JP4919291B2 - Broadcast receiving apparatus and method for controlling broadcast receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for estimating the start time of a corner in a program that often has an irregular start time.

  Currently, in addition to terrestrial broadcasting, various programs such as broadcasting / communication satellite (BS / CS) broadcasting and cable television broadcasting are being broadcast for various broadcasting forms. In other words, the range of viewing programs can be expanded for the user, and various programs can be enjoyed. However, since the range of program selection has become too wide, it has become difficult for the user to grasp what program is being broadcast or when the program to be viewed is scheduled to be broadcast.

  For example, if the program is a news program, "Today's headline", "Special feature corner", "Today's sports results", or if it is a drama, "Main part", "Trailer", "Bonus mini corner", etc. It is often composed of a plurality of program corners. Some users may be interested only in “Today's Sports Results” and “Bonus Mini Corner” even within the same program.

  However, even though information on start / end times in units of programs is usually posted on program information providing media such as an electronic program guide, such information on start / end times in units of corners in programs is not available. Not listed. Also, such a program corner often has an indefinite broadcast start time, and just because the corner started at “10:30” the previous day does not always start at that time. As a result, there have been situations where the user eventually missed the corner in the program that he wanted to watch (i.e., failed to record).

Therefore, in Patent Document 1, for example, a characteristic image (such as a title logo of “Today's sports” in the frame) specified by the user, for example, a start frame of the “Today's sports result” corner, or a predetermined jingle that announces the start of the corner Audio is stored, and pattern matching processing is performed using the stored data as a reference pattern in subsequent broadcasts. A technique relating to a corner detection device that detects the start of a corner in a program and automatically notifies the user of the start of the corner or automatically records the corner is disclosed.
JP 2004-221984

  However, in the above-described conventional technique, extremely complicated processing such as pattern matching of image data and audio data (audio waveform) is performed to determine the start of a program corner. Therefore, there exists a subject that the processing load of an apparatus will become high. In addition, due to the high processing load, depending on the computing capability of the apparatus, there may be a time lag after the start of a desired corner until the pattern matching process is completed.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention does not need to execute complicated processing such as conventional pattern matching, and “a user's channel selection operation history” and “until the channel selection operation is executed”. Broadcast distribution with a function to calculate an “index” for determining whether or not an irregular program corner has just started using the “frequency distribution of CM frame insertion frequency” Providing the device.

  Specifically, it is assumed that the channel selection unit is selected according to the start of the in-program corner within the viewing frame, the viewing frame specifying unit for identifying the viewing frame of the program in which the in-program corner is broadcasted, etc. A channel selection operation history recording unit that records a channel selection operation history to a corner in a program as a channel selection operation to be estimated, the time when the channel selection operation for the specified viewing frame from outside the viewing frame is executed, and CM frame frequency management unit for managing the correlation between the frequency of the CM frame broadcast in the viewing frame selected by the channel selection operation and the frequency until the station operation is executed, and the channel selection operation history recording A probability distribution calculation unit that calculates the probability distribution of the start of a program corner based on the channel selection history recorded in the unit as a function of time, and the time frame of the viewing frame specified by the viewing frame specification unit. Identified by at least one tuner in the tuning department The current value counting unit that counts the current value, which is the number of CM frames up to the present in the viewing frame, and the number of times managed by the CM frame frequency management unit Based on the correlation, the in-program corner is now determined based on the degree to which it can be estimated that the in-program corner has started at the current value counted by the current value counting unit and the probability distribution calculated by the probability distribution calculating unit. Broadcast reception having: an index calculation unit that calculates an index for estimating that it has started; a comparison unit that compares the calculated index with a predetermined threshold; and a control unit that controls the broadcast channel selection unit according to the comparison result Device.

  According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, first, using the history information of the user's channel selection operation time, for example, “the time indicated that the channel is often selected in the history is the start time of the in-program corner. It is possible to calculate an index indicating the possibility of starting a corner in a program according to the elapsed time after the program starts. Further, by calculating the history of channel selection operation time as a probability distribution, it is possible to obtain an index that also takes into account irregular corner start time variations.

  Further, according to the above configuration, the present invention calculates a weighted value (degree) for correcting the index using the frequency distribution of the number of CM frames inserted into the program before the channel selection operation, corrects the index, and the like. This makes it possible to estimate the start time of the in-program corner more accurately.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the first embodiment, claims 1, 2, 6, and 7 will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, claims 3 and 8 will be mainly described. In the third embodiment, claims 4 and 9 will be mainly described. In the fourth embodiment, claims 5 and 10 will be mainly described.

Example 1
<Overview>
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment is an operation in which, for example, a user who is viewing another channel by zapping or the like performs an operation (tuning operation) that matches the channels after the start of a desired program corner. Assume that Therefore, a function is provided for collecting a history about the time at which the channel selection operation was performed and calculating an index indicating the possibility of starting the in-program corner according to the elapsed time after the program starts from the history information.

  Further, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment further corrects the index using the frequency distribution of the number of CM frames inserted into the program before the channel selection operation in order to improve the accuracy of the index. And That is, for example, in general programs, the number of corners is fixed, and CMs are often inserted between the corners. In other words, even in a program corner with an indefinite start time, the number of CM frames inserted (number of insertions) before the start of the corner is often constant. Therefore, for example, in the frequency distribution of the number of CM frames, if the frequency of appearance of 4 times is higher than the frequency of appearance of other times, the number of CM frames inserted before the start of the in-program corner is “4 times”. It can be considered that there is a high possibility. Therefore, in the time zone during which the number of CM frames inserted during program broadcasting is four times, the index is corrected so as to increase, and the accurate start time is estimated.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are conceptual diagrams showing an example of the start time estimation process of the in-program corner by the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment. First, for example, the user desires to watch and record the broadcast start time of “Sports Corner” in “News Program” being broadcast on 110 channels from 22:00 to 23:00 from Monday to Friday. Therefore, the user registers these pieces of information for specifying a program including a desired program corner in the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment.

