JP2019213209A - Electronic apparatus and retrieval method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus and a retrieval method.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a program management part, a program retrieval part, and a retrieval system management part. The program management part manages meta information of a program. The program retrieval part compares the meta information of the program with a retrieval condition to be inputted, and uses a first retrieval system to retrieve a program including the retrieval condition. In the case that the retrieval condition can be used by a second retrieval system different from the first retrieval system, the retrieval system management part displays a controller display which can input a retrieval start using the second retrieval system in the program retrieval part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device and a search method.

  Along with the evolution of recording system functions represented by price reduction of storage devices and improvement of storage density, a large amount of information can be stored on a daily basis, that is, programs can be recorded. For example, by using the time shift machine function, the user can make a retrospective viewing of a program during a certain period by recording the program of a favorite channel in a specific time zone without making a recording reservation for each program. Is possible.

  However, the number of programs that can be viewed or played back by the user, which is the total number of recorded programs, currently broadcasted programs, or programs that can be acquired at any timing through the network, is enormous. For this reason, various program search functions and search methods for a user to select a program to be viewed or reproduced have been proposed.

JP 2006-94442 A

  When a user's desired program is not found within a search range according to various program search functions and search methods for selecting a program to be viewed or played by the user, the user's desired program is changed by changing the search range. It is possible to search. However, when changing the search range, it is required to repeatedly input search conditions for each search function or search method.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a search method capable of realizing various program search functions or methods without requiring repeated input of search conditions.

According to one embodiment, an electronic device stores a meta information database storing meta information of a program, a management unit that manages the meta information, a search condition database that stores program search conditions, and a search method that is set, A search unit that compares meta information with the input search condition and searches for a program corresponding to the meta information including the search condition, and an application that searches based on the search condition and has different search methods. A search application determination unit that selectively sets a second search application in the program search unit;
A shortcut generation function for outputting display information of a button for switching from the search by the first search application to the search by the second search application;

1 illustrates an example of an electronic apparatus (content reproduction apparatus) according to an embodiment. 2 illustrates an example of a configuration of a characteristic part of an electronic device according to an embodiment. An example of operation | movement of the characteristic part of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown like software. An example of the screen display of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown. An example of the screen display of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown. An example of the screen display of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown. An example of the screen display of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown. An example of the screen display of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown. An example of the screen display of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown. An example of the screen display of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown. An example of the screen display of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown. An example of the screen display of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown. An example of the screen display of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment is shown.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The elements and configurations described below may be realized by software by a processing device, that is, a microcomputer (CPU (Central Processing Unit)), or may be realized by hardware. In the following description, broadcasting is a distribution business through what is provided by a broadcaster (broadcasting station) as radio waves propagating in space, or a network such as a cable (including optical fiber) network or an IP (Internet Protocol) network. Including those distributed by the user. In addition, broadcasting indicates a form in which various programs including video and audio and / or music and providing a certain time (broadcast time) as a unit are provided. A program may be referred to as a stream, content, or information. The program is composed of video and audio or music attached to the video. Note that the video includes at least one of a moving image, a still image, or text (information represented by characters, symbols, or the like indicated by a coded code string).

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a storage / reproduction device (electronic device) according to the embodiment.

  The storage / playback apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a bus 101, a receiving unit 102 capable of passing various data and control signals through the bus 101, a demodulating unit 103, an MPEG processing unit (video / audio signal processing unit) 104, and an output unit 105. , System control unit (main control block) 106, operation input unit 107, recording processing unit 110, recorded program management unit 111, recorded program search unit 112, search portal management unit 113, search condition conversion unit 114, and communication control unit 115, Etc.

  The demodulator 103 converts a broadcast wave of a predetermined channel television broadcast received by the receiver 102 connected to the antenna ANT into an IF (intermediate frequency) signal. Demodulation section 103 extracts a digital broadcast signal (transport stream, hereinafter referred to as TS) from the IF signal, and outputs the extracted TS to MPEG processing section 104. For example, an STB (Set Top Box) or a video camera device may be connected to the demodulation unit 103 as an external video supply source. The video camera device or the like may be a portable terminal device capable of taking an image, such as a tablet PC (Personal Computer) device.

  The MPEG processing unit 104 separates the TS into a video component, an audio / audio component, and control information, and decodes the separated video component and audio / audio component. The control information includes, for example, SI (Service Information, program arrangement information) indicating distribution rules for distributing TS, TS contents, schedule (TS playback order), and the like. The SI includes various information (program information) that can be used for displaying, for example, an EPG (Electrical Program Guide).

