JP4771743B2 - Video receiving apparatus, program for causing computer to function as video receiving apparatus, recording medium, content server, and content distribution system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a video receiving device, a program for causing a computer to function as a video receiving device, a recording medium, a content server, and a content distribution system, and more particularly to a video receiving device that receives broadcast data and a computer functioning as a video receiving device. The present invention relates to a program, a recording medium, a content server, and a content distribution system.

  In recent years, mobile phones that are capable of viewing analog television broadcast programs are becoming popular. In the near future, a service that enables viewing of programs by terrestrial digital broadcasting (1-segment broadcasting) on mobile phones will also be started. Therefore, in the near future, an increase in the number of users (viewers) who can easily watch a program at any time on a mobile terminal represented by a mobile phone is expected.

Zapping is not limited to a portable terminal, but a user confirms the contents of a program broadcast at the same time by switching channels in a short time. Techniques relating to this zapping are disclosed in JP-A-11-32271 (Patent Document 1), JP-A-2003-87668 (Patent Document 2), and JP-A-2004-128942 (Patent Document 3).
JP-A-11-32271 JP 2003-87668 A JP 2004-128942 A

  While the mobile terminal has an advantage that the program can be easily viewed at any time, it is often difficult for the user to continue watching the program due to the achievement of the purpose or the deterioration of the radio wave reception state. Here, the purpose is, for example, transfer of transportation or shopping.

  A broadcasted program may become a commercial when the user can view it. Therefore, in many cases, even if zapping is performed on a mobile terminal, a program that is highly interesting to the user cannot be viewed in a timely manner.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video receiving apparatus capable of easily grasping program contents of a plurality of channels.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a program capable of easily grasping program contents of a plurality of channels.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a program capable of easily grasping program contents of a plurality of channels is recorded.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a content server that calculates billing information based on a part of data that a user desires to view in a program.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution system that allows a video receiving device to efficiently display programs of high user interest.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a video receiving apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention sequentially stores a storage unit that stores information, a receiving unit that receives a broadcast, and a channel of the broadcast that the receiving unit receives each time. Recording means for executing a recording process for sequentially storing the images of the corresponding channels in the storage means, and display means for displaying a list of the images stored in the storage means in time series for each channel; Is provided.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a selection unit that selects a channel based on an image displayed in a list on the display unit, and a control unit that causes the reception unit to receive the channel selected by the selection unit and display the channel on the display unit.

  Preferably, the control unit further causes the recording unit to stop executing the recording process during a period in which the channel selected by the selection unit is displayed on the display unit.

  Preferably, the storage unit stores user preference information, and the recording unit changes the information amount of the image stored in the storage unit based on the preference information.

Preferably, the preference information includes viewing channel history information which is information of a channel viewed by the user,
The recording means varies the information amount of the image of each channel stored in the storage means based on the viewing channel history information.

  Preferably, the preference information includes viewing program history information which is information of a program viewed by the user, and the recording unit varies the information amount of each program image stored in the storage unit based on the viewing program history information. .

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a communication unit that communicates with an external network, the preference information includes communication history information acquired by the communication unit, and the recording unit stores an image of each program stored in the storage unit based on the communication history information. Different amount of information.

  Preferably, the preference information includes user information unique to the user, and the recording unit varies the information amount of each program image stored in the storage unit based on the user information.

  Preferably, based on the selected frame, a communication unit that communicates with a content server that stores the broadcast program data, a frame selection unit that selects any of the images displayed in a list on the display unit, and a content based on the selected frame The server further comprises request signal generation means for generating a content request signal for requesting program data including the selected frame, and the communication means transmits the content request signal to the content server, and the selected frame Is received from the content server.

  Preferably, the frame selection unit selects two images corresponding to any one of the images displayed as a list on the display unit, and the request signal generation unit starts each of the two images on the content server. A two-frame content request signal for requesting program data between two frames as a frame and an end frame is generated, and the communication means transmits the two-frame content request signal to the content server, and the program data between the two frames Are received from the content server.

Preferably, the broadcast received by the receiving means is a digital TV broadcast.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a content server that stores broadcast program data that communicates with a video receiving device receives a content request signal from the video receiving device, and includes a program that includes a selected frame. Calculation means for calculating charging information based on the data, and communication means for transmitting the charging information to the video receiving device.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a content server that stores broadcast program data that communicates with a video receiving device receives a content request signal between two frames from the video receiving device. Calculating means for calculating charging information based on the program data, and communication means for transmitting the charging information to the video receiving apparatus.

  A content distribution system according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a video receiving device and a content server.

  A program for causing a computer to execute a process of storing image data in a storage unit of a computer and a process of displaying an image on a display unit of the computer is received in a step of receiving a broadcast and a step of receiving the broadcast. A step of executing a recording process for sequentially changing broadcast channels as time elapses and sequentially storing images of corresponding channels in a storage means; and an image stored in the storage means as a display means of a computer And causing the computer to execute a step of displaying a list in time series for each channel.

  Preferably, the method includes a step of selecting a channel based on an image displayed as a list on the display unit, and a step of receiving the channel selected in the step of selecting the channel and displaying the channel on the display unit.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the recording medium is a medium on which a program is recorded.

  The video receiving apparatus according to the present invention executes a recording process for sequentially changing the channel for each elapse of time and sequentially storing the images of the corresponding channels in the storage unit. Then, the images stored in the storage means are displayed as a list in time series for each channel.

Therefore, the program contents of a plurality of channels can be easily grasped.
When the content server according to the present invention receives a content request signal from the video receiving device, the content server calculates charging information based on the program data including the frame selected by the user, and transmits the charging information to the video receiving device. .

  Therefore, the user only has to select a program that he / she wants to view and pay a fee based on the program data, so that it is possible to avoid unnecessary payment.

  When the content server according to the present invention receives a content request signal between two frames from the video receiving device, the content server calculates billing information based on program data between two frames based on two images selected by the user, Information is transmitted to the video receiver.

  Therefore, the user only has to pay a fee based on the data of a part of the program, not the fee for all the programs that the user wants to view, so that it is possible to avoid unnecessary payment.

  The content distribution system according to the present invention includes a video reception device and a content server. The content server stores image data of each of a plurality of types of channels. The video reception device generates a content request signal for requesting program data including an image selected based on an instruction from the user among the plurality of images displayed on the display unit, and transmits the content request signal to the content server. The content server transmits the requested program data to the video receiving device.

  Therefore, the video receiving apparatus has an effect that it can efficiently display a program with high user interest. In addition, the video receiving apparatus does not need to include a large-capacity storage unit, and has an effect that cost and weight can be reduced.

