JP4211887B2 - Electronic program guide screen generating apparatus, digital broadcast receiving system, electronic program guide screen generating method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an electronic program guide screen generation device,Digital broadcast receiving system, electronic program guide screen generation method, program,And a recording medium, and more specifically, a plurality of devices such as a television receiver and a satellite broadcasting receiver equipped with one or a plurality of electronic program guide functions for the technology of displaying an electronic program guide, program reservation or program selection The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for generating an electronic program guide screen, selecting a program, making a viewing reservation, making a recording reservation, etc.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, digital broadcasting data is distributed to homes using satellites such as digital CS broadcasting and digital BS broadcasting so that each home can enjoy high-definition television and music. Digital broadcasting using such satellites has hundreds of channels, and it is not easy for broadcast users to know what programs are currently being broadcast or are scheduled to be broadcast. Therefore, the broadcaster broadcasts an electronic program guide (hereinafter referred to as EPG: Electric Program Guide) simultaneously with television and music, and receives / displays it with a dedicated tuner. It is possible to know whether a special program is being broadcast or is scheduled to be broadcast. Even in existing analog terrestrial broadcasting, broadcast recipients can easily receive broadcast programs by transmitting EPG using VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval) or using EPG data on the Internet. Some have done. Also, digital terrestrial broadcasts are scheduled from 2003, and it is expected that broadcast programs will increase further compared to analog terrestrial broadcasts so far.
[0003]
Conventionally, as a method for making a recording reservation or the like using a television program guide, the television program data inserted in the VBI is decoded, the television program guide is displayed on the screen, and the recording reservation is made by designating the program to be reserved. What has been disclosed is disclosed. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
Also disclosed is a program in which a TV program data sent via a telephone line is decoded, a TV program guide is displayed on the screen, and a recording reservation is made by designating a program to be reserved for recording. (For example, see Patent Document 2)
In addition, there is disclosed a method for generating EPG uniformly when a plurality of AV devices that generate EPG of different formats are connected. (For example, see Patent Document 3)
[0004]
Furthermore, when a program is scheduled to be recorded on a recording device, the optimum recording device is selected from the broadcast time and bit rate of the program, the free space available for recording on the recording device, and the reservation status. A method of performing is disclosed. (For example, see Patent Document 4)
Also, a method is disclosed in which a warning is displayed to the user when reservations overlap when a program viewing reservation or recording reservation is made in a network to which a plurality of AV devices are connected. (For example, see Patent Document 5)
[0005]
  Figure12These are figures which show the example of a screen of typical EPG. In this example, when a certain program is reserved, a “pre” mark is added to the corresponding program on the EPG to indicate that the program has been reserved. Figure13The figure12It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the detail of the content of the program reserved in FIG. In this example, it can be seen that a reserved program (for example, comedy star birth) is recorded in DVHS.
[0006]
On the other hand, as AV broadcasting is digitized, each AV device is connected to connect a plurality of AV devices to each other, to control the other device, and to transfer video and audio streams. An AV device is networked by having a terminal based on the IEEE (Institut of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 serial bus standard (hereinafter referred to as the IEEE 1394 standard) and connecting a code of the IEEE 1394 standard. In the IEEE 1394 standard, there are two modes for data transfer. One is called Asynchronous communication and mainly transfers commands for controlling devices. The other is called isochronous communication and is mainly used for transferring video and audio streams between devices.
[0007]
Stream transfer is an abstract concept that defines output and input plugs to devices and channels on the 1394 serial bus, and connects output plugs to channels and channels to input plugs. By forming a logical transmission path, it is possible to transfer a stream between devices. The transmission line is a point-to-point connection from one output plug to one input plug through one channel, connection between the output plug and channel without specifying a pair of output plug and input plug, and channel and input plug. There is a Broadcast connection that makes a connection.
[0008]
The IEEE 1394 standard is standardized to “IEEE Std 1394-1995” as “IEEE Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus”. As a standard for controlling devices between AV devices connected using IEEE 1394, “AV / C Digital Interface Command Set General Specification” and the like have been standardized by 1394 TRADE ASSOCIATION (hereinafter referred to as AV / C). Called).
