JP2022169827A - Information processing device and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and the like that prompt users to make reservations based on low-load processing.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a reception processing unit that receives video information including a moving image; a display processing unit that performs display processing of the moving image; a still image acquisition unit that acquires a still image of a frame corresponding to timing at which user input is performed from the moving image; and a storage unit that stores the still image. The display processing unit performs processing of displaying the still image when performing display processing of program listing information, which is information including a distribution schedule of the video information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a system for prompting a user to make a viewing reservation or a recording reservation in an apparatus for viewing broadcast programs. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique of collating program preview data of a program with user's preference data to display a pop-up reminder screen prompting a recording reservation on the screen of a display device.

JP 2010-178191 A

In the method of Patent Document 1, programs are displayed using information recognizing telops displayed in video, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data information from broadcasting stations, program preview information provided via data broadcasting or networks, and the like. It is necessary to create advance notice data. Therefore, the processing load for creating program preview data is high.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and the like that prompt a user to make a reservation based on low-load processing.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a reception processing unit that receives video information including a moving image, a display processing unit that performs display processing of the moving image, and a timing corresponding to a user input in the moving image. a still image acquiring unit that acquires a still image of a frame; and a storage unit that stores the still image. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that performs a process of displaying the still image when performing the process.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a step of receiving video information including a moving image, a step of performing display processing of the moving image, and a still frame of the moving image corresponding to a timing at which a user input is performed. Information including a step of acquiring an image, a step of storing the still image, and a step of displaying the still image when performing display processing of program guide information, which is information including a distribution schedule of the video information. It is related to the processing method.

A specific example of an information processing device. A specific example of an information processing device. A configuration example of an information processing device. 4 is a flowchart for explaining still image acquisition processing. An example of video information displayed on the display unit when a user operation is performed. Still image example. An example of an attribute input image used for inputting attribute information. An example data structure containing a still image. An example of an attribute input image used for inputting attribute information. An example of a program guide image displayed on the display unit. 4 is a flowchart for explaining display processing of a still image; An example of a screen displaying a still image when displaying program guide information. The figure explaining the reservation process based on a still image. Screen example when deleting a still image. 4 is a flowchart for explaining still image acquisition processing. An example of an end time limit image used for inputting time limit information (display end timing). An example of a start deadline image used for inputting deadline information (display start timing). An example data structure containing a still image. 4 is a flowchart for explaining display processing of a still image; An example of an end time limit image used for inputting time limit information (display end timing).

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted. In addition, this embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content described in the claims. Moreover, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present disclosure.

1. First Embodiment 1.1 System Configuration Example FIGS. 1A and 1B are examples of devices corresponding to the information processing device 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1A, the information processing device 100 of this embodiment may be a display device 200 with recording and playback functions. The display device 200 is a device having an interface for receiving a signal from an antenna, a decoder, a display, a speaker, etc., and is a device capable of storing a video signal as video information based on, for example, television broadcast waves. . The display device 200 is, for example, a television receiver compatible with 4K/8K broadcasting. The display here can be realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

Note that the video information in this embodiment is data including at least a moving image, which is a plurality of still images arranged in time series. For example, video information is stream data in which image data and audio data are multiplexed. The image data here is MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group), H.264. 264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Data compressed using a compression scheme such as H.265/HEVC may also be used. The audio data may be data compressed using a compression method such as AAC (Advanced Audio Coding). In addition, various modifications can be made to the specific data format of the video information according to the present embodiment, the encoding/decoding method, and the like.

The display device 200 is connected to an external storage device 300, for example. The external storage device 300 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but other storage devices such as SSD (Solid State Drive) and flash memory may be used. For example, the display device 200 may use a decoder to decode video received using an antenna, and output the decoding result using a display and a speaker. Further, the display device 200 may perform processing for storing the image received using the antenna in the external storage device 300 . Further, the display device 200 may decode the video read from the external storage device 300 using a decoder, and output the decoding result using a display and a speaker. However, the display device 200 and the external storage device 300 are not limited to being separately provided, and the display device 200 may include a storage medium corresponding to the external storage device 300 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment may be a recorder 400 having recording and playback functions. The recorder 400 here is a device capable of storing a video signal as video information based on, for example, broadcast waves of television broadcasting. The recorder 400 may be an HDD recorder capable of storing video information in an HDD, a BD recorder capable of reading/writing a BD (Blu-ray Disc), or any other recorder. good too.

