JP3502507B2 - Information display device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0001] [0001] The present invention relates to an information display device.
In particular, an electronic number for displaying TV program information on a monitor
Display of group guide (EPG: Electronic Program Guide)
It is about improving the format. [0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, analog broadcasts in ordinary households
TV-type TV receivers use programs that viewers want to watch
From newspapers, magazines, etc.
Tuning is performed by selecting a channel. [0003] On the other hand, digital
In the broadcasting of the system, dozens to hundreds of channels are used as programs.
To provide television program information,
This is analyzed on the receiver side, and the TV program guide is displayed on the monitor.
The displayed EPG service is important. [0004] Viewers are, for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-504165.
As shown, a time axis is set on the horizontal axis, and programs are
By receiving the service in the form of displaying
The contents of each program displayed on the screen
Is displayed on the screen using an input device such as a remote control.
By manipulating the displayed cursor, the desired number
Select a set to view and listen to the selected program, schedule recording, etc.
It can be easily done. [0005] The conventional information display device is
It is configured as above, and the program contents of each channel
Is convenient and can be referred to on the monitor.
There are the following problems. The cell of each program content displayed on the screen
The size is the broadcast time of the program as shown in FIG.
The size is fixed
If the title is long, it will be displayed in the cell
The second half of the character was omitted
There was a problem that it was difficult. FIG. 3 shows the information to be provided.
In addition to the title, the summary and output of the program
There is also information on the performers, but if you want to refer to them,
As shown in FIG. 21, move the cursor to the cell of the corresponding program.
Also, use the select button to select the enlarged display button on the remote control, etc.
By selecting and deciding the cell, the picture is displayed at the bottom of the screen
・ It is usually displayed in in-picture format etc.
The original program that you are currently referring to
Program ties that are not closely related to the title and that you refer to
There was a problem that the torque was difficult to understand. The cells displayed on the screen are mainly numbered.
In order to display the contents of the set,
Focus on information related to viewing-only information (age restrictions, etc.)
There is a problem that reference cannot be performed easily.
Was. When a cell is selected, the cursor moves
Since the display color of the placed cell will be inverted, etc.
There is no special feature according to the program content, it is not noticeable, attention degree
Was low. The moving distance of the cursor on the screen is not expected.
Of a fixed size and long broadcast time
When the cursor is moved to a program with a short transmission time,
Cell is selected at the same time and one cell is specified
It is necessary to separately perform an operation for selecting
There was a problem that the work was cumbersome. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems.
It has been done and corresponds to the amount of program information to be displayed.
To provide an information display device with a variable cell length.
aimed to. Also, detailed information of the program other than the program title
Information is displayed,
An information table that makes it easy to recognize
It is an object to provide a display device. [0013] [0014] [0015] [0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided:
The information display device is a program that stores program information of a plurality of programs.
Information storage means, and each program stored in the program information storage means.
Program information of the programPredetermined program informationThe given
Each cell having a length is assigned, and the assigned cells are
Program guide that creates and displays a program guide arranged in a matrix
Providing means,The program table displayed by the program table providing means
When the user selects the desired cell of
Shows the program contents in the program information assigned to the selected cell
If there is detailed information and the cell is
The program detailed information is displayed in addition to the displayed program information.
If not, the user has selected the cell
Meanwhile, the program detailed information was addedAccording to the length of program information
SaidCell widthAnd / orCell size to change height
With decision means, Characterized by. [0017] [0018] [0019] [0020] [0021] [0022] [0023] [0024] BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Pertain to
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an information display device. Figure 1
For example, it is transmitted by a method such as teletext.
As shown in FIG. 3, the program information includes a plurality of programs.
Channel number, program name, broadcast time, billing information, etc.
Information is included in a predetermined format. 11 is the above number
Program information storage means for receiving and recording set information, 12
Is based on the program information output from the program information recording means 11.
To determine the cell size for each program
Size determination means 13 divides each program information
Assigned to one of the multiple cells
This is a program guide providing means to be displayed. Next, the first embodiment. 2 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to a flowchart. First, program information
The storage means 11 receives the program information, and stores the contents shown in FIG.
The data is stored, and the cell size is determined in step S1.
Means 12, for example, the number of items to be displayed in the cell of the program
Calculate the size of the cell from the and the character length. This
Such processing is performed for each program. Next, in step S2, the cell size
Size determining means 12 based on the calculated cell size.