[0009]
  The AV / C is a standard for one device to control the other device mainly when two different AV devices are connected.
  Figure14These are figures which show the example of a connection of the conventional AV device. As shown in this example, in an environment in which a BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 86 to which a BS digital parabolic antenna 82 is connected by a cable 84 and a D-VHS deck 87 are connected by an IEEE 1394 cable 85, a display cable 83 is used. The EPG of the tuner 86 is displayed on the display 81 connected to the tuner 86, so that the reception of the digital satellite broadcast program selected by the user can be reserved and the recording can be reserved in the D-VHS deck 87. That is, in AV / C, the main purpose is that one device controls the other device with two devices connected one-to-one.
[0010]
Home Audio Video Interoperability (hereinafter referred to as HAVi) is standardized as a standard capable of controlling a plurality of AV devices and managing resources such as AV device functions. This HAVi assumes the IEEE 1394 standard and the IEC (International Technical Technical) 61883 standard as the base network standard and stream transfer standard.
[0011]
The HAVi classifies devices into the following four types. First, Full AV Device (hereinafter referred to as FAV) is a device equipped with all the functions of HAVi. FAV requires JAVA VM. Second, Intermediate AV Device (hereinafter IAV) requires some software modules, but some are optional. IAV does not require JAVA VM. FAV and IAV are devices that can be controllers if a display is attached. Thirdly, Basic AV Device (hereinafter referred to as BAV) is a Target device, which transfers a JAVA upload module for controlling the BAV device stored in the SDD (described later) to the FAV and controls it from the FAV. . Fourth, Legacy AV Device (hereinafter referred to as LAV) is a device that does not have HAVi functions. The LAV corresponds to, for example, an AV device currently on the market.
[0012]
  Figure15These are figures which show the software structural example of HAVi. In the HAVi of this example, each module is defined as a software element (hereinafter referred to as SE). An SEID is assigned to identify each SE, and the SEID is composed of a 64-bit GUID assigned as a unique value to each device and a 16-bit swHandle that uniquely identifies the device. The SEID is assigned by the MS. Each SE can send a message to each other via a messaging system (hereinafter referred to as MS), which is a module for exchanging messages between SEs regardless of whether they are in the same device or in different devices connected by a network. Exchange.
[0013]
  Figure15The Event Manager (hereinafter referred to as EM) broadcasts asynchronous change information of systems and modules to a plurality of SEs. As system change information, for example, there is information notifying that a bus reset has occurred. The Registry (hereinafter referred to as REG) registers information on individual SEs and searches for SE information. Communication Media Manager (hereinafter referred to as CMM) is an abstraction of the IEEE 1394 message exchange so that the SE can send and receive commands such as AV / C directly using IEEE 1394, and can be used from the SE. The Resource Manager (hereinafter referred to as RM) reserves resources of the FCM (described later), or at a certain time, sends a predetermined command to the target DCM or FCM to operate the target (hereinafter referred to as Scheduled Action), or Scheduled Action. Perform management. A stream manager (hereinafter referred to as SM) manages a stream of video and audio. DCM Manager (hereinafter referred to as DCMM) installs or uninstalls DCM (described later) when a certain device is connected.
[0014]
Further, the device control module (hereinafter referred to as DCM) operates as a software module in any FAV or IAV in the HAVi network for one device and controls a specific device. That is, when a software module such as an application controls a specific device, the device can be controlled by accessing a DCM (or an FCM described later) associated with the device. In addition, the DCM checks whether the scheduled action for the device itself can be executed and manages it. A DCM includes a software module that abstracts a specific function of a device called zero or more Functional Component Modules (FCM). Currently, FCMs defined by HAVi include “TUNER”, “VCR”, “CLOCK”, “CAMERA”, “AV DISC”, “AMPLIFIER”, “DISPLAY”, “AV DISPLAY”, “MODEM”, “WEB PROXY”, and the like. Therefore, for example, a device having a tuner function, a VCR function, and a clock (CLOCK) function has a DCM, a “TUNER” FCM, a “VCR” FCM, and a “CLOCK” FCM. The FCM also has a function for managing reservation of the function.
