JP4177537B2 - Program reservation processing apparatus and program reservation processing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a program reservation processing device and a program reservation processing method for making a recording reservation or a viewing reservation for a broadcast program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the current broadcast, a program schedule (or called a broadcast schedule) originally scheduled may be changed. For example, since a sports broadcast or the like depends on the weather, the program can be stopped, the program can be postponed, and the program can be interrupted. As described above, when the originally scheduled program schedule is changed, an alternative program may be broadcast along with the change.
[0003]
Some viewers aim to reserve this alternative program (recording reservation or viewing reservation). When reserving an alternative program, generally, the reservation is set by specifying the date and time, assuming that the scheduled program that was originally scheduled is canceled.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if you intend to reserve an alternative program, if the planned program that was originally scheduled is broadcast as scheduled, the reserved program will be the scheduled program, not the intended alternative program. was there. Even if the alternative program is broadcast, the content of the alternative program is often not known in advance, and there is a problem that an alternative program that is completely different from the alternative program predicted by the viewer is reserved.
[0005]
On the other hand, even if you intend to reserve the scheduled program that was originally scheduled, if this scheduled program is not broadcast as scheduled, it will be the substitute program that is not the originally scheduled program There was also a problem. In addition, there is a problem that the scheduled program reservation is troubled even when the broadcast time of the scheduled program is shifted.
[0006]
In addition, digital broadcasting that is becoming popular in recent years includes information on a program guide (EPG), which makes it possible to display a program guide on a display. However, from this program guide, the possibility of changing the program schedule as described above could not be known.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide a program reservation processing device and a program reservation processing method , which are made in view of the above-described circumstances.
[0009]
Reservation of a scheduled program as originally scheduled to be broadcast when the program schedule is not changed and a reservation of an alternative program to be broadcast when the program schedule is changed are selectively accepted, and the received reservation (recording reservation or A program reservation processing apparatus and a program reservation processing method capable of accurately executing (viewing reservation).
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a program reservation processing device and a program reservation processing method of the present invention are configured as follows.
[0012]
( 1 ) The program reservation processing device of the present invention is extracted by the extraction means for extracting program guide information attached with attached information indicating that there is a possibility of changing the broadcast schedule from broadcast radio waves, and the extraction means. Display means for displaying a program guide with attached information indicating that there is a possibility of changing the broadcast schedule based on the program guide information, and changing the broadcast schedule on the program guide displayed on the display means. Corresponding to the information indicating the possibility, it is possible to selectively reserve the scheduled program as originally scheduled when the broadcast schedule is not changed, and reserve the alternative program that is broadcast when the broadcast schedule is changed. Reservation means for accepting and making reservations, and reservation execution means for executing reservations based on the reservation contents reserved by the reservation means.
[0014]
( 2 ) The program reservation processing method according to the present invention includes a first step of extracting program guide information to which additional information indicating that there is a possibility of changing a broadcast schedule from broadcast radio waves, and the first step A second step of displaying a program guide with attached information indicating that the broadcast schedule may be changed based on the program guide information extracted in the step; and the program displayed in the second step. Corresponding to the information indicating the possibility of changing the broadcast schedule on the guide, it is broadcast when the scheduled program is scheduled to be broadcast as originally scheduled and the broadcast schedule is changed when the broadcast schedule is not changed. A third step of selectively accepting and booking reservations for alternative programs, and executing a reservation based on the reservation contents reserved in the third step And a fourth step.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to an example of a program guide display apparatus and a program reservation processing apparatus of the present invention.
[0017]
This digital broadcast receiver includes an antenna 1, a tuner 2, an MPU 3, a memory 4, an IR transmitter 5, an IR receiver 6, a keyboard 7, a VTR 8, a remote controller 9, a video encoder 10, a display device 11, and the like.
[0018]
The antenna 1 receives broadcast waves of digital broadcasting. The tuner 2 has a decoding function and selects a channel designated by the remote controller 9 from the broadcast radio wave received by the antenna 1. The MPU 3 controls the entire digital broadcast receiving apparatus. The memory 4 is backed up and stores information related to various programs and program reservations.
