JP2018093393A - System and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method in which a log on a use state of an external connection apparatus connected with an electronic apparatus to view video and audio is not collected by the external connection apparatus but collected by the electronic apparatus to view video and audio and connected with the external connection apparatus.SOLUTION: A system of a present embodiment includes: input means into which input is first information capable of indicating that a first mode to display an image from an external input at an electronic apparatus was selected during a first period, and second information capable of identifying a first external device connected to an external terminal of the electronic apparatus during a second period; and generation means for generating a first log indicating that the first external device was used during a third period when part of the first period overlaps with part of the second period by using the first information and the second information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a system and method for collecting a log relating to a usage status of an externally connected device connected to a device for viewing video and audio.

  Many television receivers can be connected to a network. Some television receivers that can be connected to a network can send logs relating to the operation time and operation content to a server via the network. Data related to programs and time viewed by the user, calculated from a huge log of operation time and content collected on the server, reflects the user's hobbies and preferences for broadcasted programs (may be referred to as content) Therefore, it can be useful information for the program provider.

  By the way, in recent years, television receivers are not only for watching programs using television broadcast waves, but are connected to external connection devices (for example, DVD players, set-top boxes, game devices, etc.), and video and audio are transmitted to televisions. It is increasingly used to output to the display screen of the receiver. For this reason, the demand is increasing also about collecting the log regarding the use condition of the external connection apparatus connected to the television receiver.

JP 2010-283505 A

  Conventionally, in order to collect logs related to the usage status of externally connected devices, the target externally connected device can be connected to the network, and an electronic function that outputs logs related to the operation of externally connected devices to the outside via the network is provided. It was necessary to have.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a log related to the usage status of an externally connected device connected to an electronic device that views video and audio is not collected by the externally connected device, but a video or audio to which the externally connected device is connected is viewed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for collecting data using electronic equipment.

  The system of the present embodiment is connected to the first information that can specify that the first mode for displaying an image from an external input in the electronic device is selected for the first time, and to the external terminal of the electronic device for the second time The first period and the second period overlap with each other by using the input means for inputting the second information that can identify the first external device, the first information, and the second information. Generating means for generating a first log indicating that the first external device has been used for three periods.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration diagram of a log collection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another example of the overall configuration diagram of the log collection system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of the overall configuration diagram of the log collection system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a list showing an example of mode switching information stored in the electronic device log storage unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 4B is a list showing another example of the mode switching information stored in the electronic device log storage unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5A is a list showing an example of connection state information stored in the electronic device log storage unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5B is a list showing another example of connection state information stored in the electronic device log storage unit according to the embodiment. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example in which the mode switching information illustrated in FIG. 4A and the connection state information illustrated in FIG. 5A are expressed on the same time axis. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example in which the mode switching information illustrated in FIG. 4B and the connection state information illustrated in FIG. 5B are expressed on the same time axis. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow for calculating the connection time of the externally connected device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8A is a list showing an example of external device usage time data according to an embodiment. FIG. 8B is a list showing another example of the external device usage time data according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration diagram of the log collection system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a list showing an example of connected device control information stored in the electronic device log storage unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a list showing an example of a state transition table stored in advance in the electronic device log storage unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state transition table illustrated in FIG. 11 in which control signals and state transitions according to the control signals are schematically illustrated. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which mode switching information, connection state information, and a state transition table according to the second embodiment are expressed on the same time axis. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow for estimating the internal state of the externally connected device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a list showing an example of internal state data of externally connected devices according to the second embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration diagram of a log collection system according to the first embodiment.

  The system for collecting logs according to the first embodiment is mainly composed of two parts. One is the electronic device 100, and the other is the log analysis device 400.

  The electronic device 100 has two functions. The first function is to display either the video data of one or more connected externally connected devices or the video data of TV broadcast waves from the TV tuner of the electronic device 100. This is a function for acquiring a log of a switching state of a state (hereinafter referred to as a mode) for display on the screen. The second function is a function of detecting a connection state of one or a plurality of externally connected devices and acquiring a connection status log with the externally connected devices.

  For example, when the electronic device 100 is a television receiver having an HDMI (registered trademark) interface, a plurality of external connection devices such as a DVD player and a set-top box are connected to the television receiver via a plurality of connection terminals of the HDMI interface. May be connected. In this case, the user selects any one of the plurality of connected externally connected devices, and displays the video data of the externally connected device on the display screen in the television receiver for viewing. Possible use cases.

  In such a use case, when the user selects the HDMI interface terminal of the television receiver to which the external device is connected from the menu screen, the television receiver selects the HDMI selected from the mode for displaying the broadcast wave for television. Switch to the mode that displays the video data of the external device connected to the interface terminal. As described above, in the electronic device 100, mode switching which is information including the contents of the mode switched to display either the television broadcast wave or the video data of the externally connected device on the display unit 109 and the usage time of the mode. The first function is a function for obtaining a status log. The television receiver can recognize a selectable terminal by detecting connection with an externally connected device using an HDMI interface.

Further, when an external connection device is connected, the television receiver can detect the connection with the external connection device such as a DVD player or a set-top box by detecting the connection with the external connection device through the HDMI interface. As described above, the second function is a function of detecting a connection state with the external connection device and acquiring a log of the detected connection state in the electronic device 100.
The log analyzer 400 is mainly composed of one function. This function is a function for grasping the usage status of the externally connected device by using the mode switching information log transmitted from the electronic device 100 via the network 300 and the connection status information log of the externally connected device. .

  The electronic device 100 has a function of grasping the usage status of the externally connected device by using a log of mode switching information and a log of connection state information of the externally connected device, which are functions of the log analysis device 400. You may have as the third function. In this case, the system may include only the electronic device 100 having the third function, or may include the electronic device 100 having the third function and the log analysis device 400. Alternatively, the management of mode switching information and the management of connection state information, which are functions of the electronic device 100, may be included in the log analysis device 400 as the second and third functions of the log analysis device 400. .

  The electronic device 100 includes a communication interface 101, an internal signal processing unit 102, a device operation unit 103, an input control unit 104, an input switching log storage unit 105, a connected device identification information acquisition unit 106, a connected device identification log storage unit 107, and log transmission. Unit 108, display unit 109, and audio output unit 110. The electronic device 100 is specifically a personal computer or a television receiver. Alternatively, a monitor device may be used.

