JP3536948B2 - Electronic program guide display control 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 an electronic program guide display control apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a case where a displayable program is restricted, the restriction can be naturally maintained. .

[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 have become widespread. In this system, for example, nearly 80 broadcast channels can be secured, so that an extremely large number of programs can be broadcast.

In such a system, since the number of programs is large, an electronic program guide (EP) is used to ensure that a desired program can be selected from many programs.
It has been proposed to transmit a G (Electrical Program Guide), display it on a monitor at the receiving end, and select a desired program using this electronic program guide. It has also been proposed to use the electronic program guide as a reduced screen obtained by reducing a representative screen of a program, and to select a desired program while viewing the reduced screen.

[0004]

When a program to be broadcast is, for example, a movie for an adult, it is desirable to allow only those who are older than a predetermined age to view the program. It is.

[0005] In such a case, in the conventional EPG system, a reduced screen of a movie for adults is displayed as it is as an electronic program guide. A mark that can be recognized is displayed on the electronic program guide.

[0006] As a result, for example, a child may be asked about what kind of program is displayed in the electronic program guide, and it may be difficult to reply.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object of the present invention to realize a program for which viewing is restricted in a very natural manner. .

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic program guide display control device, comprising: identification means for identifying a viewer who views a program; and a viewer identified by the identification means.
Viewing restricted to viewing programs belonging to a predetermined genre
If the program belongs to a certain genre,
Electronic program guide so that it does not display
And display control means for controlling the display of .

[0009] According to the electronic program guide display control method of the present invention, a viewer who views a program is identified, and the identified viewing / listening is performed.
Is restricted from viewing programs belonging to a predetermined genre.
The viewers who belong to a given genre
Electronic program so that the display that recognizes the presence is not performed.
The display of the guide is controlled .

[0010]

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a transmitting apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This transmitting device includes a switcher 301. In the United States, for example, in the United States, CNN, GAORA, Asahi, STAR, TR
Broadcasting stations such as Y, MTV, Super, Sport, BBC, CSNI, Green (trademark or service mark),
In the case of Japan, video data and audio data supplied from broadcasting stations such as NHK, Nippon Television, TBS Television, Fuji Television, TV Asahi, Television Tokyo, and WOWOW (trademark or service mark) are input as digital data.

Alternatively, the switcher 301 includes a digital video tape recorder (DVT) (not shown).
The digital video signal and the audio signal reproduced from R) are input.

The switcher 301 includes the program transmission control device 3
08, and selects a plurality of predetermined broadcast channels (however, in this case, the video signal and the audio signal are counted as one broadcast channel) from the input video signal and audio signal, and generates a promotion channel. Output to the device 302.

The switcher 301 selects five predetermined broadcast channels from the input signal, and
Output to the G video / audio encoder block 303-1. Similarly, the MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 303-2 to 303-7 also have predetermined 5
Select and output signals for broadcast channels.

Further, a predetermined video signal output from the switcher 301 is supplied to a JPEG encoder block 310 incorporated in the EPG data generator 309.

[0015] Promotion channel generation device 302
Performs independent processing on signals of two predetermined channels among signals of a plurality of input broadcast channels.

The promotion channel generation device 302 stores bitmap data (such as icons, station logos, category logos, etc.) to be transmitted generated by the EPG data generation device 309 under the control of the program transmission control device 308. , Which can be stored in advance in the IRD 2 in FIG. 20 described later). The promotion channel generation device 302 superimposes this bitmap data on the video signal input from the switcher 301.

The promotion channel generating device 302
Converts the processed data into a multiplexer (MUX) 30
Output to 4-1. The details of the promotion channel generation device 302 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 303-1 to 303-7 include a switcher 301.
To be able to encode the video and audio signals for each of the five broadcast channels,
It has five channels (five units) of MPEG video / audio encoders. The MPEG video / audio encoders 303-1 to 303-7 encode the input video data and audio data and output them to the corresponding multiplexers 304-2 to 304-8.

A JPEG video encoder block 310 incorporated in the EPG data generator 309 converts a predetermined representative screen from video signals input from the switcher 301 in response to a command from the program transmission controller 308. Then, the representative screen is reduced to a small screen, and the data of the reduced screen is compressed to form the first EPG data (EPG1).
Output to 4-1 to 304-8.

The multiplexers 304-2 through 30-30
4-8, other EPG data (EPG2) generated by the EPG data generation device 309 is supplied.
This EPG 2 includes EPG data centering on text for a relatively short period of time. The multiplexer 3
04-1 includes EPG data of EPG2 and third EPG data (E
PG3) is supplied.

Multiplexers 304-2 to 304-8
And the multiplexer 304-1 convert these EPG1 to EPG3 or EPG1 and EPG2 into MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 303-1 to 30-30.
3-7, or promotion channel generating device 3
Multiplexed with the video data and audio data input from the digital modulation circuit 02, and digital modulation circuits 305-2 to 305
−8 or output to the digital modulation circuit 305-1. The digital modulation circuits 305-1 to 305-8 convert the input digital data into a predetermined format (for example, a QPSK format).
Digitally modulates with. These digital modulation circuits 305
The outputs of -1 to 305-8 are assigned to the satellite transponders (transponders 1 to 8 in FIG. 12 described later), respectively.

The synthesizing circuit 306 includes the digital modulation circuit 30
The outputs of 5-1 to 305-8 are combined and the antenna 307
To the satellite via.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the promotion channel generation device 302. The data of one broadcast channel output from the switcher 301 is processed as a single screen by the single screen generation device 332-1. And the output is the super imposer 333-
1 and supplied from the EPG data generator 309 are superimposed. Then, the output of the superimposer 333-1 is output to the MPEG video / audio encoder block 334-1.

