JP4587362B2 - Electronic program guide transmitter and receiver - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic program guide transmitting apparatus and receiving apparatus which are means for providing electronic information for a user to select a broadcast program.

In recent years, with the spread of cable TV and satellite broadcasting, the number of channels and programs that can be received by the user has increased dramatically, and the program desired by the user can be quickly, reliably, and easily selected from the conventional program guide provided on a print medium. The choice is becoming increasingly difficult.
In order to solve this problem, there is an electronic program guide as a conventionally proposed method. In this case, information about the program (program guide information) is transmitted from the broadcast station to the user terminal separately or in parallel with the broadcasted program, and the user selects a desired program using the received and accumulated information about the program. Is.

As shown in FIG. 12 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-289266, for example, the types of information included in the information related to the program of the electronic program guide according to the prior art are as follows. Character information such as commentary on program contents was common.
In addition, in order to pick up information related to a program desired by the user from information related to the program, a method of performing a search using a keyword set by the user and listing related programs has been proposed.

  However, the information used when the user selects a program that the user wants to watch is not limited to character information.

For example, you can listen to and confirm whether the music used in the program is a song that you know or that suits your taste, or the music that is used in the program There is a need to listen to the program and get a feel for the atmosphere and image of the program.
Alternatively, in the electronic program guide in the prior art, the information content such as the program name, the program start time, and the description of the program content provided in the form of character information is transmitted to the user in the form of audio information (announcement). If the user can listen to it as a guide, the convenience of the electronic program guide will improve, such as being able to use the electronic program guide even in situations where the TV screen cannot be seen, such as serving food for visually impaired users or cooking. Expand the range of use.

  Furthermore, when selecting a program, some users attach importance to the sponsor who provides the program, and judge the atmosphere and level of the program based on the sponsor's image. If you can listen to the sound of TV commercials broadcasted on TV, you will be able to grasp the image of the sponsor more directly and clearly.

  If audio information that assists program selection as described above can be used as a part of an electronic program guide, the conventional electronic program guide can be used in spite of the fact that a user can select a program more reliably, quickly, and simply. There was a problem that we could not meet that need.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and comprises the following means 1) to 3).
That is,
1) A transmission device for an electronic program guide used in a system that receives a data broadcast service in addition to a broadcast program and can reproduce and use detailed information including images and sounds by interactive operation. And
Audio including time information, display information and audio information corresponding to the program as electronic program guide information corresponding to the program, including an audio guide explaining the program and commercial audio information used in the program according to the program Encoding means for encoding information and outputting it as a code string;
The said time information and display information encoding means is output, the audio information including commercial audio information used in the program in accordance with the voice guidance and the program that describes the program as audio information corresponding to the program and a formatting means for formatting the respective encoded audio information, and compressed methods by adding together at least certain identification encoding, Jo Tokoro data broadcast transmission protocol,
Output means for outputting the formatted data structure to the outside of the device;
An electronic program guide transmission device comprising:

2) An electronic program guide receiving device for receiving data having a structure output from the electronic program guide transmitting device of 1 ) above ,
Decoding means for decoding at least the display information and outputting it as a video signal;
Conversion means for decoding at least one of the audio guide explaining the program of the audio information corresponding to the program and the commercial audio information and outputting it as an audio signal ;
An electronic program guide receiving apparatus.

3) In the electronic program guide receiver of 2 ) above ,
The audio information corresponding to the program includes a voice guide explaining the program and a plurality of audio signal code sequences including the commercial audio information, and designates a specific code sequence from the plurality of audio signal code sequences Means,
Means for selectively supplying the conversion means with the audio signal code string designated by the designation means;
A receiving apparatus for an electronic program guide, comprising:

According to the present invention, to add audio information together with the identification code in the data structure to be transmitted by the predetermined data broadcast transmission protocol, for example, in addition to the broadcast program, I collected it receives the data broadcast service, by interactively Detailed information regarding the program guide can be reproduced and used by voice.