  The communication interface 101 is a module that performs communication with the externally connected device 200-1 connected to the electronic device 100. For example, a module that supports the DVI (Digital Visual Interface) standard or the HDMI (High-Definition multimedia interface) standard. Applicable. The communication interface 101 may be MHL (High-Definition Link), Miracast, AirPlay, and WirelessDisplay. Note that there are a plurality of externally connected devices connected to the electronic device 100 via the communication interface 101, such as the externally connected device 200-2 to the externally connected device 200-n (n is an integer of 2 or more) shown in FIG. May be.

  The communication interface 101 can recognize the start and end of connection with one or a plurality of externally connected devices 200-k, and identification information of the externally connected devices.

  When the external connection device 200-k starts or ends connection with the electronic device 100 via the communication interface, the communication interface 101 displays [input label, connection device identification information, connection start as information on the connection status of the external connection device. Connection state information represented by a combination of [time, connection end time].

  Although the input label will be described later, it specifies the transmission source of video data / audio data for displaying video on the display unit 109 or outputting audio to the audio output unit 110.

  The connection device identification information may be any information as long as the external connection device 200-k can be identified (referred to as identification information of the external connection device 200-k). For example, in the case of the HDMI standard, the device control protocol HDMI- Vendor id or OSD Name defined by CEC (High-Definition Multimedia Interface-Consumer Electronics Control) may be used. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and if there is other identification information that can specify the externally connected device, it may be used.

  The connection start time represents the time when the communication interface 101 recognizes a connection with a new external connection device 200-m different from the currently connected external connection device 200-k.

  The connection end time represents the time when the communication interface 101 recognizes the end of the connection with the external connection device 200-k that is currently recognizing the connection.

  The time at which the communication interface 101 recognizes the start of the connection with the external connection device may be recognized by any method. For example, when the communication interface 101 is the HDMI standard, the HDMI cable connected to the external connection device is The time at which the electronic device 100 is inserted into the HDMI terminal may be used. Alternatively, as detecting periodically the connection state between the electronic device 100 and the externally connected device, the input control unit near the time after the HDMI cable connected to the externally connected device is inserted into the HDMI terminal of the electronic device 100 104 may be the timing when the insertion of the HDMI cable can be recognized.

  Similarly, the time at which the communication interface 101 recognizes the end of the connection with the external connection device may be recognized by any method. For example, when the communication interface 101 is the HDMI standard, the HDMI connected to the external connection device is used. The time when the cable is disconnected from the HDMI terminal of the electronic device 100 may be used. Alternatively, as the periodical detection of the connection state between the electronic device 100 and the external connection device, the input control unit 104 is in the vicinity of the time after the HDMI cable connected to the external connection device is disconnected from the HDMI terminal of the electronic device 100. However, it may be the timing when it is possible to recognize that the HDMI cable is disconnected.

  Note that the connection state information is not limited to information expressed by a combination of [input label, connection device identification information, connection start time, connection end time], but other attribute information of the external connection device 200-m and the viewing device 100. Other information may also be included.

  Further, the communication interface 101 is based on an instruction from the input control unit 104, and video data included in any one of the external connection devices selected from one or a plurality of external connection devices 200-k connected to the electronic device 100. The flow of video data is controlled so that the image data can be displayed on the display unit 109.

  The internal signal processing unit 102 is a module that sends video data (including audio data) acquired from other than the externally connected device 200-k to the input control unit 104. For example, when the electronic device 100 is a television receiver, the internal signal processing unit 102 includes a television tuner that outputs video data and audio data from a television broadcast wave received by the television receiver via an antenna (not shown). Applicable.

  The input control unit 104 displays the video data of the externally connected device 200-n connected thereto or the video data output from the internal signal processing unit 104 on the display unit 109 in cooperation with the communication interface 101. This is a module for switching a data path that is a flow path of video data. The communication interface 101 and the input control unit 104 are collectively referred to as an input unit.

  The data path switching performed by the input control unit 104 is performed by a mode switching instruction sent from the device operation unit 103. For example, when the electronic device 100 is a television receiver, when the user selects a channel for a program, the device operation unit 103 displays the video data or audio data output from the internal signal processing unit 102 on the display unit 109. The input control unit 104 is instructed to switch the mode so that it can be output to the audio output unit 110. For example, when the user selects a connection terminal for the external connection device 200-k from the menu screen, the device operation unit 103 receives video data or audio data input from the outside via the communication interface 101 by the selected connection terminal. The input control unit 104 is instructed to switch the mode so that it is displayed on the display unit 109 or output to the audio output unit. In this way, the device operation is performed so as to switch the mode for displaying either the video data of one or more connected external devices or the video data of the broadcast wave for television on the display unit 109 of the electronic device 100. The instruction that unit 103 issues to input control unit 104 is referred to as a mode switching instruction. The input control unit 104 that has received the mode switching instruction switches the data path in cooperation with the communication interface 101.

  The input control unit 104 acquires mode switching information expressed by a combination of [input label, switching start time, switching end time] as information on the mode switching status when switching data paths according to the mode switching instruction. The input control unit 104 accumulates the acquired mode switching information as a log in the input switching log storage unit 105 at an arbitrary timing. The input control unit 104 assigns and stores an electronic device ID that is an identifier of the electronic device 100 when the mode switching information is stored in the input switching log storage unit 105.

  The input label specifies a transmission source of video data / audio data for displaying video on the display unit 109 or outputting audio to the audio output unit 110. For example, the input label may be “port 01” or “port 02” which are port numbers. For example, when the communication interface 101 is HDMI standard, HDMI terminals “HDMI1” and “HDMI2” to which an external device is connected may be used as the input label instead of the port number. In the case of video data / audio data output from the internal signal processing unit 102, the input label may be “TV”, “Terrestrial”, or the like. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the external connection device 200-k connected to the electronic device 100 may be connected to another external connection device 201-k. In this case, the external connection device 200-1 is directly connected to the electronic device 100 via the communication interface 101, but the transmission source of the video data / audio data is the external connection device 201-1. In consideration of this point, the input label may be a unique address of the device such as a MAC address of the externally connected device connected to the electronic device 100.

  The switching start time is a new data path when the input control unit 104 switches from the data path used so far to a new data path when the mode switching instruction is received from the device operation unit 103. Represents the start time.

  In addition, the switching end time is the data until the time when the input control unit 104 switches from the previously used data path to a new data path by receiving the mode switching instruction from the device operation unit 103. Indicates the end time of the path.