Similarly, the data of the remaining one broadcast channel output from the switcher 301 is independently processed by the single screen generation device 332-2, and then input to the super imposer 333-2, where the EPG data is output. The data input from the generating device 309 is superimposed. The data output from the superimposer 333-2 is input to the MPEG video / audio encoder block 334-2 and is encoded.

The single screen generation devices 332-1 and 33-1
The audio data for each channel captured by the 2-2 is stored in the MPEG video / audio encoder 33.
4-1 and 334-2, respectively.

The data output from the MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 334-1 and 334-2 are multiplexed by the multiplexer 335 and output to the multiplexer 304-1.

As described above, the European standard of digital video broadcasting performed to a receiving device (IRD2 in FIG. 20) arranged in each home via a satellite is mainly based on European broadcasters and manufacturers. DVB (Digital Video Broadc) in which about 150 companies participate
asting), but on the receiving side, the EP transmitted in this manner is in accordance with this standard.
A screen of the electronic program guide can be generated from the G data and displayed on the monitor device.

Next, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. The switcher 301 is controlled by the program transmission control device 308, selects signals for two channels to be broadcast for promotion, and outputs the signals to the promotion channel generation device 302.

The data of one channel output from the switcher 301 is subjected to predetermined processing in the single screen generation device 332-1,
33-1. This single-screen program introduces a part of a predetermined program, for example, in order to advertise the program. FIG. 3 shows a display example of this promotion program.

The superimposer 333-1 superimposes data input from the EPG data generator 309 on the video data. In the display example of FIG. 3, the characters “promotion channel 1 NHK” as the item names displayed in the upper left, the characters “program introduction” as the item contents, and the broadcast actually broadcasting this program The logo of the station (station) is superimposed (“NHK” in this embodiment) (however, the station logo is not superimposed if stored in the IRD 2).

Then, the output of the superimposer 333-1 is input to the MPEG video / audio encoder block 334-1 and encoded by the MPEG2 system.

The signal of the other one channel selected by the switcher 301 is also applied to the single screen generator 332-2, the super imposer 333-2 and the MPEG video / audio encoder block 334.
With -2, the same processing is performed. Therefore, two promotion channels for introducing a program on a single screen are generated in this embodiment.

The multiplexer 335 includes MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 334-1 and 334-
The multiplexer 30 multiplexes the data of the promotion channel composed of two independent screens output from the
Output to 4-1.

The multiplexer 304-1 adds the EPG input from the EPG data generator 309 to the data input from the promotion channel generator 302.
The data EPG1 to EPG3 are multiplexed, packetized, and output. The digital modulation circuit 305-1 digitally modulates the data input from the multiplexer 304-1. The data output from the digital modulation circuit 305-1 is assigned to the satellite guide transponder (transponder 1 in FIG. 12).

On the other hand, the MPEG video / audio encoder block 303-1 encodes video data and audio data for five broadcast channels input from the switcher 301 and outputs the encoded data to the multiplexer 304-2. The multiplexer 304-2 packetizes the data for these five broadcasts and the EPG data EPG1 and EPG2 supplied from the EPG data generation device 309, multiplexes them, and outputs them to the digital modulation circuit 305-2. The digital modulation circuit 305-2 includes the multiplexer 3
The data input from 04-2 is digitally modulated. The data digitally modulated by the digital modulation circuit 305-2 is assigned to the first transponder (transponder 2 in FIG. 12) among the normal transponders.

Hereinafter, similarly, the multiplexer 304
-3 to 304-8 are packetized and multiplexed with EPG data EPG1 and EPG2 and data of the other five broadcast channels encoded by the MPEG video / audio encoder blocks 303-2 to 303-7. Corresponding digital modulation circuits 305-3 to 305-3
Input to 05-8. The digital modulation circuits 305-3 to 305-8 digitally modulate the input data.
The data signals modulated by the digital modulation circuits 305-3 to 305-8 are assigned to the remaining six normal transponders (transponders 3 to 8 in FIG. 12).

The synthesizing circuit 306 includes the digital modulation circuit 30
The data output from 5-1 to 305-8 are synthesized,
The signal is output to the satellite via the antenna 307. The satellite processes this data with eight transponders and transmits it to each receiving device (IRD2).

Here, the EPG data EPG1 through EPG
3 will be described. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the program table button switch 1 of the remote commander 5
By operating 44 (FIG. 24), the monitor device 4 (FIG. 20)
As shown in FIG. 4, the data stream screen is superimposed on the normal screen. This data stream is composed of a title bar and a program window as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.

In the title bar, as shown in FIG. 5, a genre icon representing the genre of the program is displayed on the leftmost side. Next to the genre icon, a station logo is displayed as a symbol of a broadcasting station broadcasting the program. Then, the title of the program is displayed next to the station logo.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the program window is composed of still images obtained by reducing representative screens of five broadcast channels. On each reduced screen, a genre icon representing the genre to which the program belongs is displayed.

When the info button switch 145 (FIG. 24) of the remote commander 5 is operated, as shown in FIG. 7, an info screen for explaining the program in more detail is displayed. At the top of this information screen, a title bar is displayed as in the case of the data stream shown in FIG.

At the lower left of the title bar, a reduced screen of a representative image is displayed, and at the upper and lower right sides, the broadcast date and time of this program and the names of the performers (persons) of this program are displayed.
Each is displayed. And further below,
A content description describing the content of this program is displayed.

Among them, EPG1 is still image data constituting the program window shown in FIG.
PG3 is data such as a program title, broadcast date and time, performers, and a description, EPG2 is related to a program from the present to the near future, and EPG3 is an EPG.
It is related to a program broadcast in the distant future than the program represented by PG2. These EPG1 to EPG
PG3 is displayed as an OSD.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show the OSD as:
A reception device that processes only characters (characters) and can display (cannot process still images) (I in FIG. 29)
8 shows a display example of an electronic program guide displayed in RD2).

