JP3132539B2 - Digital broadcast program switching apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcast program suitable for use in receiving a digital television broadcast based on, for example, electronic program guide information broadcasted via a satellite and switching programs of the broadcast channel. The present invention relates to a switching device and method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, systems for digitizing and transmitting television signals via satellites such as broadcasting satellites and communication satellites and receiving the signals at homes are becoming widespread.
In this system, for example, nearly 200 channels can be secured, so that a very large amount of information can be broadcast.

[0003]

By the way, in such a system, one carrier is assigned to one transponder, and signals of a plurality of channels are packetized for each channel by a carrier to which one frequency is assigned. Transmitted. Also, carriers of different frequencies are assigned to different transponders.

Therefore, in order to switch a program of a channel transmitted on a carrier of a predetermined frequency to a program of another channel transmitted on a carrier of the same frequency, a packet of a packet obtained by decoding the carrier is switched. What is necessary is just to switch the channel to be selected.

On the other hand, in order to switch a program of a channel transmitted on a carrier of a predetermined frequency to a program of another channel transmitted on a carrier of a different frequency, the frequency of a carrier to be decoded is switched. ,
It is also necessary to switch the channel selected by the packet obtained by decoding the carrier.

In order to minimize the amount of data to be transmitted, for example, an MPEG (Moving Pic)
According to the “Two Experts Group” method, an image is predicted as an I picture, a P picture, or a B picture, compressed, and transmitted. Since an I-picture contains all its data, it can be decoded by itself, but for P-pictures and B-pictures, only the difference data predicted from the preceding or following I-picture or P-picture is transmitted. Therefore, if there is no predicted image, decoding cannot be performed.

However, the switching of the program is not always performed at the timing of the generation of the I picture. Therefore, particularly when decoding is performed from the B picture, a specific color appears on the entire screen, and the image is disturbed. Is difficult to see.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent an image from being disturbed at the time of channel switching and from being difficult to see.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A digital broadcast program switching apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving a signal of a predetermined digital broadcast program, and a stationary means for temporarily outputting an image of the predetermined digital broadcast program as a still image. Image output means, switching means for selectively switching the output of the receiving means and the output of the still image output means, the receiving means, the still image output means, and the switching means are controlled, and after the still image is output for a predetermined time, Control means for canceling the output of the still image and outputting the signal of the digital broadcast program received by the receiving means, and a button icon corresponding to a plurality of digital broadcast programs as a window to be superimposed on the image of the digital broadcast program. Electronic program guide output means for outputting an electronic program guide screen; and one button icon among a plurality of button icons on the electronic program guide screen. The con, and a selection means for selecting by moving the cursor, selecting means digital broadcast program
Before selecting the button icon corresponding to
When the selection means moves the cursor, the still image output means
Control and the image of the digital broadcast program being received by the receiving means.
Output the image as a still image, and control the receiving means,
Electronic program superimposed on the cursor moved by the selection means
Digital broadcasting corresponding to the button icons on the guide screen
Start the program reception process and respond to the button icon
Still image output after digital broadcast program reception processing is completed
Control the means to release the output of the still image,
Output a digital broadcast program signal
And features.

[0010] When the digital broadcast program to be received is selected , the control means controls the receiving means to start the reception processing of the selected digital broadcast program, and to control the selected digital broadcast program. > After the reception processing of the broadcast program is completed, control the still image output means to cancel the output of the still image, and
Output the received digital broadcast program signal.
Can be

[0011] The digital broadcast program switching apparatus of the present invention comprises:
Display images of digital broadcast programs received by communication means
The display unit may further include a display unit.

The still image output means can mute the audio signal when outputting the still image, and cancel the mute of the audio signal when canceling the output of the still image.

[0013] The digital broadcast program switching apparatus of the present invention comprises:
A designating means for designating a digital broadcast program to be transmitted.
Can be taken.

[0014] The specifying means may be a digital broadcast program channel.
Up and down buttons to raise or lower the channel
It can be a switch. The designation means
Is the number to enter the channel number of the digital broadcast program
It can be a letter button switch.

[0015] The still picture output means may be an electronic program guide picture.
Output a still image when a plane is output
Can be. The still image output means may include a cursor
Cursor is moved when hovering over the icon
Output still image corresponding to previous button icon
can do.

The selection means may include a cursor movement means operated when moving a cursor, and a button icon selection means operated when selecting a button icon designated by the cursor.

The cursor moving means and the button icon selecting means can be operated by one finger.

According to the digital broadcast program switching method of the present invention, a receiving step of receiving a signal of a predetermined digital broadcast program, a still image output step of temporarily outputting an image of the predetermined digital broadcast program as a still image, A switching step of selectively switching output in the processing of the step and output in the processing of the still image output step, processing of the receiving step,
It controls the processing of the still image output step and the processing of the switching step, cancels the output of the still image after the still image is output for a predetermined time, and outputs the digital broadcast program signal received in the processing of the receiving step A control step of outputting an electronic program guide screen including button icons corresponding to a plurality of digital broadcast programs as a window to be superimposed on an image of the digital broadcast program. one button icon of the button icons include a selection step of selecting by moving the cursor, in the processing of the control step, the digital broadcasting number in the process of the selection step
Before the button icon corresponding to the set is selected
When the cursor is moved in the processing of the selection step,
The processing of the still image output step is controlled and the reception step
The image of the digital broadcast program being received in the
And the processing of the receiving step is controlled,
The cursor that is moved in the selection step
Corresponding to the button icon on the electronic program guide screen
Digital broadcast program reception processing starts, and the button icon
After the reception processing of the digital broadcast program corresponding to
The processing of the still image output step is controlled and the still image output is
Digital that has been released and received in the processing of the receiving step
A broadcast program signal is output .

[0019]

[0020]

The digital broadcast program switching apparatus and method according to the present invention.
In, a signal of a predetermined digital broadcast program is received, an image of the predetermined digital broadcast program is temporarily output as a still image, and output in a reception process and output in a still image output process are selectively switched. . After the still image is output for a predetermined time, the output of the still image is released,
A signal of the digital broadcast program received in the receiving process is output. In addition, an electronic program guide screen including button icons corresponding to a plurality of digital broadcast programs is output as a window to be superimposed on the image of the digital broadcast program, and one of the plurality of button icons on the electronic program guide screen is displayed. Is selected by moving the cursor. Note that button icons corresponding to digital broadcast programs
If the cursor is moved before
The digital broadcast program image being received is output as a still image.
Electrons superimposed on the cursor being moved and moved
Digital corresponding to the button icon on the program guide screen
The broadcast program reception process starts and the button icon is supported
After the receiving process of the digital broadcast program to be
Output is canceled and the received digital broadcast
Signal is output . Therefore, it is possible to prevent an image from being difficult to see when switching channels.

[0021]

FIG. 1 shows an AV (Audio) to which the present invention is applied.
2 shows a configuration example of a Video) system. In the case of this embodiment, the AV system 1 is an IRD (Integrated R) that demodulates a signal received by a parabolic antenna 3 via a satellite (broadcast satellite or communication satellite) not shown.
receiver / Decoder) 2 and monitor device 4
It consists of. The monitoring device 4 and the IRD 2
They are interconnected by a V line 11 and a control line 12.

For the IRD 2, the remote commander 5
Thus, a command can be input by an infrared (IR) signal. That is,
When a predetermined one of the button switches 50 of the remote commander 5 is operated, an infrared signal corresponding to the button switch 50 is emitted from the IR transmitting section 51, and the IR receiving section 39 of the IRD 2 (FIG. 4).
Is made to enter.

FIG. 2 shows an electrical connection state of the AV system 1 of FIG. The parabolic antenna 3 is LNB
(Low Noise Block downconv
er) 3a, converts a signal from a satellite into a signal of a predetermined frequency, and supplies the signal to the IRD 2. IRD2
Outputs its output to, for example, a composite video signal line,
It is supplied to the monitor device 4 via an AV line 11 composed of three lines, an audio L signal line and an audio R signal line.