  The MPEG processing unit 104 inputs the decoded video component and audio / sound component to the output unit 105 as video data (video data) and audio / sound data (audio data), respectively.

  The output unit 105 converts the video data from the MPEG processing unit 104 into a display signal so that the video can be reproduced when connected to a display 109 that displays the video. The output unit 105 also converts the audio / sound data from the MPEG processing unit 104 into an analog audio / sound signal so that the sound / sound can be played back by connecting a speaker 108 that plays back the sound / sound. The speaker 108 and the display 109 or at least one of them may be integrated with the storage / reproduction device 1. The speaker 108 and the display 109 or at least one of them may be in contact with the storage / reproduction device 1 and receive a display signal or audio / acoustic signal by, for example, wireless communication.

  A system control unit (main control block) 106 controls operations of the above-described elements and configurations. The system control unit 106 also outputs various control commands corresponding to control inputs (operation instructions) from the remote control terminal device (remote controller) 121 received by the operation input unit 107. Further, the system control unit 106 outputs various control commands corresponding to control inputs (operation instructions) from portable terminal devices such as tablet PCs (Personal Computers) and smartphones received through the communication control unit 115. The control command includes at least a command for instructing, for example, recording (storage) of a program, reproduction, deletion, or editing of a recorded (stored) program.

  The recording processing unit 110 records the program in the storage device H1 by a loop recording (time shift machine recording) method. The loop recording method records all programs in a designated time (sometimes referred to as a period or a time zone) and a designated channel (broadcast station) at a designated recording rate. Although the loop recording method depends on the data size determined depending on the recording rate, that is, the storage mode, for example, a program for 6 channels can be recorded for one week, for example. In the loop recording method, the user (viewer) can arbitrarily set the number of channels to be recorded, the recording time zone (period), and the recording rate.

  The recording processing unit 110 also records an arbitrary program specified by the user in the storage device H1 by a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) recording method. The PVR recording method is a recording method in which a user individually specifies a channel or an input source (supply source), a recording start time, a recording end time (recording start time and recording time), and a recording rate. The recording processing unit 110 further records, for example, a channel reserved for recording in recommended automatic recording or a program supplied by a program supply source in the storage device H1. It should be noted that the user can arbitrarily set whether or not to record the program using the recommended automatic recording, the recording rate when recording, the storage period of the recorded program, and the like.

  The recorded program management unit 111 extracts the program meta information stored in the loop recording method from the recorded programs held by the storage device H1 (stored in the storage device H1), and uses the extracted program meta information as the program meta information. Store in the information database L1. The program meta information includes keywords that can be extracted from, for example, program name, program description, performer information, program type (program genre), broadcast date and time, and the like. The program meta information also includes program format (whether it is a live broadcast program or not), number of stories information (number of consecutive programs (number of stories) exhibiting one continuity in a plurality of programs), series information (a plurality of common categories) Individual information in the case where there is a program in the same category), etc. The number of stories or individual information in a common category includes, for example, a new program (first time), last story (last time), series XX [that N ( N is a positive integer)] or rebroadcast information.

  The recorded program search unit 112 compares the input search conditions, for example, genre, keyword, etc., with the program meta information, and matches the search conditions among the programs held in the storage device H1 (high matching rate). Is specified (searched). The search conditions are input from the user via, for example, the remote controller 121, tablet PC, or smartphone, and are stored in the search condition database L2. That is, the recorded program search unit 112 refers to the program meta information using the search condition as a keyword, and extracts (searches) a program that obtains a matching level (matching rate) of a certain index or more between the search condition and the program meta information. To do.

  The recorded program search unit 112 also outputs a display signal or information for displaying (presenting) on the display 109 and notifying the user, for example, so that the user can easily recognize the search result, that is, the program narrowed down by the search. To do. When a program matching the search condition is not recorded in the loop recording method, the recorded program search unit 112 outputs a display signal or information for notifying the user that the program could not be searched as a search result.

  The search portal management unit 113 manages the change of the search application used to search for the program in the recorded program search unit 112 (whether there is a change) and the inheritance of the search conditions for the changed search application (optimization of search conditions). . The search application may be referred to as a search method / search method, a search program, or a search device. The search portal management unit 113 may be a program (application) operable in the system control unit 106.