  Note that the mode switching information is not limited to information expressed by a combination of [input label, switching start time, switching end time], but other attribute information of the externally connected device 200-k and other information of the electronic device 100. May be included. For example, when the externally connected device transmits video data to the electronic device 100, the input control unit 104 receives information regarding the content of the program transmitted together with the video data and channel information of the program, and receives one or more Information about the contents of channels and channels in one or more time zones and channels can also be taken in as mode switching information. In addition, when displaying video data of a television broadcast on the display unit 109, the input control unit 104 can also capture information about the contents and channels of the program as mode switching information.

  The connected device identification information acquisition unit 106 is a module that manages connection state information notified from the communication interface 101. The connected device identification information acquisition unit 106 accumulates the notified connection state information as a log in the connected device identification log storage unit 107 at an arbitrary timing. The connected device identification information acquisition unit 106 assigns and stores an electronic device ID that is an identifier of the electronic device 100 when the connection state information is stored in the connected device identification log storage unit 107.

  The input switching log storage unit 105 and the connected device identification log storage unit 107 may be different memory areas or different areas within the same memory.

  The log transmission unit 108 transmits the mode switching information stored in the input switching log storage unit 105 and the connection state information stored in the connected device identification log storage unit 107 to the outside of the electronic device 100 via the network 300. This is a module to be transferred to a certain log analysis device 400. The timing at which the log transmission unit 108 transmits the mode switching information stored in the input switching log storage unit 105 and the connection state information stored in the connected device identification log storage unit 107 to the log analysis device 400 is set at specific intervals. Or when the electronic device 100 is turned off, or when the amount of logs accumulated in the input switching log storage unit 105 or the connected device identification log storage unit 107 reaches a certain amount. The timing at which the log transmission unit 108 transmits the mode switching information stored in the input switching log storage unit 105 and the connection state information stored in the connected device identification log storage unit 107 to the log analysis device 400 is not necessarily synchronized. However, each log may be transmitted at an independent timing.

  The log analysis device 400 is a device that calculates the usage time of the externally connected device using the mode switching information and the connection state information stored in the electronic device log storage unit 402. The log analysis device 400 can be connected to a plurality of electronic devices as shown in FIG. 3, and the log receiving unit 401 receives mode switching information and connection state information sent from each electronic device, The received log is stored in the electronic device log storage unit 402.

  Further, the log analysis device 400 has an input unit 406 that receives a log analysis request from the outside. Upon receiving a log analysis request from the outside, the input unit 406 transmits a log analysis request to the analysis request receiving unit 404. Upon receiving the log analysis request, the analysis request receiving unit 404 instructs the externally connected device information analyzing unit 403 to analyze the log. When the external connection device information analysis unit 403 receives the log analysis instruction from the analysis request reception unit 404, the external connection device information analysis unit 403 reads the mode switching information and the connection state information from the electronic device log storage unit 402, and reads the read mode switching information and the connection state. By analyzing the information, the connection time of the externally connected device 200-k or 201-k is calculated. The external device information analysis unit 403 outputs the calculated result from the output unit 405.

  As described above, the mode switching information and connection state information analysis performed by the external connection device information analysis unit 403 can be performed in the electronic device 100 as well.

  A processing flow for calculating the connection time of the externally connected device 200-k or 201-k performed by the log analysis device 400 will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is an example in which the external connection device 201-2 is further connected to the external connection device 200-1 connected to the electronic device 100 as described above.

  A plurality of electronic devices can be connected to the log analysis device 400 via the network 300.

  FIG. 3 is an example in which two electronic devices are connected to one log analysis device 400 via the network 300. An electronic device 100-1 and an electronic device 100-2 are connected to the log analysis device 400. As shown in FIG. 3, the external connection device connected to the electronic device 100-1 and the external connection device connected to the electronic device 100-2 may be different from each other, and the connected external connection device. The number of may be different. Here, m is an arbitrary integer of 2 or more.

  4A and 5A show examples of mode switching information and connection state information stored in the electronic device log storage unit 402, respectively. Note that the electronic device ID of the electronic device 100 is TH100-1.

  The mode switching information T100 includes a combination of [electronic device ID, input label, switching start time, switching end time]. The electronic device ID is a unique value of the electronic device 100 that is given by the log transmission unit 108 at the timing of transmitting the mode switching information. The input label, switching start time, and switching end time are the input label, switching start time, and switching end time of the mode switching information stored in the input switching log storage unit 105.

  The connection state information T101 is composed of a combination of [electronic device ID, input label, connected device identification information, connection start time, connection end time]. The electronic device ID is an electronic device ID that is a unique value of the electronic device 100 given by the log transmission unit 108 at the timing of transmitting the connection state information. The input label, the connected device identification information, the connection start time, and the connection end time are the input label, the connected device identification information, the connection start time, and the connection end time of the connection status information stored in the connected device identification log storage unit 107. is there.

  Each one of the combinations of [electronic device ID, input label, switching start time, switching end time] in mode switching information T100, and [electronic device ID, input label, connected device identification information, connection start in connection state information T101] Each combination of [time, connection end time] is called an entry.

  4A and 5A are examples in which five “game machine A”, “game machine B”, “recorder A”, “PC”, and “set-top box” are connected as externally connected devices to the electronic device 100. FIG. . The connection state information in FIG. 5A means that the connection with the electronic device 100 is started when the three externally connected devices and their data paths are “2016-08-25 12:00:00”. Further, the mode switching information in FIG. 4A is selected from the connected data paths shown in FIG. 5A in order to display the video data of the externally connected device on the display unit 109 of the electronic device 100 for viewing. When the data path is between the time “2016-08-25 12:00:00” and the time “2016-08-25 12:31:00”, the data path of the “port 01”, the time “2016-08-25 12” : 31:00 ”to time“ 2016-08-25 12:46:00 ”is the data path of“ Port 03 ”, and time“ 2016-08-25 12:46:00 ”to time“ 2016-08- ” 25 13:16:00 ”is the data path of“ Port 02 ”, between time“ 2016-08-25 13:16:00 ”and time“ 2016-08-25 14:11:00 ” Is the data path of “Port 01”, and the data path of “Port 03” is from the time “2016-08-25 14: 11: 0” to the time “2016-08-25 15:00:00” I mean.

  6A is an example in which the mode switching information T100 in FIG. 4A and the connection state information T101 in FIG. 5A are expressed on the same time axis. Looking at the time series U100 of the mode switching information, the input label “Port 01” is selected between “2016-08-25 12:00:00” and “2016-08-25 12:31:00”. In this period, the time series U101 corresponding to “port 01” in the connection state information shows that “game machine A” is connected (period U104). Therefore, in the electronic device 100, it is estimated that the content of “Game machine A” was viewed for 31 minutes from “2016-08-25 12:00:00” to “2016-08-25 12:31:00”. be able to. Similarly, the connection status of externally connected devices can be estimated for other periods.

