JP4352336B2 - Information display method and information display apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display method and an information display apparatus, for example, information display for guiding and displaying each program when selecting a program required by a viewer from among a large number of television programs distributed via a broadcasting satellite. It is suitable for application to a method.

  In a satellite broadcasting system in which a television program is distributed to viewers via a broadcasting satellite, the television signal is digitized and a huge number of programs are distributed simultaneously. In such a system, the number of programs selected by the viewer is remarkably increased.

  Also, in a system that provides various information such as programs, movies, music, magazine articles and product information from the host side to the computer terminal via a telephone line or a dedicated line, the terminal side user needs from a vast amount of information. The information to be selected is selected and requested to the host side.

  When a viewer or a user tries to select such a television program or information using a computer, a desired program or information must be searched from a huge amount of programs or information. In this case, while displaying information units classified hierarchically based on a certain concept on the monitor screen, when the desired information is searched, the user's operation is required, and the currently searched information hierarchy is There is a problem that it is difficult to easily search for information desired by the user because it is not understood or the concept of classification is not understood.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose an information display method and an information display apparatus that allow a viewer or user to easily search for desired information.

The present invention for solving the above problem is an information presentation method, a first step of displaying side by side information icon corresponding to the turn of sets for each genre, out of the displayed information icon specified genre In response to a user operation, each information icon is switched to be expanded as a display area for displaying the contents of the program corresponding to the information icon, and the display area corresponds to the information icon. And a third step of displaying at least the title of the program to be played .

  Therefore, in this information display method, in addition to being able to switch from program guide information to the title of the selected program in a consistent order, the user can predict in advance how the title will be displayed. Therefore, the contents of the program can be displayed more easily for the user.

The present invention is an information presentation device, and a display means for displaying information, the information icon corresponding to the turn sets Tile display means for each genre Ru provided a display control unit that presents. The display control means, of the information icon displaying the respective information icon of the designated genre, in response to a user operation, so stretch respectively as a display area for displaying the contents of a program corresponding to the information icons switching, its in these display areas, Ru to display at least the title of the program corresponding to the information icon.

  Therefore, in this information display device, in addition to being able to switch from the program guide information to the title of the selected program in a consistent order, the user can predict in advance how the title is displayed. Therefore, the contents of the program can be displayed more easily for the user.

According to the present invention as described above, displayed side information icon corresponding to the turn of sets for each genre, out of the displayed information icons, each information icon of the designated genre, in response to a user operation, stretching each as a display area for displaying the contents of a program corresponding to the information icons on their display area, by which is adapted to display at least the title of the program corresponding to the information icon, consistently every information icon Since the display can be switched, it is possible to easily search for the program content desired by the user, thus improving the user-friendliness.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall configuration of satellite broadcast receiving system In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a satellite broadcast receiving system as a whole, and a broadcast signal received by a parabolic antenna 3 is demodulated and received by a receiving decoder (IRD: Integrated Receiver / Decorder) 2. Compressed and decoded. The resulting video / audio signal SV1 is sent out as a subsequent VHS VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) 6.

  The VCR 6 records the video / audio signal SV1 on a video tape loaded therein, or sends the video / audio signal SV1 as it is from the output line to the monitor device 4 to display it on the monitor.

  When the viewer operates the remote commander 5, a command corresponding to the operation is converted into an infrared signal IR and sent to the receiving / decoding device 2. The receiving / decoding device 2 switches channels based on the command, registers / reads user data, sends a control signal CONT to each device (VCR6, VCR7, DVD8 and MD9) connected to the receiving / decoding device 2, etc. Perform various operations. The control signal CONT is sent to the VCR 6 through the control line. When the VCR 6 is designated as a control target by the control signal CONT, the VCR 6 is controlled by the control signal CONT. On the other hand, as a control target of the control signal CONT, devices (8 mm type VCR 7, digital video disc player (DVD: Digital Video Disc) 8), mini disc player (MD: Mini) which are sequentially connected to the VCR 6 via a control line. When any one of (Disc) 9 and monitor device 4) is designated, the VCR 6 sends the control signal CONT to the subsequent 8 mm type VCR 7 as it is.