  The program according to the present invention causes the computer to execute a recording process for sequentially changing the channels as time elapses and sequentially storing the image data of the corresponding channels in the storage means of the computer. Then, the computer stores the images stored in the storage unit and causes the computer to execute a process of displaying a list in time series for each channel.

Therefore, the program contents of a plurality of channels can be easily grasped.
The recording medium according to the present invention records a program. The program causes the computer to execute a recording process for sequentially changing the channels as time elapses and sequentially storing the image data of the corresponding channels in the storage means of the computer. Then, the computer stores the images stored in the storage unit and causes the computer to execute a process of displaying a list in time series for each channel.

  Therefore, the program contents of a plurality of channels can be easily grasped.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an external view of a video receiving apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment. Video receiving apparatus 1000 is a portable terminal (for example, a portable television, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a cellular phone, etc.) that can be carried by the user. Note that the video receiving device 1000 is not limited to a mobile terminal, and may be a stationary device, for example.

  Referring to FIG. 1, video receiving apparatus 1000 includes a display unit 100 and a display unit 110.

  The display unit 100 has a function of displaying images, characters, and the like. The display unit 100 may be any other display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)), an FED (Field Emission Display), an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display), or a dot matrix. Good.

  The display unit 110 is a display device similar to the display unit 100. The display unit 110 has a touch panel function that allows the user to input information by directly touching the screen. Display unit 110 includes display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D. Display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D display programs images of channels C1, C2, C3, and C4, respectively, in an initial state. That is, the display unit 110 has a function of simultaneously displaying images of a plurality of channels as thumbnail images.

  Each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D displays a plurality of past images of the corresponding channel, for example, at predetermined time intervals. Each of the list images displayed in each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D is a still image (thumbnail image). Each list image displayed in each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D may be a moving image.

  Of the list images displayed in each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D, the rightmost image is the latest image and becomes a new image as it goes to the right. Each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D displays the list image displayed at time tn by scrolling the list image at time tn to the left by one image each time a predetermined time elapses. Each time the display is scrolled, the latest image is displayed on the rightmost side of each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D. Further, every time the image is shifted and displayed, the leftmost image is scrolled out from the display unit 110 and becomes invisible.

  On the display unit 110, a down scroll button image 112A, an up scroll button image 112B, a right scroll button image 112C, and a left scroll button image 112D are arranged.

  The channel image displayed in each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D is scrolled by the touch operation of the down scroll button image 112A or the up scroll button image 112B by the user.

  For example, when the user performs a touch operation on the up scroll button image 112B, the program images of the channels C2, C3, C4, and C5 are scrolled up and displayed in the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D, respectively. The

  The list image displayed in each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D is scrolled by the touch operation of the right scroll button image 112C or the left scroll button image 112D by the user.

  For example, when the user performs a touch operation on left scroll button image 112D, the list images displayed in display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D at the time tn when the touch operation is performed scroll to the left. Displayed. When the screen is scrolled to the left, one image newer than the rightmost image displayed at time tn is displayed on the rightmost side of each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D. The

  The video receiving apparatus 1000 has a function of causing the display unit 100 to display a touched image when the user touches an image displayed in any of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D. Here, when the time when the touched image is recorded is ts and the channel from which the image is acquired is Cn, this corresponds to displaying the stored image at the time ts of the channel Cn. The stored image may be a still image (thumbnail image) or a moving image. Further, instead of the time ts, the currently broadcast image may be displayed on the channel Cn. In order to display a currently broadcast image on the channel Cn, a channel selection function (for example, a channel selection button) may be separately configured.

  Note that the video receiving device 1000 is not limited to a configuration including two display units, the display unit 100 and the display unit 110. Video receiving apparatus 1000 may include, for example, one display unit (hereinafter also referred to as display unit A), and display unit A may have the configuration and functions of display unit 110. Then, the user may display the touched image on the entire display unit A by touching any of the list images displayed on the display unit A.

  Or you may display the image currently broadcast in the channel which acquired the said image. The screen of the display unit 100 and the screen of the display unit 110 may be combined, displayed side by side or displayed side by side, or may be configured as a single display unit. In this embodiment, the list images of a plurality of channels are displayed side by side on the display unit 110. However, only the list image of a single channel is displayed, and the scroll button images A, B, C, D described above are displayed. May be configured to switch channels.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal control configuration of the video receiving apparatus 1000. Note that FIG. 2 also shows a recording medium 195 described later for the sake of explanation. A control program 175 described later is recorded on the recording medium 195. That is, the control program 175 is recorded on a medium or the like and distributed as a program product.

  Referring to FIG. 2, video receiving apparatus 1000 includes display unit 100, display unit 110, antenna 120, tuner 130, data processing unit 140, copyright protection unit 160, image processing unit 145, A VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 147, a control unit 150, a storage unit 170, a communication unit 180, and a recording medium access unit 190 are provided.

  The storage unit 170 is a hard disk capable of storing a large amount of data. Note that the storage unit 170 is not limited to a hard disk, and is a medium (for example, a flash memory) that can hold data even when power is not supplied, and other circuits that can store and hold data in a nonvolatile manner. Any of these may be used.

  The storage unit 170 stores a control program 175 for causing the data processing unit 140 and the control unit 150 to perform processing described later, preference information described later, other various programs, data, and the like.

  The antenna 120 has a function of receiving broadcast data wirelessly. The broadcast data is assumed to be data by 1-segment broadcasting, for example. The image size of the image data included in 1-segment broadcasting is, for example, the QVGA size. The broadcast data is not limited to 1-segment broadcasting, and may be any of BS digital broadcast data, CS digital broadcast data, and terrestrial digital broadcast data, for example.

  The broadcast data includes image data, audio data, EPG (Electric Program Guide) data, data broadcast (BML: Broadcast Markup Language) data, and the like.

  Broadcast data received by the antenna 120 is transmitted to the tuner 130. The tuner 130 transmits the received broadcast data to the data processing unit 140.

  The data processing unit 140 separates broadcast data input from the tuner 130 into image data, audio data, EPG data, and BML data, and decodes compressed image data and music data. The data processing unit 140 causes the storage unit 170 to store image data and audio data in accordance with a control instruction from the control unit 150 described later. At this time, the copyright protection unit 160 places a copy restriction so that the stored image data and audio data cannot be duplicated. For example, copy once (copy 1 generation management) data is used so that the stored image / sound data cannot be used secondarily. Alternatively, copying and moving are prohibited so that the stored image / audio data cannot be extracted from the video receiving apparatus 1000 to the outside. Further, the data processing unit 140 causes the storage unit 170 to store EPG data and BML data. The EPG data and BML data are also subjected to copyright protection processing by the copyright protection unit 160 as described above, and cannot be used secondarily.