[0019]
The IR transmission unit 5 transmits various control signals such as recording or reproduction to the VTR 9. The IR receiver 6 receives various control signals such as recording or reproduction transmitted from the remote controller 9. The keyboard 8 receives various instructions such as recording or reproduction from the user by key input, and transmits the received various instructions to the MPU 3. The VTR 9 records various information such as video and audio on a predetermined recording medium and reproduces various information recorded on the predetermined recording medium based on various control signals transmitted from the IR transmission unit 5. . The predetermined recording medium is a video tape, an optical disk, or the like. The remote controller 9 accepts various instructions such as recording or reproduction from the user by button input, and transmits the accepted various instructions to the IR receiver 6.
[0020]
The video encoder 10 demodulates the signal of the channel selected by the tuner 2 and provides a program video. The display device 12 is a CRT, for example, and displays the program video demodulated by the video encoder 10.
[0021]
The program reservation process in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 and the reservation screens shown in FIGS.
[0022]
The digital broadcast received by the digital broadcast receiver includes program information and control information. A program unique number (event id) is assigned to each program included in the program information, and each program can be identified by this program unique number (hereinafter, program ID). For example, when a specific program is reserved (recording reservation or viewing reservation), the recording reservation or viewing reservation of the specific program is realized by designating the program ID assigned to the specific program. The recording reservation is a reservation for recording the target program, and the viewing reservation is a reservation for viewing the target program. That is, in the case of viewing reservation, the target program is displayed on the display device in accordance with the broadcast start time of the target program.
[0023]
The above control information includes information on an electronic program guide (EPG) indicating a program schedule of each channel. Furthermore, if necessary, the electronic program guide can include reservation information corresponding to a dynamic program schedule by including additional information indicating that the program schedule can be changed. The possibility of changing the program schedule described above includes the possibility of program cancellation, the possibility of program interruption, the possibility of program postponement, the possibility of program extension, and the like. In other words, in the case of programs such as sports broadcasts, cases such as rain stop, rain stop, rain postponement, etc. can be considered, and the broadcast time may be extended depending on game development.
[0024]
As described above, the tuner 2 not only selects each program from the program information included in the broadcast wave of the digital broadcast, but also extracts control information included in the broadcast wave of the digital broadcast. Further, the tuner 2 extracts the electronic program guide or the electronic program guide with attached information from the control information (ST1), and the electronic program guide with attached information G1 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the electronic program guide G2 is displayed (ST2). That is, the tuner 2 functions as an extraction unit, and the display device 11 functions as a display unit.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 2, the program schedule of each channel is displayed in the electronic program guide G1 with attached information and the electronic program guide G2. Further, as shown on the electronic program guide with attached information G1 and the electronic program guide G2, a program ID is assigned to each program of each channel. For example, “event id = 22” is assigned as a program ID to a baseball broadcast scheduled to be broadcast from 19:00 to 21:00 on channel 2 (CH2) on the electronic program guide with attached information G1. In addition, information indicating “possibility of cancellation” is added to the baseball broadcast as attached information. The attached information may be displayed as characters as illustrated, or may be displayed as a mark / logo such as an icon. Furthermore, it may be displayed in the background color of the program column to which the attached information is added. That is, it is only necessary to clearly inform the viewer that there is a possibility of changing the program schedule in this baseball broadcast.
[0026]
Reservation of a program is advanced by operation of the remote controller 9 as a reservation means, and the reserved content is stored in the memory 4. The reservation contents stored in the memory 4 are executed under the control of the MPU as reservation execution means. For example, the remote controller 9 is provided with a reservation mode key, a cursor movement key, and an enter key which are not shown. When the reservation mode key is pressed, the reservation mode is executed (ST3, YES), and a cursor is displayed in a predetermined program column on the electronic program guide with attached information G1. At this time, when the cursor movement key is pressed, the cursor displayed in the predetermined program column on the electronic program guide with attached information G1 moves to another program column. When the determination key is pressed while the cursor is displayed in the target program column to be reserved, the target program is selected as the reservation target (ST5), and the program ID assigned to the selected target program is It is stored in the memory 5 as program reservation information. When the reservation mode is not executed (ST3, NO), the process proceeds to another process (ST4), but the description thereof is omitted.