  Then, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment stores in the database the time at which the channel selected for the program specified by the registration information (hereinafter referred to as a registered program) was made. For example, on October 1st, the remote control channel selection signal for channel 110 was received at “22:30”. On October 2, the remote control channel selection signal for channel 110 was received at “22:25”. Then, the time information is stored as a channel selection operation history in the channel selection operation history database as shown in the figure.

  Subsequently, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment counts the number of CM frames and stores the frequency distribution in the database as follows. That is, two or more tuners are provided, and the registered program is always received by the tuner B other than the tuner A that receives the broadcast in order to display the program on the display. Then, until the tuning operation for the registered program is executed in one tuner A, the number of CM frames included in the broadcast received in the other tuner B is counted and stored in another database. For example, on October 1st, the number of CM frames inserted into the registered program before the channel selection operation at tuner A at “22:30” was counted as three. On October 3, it was counted that there was only one CM frame inserted in the registered program before the channel selection operation at “22:10” tuner A. Then, the appearance frequency is counted for each insertion count of the counted CM frame, and the CM frame frequency is stored in the database as a frequency distribution of the CM frame count.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the history of the time when the channel selection operation stored in the channel selection operation history database collected in this way is executed, and the CM frame stored in the CM frame frequency database. For example, the process of determining whether or not the in-program corner is started at the current time point every minute using the frequency of the number of times or the like. Then, when a judgment result is given that it will start, it will notify the user by displaying a message on the display, etc., automatically tune to the corresponding channel, automatically start the recording process, etc. can do.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “broadcast receiving device” (0300) of this embodiment includes a “broadcast channel selection unit” (0301), a “viewing frame specifying unit” (0302), and a “channel selection operation history recording unit”. (0303), “CM frame frequency management unit” (0304), “probability distribution calculation unit” (0305), “current value counting unit” (0306), “index calculation unit” (0307), It has a “comparison unit” (0308) and a “control unit” (0309).

  Note that the functional blocks of the apparatus described below can be realized as hardware, software, or both hardware and software. Specifically, if a computer is used, a CPU, a main memory, a bus, or a secondary storage device (a storage medium such as a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and a reading drive for these media) Etc.), hardware components such as printing devices, display devices, other external peripheral devices, I / O ports for the external peripheral devices, driver programs for controlling the hardware, other application programs, and information input Examples include user interfaces that are used.

  In addition, these hardware and software process the program developed on the main memory with the CPU, and process, store, and output data stored on the memory and hard disk, and data input via the interface. It is used for processing or controlling each hardware component. The present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus but also as a method. A part of the invention can be configured as software. Furthermore, a software product used for causing a computer to execute such software and a recording medium in which the product is fixed to a recording medium are naturally included in the technical scope of the present invention (the same applies throughout the present specification). Is).

  The “broadcast tuning unit” (0301) has a function of extracting broadcast waves in a predetermined frequency band from broadcast waves received by the tuner. Specifically, for example, a process is performed in which a channel signal designated by the user using a remote control or an operation panel is received, and a command for extracting a broadcast wave in a frequency band indicated by the channel signal is output to the tuner unit. . Then, the broadcast wave taken out by the tuner unit according to the command is demodulated and decoded and displayed as a program on a display or recorded by a recording device.

  The “viewing frame specifying unit” (0302) has a function of specifying a viewing frame. The “viewing frame” refers to a frame of a program or the like in which a corner in a program desired to be viewed is broadcast. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, channel (broadcast frequency) information, start time information and end time information (or any of them) Such as time information and broadcast time information) and broadcast day information.

  Note that this viewing frame is not limited to a frame indicating “program”, and may be, for example, a frame that spans a plurality of programs or a frame from the middle to the middle of the program. In such a case, it is preferable that the user inputs information for specifying the viewing frame using a user interface such as a GUI. If the viewing frame is the same as the program frame, the above information is input using, for example, a barcode described in a newspaper program column or an electronic program guide as described later in the third embodiment. It is good to configure.

  Then, with respect to the viewing frame specified by the viewing frame specifying unit, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment collects and accumulates the channel selection operation history, the frequency of the CM frame, and the like.

  The “channel selection operation history recording unit” (0303) has a function of recording the time at which the channel selection operation is performed as a channel selection operation history to the in-program corner. The “channel selection operation history” is a channel selection operation that presumes that a channel was selected in response to the start of the in-program corner within the viewing frame, and shows a history of channel selection operation from outside the viewing frame for the specified viewing frame. Refers to the information shown. Specifically, for example, the identified viewing frame is “110 channels” from “Monday to Friday” and “22:00 to 23:00”. Then, the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment performs monitoring such as operation of the broadcast channel selection unit and reception of a remote control signal for controlling the broadcast channel selection unit when the time zone is reached. Then, at “22:30” on October 1, it is detected that the channel selection from the channel other than the 110 channel to the 110 channel has been executed by the broadcast channel selection unit, and the time is shown in the table data as shown in FIG. Etc., recorded on the HDD. Similarly, for the subsequent October 2 and October 3, monitoring of the broadcast channel selection section, etc., is performed in the same time zone, and the time when the channel selection operation was performed is recorded in the HDD, and the history information is generated. It is a state of doing.

  For example, if the execution time of the channel selection operation is set to “110 channels” before 22:00, the start time “22:00” specified in the viewing frame is set to the time of the channel selection operation. You may comprise. If the broadcast receiving apparatus is turned on during the specified time period and the default channel at that time is “110 channels”, the power-on time is set as the time of the channel selection operation. It may be configured.

  In any case, when a channel selection operation for the channel specified in the viewing frame is executed in the time period specified in the viewing frame as described above, the channel selection operation history is recorded as the history information. It is recorded in the department.

  For example, since it is considered that “the time at which the channel is often selected in the history is likely to be the start time of the in-program corner”, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment selects the selection recorded here. The first feature is that an index indicating the possibility of starting a corner in a program corresponding to the elapsed time after the program starts is calculated using the station operation history.

