JP4009867B2 - Digital broadcast receiver with program guide - Google Patents

Description

The present invention can be applied to, for example, BS (Broadcasting Satellite) digital broadcasting and CS (Communicat).
ion Satellite) The present invention relates to a program guide-equipped digital broadcast receiver equipped with a program guide for selecting programs and recording reservations in digital broadcasting or terrestrial digital broadcasting.

In recent years, in the field of digital broadcasting and the like, broadcasting services covering a wide range of multi-channel programs are being provided by using MPEG image compression technology. However, with the increase in the number of channels, it is complicated for many users to search for programs on the day, the next day, one week later, etc. from the program guide in printed form such as newspapers and magazines, and perform channel selection and recording reservation. It has become. Therefore, as a countermeasure, the data necessary for creating a program guide such as program information is multiplexed and broadcast together with image data and audio data so that the user can search for programs, select programs, and make recording reservations on the TV screen. An electronic program guide (hereinafter referred to as E) that receives data necessary for the program guide with a digital broadcast tuner and creates a program guide with the digital broadcast tuner based on the received data and displays it on a television device or the like.
(Referred to as PG) has been used, and various program guide functions by EPG have been developed.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a digital broadcast receiver capable of detecting a program that could not be reserved using a series descriptor demodulated by a series information demodulating unit and automatically re-recording the missing program. Is disclosed.
JP 2002-354354 A

As described above, in Patent Document 1, only a series program list is displayed separately from a general EPG program guide to search for missing recordings, and the missing broadcast times are automatically recorded. Reservation is executed from a screen that specially displays a series program, and it is necessary to switch the screen from a normal EPG program guide to a list of series programs. Further, it is not possible to search and schedule recording of series programs while referring to a broadcast schedule including a normal program for one week in the EPG program table, or searching and recording for reservation.

In addition, when the broadcast form of the series program is, for example, once a week (Monday), it is usually broadcast every Monday with the same broadcast start time and broadcast duration, but sometimes the broadcast start time is delayed for some reason. , Or the duration will be longer. In addition, there are some weeks that are not scheduled to be broadcast on baseball broadcasts. In that case, the user's viewing / recording schedule may be hindered due to a change in the broadcast start time or the like and no broadcast schedule. Patent Document 1 does not mention this point.

An object of the present invention is to provide a program table-equipped digital broadcast receiver that prevents a user's viewing / recording schedule from being hindered even when the broadcast form of a series program is different from a normal one.

A digital broadcast receiver equipped with a program guide according to a first aspect of the invention is a receiving means for receiving a digital / analog broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station, a digital / analog decoding means for decoding a broadcast signal received by the receiving means, Signal conversion means for converting the decoded signal decoded by the digital / analog decoding means into a signal capable of video display and outputting it to a display device, OSD display means for causing the display device to display a predetermined OSD, program selection, etc. Input means for inputting various commands, storage means for storing program information included in the decoded signal decoded by the digital / analog decoding means, control of each means, and instructions from the input means The EPG is created based on the program information stored in the storage means, and the created EPG is stored in the display device via the OSD display means. When a series program information list that is displayed as a PG screen and handles programs as a group is displayed on the same screen as the EPG screen, and the program focused on the EPG screen is a series program, the series program information list is displayed in the series program list. In addition to displaying the information, the standard program information of this series program is compared with the program information of each time, and if either the broadcast start time or the broadcast end time of each program is different from the standard, that different part is highlighted. And a control means for controlling so that when there is an empty week that is not broadcast on the standard scheduled broadcast date of the program, the standard broadcast scheduled date is displayed so that this can be visually recognized. It is characterized by.