  The data processing unit 140 includes a microprocessor, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) which is an LSI (Large Scale Integration) that can be programmed, and an ASIC (Integrated Circuit) designed and manufactured for a specific application. Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or any other circuit having an arithmetic function may be used.

  The copyright protection unit 160 performs copyright protection processing on the received image data and audio data. As described above, the copyright protection process is a process for prohibiting secondary use such as copying or moving image data or audio data. The copyright protection unit 160 stores and manages the image data, audio data, EPG data, and BML data subjected to copyright protection processing in the storage unit 170.

  The control unit 150 performs data access to the storage unit 170. The control unit 150 has a function of performing various types of processing, arithmetic processing, and the like for each unit in the video receiving apparatus 1000 according to the control program 175 stored in the storage unit 170.

  Note that the video receiving apparatus 1000 may be configured such that the control unit 150 performs the processing of the copyright protection unit 160 described above.

  The control unit 150 and the data processing unit 140 instruct the image processing unit 145 to generate an image and display the image on the display units 100 and 110 according to the control program 175 stored in the storage unit 170 (in the following, , Also referred to as “drawing instruction”).

  The image processing unit 145 is connected to the display unit 100 and the display unit 110. The image processing unit 145 temporarily stores an image using the VRAM 147 in response to a drawing instruction from the control unit 150 or the data processing unit 140. Then, the image processing unit 145 reads the image data stored in the VRAM 147 and displays an image based on the image data on at least one of the display unit 100 and the display unit 110.

  When there is a touch operation from the user, the display unit 110 transmits touch operation information to the control unit 150.

  Communication unit 180 exchanges data with control unit 150 and network 185. The network 185 is an external network such as the Internet. The communication unit 180 is a communication interface using Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication unit 180 and the network 185 transmit and receive data wirelessly or by wire. Examples of the wired line include a telephone line, a LAN (Local Area Network) cable, and an optical fiber cable.

  Therefore, video receiving apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment can also download a program from network 185 via communication unit 180 and store the program in storage unit 170. In this case, the downloaded program is the control program 175.

  The communication unit 180 receives image data compressed by, for example, streaming delivery from the network 185. The control unit 150 decodes the image data received by the communication unit 180 via the data processing unit 140 and causes the storage unit 170 to store the decoded image data. At this time, copy restriction by the copyright protection unit 160 may be applied to the distributed data.

  The control unit 150 performs predetermined processing according to a program (control program 175) downloaded from the network 150. The download program is stored in advance in the storage unit 170, and the download process is performed by the control unit 150 based on the download program.

  The recording medium access unit 190 has a function of reading the control program 175 from the recording medium 195 on which the control program 175 is recorded. The control program 175 stored in the recording medium 195 is read from the recording medium access unit 190 and stored in the storage unit 170 by the operation (installation process) of the control unit 150.

  This installation processing program is stored in the storage unit 170 in advance, and the installation processing is performed by the control unit 150 based on the installation processing program.

  Note that the control program 175 may not be installed in the storage unit 170. In this case, the control unit 150 reads out the control program 175 stored in the recording medium 195 via the recording medium access unit 190 and performs predetermined processing based on the control program 175.

  The recording medium 195 includes a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disk Recordable), a DVD-RAM (Digital Versatile Disk Random Access Memory), DVD + RW (Digital Versatile Disk Re-Writable), DVD-RW, MO (Magneto Optical Disk), floppy (registered trademark) disk, CF (Compact Flash) card, SM (Smart Media (registered trademark)), MMC (Multi Media Card) ), SD (Secure Digital) memory card, Memory Stick (registered trademark), xD picture card, USB memory, magnetic tape, and other non-volatile memory.

  In the present embodiment, image data, information data, and other various data may be recorded on the recording medium 195 by using the recording medium access unit 190 instead of the storage unit 170.

Next, processing performed in the video receiving apparatus 1000 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing performed in the video receiving apparatus 1000. The video receiving apparatus 1000 operates in the sleep mode when the main power is on and when the user does not view. The sleep mode is a mode in which the video receiving apparatus 1000 is operated with low power consumption without displaying an image on the display units 100 and 110. The process described below is initially performed assuming that the video reception device 1000 is in the sleep mode.

  Referring to FIG. 3, in step S120, capture processing is performed. However, it is assumed that the capture process is continuously performed during the sleep mode. However, in this case, the list image display process in step S123A in FIG. 5 described later is not performed. In the image display processing A in step S130, processing for allowing the user to view the broadcast program is performed. The contents of the image display process A will be described later.

  In step S140, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed the capture process in step S120 or the transition to the sleep mode from the state of the image display process A. When shifting, the process of step S120 is repeated. If not, the image display process A in step S130 is repeated unless the power is turned off in step S150. The determination processing in S140 may be performed by the user using another switching unit (not shown), for example, a switching switch configured in the video reception device 1000.

  In step S150, it is determined whether the user has turned off the power of the video receiving apparatus 1000. When the power is turned off, all processing is terminated. Otherwise, the image display process A in step S130 is repeated.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the capture processing in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining capture processing in four channels C1 to C4 for the sake of simplicity.

  Referring to FIG. 4, a square in period TC <b> 1 between time t <b> 0 and time tm indicates a period in which broadcast data of the corresponding channel is stored in storage unit 170. In the present embodiment, channels are switched at predetermined time intervals. Then, the data of the switched channel is stored in the storage unit 170 for a predetermined time. The time tm is the time when the user starts viewing the currently broadcast image on the channel C3 on the display unit 100, for example. In this case, after time tm, processing for storing data of all channels in storage unit 170 is not performed. Details will be described below.

  Between time t0 and t1, image data and audio data of channel C1 are stored in the storage unit 170. Between the times t1 and t2, the image data and audio data of the channel C2 are stored in the storage unit 170. During the time t2 to t3, the image data and audio data of the channel C3 are stored in the storage unit 170. Between time t3 and t4, the image data and audio data of channel C4 are stored in the storage unit 170. It should be noted that the period in which the data of each channel is continuously stored is the same.

  Assuming that the period from time t0 to time t4 is period T1, the processing performed in period T1 is repeated after time t4. In addition, it is assumed that the interval between the periods in which the data of the channels C1, C2, C3, and C4 are stored in the storage unit 170 is the period T0. Therefore, each data of the channels C1, C2, C3, and C4 is stored in the storage unit 170 for a predetermined time every period T0 interval. The channel image data stored in the storage unit 170 may be either moving image data or still image (thumbnail image) data.

