JP2017069728A - Receiver, control method for receiver, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a receiver, control method for the receiver, and program that enable a viewer to quickly and simply select a desired screen depending on a situation.SOLUTION: An output unit outputs a signal for a monitor screen configured by appropriately arranging a screen of broadcast video output from a decoding unit and a screen of an image output from an application execution unit. A user interface unit, on the basis of an operation signal by operation from the outside, transmits the operation signal to a program or application program corresponding to a selection screen selected at that time from a plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen. A control unit, when a predetermined trigger event on the program is generated, performs control of switching the selection screen to the screen associated with the trigger event. A program table display unit, on the basis of information extracted from the broadcast signal, makes a program table including display corresponding to a type of a viewer participation program be displayed on the screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a television broadcast receiver, a control method for the receiver, and a program thereof.

The spread of television receivers equipped with a high-resolution monitor called “4k” or “8k” is expected. In addition, not only the TV broadcast screen is displayed, but various applications (also referred to as “apps” for short) are executed on the television receiver, and the image output from these applications is simultaneously displayed on the monitor screen. There is also a case. When the broadcast screen and the application screen occupy the same area on the monitor screen, overlay display is performed. That is, only the screen on the nearer side is displayed in a state visible to the viewer, and the screen on the farther side is hidden and invisible to the viewer.
A television receiver is required to provide a user interface that allows a viewer to easily switch to an appropriate screen at an appropriate timing.
In addition, it is required to display an easy-to-read program table in connection with screen switching.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a technique for displaying a broadcast program table with point information (FIGS. 10, 11, etc.).

JP 2003-219295 A

However, further ingenuity is required to enable a user to select a desired screen quickly and easily.
The present invention has been made based on the above problem recognition, and intends to provide a receiving apparatus, a receiving apparatus control method, and a program capable of easily selecting an appropriate screen in accordance with a situation that occurs. Is.

  [1] In order to solve the above-described problem, a receiving device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal of a program, a video signal extracted from the broadcast signal, and a decoded broadcast video A decoding unit that outputs an image, an application execution unit that executes an application program and outputs an image displayed by the application program, a screen of a broadcast video output from the decoding unit, and an image output from the application execution unit An output unit that outputs a monitor screen signal appropriately arranged with a screen, and manages a user interface, and based on an operation signal by an operation from the outside, a plurality of the screens arranged on the monitor screen The program or application corresponding to the selection screen selected at that time When the trigger event that the user interface unit for transmitting the operation signal and the viewer participation type program is started occurs in the application program, the selection screen becomes the screen associated with the trigger event. And a program guide display that displays on the screen a program guide including a display corresponding to the type of the viewer participation program based on information extracted from the broadcast signal received by the receiver. A portion.

  [2] A receiving device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal of a program, a decoding unit that decodes a video signal extracted from the broadcast signal, and outputs a decoded broadcast video, and an application An application execution unit that executes a program and outputs an image displayed by the application program, a broadcast video screen output from the decoding unit, and an image screen output from the application execution unit are appropriately arranged. An output unit for outputting a monitor screen signal and a user interface are managed and selected at that time from the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation. The program or the application program corresponding to the selection screen is Control that the selection screen is switched to the screen associated with the trigger event when a trigger event that a viewer interface type program is started and a user interface unit that transmits a work signal occurs A control unit that manages information on points accumulated in association with the viewer-participation-type program, and display according to point information for each viewer-participation-type program managed by the point processing unit A program guide display unit for displaying a program guide including

  [3] According to one aspect of the present invention, in the reception device described above, information on points stored in association with the viewer-participation-type program in another reception device is received from the other reception device, and the viewer participation A point sum processing unit that sums point information received from the other receiving device and point information managed by the point processing unit of the receiving device with respect to the type program, and the program guide display unit includes: The program table including a display corresponding to the information of the points added by the point adding processing unit is displayed on the screen.

  [4] A receiving apparatus control method according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a receiving process of receiving a broadcast signal of a program; a decoding process of decoding a video signal extracted from the broadcast signal and outputting a decoded broadcast video; An application execution process for executing an application program and outputting an image displayed by the application program, a broadcast video screen output from the decoding process, and an image screen output from the application execution process are appropriately arranged The output process for outputting the monitor screen signal and the user interface are managed, and the current screen is selected from among the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation. The program or application program corresponding to the selection screen When a trigger event that a user interface processing process for transmitting the operation signal and a viewer participation program is started occurs in the program, the selection screen becomes the screen associated with the trigger event. A control process for controlling to switch, a program guide display process for displaying on the screen a program guide including a display corresponding to the type of the viewer participation program based on information extracted from the broadcast signal received in the receiving process, Is included.

  [5] A receiving apparatus control method according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a receiving process of receiving a broadcast signal of a program; a decoding process of decoding a video signal extracted from the broadcast signal and outputting a decoded broadcast video; An application execution process for executing an application program and outputting an image displayed by the application program, a broadcast video screen output from the decoding process, and an image screen output from the application execution process are appropriately arranged The output process for outputting the monitor screen signal and the user interface are managed, and the current screen is selected from among the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation. The program or application program corresponding to the selection screen When a trigger event that a user interface processing process for transmitting the operation signal and a viewer participation program is started occurs in the program, the selection screen becomes the screen associated with the trigger event. In accordance with a control process for controlling switching, a point processing process for managing point information accumulated in association with the viewer participation program, and point information for each viewer participation program managed in the point processing process A program guide display process for displaying a program guide including the display on the screen.

  [6] According to one aspect of the present invention, a computer decodes a video signal extracted from a broadcast signal of a received program, outputs a decoded broadcast video, and executes an application program. An application execution process for outputting a display image, an output process for outputting a monitor screen signal by appropriately arranging a broadcast video screen output from the decoding process and an image screen output from the application execution process; The program or the application that manages a user interface and corresponds to a selection screen selected at that time among the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation Transmit the operation signal to the program A user interface process, a control process for controlling the selection screen to switch to the screen associated with the trigger event when a trigger event that a viewer participation program is started occurs, A program for executing a function of a program guide display process for displaying a program guide including a display corresponding to the type of the viewer participation program on the screen based on information extracted from a broadcast signal.

  [7] According to one aspect of the present invention, a computer decodes a video signal extracted from a broadcast signal of a received program, outputs a decoded broadcast video, and executes an application program. An application execution process for outputting a display image, an output process for outputting a monitor screen signal by appropriately arranging a broadcast video screen output from the decoding process and an image screen output from the application execution process; The program or the application that manages a user interface and corresponds to a selection screen selected at that time among the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation Transmit the operation signal to the program A user interface process, a control process for controlling the selection screen to switch to the screen associated with the trigger event when a trigger event that a viewer participation program is started occurs, A point processing process for managing information on points accumulated in association with viewer-participation-type programs, and a program table including a display corresponding to point information for each viewer-participation-type program managed in the point processing process This is a program for executing the function of the program guide display process to be displayed on the screen.