According to this digital broadcast receiver with a program guide, since the EPG screen and the series program information list screen are displayed at the same time, the detailed information of the series program can be easily searched from the program selected on the EPG screen, and the scheduled recording can be easily performed. If the broadcast start time or broadcast end time is suddenly changed, this can be highlighted, and if the program is canceled on the scheduled broadcast date, that fact is displayed, so that the series program is displayed. Even when the broadcasting form is different from usual, it is possible to prevent the user's viewing and recording schedule from being hindered.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital broadcast receiver with a program guide, receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station, and a display device for converting the broadcast signal received by the receiving means into a signal capable of video display. A signal conversion means for outputting to the input means, an input means for inputting various commands such as program selection, a storage means for storing program information, and controlling each of the means, and receiving a command from the input means, An EPG is created based on the program information stored in the storage means, the created EPG is displayed on the display device as an EPG screen, and a series program information list for handling the program as a group is displayed on the same screen as the EPG screen. When the program focused on the EPG screen is a series program, the series information is displayed in the series program list and the series number is displayed. Control means for comparing the standard program information of each time and the program information of each time, and controlling so that if the broadcast start time or the broadcast end time of each time of the program is different from the standard, the different part is highlighted. It is characterized by having.

According to this digital broadcast receiver with a program guide, since the EPG screen and the series program information list screen of the current viewing program are displayed at the same time, detailed information on the series program can be easily searched from the program selected on the EPG screen, and the reservation is made. Recording can be performed easily, and if the broadcast start time or broadcast end time is suddenly changed, it can be highlighted so that even if the broadcast form of the series program is different from normal, It is possible to prevent the recording schedule from being hindered.

The digital broadcast receiver with a program guide according to a third aspect of the present invention is the digital broadcast receiver with a program guide according to the second aspect, wherein the control means compares the standard program information of the series program with the program information of each time, When there is an empty week that is not broadcast on the standard scheduled broadcast date of the program, the standard broadcast scheduled date is displayed so that this can be visually recognized.
.

According to this digital broadcast receiver with a program guide, if the program is canceled on the scheduled broadcast date,
By displaying that fact, it is possible to prevent the user's viewing and recording schedule from being hindered even when the broadcast form of the series program is different from normal.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of a digital / analog broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment. The digital / analog broadcast receiving apparatus (STB) 1 includes an antenna 20 for receiving a television broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station using high-frequency radio waves of a predetermined frequency, and a television monitor (display device) for displaying a television broadcast image. ) 30 is connected. The broadcast receiving apparatus 1 is an apparatus for receiving an ATSC broadcast signal and an NTSC broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast station via an antenna 20 and projecting an image of a television program distributed by these broadcast signals on a television monitor 30. is there.

The broadcast receiving apparatus 1 includes a remote control receiving unit 3 that receives an input signal from a remote control (input means) 2, a tuner (reception means) 4, an NTSC decoder (analog decoding means) 5, and an MPE.
G encoder 6, ATSC front end (digital decoding means) 7, MPEG decoder back end (signal conversion means) 9, OSD circuit 10, memory 11, control unit (control means, search means, color change control means) , Highlight display control means, warning means) 13.

The remote controller 2 is used for channel selection of TV programs to be viewed, TV program viewing reservation, and E
This is for performing various operations such as displaying a PG screen, and is operated by the user. In order to enable these various operations, the remote controller 2 includes various operation buttons as will be described later. When the various operation buttons are operated, a wireless signal such as an infrared signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted.

The remote control receiving unit 3 receives a signal sent from the remote control 2 and outputs a signal corresponding to an operation on the remote control 2 to the control unit 13. The tuner 4 tunes the reception frequency to the frequency corresponding to the channel selected by the remote controller 2, thereby receiving the TV broadcast signal of the channel selected by the antenna 20 via the antenna 20.

The NTSC decoder 5 is controlled by the remote controller 2 using NTSC (National Television Systems Co.).
mmittee) When a broadcast channel is selected, the NTSC broadcast signal received by the tuner 4 is demodulated into a video signal and an audio signal of a television program, and the video signal and the audio signal are output to the MPEG encoder 6. The MPEG encoder 6 digitally compresses and encodes the video signal and the audio signal output from the NTSC decoder 5 according to the MPEG standard.
Output to.

