 determines whether or not it is not viewed or is viewable based on the video content information acquired from the EPG database 39, the recorded content database 42-1 and the VOD content database 42-2 (for example, a television broadcast). In the case of content, it is determined whether or not there is video content that is close to the broadcast time zone, and in the case of VOD content, the content viewing time limit is close.

(D) The recommended program guide creation unit 102 determines whether the content is continuous content based on the attribute information of the video content acquired from the EPG database 39, the recorded content database 42-1, and the VOD content database 42-2. , Increase the priority of video content. The recommended program guide creation unit 102 arranges the continuous content in the order of production date.

  Next, when there are a plurality of narrowed down contents having the same priority and there is no clear priority in the time-series enumeration, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 has the following three viewpoints for these video contents: From the content provision type, enumeration priorities are assigned.

(E) Priority is given to content that is open to the public.

  For example, when a user purchases a viewing right with a limited viewing period in a VOD service or the like, priority is given to video content that has a viewing time limit and has not been viewed.

  In addition, for example, priority is given to video content that has been released by a VOD service or the like for a limited period of time.

(F) It is a video content recorded in the recorded content database 42-1 by the broadcast recording function, and is given priority from the oldest recording time.

(G) Lower the priority of current TV broadcast content. Further, when the television broadcast content is in a state where it can be recorded by the recording function, the priority is further lowered.

  This is because the television broadcast contents can be displayed in the program guide, and therefore, the priority is lowered for those that are not displayed within the displayable period. Furthermore, when the recording unit 11 is a recording target, the priority is further lowered.

  In addition, when there is no ongoing viewing and display of the recommended program guide is required (for example, the program guide is displayed immediately after the TV is attached), the recommended program guide creating unit 102 is based on the operation / viewing history information. The viewing trend of the video content viewed by the user in the past in the same day of the week and the same target time zone as the target time zone (that is, the current time zone) for displaying the recommended program is determined.

  When there is video content of the recommended genre that the user has viewed in the past, the recommended program guide creation unit 102 creates recommended program guide information according to the above-described enumeration rules (a) to (g).

  On the other hand, when there is video content of the recommended genre that the user has viewed in the past, the recommended program table creation unit 102 extracts the detailed attribute information of the genre and video content based on the total amount analysis based on the operation / viewing history information. Thus, the program guide is output according to the enumeration rules (i) to (g).

  7 and 8 are diagrams showing examples of display screens of the recommended program integrated program guide according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a program guide screen based on EPG data, and FIG. 8 is a program guide screen incorporating a recommended program guide.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the program guide information 521 and 522 for several channels generated by the recommended program guide generator 102 is imposed on a part of the normal program guide generated by the program guide screen generator 101. One program guide screen is provided to the viewer.

  If there is a lot of content with high priority in one recommended genre, for example, the enumeration amount exceeds 6 consecutive hours, the recommended genre is classified by detailed genre and a program guide for a plurality of channels is output to the viewer. You may be prompted to select.

  Further, the recommended program table may be scrollable in the time zone by the user operation, like the program table. Thereby, for example, the number of recommended programs that are displayed in the program table may be displayed, and the recommended programs may be selected by scrolling.

(A-3) Effects of the First Embodiment As described above, according to the first embodiment, the content of a genre that the user is currently watching or interested in watching, for example, a television broadcast content, There is an effect that it is possible to passively present a viewing schedule (recommended program guide) and obtain an opportunity to select viewing without being conscious of the difference in providing services such as VOD content and recorded content.

(B) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the program guide creation apparatus and program guide creation program of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(B-1) Configuration of Second Embodiment FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a content viewing system 1B according to the second embodiment.

  9, the content viewing system 1B includes an external storage device such as a hard disk, a control device having a CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, input / output interface, and the like, a communication device, and the like. . Various functions of the content viewing system 1A may be realized by the CPU in the control device executing a processing program stored in the ROM.

  9, the content viewing system 1B according to the second embodiment includes a recording unit 11, a VOD content receiving unit 12, an operation unit 31, a tuner 32, an output control unit 34, a video / audio output unit 35, and an operation / viewing history collection. Unit 36, operation / viewing history database 37, EPG data acquisition unit 38, EPG database 39, recorded content information collection unit 40-1, recorded content database 42-1, VOD content information collection unit 40-2, VOD content database 42- 2, an interface 41, a program guide image creation unit 101, a recommended program guide creation unit 102, and a content reproduction position collection unit 103.