  As will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2, the search portal management unit 113 includes a search application determination unit 113-1, a program number extraction unit 113-2, a shortcut function generation unit 113-3, a search application activation control unit 113-4, and A temporary storage unit (program number memory), and the like. The program number extraction unit 113-2 is related to the circuit scale of the search application determination unit 113-1, but may be prepared integrally with the search application determination unit 113-1. The temporary storage unit may be an internal memory included in the system control unit 106. Furthermore, the temporary storage unit may be an internal memory of the search portal management unit 113 (or the search application determination unit 113-1) if it is an independent sub CPU (sub computer).

  A search application used for program search usually differs for each storage device (including an external content server as a distribution source) that holds the program. That is, when the storage devices are different, it is necessary to change the search application (search method) used for the search. When the search application is changed, it may be necessary to input the search conditions again.

  Further, even if the recorded program is stored in the storage device H1, as described above, for example, a program recorded by the PVR recording method, that is, a program recorded by recording reservation or recommended automatic recording is searched for. (Search method) is different.

  Search applications include, for example, “Search by Zanmai (Time Shift Recording) (first search method)”, “Search by scene (second search method)”, “Search by external (content) server (third search) "Search by recording list (fourth search method)", "Search by program guide (fifth search method)" or "Search by pack (sixth search method)" can be used. is there.

  The first search application, that is, “search by Zanmai (time shift recording)” is used to search for programs recorded by the loop recording method described above. Note that in “search with Zanmai (time-shift recording)”, a keyword (for example, “usual program” or “continuation of yesterday” is the only search application that can be practically applied only to the first search application ( Category) is available. Also, in FIGS. 4 to 12, as a search result display example, [Aa]-[An (n is a positive integer)] displays a searched program.

  The second search application, that is, “search by scene” searches various scenes of an arbitrary program in a program recorded by the recording reservation function or a program recorded by the recommended automatic recording function. Various scenes of an arbitrary program are stored in a service server (scene server) operated by a database providing company that provides scene information based on a contract with the storage / playback device 1, for example. Searching is possible by referring to “Information”. In FIG. 5 to FIG. 12, a shortcut button that can provide a shortcut function described below is indicated by [B0].

  The third search application, that is, “search by external (content) server” searches for a program held by an external content server operated by a content providing service company (distribution source) or content posted by a viewer. As an external content server, for example, any VoD server of various providers that provide VoD (Video on Demand) content, Youtube (registered trademark), Hulu (registered trademark), etc. are arbitrary. 5 to 12, a shortcut button that can provide a shortcut function described below is indicated by [C0].

  The fourth search application, that is, “search by recording list” searches for a program recorded by the recording reservation function or a program recorded by the recommended automatic recording function. In FIG. 5 to FIG. 12, a shortcut button that can provide a shortcut function described below is indicated by [D0].

  The fifth search application, that is, “program guide search” searches for a currently broadcast program that can be specified with reference to a program guide (EPG) or a program that will be broadcast in the future. In FIG. 5 to FIG. 12, a shortcut button that can provide a shortcut function described below is indicated by [E0].

  The sixth search application, that is, “search by pack” is, for example, various scenes of an arbitrary program, a specific singer or actor, a fan club such as an arbitrarily grouped animation, etc. It is possible to search by referring to a “pack” provided by a time-on (TimeOn server) operated by a database provider that provides scene information based on a contract between the two. 10 and 11, a shortcut button that can provide a shortcut function described below is indicated by [F0].

  As the program supply source (storage device), in addition to the storage device H1 and the external content server, other recorder devices that hold the program so that the storage / playback device 1 can be viewed based on a playback request from the storage / playback device 1 It may be. The program supply source (storage device) may also be a storage device connected to a home (home) server located on a home (home) network.

  By the way, as described above, as a search condition used for searching for a program by the recorded program search unit 112, a search condition that is substantially usable (effective) only for the search application may be used. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the search application determination unit 113-1 of the search portal management unit 113 determines whether or not the search conditions being used in the currently active search application can be applied to different search applications. judge.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a procedure for changing the search application in the search portal management unit in terms of software.

  As a user operation (instruction input by the user), a search condition is determined based on registration of a new search condition from the operation input unit 107 or designation of a search condition registered in the search condition database L2 [301].

  Based on the determined search condition, the recorded program search unit 112 searches for a target program for programs recorded by the loop recording method among the recorded programs held by the storage device H1 [302].

  If a program that matches the search condition cannot be searched from the program recorded by the loop recording method, the search application determination unit 113-1 selects a program using the search condition used for searching for the program recorded by the loop recording method. Determine search application candidates that can be searched. As search application candidates, for example, various searches that can search for programs stored in an external (content) server that can be connected to the storage / playback device 1 or an external (content) server that can be connected through a network, or programs to be broadcast in the future. There is an application. For example, if the search condition (keyword) is the program name, the name of the performer, the number of consecutive programs displayed, or the common part of the series program name, the program can be searched using other search applications. It is determined that the keyword is a valid keyword (search condition), and an executable search application is selected [303].