  When still image data is stored in the storage unit 170, image data of one frame at an arbitrary time of the switched channel within a predetermined time is stored in the storage unit 170.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the capture process in the present embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 5, in step S <b> 121, control unit 150 sets 1 to channel specifying variable n. The channel specifying variable n is a variable for specifying channel switching of the tuner 130. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S122.

  In step S122, a later-described recording process for channel Cn is started. For example, when the channel specifying variable is “1”, the recording process of the channel C1 is started.

  Specifically, the control unit 150 transmits to the data processing unit 140 a capture start instruction for causing the storage unit 170 to start storing the image data and audio data of the channel Cn.

  Based on the received capture start instruction, the data processing unit 140 decodes the image data and audio data of the channel Cn received from the tuner 130 and transmits them to the storage unit 170. The transmission continues until a capture end instruction to be described later is approved, or until the capture process ends due to the end of the program. The copyright protection unit 160 performs copyright protection processing on the image data and audio data stored in the storage unit 170. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S123.

In step S123, it is determined whether or not there is a viewing start operation. The viewing start operation is, for example, an operation of touching an arbitrary part of the display unit 110 by the user, an operation of the user pressing a button (not shown) of the video reception device 1000, or the like. Specifically, the control unit 150 determines whether or not touch operation information has been received from the display unit 110 when the user performs a touch operation on the display unit 110. If YES in step S123, the process proceeds to step S123A. On the other hand, if NO at step S123, the process proceeds to step S123B. At step S123A, a list image display process is performed. When the process of step S123A is performed for the first time, the control unit 150 issues a control instruction for reading out image data of channels C1 to C4, for example, among all the channels stored in the storage unit 170. Send to.

  The data processing unit 140 reads the image data of the channels C1 to C4 from the storage unit 170 in accordance with the received control instruction. The data processing unit 140 transmits, to the image processing unit 145, a drawing instruction for displaying the image data of each channel and the image data of the channels C1 to C4 on the display unit 110 as illustrated in FIG.

  Based on the drawing instruction, the image processing unit 145 displays the image data of each channel as shown in FIG. In the storage unit 170, for example, when only the image data of the channel C1 is stored among the image data of the channels C1 to C4, the display unit 110 displays the image of only the channel C1.

  When the process of step S123A is not performed for the first time, each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D of the display unit 110 scrolls the list image displayed by the process of the previous step S123A to the left by one image. The control unit 150, the data processing unit 140, and the image processing unit 140 operate so as to be displayed. In this case, on the far right of each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D, the control unit 150 reads the latest image data of each channel from the storage unit 170, and the latest image is displayed. In addition, every time the scrolled image is displayed, the leftmost image of the displayed list image is scrolled out and cannot be seen. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S123B.

  In step S123B, it is determined whether or not there is a viewing channel instruction operation. Specifically, the control unit 150 determines whether or not the user has performed a touch operation on any image among the list images displayed in each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D. If YES in step S123B, the capture process ends (corresponding to time tm in FIG. 4), returns to the process in FIG. 3, and proceeds to step S130 subsequent to step S120. On the other hand, if NO at step S123B, the process proceeds to step S124.

  In step S124, control unit 150 determines whether or not the area where data in storage unit 170 can be stored is equal to or smaller than a predetermined area (for example, an area storing 1 Gbyte data). If YES in step S124, the process proceeds to step S124A. On the other hand, if NO at step S124, the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S124A, control unit 150 deletes the oldest data of channel Cn stored in storage unit 170. An example of data to be deleted is data corresponding to one program. An example of data to be deleted is data for a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes).

  When the control unit 150 deletes data corresponding to one program, one frame at an arbitrary position in the deleted data may be stored as a still image (thumbnail image) in the storage unit 170 and left. Good. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S125, the control unit 150 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the recording process of the channel Cn was started. If YES in step S125, the process proceeds to step S125A. On the other hand, if NO at step S125, the process at step S123 is performed again.

  In step S125A, the recording process for channel Cn is terminated. For example, when the channel specifying variable n is “1”, the recording process of the channel C1 is ended.

  Specifically, the control unit 150 transmits a capture end instruction for ending the recording process to the data processing unit 140. The data processing unit 140 stops the process of transmitting the image data and audio data of the channel Cn received from the tuner 130 to the storage unit 170 based on the received capture end instruction. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S125B.

  In step S125B, the control unit 150 increments the channel specifying variable n by 1. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S126.

  In step S126, control unit 150 determines whether or not channel specifying variable n is greater than the maximum number of channels (for example, 12). The maximum number of channels is the number of channels of broadcast stations that can be received by the video receiving apparatus 1000. If YES in step S126, the process proceeds to step S127. On the other hand, if NO at step S126, the process at step S122 is repeated again.

  In step S127, the control unit 150 sets 1 to the channel identification variable n. Thereafter, the process of step S122 is repeated again.

  Referring to FIG. 3 again, if YES in step S123B described above, the capture process ends, the process returns to the process in FIG. 3, and proceeds to step S130 subsequent to step S120.

  In step S130, image display processing A is performed. In the image display process A, the control unit 150 transmits the image touched by the user in the process of step S123B or channel information (for example, channel C3) corresponding to the image to the data processing unit 140. The data processing unit 140 transmits to the image processing unit 145 a drawing instruction for causing the display unit 100 to display the image data at the time ts when the touched image is stored or the image data currently being broadcast on the channel.

  The image processing unit 145 displays the stored image at the time ts on the display unit 100 based on the received drawing instruction and channel image data. Alternatively, an image currently being broadcast is displayed (see after time tm in FIG. 4). When shifting from step S130 to the sleep mode, as described above, another switching switch (not shown) or the like is used. In the sleep mode, it is assumed that the capture processing of S120 and S121 to S127 is repeated.

  As described above, by the processing in the present embodiment, the user refers to a plurality of images displayed at a predetermined time interval for each of a plurality of channels displayed on the display unit 110, so that a program for each channel is displayed. There is an effect that the contents can be easily grasped.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in order to display a list image of a plurality of channels on display unit 110, recording processing is performed while switching channels at predetermined time intervals with one tuner. Therefore, video receiving apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment has an effect that recording processing of a plurality of channels can be realized at a lower cost than an apparatus using a plurality of tuners.

  In the present embodiment, since broadcast data is not recorded while the user is viewing a program currently being broadcast on a channel on the display unit 100, wasteful consumption of the storage area of the storage unit 170 is avoided. Can be prevented.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, processing performed by the video receiving apparatus 1000 based on the preference information will be described. The preference information is information generated or acquired by the video receiving device 1000 when the user uses the video receiving device 1000 for a predetermined period (for example, one month). The preference information is stored in the storage unit 170.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of preference information.
Referring to FIG. 6, the preference information includes viewing history information, communication history information, and user information.