  According to the present invention, an easy-to-read program table corresponding to the type of the viewer participation type program is displayed, and it is easy without causing the viewer to spend much time in accordance with the trigger event detected by the program type control unit. It is possible to switch the selection screen.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic function structure of the receiver by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which showed the more detailed functional structure of the control part in the receiver by the same embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the apparatus structure of the home system containing the receiver by the same embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of the user interface at the time of the receiver by the same embodiment switching an operation target screen based on a predetermined trigger event. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process for the receiver by the same embodiment to switch a selection screen based on a trigger event. It is the schematic which shows the example of the program schedule which the receiver by the same embodiment displays, This program schedule also represents the attribute of a program, a reservation condition, etc. It is the schematic which shows the example of a user interface when the receiver by the same embodiment selects the screen of operation object based on a trigger event. It is the schematic which shows the screen for the receiving apparatus by the same embodiment to inquire a viewer whether to watch a program with a cooperation terminal device. It is the schematic which shows the example of the program schedule which the receiver by the same embodiment displays, This program schedule also represents program classification (for example, classification by what kind of viewer participation type program). It is the schematic which shows the example of the program schedule which the receiver by the same embodiment displays, This program schedule also displays the icon containing the information regarding the participation history and point of a viewer's program. It is a block diagram which shows schematic function structure of the receiver by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which showed the more detailed functional structure of the control part in the receiver by the same embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the data structure of a part of program information storage part by the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
(1) Functional Configuration, etc. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment. As illustrated, the receiving device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a user interface unit 17, a receiving unit 21, a separating unit 22, a decoding unit 23, an output unit 24, a control unit 31, and a program information storage unit. 34, a key assignment storage unit 35, and an application execution unit 41. The receiving device 1 is a television receiver that receives a television broadcast and outputs the program as video and sound. The receiving device 1 is configured to receive a remote control signal from the external remote control device 18.

  The communication unit 11 has a function of performing communication with various external devices. The communication unit 11 communicates with various external devices using, for example, IP (Internet Protocol). The communication unit 11 communicates with various external devices via a wireless or wired LAN (local area network). The communication unit 11 also communicates with various devices at remote locations via the Internet.

The user interface unit 17 manages the user interface. Based on the operation by the viewer, the user interface unit 17 transmits an instruction by the operation to the control unit 31, transmits the instruction to the application executed by the application execution unit 41 via the control unit 31, The result is output as an image or sound. The user interface unit 17 performs processing based on, for example, a remote control signal (operation signal) transmitted from the external remote control device 18. The remote control device 18 transmits a remote control signal using infrared rays or ultrasonic waves. The remote control device 18 may transmit a wired electric signal. Further, for example, the user interface unit 17 performs processing based on a remote control signal transmitted from an external terminal device (cooperating terminal that cooperates with the receiving device 1) described later. The external terminal device transmits a remote control signal carried in an IP packet via a wireless local area network, for example. Data by communication using an IP packet from an external terminal device is passed to the user interface unit 17 via the communication unit 11.
Note that the user interface unit 17 outputs an operation signal generated by an external operation as a screen selected at that time (for convenience, a “selection screen”) among a plurality of screens (windows) arranged on the monitor screen. It may be called). Specifically, the user interface unit 17 transmits an operation signal (or an instruction based on the operation signal) to a program associated with the selection screen or an application program associated with the selection screen.
When the screen switching unit 311 switches the selection screen, the user interface unit 17 may cooperate with the screen switching unit 311 to display for inquiring whether to perform the switching. When such an inquiry is made, the user interface unit 17 receives a response from the viewer through a remote control operation or the like.

  The receiver 21 receives a television broadcast signal. Here, the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit 21 is a signal of a channel (broadcast service) that is selected based on a channel selection operation by a viewer or the like. The broadcast signal is a signal transmitted from a transmission device on the broadcast station side. The broadcast signal is transmitted by radio waves, for example. The broadcast signal is transmitted as an electric signal on a cable of a cable television, for example. A broadcast signal may be transmitted via a communication line. The broadcast signal received by the receiving unit 21 contains many data such as program guide data, subtitles, various other data, control information, etc., in addition to television program video and audio signals. . The receiving unit 21 passes the received broadcast signal to the separating unit 22.

  The separation unit 22 receives a broadcast signal from the reception unit 21, and separates and extracts the signal. Specifically, the demultiplexing unit 22 generates a video signal (video asset), an audio signal (audio asset), subtitle data (caption asset), data broadcast data from the multiplexed broadcast signal. In addition, control signals and other signals are extracted. The separation unit 22 passes at least the extracted video signal and audio signal to the decoding unit 23. The separation unit 22 passes the control signal, EPG (electronic program guide) data, and other necessary signals to the control unit 31.

  The decoding unit 23 decodes the video signal and the audio signal extracted by the separation unit 22 and passed from the separation unit 22. The decoding unit 23 passes the decoded video (broadcast video) and audio (broadcast audio) to the output unit 24.

  The output unit 24 outputs video (image) and audio. The output unit 24 appropriately synthesizes the broadcast content video passed from the decoding unit 23, the output video (image) from the application passed from the application execution unit 41, the image output by the user interface unit 17, and the like. And output as video. Specifically, the output unit 24 appropriately arranges a broadcast video screen output from the decoding unit 23 and an image screen output from the application execution unit 41 to output a monitor screen signal. . Each of the above-described screens (windows) in the monitor screen may be arranged so as to overlap each other. Further, there is a case where a part or all of a certain screen (window) is hidden and cannot be seen due to overlapping. Also, the screen (window) may be minimized or iconified. The video output from the output unit 24 is displayed on a monitor display included in the receiving device 1 or an external monitor display. The output unit 24 also appropriately synthesizes the audio of the broadcast content passed from the decoding unit 23, the output audio from the application passed from the application execution unit 41, and the audio output from the user interface unit 17. Output as. The sound output from the output unit 24 is amplified as necessary, and is output from a speaker included in the receiving device 1, an external speaker, or an earphone.

The control unit 31 controls the entire receiving device 1. In addition, the control unit 31 interprets control information included in the broadcast signal. In addition, the control unit 31 acquires necessary information from the data broadcast data included in the broadcast signal. When the control unit 31 according to the present embodiment detects that a trigger event has occurred, the selection screen that is the target of operation by the remote control device 18 or the like becomes a screen (window) associated with the trigger event. Control to switch to. In particular, the control unit 31 performs control to switch the selection screen so as to be a screen associated with the trigger event when the trigger event that the viewer participation type program is started occurs.
Various patterns will be described later for details of the above screen switching.
Further, the control unit 31 may control to transmit the video and audio of the broadcast program to the terminal device 7 so that the broadcast received by the receiving device 1 can be viewed on the cooperative terminal device. For example, in response to the occurrence of a trigger event, when a viewer tries to switch to a screen for displaying a broadcast program corresponding to the trigger event, the viewer performs a negative response to the switch Is that. In this case, the control unit 31 controls to transmit the video and audio of the program to the terminal device 7. Before transmitting video and audio to the terminal device 7, the viewer may be inquired whether or not to view on the terminal device 7 side.