When the ATSC broadcast channel is selected by the remote controller 2, the ATSC front end 7 converts the ATSC broadcast signal modulated by the 8VSB system received by the tuner 4 into MPEG.
Video and audio of multiple TV programs digitally compressed and encoded according to the standard, and electronic program information (E
PG information) is demodulated into a TS signal in a time-division multiplexed state. And ATSC
The front end 7 separates and extracts the video signal and audio signal of the TV program of the channel selected by the remote controller 2 from this TS signal and outputs it to the MPEG decoder back end 9 and also extracts and controls the electronic program information. To the unit 13. This electronic program information includes a program name of each program, a program description, rating information for restricting user viewing, and the like.

The MPEG decoder back end 9 receives a video signal and an audio signal that are digitally compressed and encoded according to the MPEG standard and output from the MPEG encoder 6 and the ATSC front end 7. The MPEG decoder back end 9 decodes these video signals and audio signals into signals before being subjected to digital compression encoding, thereby generating a signal for displaying video on the television monitor 30 and outputting audio. The video signal output from the MPEG decoder back end 9 is output to the television monitor 30 via the OSD circuit 10.

The OSD circuit 10 superimposes predetermined on-screen display data such as a channel number and an EPG screen on the video signal output from the MPEG decoder back end 9. As a result, an image based on the on-screen display data is displayed on the television monitor 30 so as to overlap the video of the television program.

The memory 11 stores frequency data of television broadcast signals of each channel and various on-screen display data. The memory 11 stores electronic program information extracted by the ATSC front end 7.

When an NTSC broadcast channel is selected by the remote controller 2, the control unit 13 causes the tuner 4 to receive an NTSC broadcast signal of the selected channel and
The C decoder 5 demodulates and reproduces the video signal and the audio signal. In addition, the remote control 2
When a TSC broadcast channel is selected, the tuner 4 receives the ATSC broadcast signal of the selected channel, and the ATSC front end 7 receives the channel video signal and audio signal. Separate and extract.

Further, the control unit 13 causes the tuner 4 to receive an ATSC broadcast signal and causes the memory 11 to store electronic program information output from the ATSC front end 7. When the display operation of the EPG screen is performed by the remote controller 2, the display image of the EPG program selection screen is created with reference to the electronic program information stored in the memory 11, and the image signal is output to the OSD circuit 10. To do. As a result, an EPG program selection screen is displayed on the television monitor 30. Next, a configuration example of a program guide output from the tuner 1 of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2 is an image diagram showing an example of a program table output as a display signal from the tuner 1 and displayed on the television monitor 30.

When the EPG button is pressed, an EPG screen 41 (normal program guide) and a series program information display unit 42 are displayed, and a program currently being viewed on the EPG screen 41 (normal program guide) and the series program information display unit 42 (this program) In the example, “continuous drums / AAA”) is focused. Note that the focus here refers to making the portion indistinguishable from other portions by increasing the luminous intensity, blinking, reversing, or the like. In this example, the focus is represented by a thick frame. As shown in the figure, this program table 40 includes an EPG screen 41 and a series displayed on the right side of the EPG screen 41 on a certain date (in this example, June 4, 2004 (Friday)). The program information display unit 42 is displayed on one screen at the same time. Series programs
For example, it is a program that is regularly broadcast on a daily basis, from Monday to Friday, once a week, once a month, or an irregular program such as a soccer broadcast. The display of the EPG screen 41 and the series program information display unit 42 is acquired from electronic program information (EPG information).

The EPG screen 41 is a normal one that has been used in the past, with the broadcast station name 43 on the vertical axis, the time 44 on the horizontal axis, and the program name 45 at each time. The EPG screen 41 is provided with a scroll bar 41a. By operating the scroll bar 41a with the remote controller 2 or the like, the screen can be scrolled to display a program that is not currently displayed on the screen.