  The viewing history information is information related to a program viewed by the user on the display unit 100. The viewing history information includes, for example, broadcasting time, broadcasting time zone, broadcasting station (channel), category, program title, viewing time, performer, producer (director, screenwriter, music producer) and the like. The category includes, for example, news, sports, drama, movie, music, variety, information, culture, special effects for anime, drama, hobby, welfare, and the like.

  The communication history information is information obtained by the user accessing the network 185. The communication history information includes, for example, mail history information, chat history information, web browsing history information, net shopping history information, and the like.

  The user information includes user-specific information such as name, age, hobby, occupation, and address.

  Next, a viewing history information data table composed of a plurality of viewing history information will be described.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a viewing history information data table T100 as an example.
Referring to FIG. 7, viewing history information data table T100 includes a plurality of viewing history information data. Each viewing history information is generated based on EPG data of a program.

Next, a process for generating the viewing history information data table T100 will be described.
The control unit 150 of the video receiver 1000 is based on EPG data of a program (hereinafter also referred to as a viewing program) that the user has viewed on the display unit 100 for a predetermined period (for example, one month), viewing time of the viewing program, and the like. A viewing history information data table T100 is generated. Each viewing history information data included in the viewing history information data table T100 is always held for a predetermined period. The old data that has passed the specific period is deleted from the storage unit 170 by the control unit 150.

Next, an aggregation process using the viewing history information data table T100 will be described.
As an example of the aggregation process, there is a category aggregation using the viewing history information data table T100. The collected category data is stored in the storage unit 170.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a totaling state of categories using the viewing history information data table T100 as an example. The number of viewing history information data included in the viewing history information data table T100 is, for example, 100.

  FIG. 8 is a graph showing the frequency of the number of each category out of 100 viewing history information data. The horizontal axis in FIG. 8 indicates the category, and the vertical axis indicates the frequency. For example, based on the frequency, in the five-level evaluation, the category with the highest viewing ratio is set as the priority “5”, and the category with the lowest viewing ratio is set as the priority “1”. For example, when the category is music, the priority is “5”. For example, when the category is theater, the priority is “1”.

  Here, the priority is a value used by the video receiving apparatus 1000 to preferentially record a program of a corresponding item (for example, category) in the present embodiment as the value increases. .

  As another example of the tabulation processing, there is channel counting using the viewing history information data table T100. Note that the accumulated channel data is stored in the storage unit 170.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a channel count state using the viewing history information data table T100 as an example. The number of viewing history information data included in the viewing history information data table T100 is, for example, 100.

  FIG. 9 is a graph showing the frequency of the number of each channel among 100 pieces of viewing history information data. In this case, for example, the priority of the channel C8 is “5”. For example, the priority of the channel C5 is “1”.

  As another example of the counting process, the above-described category or channel counting process may be performed on a time zone, a program title, a performer, or a producer.

  As another example of the counting process, the viewing time of viewing history information data included in the viewing history information data table T100 may be used. Specifically, by dividing the time (for example, 16 minutes) at which a program was viewed by the total broadcast time (for example, 60 minutes) of the viewed program, the ratio of viewing one program (hereinafter referred to as the program viewing ratio). (Also called). A program with a higher program viewing ratio is a program preferred by the user.

  Another example of the counting process is a process of calculating the appearance rate of a character string included in a program title.

  Another example of the counting process is a process of calculating the priority by combining the values calculated in the above-described counting process at an arbitrary ratio.

  Another example of the counting process is a process of calculating an appearance rate of a character string included in the communication history information, for example, included in the web browsing history information. Based on the appearance rate, for example, the priority of a channel or a program is calculated.

  Another example of the totaling process is a process of calculating the appearance rate of programs included in the user information, for example, in categories corresponding to hobbies. Based on the appearance rate, for example, the priority of a channel or a program is calculated.

  Data (priority data) aggregated by the above aggregation process is stored in the storage unit 170.

  In the present embodiment, the recording processing conditions described in the first embodiment are changed based on the preference information. The preference information includes viewing history information, communication history information, and user information. That is, in the present embodiment, the recording process conditions are changed based on information of at least one of viewing history information, communication history information, and user information or a combination thereof. Hereinafter, an example will be described.

  In the following process, for example, the recording process condition is changed based on the viewing history information. More specifically, the recording process conditions are changed based on, for example, the category priorities that have been tabulated based on the viewing history information.

  FIG. 10 shows program list data D200 in which EPG data and priority are associated with each other based on the aggregated data.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the program list data D200 is stored in the storage unit 170 by using the priority based on the data of the graph of FIG. 8 in which the categories are tabulated based on the viewing history information data table T100. This is data in which stored EPG data, program information included in the EPG data, and priority are associated with each other. The program list data D200 is stored in the storage unit 170.

  For example, a program whose category is news starting at 14:00 on channel C1 has a priority of “3”. For example, a program whose category is a movie that starts at 14:00 on channel C4 has a priority of “4”.

  In the present embodiment, the recording process is performed while the channel is switched at predetermined time intervals. In the recording process, the recording condition is changed according to the priority. The recording conditions include the number of moving image frames to be recorded (fps), the vertical and horizontal sizes (dots), image quality (compression rate, bit rate), sound quality (compression rate, bit rate), and the like.

  Next, processing performed in video receiving apparatus 1000 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of processing performed in video receiving apparatus 1000 in the present embodiment. Video receiving apparatus 1000 operates in the above-described sleep mode when the main power is on and when the user does not view. The process described below is initially performed assuming that the video reception device 1000 is in the sleep mode.

  Referring to FIG. 11, in step S210, priority data is read for a certain period (for example, from 12:00 to 13:00). Specifically, control unit 150 reads program list data D200 from storage unit 170. And the control part 150 reads the priority data of each channel in a certain period (for example, from 12:00 to 13:00) contained in the program list data D200. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, the control unit 150 calculates a recording start time for each channel based on the read channel priority data for a certain period. The control unit 150 causes the storage unit 170 to store the calculated recording start time data for each channel. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S220.

In step S220, capture processing B is performed.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the calculation of the recording start time and the capture process B in the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the recording start time calculation and capture processing B in the four channels C1 to C4 for the sake of simplicity.

  Referring to FIG. 12, as in FIG. 4, a square in the period TC <b> 1 between time t <b> 0 and time tm indicates a period during which broadcast data of the corresponding channel is stored in the storage unit 170. The time tm is the time when the user starts viewing the currently broadcast image on the channel C3 on the display unit 100, for example. In this case, after time tm, processing for storing data of all channels in storage unit 170 is not performed.

  In the present embodiment, the recording time for each channel is set to be different based on the priority data included in the program list data D200. Specifically, the higher the priority is, the more information amount of the image and audio data of the program of each corresponding channel is stored in the storage unit 170.