  The second embodiment includes a content reproduction position collection unit 103 in addition to the functional configuration of the content viewing system 1A of FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The content reproduction position collecting unit 103 is connected to the recorded content database 42-1, the VOD content database 42-2, the EPG database 39, the operation / viewing history database 37, the recommended program table generating unit 101, and the recommended program table generating unit 102. The

  When the video content selected and viewed from the recommended program guide is a VOD content, a recorded content, or a television broadcast content for missed viewing, the content playback position collection unit 103 selects the video content according to the playback control operation by the user. The playback time position is collected. That is, the content playback position collection unit 103 calculates the total time length (time required for playback) of the video content being played back and the current playback time (that is, the relative time from the playback start point of the content). A set of playback position information is recorded.

  This is because, when playing back VOD content, recorded content, or TV broadcast content for missed viewing, for example, when playing with trick play such as fast forward playback, rewind playback, jump playback, etc., the playback time changes and the end time changes. . The content playback position collection unit 103 monitors the current playback time of the video content in order to obtain the actual end time of the video content to be played back.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the program guide screen creation unit 101 creates a screen of a recommended program integrated program guide based on a display request operation by a user.

  Further, the program guide screen creation unit 101 updates the screen of the recommended program integrated program guide as time elapses or the viewing of video content ends. At this time, the program guide screen creation unit 101 performs the current playback based on the playback time position information of the video content (VOD content, recorded content, missed viewing TV broadcast content) monitored by the content playback position collection unit 103. The end time (scheduled end time) of the current video content is determined.

  When the end time of the currently played video content changes due to the video content playback control operation by the user, the program guide screen creation unit 101 displays the currently displayed video content in the recommended program integrated program guide. The end time is updated anew, or the arrangement position of the recommended programs thereafter is updated with the update of the end time.

  Here, the update of the arrangement position of the recommended program basically means that the order of the recommended programs created by the recommended program table creation unit 102 is not changed, and the shortening time associated with shortening or extending the end time of the video content. Alternatively, it means that the arrangement of the video content after that is advanced or lowered according to the extension time.

  However, the video content whose array position is to be updated is VOD content, recorded content, or missed viewing TV broadcast among video content listed as recommended programs. That is, the arrangement position is not changed for a broadcast broadcast content with a fixed broadcast time zone.

(B-2) Operation of Second Embodiment Next, the operation of processing in the content viewing system 1B of the second embodiment will be described in detail.

  Conventionally, the program table based on the EPG data is updated on the display 35a by the user operation at the following timing.

  For example, when the hour of the hour of the program schedule reaches 0 minutes, the television broadcast content for the previous hour cannot be viewed, so that the television broadcast content is updated so as not to be displayed.

  Also, it is updated when the end time of the currently broadcast television broadcast content is reached and the EPG data acquisition unit 38 acquires the next program information and should be displayed.

  When the recommended program integrated program table in which the recommended program table is incorporated is displayed on the display 35a, it is desirable to update the display part of the recommended program integrated program table method in synchronism with the same timing as the program table. .

  Here, when the VOD content or the recorded content is presented as the recommended program, as described above, the recommended program is incorporated into the program guide of some broadcast channels in the program guide.

  However, the broadcast time of the VOD content, the recorded content, etc. is not determined as in the case of the television broadcast content. The actual viewing start of the user is due to the reproduction start operation performed by the user, and the end time is the program Deviation from the end time of the table may occur. Further, when the user performs a trick play operation, the playback time of the VOD content, the recorded content, etc. changes, so that the deviation of the end time from the end time of the program guide changes.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the content playback position collection unit 103 manages the playback position of the VOD content and the recorded content as follows, and the program guide screen creation unit 101 synchronizes with the difference in end time as follows. The recommended program table is displayed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing relating to the update of the recommended program integrated program guide according to the second embodiment.

  First, in response to a user operation, as shown in the first embodiment, a screen of a recommended program integrated program guide in which a recommended program guide is incorporated is displayed on the display 35a.

  On the screen of the recommended program integrated program guide, in order to view the video content of the recommended program guide, the user selects a desired video content from the video content displayed on the recommended program display (S101). The output control unit 34 displays the video content selected for viewing by the user on the display 35.