  When receiving the control signal CONT, the VCR 7 determines the device specified by the control signal CONT. When the determination result is VCR7, the VCR 7 performs an operation designated by the control signal CONT. If this instruction is an instruction to reproduce an 8 mm video tape loaded in the VCR 7, for example, the VCR 7 reproduces the video tape, and displays this by sending a reproduction video signal SV3 to the monitor device 4. When the instruction by the control signal CONT is an instruction to record the broadcast signal (video / audio signal SV1) received and decoded by the reception decoding apparatus 2 in the VCR 7, the VCR 7 transmits the VHS method from the reception decoding apparatus 2. The video / audio signal SV1 input via the VCR 6 and the monitor device 4 is recorded. On the other hand, when the control target of the control signal CONT is not the VCR 7, the VCR 7 sends the control signal CONT to the subsequent DVD 8 as it is.

  When the DVD 8 receives the control signal CONT, the DVD 8 determines the device specified by the control signal CONT. When the determination result is DVD8, the DVD8 executes an operation designated by the control signal CONT. If this instruction is an instruction to reproduce video and / or audio from, for example, a disk loaded in the DVD 8, the DVD 8 reproduces this by sending the video / audio signal SV4 to the monitor device 4 by reproducing the disk. indicate. On the other hand, when the control target of the control signal CONT is not the DVD 8, the DVD 8 sends the control signal CONT to the subsequent MD 9 as it is.

  When the control signal CONT is input, the MD 9 determines the device specified by the control signal CONT. When the determination result is MD9, the MD9 performs an operation designated by the control signal CONT. For example, when this instruction is an instruction to reproduce a disk loaded in the MD 9, the MD 9 reproduces the disk and sends an audio signal SV 5 to the monitor device 4 to audibly display it. When the instruction by the control signal CONT is an instruction to record the broadcast signal (video / audio signal SV1) received and decoded by the reception decoding device 2 in the MD 9, the MD 9 receives the VHS method from the reception decoding device 2. The audio signal of the video / audio signal SV1 input through the VCR 6 and the monitor device 4 is recorded. On the other hand, when the control target of the control signal CONT is not MD9, the MD9 sends the control signal CONT to the subsequent monitor device 4 as it is. At this time, the monitor device 4 executes an operation designated by the control signal CONT.

(2) Configuration of Receiving / Decoding Device In FIG. 2, the receiving / decoding device 2 supplies the RF signal output from the LNB (Low Noise Block downconverter) 3A of the parabolic antenna 3 to the tuner 21 of the front end 20 for demodulation. . The output of the tuner 21 is supplied to the QPSK demodulating circuit 22 and QPSK demodulated. The output of the QPSK demodulation circuit 22 is supplied to an error correction circuit 23, where an error is detected and corrected, and is corrected as necessary.

  A CAM (Conditional Access Module) 33 configured by an IC card including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM stores a key necessary for decrypting the cipher together with a decryption program. Since the signal transmitted through the broadcasting satellite is encrypted, a key and a decryption process are required to decrypt this encryption. Therefore, this key is read from the CAM 33 via the card reader interface 32 and supplied to the demultiplexer 24. The demultiplexer 24 decrypts the encrypted signal using this key.

  The demultiplexer 24 receives the signal output from the error correction circuit 23 of the front end 20, supplies the decoded video signal to the MPEG video decoder 25, and supplies the decoded audio signal to the MPEG audio decoder 26.

  The MPEG video decoder 25 stores the input digital video signal in the DRAM 25A, and executes a decoding process of the video signal compressed by the MPEG system. The decoded video signal is supplied to the NTSC encoder 27 and converted into an NTSC luminance signal (Y), chroma signal (C), and composite signal (V). The luminance signal and the chroma signal are output as S video signals via the buffer amplifiers 28Y and 28C, respectively. The composite signal is output via the buffer amplifier 28V.

  The MPEG audio decoder 26 stores the digital audio signal supplied from the demultiplexer 24 in the DRAM 26A, and executes a decoding process of the audio signal compressed by the MPEG system. The decoded audio signal is digital / analog converted in the D / A converter 30, the left channel audio signal is output via the buffer amplifier 31L, and the right channel audio signal is output via the buffer amplifier 31R.