  FIG. 6B is another example in which the mode switching information T100 of FIG. 4B and the connection state information T101 of FIG. 5B are expressed on the same time axis. FIG. 4B is an example in which one of the entries has input label = “terrestrial”. In this case, the electronic device 100 that acquires the mode switching information in FIG. 4B is assumed to be a television receiver. As described above, the input control unit 104 can also acquire a log in which a data path is switched so that video data or audio data received as a broadcast wave for television is output to the display unit 109 or the audio output unit 110.

  Next, a processing flow for calculating the connection time of the externally connected device 200-k or 201-k will be described using the mode switching information T100 and the connection state information T101 shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A as examples.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a processing flow for calculating the connection time between the electronic device 100 and the external connection device 200-k or 201-k.

  The external connection device information analysis unit 403 refers to the mode switching information T100 stored in the electronic device log storage unit 402, and selects one entry for which the calculation of the connection time with the external connection device has not been processed. The external device information analysis unit 403 reads the input label, switching start time, and switching end time of the selected entry. The external device information analysis unit 403 displays an entry having the same input label as that of the entry of the selected mode switching information T100 in the time between the read switching start time and the switching end time in the connection state information T101. Extract from the inside (S100).

  Next, the external device information analysis unit 403 selects one unprocessed entry from the entries of the connection state information T101 extracted in S100 (S101).

  The externally connected device information analysis unit 403 switches from the time T2 between the connection start time and the connection end time of the entry of the connection state information T101 selected in S101 and the switching start time of the entry of the mode switching information T100 selected in S100. The use start time T3-S and the time T3 of the time that overlaps the time T1 between the end times are the times when the externally connected device described in the connected device identification information of the entry selected in S101 is used. Use end time T3-E is calculated (S102).

  The externally connected device information analyzing unit 403 uses the electronic device ID “electronic device ID” of the entry of the connection state information T101 selected in S101 based on the usage start time T3-S and the usage end time T3-E calculated in S102. It is determined that it is the “use start time” and “use end time” connected to the external device described in “Connected Device Identification Information”, and the determined contents are [electronic device ID, use start time, use end time, As a combination of “connected device identification information”, it is added to the external device usage time data (S103).

  The processing from S101 to S103 is repeated until the processing for all the entries of the connection status information T101 extracted in S100 is completed (S104). When the processing for all the entries of the connection state information T101 extracted in S100 is completed, the read pointer for reading the mode switching information T100 implemented in S100 is updated, and a new unprocessed entry is selected from the mode switching information T100. Read and repeat the processing from S101 to S103 again. The update of the read pointer is repeated until there is no unprocessed entry in the mode switching information T100, and the processing from S101 to S104 is repeated every time the read pointer is updated (S105).

  The above processing flow will be specifically described with reference to the example of the mode switching information T100 shown in FIG. 4A and the connection state information T01 shown in FIG. 5A.

  As a premise, among the entries of the mode switching information T100 illustrated in FIG. 4A, all the entries whose switching start time is earlier than “2016-08-25 12:46:00” described in the example of FIG. Assume that the calculation of the connection time of the external connection device 200-k is completed. In addition, it is assumed that there is no entry whose switching start time is later than “2016-08-25 14: 11: 0” which is the latest time described in the example of FIG. 4A. In this case, the external connection device information analysis unit 403 uses the read pointer of the mode switching information T100 stored in the electronic device log storage unit 402 as the entry with the oldest switching start time among the entries for which connection time calculation has not been processed. Entry that is input label = “port 1”, switching start time = “2006-08-25 13:16:00”, switching end time = “2016-08-25 14:11:00” is stored. Set to the beginning of the area. When the setting of the read pointer is completed, the external device information analysis unit 403 reads the corresponding entry, and the input label = “port 01”, the switching start time = “2016-08-25 13:16:00”, Each information of switching end time = “2016-08-25 14:11:00” is acquired. Subsequently, the external device information analysis unit 403 determines the time between the acquired switching start time = “2016-08-25 13:16:00” and switching end time = “2016-08-25 14: 11: 0”. , The entry with the input label = “port 01” is extracted from the connection state information T101 (S100).

  In the example of FIG. 5A, input label = “port 01” in the connection state information T01 between “2016-08-25 13:16:00” and “2016-08-25 14: 11: 0”. The entries are: input label = “port 01”, connected device identification information = “game machine A”, connection start time = “2006-08-25 12:00:00”, connection end time = “2016-08-25 13” ： 26: 00 ”, entry label =“ port 01 ”, connected device identification information =“ PC A ”, connection start time =“ 2006-08-25 13:46:00 ”, connection end There are two entries of entry 2 of the time = “2016-08-25 15:00:00”. The external device information analysis unit 403 reads the input label = “port 01” read from the mode switching information T100, the switching start time = “2006-08-25 13:16:00”, and the switching end time = “2016-08-”. 25, 11:10:00 ”, the corresponding entries, entry 1 and entry 2, are extracted from the connection state information T101 (S100).

  In the above description, the setting of the read pointer for the mode switching information T100 is set in the area of the entry with the oldest switching start time among the unprocessed entries of the mode switching information. Of the entries that have not yet been calculated, the switching start time may be set in the area of the entry having the latest switching start time. Further, among the unprocessed entries of the mode switching information, the switching end time may be set in the oldest entry area, or the switching end time may be set in the latest entry area. Further, the read pointer may be set in order according to a certain rule.

  Next, the external device information analysis unit 403 selects one entry from the entries 1 and 2 extracted in S100 (S101). Here, it is assumed that the external device information analysis unit 403 selects entry 1.

  Entry 1 includes input label = “port 01”, connected device identification information = “game machine A”, connection start time = “2006-08-25 12:00:00”, connection end time = “2016-08-25” 13:26:00 ”, and the connection time of this entry 1 is from the connection start time =“ 2006-08-25 12:00:00 ”to the connection end time =“ 2016-08-25 13:26:00 ” The period up to is time T2 (section of U111 shown in FIG. 6A). Further, the entry of the mode switching information T100 selected in S100 is as follows: input label = “port 1”, switching start time = “2006-08-25 13:16:00”, switching end time = “2016-08-25” 14 The switching time of this entry is from the switching start time = “2016-08-25 13:16:00” to the switching end time = “2016-08-25 14:11:00”. The time between them is T1 (U110 section shown in FIG. 6A). The externally connected device information analysis unit 403 describes the time T3 (interval of U107 shown in FIG. 6A), which is the time when T1 and T2 overlap, as described in the connected device identification information of entry 2 that is the entry selected in S101. The use start time and the use end time are calculated as the time when the “game machine A” is connected to the electronic device 100 (S102). In this example, the use start time is “2016-08-25 13:16:00”, and the use end time is “2016-08-25 13:26:00”.