  A program (channel) with a priority of 5 has the largest amount of data stored in the storage unit 170 in a predetermined period. That is, in the predetermined period, the program (channel) image stored in the storage unit 170 has the highest number of frames of the program having the priority level of 5. A program (channel) with a priority of 1 has the smallest amount of data stored in the storage unit 170 in a predetermined period. That is, in the predetermined period, the program having the lowest priority is the program having the smallest number of frames of the program (channel) image stored in the storage unit 170.

  Note that the image data of the program (channel) stored in the storage unit 170 may be either a moving image or a still image (thumbnail image). When a still image is stored in the storage unit 170, image data of one frame at an arbitrary time in the switched channel within a predetermined time is stored in the storage unit 170.

  In FIG. 12, the time at which the capture process B is performed is t0, and the priorities of the channels C1, C2, C3, and C4 in the period TC1 (for example, 12:00 to 13:00) are “4” and “5”, respectively. , “3” and “3” are diagrams for explaining the calculation of the recording start time and the capture process B.

  In this case, in the period TC1, the interval of the period in which the program of the channel C2 is stored is the shortest compared to other channels. That is, in the period TC1, the program with the channel C2 with the priority 5 has the largest amount of data stored in the storage unit 170. Note that the recording start time of channel C2 calculated in step S212 described above is time t1, time t3,.

  In the period TC1, the interval between the periods in which the programs of the channels C3 and C4 are stored is the longest compared to the other channels. That is, in the period TC1, the smallest amount of data stored in the storage unit 170 is the programs of the channels C3 and C4 with the priority level 3. Note that the recording start time of channel C3 calculated in step S212 described above is time t2, time t6,. Further, the recording start time of the channel C4 calculated in the above-described step S212 is time t5,. Also, the recording start time of the channel C1 calculated in the above-described step S212 is time t0, time t4,.

  Note that the program of the channel with the priority of 1 is not recorded at all, and the interval of the recording process is longer than the channels C3 and C4.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the capture process B in the present embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 13, in step S221, it is determined whether or not there is a channel that has reached the recording start time. Specifically, the control unit 150 acquires the current time by reading information on a timer counter provided in the storage unit 170. The timer counter indicates the current time. Apart from this processing, the timer counter is constantly updated by a control unit (not shown) regardless of whether the main power supply of the video reception device 1000 is on or off.

  Then, the control unit 150 reads the recording start time data of all channels from the storage unit 170. Then, the control unit 150 determines whether there is data that matches the acquired current time among the read data of the recording start times of all channels. If YES in step S221, the process proceeds to step S222. On the other hand, if NO at step S221, the process proceeds to step S223.

  In step S222, the control unit 150 sets the recording process flag stored in the storage unit 170 to ON. The recording process flag is a flag indicating whether or not to perform the above-described recording process for the channel that has reached the recording start time. The recording process flag is set to off in the initial state. When the recording process flag is set to ON, the recording process is performed until the recording process flag is set to OFF. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S222A.

  In step S222A, the control unit 150 transmits to the data processing unit 140 a control instruction for switching the channel for recording processing to the channel at the recording start time. Only when the recording process flag is on, the data processing unit 140 performs the recording process for the channel at which the recording start time is reached based on the received control instruction. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S223.

  In step S223, it is determined whether there is a viewing start operation. Since the process in step S223 is the same as that in step S123 described above, detailed description will not be repeated. If YES in step S223, the process proceeds to step S223A. On the other hand, if NO at step S223, the process proceeds to step S223B.

  In step S223A, a list image display process B1 is performed. When the process of step S223A is performed for the first time, in the list image display process B1, the control unit 150 selects, for example, the images of the channels C1 to C4 according to the priority among all the channels stored in the storage unit 170. A control instruction for reading data is transmitted to data processing unit 140. In this embodiment, the higher the priority of a channel, the greater the number of images read out by that channel. When the priority of the channel is 5, the images read from the channel are, for example, five images for each predetermined period. When the channel priority is 1, the number of images read out by the channel is, for example, one.

  The data processing unit 140 reads the image data of the channels C1 to C4 from the storage unit 170 in accordance with the received control instruction. The data processing unit 140 transmits, to the image processing unit 145, a drawing instruction for displaying the image data of each channel and the image data of the channels C1 to C4 on the display unit 110 as illustrated in FIG.

  Based on the drawing instruction, the image processing unit 145 displays a list of image data of each channel as shown in FIG. In the storage unit 170, for example, when only the image data of the channel C1 is stored among the image data of the channels C1 to C4, the display unit 110 displays the image of only the channel C1.

  When the process in step S223A is not performed for the first time, the list images displayed in the display area 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D of the display unit 110 by the process in the previous step S223A are displayed according to the priority. The control unit 150, the data processing unit 140, and the image processing unit 140 operate so as to scroll and display the image s (natural number) to the left.

  For example, when the priority of the channel is 5, since the amount of image data of the channel stored in the storage unit 170 is large, s is set to 1. When the channel priority is 1, the amount of image data of the channel stored in the storage unit 170 is small, so s is set to 5. That is, the display position is adjusted according to the priority value of each channel so that the relative position (time) of the list image does not shift between the channels of the display unit 110.

  That is, when there is a difference in the scroll interval in each of the display areas 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D, the control unit 150 adjusts the display position by displaying a blank or true black image. In addition, since the display of the display image is scrolled to the left every time, the display image is scrolled out from the leftmost image and is not visible from the display unit 110.

  Through the above processing, the higher the priority of a channel, the more frequently the image corresponding to that channel is changed. Therefore, the number of images displayed on the display unit 110 increases in a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) as the program of the channel that the user is more interested in. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S223B.

  In step S223B, it is determined whether or not there is a viewing channel instruction operation. Since the process of step S223B is the same as the process of step S123B described above, detailed description will not be repeated. If YES in step S223B, the flow proceeds to step S229 described later. On the other hand, if NO at step S223B, the process proceeds to step S224.

  In step S224, the same processing as in step S124 described above is performed, and thus detailed description will not be repeated. If YES at step S224, the process proceeds to step S224A. On the other hand, if NO at step S224, the process at step S221 is performed again.

  In step S224A, control unit 150 deletes the oldest data among all the channels stored in storage unit 170. An example of data to be deleted is data corresponding to one program. An example of data to be deleted is data for a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes).

  When the control unit 150 deletes data corresponding to one program, one frame at an arbitrary position in the program to be deleted may be stored in the storage unit 170 as a still image (thumbnail image). Thereafter, the process of step S221 is performed again.