The program information storage unit 34 stores information related to the broadcast TV number. Specifically, the program information storage unit 34 stores at least the information listed below.
(1) Program guide (EPG) information The program guide information is information representing the schedule of a broadcast program. The program guide information is sent from the broadcast station side on a broadcast signal. The program guide information includes information identifying a program title, a program outline, a date and time (start date and time and end date and time) when the program is broadcast, and a broadcasting station (or channel or broadcasting service).
(2) Program attribute information The program attribute information is information indicating whether or not a program has a specific attribute. The attribute is, for example, a viewer participation type program. In the viewer participation type program, the viewer interacts with the broadcast station side interactively with respect to the broadcast program by operating the keys of the remote control device. As will be described later, the program attribute information is transmitted on the broadcast signal from the broadcast station side.
(3) Information on Program Type (Genre) Information on the program type is information for classifying in detail what kind of program the type is. For example, when the program has an attribute of a viewer participation type program, the types of the program are the following (a) to (c). (A) A program in which the viewer may have an opportunity to win prizes according to the accumulation of the points given. (B) A program in which the viewer may have a chance to win a prize according to the accumulation of the points given. (C) Programs that only accumulate and enjoy points, and are not intended to win prizes or prizes. As will be described later, the program type information is transmitted on the broadcast signal from the broadcast station side.
(4) Program reservation information The program reservation information is information indicating whether or not viewing of a program is reserved. This program reservation information is managed by a program reservation unit 317 described later.
(5) Viewer Participation History Information Viewer participation history information is information indicating whether or not a viewer using the receiving apparatus 1 has participated in a specific program. This viewer participation history information is managed for each program. A method of using the viewer participation history information will be described later.
(6) Point information The point information is information representing the numerical value (point) of points given and accumulated when a viewer who uses the receiving apparatus 1 participates in a specific program in the past. . This point information is managed for each program. A method of using this point information will be described later.

  The key assignment storage unit 35 stores the correspondence between the keys of the remote control device 18 and the individual screens. Information in the key assignment storage unit 35 is referred to or updated by the control unit 31.

  The application execution unit 41 has a function of executing an application program. Specifically, the application execution unit 41 reads and executes the code of the application from a predetermined location, and outputs an image (video) and audio output from the application via the output unit 24. The application execution unit 41 operates or stops the application under the control of the control unit 31. The application execution unit 41 can execute a plurality of applications in parallel. Further, the application execution unit 41 manages communication via the communication unit 11 so that each application can communicate with the outside, and provides an API (application program interface) necessary for the communication to the application. provide.

The remote control device 18 includes various keys and transmits a remote control signal corresponding to the key pressed by the viewer.
The keys included in the remote control device 18 include those listed below. Alternatively, the keys included in the remote control device 18 include some of the keys listed below.
Each key of “terrestrial”, “BS”, and “CS” is a key for selecting a terrestrial broadcast, a broadcasting satellite, and a communication satellite.
There are four types of arrow keys, which are keys for selecting up, down, left, and right, respectively. The arrow keys are used for moving the cursor.
The “decision” key is a key used for selecting and determining the currently focused item.
The “program guide”, “menu”, and “return” keys are used to display the program guide, display the menu, and return to the previous position.
There are four types of color keys, each corresponding to blue, red, green, and yellow.
There are, for example, 12 types of numeric keys, each corresponding to an integer from 1 to 12. These numeric keys are keys used for selecting a channel (broadcast service), for example.
There are two types of “channel selection” keys, which correspond to the upper and lower keys, respectively. These keys are keys used to move the channel selection target from the currently selected channel (broadcasting service) number to the upper or lower channel number, respectively.
There are two types of “volume” keys, which correspond to up and down, respectively. These keys are used to shift the set volume from the currently set audio output volume to the upper (relatively high volume) or the lower (relatively low volume), respectively.
In addition to the above-mentioned up / down keys of “channel selection” and up / down of “volume”, the remote control device 18 may be provided with general-purpose up and down keys.
Furthermore, the remote control device 18 may be provided with keys related to video content recording and playback. These keys are, for example, keys for playback, recording, stop, pause, fast forward, rewind, frame forward, frame reverse, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a more detailed functional configuration of the control unit. As illustrated, the control unit 31 includes a screen switching unit 311, a key assignment processing unit 313, a program guide display unit 315, a program reservation unit 317, and a point processing unit 319.

The screen switching unit 311 has a function of switching the selection screen. The selection screen is a screen selected as an operation target by the viewer. An operation signal from the remote control device 18 or the like is transmitted so as to act on the selection screen at that time. The screen switching unit 311 may switch the selection screen in response to the occurrence of the trigger event. When the selection screen is switched in response to the occurrence of the trigger event, the screen switching unit 311 presents the correspondence between the operation key (for example, a color key) of the remote control device 18 and the screen on the screen and is selected. Switch the screen according to the operation key. However, when the selection screen is switched in response to the occurrence of the trigger event, the screen may be automatically switched to select the screen corresponding to the trigger event without presenting the above-mentioned association on the screen. .
The key assignment processing unit 313 has a function of assigning an association between a screen and a key of the remote control device 18 or the like. The key assignment processing unit 313 refers to or updates the key assignment storage unit 35 as appropriate.

  The program guide display unit 315 has a function of displaying a program guide on the screen. The program guide is information for showing viewers the schedule and the like of the broadcast program. In addition, the program guide display unit 315 performs display according to the attribute, type, reservation status, accumulation point, and the like for each program. The program guide display unit 315 displays such information in an easy-to-understand manner using icons and the like so as not to occupy the area on the screen as much as possible. As one form thereof, the program guide display unit 315 displays a program guide including a display corresponding to point information for each viewer participation type program managed by the point processing unit 319 on the screen. The program guide display unit 315 refers to the program information storage unit 34 as appropriate in order to display the program guide.

The program reservation unit 317 has a function of managing program viewing reservations. The program reservation unit 317 makes or cancels a viewing reservation based on the operation of the remote control device 18 or the like from the viewer. For that purpose, the program reservation unit 317 refers to or updates the reservation information stored in the program information storage unit 34 as appropriate.
The point processing unit 319 manages information indicating whether the viewer has participated in the program. The point processing unit 319 manages the accumulation state of points obtained by the viewer participating in the program. That is, the point processing unit 319 manages information on points accumulated in association with the viewer participation type program. For these purposes, the point processing unit 319 refers to or updates the participation history information and point information stored in the program information storage unit 34 as appropriate.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a device configuration of a home system including the receiving device 1. This home system is a system constructed in, for example, a home or an office, and includes a plurality of receiving devices 1, a plurality of remote control devices 18, a plurality of terminal devices 7, and a router 8. . The receiving device 1 and the terminal device 7 can communicate with each other via a wireless or wired local area network 9. The receiving device 1 and the terminal device 7 can communicate with an external server device or the like via the router 8 via the Internet.