  When a searchable application candidate that can be transitioned is selected [303-YES], a shortcut button (or icon) that functions as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) so that the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 can directly start the search application. The button display data for displaying is generated [304].

  The output unit 105 displays a GUI image (shortcut button display) on the display 109 based on the button display data generated by the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 when a searchable search application candidate can be selected [305]. .

  When a searchable application candidate that can be transitioned cannot be selected [303-NO], the search application determining unit 113-1 generates a display of a message informing that “searching across other search ranges cannot be performed”, and thereafter The (further) search is stopped [306].

  The determination of searchable application candidates (generation of shortcut buttons) shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail below.

  For example, the search application used in the previous search by the recorded program search unit 112 is a search (first search application) using Zanmai (time shift recording), and the search application used for a new search is a scene search (first search application). A second search application). In this example, the search application determination unit 113-1 uses a keyword that can be used only for the first search application whose search condition used in the previous search is “ordinary program” or “continue yesterday”, for example. Category).

  That is, the search application determination unit 113-1 determines whether or not it is appropriate that the search condition used in the previous search is inherited as it is and the program is searched for by another search application ( Determination rule A). When the search application determination unit 113-1 determines that the search condition cannot be used in another search method, a screen display that informs that “search across other search ranges cannot be performed” as shown in FIG. 13 Is displayed to the search portal management unit 113 or the system control unit 106, and the subsequent search is stopped.

  When the search condition input by the user is a program name, a performer name, a seasonal keyword, or the like, the search application determination unit 113-1 determines that the search condition can be used even in an external search application ( Decision rule B). That is, when the user inputs search conditions, the search application determination unit 113-1 wants to search for a program held in another storage device or an external server (external content server) or a program to be broadcast in the future. Determine that you have a request. The seasonal keywords are, for example, the names of athletes who are currently active, the names of artists who are gaining popularity, the titles of movies, and the like.

  When the search condition input by the user is a program name, a performer name, a seasonal keyword, or the like, the search application determination unit 113-1 determines a search application from which a preferable search result will be obtained based on the search condition. To do. In order to determine a search application that can be a transition destination candidate, the search application determination unit 113-1 uses the above-described second to sixth search conditions using search conditions such as the program name, performer name, seasonal keyword, and the like. Start the search application and search for programs. In addition, when there are two or more search applications that can be extracted as transition destination candidates, the search application determination unit 113-1 calculates the number of programs whose search conditions are hit (searched) as the program number extraction unit 113-2. Is determined as a search application having a large number of extracted programs (determination rule C).

  When determining a search application, in addition to referring to the number of programs that can be viewed (acquired) in the search range to be newly searched, or without depending on the number of programs, for example, SNS (Social Networking Service) It is also possible to make a decision based on popularity ranking provided by the server, word-of-mouth information, etc. In addition, the search application determination unit 113-1 determines the specified search target when the user explicitly indicates that the search target is an external content server, for example, an arbitrary VoD server or “Youtube”. It is preferably designed to directly set searchable search applications.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the search application determination unit 113-1 holds the determination rules (determination rules A, B,...) As described above in a database. The search application determination unit 113-1 also acquires the determination rule as described above at a predetermined timing from a service server (external contract server) that can be connected through the network, for example, operated by the manufacturer or contractor of the storage / playback device 1. Preferably it is possible. In that case, it is preferable that the search application determination unit 113-1 can update and hold the determination rule to be acquired every time it is acquired.

  The search application determination unit 113-1 further extracts a search rule that extracts keywords from EPG information of programs that can be specified based on the user's viewing history and recording reservation information, and newly sets the extracted keywords as search conditions. It is preferable to have. As a result, even if a search condition that does not specify a specific program name, performer name, or the like is specified, a program that the user will watch (those that the user intends to watch with consciousness) is viewed. The possibility of searching can be provided. If the search target program input by the user is a program to be broadcast and the broadcast schedule can be acquired from, for example, the program guide, the search application determination unit 113-1 selects, for example, “Search condition program ○ ○ will be broadcast on mm month dd, will you make a reservation? It is preferable to display a message such as “