Further, the IRD 2 has an AV device control signal transmitting / receiving section 2A, and the monitor device 4 has an AV device control signal transmitting / receiving section 4A. These are wired S
IRCS (Wired Sony Infrared)
They are interconnected by a control line 12 made up of a Remote Control System.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the front of the IRD 2. On the left side of IRD2, power button switch 111
Is provided. This power button switch 111
Operated when turning the power on or off. The LED 112 is turned on when the power is turned on. On the right side of the LED 112, LEDs 113 and 114 are provided. The LED 113 is turned on when the DSS mode for receiving and outputting a signal from the satellite is selected. For example, the RF signal input from the cable box to the RF input terminal is The light is turned off when the television (TV) mode in which the signal is output from the RF output terminal via the RF modulator 41 (FIG. 4) is selected. The LED 114 is turned on when a predetermined message is transmitted to the IRD 2 via a satellite. When the user outputs and displays this message on the monitor device 4 and confirms it, the LED 114 is turned off.

When the TV / DSS button switch 115 is turned on, the DSS mode is set. When the button is turned off, the TV mode is set. Also, the menu button switch 121
Is operated when a menu is displayed on the monitor device 4.

Up, down, left and right of the select button switch 116, an up button switch 117, a down button switch 118, a left button switch 119, and a right button switch 120 are arranged, respectively. These up button switch 117, down button switch 118, left button switch 119, and right button switch 120 are operated when the cursor is moved in the up, down, left, and right directions. Select button switch 1
16 is operated when the selection is confirmed (when the selection is made).

FIG. 4 shows an example of the internal configuration of the IRD 2 for receiving the DSS described above. The RF signal output from the LNB 3a of the parabolic antenna 3 is supplied to the tuner 21 of the front end 20 and demodulated. The output of the tuner 21 is supplied to a QPSK demodulation circuit 22, where the output is subjected to QPSK demodulation. The output of the QPSK demodulation circuit 22 is supplied to an error correction circuit 23, where an error is detected and corrected, and corrected if necessary.

I consisting of CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.
CAM (Conditi) constituted by a C card
The on-line access module 33 stores a key necessary for decrypting a cipher together with a decryption program. Since the signal transmitted via the satellite is encrypted, a key and a decryption process are required to decrypt the code. Then, this key is read from the CAM 33 via the card reader interface 32,
It is supplied to the demultiplexer 24. The demultiplexer 24 uses this key to decrypt the encrypted signal.

The CAM 33 stores, in addition to a key and a decryption program required for decryption, billing information and the like.

The demultiplexer 24 receives a signal output from the error correction circuit 23 of the front end 20 and converts the signal into a data buffer memory (SRAM: Stat).
icRandom Access Memory) 35
Once. Then, it reads this as appropriate, supplies the decoded video signal to the MPEG video decoder 25, and supplies the decoded audio signal to the MPEG audio decoder 26.

The MPEG video decoder 25 appropriately stores the input digital video signal in the DRAM 25a, and executes a decoding process of the video signal compressed by the MPEG system. The decoded video signal is
The signal is supplied to the NTSC encoder 27 and is converted into a luminance signal (Y), a chroma signal (C), and a composite signal (V) of the NTSC system. The luminance signal and the chroma signal are output as S-video signals via buffer amplifiers 28Y and 28C, respectively. The composite signal is
It is output via a buffer amplifier 28V.

The MPEG video decoder 25 includes SGS-Thomson Microselect.
Ronics' MPEG2 decoding LSI (STi35
00) can be used. The outline is, for example, Nikkei BP “Nikkei Electronics” 1994. 3.14.
(No. 603) Pages 101 to 110 include Mart
Introduced by Mr. Bolton.

In addition, MPEG2-Transports
Regarding the stream, ASCII Corporation, August 1994
231 to 2 "Latest MPEG Textbooks" published on January 1
An explanation is given on page 53.

The MPEG audio decoder 26 appropriately stores the digital audio signal supplied from the demultiplexer 24 in the DRAM 26a, and executes a decoding process of the audio signal compressed by the MPEG system. The decoded audio signal is D / A converted by a D / A converter 30, the left channel audio signal is output via a buffer amplifier 31L, and the right channel audio signal is output from a buffer amplifier 31R.
Is output via.

The RF modulator 41 converts a composite signal output from the NTSC encoder 27 and an audio signal output from the D / A converter 30 into an RF signal and outputs the RF signal. When the TV mode is set, the RF modulator 41 passes an NTSC system RF signal input from an AV device such as a cable box,
It is output directly to a VCR or other AV equipment.

In the case of this embodiment, these video signals and audio signals are supplied to the monitor device 4 via the AV line 11.

CPU (Central Process)
or Unit) 29 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 37. For example, a tuner 21, a QPSK demodulation circuit 22, an error correction circuit 2
3 and the like are controlled. Also, the AV device control signal transmission / reception unit 2
A through the control line 12 to control other A
A predetermined control signal is output to a V device (in the case of this embodiment, the monitor device 4), and a control signal from another AV device is received.

A predetermined command can be directly input to the CPU 29 by operating an operation button switch (FIG. 3) on the front panel 40. When the remote commander 5 is operated, an infrared signal is emitted from the IR transmitting section 51, the infrared signal is received by the IR receiving section 39, and the light receiving result is supplied to the CPU 29. Therefore,
By operating the remote commander 5, the CPU
29 can be inputted with a predetermined command.

The demultiplexer 24 takes in EPG data and the like in addition to the MPEG video data and audio data supplied from the front end 20, and supplies the same to the EPG area 35A of the data buffer memory 35.
Remember. The EPG information includes information (for example, program channel, broadcast time, title, category, and the like) on a program of each broadcast channel from the current time to several tens of hours later. Since this EPG information is frequently transmitted, the latest EPG can always be held in the EPG area 35A. In addition, the CPU operates the EPG area 35A.
A sort table is created from the EPG data stored in the SRAM and stored in the SRAM. The details will be described later.

An EEPROM (Electrically)
Erasable Programmable Rea
The data (d Only Memory) 38, which is to be retained even after the power is turned off (for example, the reception history of the tuner 21 for four weeks, the channel number (last channel) received just before the power was turned off) and the like are appropriately stored. Is done.
Then, for example, when the power is turned on, the same channel as the last channel is received again. When the last channel is not stored, the ROM 37
The channel stored as the default is received. Further, when the sleep mode is set, the CPU 29 controls the front end 2 even when the power is off.
0, demultiplexer 24, data buffer memory 35
For example, a minimum circuit is set in an operating state, the current time is measured from time information included in the received signal, and control is performed to cause each circuit to perform a predetermined operation at a predetermined time. For example, timer automatic recording is executed in conjunction with an external VCR.

Further, the CPU 29 executes a predetermined OSD (O
When it is desired to generate n-Screen Display (N-Screen Display) data, the MPEG video decoder 25 is controlled. MP
The EG video decoder 25 generates predetermined OSD data in response to this control, writes the OSD data in the OSD area 25aA (FIG. 13) of the DRAM 25a, and further reads out the OSD data.
Output. As a result, predetermined characters, figures, etc. (for example, menus (FIG. 17), general program guides (FIG. 1)
9)) can be output to the monitor device 4 as appropriate and displayed.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the button switch 50 of the remote commander 5. The select button switch 131 is operated (direction operation) in a total of eight directions of four oblique directions in addition to the four directions of up, down, left, and right directions.
In addition to being able to perform a pressing operation (select operation) in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the remote commander 5, the user can perform a pressing operation. The menu button switch 134 is operated when the monitor device 4 displays a menu screen. Exit button switch 135
Is operated when returning to the original normal screen.