[0015]
Usually, the DCM (and FCM) for FAV and IAV itself is preinstalled in the device. The BAV DCM (and FCM) is installed on the FAV after being uploaded to the FAV or downloaded from the Internet or the like as described in the BAV SDD. If there is no FAV in the HAVi network, the one prepared in advance in the IAV or downloaded from the Internet or the like is installed. LAV DCM (and FCM) is installed in FAV or IAV in advance or downloaded from the Internet or the like.
[0016]
The application is a so-called HAVi application, for example, a dubbing between two D-VHS or an EPG application. The application controls a specific target device by using the API of each software module defined by HAVi. Data Driven Interaction (hereinafter referred to as “DDI”) Controller constitutes a so-called level 1 user interface, and is a GUI of a DCM or an application having DDI Target and DDI Data. Havelt is a level 2 user interface written in JAVA and operating on FAV, and is a DCM or GUI of an application. Whether a DCM or an application has a level 1 user interface or a level 2 user interface is registered in the REG as software module information. DCMs and applications may have both level 1 and level 2 interfaces.
[0017]
The SEIDs of system software elements such as MS, REG, EM, DCMM, RM, SM, and CMM are fixed for each device. However, the assigned SEID is not fixed for DCM and FCM, and the MS is registered. Assign a different ID each time. Accordingly, when a device reset occurs, a different SEID is assigned in DCM, FCM, etc., and after the reset device is restored, communication may not be possible even in the same DCM or FCM. In order to avoid this, the HUID, which is a permanent and unique ID, is assigned to the DCM and FCM.
[0018]
In HAVi, Self Describing Device Data (hereinafter referred to as SDD) is defined separately. The SDD stores information on the device such as the type of the device and an upload module for the BAV as part of the IEEE 1394 configuration ROM. In HAVi, the transfer of stream data such as video and audio follows the concept of the IEEE 1394 standard, and a connection is formed by connecting an abstract plug and a channel of a transmission path, and a stream is sent using the connection. ing. However, unlike the IEEE 1394 standard, the connection is formed by a route from the source FCM to the sink FCM. That is, the output plug of the device is connected from the output plug of the source FCM (this is called an attachment), the input plug of the device is connected from the output plug of the device through the channel of the transmission path, and the input plug of the device and the FCM of the sink Are connected and a connection is established. There are two types of HAVi connections: Point-To-Point connection and Broadcast connection, similar to the IEEE 1394 standard connection.
[0019]
Note that the HAVi standard is standardized as “The HAVi Specification—Specification of the Home Audio / Video Interoperability (HAVi) Architecture”.
[0020]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-1-160188
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-3-22770
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2000-115653 A
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2001-339696 A
[Patent Document 5]
JP 2002-77745 A
[0021]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in a situation where one or a plurality of tuner devices are connected and the same channel can be received by a plurality of tuner devices, for example, the invention described in Patent Document 3 described above integrates EPG data as one EPG. Even if they can be combined, the program data of the same channel is displayed in the integrated EPG screen, which is rather difficult to see and is difficult for the user to use. That is, for the user, an EPG screen is displayed to select a certain program on a certain channel, and regardless of which tuner device may be used, the connected tuner device must be taken into consideration. The operation becomes troublesome.
  Figure16Is a diagram showing an example of a screen when two BS digital tuners and one CS digital tuner are connected and the respective EPGs are integrated. In the figure, 91, 92, 93, 94 are EPG screens or recording device The components of the reservation information screen are shown, 91 is a date tag, 92 is a scroll bar for sequentially displaying channels, 93 is a scroll bar for displaying EPG according to time zones, and 94 is displayed for each date. EPG. As shown in this example, the channels (BS101, BS102) of two connected BS digital tuners are displayed on the same screen and are difficult to see.