The receiving device 1 and the terminal device 7 may operate in cooperation. The receiving device 1 and the terminal device 7 that operate in association with each other are associated with each other by a method such as establishing a session according to a predetermined procedure.
The terminal device 7 is a personal computer (PC), a smartphone (smartphone), a tablet, or the like. When the receiving device 1 and the terminal device 7 perform a cooperative operation, the viewer can operate the receiving device 1 from the terminal device 7 side. Also, the video and audio of the television broadcast received by the receiving device 1 can be transferred to the terminal device 7 and presented to the viewer on the terminal device side. In addition, an application running on the receiving device 1 and an application running on the terminal device 7 can perform cooperative processing. Note that the cooperative operation between the receiving device 1 and the terminal device 7 is realized by existing technology.

  In FIG. 3, an example of a system in which a local area network 9 is provided so that a plurality of receiving apparatuses 1 and a plurality of terminal apparatuses 7 can communicate with each other is shown. The number of each is arbitrary. There may be only one receiving device 1. Further, only one terminal device 7 may be provided. Alternatively, the receiving device 1 may be operated stand-alone by using only the receiving device 1 and the remote control device 18 without using the terminal device 7. Further, the local area network 9 is not provided, and the receiving apparatus 1 may be directly connected to a WAN (wide area network, wide area communication network).

(2) Operation to switch the operation target screen based on the trigger event This function is in a state where the power of the receiving apparatus 1 is turned on, and a plurality of broadcast content screens and output screens from the application are displayed on the monitor screen. This is a function for providing the viewer with means for smoothly switching the screen based on a predetermined trigger event when the user is in the state. An example of the trigger event is an event that the receiving device 1 has received information notifying that the viewer participation type corner is started in the broadcast program being received. The trigger event may be other events.

  Information notifying that the above-mentioned viewer participation type corner is started is transmitted on a broadcast signal from the transmission device on the broadcast station side, and is received by the reception device 1. For example, the notification information is transmitted as part of the control signal in the broadcast signal. For example, the notification information is stored and transmitted in an event information table (EIT, Event Information Table) which is one of the tables of program arrangement information (SI, Service Information). Alternatively, the notification information is transmitted as data of data broadcasting. Alternatively, the notification information is transmitted by being embedded in video data or audio data of the program. In any case, the control unit 31 acquires this notification information and recognizes the trigger event.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a user interface when switching an operation target screen based on a trigger event. In this example, the color key provided in the remote control device 18 is assigned to each screen. FIG. 5A shows a screen display example before a trigger event occurs. FIG. 5B shows a screen display example immediately after the trigger event occurs. FIG. 4C shows the color key assignment focus displayed in FIG. 2B in an enlarged manner.
In FIG. 2A, the monitor screen of the receiving apparatus 1 displays a broadcast content screen 101, a program guide (EPG) screen 102, and an application screen 103. These screens are combined in the output unit 24 and displayed on the monitor as a single screen. As mentioned above, the trigger event has not yet occurred in this state.
In FIG. 4B, a color key selection focus 104 is displayed on the broadcast content screen 101. In addition, numbers (circle numbers 1, 2, and 3) are added to the broadcast content screen 101, the program guide (EPG) screen 102, and the application screen 103, respectively. In addition, the broadcast content screen 101, the program guide (EPG) screen 102, and the application screen 103 are displayed with different color frames. Specifically, the broadcast content screen 101 has a blue frame, the program guide (EPG) screen 102 has a green frame, and the application screen 103 has a red frame.
The pattern shown in FIG. 5C is the pattern of the color key selection focus 104 described above. In this example, the color key selection focus 104 includes a globe pattern. Note that this pattern is merely an example, and other patterns or patterns may be used.

  When the control unit 31 recognizes the trigger event in the state of FIG. 5A, the key assignment processing unit 313 associates each screen with the color key, and stores information on the correspondence relationship in the key assignment storage unit 35. Write. Prior to trigger event recognition, the key assignment processing unit 313 may associate each screen with a color key and write the information on the correspondence relationship in the key assignment storage unit 35. . Here, a blue color key is assigned to the broadcast content screen 101, a green color key is assigned to the program guide (EPG) screen 102, and a red color key is assigned to the application screen 103. Then, after recognizing the trigger event, the screen switching unit 311 reads the correspondence relationship between the screen and the color key from the key assignment storage unit 35. Further, the screen switching unit 311 changes the display state of the screen as shown in FIG. That is, the screen switching unit 311 changes each screen (101 to 103) to a display with a color frame of the corresponding color key. Further, the screen switching unit 311 displays the color key selection focus 104. When the viewer presses a specific color key on the remote control device 18 in the state shown in FIG. 5B, that is, in the state where the color key selection focus 104 is displayed, it is recognized that this is an instruction for screen switching. Note that the viewer can perform an equivalent operation on the terminal device 7 linked to the receiving device 1 instead of operating the remote control device 18. The screen switching unit 311 performs a process of switching the screen according to this operation by the viewer. An example of processing by the screen switching unit 311 when the viewer does not press any color key while the color key selection focus 104 is displayed is as shown in FIG. 4A without switching the screen. This is a process of returning to the display.

  Although color keys are assigned to the screen here, other keys may be assigned to the screen. For example, each screen may be associated with an up / down key. Further, for example, a number may be assigned to each screen (for example, a circled number shown in FIG. 4B), and the assigned number may be associated with the numeric key of the remote control device 18. In any case, the key assignment processing unit 313 writes information representing the correspondence between the key and the screen in the key assignment storage unit 35. When the viewer presses a key on the remote control device 18, the screen switching unit 311 refers to the key assignment storage unit 35 to switch the screen corresponding to the pressed key to be an operation target.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for the receiving apparatus 1 to switch the screen based on the trigger event. The receiving apparatus 1 performs this process when recognizing the trigger event. Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the receiving apparatus 1 will be described with reference to this flowchart.
First, in step S11, the control unit 31 recognizes a trigger event.
Next, in step S <b> 12, the key assignment processing unit 313 associates each screen displayed at that time with the key of the remote control device 18.
In step S13, the screen switching unit 311 displays a key selection focus. Further, based on the above association, information that shows what the key associated with each screen is (for example, a screen frame corresponding to the color of the color key) is displayed.
In step S14, the screen switching unit 311 determines whether a key corresponding to the screen has been pressed. If it has been pressed (step S14: YES), the process proceeds to step S15. If it has not been pressed (step S14: NO), the process proceeds to step S16.
When the process proceeds to step S15, the screen switching unit 311 switches to the screen corresponding to the pressed key. Then, the process of the entire flowchart ends.
Next, in step S16, the control unit 31 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the key selection focus was displayed. If it has elapsed (step S16: YES), the process of the entire flowchart is terminated. If it has not elapsed (step S16: NO), the process returns to step S14.