Channel up / down button switch 1
Reference numeral 33 is operated when the number of a broadcast channel to be received is increased or decreased. The volume button switch 132 is operated when raising or lowering the volume.

A numeric button (numerical key) switch 138 on which numbers 0 to 9 are displayed is operated when inputting the displayed numbers. Enter button switch 13
Numeral 7 indicates that when the operation of the numeric button switch 138 is completed, the numeric input is ended, and the operation is performed subsequently.
When the channel is switched, a new channel number, a call sign (name), a logo, and a banner composed of a mail icon are displayed for 3 seconds. The burner has two types: a simple configuration including the above-described configuration, and a more detailed configuration including a program (program) name, a broadcast start time, and a current time. Yes, display button 136
Is operated when the type of the displayed burner is switched.

TV / video switch button switch 139
Is operated when the input of the monitor device 4 is switched to an input (such as a VCR) from a tuner or a video input terminal built in the television receiver. TV set/
The DSS switch button switch 140 is operated when selecting the television mode or the DSS mode. When the channel is switched by operating the number button switch 138,
The channel before switching is stored, and the jump button switch 141 is operated when returning to the original channel before switching.

The language button 142 is operated to select a predetermined language when broadcasting is performed in two or more languages. The guide button switch 143 is operated when the general guide (FIG. 19) is directly displayed on the monitor device 4 without going through the menu.

Cable button switch 145, TV button switch 146 and DSS button switch 147
Is a switch for function switching, that is, for switching a device category of a code of an infrared signal emitted from the remote commander 5. The cable button switch 145 is operated when a signal transmitted via a cable is received by a cable box (not shown) and is displayed on the monitor device 4, whereby the device category of the device category assigned to the cable box is selected. The code is emitted as an infrared signal. Similarly, the television button switch 146 is operated when a signal received by a tuner built in the monitor device 4 is displayed. DS
The S button switch 147 is operated when a signal received via a satellite is received by the IRD 2 and displayed on the monitor device 4. The LEDs 148, 149, and 150 are turned on when the cable button switch 145, the television button switch 146, or the DSS button switch 147 is turned on, respectively. This indicates to which device category the code was transmitted when the various buttons were pressed.

When the cable power button switch 151, the television power button switch 152, and the DSS power button switch 153 are respectively operated, the power of the cable box, the monitor device 4, or the IRD 2 is turned on or off.

The muting button switch 154 is
It is operated when the muting state of the monitor device 4 is set or canceled. The sleep button switch 155
The operation is performed when a predetermined time is reached or when a predetermined time has elapsed, when a sleep mode for automatically turning off the power is set or canceled.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a small stick switch used as the select button switch 131. This small stick switch has a structure in which a lever 162 protrudes from a main body 161. Then, the select button switch 131 is set to 8 in the horizontal plane.
When the directional operation is performed in each of the directions, the lever rotates in accordance with the operation direction, and when the select button switch 131 is selected (vertically operated), the lever 162 is pressed down in the vertical direction.

The small stick switch is, for example, a model RKJXL manufactured by Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
1004 can be used. The thickness of the main body 161 of this small stick switch is about 6.4 mm.

FIG. 7 shows eight operating directions of the lever 162 in the horizontal plane. As shown in the figure, the lever 162 can be operated in directions in eight horizontal planes indicated by A to H.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the internal configuration of the remote commander 5. As shown in the drawing, the contacts A to H inside the main body 161 of the small stick switch correspond to the eight directions A to H shown in FIG. 7, respectively, and the lever 162 is moved in the directions A to D. When operated, any one of the terminals A to D is electrically connected to the terminal C1. Further, the lever 16 is moved in any one of the directions E to H.
2 is rotated, one of these terminals E to H
And the terminal C2 is electrically connected. A terminal C is connected between H and A and between D and E.
1 and C2 are both made conductive. Further, when the lever 162 is operated in the vertical direction, the terminals 1 and 2 are brought into conduction.

The conduction state of these terminals of the main body 161 is
The data is monitored by the CPU 72 constituting the microcomputer 71. Thus, the CPU 72 can detect the direction operation and the select operation of the select button switch 131.

The CPU 72 constantly scans the button switch matrix 82 to detect the operation of the other button switches 50 of the remote commander 5 shown in FIG.

The CPU 72 executes various processes according to the program stored in the ROM 73 and stores necessary data in the RAM 74 as appropriate.

When outputting an infrared signal, the CPU 72 drives the LED 76 via the LED driver 75 to output an infrared signal.

Next, Direct Broadcast
For more information on Satellite System, see Nikkei B
Company P “Nikkei Electronics” “Technology Supporting US Information Super Highway” (Issued October 24, 1994)
From page 180 to page 189, L.P. W. Butterw
orth, J .; P. Godwin, D .; Introduced by Radbel.

FIG. 9 shows Direct Broadcas.
12 shows a transmission data generation procedure performed by an encoder of t Satellite System. EP
The G day includes guide data, channel data, and program data.
ram) data. The guide data is data on the entire program guide, the channel data is data on a channel, and the program data is data on a program (program). The details will be described later with reference to FIG.

Of these data, channel data and program data are divided for each channel, and data of a predetermined number of channels are collected as segments. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, channel data and program data of channel 1 and channel 2 are:
Channel data and program data of channel 3 and channel 4 are respectively set to data of segment 2 and channel data and program data of channel 5 and channel 6 are set to data of segment 3 respectively. I have.

The channel data and the program data are divided into packets of a predetermined size.
A header is added to each packet, and data is transmitted on a packet-by-packet basis.

In the encoder on the transmitting side, as shown in FIG. 10, not only such channel data and program data but also guide data, video data and audio data are packetized and mounted on the satellite.
The signal is transmitted to a high-output transponder for the BSS band of 2.2 GHz to 12.7 GHz. In this case, packets of a plurality of (up to nine) channels are multiplexed with a signal of a predetermined frequency assigned to each transponder and transmitted. That is, each transponder transmits signals of a plurality of channels using one carrier. Therefore, for example, if there are 23 transponders, a maximum of 2
Transmission of data of 07 (= 9 × 23) channels becomes possible.

In IRD2, the front end 20
Receives a carrier of one frequency corresponding to one predetermined transponder and demodulates it. Up to 9
The packet data of the channels is obtained. And
The demultiplexer 24 temporarily stores each packet obtained from the demodulated output in the data buffer memory 35 and reads it. For the packet of EPG data (guide data, channel data and program data), the data portion excluding the header is stored in the EPG area 35A. The video packet is supplied to the MPEG video decoder 25 and decoded. The audio packet is supplied to the MPEG audio decoder 26 and decoded.

The details of the processing in the encoder shown in FIG. 10 are described in the above-mentioned "Nikkei Electronics", "Technology Supporting the US Information Super Highway", pp. 180-189.
Page, but for each transponder,
Scheduling is performed so that the transfer rates are the same. The transmission rate per carrier assigned to each transponder is 40 Mbits / sec.

In the case of a fast-moving image such as a sports program, MPEG video data occupies many packets. Therefore, when such programs increase, the number of programs that can be transmitted by one transponder decreases.

On the other hand, MPEG video data of an image with little motion, such as a news program announcement scene, can be transmitted with a small number of packets.
Therefore, when there are many such programs, the number of programs that can be transmitted by one transponder increases.

FIG. 11 shows a state of use inside the DRAM 25a. Now, for example, the screen of the monitor device 4 is
If the pixel is composed of 720 × 480 pixels and the luminance is represented by 8 bits for each pixel, and the color difference is represented by 8 bits at a rate of one for every two pixels, the number of bits required to compose one screen is 4147200 (= 720 × 480 ×
1.5 × 8) bits. Assuming that one word is composed of 64 bits, this value is 64800 words, which is represented by hexadecimal notation, and becomes 0xFD20 words.

