JP3311676B2 - Information terminal equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information terminal device such as an Internet television for taking in data from a computer network such as the Internet and an intranet through a communication line, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the video signal on a screen of a display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The Internet is a network in which a large number of computers are connected on a worldwide scale, and each computer stores various information that can be read. This information includes e-mails, various programs, homepages, etc., and can be communicated in both directions. The homepage is equivalent to a cover and a table of contents of one piece of information, and necessary information can be searched by selecting an icon (picture) and a character string on the homepage.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of connection between each computer and the Internet. In this connection example, the personal computer 7 has a modem 8
Alternatively, the terminal is connected to the telephone line 2 via a terminal adapter, and the telephone line 2 is connected to the modem 3 or the terminal adapter of the provider, which is a connection service company. The modem 3 is connected to a server 4 which is a computer of the provider.

[0004] The server 4 is connected to the Internet 6 for 24 hours via a router 5 for setting a relay route to the Internet 6. From the personal computer 7, a so-called dial-up connection is possible in which a telephone line is connected to the Internet 6 via the server 4 of the provider when necessary.

Recently, various information terminal devices such as an Internet television and a word processor have been proposed which are connected to the Internet 6 in place of the personal computer 7 and can display various information of the Internet on a screen thereof.

[0006]

When the personal computer 7 is connected to the Internet 6, information such as an e-mail and a home page from the Internet 6 is transmitted.
The information can be temporarily stored in a large-capacity memory (such as a hard disk) of the personal computer 7 and can be called up as needed. However, compared to the personal computer 7, the Internet television, the word processor, and the like do not include a large-capacity memory.
Retaining information obtained from the Internet has been difficult.

Under such circumstances, the inventor of the present application first described
A television has been proposed as an information terminal device capable of recording information obtained from the Internet as a video signal in a video recording device (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-36783).
issue). However, according to the present invention, since the user needs to perform the operation each time, the degree of the communication line and the fee system,
When the degree of the provider is considered, there is a time zone in which it is difficult for the user to directly perform the operation, which causes a problem.

As described above, a video tape recorder is required to record information obtained from the Internet as a video signal. However, when the word processor is connected to the Internet, it is more convenient to record and store it as digital image data. In such a case, it is sufficient to be able to record and save as one image, and it is troublesome to prepare a video tape recorder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and records and saves information obtained from the Internet as digital image data. And automatically recording information obtained from the Internet as a video signal between a start time and an end time set by a user in advance with respect to a URL set by the user in consideration of a fee system, a degree of inclusion of a provider, and the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information terminal device capable of performing the following.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information terminal device which is connected to a URL of a computer network, fetches data from the connected URL, converts the data into a video signal and displays the video signal, and converts the video signal into a composite video signal. A signal conversion unit for conversion, an output unit for outputting the signal converted by the signal conversion unit to a video recording device, and a recording start for instructing the video recording device to start recording / stop recording time according to an operator's instruction Signal generating means for generating a recording / recording stop signal; a signal output unit for outputting a recording start / recording stop signal generated by the signal generating means;
The recording stop time and the URL specified by the operator are stored. At the recording start time, a connection to a computer network is made and the stored data of the URL is read and the signal generation means is caused to generate a recording start signal. A scheduled recording unit that disconnects the connection to the computer network at the recording stop time and causes the signal generation unit to generate a recording stop signal and output the signal from the signal output unit. An information terminal device characterized by the following.

In such an information terminal device, a video signal converted from data fetched from a computer connected to a communication network is converted into a composite video signal and output, and a preset video signal is set in a timer recording unit. At the first time, connection to the computer network is automatically performed and reading of stored URL data is started, and at the second time, the connection to the computer network is automatically cut off and recording is stopped. Is done. As a result, information obtained from the Internet from a preset recording start time to a preset recording end time with respect to a preset URL is automatically recorded as a video signal in a video recording device such as an external video tape recorder. It is possible to keep.