The size of each cell when displaying it on the screen as a program guide
It is determined and output as cell size information. Next, in step S3, a program table
The providing means 13 outputs from the program information storage means 11
And program information output from the cell size determination means 12.
And display the contents of each program information
Create a cell of the required size to show
To the monitor 14. Here, for example, the resolution of the monitor 14 is set to 64
0x460 dots, the width of the program guide is 400 pixels
And the time axis unit is 30 minutes and the channel axis is 3 channels
In this case, as shown in FIG.
If the characters are displayed at 20 x 20 pixels, the time
Information such as the longest title in the area 40 indicating the axis unit
Cell 40a having a width of, for example, 10 characters
The line is broken and displayed with the width (200 pixels).
Display larger than the width of other cells (100 pixels)
Accordingly, the area 40a indicating the time zone is similarly
Is expanded and displayed. Also, with this
When the height of cell 40a is forced line break in 10 character units
Expanded by the number of steps (5 steps) generated by
(100 pixels) and the size of the other cells (20 pixels).
Xell). In addition, the broadcast time of a long title is long.
And the characters fit in the area 40 indicating the broadcast time zone
Has a height of one step (20 pixels) as shown in cell 41b.
Cell) is now displayed in a 400 pixel wide area.
You. As described above, in the first embodiment. According to
Analyze incoming program information and display it in each program cell.
Each program based on the amount of information such as the character length and number of items
Since the size of each cell is calculated and calculated,
Omit this for program information such as titles
Can be displayed. Embodiment 2 Next, the second embodiment. Shy
Such an information display device will be described. FIG. 5 shows the embodiment.
State 2. Block diagram showing the configuration of the information display device according to
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 51 denotes a channel of a plurality of programs.
Many information such as file number, program name, broadcast time, billing information, etc.
Receiving program information included in a predetermined format
Means for recording program information, and 57 is means for recording program information.
51 based on the program information output from each program.
Cell size determining means for determining the size of each cell, 5
2 represents each program information as one of a plurality of divided cells.
Provision of a program table to be assigned to one and displayed on the monitor 58
Means. 53 provides a cursor for the program guide
Cursor providing means 54 is for moving a cursor on the monitor screen.
Movement information storage means for storing the initial value of the movement amount, 55
Movement amount information recorded in the movement information storage means 54
Cursor to move the cursor on the monitor screen according to
The moving means 56 is provided with a cursor
The cursor provided by the file providing means 53
Cell selection means for selecting a cell to be used. Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. 6 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to a flowchart. First, step
In S4, the program information is stored in the program information storage unit 51.
Display of program information that is predetermined as an initial value
Only items (here only titles) are standard program guides
And provided as shown in FIG. Next, in step S5, a cell selection operation is performed.
The column 56 indicates whether the cell is in the cell of the program guide displayed in FIG.
With the cursor 70 positioned,
The cell 71 is selected by inputting a signal using the input device.
Select. In step S6, a program table is provided.
The means 52 outputs a signal indicating the selected cell to the cell size.
Output to the noise determination means 57. Then the cell size determination means
At 57, the program information corresponding to the selected cell 71 is adjusted.
If there is other information to be displayed, all that information is displayed
Calculate the cell size needed to In step S7, the cell size determining means 5
7, the signal indicating the size of the cell 71 recalculated is
Output to the program guide providing means 52, as shown in FIG.
The selected program 81b and the same as this program 81b
Channels of programs 81a and 81c existing on channel 101
The size of the file to increase in the vertical direction.
A program guide according to the size of the cell thus provided is provided to the monitor 58.
You. At this time, the cell selected by the cursor 70 in FIG.
8, only detailed information is displayed in FIG.
Similarly, the program cells 81a,
For 81c, there is no change in the display state of FIG.
No. Also, with the expansion of the program cell 81b, the cell
The size of the selected cursor 81b is automatically
Is changed and displayed. The second embodiment as described above. According to the turn
The viewer can see detailed information among the cells displayed in the
The cell which the user wants to watch is selected by the cell selecting means 56,
Displayed from the amount of program information corresponding to the program in the selected cell
Recalculate cell size to show all the information you need
And the cell size is enlarged and displayed.
The listener displays detailed information of the program other than the program title.
When the program is referred to,
Can be easily recognized and excellent visibility
You. Embodiment 3 Next, the third embodiment. Shy
Such an information display device will be described. FIG. 9 shows the embodiment.
State 3. Block diagram showing the configuration of the information display device according to
In FIG. 9, reference numeral 91 denotes a channel of a plurality of programs.