  At this time, if the video content selected for viewing by the user is a television broadcast content, the received television broadcast content is directly displayed on the display 35a. On the other hand, when the video content selected for viewing by the user is video content other than the TV broadcast content (that is, VOD content, recorded content, TV broadcast content for missed viewing), the selected video content is displayed on the display 35a. It is.

  When the video content selected for viewing by the user is something other than the television broadcast content (S102), when the video content (VOD content, recorded content, missed viewing television broadcast content) is played back by the user operation, the content playback position collection unit 103 Records the current playback time in order to hold the actual playback time (S103).

  At this time, the content reproduction position collection unit 103 acquires information regarding the selected video content from the recorded content database 42-1 and the VOD content database 42-2. Specifically, the total time length (reproduction time) of the video content is acquired (S104).

  Next, the content reproduction position collection unit 103 refers to the operation / viewing history database 37 and monitors a control operation related to viewing of the video content by the user. That is, it is monitored whether or not a trick play operation is performed by the user and the reproduction time is changed.

  That is, the content playback position collection unit 103 records the current playback time, which is a relative time from the beginning of the video content (S105).

  For example, in addition to normal playback, fast forward playback, frame forward playback, second forward playback, skip forward playback, slow playback, reverse playback, fast reverse playback, frame backward playback, second backward playback, skip backward playback, slow backward playback When trick play such as playback or pause is performed, the current playback position (current time) also sequentially changes over the entire time length of the video content, but the content playback position collection unit 103 Is monitored, the current playback position can be specified.

  As described above, the program guide screen creation unit 101 can update the program guide based on the EPG data received from the television broadcasting station 2.

  When updating the program guide, the program guide screen creation unit 101 synchronizes the recommended program guide with the change in the actual video content end time, so that all of the video content currently being played back from the content playback position collection unit 103 is updated. The time length and the current playback time are acquired, and the end time of the video content is obtained. That is, the end time can be obtained by subtracting the current playback time (playback position) from the total time length of the video content. For example, when viewing with fast-forward playback at 1.5 times speed, it is possible to predict the end time in consideration of the playback speed.

  Further, the program guide screen creation unit 101 adds the predicted end time to the scheduled end time of the video content by adding the predicted end time from the playback start time of the video content recorded by the content playback position collection unit 103. It can be obtained (S106).

  The program guide screen creation unit 101 corrects the arrangement of the recommended program guide of the recommended genre selected by the user based on the scheduled end time of the video content obtained as described above (S107).

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the update of the arrangement position of the recommended program guide by the program guide screen creation unit 101 according to the second embodiment (part 1).

  FIG. 11 illustrates a case where the arrangement position of the VOD content displayed in the recommended program guide is updated. FIG. 11A shows an example of a program guide screen based on EPG data, and FIGS. 11B to 11F show only recommended program guides. Further, in FIGS. 11B to 11F, in order to clearly show the difference in the recommended program table to be updated, the time zone in the row direction is not changed.

  In FIG. 11A, when the “Recommended Program Display” selection button 511 is selected, a recommended program table as shown in FIG. 11B is displayed. Here, the display frame of the video content of the recommended program is a section having a size corresponding to the time length.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the recommended genre “medical drama” is “medical drama # 1 (VOD)”, “10:00 to 11:00”, which is VOD content at “9:00 to 10:00”. "VOD content" Medical Drama # 2 (VOD) "," 11: 00-12: 00 "TV broadcast content" Medical Drama # 7 (Broadcast) "," 12: 00-13: 00 " TV broadcast content “Medical Drama # 8 (Broadcast)”, “13: 00-14: 00” VOD content “Medical Drama # 3 (VOD)”, “14: 00-15: 00” The “medical drama # 4 (VOD)” which is the VOD content is displayed.

  In FIG. 11B, among the recommended genre “medical drama”, “medical drama # 1 (VOD)” which is a VOD content is selected for viewing and 1.5-speed fast forward playback is selected by a user operation. To do.