Since this value is too large as a value that can be set in the register of the MPEG video decoder 25 for managing the DRAM 25a, if this value is shifted to the LSB side by 5 bits, 0xFD20 becomes 0x7
It becomes EQ. Since the value set in this register must be a multiple of 4, if the value of 0x7EQ is set to a value larger than that value and closest to the multiple of 4, 0x7E
C.

Therefore, in this embodiment, buffer memories 0 to 2 are provided for storing image data of I picture, P picture and B picture, respectively, and the capacity of each is 64896 words. . As a storage area for OSD data, 1
An area of 8176 words is secured, and 4 bits are used as a bit buffer memory area for temporarily storing input data.
An area of 9280 words is secured.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the E of the data buffer memory 35.
The storage state of EPG data (program guide data) stored in the PG area 35A is schematically shown. C
PU 29, as described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10,
The EPG data encoded by the encoder on the transmission side and transmitted in packet units is stored in the EPG area 3
5A is stored as shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the program guide data (Data of Program Guide)
(EPG data) are sequentially stored in the order of guide data, channel data, and program data.

In this guide data, Date representing the current date, Time representing the current time, Number of Segment representing the total number of segments, the number of each segment, and the number of the transponder corresponding thereto are stored as a list. Transponder
list, a list of the number of each segment and the first number of the channel of the segment
nnel List is included.

After such guide data, channel data is arranged in the order of segment 1, segment 2, segment 3,... Each segment has
Data of a predetermined number of channels is arranged. In this embodiment, segment 1 has channel 1 and channel 2 data, and segment 2 has channel 3 and channel 4 data.

The data of each channel includes Channel Number indicating the number of the channel, Channel Name indicating the call sign (name) of the broadcasting station,
Logo for identifying the logo (logo) of the broadcasting station
ID, Data IDs for identifying MPEG video data and MPEG audio data, Number of Programs indicating the number of programs (programs) of the channel (for example, channel 1), and a location where the first program data of a predetermined channel is stored (address) (For example, in the case of channel 2, First, an offset value from the beginning of the program segment (in FIG. 12, the beginning of Program 1-1) up to the address where the first program data Program2-1 is stored) Program's Off
set is included.

The program data includes a Program Title representing a program name and S representing a broadcast start time.
start Time, Ti indicating the broadcast time of the program
meLength, program genre (category)
, A Subcategory indicating a more detailed classification of the genre (category), a Rating indicating an age restriction of the program, and a Program Deskr storing detailed contents of the program.
option (for example, pay per view (Pay pe
The condition for decrypting the rView encrypted program data is also included here).

Such program data is also arranged collectively for each segment. In this embodiment, the program data of the segment 1 is Program
Eight channels 1 of 1-1 to Program 1-8
Data and Program 2-1 to Program
2-7 data of seven channels 2.

FIG. 13 schematically shows data processing until the screen of the general guide is displayed on the monitor device 4.

The CPU 29 sets in advance a transfer destination of data input from the front end 20 in a register 24a incorporated in the demultiplexer 24. Then, the data supplied from the front end 20 is temporarily stored in the data buffer memory 35, read out by the demultiplexer 24, and transferred to the transfer destination set in the register 24a.

As described above, the header is added to each packet, and the demultiplexer 24 supplies the MPEG video data to the MPEG video decoder 25 with reference to the header, and converts the MPEG audio data into the MPEG video data.
The data is transferred to the audio decoder 26. If the Data IDs included in the header are guide data, channel data, or program data, these EPG data are stored at a predetermined address in the EPG area 35A set in the register 24a. In this manner, the EPG area 35A contains the EPG
The data is stored as shown in FIG.

Note that the header becomes unnecessary when this transfer is completed, and is therefore discarded.

In this way, for example, 120 Kbytes
EPG area 35A having a capacity of
When the G data is stored, the demultiplexer 24
A full-up status signal is output to U29. When receiving the control signal, the CPU 29 receives E
Decompression of the compressed EPG data, such as decompression, sorting, and decoding, is performed at the time of displaying the EPG.

In this manner, EPG data from the current time for 200 channels to 4.5 hours later is stored in E
The EPG data (guide data, channel data, and program data) can be received from any transponder. That is, the same EPG data is transmitted to any transponder.

Next, the CPU 29 creates a sort table 230 for retrieving data of a predetermined channel from the EPG data stored in the EPG area 35A,
It is stored in the SRAM 36 (this sort table creation processing will be described later with reference to FIG. 14). The sort table 230 stores all the channels (for example, 20 channels).
It corresponds to the entire EPG table 240 for searching for each program from the current time of the (channel 0) to 4.5 hours later. From the entire EPG table 240, the CPU 29 determines the time within a predetermined range of channels (for example, seven channels in the example of FIG. 19 described later) of the predetermined display area 250 (for example, in the example of FIG. 1.5 hours after the time) program (program)
Data from the EPG area 35A and read out from the DRAM
The data is written as bitmap data in the OSD area 25aA of the memory 25a. Then, the MPEG video decoder 25 reads out the bitmap data of the OSD area 25aA and outputs the bitmap data to the monitor device 4, so that the monitor device 4 can display a guide EPG such as a general guide (FIG. 19).

When characters or the like are displayed as OSD data, since the character data stored in the EPG area 35A is compressed, the original data is restored using a dictionary. For this reason, the ROM 37 stores a compression code conversion dictionary. The compression code conversion dictionary includes a syllable dictionary and a word dictionary. One syllable dictionary and three types of word dictionaries are prepared.

Each word is represented by two bytes of data. The first one byte is a number representing the type of dictionary of these three types of words, and is 0, 1, or 2. Of the 2-byte data, words prepared in advance are arranged in the order of 0 to 255 using the remaining 1 byte, and one word is represented by the number. When transmitting a predetermined word, the encoder on the transmission side transmits the word by transmitting the 2-byte code. The same dictionary as the conversion dictionary prepared on the encoder side is prepared in the ROM 37, and the 2-byte code is restored to the original word using the conversion dictionary.

When transmitting characters other than words prepared in advance, one of the 252 syllables prepared in advance is transmitted by combining predetermined syllables. This syllable is represented by a one-byte code.

The ROM 37 also stores a correspondence table (address conversion table) between character codes and storage locations of font bitmap data. By referring to this conversion table, bitmap data corresponding to a predetermined character code can be read and written to the OSD area 25aA. Of course, in the ROM 37, the bitmap data itself is also stored at a predetermined address.

Further, in the ROM 37, Logo data for displaying the Logo is stored.
An ogo ID and an address conversion table for calling the Logo data (bitmap data) corresponding to the ID are stored. When the Logo ID is determined, the L0 stored in the address corresponding to the ID is stored.
By reading the ogo data and writing it to the OSD area 25aA, the logo and the like of each broadcasting station can be displayed on the monitor device 4.

The sort table stored in the SRAM 36 is prepared in the order of the channel number. When a specific channel or a program is extracted using a category or the like or the order is changed, the sort table is prepared.
This sort table is rewritten. However,
As will be described later, this sort table is a table in which the position information (pointer) of the channel data and the program data is stored, and the pointers of the program data and the channel data form a pair. Therefore, when rewriting the program data and the channel data, the program data and the channel data are rewritten on a group basis.

FIG. 14 shows an example of processing for creating a sort table to be written in the SRAM 36. For example, 200
Considering an EPG for 4.5 hours on a channel, the minimum time for each program is 0.5 hours (30 minutes), and assuming that one channel can transmit a maximum of 9 programs, 200 channels Then up to 1800
(= 200 × 9) programs are transmitted. Therefore, in the processing example of FIG. 14, the number N of sets in the sort table is set to 1800.