FIG. 8 shows an electronic program guide (entire program guide) for all channels, in which the vertical axis represents the name of the broadcasting station, the horizontal axis represents the time, and the position defined by the two axes. The title of the program broadcast at that time at that broadcast station is displayed.

FIG. 9 shows a display example of an electronic program guide (channel program guide) of one broadcasting station. In this example, the title and the broadcast start time of the program being broadcast on the broadcast channel are displayed from top to bottom.

The entire program table shown in FIG. 8 and the channel program table shown in FIG. 9 are the minimum information (program outline explanation) required for selecting a desired program. In contrast, FIG.
As shown in (1), information (detailed program description) that describes the contents of a predetermined program (or a predetermined broadcasting station (broadcast channel)) is information that is not necessarily required to select a program. This will be helpful in selecting. Therefore, the detailed program description is also transmitted as EPG data.

When both the program table (program outline description) and the program contents (program details explanation) are transmitted from each transponder for a long time, the video data and audio data to be transmitted originally are correspondingly transmitted. The transmission rate will be degraded. Therefore, each of the transponders (multiplexers 304-2 to 304-8) of the transmission channel for transmitting the data of the normal program is provided as an EPG2 by the EPG data generator 309 as shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), assuming that a maximum of 80 broadcast channels (10 broadcast channels per transponder and eight transponders are assigned to one satellite),
0 broadcast channel. However, in the case of the embodiment of FIG.
37 (= 5 × 7 + 2) broadcast channels)
24 hours of program guide data and the current (at that time) for 80 broadcast channels (37 broadcast channels)
The program content data relating to the program being broadcast and the next program is transmitted.

Thus, in each transponder,
This prevents the transmission rates of video signals and audio data that should be transmitted from being deteriorated.

On the other hand, the transmission channel (digital modulation circuit 305-1) of the promotion channel generation device 302
) Is a program that is introduced on other transmission channels (transmission channels corresponding to the digital modulation circuits 305-2 to 305-8), a program that encourages reception of a broadcast, and a program provider's It is a channel for mainly (priority) transmission of promotional programs such as advertisements. Unlike other normal transponders, the transponder (guide transponder) for transmitting the information of the promotion channel transmits a larger number of program guide data and program content data even if a normal program is transmitted. It is possible.

Therefore, in this promotion channel, as shown in FIG. 11B, the EPG data generation device 309 transmits program guide data and program content data for a longer time, as shown in FIG. 11B. In this embodiment, the program guide data is data for 150 hours, and the program content data is data for 70 hours.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, in the guide transponder (transponder 1), program guide data for 150 hours of each broadcast channel of 80 broadcast channels and program content data for 70 hours of 80 broadcast channels are provided. Is transmitted.

On the other hand, in a normal transponder (transponders 2 to 8), 8
The program guide data for 24 hours of the 0 broadcast channel and the program content data for 80 broadcast channels from the current program to the next program are transmitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, still image data (data stream) is indispensable for selecting a program. Time (EPG1-2)
Is transmitted, and in the guide transponder, 150
The time (EPG1-2 and EPG1-3) is transmitted.

Next, the details of the EPG data will be further described. The EPG data, together with other accompanying data, includes service information SI (Service Information).
On) is transmitted in the DVB system as a kind of data. The data necessary to create an electronic program guide from the EPG data is the data shown in FIG.

A service provider that specifies a supplier that supplies a service (broadcast channel), a service name that indicates the name of the service, and a service type that indicates the type of service (service type) are SDT (S) in the EPG data.
service Description Table)
It is described in. This service type includes, for example,
A description indicating whether or not the screen is a single screen (promotion_service) is provided.

The title indicating the program name is EIT (Eve
nt Information Tabl) Short
Event_na of Event Descriptor
defined as me. The subtitle (type) is EIT
Described in Component Descriptor.

The current date and time are expressed in TDT (Time and
Date Table) is defined as UTC_time.

The program start time is the start_t of EIT.
It is described as im. The program duration is du of EIT
is described as a ratio.

Further, for example, in a case where viewing by only persons of a predetermined age or older is permitted, a parental rate (Parental Rat) that defines the age is allowed.
e) is EIT's Parental Rating D
descriptor.

The video mode is EIT's Componen.
t Descriptor, provided language is P
MT's ISO639 language descri
ptor. The provided voice mode is EI
This is described in T's Component Descriptor.

The category is Content D of EIT.
descriptor.

For example, the performers shown in FIG. 7 and the general program descriptions such as the entire program table and the channel program table shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are described in EIT's Short Event D.
descriptor, and the description of FIG.
The detailed program description such as the detailed program description in FIG. 10 is provided by EIT's Extended Event Descriptor.
Is described in

Further, the promotion information such as the item name (promotion channel 1 NHK), the item contents (program introduction), and the station logo (NHK) (when transmitting) described with reference to FIG.
It is described in the motion descriptor.

FIG. 14 shows the structure of the SDT. The SDT includes data describing a service in the system such as a service name and a service provider.
In the figure, the numbers in parentheses indicate the number of bytes.

The first 10 bytes are used as a header.
Common structure 1 (3), transport stream ID (t
transport_stream_id (2)), common structure 2 (3), and original network ID (o
original_network_id (2)). The transport stream ID is SD
It provides a label to distinguish the transport stream from which T provides information from other transport streams multiplexed in the same delivery system.

The original network ID is a label for identifying the network ID that is the origin of the delivery system.

After the header, a service descriptor loop (service descriptors lo
op) [0] to service descriptor
rsloop [N] is arranged, and finally, an error correction CRC_32 (4) is arranged.

Each service descriptor loop has se
service_id (2), EIT_schedule_
flag, EIT_pre / fol_flag, run
ning_status and free_CA_mode are arranged.

[0070] service_id provides a label to identify the service from other services in the same transport stream. service_id is
Corresponding program map section (program
_Map_section) is the same as the program number (program_number).

EIT_schedule_flag is
EIT_sche in its own transport stream
Indicates the presence or absence of “dule information”.