Many information such as file number, program name, broadcast time, billing information, etc.
Receiving program information included in a predetermined format
, And 93 is a remote controller or the like.
The information input by the personal information setting means 92 is stored.
Personal information storage means, which viewers wish
Settings to obtain program guides in different formats
Information is recorded. 94 is stored in the program information storage means 91
From the stored program information to the personal information storage means 93.
Matches based on stored configuration information
And provides the selection result to the program guide providing means 95.
This is a display content determining means to be provided. Please note that the above personal information
Display condition by the setting means 92 and the personal information storage means 93.
It constitutes setting means. Next, the third embodiment. Figure 10 shows the operation of
This will be described with reference to a flowchart. First,
In step S9, as shown in FIG.
Previous, age, gender, viewing-only information, program billing information (1 program
Personal information consisting of multiple payments per
From the information recording means 93 recorded for the listener,
Enter the password when the TV is turned on.
Personal information corresponding to a specific viewer identified by
When is selected, the program billing information of the selected personal information
Information and all programs stored in the program information recording means 91.
Comparing with each of the program billing information, then step
In S10, it is smaller than the program charging information of the personal information
A program having program charge information having a value is searched, and a program table is searched.
The number is determined by the providing means 95 using the result of the search.
The set table is provided to the monitor 96. FIG. 12 shows an individual set as described above.
A program table created based on the information is shown in FIG.
In the case of program information such as
Than the value "500 yen" of the program billing information set in 11
Only programs with small values are displayed in cell 120b,
Cell 120 corresponding to a place where other programs should be displayed
Nothing is displayed on a and 120c. Other
Channels 102 and 103 are similarly set.
It has a value smaller than the value of the program billing information "500 yen"
Only the program will be displayed in the cell. As described above, the third embodiment. According to the individual
Personal information and program information preset in the person information setting means 92
Determine the display information with the program information stored in the storage means 91.
Program information that has been compared by the
Program listings using only
Create a program guide consisting only of programs of the desired content.
And the program selection becomes easy. The third embodiment. Then, personal information
Out of the information stored as
The program displayed in the program guide is now selected.
The program displayed in the program guide is selected using other items such as
May be used. When a program table is created, the display contents are determined.
As a result of comparison by the setting means 94
Is not displayed in the cell that displays
Characters, such as "extra elephant"
Display may be performed. Embodiment 4 FIG. Next, the fourth embodiment. Shy
Such an information display device will be described. FIG. 13 shows the present embodiment.
Mode 4. Block diagram showing the configuration of an information display device based on
FIG. 13 shows a program 131 for checking a plurality of programs.
Channel number, program name, broadcast time, billing information, etc.
Receiving program information containing information in a predetermined format
The program information storage means 133 for recording the
The program table created by the providing means 132
Cursor to select a specific cell
The cursor providing means to be provided, 135 is the program table providing means 1
Cursor to any cell in the program guide provided by 32
Cursor position detecting means for detecting whether or not
Reference numeral 134 denotes the cursor position detecting means 135 and the program information record.
Receiving the output of the storage means 131,
5 to the cell where the cursor is located
About program information (see Fig. 3)
Logo, etc., and use the extracted logo, etc.
Cursor shape so that the cursor is displayed on the monitor 136
An instruction to change the state is issued to the cursor providing means 133.
This is a cursor appearance changing means to be pressed. Next, the fourth embodiment. 14 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to a flowchart. First,
In step S11, the program list providing means 132
Based on the program information stored in the information storage means 131,
A program guide is created, and then in step S12
The cursor position detecting means 135 displays the program table.
Which cell the cursor is located in
Is detected. Next, in step S13, the cursor appearance
The change means 134 detects in step S12.
Program with the cell corresponding to the cursor position
Using the data such as logo included in the information,
The appearance is changed. Then, the cursor whose appearance has been changed is displayed.
An instruction is output to the cursor providing means 133 so that the cursor is provided.
FIG. 15 shows that the movie channel 504 is selected by the cursor 151.
Indicates that the title is selected, and the normal title display area 15 is displayed.
2 and part of the cursor 151 deformed
This shows a state where the go area 151a is displayed. As described above, in the fourth embodiment. According to
Is selected in the cell when the cursor is selected with the cursor.
Using data such as logos included in the program information of the program
Changes the cursor shape,
You can expect a corresponding advertising effect and increase the attention
Wear. In addition, the shape of the cursor is changed to a mark indicating viewing-only information.