First, in step S1, 0 is set to the variable N.
Is initialized, and the variable L is initialized to 1. This variable N represents the number of sets (address) of the sort table, and takes a value of 0 to 1799, for example. The variable L represents a channel number and takes any value from 1 to 200.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S2, wherein the P of the address N (N = 0 in this case) of the sort table in the SRAM 36 is set.
Channel number L (channel number 1 in this case) as pointer of Channel Data
Is set to the address PC _L (in this case, PC ₁ ) of the EPG area 35A corresponding to. With this,
Pointer of Channel at address 0
EPG area 35 of Channel 1 as Data
Address PC ₁ in A is set.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S3, wherein the first Pr from the Channel Data of the channel number L is obtained.
ogram's Offset and Number of
Get a Program. This First Pro
The gram's Offset in step S5
Used to search for Program LM.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S4, wherein 1 is initially set to a variable M. This variable M represents the number of programs on the same channel (Number of Programs), and is 1
The value takes one of the values from 1 to 9. Further, in step S5, the address N of the sort table (in this case, N =
0) Pointer of Program Dat
As a, Program LM (in this case, Pro
The address of the EPG area 35A corresponding to the program 1-1) is set. As a result, in this case, the Pointer of Program Data at address 0 is obtained.
As the EPG area 35A of Program 1-1
Address PP _1-1 are set at.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S6, wherein the variable M is the number of programs of the channel, Number of Program.
It is determined whether it is equal to or greater than s. If the value of M is still smaller than the number of programs on the same channel, step S
Proceeding to 7, the variables N and M are each incremented by 1, and N = 1 and M = 2. Further, in step S8, the Pointerof Channel Data of the address N (address 1 in this case) of the sort table is set.
As, to set the address PC ₁ of the EPG area 35A corresponding to the channel number L (now if the channel number 1).

Next, the process returns to step S5, and the subsequent processes are similarly executed.

By repeating the processing of steps S5 to S8, for example, as shown in FIG.
As fChannel Data, PC ₁ is stored. Address 0 to address 7 of the sort table
As the Pointer of Program Data, address PP _1-1 to PP _1-8 of EPG area 35A of the Program 1-1 to 1-8 are respectively stored.

When the above processing is completed, in step S6, the variable M is set to the Number of Program.
It is determined that it is equal to s, and at this time, the process proceeds to step S9.
In step S9, it is determined whether the variable N is equal to or greater than 1799 or whether the corresponding Channel Data no longer exists. If these conditions are not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S10, where the variables N and L are incremented by one. In this case, N = 8 and L = 2.

Thereafter, the flow returns to step S2, and the same processing is repeatedly executed. As a result, as shown in FIG.
PC as terof Channel Data
₂ is Pointer of Program Dat
As a, PP _2-1 to PP _2-7 are written respectively. Hereinafter, the same applies.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
An example of processing for displaying a general guide on the monitor device 4 will be described. First, in step S21, it is determined whether or not a predetermined button switch of the remote commander 5 has been operated, and the process waits until the predetermined button switch is operated.

That is, the CPU 72 of the remote commander 5
Detects that a predetermined button switch has been operated through the button switch matrix 82 or the main body 161 of the select button switch 131, drives the LED 76 via the LED driver 75, and responds to the operated button switch. Output an infrared signal.

The CPU 29 of the IRD 2
, The infrared signal is input, and it is determined from the input signal which button switch of the remote commander 5 has been operated.

If it is determined in step S21 that a predetermined button switch has been operated, the flow advances to step S22 to determine whether or not the operated menu button switch 134 has been operated. If it is determined that the menu button switch 134 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S23, and the CPU 29 executes a menu display process.

That is, the CPU 29 sets the EPG area 35
A corresponding to the EPG data (program guide data) stored in the OSD area 25 of the DRAM 25a.
For example, bit map data of the main menu as shown in FIG. 17 is written in aA. Then, the bit map data is read from the DRAM 25aA,
The signal is input from the EG video decoder 25 to the NTSC encoder 27, and is converted into NTSC data. This N
The data of the TSC system is transmitted as an S video signal or a composite signal via the AV line 11 to the monitor device 4.
Supplied and displayed. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the main menu shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the CRT 4A of the monitor device 4 as a window, superimposed on the image of the channel currently being received and displayed. This is because the MPEG video decoder 25 decodes the bitmap data from the OSD area aA in the DRAM 25a every time the data of the predetermined window display area is read out in the process of decoding the video data compressed by the MPEG system. It is realized by reading and outputting.

In the main menu screen of FIG.
The window is divided into nine areas, and button icons (soft buttons) for selecting a predetermined mode in each area
Is displayed. The user operates the select button switch 131 in any one of the eight directions in the horizontal plane to change the cursor (in this embodiment, the predetermined button icon is set to a different brightness (brightness) from the other button icons. ) Or color or blink (blinking), and this is used as a cursor. In the case of FIG. 18, the cursor is positioned on the button icon of the General Guide (general guide)) in either direction. Can be moved.

For example, when the select button switch 131 is operated leftward from the button icon of the general guide, the cursor moves to the button icon of OTHER GUIDES. Also, if you operate diagonally down left, G
SP from the button icon of ENERAL GUIDE
Move to the button icon of ORTS GUIDE.

For example, when the select button switch 131 can be operated only in four directions, up, down, left, and right, to move the cursor from the GENERAL GUIDE button icon to the SPORTS GUIDE button icon, first move the cursor to the left. After that, it is necessary to move it further down, or move it down once and then move it further left. That is, in this case, two operations are required. On the other hand, if the select button switch 131 can be operated not only in the up, down, left and right directions but also in the diagonal direction as in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the cursor can be operated by a single operation with the button of the General GUIDE. Icon to S
It can be moved over the PORTS GUIDE button icon.

The user selects a predetermined mode by moving the cursor over a predetermined button icon, and further performs a select operation (vertical operation) of vertically pressing the select button switch 131 to confirm the selection. I do.

In step S24, it is determined whether the button icon of the general guide has been selected and confirmed. If the button icon of the general guide is selected and confirmed (selected), the process proceeds to step S25, and a general guide display process is executed. The details of the general guide display process will be described later with reference to FIG.

If it is determined in step S24 that the button icon of the general guide has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S27, where it is determined whether or not another button icon has been selected. Returning to S23, the menu display is continued.

If it is determined in step S27 that a button icon other than the general guide has been selected and confirmed, the process proceeds to step S28, and processing corresponding to the selected and confirmed button icon is executed.

On the other hand, in step S22, the input from the remote commander 5 is
If it is determined that the operation has not been performed,
Proceeding to step S26, it is determined whether the guide button switch 143 has been operated. When it is determined that the guide button switch 143 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S25, and a general guide display process is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that a button switch other than the general guide button switch 143 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S28, and processing corresponding to the operated button switch is executed. .

As described above, the general guide can be displayed via the menu, or can be displayed directly by operating the guide button switch 143.

As a result of the execution of the general guide display processing in step S25 in FIG. 16, a bit map of the general guide as shown in FIG. 19 is written in the OSD area 25aA of the DRAM 25a. This is read out by the MPEG video decoder 25, superimposed on the image of the broadcast channel selected at that time by the demultiplexer 24, and displayed as a window as shown in FIG.

In the general guide of this embodiment, the vertical axis is the channel axis, and the call sign (broadcast station name) of each broadcast station and the channel number are displayed. The horizontal axis is the time axis, and the broadcast time is displayed. Program names (program names) in a matrix at predetermined positions defined by two axes
Is displayed. In this embodiment, program names of one and a half hours from the current time of seven channels are displayed for each channel. When the direction button of the select button switch 131 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the cursor 212 displayed in different brightness (brightness) or color is displayed.
Moves over the button icon corresponding to the direction operation.

A more detailed description will be given. In the general guide shown in FIG. 20, an area in which program names are displayed in a matrix (grid) is called a program name display area 220, and this program name display area 2
Reference numeral 20 corresponds to the display area 250 shown in FIG. Then, within the range of the program name display area 220, the user operates the select button switch 131 in accordance with a direction operation to the upper side (toward the operator), the lower side (toward the operator), the right or the left. Then, the cursor 212 moves upward, downward, rightward, or leftward, respectively.