  For example, if 20 minutes have passed since the video content of “medical drama # 1 (VOD)” has been played back, and the display operation of the recommended program guide is performed by the user operation, the program guide screen creation unit 101 displays the content. Based on the total time length of the video content acquired from the playback position collection unit 103 and the current playback position, the scheduled end time is obtained as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 11C, the program guide screen creation unit 101 performs “medical drama # 1 (VOD) in the time zone from“ 9:00 to 10:00 ”based on the scheduled end time of the video content. The display frame of “medical drama # 2 (VOD)” is started following the scheduled end time of “medical drama # 1 (VOD)”. Move upward. At this time, since the broadcast time of the television broadcast contents “medical drama # 7 (broadcast)” and “medical drama # 8 (broadcast)” is fixed, the position of the display frame is not changed. Therefore, in the time zone “10:00 to 11:00”, a blank space is generated between the end time of “medical drama # 2 (VOD)” and the end time “11:00” of the time zone.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11C, the program guide screen creating unit 101 is a part of the display frame of “medical drum # 3 (VOD)” that is the next recommended program of the television broadcast content that does not shift the display frame. Is displayed between the end time of “medical drama # 2 (VOD)” and the end time “11:00” of the time zone. By shifting a part of the display frame of “Medical Drama # (VOD)”, the time zone from the end time of “Medical Drama # 4 (VOD)” in the time zone “14: 00-15: 00” Since the blank until the end time of “15:00” occurs, the program guide screen creation unit 101 displays a part of the display frame of the next recommended program “medical drama # 5 (VOD)” in the blank. Display.

  Next, it is assumed that viewing of the video content of “medical drama # 1 (VOD)” played by fast-forward playback at 1.5 times speed ends after 40 minutes from the start of playback. At this time, if a recommended program guide display operation is performed by a user operation, the program guide screen creation unit 101, as shown in FIG. 11 (D), views in a time zone from “9:00 to 10:00”. Deletes the display frame of “medical drama # 1 (VOD)” of the VOD content that has been completed. Further, the program guide screen creation unit 101 displays a display frame of “medical drama # 2 (VOD)” starting from the current time in the time zone from “9:00 to 10:00” (display frame corresponding to one hour length) ) Is displayed.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 11 (D), the broadcast time of the television broadcast contents “medical drama # 7 (broadcast)” and “medical drama # 8 (broadcast)” is fixed, and thus displayed. Do not change the frame position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11D, from the end time of “medical drama # 2 (VOD)” in the time zone “10:00 to 11:00” to the end time “11:00” of the time zone. In the meantime, a part of the display frame of “medical drum # 3 (VOD)” which is the next recommended program of the television broadcast content that does not shift the display frame (display frame corresponding to 20 minutes long) is displayed. A part of the display frame of “medical drum # 3 (VOD)” (display frame corresponding to a length of 40 minutes) is displayed in the “13: 00-14: 00” time zone, followed by the end time. The display frame of “medical drama # 4 (VOD)” is displayed. In addition, during the time period “14: 00-15: 00”, the following recommended program will appear between the end time of “Medical Drama # 4 (VOD)” and the end time “15:00” of the time period. A part of the display frame of a certain “medical drama # 5 (VOD)” (display frame corresponding to a length of 20 minutes) is displayed.

  Next, in FIG. 11D, following “medical drama # 1 (VOD)”, “medical drama # 2 (VOD)”, which is the VOD content, is selected for viewing. Assume that fast forward playback is selected. Then, it is assumed that when the video content of “medical drama # 1 (VOD)” that is played first is played back, the display operation of the recommended program guide is performed by a user operation when 80 minutes have passed.

  At this time, the viewing of the VOD content “medical drama # 2 (VOD)” that has been selected to be viewed second is also finished.

  As shown in FIG. 11E, the program guide screen creation unit 101 displays “medical drama # 2 (VOD)” of the VOD content that has been viewed in the time zone “10:00 to 11:00”. Erase the frame. In addition, the program guide screen creation unit 101 performs “medical drama # 3 (VOD) between the current time in the time zone and the end time“ 11:00 ”of the time zone from“ 10:00 to 11:00 ”. ) "Display frame (display frame corresponding to 40 minutes in length) is displayed.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 11 (E), the broadcast times of the TV broadcast contents “medical drama # 7 (broadcast)” and “medical drama # 8 (broadcast)” are fixed, so that they are displayed. Do not change the frame position.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11E, a part of the display frame of “medical drama # 3 (VOD)” (a display frame corresponding to a length of 20 minutes) in the time zone “13:00 to 14:00” ) And a display frame of “medical drama # 4 (VOD)” is displayed following the end time. In addition, during the time period “14: 00-15: 00”, the following recommended program will appear between the end time of “Medical Drama # 4 (VOD)” and the end time “15:00” of the time period. A part of the display frame of a certain “medical drama # 5 (VOD)” (display frame corresponding to a length of 40 minutes) is displayed.