Program information so that program information can be visually
It will be easier to understand. The fourth embodiment. Now, the cursor
Although part of the cursor area is the logo area, the entire cursor is
You may. Also use the logo to change the shape of the cursor.
But in addition to the logo, other information such as program billing information
Even if the shape of the cell is changed using program information
Good. Embodiment 5 Next, the fifth embodiment. Shy
Such an information display device will be described. FIG.
Mode 5. Block diagram showing the configuration of an information display device based on
In FIG. 16, reference numeral 161 denotes a plurality of programs.
Channel number, program name, broadcast time, billing information, etc.
Receiving program information containing information in a predetermined format
163 is a program information storage means for recording the
The program table created by the providing means 162
Cursor to select a specific cell
Cursor providing means for providing; 166, cursor providing means
Move the cursor provided in 163 in the program guide
Cursor moving means 165 for giving instructions for program information
From the program information stored in the storage means 161, a program table
Extract the display width as the cell of the program information displayed in the
The cursor movement amount set as the initial value is
The cell in which the width of the cell where
Movement of the above cursor when it is smaller than the movement amount of the sol
Movement information to instruct the amount to be updated to a smaller amount
It is a report determining means. 167 is a cursor
Cursor position detecting means for detecting whether the cursor is positioned
It is. Next, the fifth embodiment. 17 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to a flowchart. First,
In step S15, the movement information determination means 165
Then, for example, the movement width of the cursor set to 15 minutes
Using the information, the program guide providing means 162 provides the program guide.
You. Next, in step S16, the mobile information
The information determining means 165 is provided by the cursor position detecting means 167.
Is detected in the currently displayed program table.
Cell size at cursor position and set as above initial value
And compares the cursor movement width information (size)
The width of the cell selected by the cursor is set as the initial value.
If the cell width is larger than the selected cell, select it with the cursor
The cursor movement width information in the cell being
While keeping the cursor width, change the width of the cursor selected by the cursor.
Is enlarged to the size of the
The width of the cell is changed to the cursor position set as the initial value.
If it is smaller than the movement amount, the cell movement width information is updated.
To a value smaller than the initial value
Set the width of the sol to the cell of the cell selected by the cursor.
It is reduced to the size, and this is provided to the program table in step S17.
Provided. As described above, the size (width) of the cursor
Is the same size as the size of the cell where the cursor is selected.
And set it as the initial value.
Width smaller than the moving width information (movement amount) of the moved cursor
When the cursor is positioned on a cell, move the cursor
The width information is changed to have the size corresponding to the cell.
You. Also, the movement width of the cursor has been changed to a smaller one
Later, the cursor has a width greater than the new
If you move to the cell where
The information is changed to the initial value again. As described above, the fifth embodiment. According to the mosquito
The size of the cursor to the cell currently selected by the cursor
As well as the initial value
The width is larger than the set cursor movement width information (movement amount).
When the cursor is positioned on a small cell,
Change the moving width information of the
So that programs with long broadcast times and short programs
Even when cells are mixed and displayed on the screen,
Easily select programs in small cells displayed on the screen
So that the cursor moves smoothly on the screen.
I can. Embodiment 6 FIG. Next, the sixth embodiment. Shy
Such an information display device will be described. FIG. 18 shows this embodiment.
Mode 5. Block diagram showing the configuration of an information display device based on
FIG. 18 shows a program 181 including a plurality of programs.
Channel number, program name, broadcast time, billing information, etc.
Receiving program information containing information in a predetermined format
183 is a program information storage means for recording the program information;
The program table created by the providing means 182
Cursor to select a specific cell
Cursor providing means for providing; 186, cursor providing means
Move the cursor provided in 183 in the program guide
Cursor moving means 188 for giving instructions for program information
From the program information stored in the storage means 181, a program table
Extract the display width as the cell of the program information displayed in the
Using the extracted information, calculate the initial value of the cursor movement width.
The initial value determining means 189 to be output is the initial value determining means 1
The movement amount of the cursor calculated in step 88 is used as movement information.
The movement information storage means 187 stores which cell of the program table.
Cursor position to detect if the cursor is positioned at
The detecting means 185 is the cursor position detecting means 187
And the output of the movement information storage means 189,
The car set as the initial value in the movement information storage means 189
Sol movement information, the width of the cell where the cursor is located
Less than the cursor movement amount set as the initial value
If the cursor movement amount is updated,
Moving information determining means for instructing the movement information. Next, the sixth embodiment. 19 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to a flowchart. First,
In step S18, the program guide providing means 182 provides the program guide.