A recorder 400 shown in FIG. 1B is a device including an interface for receiving signals from an antenna, a decoder, a memory, and an output interface, and is connected to an external display device via the output interface, for example. The display device here is, for example, a television receiver. The output interface is, for example, an interface compatible with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). However, the recorder 400 and the display device may be connected using a D-terminal cable, a component cable, or the like, and the specific aspect of the output interface can be modified in various ways.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 , information processing apparatus 100 includes processing unit 110 , communication unit 120 , storage unit 130 , operation unit 140 , and display unit 150 . However, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2, and various modifications such as omitting a part of the configuration and adding other configurations are possible. For example, as described above using FIG. 1B, the display unit 150 may be provided outside the information processing device 100 .

The processing unit 110 of this embodiment is configured by the following hardware. The hardware may include circuitry for processing digital signals and/or circuitry for processing analog signals. For example, the hardware can consist of one or more circuit devices or one or more circuit elements mounted on a circuit board. The one or more circuit devices are, for example, ICs (Integrated Circuits), FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays), and the like. The one or more circuit elements are, for example, resistors, capacitors, and the like.

Also, the processing unit 110 may be realized by the following processors. The information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes a memory that stores information and a processor that operates based on the information stored in the memory. The information is, for example, programs and various data. A processor includes hardware. Various processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) can be used as the processor. The memory may be a semiconductor memory such as an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), a register, or a magnetic storage device such as an HDD. It may be an optical storage device such as an optical disc device. For example, the memory stores computer-readable instructions, and the functions of the processing unit 110 are realized as processes by the processor executing the instructions. The instruction here may be an instruction set that constitutes a program, or an instruction that instructs a hardware circuit of a processor to perform an operation.

Processing unit 110 includes reception processing unit 111 , still image acquisition unit 112 , and display processing unit 113 . The reception processing unit 111 performs processing for receiving video information including moving images via the communication unit 120 . The still image acquiring unit 112 acquires a still image IM1 of a frame corresponding to the timing at which the user's input is performed from among the moving images. A specific example of the still image IM1 will be described later using FIG. 5 and the like. The display processing unit 113 performs display processing of video information. Further, the display processing unit 113 performs processing for displaying the still image IM1 when performing display processing for program guide information, which is information including a distribution schedule of video information. Details of processing of each unit of the processing unit 110 will be described later.

The communication unit 120 is an interface for receiving broadcast waves of television broadcasting, and includes, for example, an RF (radio frequency) circuit that processes signals from an antenna, and a baseband circuit. The communication unit 120 may operate under the control of the processing unit 110 or may include a communication control processor different from the processing unit 110 .

The storage unit 130 stores a still image IM1, which will be described later. Storage unit 130 is a storage area used for the recording function, and may store video information received by communication unit 120 . The storage unit 130 is a magnetic storage device such as an HDD. However, the storage unit 130 may be a semiconductor memory such as an SRAM, a DRAM, or a flash memory, a register, or an optical storage device.

The operation unit 140 receives an operation input by the user. For example, the operation unit 140 may be a button or the like provided on the information processing device 100 or may be an interface that receives a signal from a remote controller provided separately from the information processing device 100 .

The display unit 150 is a display that displays video information. The display unit 150 can be realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

1.2 Still Image Acquisition Processing The processing in this embodiment includes acquisition processing of the still image IM1 and display processing of the acquired still image IM1. First, an example of processing for acquiring the still image IM1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the process of obtaining the still image IM1. As a prerequisite for this processing, the display processing unit 113 performs display processing for displaying video information on the display unit 150 . The display processing here may be processing for displaying in real time the video information acquired by the reception processing unit 111 via the communication unit 120, or reading and displaying video information stored in the storage unit 130 in the past. It may be a process to do.

For example, the information processing apparatus 100 has a recording function, and the storage unit 130 can store video information acquired by the reception processing unit 111 . The display processing unit 113 performs processing for displaying either the first video information acquired by the reception processing unit 111 in real time or the second video information read from the storage unit 130 . In this way, it is possible to use video information that is being broadcast in real time as the video to be acquired for the still image IM1 of this embodiment, or to use video information that has been recorded using the recording function. is also possible.

The processing shown in FIG. 3 is started when the user inputs an instruction to save the still image IM1 during display of the moving image corresponding to the video information. For example, a remote controller is provided with a button such as "screen memo" for instructing storage of the still image IM1, and the user presses the button. For example, when a preview of a program to be broadcast in the future is displayed and the user becomes interested in the program, the user presses the screen memo button on the remote controller. When the operation unit 140 receives a user operation, the still image acquisition unit 112 starts the processing shown in FIG. 3 . Note that the interface operated by the user is not limited to this, and a button on the main body of the display device may be operated, or a device such as a smartphone that can be connected to the information processing device 100 may function as a remote controller.