  Next, an embodiment of an electronic program guide transmission device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an electronic program guide transmission device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an encoder unit (2) has a function of converting inputted program guide information into a code string (A), (B), and (C) and outputting it to an audio information insertion unit (3).
The speech information insertion unit (3) adds the input speech information to the code sequences (A), (B), and (C) input from the encoder unit (2), and transmits the transmission code sequences (A), (B), and (C). (D) has a function of outputting to the outside of the apparatus.

Next, the operation of the electronic program guide transmission apparatus (1) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of a code string related to the electronic program guide transmission device (1).
In FIG. 1, program guide information is first input to the encoder unit (2).
Program guide information is a collection of information related to a single program, such as program title, broadcast channel, broadcast start / end time, program type, and detailed information (performers, program commentary, stories, etc.). Yes, it is operated as an electronic program guide system using a predetermined format.

The encoder unit (2) generates code strings (A), (B), and (C) from the input program guide information, and outputs them to the audio information insertion unit (3).
The code strings (A), (B), and (C) generated by the encoder unit (2) have a structure shown in FIG. It consists of a start code (A) for declaring the start of program guide information (B) indicating the type (genre) of the program by a 1-byte code, and detailed information (C) including the program title and the like.

  The speech information insertion unit (3) receives the code sequences (A), (B), and (C) generated by the encoder unit (2) and the speech information, and transmits the transmission code sequences (A), (B), (C) ( D) is generated and output.

  The audio information is information obtained by encoding an audio signal related to a program according to a predetermined format, and information may be compressed simultaneously with encoding. The encoding method and the compression method are determined in advance as an electronic program guide system, and are determined so that a plurality of methods can be used. Information encoded and compressed by one of the methods is audio information. It may be.

In addition, the audio information added to the electronic program guide can be used as long as it is information obtained by encoding the audio related to the program. However, if the audio information is selected as follows, when the user selects the program, Promote the effect of using an electronic program guide to help.
The first is to select audio samples used in the program as audio information. This is, for example, a theme song of a drama, a background music, a part of a dialogue, or a part of a song played on a music program. By listening to the audio sample, the user can directly listen to a part of the contents related to the audio of the program, which can help the selection of the program.

The second is to select an audio guide related to the program as audio information. In this case, information provided as text information in the electronic program guide, such as a program title and broadcast time, is converted into sound (announcement). By selecting the audio guide, for example, a user with a visual impairment can use the electronic program guide, and the electronic program guide can be used even in situations where the TV screen cannot be seen while cooking, etc. The range of use of the system can be expanded.
The third is to select the voice of a commercial advertisement (commercial) that is broadcast along with the program as the voice information. When selecting a program to be watched, it corresponds to the user's needs to confirm the name of the sponsor who provides the program or to listen to the voice of the commercial being used to capture the image of the sponsor.

In the configuration of the electronic program guide transmission device (1) shown in FIG. 1, the transmission code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D) output by the audio information insertion unit (3) are, for example, those shown in FIG. I explained earlier that it has such a data structure. That is, a code string (D) obtained by encoding speech information is added to the generated code strings (A), (B), and (C) output from the encoder unit (2) shown in FIG. . At the head of the code string of the D part, an identification code specifying the method and format for encoding and compressing the audio signal used when demodulating the audio information part of the electronic program guide on the receiving side is added.
The transmission code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D) output from the electronic program guide transmission device (1) are superimposed on the broadcast program signal using superimposing means and sending means (not shown), and the electronic program guide is transmitted. Is broadcast by radio waves or wired transmission lines.
As an electronic program guide to be added to broadcasting, in addition to the information related to individual programs as described above, so-called “programs” in which programs broadcast on each channel in one week are summarized in one table. It is also possible to provide a “table”.
The electronic program guide transmission device (1) according to the present embodiment is configured to broadcast an electronic program guide related to a “program guide” by adding it to a broadcast program in the same manner as the device according to the prior art. ing.