The RF modulator 41 converts the composite signal output from the NTSC encoder 27 and the audio signal output from the D / A converter 30 into an RF signal and outputs the RF signal. In addition, the RF modulator 41 passes an NTSC RF signal input from another device and outputs it directly to the other device.
In the case of this embodiment, these video signals and audio signals are supplied to the VCR 6 via the AV line.

  The CPU 29 executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 37. Further, the CPU 29 controls the AV device control signal transmission / reception unit 2A, outputs a predetermined control signal to another device via the control line, and receives a control signal from the other device.

  A predetermined command can be directly input to the CPU 29 by operating the operation button switch of the front panel 40. When the operation key of the remote commander 5 is operated, an infrared signal is output by the IR transmission unit of the remote commander 5, the infrared signal is received by the IR receiving unit 39, and the light reception result is supplied to the CPU 29. Accordingly, a predetermined command can be input to the CPU 29 also by operating the remote commander 5.

  Further, the CPU 29 takes in, for example, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information other than the video signal and audio signal output from the demultiplexer 24, creates EPG data therefrom, and supplies the EPG data to an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 36 for storage. Let The EPG information includes information on programs of each broadcast channel from the current time to several tens of hours later (for example, program channel, broadcast time, title, genre, program description, etc.). Since this EPG information is frequently transmitted, the SRAM 36 always holds the latest EPG information.

  In an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 38, data to be retained even after the power is turned off (for example, rewritable reception history for the past four weeks of the tuner 21) and the like are stored. Further, the CPU 29 compares the time information output from the calendar timer 35 with the time stamp output from the demultiplexer 24 from the received signal, so that the decoding process can be performed at the correct timing according to the comparison result. The MPEG video decoder 25 and the MPEG audio decoder 26 are controlled.

  Further, the CPU 29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25 when it is desired to generate predetermined OSD (On-Screen Display) data. The MPEG video decoder 25 generates predetermined OSD data corresponding to this control, writes it to the DRAM 25A, and further reads and outputs it. Thereby, a predetermined character, figure, etc. can be output to the monitor apparatus 4 and displayed.

  Here, when a program guide operation key is selected on the remote commander 5 or the front panel 40, the CPU 29 controls the MPEG video decoder 25 to display a broadcast program selection screen on the monitor device 4. The user can select and specify the desired program by moving the cursor to the desired program position on this screen and clicking the remote commander 5.

(3) Information Display by Information Guide System The CPU 29 of the receiving / decoding device 2 (FIG. 2) monitors the EPG information captured in the SRAM 36 according to the information guide program stored in the ROM 37 according to the operation of the remote commander 5 by the user. The information is displayed on the display screen 4A of the device 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the remote commander 5 has “cursor moving” buttons K2, K3, K4, and K5 for moving the cursor displayed on the display screen 4A up and down, left and right, and the item ( A “decision” button K6 for determining a (program) is provided. In addition, a “guide” button K11 for setting an information guide (program guide) mode and a “commentary” button K12 for switching the display mode of information displayed on the display screen 4A are provided. In response to these button operations, the CPU 29 (FIG. 2) displays corresponding EPG information on the display screen 4A.

That is, when the information guide mode is set by operating the “guide” button K11 of the remote commander 5, first, as shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of information icon (icon) portions EY are displayed in an information icon list. A list is displayed on the display area _AREY . Each information icon EY is provided corresponding to each broadcast channel, and a character (graphic image, logo mark, word, etc.) that represents a broadcast station that is a program provider of the channel by graphic and / or text. ) Is displayed, and the cursor KA indicates one of the information icon portions EY. The cursor KA can be moved up, down, left and right by the “cursor move” buttons K2 to K5 of the remote commander 5, and the “explanation” of the remote commander 5 is displayed with the cursor indicating one of the information icon portions EY. When the button K12 is operated, an information card format screen as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the display screen 4A.

  In this screen, the title of the program broadcast on the channel indicated by the information icon portion EY in the horizontal direction of the information icon portion EY designated by the cursor KA in the state of FIG. Has a title part TY described in a simple sentence. A “return” icon portion RT is displayed at the corner of the title portion TY, and by designating the “return” icon portion RT with a cursor, the screen shown in FIG. 4B is changed to the screen shown in FIG. 4A. You can go back. Incidentally, the area constituted by the information icon part EY, the title part TY and the “return” icon part RT designated by the cursor KA in FIG.