According to the present invention, there is provided an information terminal device which is connected to a URL of a computer network, fetches data from the connected URL, converts the data into a video signal and displays the video signal, and converts the video signal into a Y / C separate signal. A signal conversion unit, an output unit that outputs a signal converted by the signal conversion unit to a video recording device, and recording start / recording for instructing the video recording device to start recording / stop recording time according to an instruction of an operator. Signal generation means for generating a stop signal;
A signal output unit that outputs a recording start / recording stop signal created by the signal creating unit, and stores the recording start time, the recording stop time, and a URL specified by an operator, and transmits the recording start time to the computer network at the recording start time. A connection is made to read the stored data of the URL, and at the same time, the signal creation unit is made to create a recording start signal and output from the signal output unit. An information terminal device, comprising: a timer recording unit that causes a signal generation unit to generate a recording stop signal and output the signal from the signal output unit.

In such an information terminal device, a video signal converted from data fetched from a computer connected to a communication network is converted into a Y / C separate signal and output, and is also set in a reserved recording section in advance. At a first time, connection to a computer network is automatically performed, reading of stored URL data is started, and at a second time, connection to the computer network is automatically cut off and recording is performed. Is stopped.
As a result, information obtained from the Internet from a preset recording start time to a preset recording end time with respect to a preset URL is automatically recorded as a video signal in a video recording device such as an external video tape recorder. It is possible to keep.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment. In the following embodiments, a case will be described in which the information terminal device of the present invention is applied to an Internet television capable of accessing the Internet.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of connection between the Internet television 1 and the Internet 6, which are information terminal devices according to the present invention. In this connection example, the Internet television 1 remotely operated by the remote control device 23 is connected to the telephone line 2. The Internet television 1 has a built-in modem. The telephone line 2 is connected to a modem 3 or a terminal adapter of a provider which is a connection service company, and the modem 3 is connected to a server 4 which is a computer of the provider.

The server 4 is connected to the Internet 6 for 24 hours via a router 5 for setting a relay route to the Internet 6. When the remote control device 23 is operated from the Internet television 1, a telephone call operation is automatically performed, and a so-called dial-up connection for connecting to the Internet 6 via the server 4 of the provider is possible.

By the way, Internet television 1
Is connected to a video tape recorder 9 and an external hard disk drive 39. The video tape recorder 9 records the data fetched from the URL via the Internet 6 as a video signal, and the hard disk drive 39 stores the data in a bitmap, JPE
It is provided for saving as a general image data file format such as G.

When the information terminal device of the present invention is realized as, for example, a word processor instead of the Internet television 1, since the word processor is usually provided with a flexible disk drive,
A flexible disk drive can be used instead of the hard disk drive 39. Further, it is of course possible to use various magnetic recording media, optical recording media, and magneto-optical recording media instead.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an embodiment of an Internet television which is an information terminal device according to the present invention.

In the Internet television 1, a television signal received by an antenna 11 is selected by a tuner interface 10, and a video signal is detected. The detected video signal is converted into a luminance signal Y and color difference signals BY and RY by a video chroma processing unit 12.
Are extracted and converted into red, green, and blue color signals R, G, and B, respectively. The color signals R, G, and B are output to the CRT 17 for each color via the RGB switching unit 14.

The video signal detected by the tuner interface 10 is also supplied to a sync separation / deflection processing section 16, where a vertical sync signal and a horizontal sync signal are extracted. The extracted vertical synchronization signal and horizontal synchronization signal are CR
It is given to T17 and used as a synchronization signal for screen scanning. The tuner interface 10 also extracts an audio signal from the detected video signal and supplies the audio signal to the audio output unit 18. The audio output unit 18 outputs audio from the speaker 19.