  Note that the key 31 and the screen are not particularly assigned, and the control unit 31 may switch to the highest priority screen to be switched at that time according to the trigger event.

(3) Linkage with program reservation Next, the link with program reservation will be described.
The receiving device 1 has a function of accepting a reservation for program viewing or a reservation for participation in a viewer participation program. The program reservation unit 317 manages these reservations. Further, the program information storage unit 34 stores information related to program reservation. The receiving apparatus 1 has a function of displaying a program guide using EPG data or the like. The receiving device 1 recognizes that a certain program has a specific attribute (for example, a viewer participation type program) based on information extracted from the broadcast signal (for example, the event information table (EIT)). , Information indicating that it has the attribute is displayed in the program guide. Then, the receiving device 1 provides a user interface that can preferentially select a corresponding program as an operation target when the broadcast time of the reserved program (viewer participation type program) arrives. By using the user interface, the viewer can select a desired broadcast program screen by a simple method and perform operations on the screen. More specifically, as described below.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a program guide displayed by the receiving device 1. The program guide display unit 315 displays a program guide as shown on one screen based on the information stored in the program information storage unit 34. The displayed program table has a two-dimensional table format, with the vertical direction (row) corresponding to the time zone and the horizontal direction (column) corresponding to the channel (or service). In the illustrated example, the first time zone corresponds to “7 o'clock to 8 o'clock”, the next time zone corresponds to “8 o'clock to 9 o'clock”, and so on. The first channel corresponds to “100”, the next channel corresponds to “101”, the next channel corresponds to “102”, and so on. Each box in the program guide is program information (program name or the like) specified by the above time zone and channel, and the program guide display unit 315 displays this program information based on EPG data.

  In the figure, icons 131, 132, and 133 indicate that the program has a specific attribute. The attribute represents, for example, that the program is a viewer participation type program. When a certain program has a specific attribute, the attribute information is transmitted on the broadcast signal. For example, program attribute information is stored in EPG data in a broadcast signal. The receiving device 1 receives the broadcast signal, and the control unit 31 detects attribute information for each program. The program guide display unit 315 displays the icons 131, 132, and 133 with different display attributes. Here, the display attribute of the icon is, for example, a display color. In the illustrated example, the icon 131 is displayed in yellow, the icon 132 is displayed in green, and the icon 133 is displayed in red. The meaning of each color in the icon display will be described later.

  The program reservation unit 317 has a function of managing program reservation by viewers. The viewer can reserve viewing of the program using the remote control device 18 or the terminal device 7. The viewer can perform operations for reserving viewing of a specific program and canceling program reservation while viewing the program table shown in FIG. The program reservation unit 317 manages program reservation and reservation cancellation based on those operations by the viewer. The program reservation unit 317 appropriately updates the program information storage unit 34 in order to manage information related to program reservation. The program reservation unit 317 also manages information for distinguishing whether a program has been reserved by the main body of the receiving device 1 or the remote control device 18 or whether a program has been reserved by the linked terminal device 7, and stores program information. Write to part 34.

  The display colors of the icons 131, 132, and 133 described above correspond to the presence or absence of a reservation by the viewer and the type of reservation. The icon 131 is displayed in yellow. This indicates that the program is a viewer participation program, but viewing reservation is not made. The icon 132 is displayed in green. This indicates that the program is a viewer-participation-type program, and is a program reserved for viewing in the main body of the receiving device 1 or by operating the remote control device 18. The icon 132 is displayed in red. This indicates that the program is a viewer participation program and a program for which viewing reservation (or viewing reservation and participation reservation) has been made from the terminal device 7 linked to the receiving device 1.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a user interface when an operation target screen is selected in conjunction with program reservation. FIG. 5A shows the state of the monitor screen before the scheduled program broadcast time arrives, and shows the state where the screen of the application “App2” is selected as the operation target. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing a caution displayed on the monitor screen of the receiving apparatus 1 when the broadcast time of the reserved program arrives. FIG. 4C shows the state of the monitor screen when the broadcast time of the reserved program arrives, and shows a state where the screen for displaying the broadcast program is selected as the operation target.

  In the figure, the monitor screen displays application display screens 161, 162, 163, 164 and a broadcast program display screen 165. In the state of FIG. 6A, the application display screen 162 (indicated by a thick frame in the figure) is selected as the operation target based on the operation so far performed by the viewer. Here, the control unit 31 refers to the reservation information stored in the program information storage unit 34 at a predetermined timing. Then, at the timing when the broadcast start time of the reserved program arrives, the user interface unit 17 displays the caution shown in FIG. 4B on the monitor screen based on the control by the control unit 31. This caution asks whether the current operation can be terminated because the reserved program starts, and prompts the viewer to select either “Yes” or “No”. Here, the “current operation” is an operation performed by the remote control device 18 or the like for the application display screen 162 that has been performed in the state shown in FIG. When “Yes” is selected, the control unit 31 switches the operation target to the broadcast program display screen 165. When “No” is selected, the control unit 31 maintains the state up to that point and sets the application display screen 162 as an operation target. FIG. 8C shows a state where “Yes” in FIG. 6B is selected and the broadcast program display screen 165 (indicated by a thick frame in the figure) is an operation target by the remote controller.

As described above, the trigger event in this case is that the start time of the reserved program arrives in a state where reservation for viewing the program or reservation for participation in the viewer participation type program is made.
As described above, when a reservation for viewing a program or a reservation for participation in a viewer participation program is made, the convenience of the viewer is improved by automatically switching the operation target screen.

(4) Program viewing on linked terminal devices Next, program viewing on linked terminal devices will be described.
In the above description, when the viewer selects “No” for the caution shown in FIG. 7B, the control unit 31 maintains the previous state and does not switch to the broadcast program screen. Stated. What is described here is a function that enables viewing of a program on a linked terminal device in such a case.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a screen for inquiring of the viewer whether or not to view the program on the terminal device. When “No” is selected on the screen of FIG. 7B despite the arrival of the broadcast time of the reserved program, the user interface unit 17 controls the user interface unit 17 in FIG. Display the screen. In the screen shown in the figure, a message “Do you want to fly to the linked smartphone?” Is displayed, and either “Yes” or “No” can be selected. Here, when the viewer selects “Yes”, the receiving device 1 receives the reserved broadcast program channel (service) and links the video and audio data of the broadcast program to each other. Transmit to device 7. When the viewer selects “No”, the receiving device 1 does not transmit the video and audio of the broadcast program to the terminal device 7.

  Note that, when viewing of a program on the cooperation terminal is selected by the operation of the viewer, the receiving device 1 transmits video and audio of the broadcast program via the local area network 9. At this time, the receiving apparatus 1 may appropriately transmit the video and audio data at a reduced bit rate (decreasing the quality of the video and audio).