The information of the electronic program guide regarding each program and the program table which is a list of programs broadcasted for a certain period such as one week or one day shown in FIG. Sent to.
Electronic program guides and program guides for individual programs for one week are superimposed on the broadcast and transmitted at a regular timing determined on Monday morning at 6 o'clock. Since the receiver knows in advance that it will be transmitted at that time, the electronic program guide is received and stored by timer control regardless of whether or not the user is watching the program.
Furthermore, the content of the broadcast program will change as the broadcast date approaches, or the broadcast time of sports broadcast programs will be extended according to the development of the game, and all the programs that will be broadcast after that will be broadcast for a certain time, etc. In order to deal with this situation, only the data to be changed can be transmitted every day at a fixed time such as 6:00 in the morning, or the broadcast time can be changed after the program starts broadcasting. For example, by transmitting change data, the electronic program guide information stored on the receiving side is updated, and operation is performed so that there is no difference between the stored electronic program guide and actual broadcasting.

The transmission code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D) may be configured as follows.
An example of a data broadcasting transmission protocol stack is introduced in “Journal of the Institute of Image Information and Media Studies, Vol. 52, No. 11, pp. 1551-1553”. In the above example, services related to television programs are provided by a data encoding method, and digital broadcasting is based on MPEG2, which is an image compression method, on top of a TS (Transport Stream) or PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) or Data is loaded in the form of Section, and the data storage system service is considered to be a data carousel and object carousel as a transmission protocol. This data carousel transmission method is a DSM-CC data carousel defined by ISO 13818-6, which is extended. It is described that a method capable of transmitting a file name, a directory structure, an expiration date, and the like by adding a child, a descriptor and the like is being studied.

By the transmission / reception system using the transmission protocol stack as discussed above, a user receives a data broadcasting service from a receiver installed in each home in addition to a broadcast program, and interactively operates the image or It is possible to reproduce and use detailed information consisting of audio.
In such a system, audio data, audio sample information, audio guide information, commercial audio information, etc., which are information added by the device according to the present invention described above, together with an identifier representing them, the data broadcast transmission protocol described above. You may comprise the transmission apparatus of the electronic program guide transmitted by a stack.
In the transmission system in which data is transmitted to each home using such an interactive method, or in the transmission system in which data is unilaterally transmitted as part of broadcasting as described in the above embodiments, the present invention is applied. Is to be implemented. In the following embodiments, the latter case will be described in the case of the transmission method in which data is sent as part of the unilateral broadcast.

Next, a first embodiment of the electronic program guide receiving apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the electronic program guide receiving apparatus (11) according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the separation unit (13) outputs the code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D) related to the input electronic program guide to the buffer memory (12) and temporarily stores them, and the user receives the television receiver. The input code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D) read from the buffer memory (12) in accordance with a selection control signal input using an operation means such as a remote controller attached to (40) are electronic program guide portions. (A) (B (C) and audio information part (D) are separated, and the input code string (A) (B) (C) of the electronic program guide part is input to the decoder part (14). It has a function of outputting the code string (D) to the format converter (15).

The buffer memory (12) stores the input code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D) input from the separator (13), and the stored input code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D). In accordance with a command from the separation unit (13).
The decoder unit (14) decodes the input code strings (A), (B), and (C) of the electronic program guide portion input from the separation unit (13), and is connected to the outside of the device (11) as a video signal. It has a function of outputting to the television receiver (40).
The format conversion unit (15) has a function of decoding the input code string (D) of the audio information portion input from the separation unit (13) and outputting the decoded audio signal to the television receiver (40) as an audio signal. The buffer memory (12), the separation unit (13), the decoder unit (14), and the format conversion unit (15) are components of the electronic program guide receiving device (11).
In FIG. 3, the television receiver (40) displays the video of the electronic program guide according to the video signal and the audio signal output from the electronic program guide receiving device (11), outputs the sound, and operates the attached remote controller or the like. According to the operation of the means, a selection control signal is generated and input to the separation unit (13) to perform an electronic program guide display operation.

Next, the operation of the electronic program guide receiving apparatus (11) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, broadcast receiving means (not shown) in which the program broadcast on which the transmission code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D) shown in FIG. And the code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D) are separated and input to the receiving device (11) of the electronic program guide.