Offer. Next, in step S19, an initial value is determined.
The means 188 stores each program from the program information storage means 181.
Read the width (broadcast time) of the cell to be displayed, and
Of the movement information is calculated as the initial value of the movement information, and the initial value is transferred.
Output to the motion information storage means 189. The movement information determining means 185 determines in step S2
0, the cursor position detecting means 187
Cursors in the currently displayed program table that are detected
Cell width at the cell position and the
Cursor movement width information and select it with the cursor.
Cell width is smaller than the default cell width
If it is larger, the cell selected by the cursor is
Cursor width information remains constant,
To the width of the cell selected by the cursor, and vice versa.
The width of the cell selected by the cursor is
Is smaller than the amount of cursor movement set as
Updates the moving width information of the cell to be smaller than the above initial value.
And the width of the cursor
Is reduced to the width of the cell selected in step S
At 21 the program listing is provided. As mentioned above,
The initial value of the amount of cursor movement on the table is
Is calculated to be the optimal size from
Is the cursor movement width information set as the above initial value
When you move to a cell that is smaller than (movement amount),
The movement width information of the cursor is changed, and according to the width of the cell,
It will have a width that is As described above, the sixth embodiment. According to the first
The period value setting means 188 is provided, and the width of the cell displayed in the program is provided.
Calculate the optimal amount of cursor movement from the
It is used as the initial value of the cursor movement amount when providing
Therefore, always move the cursor according to the displayed program table.
The initial value of the movement amount for moving
Long and short program cells are mixed and displayed on the screen.
Move the cursor more smoothly when
Can be. Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Now, determine the initial value
The initial value of the movement amount calculated by the means 188 is displayed in a program table.
The indicated cell width is equal to the initial value of the cursor movement amount.
Was changed when it was smaller, but the calculated cursor
The initial value of the movement amount is provided to the cursor movement means 186.
You may do so. [0058] As described above, the information display device according to the present invention is provided.
According to the table, the size of each cell displayed in the program guide is
Since it is changed according to the amount of program information to be shown,
Even if the title is long, the display may be interrupted
It will be displayed immediately, making it easy to check the contents of the program
Has the effect of becoming The details of the cell selected by the cursor are
When displaying detailed information, all the detailed information is displayed
Recalculate cell size and enlarge cell size
The details of the program other than the program title
When displaying information, which program is the reference source?
Can be easily recognized,
That we can provide an interface
There is an effect. [0060] [0061] [0062]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the content of program information input to the information display device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the first embodiment. Is a diagram for explaining a state of a screen displayed using the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the second embodiment. Is a diagram for explaining a state of a screen before being displayed using the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 shows the second embodiment. Is a diagram for explaining a state of a screen displayed using the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 shows the third embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 shows the third embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of personal information stored in personal information storage means constituting the information display device in FIG. FIG. Is a diagram for explaining a state of a screen displayed using the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 shows the fourth embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 shows the fourth embodiment. Is a diagram for explaining a state of a screen displayed using the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 18 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a state of a screen displayed using a conventional information display device. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a state of a screen when displaying details of program information displayed in a specific cell using a conventional information display device. [Description of Signs] 11, 51, 91, 131, 161, 181 Program information storage means 12, 57 Cell size determination means 13, 52, 95, 132, 162, 182 Program guide providing means 14, 58, 96, 136, 164, 184 monitors 53, 133, 163, 183 cursor providing means 54, 189 movement information storage means 55, 166, 186 cursor movement means 56 cell selection means 92 personal information setting means 93 personal information storage means 94 display contents determination means 134 cursor Appearance changing means 135, 167, 187 Cursor position detecting means 188 Initial value determining means

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Claims (1)

(57) [Claims 1] Program information storage means for storing program information of a plurality of programs, and program information of each program stored in the program information storage means .
Of each assigned a predetermined program information in a cell having a predetermined length, and the program guide providing means for a plurality of cells assigned to create a program table arranged in a matrix display, said program guide providing unit display Desired cell of the program table
Is assigned to the selected cell when the user selects
The detailed program information indicating the program content exists in the assigned program information.
Is present and displayed in the cell before selecting the cell
If the detailed program information cannot be displayed in addition to the
In this case, while the user is selecting the cell, the program
The width of the cell according to the length of the program information with detailed information
And / or a cell size determining means for changing the vertical width.