[0027]
When a program with no attached information is selected from the electronic program guide with attached information G1 (ST6, NO), the process proceeds to a normal reservation process (ST7), but a description thereof is omitted. It is assumed that a program with attached information, for example, the above-described baseball program is selected from the electronic program guide with attached information G1 (ST6, YES). At this time, the screen of the display device 11 is switched from the electronic program guide with attached information G1 to the reservation screen 1 shown in FIG.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 4, the reservation screen 1 displays the selected channel, the program name, the broadcast time zone, and the like. Further, when the attached information is added to the selected program, the attached information is also displayed. For example, the attached information is displayed as “There is a possibility that the program schedule of this program may be changed. In addition to the display of the attached information, a scheduled program reservation button for accepting reservation of a scheduled program as originally scheduled to be broadcast when the program schedule is not changed, and an alternative broadcast when the program schedule is changed An alternative program reservation button for accepting program reservation is displayed. Further, a guide asking whether to reserve a scheduled program or an alternative program is displayed.
[0029]
Here, a case where a scheduled program is reserved will be described. To reserve a scheduled program, a scheduled program reservation button is selected. Accordingly, the reservation screen 1 shown in FIG. 4 is switched to the reservation screen 2 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the reservation screen 2 displays the selected channel, the program name, the broadcast time zone, and the like. Attached information is also displayed. For example, “This program may change the program schedule. Please be careful.” And “Reservation may not be executed if the program schedule is changed”. Is displayed. Furthermore, a viewing reservation button for accepting a viewing reservation, a recording reservation button for accepting a recording reservation, and a cancel button for canceling the reservation are displayed. When the viewing reservation button or the reservation recording button is selected, the reservation setting for the scheduled program is completed (ST8, YES).
[0030]
Thereafter, if the program schedule is not changed (NO in ST9), that is, if the scheduled program is broadcast as scheduled, the set reservation (recording reservation or viewing reservation) is executed (ST12). The change of the program schedule is detected by the MPU 3 and the memory 4. As described above, the memory 4 stores a program ID to be reserved (program ID of a scheduled program here) as program reservation information. If the program ID is not detected from the broadcast radio wave even when the scheduled time arrives, it is determined that the program schedule has been changed. Conversely, if the program ID is detected from the broadcast radio wave at the scheduled time, it is determined that the program schedule has not been changed.
[0031]
Even if there is a change in the program schedule (ST9, YES), if the reserved scheduled program is broadcasted in the change time zone (ST10, YES), the set reservation (recording reservation or viewing reservation) is executed ( ST12). Since the reserved scheduled program is reserved by the program ID, it is possible to execute the reservation of the reserved scheduled program by detecting the program ID even if the broadcast time of the reserved scheduled program is changed. it can.
[0032]
However, if the program ID of the scheduled program reserved within the detection period is not detected by dividing the detection period of the program ID of the reserved scheduled program, it is assumed that the scheduled program was not broadcast at the change time ( The reservation is canceled (ST11). In this way, by reserving a scheduled program with a program ID, it is possible to deal with the fluid organization of program schedules such as program extension and carry-down.
[0033]
Next, a case where an alternative program is reserved will be described. To reserve an alternative program, an alternative program reservation button is selected from the reservation screen 1 shown in FIG. 4 (ST13, YES). Accordingly, the reservation screen 1 shown in FIG. 4 is switched to the reservation screen 3 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the reservation screen 3 displays which program on which channel and which program is reserved for an alternative program in what broadcast time zone. Further, guidance such as “Reservation is executed only when the program schedule of the scheduled program is changed” and “Please select a reservation setting method” are displayed. In addition, a same time period reservation button for designating reservation in the same time period as the scheduled program and a selection button for a genre for reserving only an alternative program corresponding to a predetermined genre are displayed.