The separation unit (13) immediately displays the input code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D) in response to the instruction of the selection control signal corresponding to the display / non-display selection command of the user's electronic program guide. Or output to the buffer memory (12) for temporary storage.
Further, the electronic program guide that is superimposed on the program broadcast, reaches the home, and is separated and input to the receiving device (11) of the electronic program guide is input code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D). In addition to data for storing information on individual programs, for example, it is also possible to provide so-called “program table” data in which programs broadcast by each channel during one week are summarized in one list. .

A user who is receiving a broadcast on the television receiver (40) selects whether or not to display the electronic program guide using an operation means such as a remote controller attached to the television receiver (40).
When the user inputs a command to display the electronic program guide using the operating means, a selection control signal is generated according to the command and input to the separation unit (13) of the electronic program guide receiving device (11).
In response to the selection control signal, the separation unit (13) first displays the program guide data of the electronic program guide on the screen. For this purpose, the separation unit (13) reads out the data relating to the program guide from the buffer memory (12) and outputs it to the decoder unit (14). The decoder unit (14) converts the input data into a video signal, and the television receiver ( 40) to be output to the outside of the electronic program guide receiver (11) for display on the screen.
FIG. 4 shows an example of a program guide displayed on the screen of the television receiver (40) by the above operation. In the example of the program table shown in FIG. 4, it is shown that the information of the electronic program guide that can be displayed for the two programs of program 1 and program 2 in the weekly program is stored in the buffer memory (12). This indicates that the user has selected program 2 from among selectable program names using a remote controller or the like.

In the state of FIG. 4, when the user further performs a “confirm” operation, the operation means of the television receiver (40) inputs a selection control signal to display the electronic program guide related to program 2 to the separation unit (13). To do. In response to the selection control signal, the separation unit (13) reads the input code strings (A), (B), (C), and (D) corresponding to the program 2 from the buffer memory (12), and the electronic program guide part (A ) (B) and (C) are separated and output to the decoder unit (14), and the audio information portion (D) is separated and output to the format conversion unit (15).
The decoder unit (14) decodes the input code strings (A), (B), and (C) of the input electronic program guide portion and outputs them as video signals to the outside of the electronic program guide receiving device (11). The video information of the electronic program guide can be viewed on the screen of the television receiver (40). A display example of the electronic program guide screen is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, character information such as a program title and broadcast date / time is displayed in the electronic program guide display screen (20).
The audio signal output from the format conversion unit (15) simultaneously with the display of the electronic program display screen (20) reaches the television receiver (40) connected to the apparatus, and the audio related to the program is output from the speaker. It is configured so that the user can listen. The audio to be output may be an audio sample, an audio guide, or a commercial audio related to the program displayed in FIG. 5, as described in the embodiment of the electronic program guide transmitting apparatus.

  A user who does not need the audio output of the electronic program guide can be made not to output by selecting and confirming the audio off button (21) in the electronic program guide display screen (20) by a remote control operation or the like.