EIT_present / followi
ng_flag is EIT_present / following in in its own transport stream.
Indicates the presence or absence of formation.

Running_status indicates whether the service has not yet started or will start a few minutes later (VC
R to prepare for recording), indicate whether it has already started, has already started, or is currently suspended.

The free_CA_mode indicates whether the service can be accessed free of charge or controlled by a conditional access system.

Next, descriptor_lo
op_length is arranged. This follows d
"scripts" indicates the total byte length.

The next service_descripto
r [i] supplies the service_provider (service provider) name and the service name in text format along with service_type.

Next country_available
“ity_descriptor [i]” indicates a permitted country list and a non-permitted country list, and can be inserted up to twice.

Next, descriptors are arranged, and the promotion descriptor described above is placed in the descriptors.
ptor etc. are included.

FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the EIT. In the header of the first 10 bytes, common structure 1 (3), se
service_id (2), common structure 2 (3), and t
transport_stream_id (2) is arranged.

Next, original_network
ork_id (2) is placed, and then last_ta
ble_id (1) is arranged. This last_
table_id (1) is the final (= maximum) table
_Id. When only one table is used, table_id of the table is set. When table_id takes a continuous value, the information is also kept in chronological order. Below, event descr
iptors loop [0] to eventdesc
riptors loop [N] is placed, and finally,
CRC_32 (4) is located.

Each event descriptors provides an identification number of an event to be described.
_Id (2) is arranged, and then start_time for displaying the start time of the event in UTC and MJD
(5) is arranged. This field gives 16 LSBs of MJD in 16 bits, and 4-bits in the following 24 bits.
Represents 6 digits of BIT in BCD. For example, 93/1
0/12 12:45:00 is 0XC0781245.
00 is encoded.

The next duration (3) represents the duration of the event (program) in hours, minutes and seconds.

Next, running_status is arranged, and further, free_CA_mode is arranged.

Next, descriptor
_Loop_length (1.5) is arranged, followed by Short_event_descripto
r [i] (7 + α) is arranged. It provides the event name and a short description of the event (program listing) in text format.

Next Extended_event_de
The descriptor [i] (11 + α) is the above-described Sh.
more detailed event description than provided by ort event descriptor (program content)
I will provide a.

Further, audio_component
_Descriptor [i] (6), video_c
component_descriptor [i]
(3), subtitle_component_de
descriptor [i] (6) is described.

Next CA_identifier_des
The descriptor [i] (4) describes whether or not scrambling is performed, whether or not conditional access such as charging is conditioned, and the like.

Further below, other descrip
tors is described. This descriptor
In s, event_still_image for recording the data (still image data) of the program window shown in FIG.
e_descriptor [i] is arranged.

FIG. 16 shows the event_still_
image_descriptor [i] format (still image format). As shown in the figure, an 8-bit descriptor_tag indicating that the type of information is still image data is provided at the beginning.
Is placed next, followed by an 8-bit descriptor_l indicating the total length represented in this format.
length is arranged.

Next to descriptor_length, an 8-bit descriptor_number is used.
Is arranged, and then, an 8-bit last_
Descriptor_number is arranged. These are, respectively, the number of this descriptor,
It represents the number of the last (maximum) descriptor.

Finally, image_structure as substantial image data of a still image is arranged. This image_structure is composed of 8-bit format_identifier, 32-bit image_size and image_data.

The format_identifier is
Indicates the ID of image_data, format_i
image_d if denifier is 0x10
“ata” is black and white binary image data. form
If at_identifier is 0x11, ima
Ge_data is monochrome image data of 256 gradations. If 0x12, it is RGB and 8-bit image data. If it is 0x20, it is JPEG compressed image data. Therefore, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, since the reduced screen constituting the program window is an image compressed by the JPEG method, the format_id
Entifier is set to 0x20.

If image_data is binary black and white image data, the value may not be divisible by 8 bits. In this case, the dummy data is stuffed.

Image_size is image_d
represents the size of “ata”.

FIG. 17 shows the structure of the TDT. As shown in the figure, the TDT has a common structure 1 (3) and a UT
C_time (5).

In addition to the above tables, SI includes the following FIG.
8 PAT (Program Association)
Table) and the PMT (Program) shown in FIG.
MMap Table).

As shown in FIG. 18, the PAT has a common structure 1 (3), transport_stream_id
(2) In addition to common structure 2 (3), program_ma
p_id_loop [0] (4) to program_
map_id_loop [N] (4),
Finally, CRC_32 (4) is arranged.

Each program_map_id_loo
p [i] (4) is program_number
[I] (2) and program_map_PID
[I] (2) (or network_PID).

The program_number indicates a program for which the corresponding program_map_PID is valid. If this is set to 0x0000, the PID to be referenced next is network_
It becomes PID. In all other cases, the value of this field is user defined. This field never takes the same value more than once in one version of PAT.
For example, program_number is used as a broadcast channel designation.

Network_PID is NIT (Ne
PI of the transport stream packet including the T.work Information Table)
D is specified. The value of network_PID is user defined (0x0010 in DVP), but cannot take a value reserved for other purposes. net
The presence or absence of the work_PID is optional.

The program_map_PID is pr
transport st containing the PMT valid for the program specified by program_number
Defines the PID of the ream packet. One or more pros
program_ with program_map_PID assignment
There is no number. program_map_PID
Is defined by the user, but cannot take on values reserved for other purposes.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the PMT, a 10-byte header including a common structure 1 (3), a program_number (2), a common structure 2 (3), and a PCR_PID (1.375) is arranged at the head. ing. PCR
_PID includes a PCR field valid for the program defined by program_number.
Indicates the PID of the transport stream packet. If there is no PCR associated with the program definition for the private stream, this field takes a value of 0x1FFF.

Next, program_info_le
ngth (1.5). This defines the number of bytes of the descriptor immediately following this field.