[0026]
  BookThe invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, andDuplicateNumber of tuner devicesAnd recording deviceEPG screen that can selectively display any one of the program data of the same channel in a situation where the same channel can be received by multiple tuner devicesIn addition, a recording device selection screen can be displayed on the EPG screen, and a program can be recorded by selecting a recording device for each type of recording device.The purpose is to do so.
[0028]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, the first technical means is:DuplicateNumber of tuner devicesAnd recording deviceIs an electronic program guide screen generation device that generates an electronic program guide screen in a connected state,AboveTuner device search means for searching and acquiring information related to tuner devices, channel information acquisition means for acquiring channel information receivable by the searched tuner device, and a list of tuner devices that can be received for each acquired channel Tuner device list creation means to be created, and for each created receivable channelMeans for selecting one tuner device for each channel from the tuner device list; program information obtaining means for obtaining program information for each channel from the selected tuner device; and a recording device for searching for and obtaining information relating to the recording device Search means; recording device list creation means for creating a list of searched recording devices for each type of recording device; means for selecting one recording device for each type of recording device from the created recording device list; Electronic program guide screen generation means for generating an electronic program guide screen based on the channel information and the program information, and when the program information acquisition means receives the same channel with a plurality of tuner devices, The tuner device can receive from the selected tuner device Program information is acquired for each channel, and the electronic program guide screen generation unit generates an electronic program guide screen for displaying the program information acquired by the program information acquisition unit for each channel, and records or reserves a program. At the time, a recording device selection screen for selecting a recording device for each type of recording device is displayed on the electronic program guide screen so that recording can be performed on the selected recording device.It is characterized by that.
[0029]
  The second technical means is the first technical means,Select the closest physical or logical tuner deviceIt is characterized by doing.
[0030]
  The third technical means is physically or logically closest to the first technical means.RecordIt is characterized by selecting a device.
[0031]
  According to any one of the first to third technical means,DuplicateIn a situation where a number of tuner devices are connected and the same channel can be received by a plurality of tuner devices, an EPG screen that can selectively display any one of a plurality of program data of the same channel is generated. Therefore, multiple EPG program data for the same channel will not be displayed multiple times.Furthermore, since a recording device selection screen is displayed on the EPG screen, and a program can be recorded by selecting a recording device for each type of recording device,User convenience is improved.
[0036]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection example of an AV device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a device equipped with a BS digital broadcast tuner and a DVD-RW function. 2 is a CS digital broadcasting tuner and an HDD function. The device 2 is a CS digital parabolic antenna 10. 3 is a device equipped with DVHS and HDD functions, 4 is a device in which a tuner and a display capable of receiving both BS digital broadcasting and CS digital broadcasting are integrated. Is connected to a parabola antenna 11 serving both as a BS / CS via a cable 8. In FIG. 1, device 1, device 2, device 3, and device 4 are daisy chained using an IEEE 1934 cable 9. That is, a device 1 having a combined function of BS digital tuner and DVD-RW, a device 2 having a combined function of CS digital tuner and HDD, a device 3 having a combined function of DVHS and HDD, and BS / CS A device 4 having a combined function of a digital tuner and a display is connected using an IEEE 1394 cable 9. In this example, it is assumed that the device 1 and the device 4 are equipped with a HAVi FAV, and the device 2 and the device 3 are equipped with a HAVi BAV.
[0037]
In the following description of the embodiment, the description will be based on the AV device network shown in FIG. 1, but it goes without saying that the configuration of the AV device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this example.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a remote controller for operating the device 1 or the device 4 as an FAV. In the figure, 12 is a remote controller, and the remote controller 12 is a button for turning on / off the power of the device. 12a, a button 12b for operating the HAVi application, four arrow buttons 12c, and an execution button 12d. With the button 12b, it is possible to select whether the device operates a HAVi application or as a tuner for digital satellite broadcasting. When the HAVi application or the DCM GUI is displayed on the screen by the arrow button 12c, the position of the cursor that is the target point of the object on the screen can be moved. By pressing the execution button 12d, the button or icon displayed at the current cursor position is handled as being selected, and the next operation by selecting the button or icon is executed.