  If the “explanation” button K12 of the remote commander 5 is further operated in the state of FIG. 4B, the screen switches to a screen having the information content explanation part EX under the title part TY, as shown in FIG. 4C. . In this information content commentary section EX, detailed content information of the program designated by the information icon EY at this time is shown in text. By designating the “return” icon portion RT on the screen of FIG. 4C, the screen shown in FIG. 4C can be returned to the screen shown in FIG. 4B.

Incidentally, in the case of FIG. 4, by designating the information icon part EY in the upper left corner of the information icon part EY displayed in the list in the information icon list display part _AREY , the information icon part EY is specified. In the case where the title part TY is displayed in the horizontal direction of FIG. 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the information icon part EY at an arbitrary position is designated by the cursor, as shown in FIG. Further, the information icon part EY designated by the cursor moves, for example, in the left direction, and the title part TY and the “return” icon part RT are displayed on the right side of the information icon part EY as shown in FIG. Is done.

  In this state, by operating the “explanation” button K12 of the remote commander 5, the information icon part EY and its title part TY move to the top, and the information content explanation as described above with reference to FIG. The part EX is displayed below the title part TY.

  Here, FIGS. 6 to 9 show a series of information display procedures. In step SP1 of FIG. 6, the main screen of the program designated at this time is displayed on the display screen 4A of the monitor device 4. In this state, the CPU 29 of the reception decoding device 2 waits for an input operation of the remote commander 5 by the user. If the user operates any one of the operation buttons on the remote commander 5, the CPU 29 moves to step SP2 and determines the input contents by the remote commander 5.

Here, when the “OK” button K6 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the CPU 29 returns to the above-described step SP1 and continues displaying the main program. On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP2 that the “explanation” button K12 of the remote commander 5 has been operated, the CPU 29 moves to step SP4 and the program displayed on the display screen 4A in step SP1 described above. _Is displayed on the display screen 4A. The information icon list display area AREY, in which the information icon section EY corresponding to is indicated by the cursor KA, is displayed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP2 that the “guide” button K11 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the CPU 29 moves to step SP3 and displays information on the display screen 4A as the initial screen of the program guide mode. The icon list display area AR _EY is displayed, and the information icon part EY at the upper left corner, for example, is designated as the initial state of the cursor KA.

  In this state, the CPU 29 again waits for an input operation of the remote commander 5 by the user. If the user operates any one of the operation buttons on the remote commander 5, the CPU 29 moves to step SP5 and determines the input contents by the remote commander 5. Here, when the “guide” button K11 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the CPU 29 cancels the program guide mode, returns to the above-mentioned step SP1, and returns to the display of the program main part originally selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP5 that the “OK” button K6 of the remote commander 5 has been operated, the CPU 29 moves to step SP15 in FIG. 9 and the information designated by the cursor in step SP3 described above. The main part of the program corresponding to the icon part EY is displayed on the display screen 4A.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP5 that the “explanation” button K12 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the CPU 29 moves to step SP7 in FIG. 7 and displays the title part TY on the display screen 4A. At this time, the title and the gist corresponding to the information icon portion EY designated by the cursor are displayed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP5 that the “cursor movement” buttons K2 to K5 are operated, the CPU 29 moves to step SP6 and moves the cursor KA on the cover screen 4A according to the operation. To do. As a result, the user can move the cursor to the desired information icon portion EY by operating the “cursor movement” buttons K2 to K5 of the remote commander 5.

  In this state, the CPU 29 again waits for an input operation of the remote commander 5 by the user. If the user operates any one of the operation buttons on the remote commander 5, the CPU 29 moves to step SP8 and determines the input content by the remote commander 5. Here, when the “guide” button K11 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the CPU 29 cancels the program guide mode, returns to the above-mentioned step SP1, and returns to the display of the program main part originally selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP8 that the “OK” button K6 of the remote commander 5 has been operated, the CPU 29 moves to step SP15 in FIG. 9 and the information specified by the cursor in step SP6 described above. The main part of the program corresponding to the icon part EY is displayed on the display screen 4A.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP8 that the “explanation” button K12 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the CPU 29 moves to step SP9 in FIG. 7, and the information icon portion EY designated by the cursor at this time is displayed. Next, the title portion TY is displayed, and the title and the gist corresponding to the information icon portion EY designated by the cursor at this time are displayed.