On the other hand, the modem 2 connected to the communication line 24
5 is an Internet processing CPU 2 via a bus 30
2 are connected. Internet processing CPU22
Are connected to a RAM 26, a ROM 27, an I /
O port 29, VDP (Video Display Processor) 28
And the image data converter 37 and the like.

The RAM 26 temporarily stores image signals and the like of data obtained via the modem 25, and the ROM 27 stores
It stores a processing program of the Internet processing CPU 22, an image signal of a screen unique to the Internet television 1, and the like.

The Internet processing CPU 22 converts the data provided via the communication line 24 into red, green,
The color signals R, G, and B of blue are extracted, and output to the CRT 17 for each color via the RGB switching unit 14.

The I / O port 29 outputs a switching signal for switching between a mode for displaying an Internet screen and a mode for displaying a television program.

The image data converter 37 converts the image signal of the data obtained via the modem 25 into a bitmap,
The data is converted into a file format of general digital image data such as PEG and output to the external interface 38. In addition,
An external hard disk drive (HDD) 39 or the like can be connected to the external interface 38, for example.

The channel selection CPU 20 outputs a channel selection instruction signal to the tuner interface 10 in accordance with an instruction from the remote control device 23 by an optical signal, a radio signal, or the like, transmits and receives a signal to and from the Internet processing CPU 22, and outputs an Internet television signal. Control John 1. In addition, if necessary, an instruction signal is also output to the on-screen display control unit 21 so that the video signal is transmitted from the on-screen display control unit 21 to the RGB switching unit 14.
To give.

The channel selection CPU 20 starts recording for instructing the video tape recorder 9 to start recording / stop recording in response to an instruction from the Internet processing CPU 22 or the remote control device 23 or an instruction from a timer control unit 36 described later. / Recording stop signal is created and given to the control output terminal 33 which is a signal output unit. Control output terminal 3
3 is connected to a control input terminal of an externally attached video tape recorder 9 via a connection line.

The VDP 28 has a line memory, and uses an independently generated vertical synchronizing signal and horizontal synchronizing signal to generate RA.
An image signal is written from M26 to the line memory, read out from the line memory again, colored red, green, and blue, and output to the CRT 17 for each color via the RGB switching unit 14.

The image signal read from the line memory of the VDP 28 and colored red, green and blue is converted into a composite video signal by a video encoder 31 which is a signal conversion unit. This composite video signal is supplied to an output terminal 32 which is an output unit. The composite video signal obtained by the video encoder 31 is also supplied to a Y / C separation circuit 34 which is a signal conversion unit, and is converted into a Y / C separate signal. This Y / C separate signal is supplied to an output terminal 35 which is an output unit.

Note that the channel selection CPU 20 has a timer control unit 3
6 are connected. The timer control unit 36 controls the recording start time (first time) of the video tape recorder 9 set by the user operating the remote control device 23,
It is possible to store a recording end time (second time) and a URL to be recorded. When the built-in timer detects that the recording start time has been reached, the timer control unit 36 gives a recording start instruction and information on the set URL to the channel selection CPU 20. As a result, the channel selection CPU 20 starts recording of the video tape recorder 9, and the Internet processing CPU 22 performs line connection and starts receiving URL data set.

When the timer control unit 36 detects that the end time of the recording has been reached by the built-in timer, the timer control unit 36 gives an instruction of the end of the recording to the channel selection CPU 20. Thereby, the channel selection CPU 20 stops the recording of the video tape recorder 9, and the Internet processing CPU 22 disconnects the line. As described above, the URL information set by the user is recorded on the video tape recorder 9 by using either the composite video signal output from the output terminal 32 or the Y / C separate signal output from the output terminal 35. You.

The operation of the Internet television 1 as the information terminal device of the present invention having such a configuration will be described below.