  Next, the externally connected device information analyzing unit 403 uses the electronic start ID and “electronic device 100-1” in the entry of the connection status information T101 selected in S101 as the use start time and use end time calculated in S102. The “use start time” = “2016-08-25 13:16:00” and “use end time” = “when the device is connected to the externally connected device of“ connected device identification information ”=“ game machine A ” "2016-08-25 13:26:00" and the determined content is [electronic device ID, use start time, use end time, connected device identification information] = [100-1, 2016-08-25. 13:16:00, 2016-08-25 13:26:00, game machine A] is added to the external device usage time data (S103).

  The processing from S101 to S103 is similarly performed on entry 2 of the connection status information T101 extracted in S100 (S104). When the processing for the entry 2 extracted in S100 is completed, the read pointer for reading the mode switching information T100 implemented in S100 is updated, a new unprocessed entry is read from the mode switching information T100, and again from S101 to S103. Repeat the same process. (S105).

  With the above processing, the external connection device information analysis unit 403 causes the game machine A to be connected to the electronic device 100 during the period from “2016-08-25 13:16:00” to “2016-08-25 13:26:00”. And the personal computer A is connected to the electronic device 100 during the period from “2016-08-25 13:46:00” to “2016-08-25 14: 11: 0”. to decide.

  This determination result is obtained by the externally connected device information analyzing unit 403 by adding [100-1, 2006-08-25 13:16:00, 2006-08-25 13:26:00, A], [100-1, 2016-08-25 13:46:00, 2006-08-25 14: 11: 0, personal computer A] (S106).

  8A displays the usage time of the externally connected device calculated by the processing flow shown in FIG. 7 when the mode switching information is the mode switching information T100 shown in FIG. 4A and the connection status information is the connection status information T101 shown in FIG. 5A. It is an example of a list of externally connected device usage time data. In this example, all the electronic device IDs are the same in all entries, but entries having different electronic device IDs may be mixed. Further, between “2016-08-25 13:26:00” and “2016-08-25 13:46:00” (U108 section), mode switching information exists but connection state information exists. Not done. Such a section means that the externally connected device is connected, but video data is not output to the display unit 109 of the electronic device 100.

  8B shows the usage time of the externally connected device calculated by the processing flow shown in FIG. 7 when the mode switching information is the mode switching information T100 shown in FIG. 4B and the connection status information is the connection status information T101 shown in FIG. 5B. Is another example of a list of external device usage time data. The example which the electronic device 100 is displaying on the display part 109 of the broadcast wave for television is included. In this case, the television broadcast wave is displayed on the display unit 109 regardless of the connection status of the external connection device 200-k to the electronic device 100.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to calculate the externally connected device that the user has intentionally switched and the selection time thereof, and to acquire them as usage time data of the externally connected device.

  Next, in the case where control signals (also called commands) of the external connection device are transmitted / received via the communication interface 101, not only the usage time of the external connection device as shown in the first embodiment but also the internal state A method for inferring the transition will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration diagram of a log collection system according to the second embodiment. The overall system configuration diagram shown in FIG. 9 is largely different from the overall configuration diagram of the log collection system shown in FIG. 1 in the following two functions.

  The first function is that a function for acquiring a log for controlling an externally connected device is added to the electronic device 120. The second function is a function for estimating an internal state of the externally connected device using a log for controlling the externally connected device transmitted from the electronic device 120 via the network 300.

  The connected device control unit 109 is a part that performs processing for receiving a control signal for controlling the externally connected device 200 from the device operating unit 103 and transmitting the control signal to the externally connected device 200 through the communication interface 101. For example, when the communication interface 11 conforms to the HDMI standard, a CEC command transmitted by HDMI-CEC can be considered as the control signal. In addition, the connected device control unit 109 stores, in the connected device control log storage unit 110, connected device control information expressed as a combination of [input label, control signal, control time] as log information of the control signal.

  The control time is the time when the control signal is controlled, and for example, it may be the time when the external connection device 200 performs control based on the control signal received from the connection device control unit 109, or the connection device control unit 109 outputs the control signal. The time of transmission may be used.

  When transmitting the connected device control information accumulated in the connected device control log storage unit 110 to the external log analysis device 500, the log transmission unit 108 is a value unique to the electronic device 120, as is the mode switching information and the connection state information. The electronic device ID is given and transmitted.

  The timing at which the log transmitting unit 108 transmits the connected device control information stored in the connected device control log storage unit 110 to the log analysis device 500 is stored at a specific time or when the electronic device 120 is turned off. It may be when the amount of logs accumulated in the unit 110 reaches a certain amount. In addition, the timing at which the log transmission unit 108 transmits the connected device control information stored in the connected device control log storage unit 110 to the log analysis device 500 is not necessarily synchronized with the mode switching information or the connection state information. You may transmit at an independent timing.

  The log analysis device 500 is a device that estimates the internal state of the externally connected device using the mode switching information, the connection state information, and the connected device control information stored in the electronic device log storage unit 502. The log analysis device 500 can be connected to a plurality of electronic devices as in the case of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and mode switching information and connection state information sent from each electronic device. The connected device control information is received by the log receiving unit 501, and the received log is stored in the electronic device log storage unit 502.

  Further, the log analysis device 500 has an input unit 506 that receives a log analysis request from the outside. Upon receiving a log analysis request from the outside, the input unit 506 transmits a log analysis request to the analysis request receiving unit 504. Upon receiving the log analysis request, the analysis request receiving unit 504 instructs the externally connected device information analyzing unit 503 to analyze the log. Upon receiving the log analysis instruction from the analysis request receiving unit 504, the external connection device information analysis unit 503 reads the analysis target log from the electronic device log storage unit 502, and displays the read mode switching information and connection state information. By analyzing, the transition of the internal state of the external connection device 200-k or 201-k is estimated, and the result is output to the output unit 405.

  A processing flow for estimating the internal state transition of the externally connected device 200-m or 201-m performed by the log analysis device 500 will be described later.