  In this state, the CPU 29 again waits for an input operation of the remote commander 5 by the user. When the user operates one of the operation buttons on the remote commander 5, the CPU 29 moves to step SP10 in FIG. 8 and determines the input content by the remote commander 5. Here, when the “guide” button K11 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the CPU 29 cancels the program guide mode, returns to the above-mentioned step SP1, and returns to the display of the program main part originally selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP10 that the “OK” button K6 of the remote commander 5 has been operated, the CPU 29 moves to step SP15 in FIG. 9 and the cursor is designated in step SP6 and step SP9 described above. The main part of the program corresponding to the displayed information icon part EY is displayed on the display screen 4A.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP10 that the “cursor move” button K5 of the remote commander 5 is operated, this means that the user moves the cursor KA to the “return” icon portion RT in the state of step SP9. In this case, the CPU 29 moves to step SP12 and displays the cursor KA on the “return” icon portion RT. In this state, the CPU 29 again waits for an input operation of the remote commander 5 by the user. When the user operates one of the operation buttons on the remote commander 5, the CPU 29 moves to step SP14 in FIG. 9 and determines the input content by the remote commander 5.

When it is determined in step SP14 that the “explanation” button K12 has been operated, the CPU 29 returns to the above-described step SP6, and the information indicated by the cursor KA on the information icon EY of the program displayed as the title in step SP12. The icon list display area _AREY is displayed on the display screen 4A.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP14 that the “guide” button K11 is operated, the CPU 29 cancels the program guide mode, returns to the above-mentioned step SP1, and displays the program main part originally selected. Return. On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP14 that the “OK” button K6 of the remote commander 5 has been operated, the CPU 29 specifies that the “return” icon portion RT is designated by the user in step SP12 described above. In response to this, the process returns to the above-described step SP1 and returns to the display of the program main part originally selected.

  If it is determined in step SP10 that the “explanation” button K12 of the remote commander 5 has been operated, the CPU 29 moves to step SP11 in FIG. 8 and displays the information content explanation section EX on the display screen 4A. The contents of the program corresponding to the information icon part EY designated by the cursor (information icon part EY designated at step SP6 and step SP9) at this time are displayed as text.

  In this state, the CPU 29 again waits for an input operation of the remote commander 5 by the user. If the user operates any one of the operation buttons on the remote commander 5, the CPU 29 moves to step SP13 in FIG. 9 and determines the input content by the remote commander 5. Here, when the “guide” button K11 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the CPU 29 cancels the program guide mode, returns to the above-mentioned step SP1, and returns to the display of the program main part originally selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP13 that the “explanation” button K12 has been operated, the CPU 29 continues to display the above-described step SP11. On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP13 that the “OK” button K6 has been operated, the CPU 29 moves to the following step SP15, and at this time, the information icon portion EY (step SP6, step SP6) designated by the cursor. The main part of the program corresponding to the information icon part EY) specified in SP9 and step SP11 is displayed on the display screen 4A, and the selection of the program by the user is ended.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP13 that the “cursor move” button K5 of the remote commander 5 is operated, this means that the user moves the cursor KA to the “return” icon portion in the state of step SP11. In this case, the CPU 29 moves to step SP16 and displays the cursor KA on the “return” icon portion RT. In this state, the CPU 29 again waits for an input operation of the remote commander 5 by the user. If the user operates any one of the operation buttons on the remote commander 5, the CPU 29 moves to step SP17 and determines the input contents by the remote commander 5.

If it is determined in step SP17 that the “explanation” button K12 has been operated, the CPU 29 returns to the above-mentioned step SP12, and the title portion of the program whose program content was explained in the information content explanation part EX in step SP16. TY returns to the screen displayed in the information icon list display area _AREY .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP17 that the “guide” button K11 is operated, the CPU 29 cancels the program guide mode, returns to the above-mentioned step SP1, and displays the program main part originally selected. Return. On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP17 that the “OK” button K6 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the CPU 29 specifies that the “return” icon portion RT is designated by the user in step SP16 described above. In response to this, the process returns to the above-described step SP1 and returns to the display of the program main part originally selected.