The next program info de
descriptors is CA_descriptor,
Copyright_descriptor, Max_
bitrate_descriptor and the like are described.

Next, the stream type l
oop [0] (5 + α) to stream type
loop [N] (5 + α) and CRC_32 (4) are arranged.

Each stream type loop is:
stream_type (1), elementary
_PID (2). stream_type
Is the elementary carried in the packet with the PID taking the value specified by elementary_PID
ystream or payload type.
The value of stream_type is defined by MPEG2.

Elementary_stream-P
The ID is the associated elementary stream
And a PID of a transport stream packet carrying data.

Next, ES_info_length
t (1.5) is located, which is a 12-bit field, the first two bits of which are 00 and the associated elementary stream immediately following this field.
Defines the number of bytes of the descriptor.

Next, ES info descri
ptors [N] is defined. Here, CA_de
A descriptor and other descriptors are described.

FIG. 20 shows an AV (Aud) to which the present invention is applied.
2 illustrates an example of the configuration of an (io Video) system. In the case of this embodiment, the AV system 1 uses an IRD (Integrated) that demodulates a radio wave transmitted from the transmission device of FIG. 1 through a parabolic antenna 3 through a satellite (broadcast satellite or communication satellite) not shown. Receive
er / Decoder) 2 and a monitor device 4. The monitor device 4 and the IRD 2 are connected to the AV line 1
1 and the control line 12 are interconnected.

For IRD2, remote commander 5
Thus, a command can be input by an infrared (IR) signal. That is,
When a predetermined button switch of the remote commander 5 is operated, an infrared signal corresponding to the button switch is transmitted to the IR transmitting section 51.
And is incident on the IR receiver 39 of the IRD 2 (FIG. 23).

FIG. 21 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. 22 shows an example of the configuration of the front of the IRD 2. On the left side of the IRD 2, a power button switch 11
1 is provided. This power button switch 111
Is operated when the power is turned on or off. The LED 112 is turned on when the power is turned on. The LED 113 on the right side of the LED 112 is a TV / D
The light turns on when the DSS mode is set by the operation of the SS switching button switch 123, and turns off when the TV mode is set. Here, DSS (DigitalSate)
The "llite System" mode is a mode for receiving a radio wave transmitted via a satellite in the above-described manner, and the TV mode is a mode for receiving a normal terrestrial television broadcast.

The LED 114 is connected to this IR via a satellite.
When a predetermined message is transmitted to D2, it is turned on. When the user outputs and displays this message on the monitor device 4 and confirms it, the LED 114 is turned off.

The menu button switch 121 is operated when a menu is displayed on the monitor device 4. The exit button switch 122 is operated when deleting the OSD display.

An up button switch 117, a down button switch 118, a left button switch 119, and a right button switch 120 are arranged above, below, right and left of the select button switch 116, 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. 23 shows an example of the internal configuration of the IRD 2 for performing reception in the DSS mode 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 a QPSK demodulation circuit 2
2 and QPSK demodulated. The output of the QPSK demodulation circuit 22 is supplied to an error correction circuit 23, where an error is detected, corrected, and corrected as 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. If 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 (DRAM (Dyna)).
MicRandom Access Memory) or SRAM (StaticRandom Accesses)
s Memory)) 35. And
This is read out as appropriate, the decoded video signal is supplied to an MPEG video decoder 25, and the decoded audio signal is supplied to an 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 on 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 the buffer amplifiers 28Y and 28C. 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 in Bolton.

[0124] MPEG2-Transports
Regarding the stream, ASCII Corporation August 8, 1994
231st to 2nd "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 the D / A converter 30, the left channel audio signal is output via the buffer amplifier 31L, and the right channel audio signal is output from the 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 RF signal input from an AV device such as a cable box,
The data is directly output to a VCR or other AV equipment (neither is shown).

In the case of this embodiment, the video signal and the audio signal are supplied to the monitor device 4.

CPU (Central Process)
ing Unit) 29 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 37. For example,
It controls a tuner 21, a QPSK demodulation circuit 22, an error correction circuit 23, and the like. In addition, it controls the AV device control signal transmission / reception unit 2A, outputs a predetermined control signal to another AV device (the monitor device 4 in this embodiment) via the control line 12, and outputs the other AV device. Receive control signals from

A predetermined command can be directly input to the CPU 29 by operating an operation button switch (FIG. 22) on the front panel 40. When the remote commander 5 (FIG. 24) is operated, the IR
An infrared signal is emitted from 1, and the infrared signal is received by the IR receiver 39, and the result of the light reception is supplied to the CPU 29. Therefore, a predetermined command can be input to the CPU 29 also by operating the remote commander 5.

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. EPG information is 24 hours after the current time (E
PG2 and EPG1-2) or after 150 hours (EPG2, EPG3, EPG1-2, EPG1-3)
), Information on the program of each broadcast channel up to (for example, in addition to the still image of the program, the channel, broadcast time,
Title, category, etc.). Since this EPG information is frequently transmitted, the latest EPG can always be held in the EPG area 35A.

[0131] EEPROM (Electrically
Erasable Programmable Rea
The data (d Only Memory) 38 which should 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.

When the sleep mode is set, the CPU 29 sets the minimum number of circuits such as the front end 20, the demultiplexer 24, and the data buffer memory 35 to an operating state even when the power is off, and , The current time is measured from the time information included in, and control for causing each circuit to perform a predetermined operation at a predetermined time is also executed. For example, timer automatic recording is performed 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. 28) of the DRAM 25a, and further reads out the OSD data.
Output. As a result, predetermined characters, figures, images, etc. (for example, characters, station logos, genre icons,
(A still image of a program window) or the like can be appropriately output to the monitor device 4 and displayed.

The SRAM 36 is used as a work memory of the CPU 29. The modem 34 exchanges data via a telephone line under the control of the CPU 29.