Here, if the cursor button 212 is moved to the upper, lower, left and right ends of the program name display area 220 and the direction button of the select button 131 is further operated, the display contents of the program name display area 220 are displayed. Scrolls. For example, the program name display area 22
When the cursor 212 is positioned at the bottom line of 0 and the select button switch 131 is operated downward,
The display contents of the program name display area 220 are scrolled upward by one line. Here, since the cursor 212 remains stopped at the lowermost line, as a result, the cursor 212 has moved downward by one line in the entire EPG table 240 showing the entire EPG shown in FIG. . All EPG tables 24 for the upper, left and right sides
Scroll in the same way until the end of 0 is reached.

Further, the select button switch 131
Can be operated in a total of eight directions of four directions of upper left, lower right, upper left, lower left, and lower right in addition to the four directions of up and down. In response to the eight directions operation of 131,
It moves in the direction.

The eight-direction operation of the select button switch 131 for moving the cursor 212,
Subsequently, a series of operations such as a vertical operation (select operation) of the select button switch 131 for confirming the selection of the program where the cursor 212 is located are performed only with the thumb and without holding the remote commander 5. It can be operated, and operability is improved.

Here, if a similar cursor movement operation is to be realized using a remote commander provided with four-directional cursor keys and a select button, a plurality of operations are involved until a program is selected. For example, FIG.
The cursor 21 displayed in the leftmost column of the fourth row of the program name display area 220 (a rectangular area indicating the program name of 9:30 to 10:00 in TBS 233) as shown in FIG.
2 in the bottom rightmost column (10:30 of SCFI 240
In order to move to the rectangular area indicating the program name of 11:00), the user must press the down cursor key three times and the right cursor key twice, and then press the select button, for a total of six times. Requires a press operation, and
Every time the button to be pressed next differs, it is necessary to change the remote commander.

Therefore, it is conceivable to provide an eight-directional cursor key instead of the four-directional cursor key described above. However, in this case, it is necessary to secure a large occupied area on the operation surface of the remote commander, which is a factor that hinders the miniaturization of the remote commander itself. I can't.

In this embodiment, the thumb can operate the select button switch 131 in any of the eight directions to function as a cursor key for moving the cursor 212 in eight directions. By performing the vertical operation of pressing
Since it functions as a select button for confirming the selection of the program, a series of operations from the movement of the cursor 212 to the selection of the program can all be performed by one operation such as the thumb.
The operation can be performed using only the finger and without holding the remote commander 5.

The above-described general guide also displays the name of the EPG (General Guide), the logo of the currently selected station (broadcasting station), the contents of the program, the current date and time, and the like.

FIG. 21 shows details of the general guide display processing in step S25 in FIG. First, in step S40, the MPEG video decoder 25
Is set by the CPU 29 to make the image of the channel received (decoded) at that time a still image. The setting of the still image is executed by continuously reading from one of the buffer memories 0 to 2 shown in FIG. 11 and not updating the buffer memory. .

Next, in step S41, fixed display contents such as ruled lines of the general guide, start time,
Variable display contents such as a call sign are written in the OSD area 25aA of the DRAM 25a. Next, step S
At 42, 0 is initially set to a variable N corresponding to the address of the sort table. Then, in step S43, 1 is initially set to a variable L representing the number of lines of the seven call signs (channels) and the corresponding program names of the general guide shown in FIG.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S44, wherein the SRAM 36
The compressed character string of Channel Name is read out based on the Pointer of Channel Data at the address N (N = 0 in this case) of the sort table, and the compression code conversion dictionary and the character code / bit stored in the ROM 37 are read out. Restore the original character string by referring to the map conversion table. Further, bitmap data of the character string (Channel Name) is obtained, and written in the Channel Name section of the L-th line (the first line in this case) of the OSD area 25aA.
For example, in the embodiment of FIG.
The inner Name is written. Ch in the same way
The internal Number is also written. That is, the number “227” corresponding to “TOON” is written.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S45, wherein the Pointerof Program at the address 0 of the sort table is set.
Start Time and Tim based on Data
The eLength is read out, and a button icon for selecting a program (program) (the data thereof is also stored in the ROM 37 in advance) is written in the coordinate position corresponding to the eLength.
Further, the program title is read out, the character string of the program title is restored by referring to the compression code conversion dictionary and the character code / bitmap conversion table, and the bitmap data is obtained and written on the button icon. Thus, for example, "TO
1 hour 3 from 9:30 pm to 11:00 pm
The name of the program broadcast during 0 minutes is written.

Next, the process proceeds to a step S46, and a step S4
And coordinate position of the button icon written in step 5
El Data is stored in the SRAM 36 in preparation for the user's future program selection.

As described above, until it is determined in step S47 that the call sign and the program name for one line have been written in the OSD area 25aA, the process proceeds to step S5.
At 0, the variable N is incremented by 1, and the loop processing of steps S44, S45, S46, S47, S50 is repeatedly executed. If it is determined in step S47 that the writing of one row has been completed, the variable L is incremented by 1 in step S48 (in this case, L = 2
And). Then, in step S49, it is determined whether or not L is equal to 8 (it is determined whether or not the writing of the seven channels has been completed). Since L = 2 in this case, in step S51, after setting the address N corresponding to the first program of the next line (next channel),
Returning to step S44, the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

As described above, by repeatedly executing the processing of steps S44 to S51, seven call signs and program names are written. Then, when this writing is completed, it is determined in step S49 that L = 8, and the process ends.

Although the display contents are omitted in the processing of FIG. 21 for simplicity of description, the processing in FIG.
Are written in the OSD area 25aA.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A process of selecting a desired program (program) while a general guide as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed will be described. The user operates the select button switch 131 to move the cursor 212 over a button icon on which a predetermined program name is displayed. Then, when confirming the selection of the program, the select button switch 131 is operated vertically (select operation).

First, in step S61, the process waits until there is any input from the remote commander 5, and when there is an input, the process proceeds to step S62, in which it is determined whether or not the input is a select operation input. If not, the process proceeds to step S64, where it is determined whether the direction operation has been performed. If it is determined that the direction operation has not been performed, it means that a button switch other than the select button switch 131 has been operated. In this case, the process returns to step S61 without performing any processing, and the next remote commander is executed. Wait for input from 5.

If it is determined in step S64 that the select button switch 131 has been operated in the direction, the flow advances to step S65 to execute processing for moving the cursor 212 in a direction corresponding to the operation direction. That is, the writing position of the bitmap data of the cursor in the OSD area 25aA is changed to a button icon corresponding to the operation of the select button switch 131.

Next, in step S66, the transponder number of the program on the button icon where the cursor is located is obtained. This transponder number can be determined based on the transponder list from the segment number by specifying the segment number from the channel list of the guide data. DataI of channel data
The data ID of the program is read from Ds.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S67, wherein a step S6 is executed.
The program selected in step 6 is pay-per-view (Pay p
er View), it is determined whether or not to display the program. This determination can be made by displaying a predetermined message on the CRT 4A and inputting YES or NO each time, but this makes the operation complicated. Therefore, for example, when the IRD 2 is purchased, even if the program is a pay-per-view program, whether or not to display the program is input in advance, and this is stored in the EEPROM 38, and the determination here is made from this storage. It is preferable to do so.

If the program is not a pay-per-view program, and if it is determined that the program is to be displayed even if it is a pay-per-view program, step S69 is performed.
Then, the transponder number read in step S66 is set in the channel selection control routine of the front end 20. Thus, the tuner 21 of the front end 20 receives the carrier of the transponder number set by the CPU 29. However, when the data of the channel corresponding to the button icon to which the cursor is moved is transmitted on the same carrier as the data of the channel corresponding to the button icon before the cursor is moved (the transponder number is the same). In this case, since the carrier (frequency) switching is not necessary, this process is skipped (through).