  In order to determine whether the channel selection operation is so-called “zapping”, for example, when the user presses a “confirmation button” or the like in the channel selection operation, the channel selection operation may be considered. Alternatively, as will be described later in the second embodiment, since the channel selection operation is executed one after another in zapping, the channel selection operation is regarded as a channel selection operation when one channel is continuously selected. You may do it.

  The “CM frame frequency management unit” (0304) calculates the correlation between the frequency and frequency of broadcast of the CM frame in the viewing frame selected by the channel selection operation before the channel selection operation is executed. Has the function to manage. In addition, regarding the counting of the number of CM frames here, specifically, the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment is provided with two or more tuners, and it is preferable to realize the function of this constituent element by the following processing. That is, first, one tuner A is set as a broadcast wave receiving tuner for displaying on a display or recording with a recording device. The other tuner B performs fixed control so that the channel specified by the viewing frame specifying unit is always received during the time period specified by the viewing frame specifying unit. The tuner B is configured not to accept control of the control unit by a remote control signal or the like.

  Then, tuner B counts the number of CM frames included in the “110 channel” broadcast wave that is fixedly received after “22:00” indicated by the viewing frame, for example. Specifically, for example, the CM is often stereo audio, and the program is often monaural audio or bilingual audio. Therefore, it is preferable to detect such a difference in audio format, determine whether the received broadcast wave is a CM or a program, and count only the number of CM frames. In addition, there are many cases in which the video and audio signal levels are different between commercials and programs because the production entities are different. Therefore, it is preferable that the change in the audio level or the video level is detected, and if it is determined that there is a change of a predetermined value or more, it is determined that a CM is inserted and the number is counted.

  Then, when channel selection to “110 channel” is executed in the other tuner A, the counting process is ended, and the number counted so far, for example, “3 times” is set as the CM frame number. As shown in FIG. 6A, it is stored in a database. Similarly, for October 2nd, 3rd, etc., the number of CM frames from the start of the viewing frame to the execution of the channel selection operation is counted, and the number “3 times” “1 time”. To store.

  Subsequently, the CM frame frequency management unit calculates and manages the frequency of the CM frame count thus counted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the counted number of CM frames is set as a class, and the appearance frequency is totaled. As a result, histogram data indicating the correlation (frequency distribution) between the number of CM frames and the frequency thereof is, for example, “1” for the frequency of “0” for the number of CM frames and “1” for the frequency of the CM frame. 4 "and so on.

  Here, it can be assumed that the CM frame frequency having the highest frequency in the histogram data is the number of CM frames inserted before the in-program corner desired by the user starts. Therefore, the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment has a second feature that the weight value k corresponding to the frequency is calculated and used for the determination process of whether or not the in-program corner has just started. That is, when the number of CM frames is 0, the weight value k0 is calculated from the appearance frequency shown in the histogram to “1”, and the weight value k1 with one CM frame number is calculated from the appearance frequency to “4”. As will be described later, it is used to correct an index for determining whether or not a program corner has just started.

  The “probability distribution calculation unit” (0305) has a function of calculating a probability distribution in which a program corner is started as a function of time based on the channel selection history recorded in the channel selection operation history recording unit (0302). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, for example, since the time of the channel selection operation on October 1 is 22:30, the function V = normally distributed around the time t = 22: 30. V1 (t) is calculated. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, since the time of the channel selection operation on another October 4 is 22:42, the function V = V4 (t ) Is calculated.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, such a function is generated for each time indicated by the channel selection operation history, and V = V (t) obtained by combining them is calculated as an index for estimating the corner start time. It is used for the purpose. By calculating the channel selection operation time history as a probability distribution in this way, it is possible to calculate an index, which will be described later, in consideration of irregular corner start time variations.

  In the above example, the probability distribution calculation unit has normal distribution calculation means for calculating a probability distribution by superimposing a normal distribution centered on the channel selection operation time for a plurality of channel selection operations for each channel selection operation. Although the normal distribution is used as the function of, the time function to be calculated is not limited to the normal distribution. Any function indicating a probability distribution may be calculated as long as the time evaluation value (V) recorded as the channel selection operation history is maximum.

  Then, using the calculated V = V (t) and the weight value k corresponding to the CM frame frequency, the index at the present time is calculated as follows, and the in-program corner is now started. The process of determining whether or not is performed is executed. In the following process, the index is calculated every minute together with the start of the specified viewing frame (for example, 22:00), and the process of determining whether or not the in-program corner starts is executed. An example is described. However, of course, the following processing is not limited thereto, and may be configured such that processing is executed at another time interval, or the following processing is executed with some event occurrence as a trigger.

  The “current value counting unit” (0306) receives the viewing frame specified by at least one tuner of the broadcast channel selection unit during the time frame of the viewing frame specified by the viewing frame specifying unit, and Among them, it has a function of counting a current value that is the number of CM frames up to the present. The current value counting unit counts the current value by counting the CM frames inserted so far at a predetermined interval such as 1 minute, for example. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a result of counting the number of CM frames per minute, for example, in this current value counting unit. As shown in this figure, for example, the insertion CM frame at the start time “22:00” of the viewing frame is “0”, the CM frame until “22:01” one minute later is “0”,... The CM frame up to “22:10” is “one time”. The CM frame count may be executed in the same manner as the process described in the CM frame frequency management unit, for example.

  Then, each time the current value is counted by the current value counting unit (in this example, every minute), index calculation processing and comparison processing by the configuration below the next index calculation unit is executed, and the in-program corner is started. It is determined whether or not.

  The “index calculation unit” (0307) has a function of calculating an index for estimating that the in-program corner has just started. This index is based on the number of times managed by the CM frame frequency management unit and the correlation between the frequencies, and the degree to which it can be estimated that the in-program corner has started at the current value counted by the current value counting unit, The probability distribution is calculated based on the probability distribution calculated by the probability distribution calculation unit. Hereinafter, an example of the index calculation process will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the index calculation process in the index calculation unit. First, FIG. 9A shows an example of determining the “degree” at the current value counted by the current value counting unit. As shown in FIG. 9A, the number of insertions of the CM frame at 22:00, that is, the current value is 0. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the CM frame frequency management unit indicates that the frequency at the number of times “0” is “1” and the weight value K0 is “1”. Therefore, this weighting value, for example, “K0 = 1” is determined as “a degree that can be estimated that“ the corner in the program has started ”at“ 22:00 ”. In addition, when the time elapses and becomes 22:10, the weight value “K10 = 3” is determined as “the degree at which it can be estimated that“ the corner in the program started ”at“ 22:10 ”). It is.