(4) Operation and Effect of Embodiment In the above configuration, when the user operates the “guide” button K11 of the remote commander 5, the CPU 29 enters the program guide mode, and the list of information icons as shown in step SP3 (FIG. 6). The display unit AR _EY is displayed on the display screen 4A of the monitor device 4. On this display screen 4A, a plurality of information icon portions EY are displayed vertically and horizontally corresponding to the plurality of channels. In each information icon portion EY, a broadcasting station corresponding to each channel is displayed by a character. Therefore, the user looks at the information icon list display area AR _EY and wishes to operate the “OK” button K6 of the remote commander 5 while simultaneously viewing icons representing a plurality of channels (broadcast stations). You can select the channel you want.

  Further, by operating the “explanation” button K12 of the remote commander 5, a title bar (information icon portion EY, title portion TY and “return” icon portion as shown in step SP9 (FIG. 7) is displayed on the display screen 4A. Is displayed). Therefore, the user can see the title of the program currently broadcast on the channel corresponding to the specific information icon portion EY designated by the user and a brief summary explanation among the plurality of information icon portions EY.

Thus, the user can know that the currently displayed program guide (title bar) is a display step that appears next to the information icon list display area _AREY , and can easily determine the display step of the current program guide. In this state, the other information icon part EY (that is, other channels) can be seen together with the title bar, and the user can compare the summary of the channel in the title bar with other information icon parts EY (channels). You can see it.

  In this state, when the user operates the “commentary” button K12 of the remote commander 5, the information card format screen shown in step SP11 (FIG. 8) is displayed on the display screen 4A. In this screen, in addition to the title bar, a detailed description of the program content is displayed in the information content description section EX, so that the user can display the program description on the channel provided by the information icon section EY and the title section. It can be viewed with the program title by TY.

In this way, the user can switch the information icon list display area AR _EY , the title bar, and the information card format guide screen by simply operating the “explanation” button K12 of the remote commander 5, and in each display step, “ By operating the “OK” button K6, the main program of the channel corresponding to the information icon part EY designated by the cursor at this time can be immediately displayed. As a result, the display order of the program guide is changed from a channel (information icon section EY), a program title being broadcast on the channel, a detailed description of the program title, and a general classification item to a detailed description. You can switch with.

  Thus, according to the above configuration, the display steps of the program guide can be switched by a smooth display transition that does not make the user feel the hierarchy, and the usability of the user can be improved.

(5) Other Embodiments (5-1) In the above-described embodiments, the information icon list display area _AREY is described as a case where the information icon sections EY are randomly arranged vertically and horizontally. For example, the information icon portions EY representing channels of the same genre may be arranged in the vertical direction of the list.

In this case, the CPU 29 (FIG. 2) displays the information icon list display area _AREY as shown in FIG. 10 by operating the “guide” button K11 of the remote commander 5 (FIG. 3). The information icon list display unit _{AR EY,} based on the EPG information, in the vertical direction the same genre channel in broadcast programs (A, B, C, D , E or F) (information icon part EY) is Are lined up. In addition, a lower part of the information icon list display area AR _EY displays a jean search icon list display area AR _GE in which a plurality of genre search icons GE corresponding to each column are arranged. The user can search for a program for each genre using the genre search icon list display area ARGE.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the “Guide” button K11 of the remote commander 5 is operated, a channel representing a program of the same genre in the vertical direction is displayed on the information icon portion EY on the display screen 4A. Displayed. At the bottom of this information icon list display unit AR _EY, genre search icon list display unit AR _GE described above with reference to FIG. 10 is displayed. In this state, when the user operates the “cursor move” buttons K2 to K5 of the remote commander 5, the cursor KA can be set to one of the genre search icons GE as shown in FIG.

  In this state, when the user operates the “explanation” button K12 of the remote commander 5, all the column information icon portions EY corresponding to the Jean search icon GE designated by the cursor KA at this time are switched to the title bar (FIG. 11 (C) to FIG. 12 (A)).

  In this state (FIG. 12A), the user can simultaneously see the titles of the programs of the same genre, and by operating the “cursor movement” buttons K2 to K5 of the remote commander 5, FIG. As shown, the cursor KA can be set to the information icon portion EY corresponding to the desired title. Thus, by operating the “explanation” button K12 of the remote commander 5, as shown in FIG. 12C, an information content explanation section EX representing a detailed explanation of the program designated by the cursor is displayed. The detailed explanation of the program can be viewed.