In step S<b>101 , the still image acquiring unit 112 acquires a still image IM<b>1 of a frame corresponding to the timing at which the user's operation is performed, among the moving images of a plurality of frames continuously displayed on the display unit 150 . It is not essential that the timing at which the user's operation is performed and the timing at which the frame corresponding to still image IM1 is displayed on display unit 150 strictly match. Further, images of a plurality of frames may be acquired as candidates for the still image IM1 based on one user operation, and the user may be able to select any one of them.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the display contents of the display unit 150 at the timing when the user's operation is performed. In the example of FIG. 4, a preview video is displayed to the effect that a new drama program titled "XXXX" will be broadcast at 11:00 p.m. on January 22nd, which is later than the display timing of the video information. Since the user is interested in the drama program, the user presses the screen memo button at this timing.

FIG. 5 is an example of a still image IM1 acquired in step S101. The still image IM1 may be the one-frame image itself displayed at the timing when the screen memo button is pressed or at a timing close thereto, or may be an image obtained by extracting a part of it. . In view of the fact that the still image IM1 may be superimposed on the program guide image IM3 as described later with reference to FIG. good too. As described above, the displayed image may be the real-time first image information or the recorded second image information. That is, the still image acquisition unit 112 executes processing for acquiring the still image IM1 from the first video information or processing for acquiring the still image IM1 from the second video information.

Note that FIG. 5 illustrates the still image IM1 including the program title and the start date and time, but the still image IM1 in this embodiment is not limited to this. When the user looks back at the still image IM1 later, it is sufficient if the user can sufficiently remember the target program. For example, the still image IM1 does not have to include a title. Further, as will be described later, it is not essential that the still image IM1 includes information indicating the start date and time of the program, since the recording reservation need not be forgotten. For example, even if it is an image such as one scene of a drama program that does not include any text information such as telop, if it is determined that the image is enough to remind the target user of the program, the image is used in the present embodiment. It can be used as a still image IM1.

In step S102, the still image acquisition unit 112 acquires attribute information representing attributes of the still image IM1 in association with the still image IM1. The attribute information is information including at least information indicating whether or not the still image IM1 is information for reserved recording. A recording reservation is a process in which the information processing apparatus 100 automatically stores video information corresponding to the program in the storage unit 130 when it is determined that it is time to broadcast a program specified in advance, and the process. represents a user input that instructs the information processing apparatus 100 to

FIG. 6 is an example of an attribute acceptance image IM2 including information for accepting user input regarding attribute information. The attribute reception image IM2 in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 150, for example. In the attribute reception image IM2, it is possible to select from three options: recording reservation, viewing later, and cancellation. “For recording reservation” is an attribute indicating that the saved still image IM1 is used for recording reservation. For example, when the user wants to record a drama program titled "XXXX" and presses the screen memo button, the user performs an operation to select recording reservation. In this case, the still image acquiring unit 112 associates the attribute information indicating "for recording reservation" with the still image IM1.

Note that "view later" is an attribute indicating that the purpose is to view the still image IM1 itself. For example, a screen on which recipes and cooking procedures are displayed in a cooking program may be saved as a still image IM1, and the still image IM1 may be referred to when actually cooking. Alternatively, the still image IM1 may be saved for later viewing a scene in which a favorite actor appears in a drama program. In these cases, the still image IM1 is not used for program recording reservation.

"Cancel" is an operation input instructing not to save the still image IM1. When cancel is selected, the still image acquiring unit 112 terminates the processing shown in FIG.

When a user operation to select "for recording reservation" or "view later" is performed, in step S103, still image acquisition unit 112 performs a process of storing attribute information in storage unit 130 in association with still image IM1. conduct.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example structure of data stored in step S103. As shown in FIG. 7 , still image acquiring section 112 associates an ID specifying still image IM1, image information representing still image IM1, and attribute information, and stores them in storage section 130 . In FIG. 7, the attribute information when "for recording reservation" is selected is written as "for reservation", and the attribute information when "watch later" is selected is written as "for viewing". In this way, the still image IM1 can be appropriately managed and used according to its usage (attribute). More specifically, it becomes possible to identify whether each still image IM1 is information saved for reservation purposes.

Note that FIG. 6 has described an example in which the reservation made in the information processing apparatus 100 is the recording reservation. However, the information processing apparatus 100 may be a device capable of reservation for viewing. The viewing reservation is a process in which the information processing apparatus 100 automatically outputs the program using the display unit 150 or a speaker (not shown) when it is determined that it is time to broadcast a program designated in advance, and It represents a user input that instructs the information processing apparatus 100 to perform processing. For example, at the timing when a program reserved for viewing is started, the information processing apparatus 100 automatically shifts from the standby state to the power ON state, and automatically changes the receiving channel to the channel of the corresponding program. Execute processing, etc. That is, the attribute information of the present embodiment may be information including at least information indicating whether the still image IM1 is information for recording reservation or viewing reservation.