Then, the flow advances to step S70 to confirm from the status in the register (not shown) of the front end 20 that the tuning control routine has been locked.
That is, it is confirmed that the carrier having the transponder number set in step S69 has been received.

Next, the flow advances to step S71 to set the ID of the packet to be taken into the register 24aA of the demultiplexer 24 (the ID read out in step S66). As a result, the demultiplexer 24 extracts the packet of the program selected in step S66 from the packets output from the front end 20 and included in the carrier of the transponder number set in step S69,
The packet data is temporarily stored in the buffer area of the data buffer memory 35.

Next, in step S72, a conditional access check is performed. That is, since the pay-per-view program is encrypted, it is decrypted. This processing is unnecessary for programs that are not pay-per-view (programs that are not encrypted), so this processing is skipped (through).

Next, the flow advances to step S73, where predetermined settings are made in the register 24a of the demultiplexer 24, and the MPE
The video data is supplied to the G video decoder 25,
The audio data is supplied to the EG audio decoder 26.

Next, in step S74, the start of decoding is set in the registers (not shown) of the MPEG video decoder 25 and the MPEG audio decoder 26. Thus, the image data and the audio data of the program selected in step S66 are decoded and output from the MPEG video decoder 25 and the MPEG audio decoder 26. This is supplied to the monitor device 4 and is displayed and output as sound.

Thereafter, the flow returns to step S61 to wait for the next input from the remote commander 5. When the cursor is further moved, the same processing is repeatedly executed. If a new cursor movement is input during execution of the processing of steps S66 to S74, the processing up to that point is stopped, and the processing corresponding to the new cursor movement starts immediately. Is done.

If it is determined in step S67 that the pay-per-view program does not need to be displayed, the flow advances to step S68 to instruct the MPEG video decoder 25 to output a blue-back image.

As a result, when the process of step S74 is performed, the image of the program designated by the cursor 212 is displayed as the background image of the general guide shown in FIG. Is output. On the other hand, if the program specified by the cursor 212 is a pay-per-view program, and the display is registered as unnecessary, the background image is set to one blue color. At this time, no sound is output.

In the case where the program designated by the cursor is a pay-per-view program, the program is not received if necessary, so that while the desired program is being selected, the pay-per-view program It is possible to prevent the program from being received just by passing over the above icon and being charged to the user.

As described above, the select button switch 13
1 simply moves the cursor 212 to a predetermined position by operating the direction, a reception command of the program designated by the cursor 212 is output to the front end 20 immediately,
The receiving process is started. As a result, in order to finally determine the selection of a predetermined program, the select button switch 1
Since the receiving process of the program has been started before the selection operation of the selection button 31, the selection button switch 13
At the point of time when the user selects 1, even if the receiving operation of the program has already been completed, or even if the receiving operation has not been completed, the program is monitored in a shorter time as compared with the case where the receiving process is started from that point. 4 can be displayed.

Therefore, if it is determined in step S62 that a select operation, that is, a vertical operation has been performed, the flow advances to step S63 to set OSD display cancellation in the register of the MPEG video decoder 25. Thereby, the display of the window screen of the general guide is canceled.

Further, in step S63, MP
The release of the still image output set in step S40 of FIG. 21 is also set in the register of the EG video decoder 25. As a result, in step S74, since the decoding of the screen after switching has already been started, as the image of the receiving channel, the image of the channel after switching is immediately displayed after the still image is deleted.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the general guide is displayed, the background image is fixed as a still image, and when the cursor is moved on the general guide screen to select a predetermined program, the general guide is displayed. The screen of the selected channel is displayed at the same time as the screen of the guide is erased, so when selecting a desired program on the screen of the general guide, the background image is disturbed and it becomes difficult to see Is prevented.

In the above embodiment, when displaying the screen of the general guide, the image of the channel displayed immediately before is fixed as a still image, but when the cursor is moved on the general guide. It is also possible to fix the background image as a still image each time.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show an example of processing in this case. FIG. 23 corresponds to the process of FIG. 21, and FIG. 24 corresponds to the process of FIG.

The general guide display process of FIG. 23 is basically the same as the general guide display process shown in FIG. However, the processing of step S40 in FIG. 21 is omitted. That is, in this embodiment, when displaying the screen of the general guide, the background image is not yet a still image, but is in a moving image state.

Next, the program selection processing of FIG. 24 will be described. This program selection process is basically similar to that of FIG.
2 is the same as the program selection process shown in FIG.
Step S91 is inserted between steps S67 and S69, step S92 is inserted between steps S74 and S61, and the processing in step S63 is changed to the processing in step S93. Other processes are the same as those in FIG.

That is, in this embodiment, the select button switch 131 is operated in the direction, and step S6 is executed.
In step S5, the cursor is moved, and the program (program) data corresponding to the moved button icon is displayed in step S5.
It is read at 66. If it is determined in step S67 that display is set even if the program is a pay-per-view program, the process advances to step S91 to store the output image in the register of the MPEG video decoder 25 as a still image. Is set, and the register of the MPEG audio decoder 26 is set to mute the audio output. That is, when the cursor is moved over the button icon of another program, the image of the program before moving the cursor, which has been displayed as a moving image, is changed to a still image, and the audio signal is muted.

[0158] In steps S69 to S74, the MPEG video decoder 25 and the MPEG audio decoder 26 execute the receiving process and the decoding process of the program corresponding to the button icon to which the cursor is moved.

Then, when these processes are completed, the process advances to a step S92 to cancel the still image setting and the mute setting performed in the step S91. As a result, the still image of the program corresponding to the button icon before moving the cursor, which has been displayed as a still image, is switched to the moving image of the program after the cursor is moved. Then, the process returns to step S61 to wait for an input from a new remote commander 5.

If it is determined in step S62 that the select button switch 131 has been selected, the flow advances to step S93 to set OSD display release in the register of the MPEG video decoder 25.
Thus, the screen of the general guide that has been displayed is erased. Then, the moving image of the program corresponding to the already-displayed button icon after switching is displayed.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the cursor is moved to a new button icon, the image displayed in the background becomes a still image, and the reception processing of the program corresponding to the destination button icon is performed. Is started immediately.
When the receiving process is completed, the still image is changed to a moving image of the program to which the cursor is moved. Therefore, the user can more reliably recognize that the program has been switched as compared with the above-described embodiment.

In step S65, after the cursor is moved to a new button icon, step S6
If the operation of moving the cursor over a new button icon is input before the processing of steps 6 to S92 is completed, the processing is interrupted and the program corresponding to the further moved button icon ( Channel).

In the case of the IRD 2 shown in FIG. 4, the program (channel) switching is input by operating the channel up / down button switch 133 of the remote commander 5, or the channel button is operated by operating the number button switch 138. Even when a number is input, still image processing at the time of switching is executed.

That is, the channel up / down button switch 133 is operated to input a command to raise or lower the channel, or the numeric button switch 138 is operated to directly input a predetermined channel number. In this case, a channel (program) switching process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 25 is executed.

First, in step S111, a process of converting the image of the currently received program into a still image and muting the audio is executed. That is, the settings for the MPEG video decoder 25 and the register of the MPEG audio decoder 26 are respectively set. As a result, when a channel switching input is performed, the image of the program that has been displayed up to that point becomes a still image, and the audio signal is muted.

Next, the flow advances to step S112 to start the process of receiving the changed program (channel). That is, the CPU 29 controls the demultiplexer 24 and, if necessary, the front end 20 in accordance with the newly input channel, and starts the reception processing of the new channel (the channel after switching). And step S
At 113, the process waits until the process for switching the channel is completed, and when the switching process is completed, the process proceeds to step S114 to cancel the mute of the still image and the sound set at step S111. That is, at this time, the moving image of the switched channel is displayed, and the corresponding audio signal is output.