In the Internet television 1, when an operation button provided on the remote control device 23 is operated and a mode for operating as a normal television is designated, a television wave received by the antenna 11 is selected. In accordance with an instruction from the CPU 20, a channel is selected by the tuner interface 10 and a video signal is detected. From the detected video signal, a luminance signal Y and color difference signals BY and RY are extracted by a video chroma processing unit 12 and converted into red, green and blue color signals R, G and B. The color signals R, G, and B are output to the CRT 17 for each color via the RGB switching unit 14.

From the detected video signal, a vertical synchronizing signal and a horizontal synchronizing signal are extracted by the sync separation / deflection processing unit 16. The extracted vertical synchronizing signal and horizontal synchronizing signal are supplied to the CRT 17 and used as a synchronizing signal when scanning each color signal R, G, B on the screen.

In the Internet television 1, when an Internet button attached to the remote control device 23 is operated and a mode for operating as the Internet television is designated, the Internet processing C
The PU 22 reads an image signal for one screen of the initial screen from the ROM 27 and sets the read image signal in the RAM 26. Further, the Internet processing CPU 22 outputs a switching signal from the I / O port 29 and outputs the output from the RGB switching unit 14 to the VDP2.
8 to the respective color signals R, G, B.

The VDP 28 has a line memory,
With the vertical sync signal and horizontal sync signal created independently,
The image signal is written from the RAM 26 to the line memory, the image signal is read from the line memory, red, green, and blue are colored, and output to the CRT 17 for each color via the RGB switching unit 14.

As a result of the above operation, an initial screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display screen of the CRT 17. In the initial screen, "shop information", "travel / sightseeing", "news", "learning", "entertainment", "area and company information", "original", "search", and "e-mail" Then, when the user operates the remote control device 23 to select and decide, for example, the icon of “Travel / Tourism”, the Internet processing CPU 22 executes “Travel / Tourism” as shown in FIG. Is displayed. Hereinafter, similarly, each time a selection is made and determined on the selection screen, a similar lower selection screen in which options are arranged in a tree shape is displayed.

A save button 51 is displayed at the lower right corner of the initial screen of FIG. 3 and the selection screen of FIG. When the display button 51 is selected and determined by operating the remote control device 23, the Internet processing CP
The U22 converts the screen displayed on the display screen of the CRT 17 at that time into an image data conversion unit 37, for example, into a bitmap format or a JPEG format, outputs it from the external interface 38, and sends it to the connected hard disk drive 39. And save the record.

It goes without saying that a button having the same function as the above-mentioned save button 51 may be provided in the remote control device 23 as well.

The remote control device 23 has an icon 42 displayed at the bottom of the initial screen shown in FIG.
The selection button 43 is provided at the right end of the upper surface, the enter button 44 is provided at the left end, and various operation buttons 45 are provided at the center. The selection button can freely move the position of the “pointing hand” pointer or cursor in eight directions, and can be an icon (button-shaped icon) that overlaps with the pointer or cursor when the enter button is operated. Item) or a character string is selected and determined.

When the selection is determined on the selection screen and the search proceeds, the icon associated with the searched item is displayed in the VDP 28
And read out from the display screen. When the user operates the remote control device 23 to select and select one of the icons, the Internet processing CPU 22
Reads the telephone number of the server 4 of the provider from the VDP 28, performs a call operation of the telephone, and connects the server 4 of the provider and the Internet processing CPU 22.
When connected to the server 4 of the provider, the URL corresponding to the selected and determined icon is called and connected.

When a URL that has not been registered before is called, the user can access the URL “UR” on the browser menu screen described later.
"L input" is selected and the URL is input.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the control operation of the automatic mode relating to the recording start / stop of the video tape recorder 9 of the Internet processing CPU 22 after the Internet button is operated. Hereinafter, based on this flowchart, the control operation of the Internet processing CPU 22 regarding the recording start / stop of the video tape recorder 9 will be described.

When the control operation relating to the recording start / stop of the external video tape recorder 9 is in the automatic mode, when the Internet button of the remote control device 23 is operated (S 10), the Internet processing CPU 22 executes the RGB switching unit 14. By operating the VDP28
Is started (S12).