(5) Display according to the program type in the program table and reservation by program type Next, information indicating the type of the viewer participation type program is set in advance, and the participation can be automatically made when the corresponding program is started. The function for this is demonstrated.
In the function described with reference to FIG. 6, an icon indicating that the program is a viewer participation program is displayed in the program guide displayed by the receiving device 1, and whether or not viewing reservation is made depending on the color of the icon. Explained the function to represent.
Instead of this function, in the function described here, the receiving apparatus 1 changes the color of the icon displayed in the program guide according to the type (genre) of the viewer participation program.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a program guide displayed by the receiving device 1. In the program guide shown in the figure, display according to the program type is performed. This program table also has a two-dimensional table format, with the vertical direction (rows) corresponding to time zones and the horizontal direction (columns) corresponding to channels (or services). Icons 181, 182 and 183 represent that the program is a viewer participation program. The display colors of these icons 181, 182 and 183 correspond to the types of programs.

  The icon 181 is displayed in yellow. This indicates that the program is a viewer-participation-type program, and is a type of viewer-participation-type program in which the viewer accumulates points and obtains an opportunity to win prizes according to the number of points. ing. The icon 182 is displayed in green. This indicates that the program is a viewer-participation-type program, and is a type of viewer-participation-type program in which the viewer accumulates points and obtains an opportunity to win a prize according to the number of points. ing. The icon 183 is displayed in red. This indicates that the program is a viewer-participation-type program and is a type of viewer-participation-type program in which the viewer can accumulate points and enjoy as a game, although there is no opportunity to win prizes or prizes ing. The receiving device 1 determines whether or not the program is a viewer participation type program based on information extracted from the broadcast signal (for example, the event information table (EIT)). Further, the receiving device 1 is based on similar information extracted from the broadcast signal (for example, an event information table), and the type of the viewer participation type program (whether the viewer gives an opportunity to win a prize, Recognizing whether viewers have the opportunity to win prizes or simply enjoy it as a game). Based on these pieces of information acquired by the receiving device 1, the program guide display unit 315 in the control unit 31 performs display according to the program type.

  Here, the program reservation unit 317 has a function of making a reservation not only for a specific program but also for a program type. When the viewer performs an operation of reserving viewing of a specific program type, the program reservation unit 317 writes the reservation information in the program information storage unit 34. Note that the program reservation unit 317 can cancel or change the reservation by the operation of the viewer. The control unit 31 refers to the program type information stored in the program information storage unit at predetermined time intervals. Based on the information of the program type, the control unit 31 recognizes whether each program is a viewer participation type program and, if it is a viewer participation type program, the type of the program. Then, when viewing of a specific program type is reserved, and when the start time of the program of that type arrives, the control unit 31 starts receiving the broadcast program and controls the viewer's remote control. The operation target by the device 18 or the like is switched to the broadcast program display screen of the program.

Note that when the broadcast start time of the reserved type program arrives, the control unit 31 first controls the user interface unit 17 to display the caution of FIG. Only when there is a response, the above-described screen switching may be actually performed.
When there is a “No” response to the caution shown in FIG. 7B, the control unit 31 displays the caution shown in FIG. 8 (a caution asking whether or not to skip the linked smartphone). The unit 17 may be controlled. When there is a “Yes” response to the caution in FIG. 8, the control unit 31 controls the video and audio of the broadcast program to be transmitted to the linked terminal device 7 by the method described above.

  It should be noted that not only the functions described here (display different for each type and viewing reservation by program type) are applied to the viewer participation type program, but the function described here is applied to other types. It may be.

As described above, the trigger event in this case is that the start time of the program belonging to the reserved type arrives.
As described above, when a program of a type desired by the viewer is started, the convenience of the viewer is improved by automatically switching the operation target screen.

(6) Screen Control According to Participation History and Point Acquisition History Next, a function for displaying a program according to the point acquisition history and switching the operation target screen will be described. Regular regular programs in television broadcasting are broadcast regularly. For example, a program is broadcast every day. A certain program is broadcast every day only on weekdays (from Monday to Friday). A program is broadcast every week on a specific day.
The function described here is a function that allows a viewer who uses the receiving apparatus 1 to automatically and preferentially operate a viewer-participation-type program that has participated in the past. Alternatively, it is a function that allows a viewer who uses the receiving device 1 to automatically and preferentially operate a viewer participation program in which points have already been accumulated.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a program guide displayed by the receiving device 1. In the program table shown in the figure, an icon including information on the participation history and points of the viewer is displayed in association with the program. This program table also has a two-dimensional table format, with the vertical direction (rows) corresponding to time zones and the horizontal direction (columns) corresponding to channels (or services). The icons 191, 192, and 193 indicate that the program is a viewer participation program and a program that the viewer using the receiving apparatus 1 has participated in. In addition, the numerical value given on each of the icons 191, 192, 193 is the value of the points accumulated by the viewer who uses the receiving apparatus 1 in the program. The icon 191 displays 100 points, the icon 192 displays 50 points, and the icon 193 displays 20 points. Each of the icons 191, 192, 193 has a pattern imitating a meter display corresponding to the point value. In other words, it is designed so that the number of accumulated points can be generally understood only by the design of these icons.

Here, the point processing unit 319 in the control unit 31 manages the points given in the participant viewing type program. Specifically, when a point is given from the program side, the point processing unit 319 writes the information of the point in the program information storage unit 34 in a form associated with the program. That is, the receiving device 1 holds information acquired by viewers who use the receiving device 1 in the past times of the program from the start of broadcasting the regular program. In addition, the point processing unit 319, regarding the viewer participation type program that the viewer using the receiving device 1 has participated in the past, even if the given point is 0, the participation history information is displayed as the program. Is written in the program information storage unit 34 in a form associated with the.
The control unit 31 manages a plurality of broadcast times of the regular program in association with each other based on the information in the program guide. For this reason, the control part 31 can grasp | ascertain by associating the program which participated in the past time, and the program of the next time in which the start time has not yet arrived.

Then, the control unit 31 confirms at a predetermined time interval whether or not the next broadcast start time has arrived for the point-acquired program. When the start time of the point-acquired program arrives, the control unit 31 starts receiving the broadcast program and switches the operation target of the viewer's remote control device 18 or the like to the broadcast program display screen of the program. .
Alternatively, even if points have not been acquired, it may be confirmed at predetermined time intervals whether or not the next broadcast start time has arrived for a program having a participation history. When the start time of the program having the participation history arrives, the control unit 31 starts receiving the broadcast program and switches the operation target of the viewer's remote control device 18 or the like to the broadcast program display screen of the program. .

Note that when the broadcast start time of a program in which a viewer has participated or a program in which points are accumulated arrives, the control unit 31 first displays the caution in FIG. 7B. It is also possible to actually perform the above-mentioned screen switching only when there is a response of “Yes” after controlling 17.
When there is a “No” response to the caution shown in FIG. 7B, the control unit 31 displays the caution shown in FIG. 8 (a caution asking whether or not to skip the linked smartphone). The unit 17 may be controlled. When there is a “Yes” response to the caution in FIG. 8, the control unit 31 controls the video and audio of the broadcast program to be transmitted to the linked terminal device 7 by the method described above.