  Incidentally, if the cursor is moved to the desired information icon EY or title bar in each display step of FIGS. 11 and 12 and the “OK” button K6 of the remote commander 5 is operated, the main part of the program specified by the cursor KA. Can be immediately displayed on the display screen 4A.

Thus, the user can know the channel (broadcast station) that is broadcasting the program of the same genre only by looking at the information icon portion EY arranged in the vertical direction of the information icon list display portion AREY (FIG. 10). genre in search icon is displayed on the list display portion AR _GE of either the genre search icon GE only move the cursor KA, you can see the titles of the same genre at the same time. Thereby, the user can search for a program more easily.

  10 to 12, the case where the information icons EY of the same genre are arranged in the vertical direction has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the title bar is set to be vertically long, for example, corresponding to Japanese vertical notation. In this case, the information icons EY of the same gene may be arranged in the horizontal direction. In this case, the Jean search icon GE is displayed on the right or left of the corresponding row.

(5-2) In the above-described embodiment, as the information icon list display area AR _EY , only the information icon sections EY are randomly arranged vertically and horizontally, but the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it add the genre identification code color-coded or pattern-divided for every genre to a part of information icon part EY.

That is, FIG. 13A shows the information icon list display area _AREY displayed on the display screen 4A, and the upper part of each information icon area EY is broadcasting on the channel represented by the information icon area EY. Are displayed on the Jean identification code section CO by color or pattern. In the upper part of the display screen 4A, the color or pattern corresponding to each genre is displayed together with the genre name (the genre identification code index part IDX).

  Therefore, the user can easily identify the jean by the jean identification code unit CO. Incidentally, FIG. 13B shows a state displayed in the information card format, and even in this case, the Jean identification code portion CO is displayed above the information icon portion EY.

  Here, FIG. 14 shows a modified example of the genre identification code part CO. In FIG. 14A, the genre identification is performed on the entire upper part of the title bar composed of the information icon part EY, the title part TY and the “return” icon part RT. The code part CO is displayed.

In FIG. 14B, the genre identification code portion CO is displayed on the upper and left sides of the information icon portion EY in the title bar. In this case, in addition to the title bar display, the Jean identification code portion CO may be displayed on the upper and left sides of all the information icon portions EY displayed in the information icon list display portion AR _EY. The position of CO is not limited to the upper part and the left part, but may be a combination with the right part or the lower part.

In FIG. 14C, the whole information icon portion EY of the title bar is displayed in a genre by covering it with a color or pattern corresponding to the genre. In this case, in addition to the title bar display, all of the information icon part EY which is displayed on the information icon list display unit AR _EY may be similarly color-coded or pattern classification. As a result, the classification of the Jeans can be further facilitated.

  In FIG. 14D, the entire portion displayed in the information card format is displayed so as to be colored or covered with a pattern according to the signal. This makes it possible to make the user recognize the genre more impressively.

(5-3) In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which six information icon portions EY (that is, a total of 36 information icon portions) are displayed on the information icon list display portion AR _EY. However, the information icon portion EY may be displayed by further subdividing.

On the other hand, as a method of handling a larger number of information icon portions EY without changing the number of information icon portions EY displayed on the display screen 4A, as shown in FIG. (36) may be displayed on the display screen 4A. That is, FIG. 15 (A) has a top and bottom scrollbars SC ₁ and the left and right scroll bars SC _2, the vertical scroll bar direction scroll button on added to the SC _{1 SC UP} or the down scroll button _{SC DW} cursor KA by specifying in, it is possible to scroll the information icon array of information icon list display area AR _EY vertically on the screen, also, left scroll button SC _L or right is added to the left and right scroll bars SC ₂ by specifying the scroll button SC _R cursor KA, it is possible to scroll the information icon array of information icon list display area AR _EY on the left and right on the screen, thereby the display screen 4A information icon part may display on EY It is possible to handle more information icon portions EY than the number of information icons.