  Next, in FIG. 11D, “medical drama # 3 (VOD)” which is VOD content is selected for viewing following “medical drama # 1 (VOD)” and “medical drama # 2 (VOD)”. Suppose that 1.5-times fast-forward playback is selected by a user operation. Then, it is assumed that a display operation of the recommended program guide is performed by a user operation when 120 minutes have elapsed since the video content of “medical drama # 1 (VOD)” that was reproduced first was reproduced.

  At this time, viewing of the VOD content “medical drama # 3 (VOD)” that has been selected for viewing third time is also finished.

  Accordingly, the program guide screen creation unit 101, as shown in FIG. 11F, “medical drama # 3 (VOD)” of the VOD content that has been viewed in the time zone “10:00 to 11:00”. Erase the display frame.

  Also at this time, as shown in FIG. 11 (F), the broadcast time of the TV broadcast contents “medical drama # 7 (broadcast)” and “medical drama # 8 (broadcast)” is fixed, so that it is displayed. Do not change the frame position. Also, since the broadcast times of “medical drama # 7 (broadcast)” and “medical drama # 8 (broadcast)” have not ended, they are displayed as they are.

  As described above, for the VOD content that is displayed in the recommended program guide and is actually played back, the content playback position collection unit 103 calculates the actual relative end time, and the program guide screen creation unit 101 displays the recommended program. In consideration of the difference from the previous display created by the table creation unit 102, the contents of the recommended program table thereafter are updated.

  At this time, if the display frame (schedule) for the time generated at the time of the previous display is insufficient due to the shortening of playback, the content enumeration priority given in the first embodiment is added to the target recommended genre. Add the next content recommended in the schedule.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the update of the arrangement position of the recommended program guide by the program guide screen creation unit 101 according to the second embodiment (part 2).

  FIG. 12 illustrates a case where the arrangement position of the recorded content displayed in the recommended program guide is updated.

  FIG. 12A shows an example of a program guide screen based on EPG data, and FIGS. 12B to 12F show only recommended program guides. Further, similarly to the case of FIG. 11, FIGS. 12B to 12F show the case where the time zone in the row direction is not changed.

  The example of FIG. 11 described above exemplifies the case where the VOD content is selected in the recommended program guide, but as shown in FIG. 12, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case of the recorded content.

  In other words, in addition to the playback of VOD content, the content playback position collection unit 103 can also respond to changes in the end time of recorded content.

  As described above, for the VOD content that is displayed in the recommended program guide and is actually played back, the content playback position collection unit 103 calculates the actual relative end time, and the program guide screen creation unit 101 displays the recommended program. In consideration of the difference from the previous display created by the table creation unit 102, the contents of the recommended program table thereafter can be updated.

  At this time, if the display frame (schedule) for the time generated at the time of the previous display is insufficient due to the shortening of playback, the content enumeration priority given in the first embodiment is added to the target recommended genre. Add the next content recommended in the schedule.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the update of the arrangement position of the recommended program guide by the program guide screen creation unit 101 of the second embodiment (part 3).

  FIG. 13 illustrates an example of updating the arrangement position of the missed viewing television broadcast content displayed in the recommended program guide.

  FIG. 13A shows an example of a program guide screen based on EPG data, and FIGS. 13B to 13D show only recommended program guides. As in the case of FIG. 11, FIGS. 13B to 13D show the case where the time zone in the row direction is not changed.

  FIG. 13 illustrates the processing 120 minutes after the viewing and selection of the first recommended program described with reference to FIG. 11 or FIG.

  In FIG. 13A, when the “Recommended Program Display” selection button 511 is selected, a recommended program table as shown in FIG. 13B is displayed. Here, the display frame of the video content of the recommended program indicates a section according to the time length.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the recommended genre “sports (soccer)” is “soccer A team vs E team section 4 (broadcast)”, which is a TV broadcast content “11: 00-13: 00”, “ Recorded content “Soccer A Team vs C Team Section 2 (Recording)” from 13:00 to 15:00, and “Soccer A Team vs. Team D Section 3” recorded from “15:00 to 17:00” (Recording) "is displayed.