[0034]
When the same time period reservation button is selected from the reservation screen 3, the reservation screen 3 shown in FIG. 6 is switched to the reservation screen 4 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the reservation screen 4 displays reservations for alternative programs in which broadcast hours of which programs of which channels. Furthermore, guidance such as “alternative program in the same time zone” and “reservation is executed only when the program schedule of the scheduled program is changed” is displayed. Furthermore, a viewing reservation button for accepting a viewing reservation, a recording reservation button for accepting a recording reservation, and a cancel button for canceling the reservation are displayed. When the viewing reservation button or the reservation recording button is selected, the reservation setting of the alternative program by specifying the time zone is completed (ST14, YES).
[0035]
Thereafter, if there is no change in the program schedule (ST15, NO), that is, if the scheduled program is broadcast as scheduled, the set reservation (recording reservation or viewing reservation) is canceled (ST16). On the contrary, if the program schedule is changed (ST15, YES), that is, if the scheduled program is not broadcast as scheduled, the set reservation (recording reservation or viewing reservation) is executed (ST12). By executing the reservation in the same time zone as the scheduled program, the reservation of the alternative program is executed. The change of the program schedule is detected by the MPU 3 and the memory 4 as already described. As described above, the memory 4 stores a program ID to be reserved as program reservation information. Since the program ID of the alternative program is unknown, the program ID of the scheduled program is stored. If the program ID is not detected from the broadcast radio wave even when the scheduled time arrives, it is determined that the program schedule has been changed. Conversely, if the program ID is detected from the broadcast radio wave at the scheduled time, it is determined that the program schedule has not been changed.
[0036]
When the selection button by genre is selected from the reservation screen 3, the reservation screen 3 shown in FIG. 6 is switched to the reservation screen 5 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the reservation screen 5 displays which program of which channel and which program is reserved for the alternative program in which broadcast time. In addition, guidance such as “select by genre” and “select genre” is displayed. In addition, a genre list is also displayed. A desired genre is selected by operating the cursor movement key and the enter key of the remote controller 9. For example, assume that a drama is selected. Then, the reservation screen 5 shown in FIG. 8 is switched to the reservation screen 6 shown in FIG.
[0037]
The reservation screen 6 displays the reservation of an alternative program in which broadcast time zone of which program of which channel. Further, guidance such as “select by genre”, “drama”, “reservation of alternative program of corresponding genre is executed only when program schedule of scheduled program is changed” is displayed. Furthermore, a viewing reservation button for accepting a viewing reservation, a recording reservation button for accepting a recording reservation, and a cancel button for canceling the reservation are displayed. When the viewing reservation button or the reservation recording button is selected, the reservation setting of the alternative program by genre designation is completed (ST17, YES).
[0038]
Thereafter, if there is no change in the program schedule (ST18, NO), that is, if the scheduled program is broadcast as scheduled, the set reservation (recording reservation or viewing reservation) is canceled (ST16). Conversely, if there is a change in the program schedule (ST18, YES) and a program ID corresponding to the specified genre is detected (ST19, YES), the set reservation (recording reservation or viewing reservation) is executed. (ST20). Even if the program schedule is changed (ST18, YES), if the program ID corresponding to the designated genre is not detected (ST19, NO), the set reservation (recording reservation or viewing reservation) is canceled (ST16). ).
[0039]
Incidentally, the broadcast radio wave control information includes information indicating the relationship between the program ID and the genre. Based on this information, it is determined whether or not the program ID detected from the broadcast radio wave corresponds to the designated genre. Is done.