When the URL is selected and determined or input, and the connection operation of the communication line (telephone line) 24 is started (S1).
4), the Internet processing CPU 22 operates the RGB switching unit 14 to start the screen display of the television program (S16).

The connection of the communication line 24 is completed (S18),
The data of the called URL home page is transmitted via the communication line
And via the modem 41, the Internet processing CPU 22 converts this data into an image signal and outputs
Set to AM26. The image signal set in the RAM 26 is displayed on the display screen from the VDP 28 in the same manner as in the case of the initial screen (S20).

At this time, the Internet processing CPU 22
Causes the video tape recorder 9 to output a recording start instruction signal via the channel selection CPU 20 (S21). As a result, the video tape recorder 9 starts recording in response to the output signal of one of the output terminals 32 and 35.

In the state of the screen display from the VDP 28 (S2
0), when the remote control device 23 is operated to instruct screen switching (S22), the Internet processing CPU 22 causes the video tape recorder 9 to output a recording stop instruction signal via the channel selection CPU 20 (S2).
3) By operating the RGB switching unit 14, the screen display of the television program is started (S24). As a result, the video tape recorder 9 stops recording.

In this state, when the screen switching is instructed again (S26), the Internet processing CPU 22
By operating the RGB switching unit 14, the screen display from the VDP 28 is started (S20). At this time, the Internet processing CPU 22 causes the video tape recorder 9 to output a recording start instruction signal via the channel selection CPU 20 (S2).
1). As a result, the video tape recorder 9 starts recording in response to the output signal of one of the output terminals 32 and 35.

In the state of the screen display from the VDP 28 (S2
0), when the Internet off button of the remote control device 23 is operated (S28), the Internet processing CPU 22 causes the video tape recorder 9 to output a recording stop instruction signal via the channel selection CPU 20 (S2).
9) The communication line 24 is disconnected (S30), and the RGB switching unit 14 is operated to start the screen display of the television program (S32). Thereby, the video tape recorder 9
Stops recording.

When the control operation relating to the recording start / stop of the external video tape recorder 9 is in the manual mode, the Internet processing CPU 22 starts the recording to the video tape recorder 9 regardless of the start / stop of the screen display from the VDP 28. / Do not output stop instruction signal. The channel selection CPU 20 outputs a recording start / stop instruction signal to the video tape recorder 9 when the recording start / stop instruction button of the remote control device 23 is operated.
Thus, the video tape recorder 9 starts / stops recording.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A control operation of the Internet processing CPU 22 relating to timer recording of the video tape recorder 9 will be described.

The timer control unit 36 always compares the current time with the recording start time set by the user by using a built-in timer (S41), and when they match, an instruction is sent from the timer control unit 36 to the channel selection CPU 20. Then, the channel selection CPU 20 gives an instruction to the Internet processing CPU 22 to start the connection operation of the communication line (telephone line) 24 (S42).

When the connection of the communication line (telephone line) 24 is completed (S43), the Internet processing CPU 22 starts reading data from the URL set in the timer control unit 36 (S44), and at the same time, the video tape recorder 9 Then, a recording start instruction signal is output via the tuning CPU 20 (S45). As a result, the video tape recorder 9 starts recording in response to the output signal of one of the output terminals 32 and 35.

On the other hand, the timer control unit 36 always compares the current time with the recording end time set by the user by using a built-in timer (S46). Instructions are given. Thus, the Internet processing CPU 22 sends a recording stop instruction signal to the video tape recorder 9 to select the CP.
The output is made via U20 (S47), and the communication line 24 is disconnected (S48). As described above, the video screen of the URL preset by the user is recorded on the video tape recorder 9 from the recording start time (first time) to the recording end time (second time) preset by the user. .