  In FIG. 13B, the user has passed 20 minutes for “Soccer A Team vs. E Team Section 4 (Broadcast)”, which is a TV broadcast content originally broadcast in the time zone “11: 00-13: 00”. It is assumed that the so-called start-over playback is performed from “11:20” later, and “Soccer A Team vs. Team E Section 4 (Broadcast)” is viewed.

  Here, the start-over playback function is a function in which the broadcast provider side reserves the TV broadcast content and plays back the TV broadcast content from the broadcast point by a playback operation around a predetermined time from the start of the broadcast. This start-over playback function allows a track play operation such as fast-forward playback because the broadcast provider side reserves the television broadcast content.

  Information regarding the television broadcast content for missed viewing (for example, information including the total time length of the video content) is given to the content reproduction position collection unit 103. Similar to the case of VOD content, the content playback position collection unit 103 monitors the total time length and the current playback time of the TV broadcast content that has been played back for viewing.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13C, 20 minutes after the start of broadcasting, the user performs start-over playback for “Soccer A Team vs. Team 4 Section (Broadcast)” and performs fast forward playback at 1.5 times speed. Suppose you have gone.

  In FIG. 13C, “Soccer A Team vs. E Team Section 4 (Broadcast)” has passed 20 minutes from the start of broadcasting, so the scheduled time at the end of the video content is extended by 20 minutes. Become. Therefore, the program guide screen creation unit 101 ends the “soccer A team vs. E team section 4 (broadcast)” based on the total time length of the video content acquired from the content playback position collection unit 103 and the current playback position. The scheduled time is “13:20”, and the display frame is enlarged by that amount (that is, equivalent to 20 minutes).

  At this time, the display frame of the video content “Soccer A Team vs C Team Section 2 (Recording)” after “Soccer A Team vs E Team Section 4 (Broadcast)” is displayed as “Soccer A Team vs. Team E Section 4 ( Broadcast) ”is shifted downward by 20 minutes so as to start from the scheduled end time.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13 (D), the user plays the video content of “Soccer A Team vs. E Team Section 4 (Broadcast)” by fast-forward playback at 1.5 times speed. Later, the scheduled end time of the video content of “Soccer A Team vs E Team Section 4 (Broadcast)” is the end of “Soccer A Team vs E Team Section 4 (Broadcast)” of the currently broadcast TV content. It will be the same as the time.

  At this time, the end time of “Soccer A Team vs. E Team Section 4 (Broadcast)” of the currently broadcast TV broadcast content is fixed, so that “Soccer A Team vs. E Team Section 4 (Broadcast)” thereafter is Do not update the video content display frame.

  In this way, in addition to the playback of VOD content, the content playback position collection unit 103 responds to the start-over playback in the broadcast service that may be provided by the network operator, thereby following the change in the end time. can do.

(B-3) Effects of the Second Embodiment As described above, according to the second embodiment, the playback time of video content according to the playback mode of the user, even in various video content provision modes. Even if is changed, it is possible to provide a recommended program table synchronized with the change in the reproduction time.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to unify video content search for recommended programs into a single operation system called a program guide, and to provide a user with a feeling of use in accordance with the operation of a conventional program guide. Is obtained.

(C) Other Embodiments Although various modified embodiments have been exemplified in the above-described embodiments, the present invention can also be applied to the following modified embodiments.

  In the first and second embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a video viewing device such as a digital television has been described. However, if a screen display dedicated device such as a display is connected and screen output is performed, a digital video recorder compatible with network connection can be used. Is also applicable.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A and 1B ... Content viewing system, 11 ... Recording part, 12 ... VOD content receiving part, 31 ... Operation part, 32 ... Tuner, 34 ... Output control part, 35 ... Video / audio output part, 36 ... Operation / viewing history collection part 37 ... Operation / viewing history database, 38 ... EPG data acquisition unit, 39 ... EPG database, 40-1 ... Recording content information collection unit, 42-1 ... Recording content database, 40-2 ... VOD content information collection unit, 42 -2 ... VOD content database, 41 ... interface, 101 ... program guide image creation unit, 102 ... recommended program guide creation unit 102, 103 ... content reproduction position collection unit.