Next, a second embodiment of the electronic program guide receiving apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the same components as those already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals and names, and a part of the description will be omitted to avoid duplication.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the data structure of the code string of the electronic program guide input to the apparatus of this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, display of an electronic program guide to which audio information is added is the same as in the first embodiment, but a feature is that a plurality of audio information is added.
That is, for the code strings (A), (B), and (C) relating to the electronic program guide shown in FIG. 9A, there are three pieces of audio information, for example, audio information 1, audio information 2, and audio information 3. 3 code strings (D1), (D2), and (D3) are added, and eventually, the transmission code strings (A), (B), (C), (D1), (D2), and (D3) shown in FIG. Is superimposed on the program and broadcast, separated by the receiver at each home, and input to the receiver according to this embodiment.
The code sequence of the three audio information, each of the code sequences D1, D2 and D3 is identified at the head by the method and format for encoding and compressing the audio signal used when decoding the code sequence on the receiving side. A code is added.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electronic program guide receiving device (19) according to the present embodiment. 6 have the same functions as those of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 3, so that they use the same names and symbols as in FIG. 3 to avoid duplication. The description of the repeated contents will be partially omitted.
In the configuration diagram of FIG. 6, the selection unit (17) displays one display screen of the electronic program guide screen displayed on the screen, which is input by the user using the operation means attached to the television receiver (40). A command for switching to a display screen (page turning command) or a command for selecting one to be reproduced from a plurality of audio information displayed on the display screen (30) of the electronic program guide (audio information selection) In response to the command (command), it has a function of issuing a command to the separation unit (18) to display information on a specific electronic program guide and audio information.
The separation unit (18) outputs code strings (A), (B), (C), (D1) and (D2 (D3) relating to the electronic program guide inputted from the outside to the buffer memory (12), and also inputs the input code string (A ) (B) (C) (D1) (D2) (D3) are separated into electronic program guide parts (A) (B) (C) and audio information parts (D1) (D2) (D3). It has a function of outputting the guide portions (A), (B), and (C) to the decoder portion (14).
Further, the separation unit (18) outputs the specific audio information according to the command from the selection unit (17) to output the specific audio information in the audio information portions (D1), (D2), and (D3) of the input code string. The part is separated and output to the memory unit (16).
The memory unit (16) stores an input code string (D1 or D2 or D3) related to the voice information selected by the user, which is output from the separation unit (18) in response to an instruction from the selection unit (17), and a reproduction instruction signal In response to the instruction, the input code string (D1 or D2 or D3) related to the audio information is output to the format conversion unit (15) by a method according to a mode such as normal reproduction or fast-forward reproduction.

Next, the operation of the apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, when a user inputs a command to display an electronic program guide from the operation means, a program guide is displayed on the screen of the television receiver (40). FIG. 7 shows an example of a program guide display screen.
In FIG. 7, among the programs for one week displayed in the program guide, programs 1 and 2 can display electronic program guides, and “SOUND” during display of programs 1 and 2 is the respective electronic program guides. Indicates that audio information is included.
When the user selects program 2 with the remote controller and the selection is confirmed, an electronic program guide related to program 2 is displayed on the screen of the television receiver (40). FIG. 8 shows an example of the electronic program guide display screen at that time.

In FIG. 8, in the electronic program guide display screen (30), a plurality of character information such as a program title, broadcast date and time, and a sound information selection button (31) are displayed.
In the present embodiment, as described above, the electronic program guide for one program is configured to include a plurality of audio information, and program 2 is selected from the program table shown in FIG. 7 and shown in FIG. When the electronic program guide display screen (30) is displayed, no audio information is output yet.
If there is audio information that the user wants to output, one of the audio information selection buttons (31) is selected and confirmed with a remote controller or the like.
A selection control signal corresponding to selection and confirmation by the remote controller is input to the selection unit (17), and the selection unit (17) instructs the separation unit (18) to output specific audio information corresponding to the signal. In response to the command, the separation unit (18) reads data of specific audio information, that is, for example, D1 in FIG.
The memory unit (16) stores the input data inside and then outputs it to the format conversion unit (15). The format conversion unit (15) converts the data into an audio signal and outputs it to the outside of the apparatus. The user can listen to the desired audio information of the electronic program guide through the speaker of the television receiver (40).

The plurality of selectable audio information can be realized with various contents.
That is, in the audio guide in which the character information of the electronic program guide is voiced (announced), the audio information 1 may be Japanese, the audio information 2 may be English, the audio information 3 may be Chinese, or the like. In an audio sample composed of a part of music, each audio information may be a plurality of different music samples.

  Alternatively, it is of course possible to use the audio information 1 as an audio sample such as music, the audio information 2 as an audio guide for explaining a program, and the audio information 3 as a commercial audio streamed in the program.

  Furthermore, a plurality of audio playback instruction buttons (32) are arranged in the electronic program guide display screen (30), and each of them is rewound, normal playback, fast forward, pause (restart playback from the same place when released), stop It has a function of instructing a reproduction mode such as (reproduction is instructed from the beginning).