  9B shows an example of index calculation using the “degree” calculated as described above and the probability distribution “V = V (t)” as shown in FIG. 7C. Show. As shown in FIG. 9B, if the time when the current value used for calculating the degree is counted, that is, if the current time is, for example, 22:10, V at 22:10 is expressed as V = V (22 : 10) Calculate using the formula. Subsequently, the calculated V is multiplied by the degree “(K10 =) 3” to calculate the exponent value.

  In this way, first, by using the superposition of probability distributions based on the history information of the user's channel selection operation time, for example, the user who is performing zapping or the like receives the start of the desired program corner and matches the channel. A function V = V (t) for estimating the time is calculated. Furthermore, for example, in the program, the number of corners is fixed, and a CM is often inserted between the corners. That is, even in a program corner where the start time is indefinite, the number (number of times) of CM frames inserted before the start of the corner is often constant. Therefore, by correcting the index using the frequency distribution of the number of CM frames, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the corner start is now started at the current time point.

  The “comparator” (0308) has a function of comparing the calculated index with a predetermined threshold value. Thus, in the comparison unit, it is determined by the arithmetic processing of the arithmetic circuit that the index for estimating that the corner in the program has just started exceeds the threshold value stored in the ROM or the like in advance as shown in FIG. In such a case, a determination result that “the in-program corner is started” is output. Note that the threshold value may be a fluctuation value calculated from a predetermined mathematical expression, in addition to a predetermined fixed value.

  The “control unit” (0309) has a function of controlling the broadcast channel selection unit (0301) according to the comparison result. As described above, in response to the output of the judgment result that “the corner in the program is started” in the comparison unit, the control unit sends a channel control signal to the tuner that is the broadcast channel selection unit, and the user desires to view the program. The channel selection for the channel on which the program corner is broadcast is executed. Further, in addition to the channel control, a recording start control command may be sent to the recording apparatus to automatically start recording. In addition, as will be described later in the fourth embodiment, a message such as “Today's sports result (registered name in the program corner, etc.) starts” is displayed on the display before the channel control. You may comprise so that the start may be notified.

  As described above, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment uses the “history of the user's channel selection operation” and the “frequency distribution of the number of CM frame insertions until the channel selection operation is executed” to be irregular. An “index” for determining whether or not the in-program corner has just started can be calculated and the determination can be executed.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the broadcast receiving device when the functional components described above are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the process of estimating that the in-program corner has just started will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the broadcast receiving apparatus includes a “CPU (central processing unit)” (1101) and a “main memory” (1102) for performing various arithmetic processes. “ROM” (1103) for accumulating channel selection operation history, frequency of CM frame frequency, etc., “tuner 1” (1104) and “tuner 2” (1105) for receiving broadcasts, and “UI” for accepting input operations from users (User interface) "(1106), and" Built-in clock "(1107) for measuring the current time and the like. They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

  Further, the “main memory” provides a work area which is a work area for the program at the same time as reading a program for performing various processes for the CPU to execute. In addition, a plurality of addresses are assigned to each of the “main memory” and “ROM”, and programs executed by the “CPU” exchange data with each other by specifying and accessing the memory addresses. It is possible to perform processing.

  Here, for example, a screen for inputting “channel information”, “start time information and end time information”, and “broadcast day information” for specifying a viewing frame is displayed on a display (not shown). On the input screen, the user inputs the information related to the corner in the program desired to be viewed from “UI”, for example, “110 channel”, “22:00 to 23:00”, “Monday to Friday”, etc. To do. The input data is stored as viewing frame information at address 1 of the “main memory”, and viewing frame information is accumulated at address 1 of “ROM” when the “UI” input key is pressed.

  Subsequently, the program generates the task scheduler 1 from the viewing frame information stored in the “ROM” in this way. Then, according to the task scheduler 1, monitoring processing of “tuner 1” is executed between “22:00 and 23:00” of “Monday to Friday”, and “tuner 1” is set to “110 channel”. Get the time when the tuning operation is executed. Specifically, for example, when a remote control channel selection signal for channel 110 is received by “UI”, the signal reception time, for example, “22:30” is acquired from “built-in clock”, and “main memory” address 2 To store. Then, when the confirmation key “UI” indicating that it is not zapping or the like is pressed, the time information is stored in the DB at address 2 of “ROM” as the channel selection operation history.

  Then, along with the acquisition of the channel selection operation history, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment also executes collection and accumulation of CM frame frequency as follows. Specifically, the program similarly generates another task scheduler 2 from the viewing frame information. Then, according to the task scheduler 2, during the period from “22:00 to 23:00” of “Monday to Friday”, the monitoring process of “tuner 2” for counting the number of CM frames is executed, and “tuner 2” is executed. The number of CM frames included in the “110 channel” broadcast wave fixedly received is counted. The counting method stores algebra N = 0 at address 3 of the “main memory”. Then, for example, a process of determining the audio format of the broadcast received by the logical operation process of “CPU” is executed. If the stereo audio format is determined as a result of the determination process, the algebra N is counted up. When another audio format is changed to a stereo audio format, the algebra N is further counted up. Then, this process is executed until the channel selection to “110 channel” is executed in the other tuner A. The algebra N thus counted and stored at the address 3 of the “main memory” is stored in the DB 2 of the address 3 of the “ROM” as the number of CM frames.

  Subsequently, the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment calculates the probability distribution using the channel selection operation history stored in DB1. Specifically, the function V = V1 indicating the normal distribution as shown in FIG. 10 for each channel selection operation history by the calculation processing of the “CPU” in accordance with the distribution condition stored in “ROM” or the like determined in advance. (T), V = V2 (t),... Are calculated. Then, the superposition of the normal distribution functions is calculated by “CPU” calculation processing, and V = V (t) indicating the probability distribution as a function of time is calculated. Then, the calculated function V = V (t) is stored in DB1 of “ROM”.