Here, on the EPG screen 41, the currently-viewed program “Serdra / AAA” is focused, and in the series program information display section 42, the program content list of “Serdra / AAA” focused on the EPG screen 41, In other words, a list of broadcast times of “Doradora / AAA” is displayed. Further, the series program information display unit 42 focuses on the broadcast times (here, June 4, 2004, the sixth episode) corresponding to the program “Doradora AAA” focused on the EPG screen 41. Here, the focus is displayed with a thick frame. In this state, the focus can be moved in the series program information display unit 42. Note that the active (focus movable screen) can be switched between the EPG screen 41 and the series program information display unit 42 by a switching key provided on a remote controller, a soft key, or the like. For example, in the screen of FIG. 2, if the focus can be moved on the EPG screen 41 by pressing the switch key, and the focus is moved to another series program “Cooking A” on the EPG screen 41, the series program information display unit 42 is displayed. , “Cooking A” broadcast times list is displayed.

Also, in FIG. 2, program information (program name, performer, program content, etc.) related to the program “Series Dorah AAA” focused on the EPG screen 41 is displayed at the bottom of the EPG screen 41.
This program information is displayed regardless of whether the focused program is a series program. In addition, the series program “series drama / A” focused on the series program information display unit 42 is displayed.
The series information of “AA” (series name, once a week, organization, number of remaining episodes, last broadcast date, etc.) is displayed at the bottom of the series information display section 42. Program information and series information are acquired from EPG information.

By the way, when the organization (broadcast form) is determined regularly, such as once a week, the broadcast day, the broadcast start time, and the broadcast duration are usually determined, and the same broadcast starts on the same day of the week. Although it is broadcast at the time and broadcast duration, the broadcast time may be delayed due to a baseball broadcast or a special program in an emergency case, or the duration may be longer at the first time, the last time, or the like. In addition, when it is determined that a baseball game or the like will be entered from the beginning, the program may be canceled, that is, there may be no broadcast schedule. In such a case, viewing and recording may be hindered if the user does not notice. For example, although the broadcast start time is delayed, recording may start from the normal broadcast start time and fail to record the beginning. In addition, even though the broadcast duration has become longer, when the user thinks that recording is possible with the normal broadcast duration, the recording media (video tape,
In some cases, the recording area of the DVD, hard disk, etc. is insufficient, and the latter half of the recording is missed.
In addition, there is a case where the user cannot watch while trying to view at that date and time even though there is no broadcast schedule.

  In order to eliminate such a situation, the following display method is adopted.

The control unit 13 compares standard program information (to be described later) of a series program, in this example, “Dora / AAA”, with information on each time of this program, and when the broadcast start time and broadcast end time are different from the standard. Will highlight the location. Specifically, for example, in the 8th episode of the series, standard (
21: 00-21: 55) is delayed by 10 minutes (21: 10-22: 05), so this portion 21: 10-22: 05 is highlighted, for example, in bold letters or underline. In episode 10 (final episode) of the series, the broadcast duration is 30 minutes longer than the standard (55 minutes), and the broadcast end time is different from the standard, so it is broadcast until 22:25. For example, highlight with bold or underline. In addition, if it is scheduled to be broadcast once a week, the next day of June 11 will be June 18th, but there will be no broadcast schedule for AAA / AAA due to a baseball broadcast on that day. , “No broadcast schedule for this week” is displayed. As the highlighting means, arbitrary means such as inversion of the character and the background, coloring, blinking, etc. are used in addition to the bold letters and the underline as described above. As standard information for comparison, for example, the first program of the number of remaining episodes displayed on the series program information display unit 42, information on the sixth episode in this example is standard (reference).
And compare this with each other program.

In addition, the comparison between the broadcast information about the broadcast start time and the broadcast end time and the standard information may be as follows. That is, each time the EPG information of the series program is updated, the most frequently used broadcast start time and broadcast end time are extracted from the broadcast start time and broadcast end time of each broadcast, and the standard broadcast start time and broadcast end time are extracted. May be determined.