  If YES in step S223B described above, the process proceeds to step S229. In step S229, control unit 150 sets the recording process flag to OFF. Thereby, the recording process by the data processing unit 140 is stopped. Thereafter, the capture process B ends (corresponding to time tm in FIG. 12), returns to the process in FIG. 11, and proceeds to step S230 after step S220.

  Referring to FIG. 11 again, in step S230, an image display process B2 is performed. In the image display process B2, the same process as in step S130 described above is performed, and thus detailed description will not be repeated. With the above processing, this processing is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the category priority calculated based on the viewing history information is used, but instead of the category priority, the channel priority calculated by the above-described aggregation process, The above-described processing may be performed using any one of the channel or program priority calculated from the communication history information and the channel or program priority calculated from the user information.

  In the present embodiment, processing is performed so that the recording processing time of each channel differs depending on the priority. In other words, processing was performed so that the number of frames for recording the program of each channel in a predetermined time was different. However, in the present embodiment, depending on the priority, not only the recording processing time of each channel, but also processing in which the vertical and horizontal sizes, image quality (compression rate), and sound quality (compression rate) of the image are different may be performed.

  As an example of the process, a program of a channel with a higher priority is recorded with a larger image size than a program of a channel with a lower priority.

  Another example of the process is a process of recording a program with a higher priority channel than a program with a lower priority channel at a higher image quality (high bit rate).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the recording processing conditions are changed based on the preference information. That is, in the present embodiment, the priority of a plurality of programs is calculated from information of at least one of viewing history information, communication history information, and user information or a combination thereof, and a response is made based on the priority of each program. The recording process conditions for the program to be changed are changed. The condition of the recording process is a condition that, as the priority is higher, a larger number of corresponding program images of each channel are stored in the storage unit 170.

  Therefore, the program of the channel that the user is more interested in stores more data in the storage unit 170. On the other hand, the amount of data stored in the storage unit 170 decreases as the program of the channel with less user interest. As a result, the storage area of the storage unit 170 can be effectively used.

  In the present embodiment, the higher the priority, that is, the program of the channel that the user is more interested in, the more images are displayed on the display unit 110. Therefore, there is an effect that the program whose channel is more interesting to the user can be grasped in more detail.

That is, there is an effect that the user can efficiently watch a program of high interest.
<Third Embodiment>
Next, a system in which a server that records programs of all channels for a predetermined period (for example, one week) and the video receiving apparatus 1000 described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention can be linked will be described. . It is assumed that the system according to the present embodiment is a system that enables purchase of a part of data for a user who wants to view only a part of one program instead of all one program.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the content distribution system 10000.
Referring to FIG. 14, content distribution system 10000 includes content server 300, network 185, and video receiving device 1000. The content server 300 and the video reception device 1000 can transmit and receive data to and from each other via the network 185. The content server 300 is, for example, a server that provides a video-on-demand service, a server in a broadcasting station, a personal computer at home, or the like.

  The content server 300 includes a control unit 350, a storage unit 370, and a communication unit 380. Since control unit 350, storage unit 370, and communication unit 380 are the same as control unit 150, storage unit 170, and communication unit 180 of FIG. 2, detailed description will not be repeated. The storage unit 370 stores program data of all channels for a predetermined period (for example, one week). The storage unit 370 stores authentication information and billing information, details of which will be described later.

  The control unit 350 performs data access to the storage unit 370. Control unit 350 also exchanges data with communication unit 380.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing in the content distribution system.
Referring to FIG. 15, video receiving apparatus 1000 performs the following processing. First, in step S410, the control unit 150 generates a content request signal. Specifically, the user touches two images among the list images displayed on the display unit 110. Note that the user may perform a touch operation on one of the list images displayed on the display unit 110.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining two images touched by the user in the video reception device 1000.

  Referring to FIG. 16, it is assumed that the two images are, for example, images 110DS and 110DF in display area 110D. The images 110DS and 110DF are images of the same channel.

  Referring to FIG. 15 again, control unit 150 receives information for specifying two images from display unit 110 by a user's touch operation on the two images. The control unit 150 identifies, for example, a frame number, a scene number, and the like based on the two received images, and generates a content request signal based on the identified information. The content request signal is a signal for requesting moving image data between the start frame and the end frame with the image 110DS as the start frame and the image 110DF as the end frame.

  When there is one image touched by the user, the one image becomes a start frame. In this case, the content request signal is a signal for requesting moving image data from the start frame to a frame from the start frame to the end of the program. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S420.

  In step S <b> 420, the control unit 150 transmits the generated content request signal to the content server 300 via the network 185.

  In the content server 300, the following processing is performed. First, in step S510, control unit 350 determines whether there is a content request signal. If YES in step S510, the process proceeds to step S520. On the other hand, if NO at step S510, the process at step S510 is performed again.

  In step S520, an authentication process is performed. Specifically, based on the authentication information stored in storage unit 370, control unit 350 determines whether the device that transmitted the content request signal is a device used by an unauthorized user. Specifically, control unit 350 determines whether the device that transmitted the content request signal is a device included in the authentication information. Alternatively, password authentication, fingerprint authentication, or the like may be performed using an input unit (not shown). If YES in step S520, the process proceeds to step S530. On the other hand, if NO at step S520, the process at step S510 is performed again.

  In step S530, billing processing is performed. In the charging process, the control unit 350 calculates the amount to be paid by the user who requests the moving image data based on the moving image data requested by the content request signal. Then, information on the calculated amount (hereinafter also referred to as billing information) is transmitted to the video receiving apparatus 1000.

In the video reception device 1000, the process proceeds to step S430 after the process of step S420.
In step S430, the video receiving apparatus 1000 receives the billing information transmitted from the content server 300. The received charging information is displayed on the display unit 100, for example, when the control unit 150 transmits a drawing instruction for displaying the charging information on the display unit 100 to the image processing unit 145. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S440.

  In step S440, a consent signal is transmitted. Specifically, when the user accepts the billing information displayed on the display unit 100, the user performs a consent operation by a button (not shown) of the video receiving apparatus 1000 or a touch operation of the display unit 110. The consent signal is a signal generated by the control unit 150 based on the user's consent operation. Then, the control unit 150 transmits the generated consent signal to the content server 300.

  In the content server 300, after the process of step S530, the process proceeds to step S540.

  In step S540, control unit 350 determines whether or not there is a consent signal from video receiving apparatus 1000. If YES in step S540, the process proceeds to step S550. On the other hand, if NO at step S540, the process at step S540 is performed again.

  In step S550, control unit 350 reads out the moving image data requested by the content request signal from storage unit 370 and transmits it to video receiving apparatus 1000.