[0038]
  In the following description of the embodiment, description will be made based on the remote controller shown in FIG.
  In addition, the first device of the present invention for generating an EPG screenExampleWill be described with reference to the apparatus configuration example shown in FIG.
[0039]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of an apparatus for generating an EPG screen to which the present invention is applied. The apparatus 20 includes a tuner device search means 21, a service information acquisition means 22, a tuner device list creation means 23, Event information acquisition means 24 and EPG screen generation means 25 are provided. Here, the service refers to a channel, and the event refers to a program. The tuner device search means 21 is a means for searching for a tuner device on the network to which the AV device is connected and acquiring necessary information of the tuner device. For example, in the network illustrated in FIG. 1, device 1, device 2, and device 4 are searched, and information regarding each device is acquired. The service information acquisition unit 22 uses the device information obtained from the tuner device search unit 21 to search and acquire service information that can be received by each tuner device, that is, channel information that can be received by the tuner. The tuner device list creation means 23 creates all the services that can be received by the tuner device connected to this network in the service information acquisition means 22, and creates a list as to which tuner device can receive it for each service. To do.
[0040]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a tuner device list, in which 26 is a tuner device list. This example is an example of a list of devices in the network shown in FIG. In this example, it is shown that a service (channel) BS101 can be received by tuner devices 1 and 4. The event information acquisition unit 24 searches and acquires event information of each service obtained from the service information acquisition unit 22, that is, program information. The EPG screen generation means 25 generates an EPG screen using each information obtained by the tuner device search means 21, the service information acquisition means 22, and the event information acquisition means 24.
[0041]
  Hereinafter, a second apparatus for generating an EPG screen of the present invention will be described.ExampleWill be described. SecondExample3, a tuner device list creation means 23 shown in FIG. 3 creates a list of tuner devices that can receive the service for each service. One device is selected from the list, and the selected tuner is selected. Event information is retrieved from the device using the event information acquisition means 24 and acquired.
[0042]
  Hereinafter, a third apparatus for generating an EPG screen of the present invention will be described.ExampleWill be described. ThirdExampleThe tuner device list creation means 23 shown in FIG. 3 creates a list of tuner devices that can receive the service for each service, and selects a device that is logically or physically close from the list. Then, the event information is retrieved and acquired from the selected tuner device using the event information acquisition means 24. For example, in the network shown in FIG. 1, when a user is operating on the display 5, the BS digital tuner of the device 1 is selected to search for the program of the channel BS 101 of BS digital broadcasting, and the event information Perform a search.
[0043]
Hereinafter, an example of generating an EPG screen according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an EPG screen example in the AV device network shown in FIG. In this EPG, as shown in FIG. 25 described above, a date tag 91 is attached, and by selecting this date tag 91, the EPG 94 of the selected date can be displayed. Arrows are shown on the left and right in the scroll bar 93 (lower left and right direction in the figure), but when the cursor is moved to this position and the execution key is pressed, the time is shifted in that direction. Therefore, the time can be shifted using the arrow of the scroll bar 93 to display the EPG of another time. In addition, arrows are shown up and down on the scroll bar 92 (left and up and down in the figure), and when the cursor is moved to this position and the execution key is pressed, the displayed channel is shifted. A white arrow indicates that the display cannot be shifted any further. White arrows have the same meaning in other places. In the EPG 94, channels that can be received are displayed at the left end of each row. When this portion is selected, a list of tuners that can receive the selected channel is displayed. In FIG. 5, three BS digital tuner channels (BS101, BS102, BS103) and three CS digital tuner channels (CS104, CS105, CS106) are currently displayed. In the network shown in FIG. 1, two BS digital tuners and two CS digital tuners are connected.
[0044]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which a tuner list is displayed. In this example, BS 101 is selected, and a dialog 27 displaying a list of tuner devices that can receive a channel (BS 101 in this example) pops up, and a list of tuners that BS 101 can receive (in this example, the DVD-RW on the first floor). The integrated BS tuner and the second floor BS / CS tuner integrated TV) are displayed. When “return” is selected in this dialog 27, this dialog 27 disappears and the screen shown in FIG. 5 is restored.