FIG. 24 shows an example of the configuration of a button switch of the remote commander 5. The select button (decision key) switch 131 can be pressed (selected) in the vertical direction with respect to the upper surface of the remote commander 5. Up button switch (up key) 135, down button switch (down key) 136,
The left button switch (left key) 137 and the right button switch (right key) 138 are operated when moving a cursor or the like up, down, left, or right (when performing a direction operation). The menu button switch 134 is operated when the monitor device 4 displays a menu screen.

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

The numeric button (numerical key) switch 138 on which the numbers 0 to 9 are displayed is operated when inputting the displayed numbers. Tuning button switch 158
Indicates that when the operation of the numeric button switch 138 is completed,
The operation is subsequently performed to indicate that the number input is completed and that the input number indicates a channel. The promotion channel button switch 157 is operated when selecting a promotion channel. The program guide button switch 144 is operated when displaying a data stream as shown in FIG. 4, and the info button switch 145 is operated when displaying an info screen as shown in FIG.

The input selector button switch 154 is
Operated when switching the input to 2. When the mute button switch 151 is operated, the sound is muted, and when it is operated again, the mute is released. The TV power button switch 152 and the power button switch 153 are operated when the power of the monitor device (television receiver) 4 or the IRD 2 is turned on or off.

FIG. 25 shows another example of the arrangement of the button switches. In this embodiment, the select button switch 131 is arranged at the lower right of the up button switch 135 to the light button switch 138.

FIG. 26 shows an example of the internal configuration of the remote commander 5. 24. The CPU 72 constituting the microcomputer 71 constantly scans the button switch matrix 82 so that the remote commander 5 shown in FIG.
The operation of various button switches is detected.

The CPU 72 executes various processes in accordance with the program stored in the ROM 73, and stores necessary data in the RAM 74 as needed.

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

FIG. 27 schematically shows how video data, audio data, and SI data (including EPG data) are packetized, transmitted, and then demodulated by IRD2. In the encoder on the transmitting side, as shown in FIG. 27, SI data, video data, and audio data are packetized,
The signal is transmitted to a high power transponder for the BSS band of 2.25 GHz to 12.75 GHz. In this case, a signal of a predetermined frequency assigned to each transponder includes:
Packets of a plurality of (up to 10) channels are multiplexed and transmitted. That is, each transponder transmits signals of a plurality of broadcast channels on one carrier (transmission channel). Therefore, for example, if the number of transponders is 23, data of a maximum of 230 (= 10 × 23) broadcast channels can be transmitted.

In IRD2, the front end 20
Receives a carrier of one frequency corresponding to one predetermined transponder and demodulates it. This allows up to 1
Packet data of 0 broadcast channels (5 broadcast channels in the embodiment) is obtained. Then, the demultiplexer 24 temporarily stores each packet obtained from the demodulated output in the data buffer memory 35 and reads it. As for the SI packet including the EPG data, the data portion excluding the header is stored in the EPG area 35A. The video packet is stored in the DRAM 25a,
The decoding process is performed in the PEG video decoder 25. The audio packet is stored in the DRAM 26a, and is decoded by the MPEG audio decoder 26.

In each transponder, scheduling is performed so that the transfer rates are the same. The transmission rate per carrier assigned to each transponder is 30 Mbits / sec.

In the case of a rapidly 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. 28 schematically shows data processing until a screen of a program 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 built 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. Also, the PID (Packet ID) included in the header is SDT, E
In the case of IT, these EPG data (S
I data) is the EPG set in the register 24a.
It is stored at a predetermined address in the area 35A.

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

Thus, for example, when receiving a radio wave from a normal transponder (a transponder other than the guide transponder for the promotion channel), the current time of 80 (37) broadcast channels is
The reduced still image data up to 4 hours later, the program outline explanation data (program table), and the program details explanation (program contents) of the current program and the next program are taken into the EPG area 35A. It is possible to receive from any normal transponder. That is, the same EPG data is transmitted from any normal transponder.

On the other hand, when the radio wave from the guide transponder is received (when the promotion channel is received), the reduced still image data from the current time of the 80 (37) channel to 150 hours later, The program outline explanation data and the program outline explanation data up to 70 hours later are taken in.

[0154] The CPU 29 determines that all the EPG tables 24
A predetermined range of time from 0 to a broadcast channel of a predetermined display area 250 (for example, 5 broadcast channels in the example of FIG. 4, 15 broadcast channels in the example of FIG. 8) (in the example of FIG. 4, Is the current time, in the example of FIG. 8, the time of about 4 hours after the current time) is read from the EPG area 35A,
In the OSD area 25aA of a, bitmap data is written. Then, the MPEG video decoder 25
Reads the bitmap data of the OSD area 25aA and outputs it to the monitor device 4 so that the monitor device 4
E, such as a reduced still image (FIG. 4) and an entire program table (FIG. 8)
PG can be displayed.

The MPEG video decoder 25 uses JPEG
Image data compressed by the method can also be decoded. However, the size of the screen is processed as a normal size. Therefore, the CPU 29 takes in the decoded still image data, converts it into the size of the reduced screen, outputs the data again to the MPEG video decoder 25, and displays the data as a reduced screen using the OSD function.

When characters or the like are displayed as OSD data, the character data stored in the EPG area 35A is compressed, and therefore, a process of restoring the original data using a dictionary is performed. For this reason, the ROM 37 stores a compression code conversion dictionary.

The ROM 37 also stores a correspondence table (address conversion table) between the character codes and the storage positions of the 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.

When the logo (logo) data is not transmitted, the ROM 37 stores the logo data (various logo data including the category logo and the station logo) for displaying the logo (logo). An ID and an address conversion table for calling Logo data (bitmap data) corresponding to the ID are stored. When the Logo ID is found, the Logo data stored at the address corresponding to the ID is read out, and written in the OSD area 25aA, whereby the Logo representing the category of each program is read out.
And the like can be displayed on the monitor device 4. That is, when the logo data is transmitted, the super imposers 333-1 to 333-333 in FIG.
4 is superimposed and transmitted from the transmitting side, but if it is not transmitted, the I
D is transmitted and the bitmap data corresponding to the ID is
Read from OM37.