  10 and 11 show examples of the connected device control information T200 and the state transition table T201 stored in the electronic device log storage unit 502, respectively. The electronic device ID of the electronic device 120 is TH200.

  The connected device control information T200 includes a combination of [electronic device ID, control signal, control time]. The electronic device ID is a value unique to the electronic device 200 given by the log transmission unit 108 at the timing of transmitting the connected device control information. The control signal and the control time are a control signal and a control time, which are log information of the control signal accumulated in the connected device control log storage unit 110.

  The state transition table T201 is a table in which control signals for externally connected devices are associated with internal state transitions.

  FIG. 12 shows the state transition table T201 shown in FIG. 11 in which the current state and the transition destination state are connected with an arrow, and a control signal that triggers the transition of the internal state in the direction of the arrow is described together with the arrow. is there. In the figure, “◯” indicates a state, and an arrow connecting the states indicates that the state at the source of the arrow is “current state” and the destination of the arrow is “the state at the transition destination”. In addition, the contents described below the arrow indicate a control signal serving as a trigger for transitioning the internal state in the direction of the arrow. For example, the content of the entry T201-1 of the connected device control information T201 shown in FIG. 11 is indicated by a state transition surrounded by a dotted line 1201 in FIG. That is, the “current state” = “standby state” indicated by the entry T201-1 in FIG. 11 is the standby state V200 in FIG. 12, and the “transition destination state” = “content selection state” indicated in the entry T201-1 in FIG. Is the content selection state V201 in FIG. 12, and “control signal” = “recording list” indicated by the entry T201-1 in FIG. 11 is written under the arrow from the standby state V200 to the content selection state V201 in FIG. It is a “recording list”.

  FIG. 13 is an example in which the connected device control information T200 of FIG. 11 and the state transition table T201 of FIG. 12 are represented on the same time axis in addition to the mode switching information T100 and the connection state information T101. U200 indicates mode switching information, U201 indicates connection state information, and U202 indicates connection device control information.

  Looking at the time series U200 of the mode switching information T100, an input label of “Port 02” is selected between “2016-08-25 12:46:00” and “2016-08-25 13:16:00”. When the time series U201 corresponding to “port 02” in the connection state information is seen during this period, it can be seen that “recorder A” is connected (period U210). Further, when the time series U202 of the connected device control information is viewed during the same period from “2016-08-25 12:46:00” to “2016-08-25 13:16:00”, the “recording list” shown from U203 to U209 is shown. It can be seen that seven control signals of “cursor” “cursor” “decision” “fast forward” “replay” “stop” were transmitted.

  Here, “Recording” indicated by the time series U202 of the connected device control information T200 from “2016-08-25 12:46:00”, which is the time when switching to “Port 02” indicated by the time series U200 of the mode switching information T100. The state of the externally connected device in the period of U210 until “2016-08-25 12:46:05” which is the time when the control signal of “list” is controlled is defined as “initial state”. Assuming that the “initial state” is a specific “state A” of the externally connected device, the “state A”, the control signal (U203 to U209) of the connected device control information T200, and the state transition table T201 are used. The external device information analysis unit 503 can estimate the state transition from “state A” with respect to the internal state of the external device 200-m.

  For example, assuming that the “initial state” of “recorder A” in the period of U210 is “standby state V200”, the control signal = “recording list” is controlled to “2016-08-25 12:46:05”. The externally connected device can estimate that the internal state has transitioned to the “content selection state” V201 (the state in the period of U211).

  As an initial state, for example, as an operation specification of the target externally connected device, after performing a data path switching operation in which a switching log remains in the mode switching information T100, the internal state is always changed to the “standby state”. Thus, in the case of an operation specification in which an internal state is uniquely changed with a certain operation, the changed state may be set as an initial state. The steady state after turning on the power of the external connection device may be set as the initial state. The initial state may be defined from the time series order U202 of the connected device control information T200 and the state transition table T201.

  Next, a processing flow for estimating the internal state of the externally connected device 200-m or 201-m by analyzing the mode switching information, the connection state information, the connected device control information, and the state transition table will be described.

  FIG. 14 is an example of a processing flow for estimating the internal state of the externally connected device 200-k or 201-k connected to the electronic device 120.

  As in the first embodiment, the external connection device information analysis unit 503 refers to the mode switching information T100 stored in the electronic device log storage unit 502, and selects an entry for which the estimation of the internal state of the external connection device is unprocessed. Select one. The external device information analysis unit 503 reads the input label, switching start time, and switching end time of the selected entry. The external device information analysis unit 503 displays an entry having the same input label as the input label read from the entry of the selected mode switching information T100 in the time between the read switching start time and the switching end time. Extract from T101 (S200).

  Next, the external device information analysis unit 503 selects one unprocessed entry among the entries of the connection state information extracted in S200 (S201).

  The external device information analysis unit 503 displays the time T2 between the connection start time and the connection end time of the entry of the connection state information selected in S201, and the switching end time from the switching start time of the mode switching information entry selected in S200. The use start time T3-S and the use end are assumed as the time T3 of the time overlapped with the time T1 between is the time when the externally connected device described in the connected device identification information of the entry selected in S201 is used. Time T3-E is calculated (S202).

  The externally connected device information analysis unit 503 extracts an entry of connected device control information having “control time” at a time T3 between the use start time T3-S and the use end time T3-E calculated in S202 (S203). .

  The externally connected device information analyzing unit 503 arranges the connected device control information entries having the “control time” at time T3 extracted in S203 in time series, and divides the time T3 by the “control time”. As described above, the state of the externally connected device is changed by the control signal. That is, the “control time” that is the time when the control signal is controlled is the start time of the “certain state” of the external device, and the end time of the “previous state” is before the “control time”. . In this way, in a form corresponding to the “control time”, the start time of “a state” is calculated as the state start time, and the end time of “a state” is calculated as the state end time (S204). When the state end time corresponding to the latest “control signal” cannot be calculated, the connection end time is used as the state end time.

  The externally connected device information analysis unit 503 next assumes the initial state of the externally connected device described in the connected device type information of the connection status information entry selected in S201 (S205).

  The external device information analysis unit 503 includes the state start time and state end time calculated in a form corresponding to the “control signal” calculated in S204, the “initial state” state assumed in S205, the state transition table T201, Are used to assign internal states in order from the oldest state start time (S206).

  The external device information analysis unit 503 uses the internal state assigned in S206 to set the combination of [electronic device ID, state start time, state end time, connected device identification information, internal state] to the external device internal state data. Add (S207).