  As described above, the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 generates a shortcut button (screen display) that can directly start the search application determined by the search application determination unit 113-1 (outputs a display signal). Have That is, the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 can display a shortcut button that can output a control command for starting a search application for a transition candidate determined by the search application determination unit 113-1 on the display 109. Is output. Specifically, the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 can operate as a shortcut button that generates a thumbnail of an arbitrary screen (scene / scene) of a searched program and outputs a command for starting a search application, for example. The thumbnail and the button display area in the screen display are overlapped. The button display area is output to the output unit 105 as button (icon) display data substantially displaying thumbnails. The button display data from the output unit 105 is displayed on the display 109 as a search program list (GUI (Graphical User Interface) display). When the search application has button display data corresponding to the shortcut button, the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 outputs the button display data to the output unit 105 as it is. The button display data is, for example, a company name or a logo mark of an external content server. In many cases, the button display data can be acquired from the external content server. The button display data prepared in advance that can be acquired from the external content server is held in, for example, an internal memory of the system control unit 106 or a non-volatile memory (not shown).

  The search application activation control unit 113-4 activates a search application that can be specified based on a control command corresponding to a shortcut button illustrated in the latter part of FIG. 4 to FIG. The search application activation control unit 113-4 or a search application that can be specified based on a control command corresponding to a user instruction (operation input) from any color key mapped to the remote controller 121 as illustrated in FIG. to start.

  For example, when the user operates the remote controller 121 (operation input), an arbitrary shortcut button currently displayed on the screen is selected, and for example, a determination key is turned on, whereby the activation control unit 113-4 of the search application is Launches the selected search application. Similarly, when an arbitrary color key that has been mapped is operated on the remote controller 121, the activation control unit 113-4 activates a search application specified by the key. The search application that is newly activated by the control of the activation control unit 113-4 has been described above. However, for example, a second application (for example, “scene in scene” that can search for a program recorded in the PVR recording method held by the storage device H1. "Search") search application (shortcut button is displayed as "B0"), third (for example, "search with external server") search application (shortcut button is displayed as "C0"), fourth (for example, in the recording list) Search ”) search application (shortcut button is displayed as“ D0 ”), fifth (eg“ search in program guide ”) search application (shortcut button is displayed as“ E0 ”), or sixth (eg“ pack ” Search ") search application (shortcut button is displayed as" F0 "). The fifth “search by program guide” search application E0 and the sixth “search by pack” search application F0 can also search for programs to be broadcast.

  The search condition conversion unit 114 considers a case where the search condition used for the immediately preceding search cannot be used in the new search application that is the transition destination candidate determined by the search application determination unit 113-1 of the search portal management unit 113. Thus, the search condition that can be used only in the storage / reproduction device 1 is changed according to a predetermined rule. For example, the search condition and search method used in the recorded program search unit 112 corresponds to a program recorded by the loop recording method, and is specific to the program table of the storage / playback apparatus 1, for example, [new] intended for a new program. Think of it as an abbreviation. For example, when a program (content) that the external content server will hold as a search range to be newly searched is specified, the abbreviation in the search condition that can be used in the loop recording method is the transition destination candidate. Should be considered to include characters (external characters) that cannot be used in the search application. That is, the search condition conversion unit 114 uses an abbreviation specific to a program table corresponding to a program recorded by the loop recording method, for example, [New] intended for a new program, as an ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses)), and change to usable characters (in this example, “new program”). Similarly, when an external character of the program symbol [end] indicating the last time is used as a search condition, the search condition conversion unit 114 converts it into a character string “last time”.

  Note that the search condition conversion unit 114 converts the abbreviations described above and displayable characters defined by ARIB with reference to a search condition conversion table L3 for converting into appropriate search conditions for each search application. Further, the search condition conversion unit 114 refers to the search condition conversion table L3 before starting the search application selected as the transition candidate, and converts the search application into an appropriate search condition for each search application. Note that the search condition conversion unit 114 may be used for proper nouns such as program names, actor names, and singer names, even when search conditions are input by abbreviations or nicknames that are widely used. It is preferable that conversion can be performed with reference to the search condition conversion table L3. That is, it is preferable that the search condition conversion table L3 holds various names and names so that proper names such as program names, actor names, and singer names can be converted into abbreviations and nicknames.

  The search condition conversion unit 114 further deletes the channel number, day of week information, etc. included in the search condition when the program that is the search target of the search application selected as the transition candidate is a program held by the external content server, for example. The search condition is changed as follows.

  The communication control unit 115 controls the exchange of data with a service server that can be used for, for example, a scene search operated by a database provider through an external network (Internet network) NTW. In addition, the communication control unit 115 controls data exchange with a service server operated by a service company that provides a special service according to a contract with the storage / playback apparatus 1, such as a TimeOn service. The communication control unit 115 further controls data exchange with various service servers such as the content server (service server) operated by the above-described content providing service company.