FIG. 8 is an example of an attribute reception image IM2' displayed in this case. The attribute reception image IM2' can be selected from four options including one for reserved viewing in addition to the three options for reservation of recording, viewing later, and cancellation shown in FIG. “For reserved viewing” is an attribute indicating that the saved still image IM1 is used for reserved viewing. In this way, in the information processing apparatus 100, it becomes possible to perform processing while distinguishing between the still image IM1 for recording reservation and the still image IM1 for viewing reservation. Note that although recording reservation will be mainly described below, the processing described below can be extended to viewing reservation as appropriate.

1.3 Still Image Display Processing FIG. 9 is an example of a program guide image IM3 including program guide information on the display unit 150. FIG. The program guide information here is information representing the broadcast schedule of the video information, and is information including, for example, the title and contents of the program and the broadcast time of the program. For example, the program guide image IM3 may be a screen including a table in which information about programs to be broadcast is arranged chronologically for each day and for each channel.

The program guide information may be information including future broadcast schedules of programs. For example, if the timing at which the program guide information is displayed is January 20th, as shown in FIG. Includes broadcast schedule after the 21st. In this way, the user can know the broadcast date and time of the program before the program is actually broadcast. For example, the user can make a recording reservation on the screen displaying the program guide information.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of this embodiment, and is a flowchart for explaining the processing of displaying the still image IM1 when the display processing of the program guide information is performed. The processing shown in FIG. 10 is started when the user performs a user input instructing display processing of program guide information. For example, a remote controller is provided with a button for instructing display of program guide information such as "program guide". When the operation unit 140 detects a user operation on the button, the display processing unit 113 starts the processing shown in FIG.

When the process of FIG. 10 is started, the display processing unit 113 performs the process of reading the still image IM1 stored by the process described above with reference to FIG. 3 in step S201. The process of step S201 is, for example, a process of reading one row of data (one record) out of the data shown in FIG.

In step S202, the display processing unit 113 determines whether or not a tag indicating recording reservation is attached to the read still image IM1. Specifically, the display processing unit 113 reads out the attribute information shown in FIG. 7, and determines whether or not the attribute information is information for reservation.

If the attribute information indicates that it is for reservation (Yes in step S202), in step S203, the display processing unit 113 performs processing for displaying the corresponding still image IM1 when displaying the program guide image IM3. On the other hand, if the attribute information is not for reservation (No in step S202), the process of step S203 is omitted. For example, the still image IM1 to which the attribute information indicating that it is for browsing, such as the screen displaying the recipe described above, is added is not displayed when the program guide information is displayed.

In step S204, the display processing unit 113 determines whether the processing for all still images IM1 stored in the storage unit 130 has been completed. If the processing has not been completed, the display processing unit 113 returns to step S201 and continues the processing. For example, the display processing unit 113 reads out the data of the next row among the information shown in FIG. 7 and executes the processing after step S202. When the processing for all still images IM1 is completed, the display processing unit 113 ends the processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is an example of a screen displaying a still image IM1 when displaying a program guide image IM3. For example, the display processing unit 113 superimposes the still image IM1 on a part of the program listing image IM3. In FIG. 11, a still image IM1-1 corresponding to the image shown in FIG. 5 and a still image IM1-2 related to the broadcast schedule of soccer are superimposed on the program guide image IM3. However, according to the method of the present embodiment, the still image IM1 may be displayed when the display processing of the program guide information is performed, and the specific display mode is not limited to this. For example, a screen displaying one or more still images IM1 determined to be displayed and a program listing image IM3 may be displayed in a switchable manner.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the display processing unit 113 of this embodiment performs processing for displaying a still image IM1 when performing display processing for program guide information. As described above, the still image IM1 is an image corresponding to an announcement or the like, and is an image containing information on a program in which the user is interested. Further, as described above, the program guide image IM3 is a screen including a broadcast schedule of programs, and is an image suitable for recording reservation. That is, by displaying the still image IM1 along with the display of the program guide information, it is possible to prompt the user to reserve a program that the user is interested in.

It is conceivable that the target period of the program guide information acquired by the information processing apparatus 100 is determined. For example, the information processing apparatus 100 can acquire and display information on programs broadcasted for a period of about one week starting from the current date as the program guide information. The example of FIG. 9 shows an example in which programs for eight days can be displayed. However, in television broadcasting, there are many cases in which advance notice of a program to be broadcast later than one week later is given. For example, during a program reorganization period, the time from the broadcast of the preview video to the actual broadcast of the corresponding program tends to be long. According to the method of the present embodiment, it is possible to hold such information about a program that will be broadcast a long time later as the still image IM1. For example, like the still image IM1-2 shown in FIG. 11, information about programs broadcast on January 31, which is later than the end of the program table (January 27 in the example of FIG. 11), is appropriately retained. can. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to make a reservation even when the reservation operation is not possible at the time of the preview broadcast (the target program is not included in the program guide information).