  On the other hand, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment calculates the frequency distribution using the CM frame count stored in DB2. Specifically, with the number of CM frames as a class, the appearance frequency for each number of times stored in DB2 is counted by the calculation process of “CPU”. Then, data indicating the correlation between the frequency of CM frames and the frequency as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the DB 2 of “ROM”.

  Then, using the “probability distribution based on channel selection operation history” and “CM frequency frame frequency (frequency distribution)” accumulated in this way, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment performs a program as follows. Determine if the inner corner has just begun.

  First, when the time zone “22:00 to 23:00” indicated by the viewing frame information stored in the address 1 of “ROM” is reached, the current time is set to “ Store in address 5 of "main memory". Then, the CM frame reception count process at “tuner B” at the current time (a tuner controlled to receive “110 channel” fixedly) is executed in the same manner as described above. Then, for example, the number of CM frames counted with 10:10 as the current time, that is, the current value “1 time” of 10:10 is stored at address 5 of the main memory. Then, the DB 2 of “ROM” is searched using the current value “1 time” as a key indicating the number of CM frames, and the frequency “3” correlated with the CM frame number “1” is acquired. The acquired frequency “3” is stored in address 6 of “main memory” as the degree of weighting. Note that the “degree” is not the frequency value as it is, but may be a value converted using a predetermined mathematical formula or a correspondence table, for example.

  Subsequently, the time function V = V (t) is read from the DB 1 at the address 2 of the “ROM” and stored in the address 7 of the “main memory”. Then, the current time stored at the address 5 is substituted into the function, and V = V (10:10) is calculated by the calculation processing of “CPU”. Then, the calculated value V is multiplied by the weight value (degree) stored at the address 6 of the “main memory” and stored as an index at the address 8 of the “main memory”. Then, the comparison threshold value stored in the address 4 of the “ROM” is read to the address 9 of the “main memory”, and the magnitude comparison process between the index and the threshold value is executed by the calculation process of the “CPU”.

  As a result, for example, if the index is smaller than the threshold value, it is determined that the in-program corner that the user desires to watch has not started yet at the current time. On the other hand, if a determination result that the index is larger than the threshold is output, the in-program corner that the user desires to view is started at the current time, and a control command is output to channel 110 of “tuner A”. Is executed.

<Process flow>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a schematic flow of the collection operation of the channel selection operation history and the CM frame frequency in the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium.

  As shown in this figure, first, a viewing frame is specified using information acquired by user input or the like (step S1201). Subsequently, the channel selection operation history is collected and recorded for the specified viewing frame (step S1202), and the frequency and frequency of CM frame count are collected and managed (step S1203). Then, based on the channel selection operation history, the probability distribution is calculated as a function of time (step S1204). In this way, collection of the channel selection operation history and the frequency of the CM frame is executed. Next, the above process will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of processing related to collection of the channel selection operation history. As shown in this figure, when the registered program specified by the viewing frame is started (step S1301), whether or not the registered program is being received by the tuner is determined using “channel information” indicated by the viewing frame as a key. (Step S1302). Here, when the determination result that the registered program is being received is output, the program start time is acquired as the channel selection time (step S1303).

  On the other hand, when a determination result indicating that the registered program is not being received is output, the broadcast receiving apparatus performs “tuner” monitoring, whether program tuning has been performed (step S1304), and the channel selection destination is Processing for determining whether or not the channel is a registered program is executed (step S1305). As a result, if it is determined that the channel selection operation for the registered program has not been executed within the viewing frame time, the channel selection operation history is not accumulated. Further, if the channel selection operation for the registered program is executed within the viewing frame time, the channel selection time at which the channel selection operation was executed is acquired.

  Next, in order to determine whether or not zapping is performed, it is determined whether or not the channel selection is continued for a certain time or more (step S1306). As a result, if it continues for a certain period of time, it is acquired as a channel selection operation history. Then, a normal distribution centering on the channel selection time indicated by the channel selection operation history is calculated (step S1307), and the normal distribution calculated from the history so far is superimposed (step S1308). Then, the superimposed time function is registered in the database as a probability distribution (step S1309). Then, the above process is repeated until the end time of the registered program specified by the viewing frame (step S1310).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of processing related to the collection of the CM frame frequency. As shown in this figure, when the registered program specified by the viewing frame is started (step S1401), the algebra N = 0 is set as the number of CM frames in the “main memory” (step S1402). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the registered program is being received by the tuner, using “channel information” indicated by the viewing frame as a key (step S1403). Here, when the determination result that the registered program is being received is output, “N = 0 times” indicating the number of CM frames is obtained, so the frequency at “0 times” is updated in the database (step S1407). .

  On the other hand, when a determination result indicating that the registered program is not being received is output, the broadcast receiving apparatus performs monitoring of “tuner A”, and whether or not the program has been selected, and the channel selection destination is the registered program. A process for determining whether or not the channel is selected is executed (step S1404). As a result, when it is determined that the channel selection operation for the registered program has not been executed, another “tuner B” (a tuner that is controlled to receive a channel specified by the viewing frame) is executed. . If it is determined that a CM frame is inserted in the program using a difference in audio format or the like, the algebra N is updated to N + 1 (step S1405). After that, it is determined by monitoring of “tuner A” that can receive each channel, it is determined that a registered program has been received, and it is confirmed by a calculation process of the CPU or the like that the channels are continuously matched for a predetermined time or more ( 1406) and the algebra N updated so far, the frequency of “N times” is updated in the database (step S1407).

  Then, the updated frequency is updated as a weighted value k corresponding to the CM frame count “N” (step S1408), and the above processing is performed until the channel selection of the registered program is canceled or the registered program ends. It is repeated (step S1409).