Claims (10)

Content information storage means for storing content information of one or more types of video content;
Viewing trend information storage means for storing broadcast trend information to be broadcast and viewing trend information of each type of video content;
Based on the viewing trend information stored in the viewing trend information storage means, a recommended program guide creation means for creating a recommended program guide for displaying one or more recommended contents for recommending viewing selection;
Based on the broadcast schedule information of the acquired broadcast content, a program guide for broadcast content is created, and the recommended program guide is inserted into the created program guide,
Reproduction position acquisition means for acquiring a relative current reproduction position from the start position in the total reproduction time length of the reproduced video content with respect to the video content selected for viewing from the recommended program table,
The program guide creation means obtains the scheduled end time of the video content based on the current playback position in the total playback time length of the video content acquired from the content playback position acquisition means, and changes in the scheduled end time According to the above, the program guide creation device is characterized in that the arrangement of the recommended contents displayed on the recommended program guide is changed.   2. The one or more types of video contents include any or all of video on demand contents, recorded contents, and missed broadcast contents in which broadcast contents that have already been broadcast are distributed again. The program guide generator described in 1. The one or more types of video content are capable of predetermined playback control according to a predetermined playback control operation.
The predetermined playback control operations are playback, fast forward playback, frame forward playback, second forward playback, skip forward playback, slow playback, reverse playback, fast reverse playback, frame backward playback, second backward playback, skip backward playback, slow backward playback. 3. The program guide creation device according to claim 1, wherein the program guide creation device includes a part or all of the temporary stop.   When the scheduled end time of the video content being played under playback control is changed, the program guide creating unit is configured to change the video content in the recommended program guide according to the change in the scheduled end time of the video content. The program guide creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the end guide information indicating the end time and the positions of start guide information and end guide information of recommended content thereafter are changed.   When the program schedule creation means shortens or extends the scheduled end time of the video content being played under playback control, according to the shortened or extended time of the scheduled end time, End guidance information indicating an end time of video content is advanced or deferred, and start guidance information and end guidance information of recommended content after the video content in the recommended program table are advanced or deferred. Item 5. The program guide creation device according to Item 4. When the recommended program table created by the recommended program table creating means includes broadcast content whose broadcast time is determined as recommended content, the scheduled end time of the video content being played under playback control When is shortened,
The program guide creation means sets the recommended content guide information immediately after the broadcast content between the recommended content end guide information immediately before the broadcast content and the broadcast start time of the broadcast content at the scheduled end time. The program guide creation device according to claim 5, wherein the program guide creation device inserts only the shortened time. When playback of the video content being played ends,
7. The program guide creation device according to claim 4, wherein the program guide creation means deletes the guide information of the video content that has been reproduced in the recommended program guide. When the video content selected and viewed from the recommended program table is a missed broadcast content that is viewed after a predetermined time from the actual broadcast time,
The program guide creation means extends the scheduled end time of the missed broadcast content in the recommended program guide by the predetermined time, and provides start guide information and end guide information of recommended content after the missed broadcast content. 8. The program guide creation device according to claim 4, wherein the program schedule is corrected by a predetermined time. When the missed broadcast content is fast-forwarded and the current playback position of the missed broadcast content being played is synchronized with the broadcast content that is actually being broadcast,
The said program schedule preparation means corrects the scheduled end time of the missed broadcast content, which has been extended by the predetermined time in the recommended program table, to the end time of the broadcast content. Program listing device described. Computer
Content information storage means for storing content information of one or more types of video content;
Viewing trend information storage means for storing broadcast trend information to be broadcast and viewing trend information of each type of video content;
Based on the viewing trend information stored in the viewing trend information storage means, a recommended program guide creation means for creating a recommended program guide for displaying one or more recommended contents for recommending viewing selection;
Based on the broadcast schedule information of the acquired broadcast content, a program guide for broadcast content is created, and the recommended program guide is inserted into the created program guide,
With respect to the video content selected for viewing from the recommended program guide, it functions as a playback position acquisition means for acquiring a relative current playback position from the start position in the total playback time length of the video content being played back,
The program guide creation means obtains the scheduled end time of the video content based on the current playback position in the total playback time length of the video content acquired from the content playback position acquisition means, and changes in the scheduled end time According to the above, a program guide creation program for changing the arrangement of each recommended content displayed on the recommended program guide.

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