[0040]
The above description is based on the assumption that the program ID of the alternative program is unknown. That is, since the program ID of the alternative program cannot be specified, the alternative program is specified by time zone or specified by genre. If specified by genre, it is possible to reserve only alternative programs corresponding to the genre desired by the user. In addition, when a plurality of programs are broadcast as alternative programs by designating by genre, an alternative program that does not correspond to a specific genre is excluded from the reservation target, and only an alternative program that corresponds to a specific genre is reserved. You can also. Furthermore, by designating by genre, an alternative program is indirectly reserved by a program ID. As a result, it is possible to cope with fluid organization such as extension or deferral of alternative programs.
[0041]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described alternative program designation method. When the program ID of the alternative program is known, for example, when the program ID of the alternative program is included in the attached information, the alternative program may be directly designated by the program ID. As a result, it is possible to execute reservation of a more accurate alternative program.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program reservation processing device and a program reservation processing method .
[0044]
Reservation of a scheduled program as originally scheduled to be broadcast when the program schedule is not changed and a reservation of an alternative program to be broadcast when the program schedule is changed are selectively accepted, and the received reservation (recording reservation or A program reservation processing apparatus and a program reservation processing method capable of accurately executing (viewing reservation).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to an example of a program reservation processing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic program guide with attached information before a program schedule is changed, and an electronic program guide after the program schedule is changed.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining program reservation processing executed by the program reservation processing device shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation screen 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation screen 2;
6 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation screen 3. FIG.
7 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation screen 4. FIG.
8 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation screen 5. FIG.
9 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation screen 6. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Antenna 2 ... Tuner 3 ... MPU
4 ... Memory 5 ... IR transmitter 6 ... IR receiver 7 ... Keyboard 8 ... VTR
9 ... Remote control 10 ... Video encoder 11 ... Display device

Claims (6)

Extraction means for extracting program guide information attached with attached information indicating that there is a possibility of changing the broadcast schedule from the broadcast;
Display means for displaying a program guide to which the attached information is attached based on the program guide information extracted by the extracting means;
In response to the attached information of the program guide displayed on the display means, reservation of a program scheduled to be broadcast when the broadcast schedule is not changed or an alternative program to be broadcast when the broadcast schedule is changed is made. Reservation means to selectively make a reservation,
Reservation execution means for executing a reservation based on the reserved content;
A program reservation processing apparatus comprising: The reservation means accepts the reservation of the scheduled program with the ID of the scheduled program given to the scheduled program;
The reservation execution means tries to detect the ID of the scheduled program from the broadcast, determines whether or not the broadcast schedule has been changed from the detection result of the ID of the scheduled program, and controls execution of the reservation.
The program reservation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When the scheduled program is reserved by the reservation unit and the ID of the scheduled program is detected from the broadcast by the reservation execution unit, reservation of the scheduled program is executed based on the detected ID of the scheduled program;
The program reservation processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The reservation means accepts reservation for the alternative program by specifying a time zone;
When the substitute program is reserved by the reservation means, and the ID of the scheduled program is not detected from the broadcast in a predetermined time zone by the reservation execution means, it is determined that the broadcast schedule has been changed. And reservation of an alternative program to be broadcast during the time period accepted by the reservation means,
The program reservation processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The reservation means accepts reservation of the alternative program by specifying the genre of the program,
When the substitute program is reserved by the reservation means, and the ID of the scheduled program is not detected from the broadcast in a predetermined time zone by the reservation execution means, it is determined that the broadcast schedule has been changed. Further, when the ID of the desired program corresponding to the genre designated by the reservation means is detected from the broadcast, the reservation of the desired program is executed.
The program reservation processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the program reservation processing device is a program reservation processing device. A first step of extracting program guide information attached with attached information indicating that the broadcast schedule may be changed from the broadcast;
A second step of displaying a program guide to which the attached information is attached based on the program guide information extracted by the first step;
Corresponding to the attached information of the program guide displayed in the second step, a program scheduled to be broadcast when the broadcast schedule is not changed, or an alternative program broadcast when the broadcast schedule is changed A third step of selectively reserving reservations;
A fourth step of executing a reservation based on the content reserved in the third step;
A program reservation processing method comprising:

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