  The audio reproduction instruction button performs a reproduction operation similar to that of a tape recorder, and has a function such that, for example, when the rewind button is selected during reproduction, reverse reproduction is performed and the music can be used for cueing. For audio information that is not suitable for reverse playback such as an audio guide (announcement), if the rewind button is selected after pausing temporarily, the access position of the audio information can be traced back without outputting audio.

  When the user selects the audio reproduction instruction button (32) of a desired mode with the remote controller of the television receiver (40) or the like, a reproduction instruction signal corresponding to the selection is input to the memory unit (16).

  The memory unit (16) sequentially outputs the audio data to the format conversion unit (15) by an output method according to the input reproduction instruction signal, for example, a method such as fast forward or reverse.

  Since the format conversion unit (15) sequentially converts the audio data input from the memory unit (16) into an audio signal and outputs the audio signal, the user can listen to the audio information reproduced in a desired mode.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of a transmission device for an electronic program guide according to the present invention. It is a model for demonstrating the data structure of the transmission code sequence which one Embodiment of the transmission apparatus of the electronic program guide of this invention outputs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic block diagram of 1st embodiment of the receiver of the electronic program guide of this invention. It is an example of the screen display of the electronic program guide which 1st embodiment of the receiver of the electronic program guide of this invention outputs. It is an example of the screen display of the electronic program guide which 1st embodiment of the receiver of the electronic program guide of this invention outputs. It is a schematic block diagram of 2nd embodiment of the receiver of the electronic program guide of this invention. It is an example of the screen display of the electronic program guide which 2nd embodiment of the receiver of the electronic program guide of this invention outputs. It is an example of the screen display of the electronic program guide which 2nd embodiment of the receiver of the electronic program guide of this invention outputs. It is a model for demonstrating the data structure of the input code sequence input into 2nd embodiment of the receiver of the electronic program guide of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic program guide transmitter 2 Encoder part 3 Audio | voice information insertion part 11 Electronic program guide receiver 12 Buffer memory 13 Separation part 14 Decoder part 15 Format conversion part 16 Memory part 17 Selection part 18 Separation part 19 Electronic program guide reception apparatus 20 Electronics Program guide display screen 21 Audio off button 30 Electronic program guide display screen 31 Audio information selection button 32 Audio information playback instruction button 40 TV receiver A Start code B Information on program type C Detailed information D Audio information D1 Audio information 1
D2 Audio information 2
D3 Audio information 3

Claims (3)

In addition to a broadcast program, a data broadcast service is received, and an electronic program guide transmission device used in a system capable of reproducing and using detailed information including images and sounds by interactive operation,
Audio including time information, display information and audio information corresponding to the program as electronic program guide information corresponding to the program, including an audio guide explaining the program and commercial audio information used in the program according to the program Encoding means for encoding information and outputting it as a code string;
The said time information and display information encoding means is output, the audio information including commercial audio information used in the program in accordance with the voice guidance and the program that describes the program as audio information corresponding to the program and a formatting means for formatting the respective encoded audio information, and compressed methods by adding together at least certain identification encoding, Jo Tokoro data broadcast transmission protocol,
Output means for outputting the formatted data structure to the outside of the device;
An electronic program guide transmission device comprising: An electronic program guide receiving device for receiving data having a structure output from the electronic program guide transmitting device according to claim 1,
Decoding means for decoding at least the display information and outputting it as a video signal;
Converting means for outputting as a voice signal by decoding at least one of the Ruoto voice guide and the commercial audio information to describe the program of audio information corresponding to the program,
An electronic program guide receiving apparatus. The receiving device for an electronic program guide according to claim 2,
Audio information corresponding to the program is made by adding a plurality of speech signal code string including a Ruoto voice guide and the commercial audio information to explain the program, you specify a particular code sequence from the plurality of audio signal code sequence Designation means to
Means for selectively supplying the conversion means with the audio signal code string designated by the designation means;
A receiving apparatus for an electronic program guide, comprising:

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