According to the digital broadcast receiver according to the present embodiment described above, even if the broadcast start time or the like of a series program that is normally broadcast in a certain broadcast format is changed or a free week occurs, user viewing / recording is possible. It is possible to prevent the schedule from being hindered. For example, it is possible to prevent a failure to view / record the beginning portion by recording from the normal broadcast start time even though the broadcast form is changed and the broadcast start time is delayed. In addition, when the user thinks that the recording can be performed with the normal broadcast duration even though the broadcast duration is longer, the recording medium (video tape, D
Recording area of VD, hard disk, etc. is insufficient, and it is possible to prevent the latter half from being missed. In addition, it is possible to prevent the user from watching the program that the user has been trying to watch until the end of the program, and failing to watch the latter half or affecting other schedules. Further, it is possible to prevent the user from watching / recording when the user tries to watch / record at the date and time when the broadcast is not scheduled.

Moreover, in the list of each broadcast times displayed on the series program information display unit 42 in FIG. 2, a remote control or a soft key determination key is pressed in a state where the desired broadcast times are focused, and the program of the broadcast times is displayed. You may make it accept a reservation. In this way, the user can make a reservation for recording by checking the broadcast start time, broadcast end time, and vacant week, which are different from the standard, so that the viewing / recording schedule can be prevented from being hindered and the convenience of the recording reservation can be prevented. Can also be improved.

The block block diagram of the broadcast receiver by one Embodiment of this invention. The example of a display of a series program information display part when there exists a change etc. of a broadcast form.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital / analog broadcast receiver 2 Remote control (input means)
4 Tuner (Receiving means)
5 NTSC decoder (analog decoding means)
7 ATSC front end (digital decoding means)
8 MPEG decoder back end (signal conversion means)
9 OSD circuit (OSD display means)
11 Memory (memory means)
13 Control means 30 Display device 41 EPG screen 42 Series program information display section

Claims (3)

Receiving means for receiving a digital / analog broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station;
Digital / analog decoding means for decoding the broadcast signal received by the receiving means;
A signal conversion means for converting the decoded signal decoded by the digital / analog decoding means into a signal capable of video display and outputting the signal to a display device;
OSD display means for causing the display device to display a predetermined OSD;
Input means for inputting various commands such as program selection;
Storage means for storing program information included in the decoded signal decoded by the digital / analog decoding means;
Controls each means, receives an instruction from the input means, creates an EPG based on the program information stored in the storage means, and sends the created EPG to the display device via the OSD display means. When a series program information list that is displayed as an EPG screen and handles programs as a group is displayed on the same screen as the EPG screen, and the program focused on the EPG screen is a series program, the series program information list is displayed in the series program list. In addition to displaying the information, the standard program information of this series program is compared with the program information of each time, and if either the broadcast start time or the broadcast end time of each program is different from the standard, that different part is highlighted. And when there is a free week that is not broadcast on the standard scheduled broadcast date of the program, this fact is visible in the list of the standard scheduled broadcast date. Program guide mounted digital broadcast receiver characterized by comprising a control means for controlling to display on so that, the. Receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station;
A signal conversion means for converting the broadcast signal received by the receiving means into a signal capable of video display and outputting the signal to a display device;
Input means for inputting various commands such as program selection;
Storage means for storing program information;
Controlling each means, receiving an instruction from the input means, creating an EPG based on program information stored in the storage means, displaying the created EPG as an EPG screen on the display device; and The EPG is a list of series program information that handles programs as a group.
When the program displayed on the same screen as the screen and focused on the EPG screen is a series program, the series information is displayed in the series program list, and the standard program information of each series program and each time program information are displayed. Comparing and control means for controlling so that when a broadcast start time or a broadcast end time of each program is different from the standard, the different part is highlighted, and the program table-equipped digital Broadcast receiver. The control means compares the standard program information of the series program with the program information of each time, and if there is an empty week that is not broadcast on the standard broadcast scheduled date of the program, the control means displays this fact on the standard scheduled broadcast date list. The digital broadcast receiver with a program guide according to claim 2, wherein the digital broadcast receiver is displayed so as to be visually recognized.

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