[0045]
  Hereinafter, an apparatus for generating an EPG screen of the present inventionThe fruitThe embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another configuration example of an apparatus for generating an EPG screen to which the present invention is applied. The apparatus 30 includes a tuner device search means 31, a service information acquisition means 32, and a tuner device list creation means. 33, event information acquisition means 34, recording device search means 35, recording device list creation means 36, and EPG screen generation means 37. Note that the tuner device search means 31, the service information acquisition means 32, the tuner device list creation means 33, the event information acquisition means 34, and the EPG screen generation means 37 in this embodiment are the same as the above-described means shown in FIG. Since it exists, description here is abbreviate | omitted. The recording device search means 35 in this embodiment searches for and acquires a recording device connected to this network. The recording device list creation unit 36 creates a list of recording devices searched by the recording device search unit 35 for each type of recording device.
[0046]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the recording device list, in which 38 is a recording device list. This example is an example of a list of recording devices in the network shown in FIG. In this example, the HDD is present in the device 2 and the device 3.
[0047]
  Hereinafter, an apparatus for generating an EPG screen of the present invention will be described.otherThe embodiment will be described.BookIn the apparatus according to the embodiment, the recording device list creation unit 36 shown in FIG. 7 creates a recording device list for each type of recording device. When recording or recording reservation is performed using an EPG, the recording device list is created. One recording device is selected from the device list for each type of recording device created by the list creation means 36.
  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a recording device selection screen, in which 39 is a recording device selection screen. This example is a screen in which a dialog pops up when a recording reservation is made for a program “Taiga Drama Special” starting at 11:00 on channel BS102. Here, for example, when the HDD is selected, the type of the recording device shown in FIG.
[0048]
  Hereinafter, an apparatus for generating an EPG screen of the present invention will be described.otherThe embodiment will be described.BookIn the apparatus according to the embodiment, the recording device list creation unit 36 shown in FIG. 7 creates a list of recording devices for each type of recording device. The closest device is selected. For example, in the network shown in FIG. 1, when a user is operating on the display 5, since the program is recorded on the HDD, the closest device 3 is selected when selecting the recording device of the HDD. Select.
[0049]
  Hereinafter, a procedure for generating an EPG screen according to the present inventionThe fruitThe embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for generating the EPG screen shown in FIG. Note that the procedure shown in FIG. 10 is a flowchart assuming a HAVi application. First, initialization is performed in step S1. Specifically, MS open (MsgOpen API call), event and callback function registration to EM (EventManager :: Register API call), own software element information to REG (Registry :: RegisterElement API) Call).
[0050]
Next, in step S2, the REG is inquired of the TUNER FCM and the DCM having the FCM (Registry :: GetElement API and Registry :: RetrieveElement API are called). As a result, it is possible to recognize what tuner is connected to the network. For example, in the network shown in FIG. 1, it is understood that three BS digital and CS digital broadcast tuners of device 1, device 2, and device 4 are connected.
[0051]
Next, in step S3, a list of services (channels) that the tuner can receive is extracted from all TUNER FCMs (Tuner :: GetServiceListInfo API and Tuner :: GetServiceList API are called). Then, information of each service is extracted from the service list (Tuner :: GetService API and Tuner :: GetServiceComponents API calls). As a result, channel information that can be received by each tuner can be acquired.
[0052]
Next, in step S4, a list of tuners that can be received for each channel is created. Next, in step S5, all TUNER FCMs or one TUNER FCM for each service is selected from the information of each service extracted in step S3, and the event of each service is selected for that TUNER FCM. (Program) Information is extracted (Tuner :: GetServiceEvents API call). As a result, it is possible to know what kind of program each channel broadcasts or whether it will be broadcast in the future. Finally, in step S6, an EPG screen is generated based on the information obtained in steps S3, S4, and S5. Although this example is a flowchart assuming a HAVi application, the same applies to systems other than HAVi.