  FIG. 4 to FIG. 13 show display examples of shortcut buttons corresponding to the transition candidate search application determined by the search application determination unit 113-1.

  The search screen display 401 shown in FIG. 4 is an arbitrary number M (M is a positive integer) corresponding to the button display data from the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 described above, for example, six (M = 6) shortcut buttons. The button display area 421 including the first to sixth button display frames 421a to 421f capable of displaying is displayed. The shortcut buttons displayed by the individual button display frames 421a-421f and the individual button display frames 421a-421f are displayed for a predetermined time. The button display area 421 is preferably an area having a range of about ¼ or ５ in the height direction from the bottom at the bottom of the search screen display 401. The button display area 421 displays at least one of the [> (right arrow / forward)] button display 421FF and the [<(left arrow / back)] button display 421BB when the number of shortcut buttons does not fit in the display area 421. indicate.

  The [>] button display 721FF can input an instruction input (control signal) for enabling the display of a shortcut button not displayed in the button display area 421 to the system control unit 106. The [<] button display 421BB displays an instruction input (control signal) for displaying a shortcut button that has been hidden by displaying a shortcut button that has not been displayed by the [>] button display 421FF. Input to the system control unit 106 is possible. The button display area 421 is deleted when the user selects an arbitrary program, when the user inputs an instruction to delete the display, or after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  The display order of the shortcut buttons illustrated in FIG. 4 to FIG. 12 is, for example, a predetermined display order set by the system control unit 106 based on, for example, the user's viewing history, recording reservation frequency, and the like. When the number of shortcut buttons to be displayed is six (M) or less, the display of the button display frames 421a to 421f decreases according to the number of shortcut buttons. In this case, the [<] button display 421BB and the [>] button display 721FF are not displayed.

  More specifically, the search screen display 401 shown in FIG. 4 includes six programs that have been hit (searched) by the first search application in each of the six button display frames 421a to 421f in the button display area 421. Shortcut buttons Aa-Af for instructing reproduction are displayed. Each shortcut button Aa-Af is preferably a thumbnail of a main scene of the program, for example. Further, in the non-display area of the search screen display 401 outside the button display frame 421f located at the left end of the button display area 421, programs Ag,..., An to be displayed subsequently (n is a positive integer). The thumbnails are virtually located.

  Note that the shortcut button determined by the search application determination unit 113-1 is, as shown in FIG. 4, a search screen display 401 that is a result of searching in the first search application “Search by Zanmai (Time Shift Recording)”. Is not displayed in the button display area 421 until the [>] button display 421FF is operated.

  The search screen display 402a illustrated in FIG. 5 corresponds to the shortcut button An-4, An-3, An-2, An corresponding to the button display data from the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 in the search screen display 401 illustrated in FIG. A display example when the display of −1, An is shifted to the right side of the screen by operating the [>] button display 421FF is shown.

  In the search screen display 402a shown in FIG. 5, following the shortcut buttons An-4, An-3, An-2, An-1, and An corresponding to the button display data from the shortcut function generation unit 113-3, A shortcut button B0 that enables jumping (search start) to “search by scene”, which is the second search application, is newly displayed in the button display frame 421f in the button display area 421. That is, in the search screen display 402a shown in FIG. 5, a shortcut button B0 for starting the search application is newly displayed compared to the search screen display 401 shown in FIG. 4, and the shortcut buttons An, An-1, and An-2 are displayed. , ... are displayed in a state of being moved to the right side of the screen. The shortcut button B0 is an effective keyword (search condition) that can be searched using the “other search application” shown in FIG. 3 as the search condition (keyword) used in the search screen display 401 shown in FIG. As a result, the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 has been prepared. That is, without newly inputting the search condition (keyword) input on the search screen display 401 shown in FIG. 4, the search condition is taken over by the function of the shortcut function generating unit 113-3 and transferred to the second search application. The shortcut button B0 can be presented.

  6 follows the shortcut buttons An-4, An-3, An-2, An-1, and An corresponding to the button display data from the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 in the search screen display 402a shown in FIG. The shortcut button C0 that enables jump (search start) to the third search application “search by external server” is newly displayed in the button display frame 421f in the button display area 421. . That is, the search screen display 402b shown in FIG. 6 is compared with the search screen display 402a shown in FIG. It is the example of a display changed into the search screen display 402a which FIG. 5 shows based on the determined display order.