The timer recording function of the information terminal device of the present invention can be used, for example, in a time period when the user is sleeping or out of the office and the communication line and the provider are relatively idle.
Alternatively, it is possible to use such a method that the screen of the URL desired by the user is automatically recorded in a time period when the usage fee of the communication line is relatively low. This is also effective for URLs that are updated.

In a normal browser, the specified URL
It is needless to say that it is possible to automatically stop recording and disconnect the communication line at that time because it is possible to recognize by itself that the display of the screen has been completed.

The information terminal device of the present invention is provided with an image data converter 37 and an external interface 38. By clicking a save button 51 on the browser screen, the browser screen at that time is displayed on the external interface 3.
It is also possible to record and store the data on a recording medium of a drive device connected to 8, for example, a hard disk of a hard disk drive.

Although the above embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the information terminal device of the present invention is implemented as a television, it goes without saying that the information terminal device can be applied to a word processor, a personal computer, and the like. Furthermore, when converting into digital image data, it is also possible to record as a moving image by decoding into MPEG2 format.

[0063]

As described in detail above, according to the information terminal apparatus of the present invention, information obtained from the Internet can be recorded as various types of externally recorded digital image data in a general bitmap format, JPEG format, or the like. It becomes possible to record and save on a medium.

According to the information terminal device of the present invention, the timer recording of a video recording device such as an external video tape recorder can be performed. It is possible to automatically record information obtained from a URL preset by the user as a video signal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of connection between an information terminal device according to the present invention and the Internet.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the information terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an initial screen of the information terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a selection screen of “travel / sightseeing”.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation in an automatic mode regarding recording start / stop of recording of the video tape recorder of the Internet processing CPU.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation in an automatic mode regarding recording start / stop of recording of the video tape recorder of the Internet processing CPU.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation relating to timer recording of the video tape recorder of the Internet processing CPU.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of connection between a computer and the Internet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Internet Television 9 Video Tape Recorder (Video Recording Device) 17 CRT 20 Tuning CPU 22 Internet Processing CPU 23 Remote Control Device 24 Communication Line (Telephone Line) 26 RAM 31 Video Encoder (Signal Conversion Unit) 32, 35 Output Terminal ( Output part) 33 control output terminal (signal output part) 34 Y / C separation circuit (signal conversion part) 36 timer control part 37 image data conversion part 38 external interface 51 save button

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information terminal device connected to a URL of a computer network, taking in data from the connected URL, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the video signal, a signal conversion unit converting the video signal into a composite video signal, An output unit for outputting the signal converted by the signal conversion unit to the video recording device; and a signal for generating a recording start / recording stop signal for instructing the video recording device to start recording / stop recording time according to an operator's instruction. Creating means; a signal output unit for outputting the recording start / stop signal created by the signal creating means; storing the recording start time, the recording stop time, and a URL designated by an operator; A connection to a computer network is made, the stored data of the URL is read, and recording is started by the signal generating means. No. thereby created is output from the signal output unit,
An information terminal device, comprising: a scheduled recording unit that disconnects a connection to a computer network at the recording stop time and causes the signal generation unit to generate a recording stop signal and output the signal from the signal output unit. 2. An information terminal device which is connected to a URL of a computer network, takes in data from the connected URL, converts the data into a video signal, and displays the video signal, and a signal converter for converting the video signal into a Y / C separate signal. An output unit that outputs the signal converted by the signal conversion unit to a video recording device; and a recording start / recording stop signal for instructing the video recording device to start recording / stop recording time according to an operator's instruction. A signal generating unit for outputting a recording start / recording stop signal generated by the signal generating unit; storing the recording start time, the recording stop time, and a URL specified by an operator; At the time, a connection to a computer network is made and the stored data of the URL is read and a recording start signal is sent to the signal creation means. By creating is output from the signal output unit,
An information terminal device, comprising: a scheduled recording unit that disconnects a connection to a computer network at the recording stop time and causes the signal generation unit to generate a recording stop signal and output the signal from the signal output unit.