  Next, using the “history of user channel selection operations” collected in this way and the “frequency of CM slots until the channel selection operation is performed”, irregular program corners can be created. Judgment processing of whether it started now is performed.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a schematic flow of a determination process of whether or not an irregular program corner has just started in the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, when the start time of the program specified by the viewing frame is reached (step S1501), the program indicated by the viewing frame is controlled to be “tuner B” (the channel specified by the viewing frame is fixedly received). For example, the number of CM frames inserted into the registered program every minute by the current time is counted as a current value (step S1502). Subsequently, based on the CM frame frequency managed as described above, the degree to which it can be estimated that the in-program corner is started at the current value is calculated (step S1503). Based on the degree and the above probability distribution, an index for estimating that the in-program corner has just started is calculated (step S1504).

  Then, a magnitude comparison process between the calculated index and, for example, a predetermined threshold value is executed (step S1505). For example, if a determination result that the index is equal to or greater than the threshold value is output from the CPU, the in-program corner has just started. Since it is estimated, a control signal for controlling “tuner A” to be adjusted to the channel specified by the viewing frame is output from the CPU to the broadcast channel selection unit.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the above-mentioned program corner start determination process. As shown in this figure, when the registered program specified by the viewing frame is started (step S1601), an algebra N indicating the number of CM frames up to the current time is set on the “main memory”. In addition, the current time t (measured every minute, for example) and the weight value kN corresponding to the algebra N that changes according to the current time t are also set (step S1602).

  Subsequently, for example, count processing of the number of CM frames up to the current time is executed, and the count value is substituted into the algebra N (step S1603). Then, the current time t is substituted into V = V (t) indicating the probability distribution as a function of time, and the exponent value V is calculated. Further, the frequency value managed in the CM frame frequency database corresponding to the algebra N is acquired as the weighted value kN and used as a correction value of the exponent value V (for example, V × kN) (step) S1604).

  Then, a size comparison process between the V × kN calculated in this way and a predetermined threshold value S is executed by a calculation process of the CPU (step S1605). As a result, when the determination result of V × kN ≧ S is output, the control signal for adjusting “tuner A” to the channel specified by the viewing frame is output, assuming that the in-program corner is now started, For example, a process of notifying the user of the start of the in-program corner is executed (step S1606).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment does not use the “history of user channel selection operation” and the “frequency distribution of the number of CM frame insertions until the channel selection operation is executed”. An “index” for determining whether or not a regular in-program corner has just started can be calculated and the determination can be executed.

<< Example 2 >>
<Overview>
If the user selects a registered program while performing so-called “zapping”, the channel selection operation “estimates that the channel was selected in response to the start of the in-program corner within the viewing frame. "It is not possible. Therefore, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment eliminates such a channel selection operation that becomes noise information, and can select “estimated that the channel is selected in response to the start of the in-program corner within the viewing frame”. Only a station operation is stored as a channel selection operation history.

  Specifically, in zapping or the like, the next channel selection operation is usually executed in a short time such as several seconds to several tens of seconds. On the other hand, in the case of the channel selection operation in response to the start of the in-program corner desired to be viewed, the channel remains fixed until the end of the in-program corner having a scale of several tens of seconds or more.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment determines whether or not channel selection is maintained for a predetermined time or longer when a channel selection operation for a registered program is performed. Thus, for example, if the next channel selection is performed in 2 seconds or 10 seconds, such as the channel selection operation “001A” or “001B”, the accumulation is not performed due to zapping. On the other hand, the channel selection operation “001N” is stored as the channel selection operation history because the channel of 10 minutes and 32 seconds was maintained.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “broadcast receiving apparatus” (1800) of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and “broadcast tuning section” (1801), “viewing frame specifying section” (1802), “ “Channel selection operation history recording unit” (1803), “CM frame frequency management unit” (1804), “probability distribution calculation unit” (1805), “current value counting unit” (1806), “index calculation” Part "(1807)," comparison part "(1808), and" control part "(1809). The feature point of this embodiment is that the channel selection operation history recording unit further includes “determination means” (1810) and “conditional recording means” (1811).

  The “determination means” (1810) has a function of determining whether or not the next channel selection operation is executed for a predetermined time or more as the channel selection operation. Specifically, this determination means acquires, for example, a predetermined time as a determination reference from a ROM or the like. Then, software / hardware time is measured until the next channel selection operation, for example, reception of a remote control signal for another channel is detected, and a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the acquired reference time is exceeded. Condition. The “predetermined time” may be set in advance, or may be configured to be settable by the user using a UI or the like. Further, the time during which channel selection is maintained as the channel selection operation history may be accumulated so that it is automatically determined from the average value of the time.

  The “conditional recording means” (1811) has a function of recording as a channel selection operation history when the determination result is a determination result that the channel selection operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more. In this way, the channel selection operation that becomes noise information such as zapping is excluded, and only the channel selection operation that can be “estimated to have been selected in response to the start of the in-program corner within the viewing frame” is selected. It can be accumulated as an operation history.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the broadcast receiving device when the above functional components are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the selection process of the channel selection operation will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the broadcast receiving apparatus is similar to the first embodiment in that “CPU” (1901), “main memory” (1902), “ROM” (1903), “tuner 1” (1904), and “ Tuner 2 ”(1905),“ UI ”(1906), and“ Built-in clock ”(1907), which are connected to each other via a data communication path such as“ system bus ”to transmit / receive information and process information I do.

  Here, when a channel selection command signal from the remote controller is received at “UI”, the channel selection operation of “tuner 1” is executed. Then, a program included in the broadcast received by the tuner 1 is output to a display or a speaker. In addition to this, in this embodiment, the channel selection command received by “UI” is stored in “main memory”, and the same channel as the channel specified by the viewing frame (not shown) stored in “ROM”. Judgment processing of whether or not it is a channel selection command is executed. Then, when the judgment result that the same is output by the logical operation processing of the “CPU”, the channel selection operation is the channel selection operation corresponding to noise such as zapping, or the start of the corner in the program is received. The process of determining whether the channel selection operation is performed as follows.