FIG. 12 is an example of a display screen when recording reservation is made. For example, the user selects one of the programs in the program list using a remote controller or the like. In FIG. 12, it indicates that the program corresponding to the area enclosed by the frame shown in the frame-shaped object OB1 is in the selected state. For example, when the user performs a decision operation, the display processing unit 113 displays detailed data of the selected program and displays a screen including an object for recording reservation. When the selection operation of the object is performed, the information processing apparatus 100 executes recording reservation processing.

As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment stores the still image IM1 based on pressing of the screen memo button or the like, and displays the still image IM1 in accordance with the display of the program guide image IM3. That is, it is possible to leave the timing of storing the still image IM1 and the selection of the contents of the still image IM1 to the user. Therefore, the program preview data of Patent Document 1 is unnecessary. For example, in this embodiment, processing for recognizing telops displayed in video, processing for acquiring EPG data from broadcasting stations, processing for acquiring information provided via data broadcasting or networks, and the like can be omitted. Therefore, the processing load can be reduced, and there is an advantage that it is possible to cope with the case where the broadcasting station side does not provide the data regarding the program. Further, in the present embodiment, the process of specifying the user's preference data in Patent Document 1 can also be omitted, and in this respect as well, the processing load can be reduced.

Further, as shown in steps S202 and S203 in FIG. 10, when the display processing unit 113 performs the display processing of the program guide information, it is determined that the information is for recording reservation or viewing reservation based on the attribute information. A process of displaying the still image IM1 may be performed. In other words, the still image IM1, which is neither reserved for recording nor reserved for viewing, is not displayed when the program table is displayed. In this way, the still image IM1 can be appropriately used according to the purpose for which the still image IM1 was saved. For example, as described above, by displaying the still image IM1 for reservation, it is possible to appropriately prompt the reservation and not to display the still image IM1 not for reservation. For example, in the example of FIG. 11, if the number of still images IM1 increases too much, the viewing of the program guide image IM3 may be hindered, or the size of each still image IM1 may be reduced in order to suppress the display area of the still images IM1. However, by limiting the still image IM1 to be displayed based on the attribute information, it is possible to display an easy-to-view screen.

Note that the need for the still image IM1 stored for recording reservation or viewing reservation is reduced at the stage when the reservation operation is performed. Therefore, in the method of the present embodiment, the deletion process of the still image IM1 may be performed with the fact that the reservation operation is performed as a trigger.

FIG. 13 is an example of a deletion screen for deleting the still image IM1. For example, the deletion screen displays text prompting selection of an image to be deleted and one or more stored still images IM1. The still image IM1 displayed here is an image that may become less necessary if, for example, a reservation operation is performed. Specifically, it is a still image IM1 for reservation as in FIG. . In FIG. 13, the still image IM1 corresponding to the area enclosed by the frame shown in the frame-shaped object OB2 is selected. With the given still image IM1 selected, a further decision operation may be performed to display a screen asking whether or not to really delete the image. By leaving the selection of the still image IM1 to be deleted to the user in this way, the information processing apparatus 100 need not determine which still image IM1 was used for the reservation. As a result, it is possible to reduce the processing load even in the deletion processing of the still image IM1.

Also, part or all of the processing performed by the information processing apparatus 100 (in a narrow sense, the processing unit 110) of this embodiment may be implemented by a program. The program according to this embodiment can be stored in a non-temporary information storage device (information storage medium), which is a computer-readable medium, for example. The information storage device can be implemented by, for example, an optical disc, memory card, HDD, semiconductor memory, or the like. A semiconductor memory is, for example, a ROM. The processing unit 110 performs various processes of this embodiment based on programs stored in the information storage device. That is, the information storage device stores programs for causing the computer to function as each part of the processing unit 110 . A computer is a device that includes an input device, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit. Specifically, the program according to the present embodiment is a program for causing a computer to execute the steps described above with reference to FIGS. 3, 10, and the like.

The method of the present embodiment includes steps of receiving video information including a moving image, performing display processing of the moving image, and displaying a still image IM1 of a frame corresponding to the timing at which user input is performed in the moving image. , the step of storing the still image IM1, and the step of displaying the still image IM1 when performing display processing of the program schedule information, which is information including the distribution schedule of the video information. can be applied to

2. 2nd Embodiment Next, 2nd Embodiment is described. Since the system configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description will be omitted. In addition, detailed description of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the acquisition processing of the still image IM1. Steps S301 and S302 in FIG. 14 are the same as steps S101 and S102 in FIG. In steps S303 and S304, the still image obtaining unit 112 obtains expiration information representing the expiration date of the still image IM1 obtained in step S301. For example, the time limit information includes display start timing and display end timing of the still image IM1. The still image acquiring unit 112 acquires the display end timing of the still image IM1 in step S303, and acquires the display start timing of the still image IM1 in step S304.