Therefore, even at the time of such channel switching, it is possible to prevent the image from being disturbed and difficult to see.

FIG. 26 shows another configuration example of the remote commander 5. In this embodiment, in place of the select button switch 131 which can be operated in eight directions in FIG.
To 204 and a button switch 200 for performing a selection operation. In this embodiment,
The cable button switch 145, the television button switch 146, and the DSS button switch 147 are internally illuminated, and the LEDs 148 to 150 in FIG.
An LED (not shown) arranged on the back side of the button switches 145 to 147 is turned on in response to the operation.

The other button switches are arranged in different positions, but are basically the same as those shown in FIG.

In the above embodiment, the cursor is displayed in a predetermined brightness, color, or blinking corresponding to the button icon. However, the cursor is displayed as an arrow independently of the button icon. Is also possible.
In short, any function can be used as long as it functions as a pointer for specifying a predetermined position.

In the above embodiment, a program is selected in the general guide mode. However, the present invention can be applied to a case where a program is selected in another mode.

Further, the case where the present invention is applied to the IRD 2 has been described as an example. However, the IRD can be substantially incorporated in the monitor device 4 (television receiver).

[0173]

According to the present invention, there is provided a digital broadcast program switching apparatus and a digital broadcast program switching apparatus according to the present invention.
According to the method, the button
Move the cursor before selecting an icon.
Output the digital broadcast program image being received as a still image.
An electronic program that is pressed and superimposed on the moved cursor
Digital broadcasting corresponding to the button icons on the guide screen
Starts the program reception process and deletes the data corresponding to the button icon.
After receiving the digital broadcast program, output the still image
And output the received digital broadcast program signal.
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the image from being disturbed when the program is switched, and the image from being difficult to see.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an AV system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection state of the AV system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration example of the front of the IRD 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of an IRD 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the upper surface of the remote commander 5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a small stick switch constituting the select button switch 131 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an operation direction of a lever 162 in FIG. 6 in a horizontal plane.

8 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a remote commander 5 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating segmentation of channel data and program data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process in an encoder on a transmission side and a process of an IRD 2 for receiving its output.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the division of a storage area of a DRAM 25a in FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is an EP stored in an EPG area 35A of FIG. 4;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating G data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the creation of a sort table.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a sort table creation process.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating pointers stored in a sort table.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 4;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example of a menu displayed in step S23 of FIG.

18 is a diagram showing a state in which the menu shown in FIG. 17 is displayed as a window on a reception channel image in a superimposed manner.

FIG. 19 is a view showing a display example of a general guide displayed in step S25 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state in which the general guide shown in FIG. 19 is displayed as a window on the image of the reception channel in a superimposed manner.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of general guide display processing in step S25 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a program selection process in a general guide display state.

FIG. 23 is another flowchart showing details of the general guide display processing in step S25 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 24 is another flowchart illustrating a program selection process in a general guide display state.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of channel switching.

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing another configuration example of the remote commander.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 AV system 2 IRD 3 parabolic antenna 4 monitoring device 4A CRT 5 remote commander 21 tuner 23 error correction circuit 24 demultiplexer 25 MPEG video decoder 25a DRAM 26 MPEG audio decoder 26a DRAM 29 CPU 35 data buffer memory 35A EPG area 36 SRAM 37 ROM 38 EEPROM 39 IR receiver 131 Select button switch 143 Guide button switch 161 Main body 162 Lever

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] A receiving means for receiving a signal of a predetermined digital broadcast program; a still image output means for temporarily outputting an image of the predetermined digital broadcast program as a still image; an output of the receiving means; Switching means for selectively switching the output of the image output means; controlling the receiving means, the still image output means, and the switching means, and releasing the output of the still image after the still image has been output for a predetermined time. Control means for outputting the digital broadcast program signal received by the receiving means, and an electronic program comprising a plurality of button icons corresponding to the digital broadcast programs as a window to be superimposed on an image of the digital broadcast program. Electronic program guide output means for outputting a guide screen; and one of the plurality of button icons on the electronic program guide screen The serial button icon, and a selecting means for selecting by moving the cursor, the control means, the selection means corresponding to said digital broadcast program button
Before selecting an icon, the selecting means
When the cursor is moved, the still image output means is controlled.
And the digital broadcast program being received by the receiving means.
Output as the still image, and
Controlling a step, the cursor moved by the selection means;
The button button on the superimposed electronic program guide screen
Open reception processing of the digital broadcast program corresponding to the icon
Start and the digital release corresponding to the button icon
After the reception processing of the transmitted program is completed, the still image output
Controlling the stage to release the output of the still image,
Means for outputting the digital broadcast program signal received by the
Digital broadcast program switching device, characterized in that to the force. Wherein said control means, when the digital broadcast program received is selected by controlling the receiving means, selection
Starting the receiving process of the selected digital broadcast program,
After the reception processing of the selected digital broadcast program is completed, the still image output means is controlled to output the still image.
Is released the force, said digital, which is received by the receiving means
2. The digital broadcast program switching device according to claim 1, wherein a signal of the digital broadcast program is output . 3. The digital broadcast program switching device according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying an image of said digital broadcast program received by said receiving means. 4. The still image output means according to claim 1, wherein when outputting the still image, the audio signal is muted, and when releasing the still image, the audio signal is also muted. Item 2. The digital broadcast program switching device according to Item 1. 5. The digital broadcast program switching device according to claim 1, further comprising designating means for designating the digital broadcast program to be received. 6. The digital broadcast program switching device according to claim 5, wherein said specifying means is an up / down button switch for raising or lowering a channel of said digital broadcast program. 7. The digital broadcast program switching device according to claim 5, wherein said designation means is a numeric button switch for inputting a channel number of said digital broadcast program. 8. The digital broadcast program switching device according to claim 1, wherein said still picture output means outputs said still picture when said electronic program guide screen is outputted. 9. The still image output means, when the cursor is moved over another button icon, outputs the still image corresponding to the button icon before the cursor is moved. 2. The digital broadcast program switching device according to claim 1, wherein: 10. The selecting means includes: a cursor moving means operated when moving the cursor; and a button icon selecting means operated when selecting the button icon designated by the cursor. 2. The digital broadcast program switching device according to claim 1, wherein: 11. The digital broadcast program switching device according to claim 10, wherein the cursor moving means and the button icon selecting means can be operated with one finger. 12. A receiving step of receiving a signal of a predetermined digital broadcast program, a still image output step of temporarily outputting an image of the predetermined digital broadcast program as a still image, and an output in the processing of the receiving step. And a switching step for selectively switching the output in the processing of the still image output step; and controlling the processing of the receiving step, the processing of the still image output step, and the processing of the switching step, wherein the still image is kept for a predetermined time. After the output, the output of the still image is released, and a control step of outputting the signal of the digital broadcast program received in the processing of the receiving step; and a window for superimposing on the image of the digital broadcast program, Electronic program guide for outputting an electronic program guide screen including button icons corresponding to the digital broadcast program An output step, one of the button icons of a plurality of said button icon on the electronic program guide screen, and a selection step of selecting by moving the cursor, in the processing of the control step, said selecting step Compatible with the above digital broadcast program
Before the button icon to select
If the cursor is moved in the selection step processing,
The processing of the still image output step is controlled, and the
The image of the digital broadcast program being received in the process of step is
Output as the still image, and
The process is controlled and moved in the process of the selecting step.
The electronic program guide screen superimposed on the cursor
The digital broadcast number corresponding to the button icon above
A pair of reception processes is started, and the
After the reception processing of the digital broadcast program is completed,
The processing of the still image output step is controlled to
Output is released, reception of the processing of the receiving step
A digital broadcast program switching method , wherein a signal of the digital broadcast program is output .