As described above, when the program table button switch 144 of the remote commander 5 is operated while the normal program is being received and displayed on the monitor device 4, the display screen of the monitor device 4 is displayed as shown in FIG. As shown, a data stream composed of five reduced screens is displayed. A cursor is displayed on a predetermined reduced screen in the data stream. By operating the left button switch 137 or the right button switch 138, the cursor can be moved right and left. On the reduced screen where the cursor has been moved, the genre icons are deleted to make the entire screen easier to see. The genre icon, station logo, and title of the program where the cursor is located are displayed on the title bar.

When the user further operates the select button switch 131, the CPU 29 controls the tuner 21 so as to receive the program where the cursor is located at that time. As a result, the image of the program selected and designated is displayed large (in a normal size) on the monitor device 4.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the data stream is displayed, the remote commander 5
Is operated, the more detailed information (info screen) of the program where the cursor is located at that time is displayed as shown in FIG. That is, the genre icon, the station logo, and the title are displayed on the title bar, and the still image is displayed larger than in FIG. Further, the broadcast date and time of this program, performers, a description of the contents, and the like are displayed. The user can grasp the outline of the contents of the program by looking at the display.

When the user operates the select button switch 131 while the information screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, the program is received and displayed.

The above is the operation when the IRD 2 has a function of processing a still image. For example, when the IRD 2 is configured as shown in FIG. 29 (if the IRD 2 has a function of processing a still image). In the case where the remote commander 5 has a function of mainly processing only characters (characters).
By operating the program guide button switch 144, the entire program guide as shown in FIG. By operating the up button switch 135 to the light button switch 138 to move the cursor to a predetermined broadcast channel of the entire program guide displayed in FIG. 8 and operating the select button switch 131, the monitor device 4 displays As shown in FIG. 9, a program guide of the broadcast channel is displayed.

When the cursor is moved to a predetermined current program and the select button switch 131 is operated while the entire program table as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed,
The CPU 29 controls the tuner 21 to receive the program.

In the description of the above embodiment, the various logos shown are for convenience of explanation.
It is not used in actual broadcasting.

By the way, as described above, the programs transmitted for adults are also included in the transmitted programs.
ngDescriptor displays the parental rate (Pa
The age at which viewing of the program is permitted is defined as the “rental rate”. In order to view such a program, the user (viewer) needs to perform an operation to release the parental lock according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S1, the process waits until the menu button switch 134 of the remote commander 5 is operated. The user presses the menu button switch 1
When the user operates the button 34, the process proceeds to step S2, and processing for displaying a menu screen is executed.

That is, when the menu button switch 134 is operated, the CPU 29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25, generates OSD data of a menu screen, outputs the OSD data to the monitor device 4, and displays it. Thereby, for example, a menu screen as shown in FIG. 31 is displayed on the monitor device 4. On this menu screen, items of parental lock are displayed in addition to items such as image quality adjustment and sound quality adjustment.

Therefore, in step S3, the process waits until some item is selected from the items displayed on the menu screen, and when any item is selected, the process proceeds to step S4 to execute a process of deleting the menu screen. Is done. Then, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the selected item among the items displayed on the menu screen is a parental lock.

If it is determined in step S5 that an item other than the parental lock has been selected, the flow advances to step S6 to execute the processing of the selected function (item). For example, when the image quality adjustment item is selected, the image quality adjustment processing is executed.

If it is determined in step S5 that the parental lock item has been selected, the flow advances to step S7 to execute parental lock processing.

FIG. 32 shows details of the parental lock process. First, in step S21, the CPU
29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25, and FIG.
Is displayed on the monitor device 4 as shown in FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 33, a message "Please enter a password" is displayed.

The user is informed in advance of the password assigned to the IRD 2 used by the user from the side transmitting the program by a notifying means such as a postcard, a letter, a telephone, or the like. I have. The side transmitting the program transmits the password via the satellite and stores the password in the EEPROM 38 of the corresponding IRD 2.

Therefore, the user inputs the stored password according to the message on the password input screen shown in FIG. This input is for the remote commander 5
The operation is performed by operating a predetermined numeric key of the numeric button switch 138.

In step S22, it is determined whether or not a number has been input. If it is determined that a number has been input, the flow advances to step S23 to execute processing for displaying the input number. Thereby, the user can perform input while checking the number (password) displayed on the monitor device 4.

When all the numbers making up the password have been entered, the user finally enters the select button switch 13
Operate 1 This notifies the CPU 29 that the input of the password is completed. Therefore, the CPU 29
In step S24, select button switch 13
It is determined whether or not 1 has been operated, and if not, the process returns to step S22, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

If it is determined in step S24 that the select button switch 131 has been operated, the flow advances to step S25, and the CPU 29 deletes the password input screen shown in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to a step S26, and it is determined whether or not the input password matches a password registered in the EEPROM 38 in advance. If the two passwords do not match, do not release the parental lock (leave the flag on)
The process ends.

If it is determined in step S26 (identifying means) that the entered password matches the registered password, the flow advances to step S27 to execute parental lock release processing. That is, CPU
29 turns off the parental lock flag,
It is stored in the EPROM 38.

When the program guide button switch 144 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the CPU 29 (selection means) reads the parental lock flag stored in the EEPROM 38, and converts the data stream according to the read result. Display. If parental lock is unlocked (if its flag is off)
The CPU 29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25, and when there is a program of the adult genre, as shown in FIG. 34, selects another normal program in the same manner, outputs the same to the monitor device 4, and displays it. Therefore, the user can appropriately select programs of the adult genre as well as programs of other ordinary channels, and view the programs.