  The above processing is repeated until the processing for all the entries of the connection status information T101 extracted in S200 is completed as in the case of FIG. 7 (S208). When the processing for all the entries of the connection state information 101 extracted in S200 is completed, the read pointer for reading the mode switching information T100 implemented in S200 is updated, and a new unprocessed entry is selected from the mode switching information T100. Read and repeat the processing from S201 to S207 again. The update of the read pointer is repeated until there is no unprocessed entry in the mode switching information T100, and the processing from S201 to S208 is repeated every time the read pointer is updated (S209).

  The above processing flow is based on an example in which the relationship between the connected device control information T200 shown in FIG. 10 and the mode switching information, connection state information, connection state information, and state transition table shown in FIG. This will be specifically described.

  The processing from S200 to S202 is the same as the processing from S100 to S102. The time T3 calculated in S202 corresponds to “2016-08-25 12:46:00” to “2016-08-25 13:16:00” (U210 period) in the example of FIG.

  In S203, the externally connected device information analysis unit 503 establishes a connection having “control time” from time “2006-08-25 12:46:00” to time “2016-08-25 13:16:00”, which is time T3. Extract status information entries. This extracted entry is the connected device control information T200 shown in FIG.

  In S204, the externally connected device information analysis unit 503 divides the time T3 from “2016-08-25 12:46:00” to “2016-08-25 13:16:00” by “control time”. The state start time and the state end time are calculated. As shown in the time series U202 of the connection state information T200 in FIG. 13, during the time T3, seven “control signals” of “recording list”, “cursor”, “cursor”, “decision”, “fast forward”, “playback”, and “stop”. Is present. The external device information analysis unit 503 uses the “control time” to set the state start time 1 = “2016” corresponding to “control time” = “2016-08-25 12:46:05” during the time T3. -08-25 12:46:05 "and state end time 1 =" 2016-08-25 12:46:15 "period U211 of state 1," control time "=" 2016-08-25 12:46 : The state start time 2 = “2016-08-25 12:46:15” and the state end time 2 = “2016-08-25 12:46:16” corresponding to “: 15” Corresponding to “control time” = “2006-08-25 12:46:16” state start time 3 = “2016-08-25 12:46:16” and state end time 3 = “2016-08-25” 1 : State start time 4 = “2016-08-25 12:46:20” corresponding to the period U213 of state 3 “46:20”, “control time” = “2006-08-25 12:46:20”. ”And state end time 4 =“ 2006-08-25 12:55:00 ”State 4 period U214,“ control time ”=“ 2016-08-25 12:55:00 ”state start Period 5215 of state 5 where time 5 = “2016-08-25 12:55:00” and state end time 5 = “2016-08-25 12:55:05”, “control time” = “2016-08” Corresponding to “−25 12:55:05”, state start time 6 = “2016-08-25 12:55:05” and state end time 6 = “2016-08-25 13:15:45” 6 period U216, corresponding to “control time” = “2016-08-25 13:15:45”, state start time 7 = “2016-08-25 13:15:45” and state end time 7 = “ The period U217 of state 7 is set to “2016-08-25 13:16:00”. Since there is no “control time” next to “control time” = “2016-08-25 13:15:45”, the state end time 7 of the state 7 cannot be calculated using the control time. As described above, in this case, “connection end time” = “2016-08-25 13:16:00” is used as the “state end time”.

  As described above, during the time T3, the state start time and the state end time in all states are calculated in a form corresponding to the “control signal” (S204).

  Next, the external device information analysis unit 503 makes an initial state assumption (S205). The initial state is the state in the period of U210 in the example of FIG. The example of FIG. 13 is a case where the initial state is assumed to be a “standby state”.

  The external device information analysis unit 503 uses the initial state assumed in S205 = “standby state”, the state start time of each state determined in S204, and the state transition table T201 to change from state 1 to state 7 in S204. Thus, a specific state of the externally connected device defined in the state transition table T201 is assigned. Specifically, since the initial state is assumed to be “standby state”, the externally connected device performs “control” for this “standby state” at the state start time 1 = “2016-08-25 12:46:05”. It is considered that the state has changed to “state 1” based on “signal” = “recording list”, and the specific state of “state 1” is specified from the state transition table T201 shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 11, “transition destination state” = “content selection state” is specified from the contents of the entries “current state” = “content selection state” and “control signal” = “recording list”. As a result, the state 1 is determined as the “content selection state”. The external device information analysis unit 503 performs the same processing for the states 2 to 7, and assigns specific states defined in the state transition table T201 to all the states (S206). .

  FIG. 15 is an example of a list of external connection device internal state data displaying the internal state of the external connection device estimated by the processing flow shown in FIG. In this example, external connection device usage time data in one type of electronic device is described, but external connection device usage time data in a plurality of types of electronic devices may be mixed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the internal state transition of the externally connected device is performed using the electronic device to which the externally connected device is connected, without logging the internal state transition in the externally connected device. The estimation result can be acquired as the internal state data of the externally connected device. Thereby, based on the operation | movement by the side of an electronic device, the use condition of an external connection apparatus can be grasped | ascertained. In addition, since the usage status of multiple externally connected devices connected to electronic devices can be ascertained in a single time series, the total usage status of multiple externally connected devices used on a per-user basis. Can be easily grasped.

  In the first embodiment, the device operation unit 103 has been described as instructing the input control unit 104 to switch the mode based on a user operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication interface 101 recognizes the start of connection with an external device. Then, a mode switching instruction may be issued to the input control unit 104 so as to switch to the data path with the externally connected device that started the connection. Alternatively, an instruction is given to the input control unit 104 to switch the data path to the externally connected device that has started the connection only in the case of the externally connected device that has a high priority among the externally connected devices that have recognized the start of the connection. Also good.

  In the second embodiment, the transition of the internal state of the external connection device connected to the electronic device 120 has been described with respect to the function that the electronic device estimates, but the electronic device 120 is further described in the first embodiment. May have a function of calculating the connection time. In this case, the electronic device 120 may perform the process corresponding to S103 instead of performing the process from S204 to S207. Further, the electronic device 120 may be configured to use both functions by switching only one of them.