FIG. 15A is an example of an end time limit image IM4 displayed on a screen for accepting user input of display end timing. The expiration date image IM4 includes a text prompting the user to input display termination timing and an area RE1 for displaying the display termination timing. The area RE1 includes an area RE11 that displays the year, an area RE12 that displays the month, and an area RE13 that displays the day. The region RE1 may also include a region for displaying hours and minutes.

For example, in the expiry date image IM4 shown in FIG. 15A, any one of the regions RE11, RE12, and RE13 can be in a selected state, and the display processing unit 113 responds to the operation input of the up/down buttons and number buttons of the remote controller. Based on this, processing is performed to change the numerical value of the corresponding area. For example, when the user performs a decision operation in FIG. 15A, the display processing unit 113 acquires the information on the date displayed at that time as the display end timing. Note that the method of inputting the display end timing is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible.

The display end timing here corresponds to, for example, the timing at which the target program is broadcast. After the target program is broadcasted, it is not possible to reserve the recording of the program, and the need for the still image IM1 becomes low. Therefore, it is effective to associate the broadcast timing with the display end timing. However, these two timings do not need to match exactly, and for example, the display end timing may be arbitrarily set by the user.

FIG. 15B is an example of the start time limit image IM5 displayed on the screen for accepting the user's input of the display start timing. The start time limit image IM5 includes text prompting input of display start timing and an area RE2 for displaying the display start timing. The area RE2 includes an area RE21 for displaying the year, an area RE22 for displaying the month, and an area RE23 for displaying the day. The region RE2 may also include a region for displaying hours and minutes. The display start timing is determined, for example, based on the same operation input as the display end timing. The method of inputting the display start timing can also be modified in various ways.

Next, in step S305, the still image obtaining unit 112 performs processing for storing the attribute information and the expiration information in the storage unit 130 in association with the still image IM1. That is, the still image acquisition unit 112 acquires time limit information including information indicating the display end timing of the still image IM1 in association with the still image IM1. The deadline information may also include information representing the display start timing of the still image IM1.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example structure of data stored in step S305. As shown in FIG. 16 , still image acquisition unit 112 associates an ID specifying still image IM1, image information representing still image IM1, attribute information, and deadline information, and stores them in storage unit 130 . "Validity period To" in FIG. 16 represents the display end timing, and "Validity period FROM" represents the display start timing. In this way, processing can be performed using not only the attribute but also the expiration date of the still image IM1. Note that the expiration information is not limited to including both the display end timing and the display start timing, and either one may be omitted. For example, considering the deletion process described later, the time limit information may include the display end timing and may not include the display start timing.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the process of displaying the still image IM1 when the process of displaying the program guide information is performed. As in FIG. 10, FIG. 17 is started when the user inputs an instruction to display program guide information. The processes of steps S401 and S402 in FIG. 17 are the same as steps S201 and S202 in FIG. A still image IM1 without a tag for reservation is excluded from the processing of steps S403 to S406.

If the read still image IM1 is tagged for reservation (Yes in step S402), in step S403, the display processing unit 113 displays the target still image IM1 based on the deadline information associated with the still image IM1. Determine whether IM1 is within the expiration date. If it is determined that the validity period has not expired, in step S404, the display processing unit 113 performs processing for displaying the still image IM1 in accordance with the display of the program guide image IM3. For example, the display processing unit 113 displays a screen similar to that shown in FIG.

For example, the display processing unit 113 performs processing for displaying the still image IM1 determined as not having passed the display end timing based on the time limit information when performing the display processing of the program guide information. If the display start timing is omitted, the determination condition in step S403 is this one.

Further, the display processing unit 113 displays the still image IM1 determined to have passed the display start timing and not passed the display end timing based on the time limit information when performing the display processing of the program guide information. You may perform processing to do. In this case, it is possible to determine whether or not the expiration date has passed using both the display start timing and the display end timing.

By doing so, it is possible to limit the images to be displayed when displaying the program guide information among the reservation still images IM1 to images that are particularly necessary to be displayed. Since the number of still images IM1 to be displayed tends to decrease, it is possible to realize screen display that is easy for the user to see. For example, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, when the program guide information includes information from January 20th to January 27th, still pictures corresponding to programs on January 31st after the end of the program are displayed. Image IM1-2 can also be displayed. However, in this embodiment, by using the display start timing, it is possible to exclude such a still image IM1 corresponding to a program scheduled to be broadcast later from the display targets. For example, since the display start timing of the still image IM1-2 is set to a timing later than January 20 (for example, January 24 when January 31 is within the range of the program guide information), the still image IM1-2 is displayed. 2 is excluded from display processing. As a result, the number of still images IM1 to be displayed tends to be small, so that a user-friendly screen display can be realized.