[0053]
  Hereinafter, a procedure for generating an EPG screen according to the present invention will be described.otherThe embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining another procedure for generating the EPG screen shown in FIG. Note that the procedure shown in FIG. 11 is a flowchart assuming a HAVi application. Here, Steps S11 to S15 and Step S18 perform the same processes as Steps S1 to S5 and Step S6 shown in FIG. In this example, after processing in step S15, in step S16, an inquiry about an FCM having a function of recording in the REG is made. In HAVi, since the FCM having the recording function is an AVDisc FCM and a VCR FCM, the two types of FCM are inquired (Registry :: GetElement API and Registry :: RetrieveElement API are called). Next, in step S17, a list of recording devices is created for each type of recording device from the result of the inquiry in step S16.
[0054]
FIG. 8 described above is an example of a list of recording devices generated in the network shown in FIG. Here, the type of the recording device may be inquired about ATT_MEDIA_FORMAT_ID when making an inquiry to REG. As a result, when making a recording reservation on this EPG screen, a dialog as shown in FIG. 9 can be popped up to select one recording device. FIG. 11 is a flowchart assuming a HAVi application, but the same applies to systems other than HAVi.
[0084]
  The electronic program guide screen generation device of the present invention has been described above.In placeEach embodiment has been described mainly with respect to each function in the present invention. However, as described above, the present invention is a method for generating an electronic program guide screen as a method to be executed by a computer.Law andIt can also take the form. In addition, an electronic program guide screen generating device having these functions.AndSimilarly, an electronic program guide screen generator is installed on the computer.AndTo make it function, or generate an electronic program guide screenThe lawA form as a program to be executed is also possible.
[0085]
An embodiment of a recording medium storing a program and data for realizing each function according to the present invention will be described. Specific examples of the recording medium include CD-ROM (-R / -RW), magneto-optical disk, DVD-ROM (-RW), FD, flash memory, memory card, memory stick, and various other ROMs and RAMs. The functions of the embodiments of the present invention described above are executed on these recording media by a computer, and a program for realizing each function is recorded and distributed, thereby facilitating the realization of the function. Then, the recording medium as described above is mounted on an information processing apparatus such as a computer and the program is read by the information processing apparatus, or the program is stored in a storage medium provided in the information processing apparatus. By reading, each function related to the present invention can be executed.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention,DuplicateNumber of tuner devicesAnd recording deviceCan be received, and the same channel can be received by multiple tuner devices, it is possible to generate an EPG screen that can selectively display any one of the program data of the same channel. Multiple EPG program data on the same channel will not be displayed in duplicate,Furthermore, since a recording device selection screen is displayed on the EPG screen, and a program can be recorded by selecting a recording device for each type of recording device,Improve user convenience.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection example of an AV device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a remote controller for operating a device as an FAV.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of an apparatus for generating an EPG screen to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tuner device list.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an EPG screen example in the AV device network shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which a tuner list is displayed.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another configuration example of an apparatus for generating an EPG screen to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording device list.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording device selection screen.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for generating the EPG screen shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining another procedure for generating the EPG screen shown in FIG. 5;
[Figure12FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a typical EPG screen.
[Figure13FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example in which details of the contents of a reserved program in FIG. 21 are displayed.
[Figure14It is a diagram showing a connection example of a conventional AV device.
[Figure15It is a figure showing an example of software configuration of HAVi.