  As is clear from FIGS. 5 and 6, the display order of the shortcut buttons (B0 and C0) displayed on the search screen displays 402a and 402b is an example, but the program ( Search applications with the largest number of search conditions) are in order. In other words, as described above, the shortcut button C0 shown in FIG. 6 is hit (searched) when the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 prepares a shortcut button based on the inherited search condition. This is an example in which a search application with a larger number of programs is displayed with priority (preceding) display order. In this case, the shortcut button C0 to be newly displayed is displayed following the shortcut buttons An-4, An-3, An-2, An-1, and An that are already displayed.

  7 follows the shortcut buttons An-4, An-3, An-2, An-1, and An corresponding to the button display data from the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 in the search screen display 402a shown in FIG. When the shortcut button B0 that enables jumping to “search by scene (second search application)” is displayed in the button display area 421, the right side of the screen is further displayed by operating the [>] button display 421FF. An example of display when shifted to is shown.

  In the search screen display 403 shown in FIG. 7, the shortcut button An-3, An-2, An-1, and An corresponding to the button display data from the shortcut function generation unit 113-3 are followed by “search by scene”. Is displayed on the button display frame 421f in the button display area 421, and a shortcut button C0 that allows jumping to “search on external server (third search application)” is displayed on the button display frame 421f in the button display area 421. It is displayed. In FIG. 7, the shortcut button D0 that enables jumping to the fourth search application to be displayed next is virtually positioned in the non-display area of the search screen display 401 that is outside the button display frame 421f. doing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the shortcut button determined by the search application determination unit 113-1 is a search screen display that is a result of searching in the first search application “Search by Zanmai (Time Shift Recording)”. It is preferable not to display in the button display area 421 until the [>] button display 421FF is operated so as not to disturb the display of 401.

  8 and 9 show display examples of the search screen display shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively.

  For example, as in the search screen display 404 shown in FIG. 8, the shortcut button C0 (B0) for starting the search application and the shortcut buttons An, An-1, An- are compared to the search screen display 402b shown in FIG. 2,... May be displayed with the display order reversed in the left-right direction of the screen. Similarly, compared to the search screen display 403 described with reference to FIG. 7 as a search screen display 405 shown in FIG. 9, shortcut buttons An, An-1, An-2,. The display order of the shortcut buttons B0 and C0 for starting the screen may be displayed in a state reversed in the horizontal direction of the screen.

  10 and 11 show still another display example of the search screen display.

  For example, like the search screen display 406 shown in FIG. 10, the shortcut button Aa-An displayed in the search screen display shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, and only the shortcut button An is displayed by operating the [>] button display 421FF. Shift the display of the shortcut button that is being displayed to the state. Then, following the shortcut button B0 to the second search application, the shortcut button C0 to the third search application, the shortcut button D0 to the fourth search application,..., The shortcut button to the fifth search application F0 is sequentially displayed in the button display area 421. Note that the search screen display 407 shown in FIG. 11 shows the shortcut buttons B0, C0, D0, E0, F0 corresponding to the second to fifth search applications to be newly displayed, and the search results using the first search application. This is an example of display from the right side of the screen in the display area 421. That is, in the display example of FIG. 11, the program display (thumbnail) Aa of the program searched by the first search application is displayed on the left side of the display area 421, and shortcut buttons for individual search applications are on the right side of the display area 421. Is displayed.

  Also, any of the shortcut buttons and specific keys of the remote control terminal 121, such as a [blue] key 121b, a [red] key 121r, a [green] key 121g, and a [yellow] key 121y (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a color key). These keys may be mapped on a one-to-one basis. For example, in the search screen display 402a shown in FIG. 5, “search by scene” is activated by turning on the shortcut button B0. For example, the function is assigned to the [blue] key 121b of the remote control terminal 121 (see FIG. 1). Thus, “search by scene” can also be activated by turning on the [blue] key 121b. Similarly, in the search screen display 402a shown in FIG. 5, “search by external content server” is activated by turning on the shortcut button C0. For example, the function is assigned to the [red] key 121r of the remote control terminal 121. Thus, “search with an external content server” can also be activated by turning on the [red] key 121r. In this case, in the predetermined position of each shortcut button, for example, in the search screen display 408 shown in FIG. 12, the color key corresponding to the bottom of the shortcut button or the name display (title) area (displaying the button name) is displayed. The color display “B” or “R” is preferably displayed as “CR”, “BB”, or the like, for example, together with the display of the search application. Of course, instead of color display, the “color displayed” key may be displayed as ON or the like.