  Note that the mechanism itself by which the receiving device 1 receives point information in a viewer-participation-type program can be realized using existing technology. The receiving device 1 receives from a computer on the broadcasting station side by communication via the Internet or the like. However, the receiving device 1 may extract point information from the broadcast signal.

As described above, the trigger event in this case is that the start time of a program having a participation history arrives or the start time of a program in which points given by participation are accumulated.
Thus, when a viewer participation program that has a participation history is started, or when a viewer participation program in which points have already been accumulated is started, by automatically switching the operation target screen, Viewer convenience is improved.

The functions described above may be implemented in the receiving apparatus 1 in combination as appropriate. It is not always necessary to implement all functions in the receiving device 1.
Or you may make it selectively use only the function which a viewer wants to use among each function demonstrated above by the setting of the receiver 1. FIG.
Moreover, in the above, the display of the program guide by a different method was demonstrated with reference to FIG.6, FIG9 and FIG.10. The display of these different program guides may be appropriately switched based on, for example, an operation by the viewer.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of the receiving device according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the receiving device 2 includes a control unit 32 instead of the control unit 31 included in the receiving device according to the first embodiment. Functions specific to the control unit 32 will be described below with reference to another drawing.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a more detailed functional configuration of the control unit 32 in the receiving device 2. As shown in the figure, the control unit 32 includes a screen switching unit 311, a key assignment processing unit 313, a program guide display unit 315, a program reservation unit 317, a point processing unit 319, And a summation processing unit 321. The functional configuration of the control unit 32 is different from that of the control unit 31 in the first embodiment in that a point summation processing unit 321 is provided.

  The point summation processing unit 321 receives the information on the points accumulated in association with the viewer participation program in the other reception device 2 from the other reception device 2, and receives the viewer participation type program from the other reception device 2. The received point information and the point information managed by the point processing unit 319 of the reception device 2 are added together. Specifically, the point summation processing unit 321 calculates the value of the points accumulated by the own receiving device 2 in the viewer participation program and the value of the points accumulated by other receiving devices 2 in the viewer participation program. The information is added up and provided to the point processing unit 319. Therefore, the point summation processing unit 321 transmits / receives data to / from the point summation processing unit 321 in the other receiving device 2 via the communication unit 11. Specifically, the point summation processing unit 321 communicates with the point summation processing unit 321 of another receiving device 2 for information identifying the receiving device, information identifying the program, and other information regarding the identified program. The point value information stored in the receiving device 2 is exchanged. Note that the point summation processing unit 321 exchanges the above data with the point summation processing unit 321 in another receiving device 2 at a predetermined time interval. This time interval is appropriately set, for example, within a range of 1 second to 100 seconds. However, this time interval may be outside the above numerical range.

  The point summation processing unit 321 exchanges the data with the point summation processing unit 321 in the other receiving device 2 and writes the point information received from the other receiving device 2 in the program information storage unit 34. Further, the point summation processing unit 321 sums the values of those points for each program, and writes the summed value in the program information storage unit 34 as well. The point processing unit 319 reads the combined point value calculated by the point adding processing unit 321 from the program information storage unit 34 and uses it.

  Specifically, when displaying the program guide (the program guide in the form of FIG. 10 of the first embodiment), the point processing unit 319 instead of performing display according to the point value accumulated in the own receiving device, The summed point value summed up by the point summing processing unit 321 is used. At this time, the program guide display unit 315 receives information on the total point value from the point processing unit 319 and performs display according to the total point value. That is, the program guide display unit 315 displays a program guide including a display corresponding to the information on the points added by the point summation processing unit 321 on the screen. When displaying according to the point value in the program guide, it may be possible to selectively switch between the point value accumulated only by the own receiving apparatus and the summed point value.

  In addition, when the control unit 32 switches the operation target screen in response to the occurrence of a trigger event that the start time of the program in which the points given by participation are accumulated, the point value of the own receiving device alone Instead of, a summed point value may be used. When controlling the accumulation of point values as a trigger event, it may be possible to selectively switch between using a point value accumulated only by the own receiving device or a summed point value. .

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a partial data structure in the program information storage unit. The illustrated data is data relating to points that the receiving device 2 accumulates regarding the viewer participation program. (A) and (b) in FIG. 13 show the data which each different receiver 2 has. The illustrated data is tabular data and includes program identification information, type, device identification information, and accumulation point data items. Each row of this data represents a point for each program and for each receiving device. Also included in this data is a row for holding the sum of points in a plurality of devices.

  The illustrated data example corresponds to the case where four receiving apparatuses 2 are connected to each other via a local area network in a single house to constitute one system. Each receiving device 2 is given device identification information for identifying at least the device in the local area network. As the device identification information, for example, an IP address may be used, or other information may be used. FIG. 13A shows data in the program information storage unit 34 included in the receiving device 2 to which “00” is assigned as device identification information. FIG. 13B shows data in the program information storage unit 34 included in the receiving device 2 to which “01” is assigned as device identification information. Also, “02” and “11” are assigned as device identification information to the other two receiving devices 2, respectively.

  In the data example of FIG. 13A, there are five rows of data having program identification information “123456”. Among these five rows of data, the row whose type is “own device” holds information on points accumulated in the viewer participation type program identified by the own device by the program identification information “123456”. . Here, the device identification information of the own device is “00”, and the accumulation point is “80” (points). Of these five rows of data, the row whose type is “connection destination device” corresponds to the connection destination receiving device 2 other than the device itself. Here, there are three rows whose type is “connection destination device”. Of these, the row whose device identification information is “01” holds the value “30” of the accumulation point. Further, the row whose device identification information is “02” holds the value “0” of the accumulation point. Further, the row with the device identification information “11” holds the accumulation point value “20”. Of these five rows of data, the row whose type is “summation value” is the sum of the accumulation points of all connected receivers 2 for the viewer-participation-type program having the program identification information. Is to hold. Here, the line whose type is “total value” holds “999” as the dummy data of the device identification information, and holds the value “130” of the accumulation point. The value of 130 is a value calculated by adding all the accumulation points 80, 30, 0, and 20 of each device. The point summation processing unit 321 receives the accumulated point data from the other receiving device 2, calculates the summed value, and writes it as the data of the row whose type is “summed value”.