[Figure16FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when two BS digital tuners and one CS digital tuner are connected and their EPGs are integrated.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... a device having a combined function of BS digital tuner and DVD-RW, 2 ... a device having a combined function of CS digital tuner and HDD, 3 ... a device having a combined function of DVHS and HDD, 4 ... BS / CS Device with combined function of digital tuner and display, 5,81 ... display, 6,82 ... BS digital parabolic antenna, 7,83 ... display cable, 8,84 ... antenna cable, 9,85 ... IEEE 1394 cable DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... CS digital parabolic antenna, 11 ... BS / CS parabolic antenna, 12 ... Remote control, 12a ... Power button, 12b ... Button for operating HAVi application, 12c ... Arrow button, 12d ... Execution button, 20, 30 ... EPG screen generator, 21, 31 ... Tuner device search means 22, 32 ... Service information acquisition means, 23, 33 ... Tuner device list creation means, 24, 34 ... Event information acquisition means, 25, 37 ... EPG screen generation means, 26 ... Tuner device list, 27 ... Channel Is a dialog for displaying a list of tuner devices that can be received, 35 ... recording device search means, 36 ... recording device list creation means, 38 ... recording device list, 39 ... dialog for selecting recording device, 86 ... BS digital tuner, 87 ... D-VHS deck, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 ... Components of the EPG screen or recording device reservation information screen.

Claims (10)

In a state in which the tuner device and the recording device of the multiple is connected, an electronic program guide screen generating apparatus generates a screen of an electronic program guide,
A tuner device search unit configured to search and retrieve information relating to the tuner device, and channel information acquiring means for acquiring receivable channel information by the tuner devices the search, a list of possible tuner device received per channel the acquired Tuner device list creation means for creating a channel , means for selecting one tuner device for each channel from the created tuner device list for each receivable channel , and program information for each channel is acquired from the selected tuner device. Program information acquisition means, recording device search means for searching and acquiring information relating to the recording device, recording device list creation means for creating a list of the searched recording devices for each type of recording device, and the created recording Record from device list A means for selecting one recording device for each type of device, and an electronic program guide screen generation means for generating a screen of an electronic program guide based on the channel information and the program information,
When the same channel is received by a plurality of tuner devices, the program information acquisition unit acquires program information for each channel that can be received by the tuner device from the selected tuner device.
The electronic program guide screen generation means generates an electronic program guide screen for displaying the program information acquired by the program information acquisition means for each channel, and displays the program information on the electronic program guide screen when performing recording or recording reservation. An electronic program guide screen generating apparatus characterized in that a recording device selection screen for selecting a recording device is displayed for each type of recording device, and recording is possible on the selected recording device . 2. The electronic program guide screen generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tuner device that is physically or logically closest is selected . 2. The electronic program guide screen generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the recording device that is physically or logically closest is selected. A digital broadcast receiving system comprising the electronic program guide screen generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An electronic program guide screen generation method by an electronic program guide screen generation device for generating an electronic program guide screen in a state where a plurality of tuner devices and recording devices are connected,
The electronic program guide screen generation apparatus searches for and acquires information related to the tuner device, a channel information acquisition step of acquiring channel information receivable by the searched tuner device, and the acquired channel A tuner device list creation step of creating a list of tuner devices that can be received every time, a step of selecting one tuner device for each channel from the tuner device list for each channel that can be received, and the selected tuner device A program information acquisition step for acquiring program information for each channel from the recording device, a recording device search step for searching for and acquiring information relating to the recording device, and a recording device for creating a list of the searched recording devices for each type of recording device An electronic program guide screen for generating an electronic program guide screen based on the channel information and the program information; and a step of selecting one recording device for each type of recording device from the generated recording device list. Generating step,
The program information acquisition step acquires program information for each channel that can be received by the tuner device from the selected tuner device when the same channel is received by a plurality of tuner devices.
The electronic program guide screen generating step, the program information acquiring program information in acquiring step to generate an electronic program guide screen displayed for each channel, the electronic program guide on the screen the recording or recording reservation of a program in the Hare line And displaying a recording device selection screen for selecting a recording device for each type of recording device, and recording the selected recording device on the selected recording device . In the electronic program guide screen generating method according to claim 5, physical or electronic program guide screen generating method characterized by selecting a logically closest tuner device. 6. The electronic program guide screen generation method according to claim 5, wherein a recording device that is physically or logically closest is selected . 8. The electronic program guide screen generation method according to claim 5 , wherein each of the steps is performed using a software element of a standard HAVi in a network environment of an AV device. Screen generation method. A program for causing a computer to execute the electronic program guide screen generation method according to any one of claims 5 to 8 . A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded .

Images