  The content of the state transition table shown in FIG. 11 may not match the operation content of the external device. In such a case, the version of the external connection device may be a new version of the state transition table stored in the external connection device information analysis unit 503. For example, for the “current state” shown in FIG. 11, a “control signal” that does not exist as a combination of the state transition table in FIG. 11 is transmitted from the connected device control unit 109 to the externally connected device. Specifically, it is assumed that the connected device control unit 109 transmits “control signal” = “fast forward” in response to “current state” = “pause state”. For such an operation of the connected device control unit 109, the externally connected device information analyzing unit 503 has “connection signal” = “fast forward”, control time = “yyyy−mm−dd hh: mm:” as connected device control information. ss "entry is received. If the externally connected device information analysis unit 503 estimates that the state immediately before the control time = “yyyy−mm−dd hh: mm: ss” is “pause state”, “control” for “pause state” The “state after transition” corresponding to “signal” = “fast forward” is not defined in the state transition table of FIG. 11, resulting in an analysis error. When an analysis error occurs in this way, the external device information analysis unit 503 may output to the output unit 505 that an analysis error has occurred along with the cause of the analysis error.

  In addition, the log analysis device 500 may obtain in advance information about video data that the external connection device 200-m sends to the electronic device 120, such as program information, via the network 300 in advance. Thereby, in order to estimate the internal state of the externally connected device 200-m, a more detailed internal state can be estimated by adding the contents of the acquired program information.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  The present invention can also be implemented in the following embodiments.

In a system consisting of an electronic device and a server that analyzes an operation log of an externally connected device connected to the electronic device,
The electronic device is
An interface that can be connected to one or a plurality of the externally connected devices and exchange data including at least video data;
A display unit for displaying video data sent from the external device via the interface;
In the first connection that recognizes the start of connection with the first external connection device that is one of the external connection devices by the interface, the connection start time that is the time when the first connection is started, the first And an identifier of a first data path that is a path for exchanging data so that video data sent from the first externally connected device can be displayed on the display unit. A connection comprising: a first log; and a second log including at least a connection end time which is a time when the first connection is ended, the first external device identifier and the first data path identifier. A connected device identification information acquisition unit for acquiring a device identification information log;
Data exchange with a second external connection device is performed from one or a plurality of data paths for exchanging data with one or more external connection devices recognized as being connected by the interface. A selection unit for selecting a second data path for
The second data path selected by the selection unit is a switching start time that is a time set for displaying video data sent from the second external connection device on the display unit and the second data path. The third log including at least the data path identifier and the second data path to terminate displaying the video data sent from the second external connection device on the display unit. An input control unit that obtains a switching log consisting of a fourth log that includes at least a switching end time that is a recorded time and an identifier of the second data path
A transmitting unit that transmits the connected device identification information log and the switching log to the server;
Comprising
The server uses the received connected device identification information log and the switching log to calculate the time during which the first external connected device and the electronic device exchanged data. System comprising a unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Electronic device, 101 ... Communication interface, 102 ... Internal signal processing part, 103 ... Equipment operation part, 104 ... Input control part, 105 ... Input switching log memory | storage part, 106 ... connected device identification information acquisition unit, 107 ... connected device identification log storage unit, 108 ... log transmission unit, 109 ... connected device control unit, 110 ... connected device control log storage unit, 200 ... externally connected device, 400 ... log analysis device, 403 ... externally connected device information analysis unit.

Claims (14)

First information capable of specifying that a first mode for displaying an image from an external input in the electronic device is selected for a first period, and a first external device connected to an external terminal of the electronic device for a second period Input means for inputting second information capable of specifying
Generation using the first information and the second information to generate a first log indicating that the first external device has been used in a third period in which the first period and the second period overlap Means,
A system comprising: Third information that can specify that the second mode for displaying an image of a television broadcast wave in the electronic device is selected in the fourth period is input to the input means,
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates a second log indicating that a television broadcast wave image has been viewed in the fourth period using the third information. Program information related to a first program provided via the first external device at least within the third period is input to the input means,
The said production | generation means further produces | generates the 3rd log which shows that the said 1st program was watched using the said 1st external device further using the said program information. System. Channel information that can specify that the first channel has been selected for the fifth period in the first external device is input to the input means,
The generating means further uses the channel information to indicate that the first channel has been selected and viewed by the first external device during a sixth period in which the third period and the fifth period overlap. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fourth log is generated. The first external device is a set top box,
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first mode is a mode for displaying an image input from the set-top box via the HDMI cable in the electronic device. 6. . Command information relating to a command for operating the first external device transmitted from the electronic device is input to the input means,
The command relates to what designates the viewing mode of an image from an external input in the electronic device,
The said production | generation means produces | generates the 5th log which can specify the viewing-and-listening form of the image from the said 1st external apparatus further using the said command information, The Claim 1 thru | or 5 of any one of Claim 5 system. First information capable of specifying that a first mode for displaying an image from an external input in the electronic device is selected for a first period, and a first external device connected to an external terminal of the electronic device for a second period Inputting second information that can identify
Using the first information and the second information, generating a first log indicating that the first external device has been used for a third period in which the first period and the second period overlap. When,
A method comprising: Inputting third information capable of specifying that the second mode for displaying an image of a television broadcast wave in the electronic device was selected during the fourth period;
Using the third information to generate a second log indicating that a television broadcast wave image has been viewed in the fourth period in the electronic device;
The method of claim 7 comprising: Inputting program information relating to a first program provided via the first external device within at least the third period;
9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: using the program information to generate a third log indicating that the first program has been viewed using the first external device. the method of. Inputting channel information capable of specifying that the first channel has been selected for the fifth period in the first external device;
Further, the channel information is used to generate a fourth log indicating that the first channel is selected and viewed by the first external device during a sixth period in which the third period and the fifth period overlap. To do
The method according to claim 7, comprising: The first external device is a set top box,
11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first mode is a mode in which an image input from the set top box via the HDMI cable is displayed in the electronic device. . Inputting command information related to a command for operating the first external device transmitted from the electronic device;
The command relates to what designates the viewing mode of an image from an external input in the electronic device,
Further using the command information to generate a fifth log that can specify a viewing mode of the image from the first external device;
The method according to claim 7, comprising: A program executed by a computer, the program being stored in the computer,
First information that can specify that the first mode for displaying an image from an external input is selected for the first period, and the first external device that is connected to the external terminal of the electronic device for the second period can be specified Entering second information;
Using the first information and the second information, generating a first log indicating that the first external device has been used for a third period in which the first period and the second period overlap. When,
A program for running When the first mode for displaying an image from an external input in the electronic device is selected for the first period, and the first external device is connected to the external terminal of the electronic device for the second period, Generating means for generating a first log indicating that the first external device has been used in a third period in which the first period and the second period overlap;
A system comprising:

Images