In video receiving apparatus 1000, the process proceeds to step S450 after the process of step S440.
In step S450, communication unit 180 starts receiving moving image (program) data from content server 300. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S460.

  In step S460, the control unit 150 transmits to the data processing unit 140 a drawing instruction for causing the display unit 100 to reproduce and display the moving image (program) data started to be received by the communication unit 180 in step S450. The data processing unit 140 decodes the moving image data received by the communication unit 180 according to the drawing instruction, and displays the decoded data on the display unit 100 via the image processing unit 145. The display unit 100 reproduces already received data while receiving moving image (program) data from the content server 300. That is, streaming playback is performed. Note that all the data received from the content server 300 may be temporarily stored in the storage unit 170, and then the received data may be reproduced and displayed on the display unit 100.

  In the present embodiment, the image or channel to be displayed is selected by the user's touch operation on the image, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user can use a remote controller or a button provided separately. May be selected.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the start frame and the end frame of a part of the program that the user wants to watch are selected from the list image displayed on display unit 110 (or only the start frame is selected). Then, the information is transmitted to a server in which program data is recorded. That is, it is not necessary to record program data in the video receiving apparatus 1000. Therefore, the video receiving apparatus 1000 does not need to have a large-capacity storage unit, and has an effect of reducing cost and weight.

  In addition, by making it a part rather than all the programs that the user wants to watch, the area consumed by the storage unit in the video receiving apparatus 1000, the time and cost for communication can be minimized. Play.

  Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly view only a part of the program that the user wants to view.

  In addition, the content distribution system or the content server in the present embodiment has an effect that the video receiving apparatus 1000 can efficiently display a program that is highly interested by the user.

  Further, by transmitting billing information corresponding to data of a part of a program that the user wants to watch to the video receiving apparatus 1000, the user can easily know the charge for the data of the part of the program that the user wants to watch. There is an effect that can be done.

  That is, since the user only has to pay a fee based on data of a part of the program, not a fee for all the programs that the user desires to watch, there is an effect that unnecessary payment can be avoided.

  If the content server 300 is a personal computer owned by a user who uses the video receiving apparatus 1000 or a home server that stores moving pictures, it goes without saying that the above-described billing process and processes related to the process are as follows. It does not have to be done.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a block diagram which shows the external view of the video receiver in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure inside a video receiver. It is a flowchart of the process performed with a video receiver. It is a figure for demonstrating the capture process in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the capture process in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of preference information. It is a figure which shows the viewing-and-listening history information data table as an example. It is a figure which shows the aggregation state of the category using the viewing history information data table as an example. It is a figure which shows the total state of the channel using the viewing history information data table as an example. This is program list data in which EPG data and priorities are associated with each other based on the totalized data. It is a flowchart of the process performed by the video receiver in this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating calculation of the video recording start time and the capture process B in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the capture process B in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a content delivery system. It is a flowchart which shows the process in a content delivery system. It is a figure for demonstrating two images which a user touch-operates in a video receiver.

Explanation of symbols

  100, 110 display unit, 140 data processing unit, 150, 350 control unit, 170 storage unit, 175 control program, 195 recording medium, 300 content server, 1000 video receiving device, 10000 content distribution system.

Claims (17)

Storage means;
Receiving means for receiving broadcast images for each channel;
Recording means for sequentially changing the channel of the receiving means for each passage of time, and executing a recording process for storing the changed broadcast images for each channel in the order of passage of time in the storage means;
A video receiving apparatus comprising: a display unit configured to display a list of a plurality of broadcast images stored in the storage unit in order of passage of time for each channel . Selection means for selecting a channel based on the broadcast images listed on the display means;
The video receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that causes the receiving unit to receive the channel selected by the selecting unit and display the channel on the display unit.   The video receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit further causes the recording unit to stop executing a recording process during a period in which the channel selected by the selection unit is displayed on the display unit. The storage means stores user preference information,
4. The video receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit changes an information amount of a broadcast image stored in the storage unit based on the preference information. 5. The preference information includes viewing channel history information that is information of a channel viewed by the user,
5. The video receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording unit varies the information amount of the broadcast image of each channel stored in the storage unit based on the viewing channel history information. The preference information includes viewing program history information that is information of a program viewed by the user,
5. The video receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording unit varies the amount of broadcast image information of each program stored in the storage unit based on the viewing program history information. A communication means for communicating with an external network;
The preference information includes communication history information acquired by the communication means,
The video receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording unit varies the amount of broadcast image information of each program stored in the storage unit based on the communication history information. The preference information includes user-specific user information,
The video receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording unit varies the amount of broadcast image information of each program stored in the storage unit based on the user information. Communication means for communicating with a content server storing broadcast program data;
Frame selection means for selecting any of the broadcast images displayed in the list on the display means;
Further comprising request signal generating means for generating a content request signal for requesting program data including the frame from the content server based on the selected frame;
The video receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the content request signal to the content server and receives program data including the frame from the content server. The frame selection means selects two broadcast images corresponding to one of the broadcast images displayed in the list on the display means,
The request signal generation means generates a content request signal between two frames for requesting the content server to program data between two frames having the two broadcast images as a start frame and an end frame,
The video receiving apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the communication unit transmits the content request signal between two frames to the content server and receives program data between the two frames from the content server.   The video receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast image received by the receiving unit is a digital TV broadcast image. A content server that stores broadcast program data that communicates with the video receiver according to claim 9,
Calculating means for calculating charging information based on program data including the selected frame when the content request signal is received from the video receiving device;
A content server comprising communication means for transmitting the billing information to the video receiving device. A content server storing broadcasted program data that communicates with the video receiver according to claim 10,
Calculating means for calculating charging information based on program data between the two frames when the content request signal between the two frames is received from the video receiving device;
A content server comprising communication means for transmitting the billing information to the video receiving device.   A content comprising the video receiving device according to claim 9 and the content server according to claim 12, or comprising the video receiving device according to claim 10 and the content server according to claim 13. Distribution system. A program for causing a computer to execute a process of storing broadcast image data in a storage unit of a computer and a process of displaying a broadcast image on a display unit of a computer,
Receiving a broadcast image of a predetermined channel;
Performing a recording process for sequentially changing the channel for each passage of time and storing the changed broadcast image for each channel in the storage unit in the order of passage of time;
A program for causing a computer to execute a step of displaying a list of a plurality of broadcast images stored in the storage unit in order of passage of time for each channel on a display unit of the computer. Selecting a channel based on the broadcast images displayed in the list on the display means;
The program according to claim 15, comprising the step of receiving the channel selected in the step of selecting the channel and displaying the channel on the display means.   A recording medium on which the program according to claim 15 or 16 is recorded.

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