If the still image IM1 is not within the expiration date, in step S405, the display processing unit 113 determines whether the current timing has passed the display end timing of the still image IM1. If the display end timing has passed, the display processing unit 113 deletes the target still image IM1 in step S406. That is, the display processing unit 113 performs processing of deleting the still image IM1 determined to have passed the display end timing based on the time limit information when performing the display processing of the program guide information. Note that the process of step S406 may automatically delete the still image IM1, or may be a process of inquiring of the user whether or not it is permissible to delete the still image IM1, and deleting the target still image IM1 if the user permits the deletion. good too.

On the other hand, if the display end timing of the still image IM1 has not passed, the deletion process of step S406 is omitted. "No" in step S403 and "No" in step S405 mean that the current timing is earlier than the display start timing. That is, the target still image IM1 is not displayed because there is little need to display it (for example, it is not yet the time when a reservation can be made). Storage at 130 continues.

The processing of step S407 is the same as that of step S204 in FIG. The display processing unit 113 determines whether the processing for all the still images IM1 stored in the storage unit 130 has been completed. If the processing has not been completed, the display processing unit 113 returns to step S401 and continues the processing. When the processing for all still images IM1 is completed, the display processing unit 113 terminates the processing shown in FIG.

3. Modified Example 3.1 Modified Example Regarding Display End Timing In the second embodiment, an example in which the user inputs the display end timing has been described. For example, the default value of the display end timing in FIG. 15A may be a value representing the timing at which the end deadline image IM4 is displayed, or may be a value obtained by adding a predetermined number of days to the value.

However, as can be seen from the description of the second embodiment, whether or not the still image IM1 is useful for reservation largely depends on whether or not the program corresponding to the still image IM1 has been broadcast. That is, the display end timing is preferably set to the broadcast start timing of the program or a timing corresponding thereto.

For example, the still image acquiring unit 112 of the present embodiment may acquire date information representing the date from the still image IM1 by performing image processing including character recognition processing on the still image IM1. Then, the still image acquisition unit 112 performs processing for accepting user input of expiration information based on the input screen in which the date corresponding to the date information is displayed as a default value.

For example, when the still image IM1 shown in FIG. 5 is targeted, the still image acquisition unit 112 performs processing for recognizing a character string representing a date such as "1/22" from the still image IM1. In this case, it is only necessary to be able to specify the broadcast start timing, so it is possible to limit recognition targets to characters related to date and time, such as numbers, slashes, and "month" and "day." Since complicated processing is unnecessary, it is possible to suppress a large increase in the processing load of the information processing apparatus 100 . By setting the default value on the screen shown in FIG. 15A to January 22, it is possible to simplify the user operation for setting the display end timing to the timing corresponding to the broadcast start timing of the program, thereby improving convenience. be possible. For example, if the result of character recognition processing is correct, the user does not need to change the date.

However, when character recognition processing is automatically performed, there is a possibility that clearly inappropriate date and time information is acquired. For example, the timing represented by the date information may be earlier than the current timing. In this case, since the still image IM1 has already passed the expiration date, the still image IM1 cannot be used effectively. Therefore, if the date and time information is inappropriate, the still image acquisition unit 112 may warn the user to that effect.

FIG. 18 is an example of a warning screen. For example, when the timing represented by the date information is earlier than the current timing, the still image acquiring unit 112 displays a warning such as "the read expiration date has passed" as shown in FIG. Display text. After that, the still image acquiring unit 112 displays an input screen as shown in FIG. 15A. In this way, even if the result of the character recognition process is not appropriate, it is possible to obtain an appropriate display end timing based on the user's input.

3.2 Modified Example of Display Start Timing In the second embodiment, an example in which the user inputs the display start timing has been described. For example, the default value of the display start timing in FIG. 15B is the year, month, and day representing the display end timing, and the timing earlier than that is specified as the display start timing by the user performing a change operation.

However, as can be seen from the above explanation, the program guide information is information representing the broadcasting schedule of programs for a period of about one week, for example, and the programs to be broadcast at a timing after the end of the period are stopped. Even if the image IM1 is displayed, there is a possibility that the reservation operation of the program cannot be performed. In other words, considering the effective display of the still image IM1, the display start timing may be the timing at which the target program is included in the program guide information or the timing corresponding thereto.