Also FIG. 15 (B) down scroll buttons _SC UP, _{SC DW} left and right scroll buttons _SC L, instead of the SC _R, page switching icons AR _P provided, page backward button P1 or page feed button of FIG. 15 (A) By specifying P2 as a cursor, the information icon array of the information icon list display area _AREY can be handled in units of pages, and in this case as well, the number of information icon sections EY that can be displayed on the display screen 4A is larger. The information icon part EY can be handled.

(5-4) In the above-described embodiment, the case where each satellite broadcast program is displayed as an information icon has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the Internet WWW (World Wide Web) home page, DVD, CD In the information guide system comprising the media source of the disk library, etc., as shown in FIGS. 16 (A) and 16 (B), the list of information icons displayed on the display screen 4A is the source icon of the television broadcast, the homepage and the disk. An information icon corresponding to the mode (TV mode, WWW mode, DISC mode) designated by each source icon SOU may be displayed at the top of the display area _AREY .

That is, in FIG. 16A, the television (TV) mode is designated by the source icon SOU, and the information icon EY _TV corresponding to the television program (channel) is displayed in the information icon list display area AR _EY . . In this state, specifying the disk (DISC) mode source icon SOU, as shown in FIG. 16 (B), the information icon list display area _{AR EY,} an information icon _{EY DISC} example obtained by reducing the Gurafuitsuku of Jiyaketsuto of the disk Listed. Therefore, the user can select information icons for a plurality of types of media simply by selecting the source icon SOU. In this case, each disk can be selected on the display screen 4A of the monitor device 4 by using a disk engine mounted type DVD 8 or MD 9 in FIG. 1 that can store a plurality of disks.

  The information of each disk is registered by the user in the SRAM 36 of the receiving / decoding device 2 when loading each disk into the disk engine, or the disk information is recorded in advance on each disk and read at the time of loading. What is necessary is just to store in SRAM36. Moreover, as for the homepage information of the Internet, information inputted through the communication line may be taken into the SRAM 36 and information guidance may be performed based on the information.

(5-5) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the display sequence of the program guide is performed by the CPU 29 of the reception decoding device 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the information guide device is a separate unit. An apparatus may be used.

  The present invention can be used, for example, when recording a program.

1 is a block diagram showing a satellite broadcast receiving system to which an information display method according to the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a receiving decoding apparatus. It is a top view which shows the example of various button arrangement | positioning of a remote commander. It is a basic diagram which shows the change of the program guide screen of an information card format. It is a basic diagram which shows the change of the program guide screen of an information card format. It is a flowchart which shows an information display procedure. It is a flowchart which shows an information display procedure. It is a flowchart which shows an information display procedure. It is a flowchart which shows an information display procedure. It is a basic diagram which shows the arrangement | sequence according to the Jean of an information icon. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the search display procedure using a Jean search icon. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the search display procedure using a Jean search icon. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of a display with a genre identification code. It is a basic diagram which shows the other Example of a genre identification code part. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of a switching display of many icons. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of a switching display by a source icon.

Explanation of symbols

2 …… Receiving decoding device, 4 …… Monitor device, 4A …… Display screen, 5 …… Remote commander, K2 to K5 …… “Move cursor” button, K6 …… “OK” button, K11 …… “Guide” Button, K12... "Explanation" button, EY ... information icon part, AR _EY ... information icon list display part, KA ... cursor, TY ... title part, RT ... "return" icon part, GE ... genre search icon, CO ...... genre identification code portion, SC ₁ ...... vertical scroll bar, SC ₂ ...... right scroll bar, AR _P ...... page switching icons, SOU ...... source icon.

Claims (2)

A first step of displaying the information icon corresponding to the turn of sets side by side in each genre,
Among the displayed information icons, each information icon of the designated genre, in response to user operation, the information icon second switching as stretch, respectively as a display area for displaying the contents of the corresponding programs Steps,
A third step of displaying at least the title of the program corresponding to the information icon in each of the display areas ;
An information display method comprising: Display means for displaying information;
Comprising a display control unit that presents on the display means side by side information icon corresponding to the turn of sets for each genre,
The display control means includes
Of the information icon displayed, the respective information icon of the designated genre, in response to a user operation, switched to stretch each as a display area for displaying the contents of the program corresponding to the information icon, its these displayed in the region, Ru to display at least the title of the program corresponding to the information icon, the information display device.

Images