  The same applies to the data example of FIG. 13B, and there are five rows of data having program identification information “123456”. Among these five rows of data, the row whose type is “own device” holds information on points accumulated in the viewer participation type program identified by the own device by the program identification information “123456”. . Here, the device identification information of the own device is “01”, and the accumulation point is “30” (points). Of these five rows of data, the row whose type is “connection destination device” corresponds to the connection destination receiving device 2 other than the device itself. Here, there are three rows whose type is “connection destination device”. Among them, the row whose device identification information is “00” holds the value “80” of the accumulation point. Further, the row whose device identification information is “02” holds the value “0” of the accumulation point. Further, the row with the device identification information “11” holds the accumulation point value “20”. Of these five rows of data, the row whose type is “summation value” is the sum of the accumulation points of all connected receivers 2 for the viewer-participation-type program having the program identification information. Is to hold. Here, the line whose type is “total value” holds “999” as the dummy data of the device identification information, and holds the value “130” of the accumulation point. The value of 130 is a value calculated by adding all the accumulation points 80, 30, 0, and 20 of each device. The point summation processing unit 321 receives the accumulated point data from the other receiving device 2, calculates the summed value, and writes it as the data of this row, as in the explanation made with reference to FIG. .

  It should be noted that the detailed configuration itself of data held for summing points is not limited to the form described in FIG. Whatever the detailed data configuration, the point summation processing unit 321 exchanges data of accumulated points for each viewer participation program with other receiving devices 2, calculates the summed value, and the point processing unit 319.

  Note that at least some of the functions of the receiving device, the terminal device, and the remote control device in the above-described embodiment may be realized by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, a “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time, like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory inside a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case may be included, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the above-described functions, or may be a program that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used for a receiving device that receives a broadcast or the like and related devices in the vicinity thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Receiver 11 Communication part 17 User interface part 21 Reception part 22 Separation part 23 Decoding part 24 Output part 31, 32 Control part 34 Program information storage part 35 Key assignment storage part 41 Application execution part 311 Screen switching part 313 Key assignment Processing unit 315 Program guide display unit 317 Program reservation unit 319 Point processing unit 321 Point total processing unit

Claims (7)

A receiver for receiving a broadcast signal of a program;
Decoding a video signal extracted from the broadcast signal, and outputting a decoded broadcast video; and
An application execution unit that executes an application program and outputs an image displayed by the application program;
An output unit for outputting a monitor screen signal by appropriately arranging a broadcast video screen output from the decoding unit and an image screen output from the application execution unit;
The program or the application that manages a user interface and corresponds to a selection screen selected at that time among the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation A user interface unit for transmitting the operation signal to the program;
A control unit that controls to switch the selection screen to be the screen associated with the trigger event when a trigger event that the viewer participation type program is started occurs;
A program guide display unit for displaying on the screen a program guide including a display corresponding to the type of the viewer participation program based on information extracted from the broadcast signal received by the receiver;
A receiving apparatus comprising: A receiver for receiving a broadcast signal of a program;
Decoding a video signal extracted from the broadcast signal, and outputting a decoded broadcast video; and
An application execution unit that executes an application program and outputs an image displayed by the application program;
An output unit for outputting a monitor screen signal by appropriately arranging a broadcast video screen output from the decoding unit and an image screen output from the application execution unit;
The program or the application that manages a user interface and corresponds to a selection screen selected at that time among the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation A user interface unit for transmitting the operation signal to the program;
A control unit that controls to switch the selection screen to be the screen associated with the trigger event when a trigger event that the viewer participation type program is started occurs;
A point processing unit for managing information on points accumulated in association with the viewer participation program;
A program guide display unit for displaying on the screen a program guide including a display according to information on points for each of the viewer-participation-type programs managed by the point processing unit;
A receiving apparatus comprising: Information on the points stored in association with the viewer-participation-type program in another reception device is received from the other reception device, and information on the points received from the other reception device with respect to the viewer-participation-type program; A point summation processing unit for summing information on points managed by the point processing unit of the receiving device;
Further comprising
The program guide display unit displays on the screen a program guide including a display according to the information of the points combined by the point summation processing unit,
The receiving device according to claim 2. Receiving process of receiving broadcast signal of the program,
A decoding process of decoding the video signal extracted from the broadcast signal and outputting the decoded broadcast video;
An application execution process for executing an application program and outputting an image displayed by the application program;
An output process for outputting a monitor screen signal by appropriately arranging a broadcast video screen output from the decoding process and an image screen output from the application execution process;
The program or the application that manages a user interface and corresponds to a selection screen selected at that time among the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation A user interface process for transmitting the operation signal to the program;
A control process for controlling the selection screen to switch to the screen associated with the trigger event when a trigger event occurs in which a viewer participation program is started;
A program guide display process for displaying on the screen a program guide including a display corresponding to the type of the viewer participation type program based on information extracted from the broadcast signal received in the receiving process;
A control method for a receiving apparatus including: Receiving process of receiving broadcast signal of the program,
A decoding process of decoding the video signal extracted from the broadcast signal and outputting the decoded broadcast video;
An application execution process for executing an application program and outputting an image displayed by the application program;
An output process for outputting a monitor screen signal by appropriately arranging a broadcast video screen output from the decoding process and an image screen output from the application execution process;
The program or the application that manages a user interface and corresponds to a selection screen selected at that time among the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation A user interface process for transmitting the operation signal to the program;
A control process for controlling the selection screen to switch to the screen associated with the trigger event when a trigger event occurs in which a viewer participation program is started;
A point processing process for managing information on points accumulated in association with the viewer participation program;
A program guide display process for displaying on the screen a program guide including a display corresponding to point information for each of the viewer-participation-type programs managed in the point processing process;
A control method for a receiving apparatus including: On the computer,
A decoding process for decoding the video signal extracted from the broadcast signal of the received program and outputting the decoded broadcast video;
An application execution process for executing an application program and outputting an image displayed by the application program;
An output process for outputting a monitor screen signal by appropriately arranging a broadcast video screen output from the decoding process and an image screen output from the application execution process;
The program or the application that manages a user interface and corresponds to a selection screen selected at that time among the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation A user interface process for transmitting the operation signal to the program;
A control process for controlling the selection screen to switch to the screen associated with the trigger event when a trigger event occurs in which a viewer participation program is started;
A program guide display process for displaying on the screen a program guide including a display corresponding to a type of the viewer participation program based on information extracted from the broadcast signal;
Program to execute the functions of On the computer,
A decoding process for decoding the video signal extracted from the broadcast signal of the received program and outputting the decoded broadcast video;
An application execution process for executing an application program and outputting an image displayed by the application program;
An output process for outputting a monitor screen signal by appropriately arranging a broadcast video screen output from the decoding process and an image screen output from the application execution process;
The program or the application that manages a user interface and corresponds to a selection screen selected at that time among the plurality of screens arranged on the monitor screen based on an operation signal generated by an external operation A user interface process for transmitting the operation signal to the program;
A control process for controlling the selection screen to switch to the screen associated with the trigger event when a trigger event occurs in which a viewer participation program is started;
A point processing process for managing information on points accumulated in association with the viewer participation program;
A program guide display process for displaying on the screen a program guide including a display corresponding to point information for each of the viewer-participation-type programs managed in the point processing process;
Program to execute the functions of

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