Consider the case where the program listing information is information containing a delivery schedule of video information for a first period of given length. The first period may be one week, or may be a different period. It is assumed that the length of this first period is known to the information processing apparatus 100 . Therefore, the still image acquisition unit 112 may perform processing for determining the display start timing based on the length of the first period and the display end timing. For example, the still image acquiring unit 112 sets the display start timing to a timing earlier than the preset display end timing by the first period. In this way, the timing corresponding to the first period before the program broadcast, that is, the timing at which the program corresponding to the still image IM1 is included in the program guide information can be set as the display start timing. be possible. As a result, the still image IM1 can be displayed for an appropriate period of time, thereby improving convenience for the user.

3.3 Reservation Operation An example in which the still image IM1 is displayed when the program guide information is displayed has been described above. Since the program guide information is displayed when recording reservation is made, the still image IM1 can be displayed at an appropriate timing by using the display of the program guide information as a display trigger for the still image IM1.

However, if there is information used for recording reservation other than the program guide information, presentation of the information may be used as a display trigger for the still image IM1.

For example, if the information processing apparatus 100 can search for a program based on text input and schedule recording based on the search result, the display processing unit 113 displays a static A process of displaying the image IM1 may be performed. The search screen may be a screen including a text box in which text can be entered, or may be a screen for accepting voice input. A user who sees the still image IM1 together with the search screen can determine text suitable for program search, such as the program title and leading actor, thereby facilitating the reservation operation by the user. Also, the information used for recording reservation is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible.

Although the present embodiment has been described in detail as above, those skilled in the art will easily understand that many modifications that do not substantially deviate from the novel matters and effects of the present embodiment are possible. . Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings together with a different broader or synonymous term can be replaced with the different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. All combinations of this embodiment and modifications are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the configurations and operations of the information processing device, the display device, the recorder, etc. are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Information processing apparatus, 110... Processing part, 111... Reception process part, 112... Still image acquisition part, 113... Display process part, 120... Communication part, 130... Storage part, 140... Operation part, 150... Display part, 200...Display device, 300...External storage device, 400...Recorder, IM1, IM1-1, IM1-2...Still image, IM2, IM2'...Attribute reception image, IM3...Program guide image, IM4...End deadline image, IM5 ... start deadline image, OB1, OB2 ... object, RE1, RE2, RE11-13, RE21-23 ... area

Claims (9)

a reception processing unit that receives video information including moving images;
a display processing unit that performs display processing of the moving image;
a still image acquiring unit that acquires a still image of a frame corresponding to a timing at which a user input is performed from among the moving images;
a storage unit that stores the still image;
including
The display processing unit
An information processing apparatus that performs a process of displaying the still image when performing a process of displaying program guide information that is information including a distribution schedule of the video information. In claim 1,
The still image acquisition unit is
Acquiring time limit information including information indicating display end timing of the still image in association with the still image;
The display processing unit
An information processing apparatus that, when performing display processing of the program guide information, displays the still image determined that the display end timing has not passed based on the time limit information. In claim 2,
The display processing unit
An information processing apparatus that, when performing display processing of the program guide information, deletes the still image determined to have passed the display end timing based on the time limit information. In claim 2 or 3,
The deadline information includes information representing display start timing of the still image,
The display processing unit
displaying the still image determined to have passed the display start timing and not passed the display end timing based on the time limit information when performing the display processing of the program guide information; information processing equipment. In claim 4,
When the program guide information is information including a distribution schedule of the video information in a first period of a given length,
The still image acquisition unit is
An information processing apparatus that performs processing for determining the display start timing based on the length of the first period and the display end timing. In any one of claims 2 to 5,
The still image acquisition unit is
obtaining date information representing a date from the still image by performing image processing including character recognition processing on the still image;
An information processing apparatus that receives user input of the deadline information based on an input screen on which the date corresponding to the date information is displayed as a default value. In any one of claims 1 to 6,
The still image acquisition unit is
Acquiring attribute information including at least information indicating whether the still image is information for recording reservation or viewing reservation in association with the still image,
The display processing unit
An information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying the still image determined to be the information for the recording reservation or the viewing reservation based on the attribute information when performing display processing for the program guide information. In any one of claims 1 to 7,
The storage unit
The video information acquired by the reception processing unit can be stored,
The display processing unit
performing processing for displaying either the first video information acquired in real time by the reception processing unit or the second video information read from the storage unit;
The still image acquisition unit
An information processing apparatus that executes a process of acquiring the still image from the first video information or a process of acquiring the still image from the second video information. a step of receiving video information including moving images;
a step of displaying the moving image;
obtaining a still image of a frame corresponding to the timing at which the user input is performed from the moving image;
storing the still image;
a step of displaying the still image when performing display processing of program guide information, which is information including a distribution schedule of the video information;
Information processing method including.

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