  First, a predetermined time, for example, “5 minutes” stored in advance in address 1 of “ROM” is stored in address 2 of “main memory”. At the same time, the time until a channel selection command for another channel is received is measured by software or an “internal clock”. Then, the measured time is stored as the viewing time at the address 3 of the “main memory”, and the comparison with the predetermined time is executed by the calculation processing of the “CPU”. As a result, if a determination result indicating that the viewing time is longer than the predetermined time is output, a recording command for recording the channel selection operation time as the channel selection operation history is stored at address 4 of the “main memory”. , And so on, to the control circuit of “ROM”. On the other hand, if the determination result that the viewing time is shorter than the predetermined time is output, the channel selection operation is likely to be due to zapping or the like, and is discarded as it is.

<Process flow>
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic flow of a sorting process for determining whether or not to record a channel selection operation as a history in the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium.

  As shown in this figure, first, it is determined whether a program (registered program) specified by the viewing frame is selected (step S2001). As a result, when a determination result indicating that the registered program is selected is output, measurement of elapsed time is started (step S2002). Then, another channel selection operation is executed, or the time measurement is continued until the end time of the registered program (step S2003), and the comparison processing between the measured elapsed time and the predetermined time is performed by the CPU arithmetic processing, etc. (Step S2004). As a result, if the judgment result that the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time is output, the channel selection operation can be “estimated that the channel was selected in response to the start of the in-program corner within the viewing frame”. Therefore, recording is performed as a channel selection operation history (step S2005).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment eliminates the channel selection operation that becomes noise information such as zapping, and “estimates that the channel is selected according to the start of the in-program corner within the viewing frame”. Only possible channel selection operations can be stored as a channel selection operation history.

Example 3
<Overview>
The present embodiment is a broadcast receiving apparatus characterized in that an electronic program guide is used for specifying a viewing frame based on the above-described embodiment. By using the electronic program guide in this way, if the viewing frame overlaps with the program frame, it is possible to save time and effort for the user to input information for specifying the viewing frame.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “broadcast receiving apparatus” (2100) of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and “broadcast tuning section” (2101), “viewing frame specifying section” (2102), “ “Channel selection operation history recording unit” (2103), “CM frame frequency management unit” (2104), “Probability distribution calculation unit” (2105), “Current value counting unit” (2106), “Index calculation” Part "(2107)," comparison part "(2108), and" control part "(2109). Further, on the basis of the second embodiment, “judgment means” and “conditional recording means” (not shown) may be provided. The characteristic point of this embodiment is that the viewing frame specifying unit further includes “electronic program guide specifying means” (2110).

  The “electronic program guide specifying means” (2110) has a function of specifying a viewing frame for each program using the electronic program guide. "Electronic program guide" is program guide information provided by Internet distribution or digital broadcast wave, etc. for each program, its start / end time, broadcast time, channel information, program name and performer Information including information such as name. Therefore, the user can register the start / end time, channel information, and the like related to the program frame in the broadcast receiving apparatus only by selecting and inputting, for example, a program name from the electronic program guide.

<Process flow>
FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic flow of a viewing frame specifying process using an electronic program guide in the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium.

  As shown in the figure, first, a user designates a program specified in the electronic program guide (step S2201), and acquires start / end time information and channel information of the program from the received information of the electronic program guide (step S2202). . Then, a program (viewing) frame is specified using the acquired information (step S2203).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment can easily save the viewing frame (program frame) by using the electronic program guide without having to input information for specifying the viewing frame one by one by the user. Can be identified.

Example 4
<Overview>
The present embodiment is based on the above-described embodiments. For example, a message is displayed on the display according to the comparison result between the index and the threshold for estimating that the corner in the program has started. The broadcast receiving apparatus further includes a function of notifying the start of a program corner.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “broadcast receiving device” (2300) of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and “broadcast tuning section” (2301), “viewing frame specifying section” (2302), “ “Channel selection operation history recording unit” (2303), “CM frame frequency management unit” (2304), “Probability distribution calculation unit” (2305), “Current value counting unit” (2306), “Index calculation” Part "(2307)," comparison part "(2308), and" control part "(2309). Further, “judgment means”, “conditional recording means”, or “electronic program guide specifying means” (not shown) based on the second and third embodiments may be provided. The feature of the present embodiment is that the broadcast receiving apparatus further includes a “start notification unit” (2310).

  The “start notification unit” (2310) has a function of notifying the user of the start of the in-program corner according to the comparison result of the comparison unit. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, a message such as “Corner starts” is displayed on the display that displays the broadcast program, or an icon that indicates the start is displayed. The method of notifying by doing is mentioned. Of course, in addition to that, for example, a similar message is output from the speaker by automatic voice, a buzzer sound for warning is output, or the LED light blinks at a predetermined interval. Can be notified to the user.

  The user who receives this notification can know the start timing of the desired program corner, so that the user can select a channel for broadcasting the program corner and input a command for recording processing. It can be done.

<Process flow>
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic flow of a process for notifying the user of the start of the in-program corner in the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium.

  As shown in this figure, first, the processing as described in the first embodiment is executed, and the size comparison processing between the index and the threshold value is executed (step S2501). As a result of the comparison process, for example, if the CPU outputs a determination result that the index is greater than or equal to the threshold value, it is presumed that the in-program corner has just started. Or output from the speaker (step S2502).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment allows the user to know the start timing of a desired program corner, so that the user can select a channel for broadcasting the program corner and perform recording processing. Command input can be executed.

Conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a start time estimation process for a corner in a program by the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. Conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a start time estimation process for a corner in a program by the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the broadcast receiving apparatus of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of information used for specifying a viewing frame by a viewing frame specifying unit of the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a channel selection operation history recorded in a channel selection operation history recording unit of the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. Conceptual diagram showing an example of the number of CM frames and the frequency managed by the CM frame frequency management unit of the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. Conceptual diagram showing an example of probability distribution calculation in the probability distribution calculation unit of the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the count result of the present value in the present value counting part of the broadcast receiver of Example 1. The figure for demonstrating an example of the index calculation process in the index calculation part of the broadcast receiver of Example 1. FIG. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating an example of the comparison process of the index | exponent and predetermined threshold value in the comparison part of the broadcast receiver of Example 1. FIG. The figure showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the broadcast receiving apparatus of Example 1. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic flow of a collection operation of a channel selection operation history and a CM frame frequency in the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the detailed flow of the process regarding collection of channel selection operation | movement history in the broadcast receiver of Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the detailed flow of the process regarding collection of CM frame frequency in the broadcast receiving apparatus of Example 1. The flowchart showing an example of the schematic flow of the judgment process in the broadcast receiving apparatus of Example 1 whether the irregular program corner has just started. The flowchart which shows an example of the detailed flow of the start judgment process of the corner in a program in the broadcast receiving apparatus of Example 1. FIG. Conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a selection process regarding a channel selection operation by the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the broadcast receiving apparatus of Example 2. The figure showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the broadcast receiving apparatus of Example 2. The flowchart showing an example of the schematic flow of the selection process of whether to record the channel selection operation as a history in the broadcast receiving apparatus of the second embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the broadcast receiving apparatus of Example 3. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic flow of a viewing frame specifying process using an electronic program guide in the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the third embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the broadcast receiving apparatus of Example 4. The conceptual diagram showing an example of the aspect which notifies the user the corner start in a program in the start notification part of the broadcast receiver of Example 4. The flowchart showing an example of the schematic flow of the process which notifies a user of the start of the corner in a program in the broadcast receiving apparatus of Example 4. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

0300 Broadcast receiving device 0301 Broadcast channel selection unit 0302 Viewing frame identification unit 0303 Channel selection operation history recording unit 0304 CM frame frequency management unit 0305 Probability distribution calculation unit 0306 Current value counting unit 0307 Index calculation unit 0308 Comparison unit 0309 Control unit

Claims (10)

Broadcast tuning department,
A viewing frame identifying unit for identifying a viewing frame such as a program in which a corner in a program to be viewed is broadcast,
A channel selection operation that presumes that a channel has been selected in response to the start of the in-program corner within the viewing frame, and the time at which the channel selection operation from outside the viewing frame for the specified viewing frame has been executed is selected as the in-program corner. A tuning operation history recording unit for recording as a station operation history;
A CM frame frequency management unit for managing the correlation between the frequency of the CM frame broadcast in the viewing frame selected by the channel selection operation and the frequency until the channel selection operation is executed;
A probability distribution calculation unit that calculates a probability distribution of starting a corner in the program as a function of time based on the channel selection history recorded in the channel selection operation history recording unit;
This is the number of CM frames up to the present in the viewing frame while receiving the viewing frame specified by at least one tuner of the broadcast channel selection unit during the viewing frame time specified by the viewing frame specifying unit. A current value counter for counting current values;
Based on the number of times managed by the CM frame frequency management unit and the correlation between the frequencies, the degree of probability that the in-program corner has been started at the current value counted by the current value counting unit, and the probability distribution calculation unit An index calculation unit that calculates an index for estimating that the in-program corner has just started based on the probability distribution calculated in
A comparison unit that compares the calculated index with a predetermined threshold;
A control unit for controlling the broadcast channel selection unit according to the comparison result;
A broadcast receiving apparatus. The probability distribution calculator
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a normal distribution calculating unit that calculates a probability distribution by superimposing a normal distribution centering on a channel selection operation time for each channel selection operation for a plurality of channel selection operations. The tuning operation history recording part
A determination means for determining whether or not the next channel selection operation is executed for a predetermined time or more as the channel selection operation;
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a conditional recording unit configured to record a channel selection operation history when the determination result is a determination result that the channel selection operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more. The viewing frame identification part
The broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an electronic program guide specifying unit that specifies a viewing frame in units of programs using an electronic program guide.   The broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a start notifying unit that notifies a user of the start of the in-program corner according to a comparison result in the comparing unit. A control method of a broadcast receiving apparatus having a broadcast tuning unit,
Viewing frame identifying step for identifying a viewing frame such as a program in which a corner in the program desired to be viewed is broadcast,
A channel selection operation that presumes that a channel has been selected in response to the start of the in-program corner within the viewing frame, and the time at which the channel selection operation from outside the viewing frame for the specified viewing frame has been executed is selected as the in-program corner. Channel selection operation history recording step for recording as station operation history,
CM frame frequency management step for managing the correlation between the number of times that the CM frame is broadcast and the frequency until the channel selection operation is performed;
A probability distribution calculating step of calculating a probability distribution of starting a corner in the program as a function of time based on the channel selection history recorded in the channel selection operation history recording step;
This is the number of CM frames to be received in the viewing frame while receiving the viewing frame specified by at least one tuner of the broadcast channel selection unit during the viewing frame time specified in the viewing frame specifying step. A current value counting step for counting the current value;
Based on the number of times managed in the CM frame frequency management step and the correlation between the frequencies, the degree of probability that the in-program corner is started at the current value counted in the current value counting step, and the probability distribution calculating step An index calculating step for calculating an index for estimating that the corner in the program has just started based on the probability distribution calculated in
A comparison step for comparing the calculated index with a predetermined threshold;
A control step for controlling the broadcast channel selection unit according to the comparison result;
Control method of broadcast receiving apparatus for causing computer to execute. At the probability distribution calculation step,
7. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 6, further causing a computer to execute a normal distribution calculating step of calculating a probability distribution by superimposing a normal distribution centering on a channel selecting operation time for each channel selecting operation on a plurality of channel selecting operations. Control method. At the tuning operation history recording step,
A determination step of determining whether the next channel selection operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more as the channel selection operation;
The broadcast reception according to claim 6 or 7, further causing a computer to execute a conditional recording step of recording as a channel selection operation history when the determination result is a determination result that a channel selection operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more. Control method of the device. At the viewing frame identification step,
9. The method of controlling a broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the computer further executes an electronic program guide specifying step of specifying a viewing frame for each program using the electronic program guide.   The control method for a broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further causing the computer to execute a start notification step of notifying the user of the start of the in-program corner according to the comparison result in the comparison step.

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