  Needless to say, the display order of the shortcut buttons illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 12 may be changed each time based on the search result (the number of programs that can be viewed by the user) by the search application.

  FIG. 13 is a display example of a search result by the search application determined by the search application determination unit 113-1 as a transition candidate, and is an example of a display when a related program cannot be searched. That is, when a related program cannot be searched, in the search screen display 1301 shown in FIG. 13, for example, “Related program cannot be displayed” or “Related program cannot be found in the button display area 421. Message 421DD is displayed.

  As described above, it is possible to search for a program based on a search condition without requiring repeated input of the search condition for any search application.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are 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 claims at the beginning of the filing of the application will be appended below.
(Claim 1)
A program management unit for managing meta information of the program;
A program search unit that compares meta information of the program with an input search condition and searches for a program including the search condition using a first search method;
When the search condition is usable in a second search method different from the first search method, a controller display capable of inputting a search start using the second search method is displayed on the program search unit. An electronic device comprising a search method management unit.
(Claim 2)
The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a search condition determination unit that determines that the search condition is searchable using the second search method prior to displaying the controller display.
(Claim 3)
When the search condition determination unit determines that the search by the second search method using the search condition is possible, the search condition format is changed from the condition display format suitable for the first search method to the first The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising a search condition conversion unit for replacing with a condition display format suitable for the second search method.
(Claim 4)
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the controller display is in one-to-one correspondence with a control command output by an arbitrary key unique to the input device.
(Claim 5)
The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the controller display displays an image capable of specifying a characteristic or an operation form of a holding medium that holds the program.
(Claim 6)
6. The search method management unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the search condition cannot be used in a second search method different from the first search method, the search method management unit notifies that the search by the second search method cannot be performed. Electronic equipment.
(Claim 7)
The said search method management part is alert | reported to change the display order of the said control element display corresponding to each of the said search methods based on a search result, when the search methods which can utilize the said search conditions are two or more. Any one of electronic devices 1-5.
(Claim 8)
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display device that displays the program.
(Claim 9)
Compare the meta information of the program with the input search conditions, search for programs that contain the search conditions using the first search method,
A search method for displaying a controller display capable of inputting a search start using the second search method when the search condition is usable in a second search method different from the first search method.
(Claim 10)
The search method according to claim 9, wherein the search condition is determined to be searchable using the second search method prior to displaying the controller display.
(Claim 11)
10. The search method according to claim 9, wherein when a search by the second search method is possible, the search condition format is converted from a condition display format suitable for the first search method to a condition display format suitable for the second search method. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording / reproducing apparatus, 101 ... Bus, 102 ... Reception part, 103 ... Digital demodulation part, 104 ... MPEG process part, 105 ... Output part, 106 ... System control part (main control block), 107 ... Operation input part, 108 ... Speaker, 109 ... Display, 110 ... Recording processing unit, H1 ... Storage device, 111 ... Recorded program management unit, L1 ... Recorded program meta information database, 112 ... Recorded program search unit, L2 ... Search condition database, 113 ... Search portal Management unit, 113-1 ... Search application determining unit, 113-2 ... Number of programs extracting unit, 113-3 ... Shortcut function generating unit, 113-4 ... Search application activation control unit, 114 ... Search condition conversion unit, L3 ... Search Condition conversion table, 115... Communication control unit.

Claims (5)

A meta information database that stores program meta information;
A management unit for managing the meta information;
A search condition database holding program search conditions;
A program search unit that compares the meta information with the input search condition according to a set search method and searches for a program corresponding to the meta information including the search condition;
A search application determination unit that selectively sets first and second search applications that are searched by the search condition and have different search methods to the program search unit;
A shortcut generation function for outputting display information of a button for switching from a search by the first search application to a search by the second search application;
An electronic device comprising:   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the shortcut generation function outputs display information of the button in a state where a search result by the first search application is output to a display unit.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the shortcut generation function outputs display information of the button when a program that matches the search condition is not searched in the search by the first search application.   4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising means for optimizing the search condition so as to be adapted to the search by the second search application when the search is switched to the search by the second search application. 5. machine. The meta information database storing the meta information of the program, the management unit for managing the meta information, the search condition database holding the search conditions of the program, and the search input with the meta information according to the set search method A program search unit that compares conditions and searches for programs corresponding to the meta-information including the search conditions, and first and second search applications that are searched by the search conditions and have different search methods. A program search method for an apparatus comprising a search application determination unit that is selectively set in the program search unit,
A search method for outputting display information of a button for switching from a search by a first search application to a search by the second search application.

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