On the other hand, when the parental lock has not been released (when the flag is on),
The CPU 29 does not select the reduced screen of the adult genre. As a result, as shown in FIG. 35, no display for recognizing the existence of a program of an adult genre is performed on the reduced screen as the electronic program guide. That is, only the reduced screen of a normal program is selectively displayed.

When the parental lock is released in this manner, an interrupt process for re-locking the parental lock shown in the flowchart of FIG. 36 is executed.
It is executed as appropriate. First, in step S41 (control means), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) has elapsed after the parental lock is released. When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S42, and a process of setting a parental lock (turning on a flag) is executed. If it is determined in step S41 that the predetermined time has not yet elapsed, step S4
Step 2 is skipped. That is, the parental lock is kept released.

Therefore, once the parental lock is released, a still image of the adult genre is displayed in the data stream for a predetermined period of time in the same manner as a still image of a normal program. However, after a certain period of time has elapsed after the parental lock is released, the parental lock is released again (locked), and the still image of the adult genre is not displayed. This prevents the user from forgetting to release the parental lock and inadvertently displaying a still image of the adult genre.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 32, the password is used as the condition for releasing the parental lock. However, the age of the viewer is input, and the age is used as the condition for viewing the program. It is determined whether the user is older than the specified age, and according to the determination result,
It is also possible to release the parental lock.

Alternatively, both the password and the age may be input, and when both conditions are satisfied, the parental lock may be released.

Further, in the parental lock processing shown in FIG. 36, the parental lock is locked again when a certain time has elapsed. However, when the preset time is reached, or When the power of the IRD 2 or the monitor device 4 is turned off, the parental lock can be locked again.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of remote commanders are provided as remote commanders 5 for remotely controlling the IRD 2, and different IDs (ID1 to ID3 in the embodiment) are assigned to the respective remote commanders. This ID is stored in the ROM 73 or the RAM 74 of the remote commander 5. When the remote commander 5 generates an infrared signal from the IR transmitter 51, the corresponding ID is also output.

When receiving the IR signal via the IR receiving section 39, the CPU 29 reads the ID, and reads the ID.
Is a pre-registered ID (for example, ID1), as shown in FIG. 34, a reduced screen of an adult genre is also displayed in the data stream, and the ID is different from the pre-registered ID. When the ID is the ID, as shown in FIG. 35, the reduced screen of the adult genre is not displayed.

When the parental lock is not released, the CPU 29 sets the reduced screen as
Not only does it prevent you from displaying a thumbnail screen of an adult genre,
Of course, the image of the adult genre is not displayed.

As described above, 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).

[0190]

As described above, according to the electronic program guide display control device according to the first aspect and the electronic program guide display control method according to the eighth aspect, the viewer who views the program is identified and the identified viewing is performed. Of a program belonging to a predetermined genre
If you are a restricted audience,
Do not display information that recognizes the existence of programs belonging to
Since the display of the electronic program guide is controlled as described above, it is possible to naturally restrict the viewing of the program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission device to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 shows the promotion channel generating device 30 of FIG.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a promotion channel.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a data stream.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a title bar.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a program window.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of an information screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of an entire program table.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a channel program guide.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a detailed program description (program contents).

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a program table and a range of program contents.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating transmission of EPG information in a transponder.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating EGP data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an SDT.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an EIT.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a format of a still image.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a TDT.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a PAT.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a PMT.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an AV system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection state of the AV system of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front view showing a configuration example of the front of the IRD 2 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of an IRD 2 of FIG. 20;

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

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing another arrangement state of the button switches of the remote commander 5.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the remote commander 5 of FIG.

FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process in an encoder on a transmission side and a process of an IRD 2 that receives an output of the encoder.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing E stored in the EPG area 35A of FIG. 23;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating PG data.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example of the IRD2.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a process of releasing a parental lock.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a display example of a menu screen in step S2 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing details of a parental lock process in step S7 of FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a display example of a password input screen in step S21 of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a display example of the EPG when the parental lock is released.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a display example of an EPG when the parental lock is not released.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a process for locking a parental lock.

FIG. 37: ID assigned to the remote commander
FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 AV system 2 IRD 3 parabolic antenna 4 Monitor device 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 144 Program guide button switch 145 info button switch

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-255048 (JP, A) JP-A-6-205315 (JP, A) JP-A-5-328273 (JP, A) JP-A-6-205 282345 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/38-5/46 H04N ^7/ 00-7/68

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] An electronic program guide for selecting a program is displayed.
In the electronic program guide display control apparatus for controlling, identifying means for identifying the viewer to view the program, the viewer is identified by the identification means, the predetermined-di
A viewer who is restricted from viewing programs belonging to the genre
The presence of a program belonging to the predetermined genre is recognized.
So that the electronic program guide is not displayed.
Display control means for controlling the display of the electronic program guide. 2. A display control by the display control means,
2. The electronic program guide display control device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling in accordance with a predetermined holding condition set in advance. 3. The storage condition according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined time has elapsed, a predetermined time has been reached, or the apparatus has been turned off. The electronic program guide display control device according to claim 2. 4. The electronic program guide display control device according to claim 1, wherein the identification means performs the identification based on at least one of an input password and an age. 5. The electronic program guide display control device according to claim 4, wherein the identification means displays an input menu for the identification. 6. The electronic program guide display control device according to claim 1, wherein the identification means performs the identification based on whether or not an input is made from a preset dedicated remote commander. 7. The electronic program guide display control device according to claim 6, wherein the identification means performs the identification based on an ID of the remote commander. 8. An electronic program guide for selecting a program is displayed.
In the electronic program guide display control method for controlling, a viewer who views the program is identified, and the identified viewer is assigned to a program belonging to a predetermined genre.
If the viewer is restricted from viewing,
Display to recognize the existence of programs belonging to
Controlling the display of the electronic program guide so that the display does not occur .